Chapter 1495: Effortless Mastery

"As for the candidates, there aren't any yet; they'll need to be chosen slowly. But the pool has already been decided." The smile on the Emperor's face gradually faded, and for the first time today, a stern expression appeared. "The Great Han Bank concerns the very foundation of the state, so the selection of its Supervisory Board members is of paramount importance and must not be entrusted to the wrong people. Therefore, after much thought, I still believe the candidates should be chosen from among the Great Han's ennobled merit officials. The Great Han's ennobled merit officials are all men who have bled and rendered service for the nation, tested over many years, utterly loyal. For them to serve on the Great Han Bank's Supervisory Board is perfectly fitting and proper. Moreover, having served the nation for many years, they are all experienced and worldly-wise. With them supervising the Great Han Bank, I can certainly set my mind at ease!"

Although the Emperor's tone was not forceful, the senior ministers all grasped the implication. The Prime Minister and the Finance Minister exchanged a glance, their eyes carrying an unspoken understanding.

Though the Emperor did not state it outright, his meaning was already very clear: he intended for the Supervisory Board of the Great Han Bank to be filled exclusively by ennobled merit officials. In their view, this meant that, in the future, it would become a sinecure for these high-ranking merit officials.

They were both civil officials. Although constrained by the principle of civil-military separation and never daring to meddle much in military affairs, they had always privately felt uneasy about the military faction's continuous expansion. With so many marshals and great generals, many already stationed in command of regions for years, and with achievements so great that no further rewards could be given, in the history of ancient dynasties, such situations usually led to chilling outcomes.

While they did not believe any irreconcilable conflict would erupt between the Emperor and these veteran generals, they had always worried in their hearts, fearing that trouble might eventually arise between the two sides.

In their view, the best solution was to follow the example of the Zhao-Song dynasty: gradually ease these commanders and ennobled merit officials out of the front lines of command, then provide for them with extremely generous treatment, thereby preserving the bonds of brotherhood. But the Great Han's top commanders were, unfortunately, far too young, so much so that they could find no good pretext to advise the Emperor to recall them. Speaking bluntly would seem like trying to sow discord between the Emperor and his old brothers, so they could only watch with this worry, powerless to act.

Now, the situation had become much easier to handle. Regardless of the Emperor's original intent, his establishment of this Great Han Bank Supervisory Board could serve as an excellent position to comfortably settle these meritorious veteran generals. The Great Han Bank concerned the national economy and the people's livelihood and would surely be one of the most important state organs in the future. That being the case, using its Supervisory Board to place these founding heroes would be incredibly convenient and would absolutely avoid any criticism of shelving meritorious officials.

Furthermore, although there would be a Supervisory Board above, the officials responsible for executing specific affairs below would certainly be specialized officers selected by the Cabinet, which would absolutely prevent them from forming an overgrown, unmanageable power again. These commanders were extremely adept at warfare, but they surely did not understand much about state financial affairs, so they would have no way to interfere with the specific matters below.

At this thought, the unease in the two civil officials' hearts gradually dissipated, and they suddenly felt this was an excellent idea. Their original disquiet over having their authority encroached upon also slowly faded. After all, they placed the safety of the Great Han above their own official powers.

The Prime Minister and the Finance Minister exchanged a glance, then nodded in unison, immediately reaching a tacit consensus.

"Your Majesty's foresight spans ten thousand li; your subjects could never hope to match it. Since Your Majesty has made such an arrangement, we have absolutely no objections and will carry it out to the letter. We shall immediately begin the independent separation of the Great Han Bank and properly reassign the relevant officials. Furthermore, as Your Majesty has said, the authority and responsibility of the Supervisory Board are extremely weighty; it must be overseen by senior ministers who enjoy Your Majesty's utmost trust. Therefore, selecting from among the Great Han's ennobled merit officials is indeed the natural course. I second the motion!"

"I second the motion!" Although a trace of regret still lingered in his heart, Chen Hong also immediately bowed and seconded it.

And while they were reaching their tacit understanding, Marshal Shi Manqiang and Zhao Song also exchanged a covert glance.

What the two civil officials could think of, the two of them naturally thought of immediately as well.

Moreover, they actually felt no resistance in their hearts; instead, they felt considerably relieved.

As Marshal Shi Manqiang had said during their previous secret meeting, these marshals and veteran generals had already accumulated enough merit. Although the Emperor greatly relied on and trusted these old brothers, if they continued to lead troops and earn more merit, it might cause unease both above and below. Gradually stepping back from the front lines had originally been the best path for them.

Besides, the Great Han Bank would directly control the powers of coinage and finance and would surely be a place of mountains of gold and seas of silver in the future. These commanders joining the Supervisory Board also perfectly aligned with the state's goodwill of richly rewarding its meritorious officials. And, in the final analysis, the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister were themselves ennobled merit officials. When they grew old and retired, no longer wishing to manage specific affairs, could they not also enter the Supervisory Board to spend their remaining years in comfort?

