TGPSAC – Chapter 108

The autumn examinations had concluded and the results were out. Next was the autumn hunt.

Preparations for the autumn hunt had long been underway. After all, an imperial excursion required planning far in advance.

Emperor Shengyuan had not originally wanted to go, but recent speculation about his health had grown increasingly intense. He had to make an appearance, and even if he didn’t hunt himself, he had to attend to show everyone that he was in good health.

However, Chi Wan came to him and expressed her unwillingness to attend the autumn hunt.

Emperor Shengyuan was very displeased. “The Imperial City Division is the Son of Heaven’s personal army. I am going on an excursion, and you, its commander, will not attend? Do you still have any regard for me?”

Chi Wan immediately bowed. “Your Majesty, this subject is your subject. But Her Highness is with child and also bears the responsibility of regent. She is already exhausted and needs someone to share her burdens. At this moment, the imperial grandson is more important.”

Of course, Yu Jiuzhou was what was important, but this was what she had to say.

By saying this, she ensured Emperor Shengyuan would not grow suspicious.

Hearing her say that the imperial grandson was more important, Emperor Shengyuan’s expression softened considerably.

What Chi Wan said was reasonable. The imperial grandson was more important than the Regent Grand Princess. It was indeed necessary to leave someone behind to watch over things.

But Emperor Shengyuan still said, “I am very happy that you are so devoted to Zhou’er.”

He said it without a hint of happiness in his voice.

Chi Wan said earnestly, “Only by ensuring the imperial grandson’s safe birth can this subject live up to Your Majesty’s expectations.”

“Haha.” Emperor Shengyuan finally laughed.

She could do it for the imperial grandson, but absolutely not for Yu Jiuzhou.

Now that Yu Jiuzhou was pregnant, their relationship could not be allowed to become too close, whether for his own sake or for the future power of the imperial grandson.

Once they had a child, they would have to grow distant.

Chi Wan had a firm grasp of Emperor Shengyuan’s psychology, so she knew what to say in his presence.

Emperor Shengyuan’s satisfied laughter was a sign that her answer had been a good one.

“Very well. Just have Li Bao lead the men and accompany me.”

Chi Wan lowered her eyes and nodded. “Yes.”

The capital’s combat-ready forces were the Imperial Guard, the Jinwu Guard, and now the Imperial City Division. The other units, like the Honor Guard, were all for show and completely useless in a real fight.

But these men were all from noble families, exuding an air of aristocracy, which made them perfect for ceremonial duties.

Currently, more than half of the Imperial Guard and the Jinwu Guard were in Yu Jiuzhou’s hands, while the Imperial City Division was in hers.

But if they were to stage a coup, their chances of success were only fifty-fifty.

Moreover, the ethical and social hierarchy of ancient times was severe. If Yu Jiuzhou truly imprisoned her own father to seize the throne, she would be ostracized by the entire world.

Not everyone could be like Er Feng, who had conquered half the empire himself.

Yu Jiuzhou controlled the Imperial Guard and the Jinwu Guard, and Chi Wan had the Imperial City Division and the Capital Camps. It seemed as though the capital was in their hands, but in reality, Great Zhou had so many armies that their control was still far too limited.

Besides, there was still the Dragon Guard Army. A direct move would have to wait until the old man was dead.

Chi Wan thoroughly detested Emperor Shengyuan. As an emperor, he was no good for the country or the people—no, he was a fatuous ruler. As a husband and father, he was no good for his wife or his children.

He was an extremely selfish person. Selfishness wouldn’t matter if it didn’t cause suffering to others, but he had inflicted far too much suffering on the people of Great Zhou.

An emperor like him had eyes only for power and money, not for his subjects.

That was why every time Chi Wan had to speak so much in Emperor Shengyuan’s presence, she felt more exhausted than if she had practiced her boxing a hundred times. It was not at all good for her mental state.

It felt as though she could start the morning in a perfectly good mood, but after one visit with the emperor, she would be filled with negative energy.

