Chapter 797: National Policy
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Yu Youyao felt much more at ease. “The n.o.bles dominate the North. They’re deeply rooted and intertwined. It’s like strangling a banyan. They absorb the nourishment of the North and provide it to themselves. It harms the interests of the commoners and violates King Yue Fei’s dignity. They brought it on themselves. However, you have a butcher’s knife in your hand. No matter what, don’t forget your original intention.”
The n.o.bles represented huge benefits and were charming.
After witnessing the King of Liang’s madness and the tragedy of the Xie family in her nightmare, she had a deeper understanding of “power desires” and was filled with reverence.
Yin Huaixi held Yu Youyao’s hand. “You’re devoted to kindness, and I’m devoted to you. I only want to protect you for a lifetime and give you a lifetime of peace.”
Yu Youyao smiled. “I’ll look for my Grandfather tomorrow and plan carefully with him.”
Back then, King Li of Zhou had a large army, but he was controlled by the local gentry. He was not even afraid of the Di people’s cavalry, but in the end, he died tragically under the scheme of the n.o.bles.
It wasn’t that the n.o.bles were so powerful that no one could shake them.
It wasn’t that King Li of Zhou was weak and didn’t know how to resist.
Instead!
King Li of Zhou was a va.s.sal lord!
When he was a prince, King Li of Zhou was a playboy and ridiculous. He did not manage his connections in the court. His father-in-law had become an official from a poor family and pa.s.sed away not long after retiring.
He had no one in the court, and the word “va.s.sal king” restrained his hands and feet. In addition, his foundation in the North was too shallow, and the merchant guild was deeply rooted. It had already formed an inherent circle of interests. It was inevitable that he would fall into a situation where he was alone.
Yin Huaixi cared about his status as a va.s.sal lord and couldn’t attack the n.o.bles easily.
However, Yu Youyao did not have such scruples.
The next day, Yu Youyao looked for Old Master Xie and explained her intentions.
When Old Master Xie heard this, he sighed softly. “When the Great Zhou Dynasty was first established, Emperor Gaozu had once said that the sea was in the east, and Liao is at the border. Since China was peaceful, they definitely had to guard it. Then, in Xiangping, he set up a military town in the capital of Liaodong with hundreds of thousands of troops guarding it. First, he had to ensure military supplies. However, at that time, there were few people in the Liaodong area. Emperor Gaozu moved a group of refugees who had been displaced by the war to the three northeastern provinces and encouraged farming. He even distributed the more prosperous northwestern areas of Ningxia, Shanxi, and Shaanxi to Youzhou in the North and vigorously developed business, achieving the goal of strong border management.”
Yu Youyao’s gaze flickered slightly as she said, “The merchants relied on the country’s policies to make a fortune wantonly. The n.o.bles relied on the merchants to acc.u.mulate wealth wantonly. As it was in line with Emperor Gaozu’s national policies, the n.o.bles seemed to have obtained a gold medal and controlled the local resources. Naturally, they were fearless.”
Old Master Xie said meaningfully, “Taking in refugees, developing the population, and increasing the productivity of the North are also in line with a series of national policies issued by Emperor Gaozu.”
Since it was a national policy, how could the n.o.bles stop it?
As expected, the older one was, the wiser they were. “I’ll send a letter to the Yu Clan later. The n.o.bles of the North are very powerful. We still need the support of the Imperial Court to implement the national policy.”
Old Master Xie smiled but said nothing.
Yu Youyao blinked and looked at her grandfather with admiration. “Grandfather, are you familiar with every national policy issued by the Great Zhou Dynasty since it was established?”
Old Master Xie nodded. “We’re all people under the Great Zhou Dynasty. Everything we do and the money we earn have to be in line with the interests of the Imperial Court, the commoners, and the general situation. We can avoid many troubles and seize more opportunities to earn money.”
Yu Youyao nodded thoughtfully. “The merchants in the North developed because they grasped the national policies of the strong borders and the outside world.”
Old Master Xie nodded, but his tone was very stern. “However, Little Yao’er, you have to remember that farming is ten times more profitable, but doing business is a hundred times more profitable. However, merchants are also humans. They have a mouth and need to eat. Where does their food come from? It’s naturally farmed. For staple food like rice and wheat, there are only two seasons a year, and the production is also low. What they earn from doing business is the result of buying at a low price and selling at a high price. They buy the blood and sweat of the commoners at a low price, and sell the blood and sweat of the commoners at a high price. It’s not a wise move to skin the commoners. If the commoners can’t grow food, the world will be in chaos. At that time, the merchants will bear the brunt. The current situation is the best example.”
Before the Great Zhou Dynasty was completely in chaos, the ambitious King Liang first calculated the Xie family’s money.
Yin Huaixi couldn’t resist the temptation of being rich. When he was short of money and food, the first thing he had to do was think of a way to deal with the n.o.bles.
In her nightmare, the Fourth Prince’s foundation was shallow. In order to support the fourth prince, the first thing Song Mingzhao did was to attack the Xie family.
The Xie Residence’s huge network of connections provided them with cover during the peaceful years.
However, in this chaotic world, they actually did not even have the ability to protect themselves.
Not only was this the case for the Xie family, but all the merchants in the world were the same.
Old Master Xie slowed down his voice. “Since you’ve stepped into business, you have to remember the Xie family’s ancestral teachings. Don’t earn ill-gotten wealth. The wealth of the world should be taken from the people and used for the people. Seventy percent of your wealth will be used to repair roads and build bridges to benefit a region, while the remaining 30% will belong to you.”
Yu Youyao said solemnly, “Grandfather, since I’ve received guidance from the Xie family, I naturally have to remember their ancestral teachings.”
Old Master Xie nodded in satisfaction and changed the topic. “King Yue Fei’s garrison is in the Liaodong area. It spans the Liao, Ji, and Hei lands and is a military town. It’s under King Yue Fei’s watch. Therefore, the main power of the North merchant guild is in the Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Ningxia areas. After King Li of Zhou’s case, the emperor cleaned up a group of n.o.bles who occupied the North. The control of the merchant guild in the North over the three northeastern provinces isn’t that strong anymore. This is the weak point of the merchant guild in the North.”
“Most of the silk and cloth industries in the North come from the three northeastern provinces. It’s a good choice for you to start with the silk industry in Liancheng. The three northeastern provinces are quite far from Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Ningxia. With King Yue Fei and the government controlling the news, when the news reaches Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Ningxia, the situation in Liancheng is no longer up to them.”
Yu Youyao nodded. “I’ve already met Lord Li. He promises his full support.”
There were three ways to send a message.
First, they could go through the courier station, but the courier station had to pa.s.s through the government’s hands. If necessary, the government could review the letters.
Second, they could send someone to pa.s.s on the message. However, the three northeastern provinces were military towns. There were checkpoints everywhere, and the checks were very strict. King Yue Fei could get stuck at the checkpoint.
Third, they could use a pigeon to send messages. However, the defense in the Liaodong area was tight, and pigeons were only used for military purposes. Ordinary people were not allowed to raise pigeons to send messages. There were sentry towers everywhere that specially shot pigeons.
Without a fast horse to send a message, the message sent would be very slowly. It would take two to three months. At that time, it would be over.
Therefore, after making up her mind, she immediately looked for the government’s support.
Old Master Xie also knew about this. “The silk industry involves the local land-owning cla.s.s. As a merchant, it’s not good for the Xie family to make a move, in case it backfires. In this matter, the Xie family can only help you very little. You can only rely on yourself.”