[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-340":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Shao Song",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1558506,2024,"Chapter 340: Annual Revenue","shao-song-chapter-340",340,"\u003Cp>Having made a deal with Zhang Jun using an installment repayment plan, the Imperial Majesty did not stop his inspection tour of the troops. Two days later, after the subsequent personnel and ceremonial escort arrived, he continued eastward with Zhang Jun. Not only did he go to Binzhou to inspect Zhang Zongyan's retreating forces, but he also pressed further east, arriving in the Deng-Lai region in mid-December to inspect the Imperial Camp Navy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, the Imperial Majesty warmly comforted Li Bao, on the spot promising him the position of Co-Commander-in-Chief, which simultaneously elevated the status of both the Imperial Camp Navy and the man himself. Yet he also ordered Li Bao to proactively dispatch two seagoing vessels to accompany the fleet organized by Zhang Jun on an ocean voyage, ostensibly to familiarize themselves with the sea routes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the meeting between Yue Fei and Tian Shizhong in the Qingzhou-Zizhou region proceeded with a somewhat subdued air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, during this period, memorials from the court urging the Imperial Majesty to return to the capital, reports from various Imperial Camp armies expressing loyalty in response to various rumors, and even Yue Fei's own views on his command of the Imperial Camp Right Army… none of these ceased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Notably, Yue Fei's concern about commanding the Imperial Camp Right Army was not about avoiding suspicion. Rather, in a secret memorial, he obliquely indicated that as a man from Hebei, he could properly handle the Imperial Camp Forward Army, which was reorganized from the old core of the Eastern Capital Rear Guard, and even the Eight-Character Army. But controlling the Imperial Camp Right Army, he feared, would provoke resentment among its ranks, which were rooted in the Western Army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was exactly like Zhang Jun's plea for Tian Shizhong that night—a request for guarantees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, this behavior was somewhat untimely. Any other emperor would likely have harbored misgivings. But Zhao Jiu understood that Yue Fei had his reasons… Specifically, in Yue Pengju's mind, he would accept or do anything that benefited the Northern Expedition, regardless of whether it brought him trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Put bluntly, this was sacrificing oneself for the nation without regard for personal cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, even understanding Yue Fei's thinking, Zhao Jiu still found it difficult to give Yue Fei any assurances at this point. Helping to remove Zhang Jun, the soul of the Imperial Camp Right Army, so that Yue Fei could seize control of that army through Tian Shizhong, was already a kind of limit. To give further assurances would require granting them in terms of formal status. And once formal status was granted, it would likely expose the fact that Zhang Jun had been stripped of military authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would be going too far, and it would be bad for everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that point, not only would Zhang Jun's prestige be utterly destroyed, but Yue Fei would also be in a terrible position—a regional commander controlling nearly half the Imperial Camp's military power, especially one who was a sworn brother with Navy Commander Zhang Rong and stationed right in Jingdong, was simply inconceivable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such a situation, the first to object would likely be Hub Minister Zhang Jun, Zhang Deyuan, who had always been the most deferential and supportive of Yue Fei. And given Zhang Deyuan's temperament, he would probably cause Yue Fei the greatest embarrassment, making the matter impossible to resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this was not about personal relationships, likes or dislikes, or right and wrong; it was more about institutional considerations and guarding against the unforeseen. Furthermore, in the eyes of everyone except Zhao Jiu himself, what he was doing was indeed somewhat dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Zhao Jiu himself, though he was completely at ease, he could not explain this to outsiders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Setting aside these thoughts, Zhao Jiu had arrived in Dengzhou, met with Li Bao, and watched the fleet set sail. It was already the fifteenth day of the twelfth month, and this place was a full twelve hundred li from the Eastern Capital—he truly could not delay any longer. So, turning around, this preoccupied Imperial Majesty, accompanied by a small cavalry escort, took Zhang Jun, Wang Yan, Liu Yan, Yu Yunwen, and other close ministers capable of long-distance riding, and first returned to the Ji River, then sped westward along the river, heading all the way back to the Eastern Capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twelve hundred li in exactly ten days—not the fastest, but certainly worthy of being called a thousand-li rapid march.