Chapter 313

In early summer, the wind carrying moisture from the Bian River sweeps across the bustling streets of Bian Liang City.

Translation: "The early summer wind, carrying the moisture of the Bian River, swept over the prosperous streets of Bianliangcheng."

Note: Bianliangcheng is the city name; "prosperous streets/market" describes the bustling market.

At Yangjiao Market in the western city, before a silk shop specializing in Shu brocade and Su embroidery, the former throng of carriages and horses was nowhere to be seen.

Translation: "Before a silk shop specializing in Shu brocade and Su embroidery at the Yangjiao Market in the western city, the former bustle of carriages and horses was nowhere to be seen."

At the Yangjiao Market in the western city, before a silk shop specializing in Shu brocade and Su embroidery, the former bustle of carriages and horses was nowhere to be seen.

The shopkeeper leaned against the doorframe, gazing at the somewhat deserted street, his brow furrowed with worry.

Translation: "The shopkeeper leaned against the doorframe, gazing at the somewhat desolate street, his brows furrowed with worry."

The assistant muttered quietly beside him:

Translation: "The assistant muttered quietly beside him:"

"Shopkeeper, this is already the third day; this batch of 'Rain‑After‑Clear Sky' silk we just received from Jiangnan ought to have sold out by now in previous years, yet hardly anyone is asking about the price."

Translation: "\"Shopkeeper, it's already the third day, and this batch of 'Yu Gu Tian Qing' silk we just received from Jiangnan, which in previous years would have sold out by now, yet… hardly anyone is asking about it. \""

We need to keep quotes? The Chinese line includes quotation marks. We'll keep them as part of translation? Probably we should keep the quoted speech as is, with English quotation marks. We'll translate content inside.

The shopkeeper sighed, brushing nonexistent dust away with the whisk in his hand.

Translation: "The shopkeeper sighed, waving his horsetail whisk to dust away nonexistent dust."

"Ah, who knows? Perhaps the recent hot, dry weather has kept the noble ladies indoors."

Translation: "\"Ah, who knows? Perhaps the recent hot weather has kept the noble ladies indoors. \""

He said that aloud, but in his heart he knew the truth as clearly as a mirror.

Translation: "He said that with his mouth, but his mind was as clear as a mirror."

It wasn't that customers disliked going out, nor that his goods were inferior.

Translation: "It was not that customers disliked going out, nor that his goods were inferior."

The problem lay to the west.

Translation: "The problem lay to the west."

Almost simultaneously with the appearance of the western border light curtain and the spread of news of the pseudo‑Song's founding, a mysterious source of cheap silk known as "Wu silk"—a lightweight imitation of Wu‑region silk—began to seep quietly into the markets of Bian Liang and surrounding prefectures.

Translation: "Almost simultaneously with the appearance of the western border's light curtain and the spread of news of the False Song's founding, a mysterious, absurdly cheap 'Wu silk' (a light, thin silk imitating Wu region production) began to quietly flow into the markets of Bianliangcheng and surrounding prefectures."

The term "Wu silk" refers to a lightweight silk imitating the Wu region's product.

Although this "Wu silk" is slightly inferior in quality to genuine Jiangnan silk, its colors are vivid and its price is only about sixty‑to‑seventy percent of authentic Jiangnan silk, sometimes even lower.

Translation: "Although the quality of this 'Wu silk' is slightly inferior to genuine Jiangnan silk, its colors are vivid, and its price is only sixty to seventy percent of authentic Jiangnan silk, or even lower."

For middle‑class families that are not top‑tier wealthy yet seek respectability, and for mid‑ and low‑rank officials who need to purchase in bulk to maintain appearances, its appeal is enormous.

Translation: "For middle-class families who are not top-tier wealthy yet seek respectability, and for mid- and low-ranking officials who need to purchase in bulk to maintain appearances, its appeal is enormous."

Soon, many shops that had previously dealt in Jiangnan silk saw their business heavily impacted.

Translation: "For a time, many shops that had dealt in Jiangnan silk saw their business heavily impacted."

This was only the beginning.

Translation: "This was only the beginning."

Several days later, Zhang Cheng presented an urgent report compiled by the Ministry of Revenue during the regular court audience in Zijin Hall, his expression grave.

Translation: "Several days later, Zhang Cheng presented an urgent report compiled by the Ministry of Revenue at the regular court assembly in the Zijin Hall, his expression grave."

The term "Zijin Hall" is the common translation for the Purple‑Celestial Hall.

"Your Majesty, the market has been rather unsettled lately."

Translation: "\"Your Majesty, the market has been rather unsettled lately. \""

"Besides silk, the prices of Lingnan sugarcane sugar, coastal sea salt, and even Fujian tea have fluctuated."