After leaving the emperor, she needed to be soothed in Yu Jiuzhou’s arms like an infant to recover.

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On the first day of the ninth month, Emperor Shengyuan set off for the imperial hunting grounds. The journey would take nearly two days, and the vast procession nearly emptied the capital.

Emperor Shengyuan feared death, so he took thirty thousand Imperial Guards and twenty thousand Jinwu Guards with him.

If the last Jinwu Guard rebellion hadn’t left such a shadow on him, he would have taken even more.

The most ridiculous thing was that he also wanted to mobilize the fifty thousand men of the Capital Camps.

Did he not know that mobilizing an army cost money? And he was only going to the nearby imperial hunting grounds. He was taking fifty thousand of the capital’s defenders with him. Even if something happened, those fifty thousand troops could hold out for three days.

Given the distance from the Capital Camps to the hunting grounds, they could arrive in a single day.

To rashly redeploy the capital’s defenses—a city as large as Shengjing needed the Jinwu Guard to maintain order, and the Imperial Guard had to continue their regular rotations.

Losing so many people at once meant that the work of two or three people was now piled onto one.

Furthermore, the capital’s defense was not so simple. The Jinwu Guard was extremely busy. The Imperial Guard had it a bit better, but the palace was enormous, with no shortage of places that needed guarding.

Most importantly, there were fifty thousand troops, plus all the eunuchs, palace maids, nobles, and their children, as well as their servants. All told, it was a crowd of seventy to eighty thousand people.

Seventy to eighty thousand mouths to feed. The Ministry of Revenue had not even finished paying the back wages owed to the army, and now another huge sum of silver had to be spent.

Moreover, the emperor and the nobles required the very best of everything. They were not like ordinary soldiers who were content with just a full stomach.

Looking at the memorial submitted by the Ministry of Revenue, a surge of anger rose in Yu Jiuzhou’s heart.

Chi Wan came to sit beside her, gently kneading her shoulders. “What’s wrong?”

Yu Jiuzhou suppressed her anger and said, “This autumn hunt will cost a million taels.”

What did a million taels of silver mean? For the disaster relief in Wucheng, an entire city of people was given only one hundred thousand taels.

If Yu Jiuzhou hadn’t fought for it, the situation in Wucheng would have been even worse.

Chi Wan frowned. She should have just used her needles on the emperor, letting him live until his time was up but keeping him bedridden and frail, to prevent him from plaguing the common people.

Countless citizens would be affected along this journey.

Chi Wan stroked Yu Jiuzhou’s head comfortingly. “Money spent can be earned again. I have an idea I’ve been thinking about for a long time. I’ve refined it a bit, and it’s the perfect time to tell you.”

Yu Jiuzhou looked at her curiously. Chi Wan often gave her pleasant surprises, so she was quite looking forward to what she had to say.

Chi Wan stood up and rummaged through a pile of things she had written, finally finding what she was looking for after a while.

The two of them now worked in the same study. Occasionally, on a whim, they would even experience the mysteries of life in there.

They each had their own desk. Since most of what Chi Wan wrote was in modern script and very cursive, others couldn’t read it. Much of it she simply wrote in English, so even if it were lost, it was unlikely anyone could understand it.

The foreigners who had come to Great Zhou were not from English-speaking regions.

Because no one could read it, letting others tidy up would only make her desk messier, so she didn’t allow anyone to touch it.

She knew where her own things were and would tidy them up as she went, doing a final organization after everything was finished.

Having found the post station strategy she had written last time, she sat down contentedly next to Yu Jiuzhou.

Chi Wan waved the treasured document in her hand. “Let’s open post stations.”

“Post stations?” Yu Jiuzhou was puzzled.

Great Zhou already had post stations. They were used for transmitting official documents and military intelligence, providing various transportation tools and road maintenance guidance, hosting officials and foreign envoys, and transporting and storing supplies.