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One important reason for this haste was that the Imperial Majesty had already missed many matters this winter… The national bonds, of course, had been signed as soon as he returned to the capital, but their issuance was left to the Palace Eunuch Service, the Imperial Guard, and the Ministry of Revenue to handle on their own. The cuju league finals had been held as usual, but they had to invite the two Empresses Dowager to sit in the royal box, with Minister Lu presenting the awards. Many other matters were similar… And if this continued, trouble might well arise in the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, by hook or by crook, this Imperial Majesty managed not to miss the Imperial Academy Policy Session on the following day, the twenty-sixth day of the twelfth month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the importance of this event was incomparable to anything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, it must be noted that after several years of continuation, the Imperial Academy Policy Session had become quite ritualized and had developed a specific procedure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Generally, starting in the morning, the chief ministers and below would each hold their own drafts and, under the Imperial Majesty's watchful eye, recount to the \"Imperial Academy students\" what achievements their departments had made under the Imperial Majesty's leadership that year—very much like a performance review report. Then there would be a short break at noon, facilitating private exchanges. The afternoon was a Q&A session for the ministers. Although it remained an open question-and-answer format, generally, in the half-month prior, the official gazette would have warmed up the core issues, providing a rough guide. The Imperial Majesty himself would also play a connecting role at this time, directing relevant departments to answer relevant questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning to the present, this time, perhaps because everyone knew the Imperial Majesty was tired from his journey, or perhaps because the fact that this Imperial Majesty had stormed off for nearly two months had soured the political atmosphere in the capital, or perhaps because the Imperial Majesty sat upright with a furrowed brow, looking unhappy… not many people indulged in idle chatter or provoked the Imperial Majesty during this policy session.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But little did they know that while no one was interrogating the Imperial Majesty to his face, the Imperial Majesty was constantly interrogating himself… Or rather, since the day Ma Kuo had turned and left, he had been asking himself a serious question these past days—how could he conserve strength and build up resources to meet the needs of the Northern Expedition?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theoretically, state finances were gradually improving. Perhaps, after seven or eight years, the state would recover to eighty percent of its former peak. At that point, it could support three hundred thousand elite troops while meeting other daily expenses, and then accumulate large reserves of precious metals and grain for the Northern Expedition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this was exactly what many conservative ministers hoped for, and exactly the plan Zhao Jiu had long rejected… If he chose this, he might as well have gone to Yangzhou in the first place—that would have been safer!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had he stayed on the Huai River back then? Was it not because he could not bear to abandon the Central Plains?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was he so anxious today? Was it not because he could not bear to abandon the Two Rivers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some things cannot be decided by pulling out an abacus, calculating frantically, and doing whatever is most reasonable… The nation's morale and the driving force for ethnic integration must also be considered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he did not wait that long, how could he, while supporting the troops, accumulate enough grain, horse fodder, cloth, and precious metals for a three-hundred-thousand-man Northern Expedition? By merely cutting his own harem expenses?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be understood that at this point, he could no longer save money on civil service salaries and other expenditures. Doing so would actually slow the pace of national recovery, harming long-term plans—it would be like drinking poison to quench thirst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this was another deadlock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was probably for this reason that Zhao Jiu, upon learning of Zhang Jun's business, chose to try to get a piece of the action, despite the risks and public opinion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Imperial Majesty had become somewhat desperate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention how the Imperial Majesty was weighed down by worries about the Northern Expedition, to the point of staying away from the capital for most of the winter and revealing his anxiety during the Imperial Academy Policy Session after his return—the mere fact that the Imperial Majesty