Time had gradually turned from the dog days of summer, but the weather was still hot. In the study of Yushan Academy, Li Pin poured two cups of tea and handed one to Ning Yi.
"Sometimes I find it laughable to see people who talk too much and are full of confidence in national affairs and world affairs. However, many ideas come from this kind of boasting. If one really works hard and never discusses it with others, it will inevitably be biased. In the third year of Jinghan's reign, I went to the capital to take the imperial examination. I passed the imperial examination and was ranked eleventh on the imperial list. Unfortunately … I offended Fu Ying, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Although I was ranked on the imperial list, it was hard to find a real position. After a few months, I was disheartened and left Tokyo, returning to Jiangning. "
Li Pin shook her head and smiled as she spoke of this.
"When others seek an official position, they pass the imperial examination and stay in Tokyo for several years, but they leave after a few months. Sometimes I don't even want to tell people, afraid of being laughed at. However, during my time in Tokyo, I saw the network of interests between officials, and my feelings were really complicated. Tokyo's style is slightly different from Jiangning's. If you go there, you can feel that the imperial city seems to be enveloped by that feeling. Near the imperial street, you can see the majestic palace walls every day. Even in places where you can't see the imperial palace, if you look in that direction, the imperial palace seems to be standing in front of you … "
"There are people seeking an official position, people seeking connections, people discussing national affairs, for the sake of the saints, for the sake of peace for all ages … Teahouses, taverns, and all kinds of brothels talk about these things. Everywhere you go, you can see the shadow of an official. On one hand, they are full of vigor, but on the other, they are lethargic. In short, everyone is anxious and can't get the main point. But life has to go on. I also tried all kinds of connections and thought of all kinds of ways. Maybe I could find Fu Ying's political enemies and get some help. But in the end, it was still useless. Maybe I didn't go the right way. I originally thought that the eleventh position would have some value, but they didn't reject me. They just pushed it around and arranged some positions for you, but there were no real vacancies. Their arrangements were also watertight. So after a few months, I roughly understood that this path would not work for the time being. "
"Why bother trying to find a loophole in someone else's place? You won't be able to get in. My family's financial situation is not bad. If I really want to stay in Tokyo and wait for an opportunity, it's not like I don't have money. However, I don't think it's necessary. I might as well take advantage of this time to calm down and think. Therefore, I left Tokyo and traveled through Xu, Tang, Shen, and An Prefectures before returning to Jiangning. At that time, I also encountered a flood and witnessed many things. After returning for a few years, I've been thinking about how the world has come to this … "
He took a sip of tea. "In the past hundred years, my Wu dynasty also had several major and minor reforms. There were many failures, but when it comes to principles, they never deviated from enriching the people, strengthening the army, and recruiting scholars. If we want to do things, starting with these three is indeed reasonable. However, if we trace back to the source, the reason why our Wu dynasty's army and people are both weak, why we can't find the right method to select scholars, is that every time I discuss with someone, I always ponder this matter. "
Ning Yi took a sip of tea and then shrugged. "This reason … isn't it very simple?"
Li Pin was originally waiting for his opinion, but upon hearing his words, she was slightly dazed. Afterwards, she also laughed. "It really is simple … what Liheng said at the beginning, all things have basic rules and roots. If we can see them clearly, perhaps our grasp of future development will be even clearer. I think it makes a lot of sense … In fact, looking at my Wu dynasty now, the cause is also quite clear. Anyone who puts in a bit of thought can see it clearly …"
He paused slightly, picked up a piece of chalk, and drew a triangle on a small blackboard to the side. "My dynasty was originally founded on martial might. At the beginning, our military force was strong and prosperous. However, the following few rebellions made Taizu see the drawbacks of this matter clearly. Afterwards, he suppressed Wu Chongwen and used the method of strong trunk and weak branch to govern our dynasty. This method allowed our dynasty to eliminate the cause of internal strife. For a time, the people were rich and the empire lasted. But now, it has also caused many drawbacks, making it difficult for our dynasty to resist foreign aggression. Under these many pressures, in order to ensure that the strong trunk is still strong, the weak branch is even weaker, and wealth still flows to the top. Our military force was originally suppressed because of the strong trunk and weak branch. Now, it is even weaker. The weaker our military force is, the greater the external pressure. The greater the pressure, the weaker our military force, thus forming a cycle that cannot be broken … "
Li Pin exhaled and looked at the blackboard. "If we can solve the problem of commerce and slightly estimate the weak branch, our dynasty will naturally have the spare capacity to take care of military force. This is a problem that any strategy to enrich the people needs to solve … If we can make our military force strong, foreign aggression will not dare to invade, and our dynasty will naturally be able to breathe. This is the problem that the strategy to strengthen the army needs to solve. Recruiting scholars is also to enrich the people, strengthen the army, and ensure the continuation of the empire … unfortunately, these are all empty words. "