Post stations were indispensable in ancient times, but they were largely idle and required state funds to maintain.

Chi Wan did some calculations for Yu Jiuzhou. “Every county has a post station. How many counties are there in Great Zhou’s thirteen provinces? The maintenance and expenses for each station cost at least a million taels a year.”

“And if they host a high-ranking official, the cost is much more than that.”

According to the reception level, if a high-ranking official passed through, the expenses of that post station would skyrocket.

Yu Jiuzhou raised an eyebrow, knowing that the money-making method she was about to propose was related to post stations.

This was what Chi Wan liked about Yu Jiuzhou. When she didn’t quite understand something, she wouldn’t rush to give her opinion but would wait for her to explain clearly before asking questions.

“The post stations are empty most of the time and require a considerable sum to maintain. But what if, like the roads we repaired last time, they could be self-sufficient and even generate revenue for the state treasury? I’ll call it ‘logistics’ for short. During festivals and holidays, letters, silver, and goods that people need to send back home can all be handled by the post stations.”

“For example, if something needs to be sent to Jiangnan, it would start from the post station in the capital. Post Station One sends it to Post Station Two, and so on, all the way to the county post station in Jiangnan. Then, the clerks at that station will handle the delivery. For each item delivered, the courier will be paid based on the weight, package size, and distance. It would be best to also set up stations in towns, but that can be done after we’ve made some money.”

“The specific payment for the transit couriers and the final delivery couriers can be calculated later. What I want to say is that everyone has shipping needs, and not everyone has a fellow townsman to carry things back for them. For elderly family members and wandering children who wish to ease their longing for home, a logistics and postal service is very much needed.”

“Additionally, delivery is one thing, and money is another. We need a state-owned bank, but it shouldn’t be located with the post station. It would be best to open it next to the government office, so as not to interfere with the people’s private affairs. The bank would be a chain, just like the Jiujiu Wellness Center. A card issued in the capital can be used at any Jiujiu Wellness Center anywhere. The bank can issue drafts…”

“Furthermore, within the post stations, state affairs and public affairs can be separated, so that neither is delayed…”

What Chi Wan was describing was a Great Zhou version of a postal service. The first step would certainly be to issue stamps, which would facilitate the launch of subsequent services.

The first business segment: letter delivery, newspapers and periodicals, and philately.

Great Zhou could issue various collectible commemorative coins and the like each year. Something with the emperor’s own calligraphy would naturally be purchased by someone at a high price.

The newspaper that Chi Wan had created earlier could be included in this segment.

This segment alone could earn a lot of money.

The second was the delivery segment.

This would specialize in express delivery, but it would also need to be divided into expedited and standard services. For the common people, it would mostly be standard delivery and expedited delivery within three to five hundred li.

For government services, six-hundred-li and eight-hundred-li expedited services would be added, and government business would be kept separate from public business to prevent confusion.

The third, naturally, was the financial segment.

A bank, or a silver house. They certainly couldn’t handle securities or insurance right now, but a bank would be sufficient.

Great Zhou had many silver houses, most of which were privately owned, and their drafts were not universally accepted.

If a merchant traveled with a large cart of silver, it was like announcing to all the bandits in the land, “Come and see, here is a fat sheep.”

Therefore, doing business on the road was very dangerous, and carrying too much silver was inconvenient.

Opening a Great Zhou Bank would make business much more convenient, promote commercial development, and allow for services like loans.

Chi Wan had written down the specific operational model of the bank in great detail.

At this point, Chi Wan picked up her tea and took a large gulp, moistening her dry throat before continuing, “The lodging and dining services at the post stations can also be opened to the public.”

“Of course, the lodging for officials will be separate from that for merchants and commoners. Many merchant caravans and ordinary people would be happy just to have a place to shelter from the wind and rain, saving them from sleeping in the open or getting robbed in places like ruined temples. It doesn’t matter how many people share a room, as long as there’s a place to sleep.”