had finally returned somewhat eased the political atmosphere in the entire capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, the twenty-seventh of the twelfth month, after the hastily concluded Imperial Academy Policy Session, the Imperial Academy actually became more lively… Because this day marked the start of the New Year holiday. According to the custom of recent years, students whose homes were nearby would wait until this day to return home, while those from farther away would generally prepare to stay in the capital for the New Year festivities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, under the current special system of the Three Halls Method plus the palace examination, held annually, the value of Imperial Academy students was self-evident. Therefore, during these days, not only would the palace summon some outstanding students, but many high officials and nobles—such as the Wu and Lu families, as well as the current chief ministers and other important ministers—would also have their own sons invite close Imperial Academy friends to spend the New Year at their mansions. Even for the lowest-ranked students staying at the Academy, wealthy merchants, nobles, and temples would rush to donate meat, vegetables, rice, and flour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need to emulate Fan Zhongyan's story of carving congee into portions to study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't that the son of Minister Zhao?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a window-side private room of a tavern on the north bank of the Cai River, Drafter Chao Gongwu, who had just finished a bowl of ginger soup to ward off the cold, blurted out before he could even put down his bowl, staring across the river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It should be.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Yunwen, the friend at the same table and the nominal guest of honor at this welcome banquet, peered through the window for a moment and immediately nodded in agreement. His eyesight and physique were widely acknowledged as excellent, which was precisely why he had been able to return early with the Imperial Majesty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elderly Ren Baozhong, the frail Fan Zongyin, and Lu Benzhong were all still on horseback, rushing back to the Eastern Capital for the New Year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The eldest son of the Grand Chancellor himself comes to a place like this for mutton?\" Chao Gongwu could not help but sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's so strange about that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Quan, the older brother at the table who had been quietly drinking his soup, looked up and responded calmly. \"Not just the Chancellor's son—they say Minister Zhao himself often comes to the Cai River for mutton soup. The Imperial Majesty has even ordered takeout from here… Minister Zhao is widely recognized as the most morally upright in court—he doesn't accumulate private property, doesn't form private cliques, and since his entire family fled from Hedong, he doesn't own a single mu of ancestral land. He lives solely on his salary and imperial gifts. It's only natural that he comes here for a modest treat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"More than that,\" Yu Yunwen added with a casual smile. \"They say the eldest son of the Zhao family still hasn't found a wife, and it's supposedly because of his father…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How so?\" Chao Gongwu asked curiously. \"The son of a Chancellor has trouble with marriage?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How so? It's because Minister Zhao is the Grand Chancellor, so his eldest son can't easily sit for the metropolitan and palace examinations, to avoid suspicion. And since he can't sit for the exams, he can't graduate from the Imperial Academy. Without graduating, he has no official rank, and without rank, it's hard to arrange a marriage…\" Hu Quan explained casually from across the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That makes sense…\" Chao Gongwu was momentarily speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But even so, he's still the eldest son of the Grand Chancellor. I dare you to ask the Imperial Academy students down there—would they rather come with Young Master Zhao to the south bank of the Cai River for mutton soup and roasted lamb skin, or go with Young Master Wu, the Empress's brother, to the Empress's father's mansion for Blue Bridge Wind and Moon wine?\" Hu Quan continued with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer was obvious, but Chao Gongwu merely nodded, his words still cautious: \"These are times of an enlightened ruler and virtuous ministers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This remark drew nods from everyone at the table, but Hu Quan, the editor across from him, shook his head and remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be clear, Hu Quan's headshake was not a criticism of Zhao Ding. Although their political views differed, the gap in their status was too great for them to clash directly. Moreover, Zhao Ding's talent and virtue were universally acknowledged—no one in court disputed that… He shook his head only because he was lamenting how people's aspirations differed and how things