Chapter 1487: Certain Victory Foreseen Before the Battle

Zhou Pu's proposal suited him perfectly — personally venturing into danger and leading troops north to Kyoto, Japan. For one, it would show this young official's willingness to shoulder responsibility, demonstrating both courage and strategy. For another, before military men who prized offensive spirit and boldness, this young man would also earn considerable face for the Cabinet.

"Prime Minister, you flatter me…" Zhou Pu laughed, embarrassed. "I merely thought this move would better serve His Majesty's grand plan. I had no intention of seeking the limelight alone…"

"Hey now, don't be so modest. What's the point of all these polite formalities?" Finance Minister Chen Hong waved a hand. "Young men should have some fire in them. What's wrong with a little limelight? It's only right! Without that spirit, how can you accomplish great things?"

Under the praise of the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister, Zhou Pu lowered his head in embarrassment, yet his heart swelled with excitement, deeply grateful for his own flash of inspiration just now.

He had bet correctly. The supplementary plan he proposed suited not only His Majesty's taste but also the Prime Minister's. With the approval of these two men, as long as he fulfilled his mission next, his future would truly be a path strewn with flowers.

Of course, the prerequisite was that he had to be able to complete his mission.

"Your plan is bold — that is both its strength and its weakness." Sure enough, after praising him, the Prime Minister's tone suddenly shifted. "To accomplish things, courage alone is not enough. You also need patience, meticulousness, and the quick wits to adapt to changing circumstances. These things don't come easily. Once you leave the capital, you must guard against arrogance and impatience, and never forget to remain calm in all matters!"

"Thank you for your instruction, Prime Minister. I understand!" Zhou Pu hastily acknowledged.

"Director Kong, next you should arrange more capable personnel for him. Zhihe may have both courage and strategy, but he is still just one man alone. He will need people to assist him…" The Prime Minister once again gave instructions to Kong Zhang.

"Prime Minister, please rest assured. I have already told Zhou Pu that his mission to Japan is of immense importance. Our Foreign Affairs Department will cooperate with the utmost effort. Whatever he lacks, as long as we have it, we will fully supply him!" Kong Zhang immediately gave his guarantee. "If he needs people, he can freely choose from within the department!"

"You're quite thoughtful, Director Kong." Finance Minister Chen Hong said with a smile. "Originally, I still had some misgivings about the campaign against Japan, but after sitting in on the meeting today — hah, now my heart is full of confidence! With so many capable and courageous civil officials and military houses in our court, all united in purpose from top to bottom, what task could we possibly fail to accomplish?"

Then, he smiled again. "Since the issue of military operations against Japan is resolved, then… the post-war disposition of Japan should also be discussed. His Majesty has called a recess now — I suspect it is precisely to discuss this matter of post-war disposition next, isn't it?"

At his words, laden with hidden meaning, the expressions of the few men in the tea room grew inexplicably solemn. Zhou Pu and Kong Zhang, in particular, lacking full confidence, both appeared somewhat nervous.

"Oh, it seems the Finance Minister has already briefed you two?" Seeing their expressions, the Prime Minister had a rough idea. "That's right. In a moment we will discuss the peace terms for the Japanese shogunate, the post-war arrangements for Japan, and the post-war disposition of Japan's gold and silver mines."

After taking a sip of tea, he continued. "The peace terms for the Japanese shogunate and the post-war arrangements for Japan — these issues can be discussed slowly by everyone in the assembly. They are, after all, merely the usual matters of reparations and checks and balances. But the disposition of Japan's gold and silver mines is an extremely significant issue, because those mines represent an enormous wealth. No matter which side they are assigned to, it must be discussed with great care… The Finance Minister spoke with you about this earlier, correct? Do you understand his meaning?"

"We understand more or less. The Finance Minister's intent is to have these gold and silver mines placed under the court's control and management, so that the court can command this vast source of revenue," Kong Zhang quickly answered.

"Correct. This is not only the Finance Minister's personal opinion, but also mine." The Prime Minister nodded very crisply. "In fact, it is only logical, is it not? The Cabinet is the court. It bears the weight of the realm's governance and the people's livelihood — a heavy responsibility indeed. Although the realm is now largely pacified, to be honest, a hundred things still wait to be rebuilt. We are still far from a flourishing golden age, and our fiscal situation is especially strained and impoverished. Who knows how many places need money! That being the case, after defeating Japan, why not hand this wealth over to the Cabinet to use, to relieve the realm's hardships? It's just that… the new dynasty's system is unique. What should be a matter of course is now not so straightforward!"

Before the three ministers, all fellow members of the Cabinet, the Prime Minister had far fewer reservations. With a wry smile, he spoke his mind. "The world calls me His Majesty's most trusted minister and the head of the imperial Cabinet — seemingly boundless in glory. Yet how many can truly understand the difficulties and troubles within?"