In a merchant caravan, apart from the leader, the escorts and servants were all from poor backgrounds. Having a place to stay and a hot meal was a rare luxury.

Besides, it wasn’t just merchant caravans that needed lodging, but also common folk, students, and others.

They could convert the empty spaces in the post stations into commercial inns, and once they had money, they could expand.

In any case, post stations were not located within county towns but in what could be considered the wilderness, so land was easy to find.

For this very reason, to prevent ill-intentioned people from coveting the money in the bank, it was safest to place it next to the government office.

Chi Wan’s mouth was dry from talking, but she had finally explained the model clearly. She smiled and said, “Your Highness, we can call it Shunfeng (Tailwind). Great Zhou Shunfeng, for a smooth journey all the way.”

Yu Jiuzhou looked at her, amused, and pinched her cheek. “No, the matter of the name must be decided by His Majesty.”

Right. That petty-minded Emperor Shengyuan would surely have a lot to say.

Chi Wan raised an eyebrow. “Our Jiujiu Wellness Centers have opened all over Great Zhou. It’s time to expand into new businesses.”

“What?”

“The paper mill. It’s a shame to have it only in the capital. We can expand it outwards. With paper mills, we can print books and open bookstores. This will bring down the price of books and benefit the common people…”

Chi Wan didn’t understand finance, but she knew what the people needed. Even if it didn’t make a huge profit, it would provide convenience for the populace.

But the post station and banking services she proposed would definitely be profitable.

After all, they would be backed by the national credit of Great Zhou. A private enterprise would not necessarily succeed.

As Chi Wan spoke, Yu Jiuzhou’s eyes sparkled, filled with both admiration and curiosity.

Only after Chi Wan had finished did she speak. “I am very curious, just how many fantastical ideas are stored in that head of yours?”

Chi Wan shook her head with a smile. “Actually, very few. After all, I studied medicine, so my knowledge of many things is only partial. Like these ideas I’ve proposed, they are just a general direction. The specific operations and details will still require discussion between Your Highness, the Grand Secretariat, and many others to accomplish.”

She never thought she was brilliant just for proposing a concept. If she had to do it all by herself, she would surely fail.

But Yu Jiuzhou shook her head. “Many things, even if someone thinks of them, they won’t speak up if it would infringe upon their own interests.”

The wealth of the gentry and powerful clans was primarily in land. At the founding of the dynasty, the vast majority of the people were given land, but in later stages, very few commoners still owned land.

Their land had all ended up in the hands of the gentry and powerful clans. Land consolidation was an unavoidable issue in every dynasty, leading to its eventual collapse and the start of a new cycle.

These people knew how to make the lives of the common people better, but almost all of them chose to make their own families better instead.

Upright and kind officials were simply seen as outliers.

They did nothing themselves and did not allow others to do anything, constantly exploiting the common people.

That was why Yu Jiuzhou said what she did. Chi Wan was in a position of power, a beneficiary of the system, yet she could still say these things and act on them. It was truly rare.

Chi Wan had always been like this. Before, she was somewhat passive; now, she had become proactive.

Clearly, Yu Jiuzhou’s words were not just about her; they were born from some recent event.

Chi Wan squeezed Yu Jiuzhou’s hand. “Your Highness, did something happen?”

“Yes,” Yu Jiuzhou nodded.

Something had just happened recently. The reforms in Yanbei were on the verge of success, but it was discovered that some people were contacting Beining, intending to betray Great Zhou.

The common people had received tangible benefits, so it was naturally not them. The ones who wanted to betray Great Zhou were the very people who had been exploiting the populace.

Now that these exploiters had been forced to spit out what they had taken, they were resentful and began to collude with foreign tribes.

It was only because Emperor Shengyuan was worried about his reputation in the history books that he was unwilling to carry out a large-scale slaughter. He only allowed them to kill those who were absolutely beyond redemption. Otherwise, would these people dare to act so brazenly?