had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seven or eight fellow graduates present today were no longer the Imperial Academy students they had been three or four years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, they had been classmates in the same dormitory, fellow jinshi degree holders. Even if their positions and thoughts differed, it did not prevent them from being friends. Now, after just three years in their respective posts, their political status, political stances, and even their mindsets had become completely different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most obvious example was Chao Gongwu. This man had ability, excellent scholarship, and was famous for his vast knowledge and strong memory. He was undoubtedly one of the more outstanding members of their cohort, and his official career was quite proper. But he had gradually become estranged from the others in terms of political stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason? It was a case of \"circumstances change with time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three years ago, Chao Gongwu's family had fled from their hometown in Jizhou all the way to Shu due to the war. Naturally, at that time, the entire family supported the court's military campaigns to recover lost territory and stabilize the situation. But after Yaoshan, the situation stabilized, and the Chao family moved back to their ancestral lands. The clan then naturally lost its enthusiasm for the court's military campaigns. Not only that, but Chao Gongwu's elders had grown resentful of court policies because their abandoned family fields had been used for military farms by the Imperial Camp Forward Army, and they were not even allowed to redeem them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These things, directly and indirectly, all influenced him. After the Baima Shaoxing Incident, the relatively young Chao Gongwu had directly expressed his dissatisfaction in letters to several close friends, which drew some criticism… His current cautious demeanor was partly due to his increasing focus on scholarship, and partly because he had realized that the Imperial Majesty's resolve was unshakable, the court's major policies were irreversible, and a political atmosphere had already formed among his classmates. Helpless, he had adopted a posture of concealment and retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in Hu Quan's view, who had long noticed Chao Gongwu's change, this was also fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You see, even the \"Three Famous Officials of the Jingkang Imperial Academy\"—Zhao Ding, Zhang Jun, and Hu Yin, who had sworn brotherhood—had long since gone their separate ways, each holding different political views. How could this group of Jianyan Year Three Imperial Academy classmates possibly remain as close as family forever?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention Chao Gongwu, who had fallen behind by going against the general trend. Even he himself and Yu Yunwen, now so intimate and inseparable, might well become rivals in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Quan had long been mentally prepared for this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speaking of Chancellor Zhao and Young Master Zhao, I'm reminded of a joke,\" another classmate spoke up at the right moment. \"As everyone knows, although the Eastern and Western Administrations are harmonious on major matters, they often clash on minor ones. While it can't be called factional strife, there is still a hint of division. In private discussions, no one ever knows how to refer to the two factions... Calling them the Zhao Faction or the Zhang Faction would be an affront to the imperial surname. Calling them the Eastern Faction or the Western Faction becomes problematic as His Majesty makes large-scale deployments inside and out, creating some situational contradictions... However, a few days ago, a new term suddenly emerged in the Imperial Academy, and I find it extremely fitting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it?\" Everyone showed curiosity, except for the young Tanhua, Yu Yunwen, who was considered the son of a former subordinate of Zhang Jun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They use the Wood Faction and the Water Faction!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did that come about?\" Even Hu Quan was momentarily surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Yunwen was the first to catch on, but he couldn't bring himself to laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Simple. Chancellor Zhao's children are all named after famous rivers and streams in Hedong. His son is called Zhao Fen, and his eldest daughter is called Zhao Bi,\" that classmate blurted out. \"And Chancellor Zhang just had a son a few days ago, named Zhang Shi. Only then did everyone realize that Chancellor Zhang comes from a famous family in Shu, and the next generation of his clan all use the 'wood' radical in their names...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the words were spoken, everyone burst into laughter, and even Yu Yunwen couldn't help but lower his head and chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But amid the laughter, the last person finally arrived—and he was the true target of this gathering: Mei Li, styled Mao Xiu, a Drafter of the Secretariat, attending this kind of capital classmate reunion for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My apologies, fellow classmates!