Translation: "\"Besides silk, sugarcane sugar from Lingnan, sea salt from the coast, and even tea from Min region have all shown price fluctuations. \""

"These goods of unknown origin but low price have flooded the market, causing our state‑run enterprises and many legitimate merchants to suffer unsold inventory, and tax revenues are also affected."

Translation: "\"These impacts stem from obscurely sourced but cheap goods, causing our dynasty's official workshops and many legitimate merchants to suffer unsold inventory, with tax revenue also affected. \""

He paused, then added the most crucial information.

Translation: "He paused, then added the most crucial information."

"After extensive investigation, the source of these low‑priced goods… mostly points to the west."

Translation: "\"After multiple investigations, the source of these low-priced goods… mostly points to the west. \""

"They are coming through private channels in the border regions, even smuggling, from that light curtain… into the territory of the pseudo‑Song."

Translation: "\"They are entering through private channels in the border regions, even smuggling, from that light curtain… into the territory of the False Song. \""

A low murmur of discussion immediately rose within the hall.

Translation: "The hall immediately filled with a subdued murmur of discussion."

"The pseudo‑Song? Where do they get so much, so cheap merchandise?"

Translation: "\"False Song? Where do they get so much, so cheap merchandise? \""

"Could it be that they are dumping their national goods, deliberately lowering prices to disrupt our market?"

Translation: "\"Could it be that they are dumping the nation's goods, deliberately lowering prices to disrupt our market? \""

"Their intentions are heinous! This is an economic war!"

Translation: "\"Their intentions are heinous! This is economic warfare! \""

Chen Wen sat upright on the throne, his face calm, yet his mind already clear.

Translation: "Chen Wen sat upright on the throne, his expression calm, yet his mind already clear."

This is certainly no mere commercial activity.

Translation: "This is certainly no mere trade activity."

Within the pseudo‑Song territory, as he knows, its geography and resources should resemble those of Great Chen.

Translation: "Within the False Song's territory, as he knows, its geography and products should be similar to those of Great Chen."

Even if they could produce similar goods, the cost could not be low enough to allow dumping at prices far below those of Great Chen's market.

Translation: "Even if they could produce similar goods, the cost would not be low enough to allow dumping at prices far below Great Chen's market rates."

Unless… they possess some unknown means that drastically reduces production costs.

Translation: "Unless… they possess some unknown means capable of greatly reducing production costs."

Or perhaps this is essentially a cost‑unlimited "hyper‑limit war" aimed at striking Great Chen's economic order.

Translation: "Or perhaps this is fundamentally an unlimited-cost 'hyperlimit war' aimed at striking Great Chen's economic order."

Behind it, surely lies the shadow of the Iron Crow Army.

Translation: "Behind it, surely lies the shadow of the Iron Crow Army."

They support the pseudo‑Song and follow that so‑called "script"; could even these economic measures be part of the script?

Translation: "They support the False Song, following that so-called 'script'; could such economic means also be part of the script?"

Or perhaps they are directly providing some kind of support?

Translation: "Or perhaps they directly provided some kind of support?"

"The pseudo‑Song's tactic is most sinister."

Translation: "\"The False Song's scheme is most nefarious. \""

Chen Wen spoke, suppressing the hall's discussion.

Translation: "Chen Wen spoke, suppressing the hall's discussion."

"Its aim is not profit; it intends to disturb our market, strike our merchants, reduce our tax revenue, and undermine the foundations of our economy."

Translation: "\"Its purpose is certainly not profit; it aims to disrupt our market, strike our merchants, reduce our tax revenue, and shake the foundations of our economy. \""

"If left unchecked, our artisans will lose work, shops will close, tax sources will dry up, the treasury will be emptied, and eventually… chaos will erupt without battle."

Translation: "\"If left to develop, our artisans will lose jobs, shops will close, tax sources will dry up, the treasury will empty, and then… chaos will ensue without battle. \""

Upon hearing this, the officials' expressions grew even more solemn.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, the officials' expressions grew even more solemn."

"Zhang Qing, Wang Qing, what countermeasures do you two propose?" Chen Wen gazed at the two chancellors.

Translation: "\"Zhang Qing, Wang Qing, what countermeasures do you two propose? \" Chen Wen glanced at the two chancellors."

Zhang Cheng pondered and said:

Translation: "Zhang Cheng pondered and said:"

"Your Majesty, I believe we should immediately strengthen border inspections, severely crack down on smuggling, and block the routes through which pseudo‑Song goods enter."

Translation: "\"Your Majesty, I believe we should immediately strengthen border inspections, severely crack down on smuggling, and block the routes by which False Song goods enter; \""

"At the same time, we could consider lowering taxes on our related goods or granting subsidies to legitimate merchants to help them compete with the pseudo‑Song's low‑priced wares."