Besides, they were only being made to return what they had taken, not to give up what was originally theirs.

Yu Jiuzhou’s tone was heavy. “It’s not just one, but many. These people have gathered numerous servants around them. If something happens, one family might have several hundred, or even a thousand people. They can quickly assemble a sizable force. When Beining sends its troops, they will coordinate from within and without.”

Yanbei was not too far from the capital, and it was home to many gentry and powerful clans. It was normal for a smaller family to have a few dozen or a hundred members, while larger clans could have tens of thousands. If these people truly gathered together, they would indeed be a considerable force.

Crucially, the list she had was only a small fraction of the conspirators. To act now would be to alert the others.

One problem followed another. To stop these people, a great slaughter was unavoidable.

Chi Wan thought of this as well. She rose and knelt behind Yu Jiuzhou, massaging her shoulders and neck to ease her tension. “Assassination is easy, but open killing would require His Majesty’s approval.”

While Emperor Shengyuan was around, it was easier for them to build their power, but there was a downside. At times like this, because of the emperor’s selfishness, their hands were tied in many matters.

But before their own power was fully established, it was better for Emperor Shengyuan to remain alive.

But assassination… then what would be the difference between them and people like Emperor Shengyuan?

Everything had to be done openly. Only overt strategies were truly unassailable, not covert plots.

If it were otherwise, Yu Jiuzhou would not be so troubled.

Did there have to be a great, thorough purge?

Yu Jiuzhou closed her eyes, enjoying Chi Wan’s ministrations. She didn’t know when it started, but for things like massages, when Chi Wan wasn’t around, she would never let anyone else do it.

Perhaps after getting used to Chi Wan, even Chun Gui and the others felt a little off.

Perhaps because her body was more comfortable, Yu Jiuzhou’s mind cleared as well. Her tone turned cold. “Then let them commit a crime that forces the Emperor to execute them.”

Rebellion? Or insulting the emperor?

They had to give Emperor Shengyuan a reason to carry out a massacre, one that wouldn’t tarnish his reputation.

Chi Wan’s hands paused, then she flicked Yu Jiuzhou’s forehead. “It’s time to rest, Your Highness. Don’t always think about official business. Think about me, too.”

Yu Jiuzhou: “? Aren’t you right here beside me?”

“You still have to think of me.” Chi Wan feigned a domineering air, pretending to be a profligate dandy teasing an innocent maiden. She lifted Yu Jiuzhou’s chin, making her look up, then leaned down and kissed her on the lips. “You’re quite the rogue, little lady. After having your way with me, you don’t even think of me?”

Think of what?

Yu Jiuzhou felt there was a hidden meaning in her words. Was it thinking of her, or thinking of “having her way”?

Besides, who had their way with whom!

As Chi Wan moved closer, Yu Jiuzhou reached up and covered her face, pushing her away. “Stop fooling around.”

“How is being close with my wife fooling around?”

Chi Wan was indignant. They were a legitimate couple, with a child on the way. What was wrong with a little affection?

Yu Jiuzhou flicked her on the head. “Dong Ying is coming over later.”

“What is she coming for?”

Even as she asked, Chi Wan had already sat down in front of Yu Jiuzhou, her hand stroking her now noticeably larger belly. Suddenly, one of the little rascals inside gave her a punch.

It wasn’t visible from the outside, but she could feel it.

Under the nourishment of her internal energy, she felt a slight telepathic connection with the two little ones inside.

Although, given the size of the two little ones, telepathy was a bit fantastical, she just knew that this punch was for her.

Were they protecting their mother?

Chi Wan huffed lightly. She would deal with these two little things when they came out. The twins were going to make her princess suffer quite a bit.

Yu Jiuzhou had clearly also felt the strange movement in her belly. Her face was full of wonder. What had just happened?

It wasn’t hard to see that these two little ones, just like her, were destined to be staunch followers of Her Highness the Grand Princess.

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