\" Drafter Mei entered the private room, repeatedly clasping his hands and bowing in apology. \"I had planned to come early after finishing my duties, but just as I was about to leave, His Majesty suddenly summoned me. He asked many questions in the rear palace pavilion. I only just left the palace, changed clothes, and rushed over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since it was a summons from His Majesty, no one had anything to say. They quickly had Drafter Mei sit down, then called for the restaurant staff to serve the dishes and start the feast. When prostitutes came in on their own initiative, they were given some money and sent away... They were true rising political stars, people who could enter the core circle. How could they not know His Majesty's mindset? Why would they risk displeasing him over such matters?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the feast began, everyone exchanged pleasantries first, chatting idly about their days in the Imperial Academy and the palace examination. But after three rounds of wine, being capital officials all on the so-called \"Tiger List\" with bright prospects, they inevitably began exchanging political information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, this was the fundamental reason for such gatherings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grand Commandant Zhang entered the capital with His Majesty and personally went to the Western Administration to see Chancellor Zhang of the Privy Council. He only said that he was actually aware of Zhang Zongyan's affairs, but he never expected that scoundrel would grow such audacity and dispatch so many troops!\" Yu Yunwen said casually, offering a piece of information that couldn't be hidden from anyone, serving as an appetizer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one showed any hesitation, except Chao Gongwu, who was slightly taken aback but ultimately said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, Zhang Zongyan's life is spared?\" someone asked out of curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Naturally!\" the young Tanhua Yu replied frankly. \"After the Western Administration reported it, His Majesty directly issued an edict, demoting him to Company Commander, to serve in the army...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This must have been agreed upon between His Majesty and Grand Commandant Zhang face to face,\" Hu Quan concluded smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Will the Grand Minister of Justice (an alternate title for the Minister of Justice) be satisfied?\" Amid the general nodding, another person interjected curiously. \"In the ten days since he entered the capital, he arrested the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Imperial Consort's own uncle in open court, swiftly sentenced Yang Zheng to immediate execution, and sent documents to Guanxi, interrogating the generals there, forcing Military Governor Wu and dozens of other high-ranking officers to submit self-defenses and request the court's disposition. He's been unmatched in prestige, bringing honor to the civil officials of the court... Is he really going to let Grand Commandant Zhang off this time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Grand Minister of Justice (Minister of Justice Ma Shen)?\" Hu Quan raised his cup and drained it, sneering before Yu Yunwen could speak. \"The Grand Minister of Justice may seem glorious on the surface these days, but how is he faring in private? Everyone in the capital sees that he drove His Majesty out of the capital as soon as he entered it... A minister expelling his sovereign, causing tension in the court and resentment inside and out... In these past two months, while His Majesty was away, the Grand Minister of Justice had the hardest time in the capital. All his posturing is just a front! If he keeps stirring things up, he'll truly make enemies of everyone, high and low, inside and out, and then even Chancellor Lu and Chancellor Li in the southeast will send letters to interrogate him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Hu is right,\" someone chimed in. \"In this recent exchange of local Grand Coordinators and Ministers and Vice Ministers, everyone thought Vice Minister Liu (Liu Hongdao) was on the same side as the Grand Minister of Justice. But Vice Minister Liu, in the middle of this month, personally deployed the central army of the Imperial Camp to cross the river and break a military stockade on the opposite bank, clearly showing he's not on the same side as the Grand Minister of Justice... It seems the Grand Minister of Justice appears invincible, but it's just a bluff. He doesn't have the support of the court.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Actually, these are all minor matters. Even if the Grand Minister of Justice continues to be this aggressive, so what? He can never overcome His Majesty's grasp of the overall situation. The key for us is to address the sovereign's urgent needs and focus on major policies—that's the right path.