Chapter 684: Where Order Cannot Reach, Order Grows on Its Own

"You say......"

Li Shimin thought, "Since I cannot prevent this behavior from occurring, could I instead incorporate these scattered escorts, set regulations and unify them under statutes? Would that both keep the trade routes smooth and eliminate the hidden danger of those private troops?"

Chen Yan was momentarily stunned, a flash of surprise passing through his eyes, then he smiled, "Your Majesty is indeed thinking ahead."

"If this can truly be done, not only will the trade routes be stable, but those who earn their living by sheer strength will also have a genuine place to belong."

Li Shimin, who knows Chen Yan extremely well, was speechless and said, "You probably haven't finished speaking, have you? You can't just say it outright."

Chen Yan: "......"

He paused briefly, not feeling embarrassed, "But what do you plan to do? Directly incorporate these people into the regular troops?"

"And then assign this group specifically to escort goods?"

Li Shimin replied, "I merely have the idea; how to implement it will, of course, require careful discussion and deliberation after we return."

"No need," Chen Yan said bluntly, "Forgive my frankness, this is too troublesome."

"If we incorporate these people, they would become regular personnel, a category within the regular troops."

"Since we intend them to escort goods, we must certainly provide some support. Not to mention, they should be equipped with standard weapons, right?"

"The basic guarantees are required, aren't they?"

"Every aspect turns out to be quite troublesome."

Li Tai, hearing this, frowned and said, "The weapons and horses of the regular troops are registered military assets; how could they possibly be given to these people to help merchants transport goods?"

"If it's a Money Shop, a semi‑government, semi‑imperial institution that can to some extent directly influence state organs, that might be acceptable, but on what grounds do ordinary merchants have?"

Empress Changsun added, "Indeed, and because Emperor Yang of Sui set a precedent, the Tang Dynasty has long practiced 'the state puts people first,' yet this approach somewhat contradicts that..."

Speaking, she suddenly noticed Li Shimin and Chen Yan turning their heads toward her, their expressions a bit odd.

She instantly realized that, according to this line of reasoning, Chen Yan and Li Shimin would have already been irredeemably violating it.

All kinds of trade were thriving.

Yet they still claimed to uphold 'the state puts people first,' only never putting it on the table.

The only thing brought to the forefront was the Money Shop.

But the Money Shop was so special that everyone tacitly accepted it.

Chen Yan cleared his throat, "Moreover, if we incorporate these people, what status would they have within the regular troops, who would they report to, which funds would be used—these are all questions."

"Therefore, I personally think this is unworkable."

"Then what good solution do you have?" Li Shimin was not disappointed.

Through long‑term interaction, he had already discovered that this fellow, like Wei Zheng, always liked to rebut him.

Yet after the rebuttal, he always managed to propose a solution.

He had become accustomed to it.

At first it was irritating, but after many instances he just thought, "so be it."

Chen Yan smiled and said, "I've read history; I recall that during Han Wudi's reign, Sang Hongyang tried a certain method."

"The Government established convenient trade stations along major trade routes; merchants paid a fee and could have the station's soldiers guard their goods. It wasn't for profit, but to give idle strongmen something to eat so they wouldn't turn to banditry."

"Later someone claimed it was competing for profit with the people, so it was abolished."

"If we do something similar, even with good intentions, presenting it to the world would inevitably invite criticism, and it would be too cumbersome."

"Therefore, let's compromise."

Li Shimin: "How to compromise?"

"Very simple!" Chen Yan explained calmly, "Summarized, it's eight characters."

"The government supervises, the people manage; govern commerce with commerce!"

"Government supervises, people manage, commerce governs commerce......"

The crowd mulled over those eight words Chen Yan uttered, falling into contemplation.

Originally full of resentment, Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang had already been drawn in and listened attentively.

Empress Changsun hesitated, "Zi An, do you mean the Government should not intervene, but still need to supervise?"

"Your... Empress, you're right," Chen Yan said confidently, "By 'government supervision' I mean that everyone engaged in armed escort must be registered with the Government, listing name, native place, and weapon source."

"Each year they pay a merchant protection fee as management cost. The amount need not be large—just a token, since they are doing life‑risking work; if we charge too much, no one will want to do it."

"Furthermore, the Government does not issue any certificates, only a bronze badge engraved with, for example, 'Zhenguan Year X, County Y, Trade Route Guard.'"

"This provides them with identification, allowing this gray‑area industry to be rationally legalized and become a regulated sector."

"Rational legalization......"

Li Shimin chuckled lightly, "Interesting, please continue."

Chen Yan responded, then continued, "Second, of course, is the so‑called civilian‑run part!"

"What does civilian‑run mean? The escort business is still organized by private merchants; the Government does not directly operate it."

"But the Government must stipulate that the size, equipment, and routes of escort teams be reported in advance."

"If anyone causes trouble, the Government will hold that person accountable."

"Simple and clear!"

Listening to Chen Yan's words, Li Shimin pondered for a long time, then nodded, "It does sound good; the Government only needs to supervise, no extra work, and it brings this gray industry under its umbrella."

"But there's a problem: if these people use the Government's bronze badge to bluff and commit crimes, what then?"

Chen Yan was taken aback, and said wordlessly, "Indeed such a possibility exists, but we can also impose restraints, making the bronze badge both a protective talisman and a tightening curse."

"For example, anyone holding the badge who commits an offense would be punished double, and the badge would be replaced each year; whoever does evil would lose it the following year."

"Without the badge, they cannot legally escort goods; they'd have to change professions or revert to banditry, and then you could arrest them with full justification."

Li Tai praised, "I think it's workable; after all, these people must register with the Government, so investigating misuse of the bronze badge wouldn't be difficult."

Li Shimin thought, "Then what does 'govern commerce with commerce' mean?"

"Very simple," Chen Yan continued, "let the Money Shop take the lead, encourage major merchants and large inns to unite, establish a Trade Route Mutual Aid Association, self‑govern, and the Government only assigns one Commercial Inspector for periodic inspections, without interfering in specific operations."

"In this way we can perfectly monitor merchants of all routes, from the Money Shop inward to the Commercial Inspector outward; the potential benefits are numerous, and I believe His Majesty should understand."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin immediately said, "Good, since the general strategy is already in place, let's set it down first; we can discuss the details during the period, and when we return we will implement it."

Chen Yan smiled, "Alright."

"In fact, in places where the Tang Dynasty's order does not reach, the people will organically generate their own order."

"Even if that order is gray, rough, and tinged with the glint of blades."

"Since we can see this gray area, it would be a pity to immediately think of eradicating it. We should consider how to turn it into a part of the Tang Dynasty's body."

"......"