He threw away the chalk. "If we only talk about one strategy, it seems that everyone has a way, and even several strategies at the same time is not a problem. But the situation of our dynasty's strong trunk and weak branch is already set. For example, a large tree, the strong trunk is not full and has a bit of nutrients, but the weak branch will also be taken away by the strong trunk. How to guide this strong trunk, to let it naturally flow the nutrients to the weak branch, this is the problem. What does Liheng think? "
Ning Yi thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "Hmm, very reasonable. And you are saying … let those big landlords and merchants who have already become strong — like our Su family — as well as those relatives of the emperor, rich and idle people, willingly take out the money they have earned and return it to the people …"
Li Pin smiled and did not deny it. "There is indeed some scholarly spirit, but other than this, there is no other way. Of course, everything in the world is moving forward, not backward. Everyone says that during the time of Emperor Heng and Emperor Hui, our Wu dynasty was prosperous, the country rich and the people strong, but it is impossible to think of going backward. The problem is how to guide it to the next step, to let these people willingly take out the money. There is no cycle, impractical, and not very useful. Everything needs to be considered in the implementation of the flow. Therefore, there needs to be a way to let these people take out the money and invest it in the poor, and then we must ensure that both sides can make money, and then continue, growing and multiplying endlessly, not reducing the wealth of the strong, but alleviating the situation of the weak … Perhaps, we can consider letting the imperial court intervene first. "
"Wang Anshi reformed …" Ning Yi frowned slightly, murmuring. Li Pin turned her head from the other side. "Hmm?"
There was no Wang Anshi in the Wu dynasty, but decades ago, there was a Prime Minister named Tan Xi, Tan Ziyong, who also did something similar. The reform attempted to let the imperial court intervene in many businesses to revitalize the economy. Ning Yi smiled. "Aren't De Xin's words similar to Prime Minister Tan's thoughts in the past?"
Li Pin nodded. "I have indeed repeatedly thought about Prime Minister Tan's reform, and it inspired me a lot. Back then, Prime Minister Tan probably thought the same, but he did not expect that the resistance would be so great, that the government's orders would not work, and that the people at the lower levels would obey on the surface, but oppose in secret. Therefore, the first thing to do in the country is to purge the government …"
"That is true." Ning Yi nodded. "But the method is wrong. You can't play with the economy like this."
"Hmm? Economy? "
"Uh, that is, the commercial system, the circulation of goods, the circulation of money, the whole system …" Ning Yi smiled and explained, "Any commercial system that allows privileges to intervene is not a normal commercial system. Here, privileges can only be poison, especially privileges like the imperial court and the government."
"Does Liheng also think that we shouldn't compete with the people for benefits?"
"That's not the reason." Ning Yi shook his head. "Don't you want to have basic rules? The basic rule of the economy is greed. Businessmen pursue profit, and their goal can only be profit. Everything else can be vague. Greed is a positive thing in many situations. When I work in a shop, I want to buy a piece of clothing, so I work hard and try to think of ways to earn money, or to get the appreciation of the owner to earn more money. This is good greed. He actually has many ways, such as stealing or robbing, but it is not worth it if he goes to jail, so he can only do it according to the rules of the game. I have done so many things, and it is worth so much money, it is worth that piece of clothing. Greed that can make people stay in the rules of the game is good greed … "
"But the imperial court is not in the rules of the game. They are still the judges, but you let them join the game. In the end, no one can continue playing … As I said before, businessmen pursue profit, and their goal can only be profit. If you let a person see profit, he will be taught greed. When they turn around, they will see a death-exemption medallion and a knife in their hands. If I can easily take back the profit, why do you want me to not take it? If it can be so ideal, then isn't it the same as asking the big landlords and big businessmen to take out their money? "
He paused for a moment. "Master Tan's reform is not because the rule of law is not enough. People will always find loopholes. Greed is too strong, and once this kind of emotion arises, there is nothing but profit in his eyes. This kind of emotion can make people very positive, and it is a great driving force, but the key is: it is best not to let the existence of privilege have this kind of emotion. If this privilege is not suppressed enough, in the end, no one can continue playing … "
"As long as there is a small loophole, the rule of law will never be enough. When the privileged do business, it can only be like letting wolves into a flock of sheep. Instead of thinking about letting more privileges enter, it is better to get rid of the privileges that have already entered. Perhaps it will have some effect … To put it simply, if the judges are allowed to play the game, how can the game be played? If we talk about supervision, it will only make the originally simple things more complicated, and destruction is inevitable. "
Outside the window, a pair of siblings were squatting in the corridor under the window sill, eavesdropping. The boy tapped his sister's shoulder and whispered, "Sister, sister, did he say that we should get rid of our family's business?"