\" Hu Quan suddenly changed the subject. \"Since His Majesty received Military Governor Ma at Heyin, his major policy direction has become clear. It is to concentrate on accumulating money, grain, troops, and horses, to cross the river and launch a northern expedition! In the coming years, everything must give way to this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Hu is absolutely right,\" another person responded. \"The day the Gazette reported that Commander-in-Chief Ma had come to see His Majesty, our Ministry of Revenue began auditing the accounts and inspecting the granaries... But no matter how we calculate, we can't make bricks without straw.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed,\" Yu Yunwen also frowned with emotion. No one present understood His Majesty's intentions better than he did. \"I remember Minister Lin said at the Imperial Academy yesterday that this year's revenue, plus the three million strings from the national bond scheme, and the initial income from the Green Sprout Loans and the Jiaozi Bureau in the latter half of the year, totals only thirty-eight million min (one min equals one string of cash or one tael of silver, currently worth about 770 cash)... Thirty-eight million min—if used to support an army of three hundred thousand Imperial Camp troops, nothing else could be done.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those present naturally knew that Yu Yunwen had accompanied His Majesty on this trip, so when he mentioned three hundred thousand Imperial Camp troops, they believed it in their hearts, knowing it was some baseline set after His Majesty's discussion with Ma Kuo. But even so, hearing that number, they couldn't help but be stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His Majesty is too generous to the Imperial Camp!\" Amid the shock, Chao Gongwu couldn't hold back. \"According to what Commissioner Cai of the Three Fiscal Agencies wrote during the Renzong reign, a single Imperial Guard soldier cost no more than fifty min per year. Now, supporting one regular soldier of the Imperial Camp costs about eighty or ninety min, even close to a hundred min... If we support three hundred thousand troops at this rate, won't we be unable to do anything else?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Imperial Guard of the Renzong reign couldn't destroy Western Xia,\" Hu Quan, who had already made up his mind, retorted coldly. \"To launch a northern expedition and recover the Two Rivers, we need exactly three hundred thousand regular soldiers costing a hundred min per year!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if that's the case, we'll have to wait several more years before launching the northern expedition!\" Having been rebutted directly, and perhaps because he had drunk a little, Chao Gongwu finally stopped pretending to be cautious. \"Brother Hu, the annual revenue is right there. To support three hundred thousand Imperial Camp troops, and to prepare money and grain for military supplies and rewards, an annual revenue of fifty million is absolutely necessary!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Will the annual revenue reach fifty million in a few years?\" someone interjected with a frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Naturally, it will,\" Chao Gongwu blurted out. \"In the heyday of our dynasty, the annual revenue approached one hundred million (in shi, bundles, strings, taels, and bolts—not a combined total in strings of cash). Excluding the grain (one shi of grain worth half a string) and the fodder that almost no one buys except for official use, there was still a direct fiscal revenue of sixty million in currency and silk. Of that sixty million, besides copper cash in strings and silver in taels, there were nearly ten million bolts of silk... The value of silk has always fluctuated, but it has always been two min per bolt! Considering that the main silk-producing regions are all in the south, untouched by war, then as long as our dynasty rests and recuperates, it can absolutely achieve an annual revenue of over thirty million min, plus eight or nine million bolts of silk! That is a combined annual revenue of fifty million strings!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chao Gongwu was widely read and had a strong memory, and since he was currently working on compiling history, he had access to a great deal of material. No one questioned his words, and everyone fell into thoughtful silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, one more thing must be said here... The Great Song was a peculiar regime with extremely centralized fiscal power. Its annual revenue was not converted into silver, or copper cash at roughly 770 cash per string or min, to arrive at a total value in min. Instead, it simultaneously accounted for received grain (shi), hay (bundles), copper cash (strings), jiaozi (min), silk (bolts), and silver (taels), finally arriving at a bizarre total annual revenue of over one hundred million shi, bundles, strings, min, bolts, and taels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As everyone knew, grain was the most fundamental commodity in the feudal era. It was used to directly supply the army, officials, and the capital, and also for disaster relief. It couldn't really be discounted. Hay was only for military use. Therefore, one had to first set aside these physical goods to arrive at the Great Song's true annual revenue, which consisted mainly of cash and silk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, only these two were universally recognized as hard currency. The equivalence of one bolt of silk to two strings of cash had become common knowledge. From officials to soldiers to ordinary people, everyone recognized that these silks, like copper cash and silver, were effective general equivalents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that was precisely Chao Gongwu's point—almost all of the current silk-producing regions were actually under the Great Song's control. The direct losses caused by the Two Rivers were actually very low. The Great Song's theoretical fiscal ceiling was still very high. So, if the Great Song were given time to gradually close the bleeding effect caused by the war, it could indeed recover to a very impressive fiscal position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How long will it take to recover to an annual revenue of fifty million strings?