This lament-like speech made both Kong Zhang and Zhou Pu inwardly uneasy; neither dared to interject. But they both understood in their hearts that the Prime Minister was, in truth, lamenting how thoroughly the Great Han separated civil and military authority — so much so that he, the chief minister of the Cabinet, had very little control over the army, and instead had to worry about them seizing sources of revenue that, in his view, rightfully belonged to the court.

After a brief sigh, as if collecting himself, he smiled again. "Don't misunderstand — I am not complaining. His Majesty's trust in and reliance upon the Cabinet is evident for all under heaven to see. And given the lessons of the former Ming, the separation of civil and military officials cannot be called wrong… It's just that, with this separation, everyone is not always of one mind, and getting things done becomes less convenient…"

"Aiya, Prime Minister, just say it plainly!" Finance Minister Chen Hong, being an old brother, had no such inhibitions and spoke directly. "This matter is nothing difficult to speak of. That's right — after the war, we want Japan's gold and silver mines in the hands of the Cabinet. It would be best if the military cooperates. If they don't, then we absolutely must make the military cooperate!"

"We are all ministers of the Great Han. Harmony should be the guiding principle, so some matters need not be stated so harshly." The Prime Minister waved his hand, signaling the Finance Minister to soften his tone. "Finance Minister, I know you are somewhat anxious because the state's finances are in dire straits, but don't speak so bluntly, lest the military think we are deliberately targeting them."

"I sometimes speak a bit too directly — you know that about me." The Finance Minister laughed, utterly unconcerned. "I already explained the specifics to them clearly just now, and the two of them agree with my view. By the way, you just had an audience with His Majesty — did you bring this matter up with him?"

"Mm, I already brought it up." The Prime Minister nodded.

"Then what did His Majesty say?" Chen Hong, somewhat tense, quickly asked.

"His Majesty seemed to be in a good mood and did not oppose our view." After pondering for a moment, the Prime Minister spoke cautiously. "He said it could be studied and deliberated in detail at the meeting."

"Saying it can be studied and deliberated in detail — doesn't that mean he approves of our view?" The Finance Minister was far more elated than the Prime Minister and burst out laughing. "Ha, it seems this detached palace really is useful! Alright, in a moment I'll go find the other attending Cabinet ministers. At the meeting, all of us from the Cabinet will speak with one voice! Let's build up the momentum first — that way it will be easier for His Majesty to agree!"

"We should speak up, certainly. But His Majesty said 'study and deliberate,' not 'proceed accordingly.' So… there could still be unforeseen variables." The Prime Minister was still pondering. "If the military men at the meeting put forward a different opinion, then it will be hard to say."

"What's hard to say? We are considering the state and His Majesty — what is there to fear is hard to say?" Chen Hong immediately retorted. "We are not doing this to slap the military's face. If they oppose it, they must at least present a reasonable argument, no? The state's finances are in difficulty and need to develop new revenue sources — what is wrong with that? The military takes so much budget from the state every year, and even their rewards and grants come from us. Every single sum is real gold and silver. Have we ever complained? Haven't we, year after year, gritted our teeth and scraped the money together to satisfy their appetite? Since we satisfy their appetite every year, what grounds do they have to object? They can't keep demanding money from us while refusing to let the court expand its revenue sources, can they?"

"The logic is indeed that logic…"

"If that's the logic, then what is there to fear?" The Finance Minister immediately cut him off. "As long as we in the Cabinet are united from top to bottom and speak with one voice, even if they have strange objections, they won't be able to make a reasoned argument, right? Enough, enough. I'll go see the people from the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Civil Affairs shortly. Let's all settle this matter together and avoid wasting any more time!"

"Fine, fine…" Seeing the Finance Minister so proactive, the Prime Minister's hesitation vanished for the moment. "Let's do it this way. As long as the Cabinet speaks with one voice, we will have momentum. The logic is on our side in this matter, and His Majesty is sagacious — he should agree to it as well…"

Then, he turned his head toward Zhou Pu. "Zhihe, now do you understand the Cabinet's intent? Just now, after hearing your idea, I felt very satisfied. Do you know why?"

"Please enlighten me, Prime Minister!" Zhou Pu quickly asked.

"In the plan you proposed, you will lead men northward from Kyushu, land on Honshu, and then advance on Kyoto, Japan. If it succeeds, the Japanese imperial house will fall into our hands. After the war, the situation of the shogunate dominating alone will no longer exist. No matter how things are disposed, the Japanese imperial court will be a usable puppet we can push forward. By holding them in your grasp, you will possess the nominal legitimacy over Japan's right to rule. This is true not only for the Japanese but also for our court here. Therefore… you must make the Japanese imperial house obey the will of the Cabinet. Do you understand?"

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