Chapter 47: The Emperor Inquires About Governance

Jing Sheng Di continued:

"Since you refuse to sit alone, I will grant seats to all the ministers together! The discussion time for several senior officials and commanders today is already considerable."

"First, everyone may sit and have some tea and snacks. Da Ban, also bring a few of the tribute pears that were presented to the palace yesterday for everyone to taste!"

Xia Shouzhong, following orders, had the inner guard bring chairs, tea, and other items up to the hall.

Zhang Tingyu and the others also bowed together in gratitude.

After the ministers sat down and ate a few bites of snacks and drank a few sips of tea,

Jing Sheng Di also took a cup of tea, began to discuss serious matters with Jia Jing, and asked loudly:

"You, my loyal minister, come from the Liaodong front; you should know that the False Qing is a grave threat to our Da Han Empire. In recent years, Da Han has been at a disadvantage against the Qing. What do you think is the reason?"

In the past few decades, the Han Dynasty's campaigns against the Qing have resulted in many more losses than victories.

Even when victorious, the wins are only minor.

It can be said that this recent defeat of the Qing army's 150,000 troops by Jia Jing is one of the few victories for the Han Dynasty over the Qing since Emperor Chengzu.

This is also why Jia Jing was directly granted a marquisate.

Therefore, Jing Sheng Di is eager to hear Jia Jing's view.

Is it that the Han army cannot fight? Or that Han commanders lack ability? Or some other reason.

Jia Jing fell silent for a moment and said:

"Your Majesty, I have only been in Liaodong for two years; my experience is shallow, how could I dare speak lightly of state affairs!"

Jing Sheng Di said gravely:

"If you can win battles, that is the best proof of your ability!"

"Those like Cao Guogong, who spout reasoning but become utterly defeated on the battlefield, I do not wish to hear any more. You need not be evasive, just speak plainly!"

Jing Sheng Di harbored resentment over Cao Guogong's defeat, and at this moment he did not forget to use it as a negative example.

Beside him, Niu Jizong also looked at Jia Jing and laughed:

"Jia Jing, His Majesty's magnanimity will not punish you for speaking; speak boldly. I also wish to listen and learn from it!"

Jia Jing's complexion briefly faltered, and facing the gazes of the ministers in the hall, he began:

"From my observations at the border passes, I have gained some insight! The reason the False Qing can win against our Da Han is not that our soldiers are truly inferior to the barbarians."

"The main reason, I would sum up in two words: money and provisions!"

"As long as our Han army is well fed, clothed, equipped with arms, then intensifies training and enforces clear rewards and punishments, each time we go to war, a commander who understands soldiers will naturally defeat the enemy!"

Jia Jing did not elaborate on grand principles, only discussed the point of money and provisions.

Because he knew speaking more was useless and did not wish to appear overbearing.

The Da Han is now in a situation where the great building is about to collapse, and its myriad problems cannot be clarified in a sentence or two.

In Jia Jing's view, the Manchu Qing is comprehensively superior to Da Han in institutional matters.

Militarily, the Qing implements the Eight Banners System, which is efficient and flexible, integrating soldiers and farmers, allowing rapid mobilization.

Moreover, the Qing army emphasizes firearms, combining them with cavalry tactics, and has even learned from Da Han the manufacturing of Hongyi cannons, achieving a leap in infantry‑artillery‑cavalry combined operations.

In contrast, the Han army remains stagnant; not to mention progress, since Emperor Chengzu it has actually been on a downhill trajectory for decades.

Corrupt officials pervade all levels, resulting in consistently low administrative efficiency.

Secondly, politically, the False Qing established the Southern Study, enabling efficient decision‑making.

Kangxi possessed great strategic vision; after ascending the throne, he first eliminated enemies on the eastern and western fronts, subjugating the Hai Xi Jurchen, Wild Jurchen, and the northern Khorchin tribes, removing rear threats, and actively courting Mongolia, Korea and other states to isolate Da Han, while also enticing Han Dynasty generals to surrender.

He continuously promoted the so‑called 'Seven Great Grievances' domestically, consolidating the Eight Banners' strength, unifying the goal, and clarifying the strategy of 'contending for the Central Plains.'

Meanwhile, Da Han, due to political corruption and internal and external troubles, has its strength greatly dispersed and its people are not united.

Lastly, economically, Kangxi of the False Qing implemented a series of reforms—such as promoting agricultural production and supporting ethnic commercial development—thereby advancing the economy.

In contrast, Da Han suffers severe land consolidation; officials and gentry within the court only know how to protect their own class's interests, caring nothing for the nation's survival.

The treasury lacks funds, so taxes on the populace must increase; raising taxes, however, sparks widespread discontent and continual rebellions,

Yet without taxes, the state cannot fund wars or disaster relief; attempts to implement commercial taxes or have officials and gentry collectively provide grain meet heavy resistance.

Not to mention that Jin merchants and Jiangnan merchants continue trading with the Qing, supplying them with abundant strategic materials and weapons.

All these matters are truly difficult to sum up in a single word!

When Jia Jing uttered the two words 'money and provisions,' Jing Sheng Di's expression grew gloomy and his face turned sullen.

Why does the Han army lack funds? Why is the treasury empty?

Is it not because those bureaucratic gentry are corrupt, refusing to pay taxes to the state and continuously leeching from it?

Frontier expenditures on money and provisions run into the millions; in the bureaucracy, today Henan must suppress bandits, tomorrow Shandong must provide disaster relief—everywhere requires funds, yet the state cannot produce any!

I merely propose modest reforms and implement New Policies, yet the entire court and populace raise opposition.

For the army to win battles, the primary need is money and provisions.

But to obtain money and provisions, New Policies must first be enacted to cleanse official conduct.

Otherwise, regardless of where the money comes from, even if it exists, it will be pilfered by a pack of greedy rats!

Jing Sheng Di knows well that each time military pay is sent to the front, more than half is siphoned off before it reaches its destination.

Therefore, these corrupt officials must be thoroughly reformed.

Yet to cleanse officialdom, the foremost requirement is to possess a trustworthy, world‑dominating strong army.

Otherwise, a single misstep could lead to universal rebellion.

Although severe ailments require strong medicine, he must be patient and proceed step by step.

This is also why he recalled Jia Jing to Shenjing, uncertain whether this youth can meet his expectations.

Jing Sheng Di took a deep breath, and a flash of resolve again passed through his eyes.

And the ministers present all understood the reasoning, but given the gravity of the matter, none dared to speak casually.

Zhang Tingyu sighed inwardly,

It's hard!

The Da Han Empire's present predicament stems from the seeds of chaos sown by Taizu and Chengzu, and the aristocratic clans of Jiangnan, for backing Taizu's uprising, now have a tail too heavy to cut.

Now, within the Da Han Empire, natural disasters occur frequently, leading to uprisings, a weakened state order, and impoverished livelihoods.

Moreover, external foes such as the Manchu Qing and the Mongols loom, growing ever stronger, daring to challenge the Central Plains.

The Da Han's situation can be summed up as internal turmoil and external threats; saying it is as unstable as a tower of eggs would not be an exaggeration!

Even though Jing Sheng Di has ascended and implemented New Policies, striving diligently to govern, he remains uncertain of the ultimate outcome.

All the senior ministers wore heavy expressions, remaining silent.

Only Duke Zhao's complexion shifted slightly, his eyes blazing as he disdainfully said:

"The words 'money and grain' indeed hit the core; war is fought over money and grain!"

"But that is a truth everyone knows; the child's words are overly boastful. I expected some profound argument, yet it's just the same old clichés!"