\" Hu Quan asked with a furrowed brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've calculated it. At the current rate of recovery, seven or eight years,\" Chao Gongwu blurted out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone's expressions immediately changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Quan sneered on the spot: \"If the people of the Two Rivers could wait another seven or eight years, why would His Majesty have driven those people out of Baima?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chao Gongwu seemed about to speak, but ultimately fell silent. The others also showed no intention of continuing the discussion... This was a problem like whether to make the cake bigger first or divide it first—a matter of differing opinions due to conflicting interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, as Hu Quan had said, His Majesty Zhao was pushing it through with all his might, and the tone had already been set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Actually,\" Yu Yunwen, seeing the awkward atmosphere—especially since he and Chao Gongwu were on very good personal terms—finally couldn't help but try to mediate. \"It might not be necessary to fully support three hundred thousand troops. We could slightly expand the Imperial Camp to two hundred forty or fifty thousand, then contact the Mongols, Khitans, and Koreans, conscript a batch of Tanguts, and add the Hebei volunteer armies. The numbers should still be sufficient.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if that's the case,\" seeing it was his friend speaking, Chao Gongwu finally couldn't hold back. \"The number of people in the northern expedition will be even larger. Then how much grain and money will be needed for military supplies, rewards, and pensions? Have you ever calculated that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His Majesty's intentions are clear, so it's naturally been calculated long ago,\" that classmate from the Ministry of Revenue sneered in response. \"For three hundred thousand men, even with the convenience of the Great River for transport, a corresponding number of laborers would be needed. Adding allied forces and such, the estimate would be around six or seven hundred thousand people. For seven hundred thousand people, setting aside the autumn harvest of that year and calculating generously, we'd need to prepare six million shi of grain. If there are more warhorses, the cost increases, and we'd also need to prepare two million bundles of hay... For the rest—salt, vinegar, alum, dried meat, and various sundries—roughly speaking, we'd need to stockpile ten million shi of grain and fodder! As for additional rewards in cash and silk, plus military expenses, that's simpler—just compare it to the normal annual expenditure of the Imperial Camp army! In other words, ten million shi of grain and fodder, and twenty to thirty million in cash and silk! The state needs to have such reserves to ensure the northern expedition is sufficiently supplied! Of course, if we tighten things up, set a six-month timeframe, and consider that there's a good chance we can connect with an autumn harvest in between, reducing it to five million shi of grain and fodder and fifteen million strings' worth of cash and silk, we could still make a go of it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine,\" Chao Gongwu cut in decisively. \"If seven or eight years is too long, let's set it at two or three years. In two or three years, while supporting two hundred forty or fifty thousand Imperial Camp troops, you loyal ministers who want the northern expedition, tell me: how can we also scrape together five million shi of grain and fodder and fifteen million strings of liquid assets? Can they fall from the sky?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people in the private room fell silent. This was His Majesty's greatest worry, and also the dilemma that troubled the senior ministers... Whoever could solve this problem would surely be enfeoffed as a marquis or appointed chancellor by His Majesty Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look at what Brother Chao is saying,\" Mei Li, seeing the poor atmosphere, quickly interjected. \"If we, who have only been in office for three years, can join forces to relieve His Majesty of this worry, then everyone at this table will surely get a position in the Imperial Library in the future, and the leader will be guaranteed the position of Chief Chancellor... We're just chatting casually before the New Year, now that the Tanhua has returned!