The "unity of the ennobled merit officials" that Marshal Shi Manqiang had spoken of for so long could be fully realized within this Great Han Bank Supervisory Board.

There was only one point that required worry.

"Your Majesty, as your subjects, whatever command Your Majesty gives, no matter the task, we will exert our utmost to accomplish it. However..." Marshal Shi Manqiang voiced his concern, "Most of the Great Han's ennobled merit officials rose from the ranks. Many are barely literate, let alone versed in financial affairs. Sending them to the Great Han Bank's Supervisory Board, I fear, might delay Your Majesty's important work..."

"They are already ennobled merit officials; if they don't know something themselves, can't they find someone to help and advise them? They are being sent to supervise, not to manage specific operations. What profound knowledge is required? I think none. Having one or two specialists as advisors available for consultation is enough!" The Emperor laughed dismissively. "Besides, apart from crying, what is there in this world that a person is born knowing how to do? One must learn slowly. The Great Han's ennobled merit officials all fought their way out of the ranks with blade and spear; is any of their minds inferior to others'? As long as they have loyalty and can get things done, what they don't know now, they will learn in the future!"

"Your Majesty is divinely wise, Your Majesty is divinely wise... I second the motion!" Seeing the Emperor speak thus, Marshal Shi Manqiang finally set his heart completely at ease.

Having campaigned abroad for many years, he was, truth be told, already somewhat weary. Moreover, knowing he had accumulated too much merit and held too high a position, he had long harbored the intention of preserving his achievements and ensuring his safety, only fearing that after he withdrew from the front lines of the military, his household would grow cold and neglected. Now, having heard the Emperor's idea, he instead felt very pleased and quite enthusiastic.

"These years campaigning abroad, I have in truth always been homesick. If Your Majesty does not disdain it, I would also like to try returning to the capital in the future to serve as this supervisor..."

"You are an ennobled merit official; why couldn't you serve?" Just as the Marshal had hoped, the Emperor did not reject his request to serve on the Great Han Bank Supervisory Board. "However, you are still young. For now, focus on fighting well for me. We'll discuss it when the time comes!"

"I second the motion!" Zhao Jin's heart was also filled with joy as he bowed to the Emperor.

The apprehension stirred in him earlier by the Marshal's words had now been dispelled by the Emperor's idea. Leading troops into battle, winning titles for his wife and children—this dream shared by all hot-blooded young men, he had already achieved. Soon, he would also lead an expeditionary force as its commander to conquer another country.

And after accomplishing all these deeds, he felt that spending his remaining years in comfort as a supervisor on the Great Han Bank Supervisory Board would be a truly ideal conclusion.

Suddenly, a surge of emotion flashed through Zhao Song's heart.

The Emperor has already been so benevolent to us, even carefully considering our future path. What reason do we have not to give our lives in his service?

"I shall surely trample Japan flat and bring its gold and silver mines under the jurisdiction of the Great Han Bank, adding more bricks and stones to the foundation of the Great Han's realm!"

"It's good that you have this resolve," the Emperor merely smiled. "It seems none of you oppose this arrangement? Good. For now, keep everything discussed in this small meeting today in your hearts. Do not reveal a word to the outside world. Once we have plucked the fruit of Japan, we shall proceed as agreed today!"

The Emperor could see that the ministers all thought he was setting up this Great Han Bank Supervisory Board merely to provide for future elder statesmen and veteran generals, a place where they could retire with substantial income and high official titles. However, that was only part of his intention. The ministers did not understand what a central bank and its board of directors represented, and he did not wish to explain it point by point. In any case, through many years of practical experience in the future, they would come to understand the immense influence of the Great Han Bank and its Supervisory Board that he had established.

"We obey the decree!" The several ministers bowed simultaneously.

"Good, let us end here for today. You must all be tired. Stay and have lunch with me before you return." The Emperor smiled and waved his hand. "After the meal, it's just a matter of waiting for the New Year. The court is on holiday, so you must also take a good break. Go home and rest more, spend some time with your wives and children..."

At these words, the ministers only then realized that the New Year festival was fast approaching.

"Your Majesty, please also rest more and take care of your dragon body," the Prime Minister quickly said.

"Naturally. I've been toiling away in the military camps for most of this year and am somewhat tired myself. I'll take advantage of the New Year period to spend more time gathering with the palace." The Emperor still smiled, then walked to the Crown Prince's side and reached out to stroke his head. "The Crown Prince and I are always away from them; when they see us this time, who knows how much they'll nag us..."

Regarding the Emperor's family matters, the four ministers, close as they were, none were willing to interject. So they all just wore accompanying smiles, and no one spoke.

And the Crown Prince, having personally witnessed the Emperor effortlessly resolve the ministers' disputes and make such a momentous, far-sighted decision on state affairs, felt his heart once again filled with admiration for his father, and with the determination to learn to become just like him.