"This barbarian …" Zhou Pei blinked, a little annoyed, and then glanced at her brother. "But what he said makes sense. You have to remember to think about it carefully. Don't be gullible, but don't speak nonsense because of others. This way, you will be able to achieve great things in the future."
"Oh." Zhou Junwu nodded, then opened the pocket on his waist, took out a glutinous rice cake, and ate it in small bites. Zhou Pei stared at him, exasperated that he did not live up to her expectations.
"Let the judges play the game …" In the room, Li Pin was silent for a long time, then laughed, a somewhat complicated expression on her face. "What Liheng said is indeed the basic principle. If I am the judge, once I enter the game, it will indeed be …"
He was a person who could think. Although he might not give up on the idea of economic guidance, he could more or less imagine the consequences of Ning Yi's words. "I didn't expect that after thinking so hard for so many years, Liheng would be able to see the most difficult point in one glance. Perhaps this is also because Liheng's way of looking at things is different?"
"This is a very interesting thing after all. Our dynasty pays hundreds of thousands of coins to Liao every year, but the profits from trade are millions. In the end, we are the ones who benefit from it. Now, Brother Dexin is not the only one who understands the importance of business and the benefits of business. Our dynasty is different from the previous dynasties. Our dynasty does not suppress business. Although there are problems with Master Tan's reform, it also shows that the court values business, but … "Ning Yi thought for a while, then suddenly said," Oh, right, I was just thinking, how is that Fu Ying now? "
Ning Yi was talking about business when he suddenly changed the topic. Li Pin was also stunned. A moment later, she burst out laughing. "Li Heng is indeed amazing. Nothing can be hidden from you. The assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Fu Ying, was investigated for corruption in March of this year. Last month, he was sentenced to exile by the Supreme Court. When this flood incident is over, I probably … "He was slightly melancholy, but he was still happy." I probably plan to go to Tokyo again and make some arrangements to see if I can fill in the gaps. I have already waited for five years. It's good that Liheng doesn't say that I am too addicted to being an official. "
Ning Yi also laughed. "In that case, congratulations, Brother Dexin."
"It's still early, still early … But how did Liheng know about this?"
"It's a trade secret." Ning Yi had only sensed some clues from the other's expression, so he asked casually. At this time, he was just joking. Li Pin shook her head and laughed for a while before taking a sip of tea. "Back to the topic, back to the topic. Since Liheng understands the pros and cons of this matter, I wonder if you have ever thought about how to compromise if you only let the court guide you?"
"That … was a joke."
"Yes, it was a joke."
"Alright, since you are going to be an official, it's good to discuss it." Ning Yi smiled and nodded. "Personally, I think there is, and there isn't."
"Why do you say so?"
"In fact, it's very simple. Let the court have the Confucians consciously promote the status of merchants, then the culture of business will naturally become more prevalent. If they want to actively guide it without interfering or destroying it, this is the only way …"
When these words were said, Li Pin frowned. "The status of merchants … this matter … after all, merchants value profits …"
"It's not that merchants value profits." Ning Yi took a sip of tea. "The country also values profits. In recent years, commerce has developed, and the status of merchants has improved compared to the previous dynasties. If they take the initiative to open up, commerce will definitely increase, but this is also impossible … They don't dare. "
"Who?"
"The people above, the court, the emperor, the Confucians … You and I, or everyone else, don't dare to open up …"
In the corridor outside the window, Zhou Junwu, who was squatting by the wall, was slightly stunned. "Sister, he's talking nonsense again. I don't dare. Our family is also doing business, and the son-in-law grandpa's family is even bigger …"
"Shut up." Zhou Pei whispered to stop him, then thought for a while. "I don't dare … He's trying to provoke me."
Then they heard Ning Yi's slightly teasing voice.
"If they open up, with a bang, the Wu dynasty, this country … will all be gone."
*****
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