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well said,\" Hu Quan also felt things had gone too far. He stood up on the spot, raised his cup, and smiled. \"In any case, the present is a thousand times better than the Jingkang era. Why be overly anxious? Let's drink to the New Year! To His Majesty's longevity!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone stood up and raised their cups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After draining their cups, another person laughed ruefully: \"It's a pity that our Imperial Camp Imperial Army isn't as barbaric as the Jurchens. Otherwise, if we plundered Western Xia for a while, based on the grain the Western Xia have stored, we might be able to come up with five or six million in wealth!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone laughed ruefully, but then, remembering the losses of the Jingkang era, their laughter turned into bitter smiles. In the end, whether it was Hu Quan, Yu Yunwen, Chao Gongwu, or the others, they could only drown their feelings in wine. The atmosphere could never return to the casualness of the beginning... Of course, Drafter Mei, who was there for the first time, never revealed the matter of His Majesty Zhao asking him about maritime trade data.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the afternoon, the sky darkened again, threatening snow. Zhao Ding's eldest son took his leave from his classmates on the south bank of the Cai River, while Hu Quan and the others also dispersed on the north bank of the Cai River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, everyone was just an ordinary person. When it rained, they used umbrellas; when it snowed, they went home early; they all had to prepare for the New Year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, His Majesty Zhao, who did not need to prepare for the New Year, sat in contemplation in the palace for a long time. Finally, he rose and left the stone pavilion, heading towards Imperial Consort Wu's quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they met, Imperial Consort Wu was overjoyed. She quickly came forward to greet him, holding their sleeping son in her arms. But unexpectedly, after taking his eldest son, His Majesty Zhao sat down on the couch and smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My beloved consort, it's been many days since we last updated 'The Miscellaneous Record of the Journey to the West to Subdue Demons,' hasn't it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Imperial Consort Wu's expression froze for a moment, but looking at the son in His Majesty's arms, she immediately put on a smiling face: \"Your Majesty is right. It has been many days since the last update... Should we update it today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We need to update today.\" Zhao Jiu still smiled as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Imperial Consort Wu forced a smile as before, while beside her, Feng Yi, Feng Erguan, had already turned to order someone to prepare brush and ink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brush and ink arrived, and Zhao Jiu, holding his son in his arms, sighed: \"But today's update isn't 'Journey to the West: A Miscellany of Demon-Subduing.' That book won't be continued from now on. It was a folk tale with an origin story anyway, and in a few hundred years, some famous scholar might compile it into a masterpiece, who knows... Hard work, my beloved consort. Starting today, we begin a new book, one that if I don't write, no one will in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Imperial Consort Wu, who had already spread out the paper and sat down at the table, was stunned for a moment, then quickly returned to normal. After all, whatever book she updated, she was just a scribe. If 'Journey to the West: A Miscellany of Demon-Subduing' ended here, that was Wu Chengen's business. What did it have to do with her, Imperial Consort Wu?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this thought, Imperial Consort Wu put down the paperweight, took the brush and ink from Feng Erguan's hands, and directly asked with a smile: \"Please, Your Majesty, bestow the title of the new book.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Water Margin!\" Zhao Jiu blurted out, looking at the eldest son breathing evenly in his arms. \"It tells of one hundred and eight demon stars descending to the mortal world, forced to become bandits on Mount Liang during the reign of the Supreme Daoist Emperor, but then awakened by the righteousness of the nation during the Jingkang era, accepting amnesty, becoming my vanguard, rising up to resist the Jin, and then after the world was pacified in the tenth year of Jianyan, they went overseas to explore for the Great Song, encountering all sorts of strange wonders and geographical marvels.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though she had long been tempered, Imperial Consort Wu, who had already raised her brush, was still dumbfounded on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu laughed at the sight: \"I too have been forced to become a bandit on Mount Liang... I have to try everything... Start writing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",6228,"2026-06-06T07:46:04.529Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","b3953ffa61b1e387749c0c74d05e3415a9532309667bf8e1d707272a52e2c1ce","shao-song-chapter-341","shao-song-chapter-339",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]