Translation: "\"At the same time, we could consider lowering taxes on our related goods or granting subsidies to legitimate merchants to help them compete with the False Song's low-priced goods. \""

Wang Ru, however, shook her head:

Translation: "Wang Ru, however, shook her head:"

"Chancellor Zhang's plan of blockade and support, while necessary, is unlikely to be a long‑term solution."

Translation: "\"Chancellor Zhang's plan of blockade and support, while necessary, is likely not a long-term solution. \""

"Smuggling channels are hard to guard completely; lowering taxes would reduce state income, playing right into their hands."

Translation: "\"Smuggling channels are hard to guard completely; lowering taxes would reduce state income, playing right into their hands. \""

"I believe the key lies in 'addressing the root and clearing the source.'"

Translation: "\"I believe the key lies in 'addressing the root and clearing the source.'\""

"We must make the people understand that buying these obscure, cheap goods may seem advantageous in the short term, but in the long run it aids the enemy, fuels the arrogance of that mirror‑image pseudo‑dynasty, and destroys the very foundation of our Great Chen."

Translation: "\"We must make the people understand that buying such obscurely sourced cheap goods may seem beneficial in the short term, but in the long run it aids the enemy, fuels the arrogance of that mirror False Dynasty, and destroys the very foundation of our Great Chen! \""

"We need to intensify propaganda so that the people's hearts turn to us and they spontaneously boycott counterfeit goods."

Translation: "\"We need to strengthen propaganda, turning the people's hearts toward us, so they spontaneously resist counterfeit goods. \""

Chen Wen gave a slight nod.

Translation: "Chen Wen gave a slight nod."

"Both of your opinions are reasonable."

Translation: "\"What both ministers say is reasonable. \""

"However, we still need to add one point—use technology to break the price!"

Translation: "\"However, we still need to add one point—use technology to break the price! \""

He turned his gaze toward the direction where the Ministry of Works officials stood.

Translation: "He turned his gaze toward the direction where the Ministry of Works officials were."

"Old Zhao the Lazy."

Translation: "\"Old Lazy Zhao. \""

Old Zhao the Lazy immediately stepped forward:

Translation: "Old Lazy Zhao immediately stepped forward:"

"I am here."

Translation: "\"I am here. \""

"The pseudo‑Song can produce cheap goods only in a few ways: either through ruthless extraction without regard for cost, or because some backing force has provided a method to boost efficiency."

Translation: "\"The False Song's ability to produce cheap goods can only be due to a few possibilities: either reckless exploitation without regard for cost, or some efficiency-enhancing method provided by the forces behind them. \""

"Our Great Chen cannot rely solely on blockade and propaganda."

Translation: "\"Great Chen cannot rely solely on blockade and propaganda. \""

"The Ministry of Works must immediately take the lead, gather relevant artisans, and study the techniques of silk weaving, sugar production, salt production, and tea making!"

"I don't care what methods you use; under the premise of ensuring quality, find ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs!"

"If we can produce superior goods at lower cost, then False Song's low-price dumping will collapse without being attacked!"

A flash of excitement crossed Zhao Lao Nian's eyes; he loved such challenging tasks.

"Your servant receives the order! The Ministry of Works will surely exert all efforts!"

"Moreover," Chen Wen looked at Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru, "Zhang Qing is responsible for coordinating the Ministry of Household and the Ministry of Works, implementing short-term support and tax reductions for legitimate merchants, ensuring they can overcome the present difficulties;"

"Wang Qing is responsible for guiding public opinion, ordering local officials to inform the populace, expose the conspiracy behind False Song's goods, and unite the people's hearts;"

"Qian Gui's Jing'an Si must strictly investigate the smuggling chain, and must root out traitors within the realm who collude with False Song!"

Orders were issued one after another, swiftly delivered.

A smokeless economic war thus opened its curtain.

After court was dismissed, Chen Wen stood alone before the hall, gazing westward.

He could imagine that, behind that light curtain at this very moment, Zhao Kuangyin and the Iron Crow Army behind him were coldly observing the chaos in the Great Chen market.

They attempted to weaken Great Chen with this nefarious method, to prove the superiority of their 'script'.

"Trivial tricks."

Chen Wen's mouth curled with a hint of coldness.

In the economic war, what is contested is not only means, but also comprehensive national strength, technical foundation, and the people's hearts' orientation.

He believed that, with the wisdom of Great Chen's artisans, aided by the 'ability' he could provide, plus the united popular support, they would surely achieve final victory in this contest that seemed insignificant but was actually crucial.

This is not merely a competition of goods.

It is also a clash of two paths, two orders, at the most fundamental level of livelihood.

The Fortune Momentum within him seemed to sense this economic challenge, slowly circulating, nourishing the slightly dimmed edge from his prior use of ability, making it somewhat solid again.

Stabilizing the interior and resolving shocks is itself the process of accumulating Fortune Momentum.

He wanted to see just how many tricks False Song and its hidden masterminds could still pull off.