Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 331 Every family has its own sutras that are difficult to recite
"That little bastard just walked away, leaving us with a mess..."

Pingzhou was the highest city in the world in the seventh century AD.

From the study of His Majesty Li Ming, the ruling core of the Ming Empire, waves of angry and scolding were heard.

Fang Xuanling, who was respected by Li Jing as an "old fox", was furious and was angrily criticizing a founding emperor who was respected by Li Jing as a "strategic genius".

"Is this how he spent the money? Huh? Is this how he spent the money?"

Fang Xuanling had completely lost his usual calmness and tranquility. He slammed the table and cursed, directing his anger at Li Ming who was thousands of miles away. His expression was so rich that he looked like a normal person.

His old rival and partner, Changsun Wuji, huddled low in his workstation, watching this rare scene while looking at the culprit who caused it -

An expressionless boy who looks like a Q version of Fang Xuanling, the Minister of Finance of the Ming Dynasty, Fang Yize.

The young man has another identity, that is, Fang Xuanling’s most beloved youngest son.

"Father, you are exaggerating. The situation is not as bad as you say."

Fang Yize said lightly.

Facing his father who rarely flew into a rage, the youngest son was so calm that he could almost be described as indifferent... no, apathetic.

"As long as I make some adjustments, the Ming Dynasty's finances can still barely maintain a balance between income and expenditure, which is enough to cover the expenses of the front line this month."

Fang Yize spoke in the same calm tone and expressionless manner as always.

But his appearance was getting worse and worse. He was pale, and had dark circles under his eyes, which made him look like he had lost all desire to live and was about to die.

"After getting through this month, what about next month? Do you expect this battle to be over next month?!" Fang Xuanling excitedly tapped the table with his index finger knuckle.

Compared with his younger son, the spirit he showed could only be described as “vigorous and full of energy”.

"all will be good."

Fang Yize waved his hands gently, and his body swayed as if the wind created by his palms was going to blow away his increasingly thin body.

"By next month, the treasury will have some income. By then, we can try our best to raise enough money for the military expenses..."

"Next month is the middle of winter. How much income do you think the treasury will receive?!"

Fang Xuanling became more and more angry. He stared into his son's eyes and shouted loudly:
"Besides, your Majesty spends money like water. Did he spend the money on the war? Huh?

"They were all used for bribery!"

It is a very rare title to use "Your Majesty" and "that guy" together.

But Fang Xuanling also had his reasons. This question had been on his mind for a long time, and it really made him feel upset.

"For example, in that damn place called Niangziguan, it's fine if they bribed the officers, but they also gave each soldier two strings of cash! What's the point of that?
"Those Tang troops were unarmed and surrounded. What choice did they have other than surrendering? Why did we give them money and pretend they were rich?
"Not only do they pay them salaries, they also give them travel expenses and divide up the land! Why don't you just support them for the rest of their lives?
“This is Niangzi Pass. There are more prisoners of war being taken in and provided for on other fronts, and the cost is even greater!

"Are you being treated as a prisoner of war? If you don't know, you might think you are here to enjoy yourself!"

It seemed as if Fang Xuanling wanted to vent all his life's anger today; his mouth was like a machine gun, firing non-stop.

Fang Yize was acting more and more like his father. He had no expression on his face the whole time. It was unclear whether he was confused or just didn't care. He would occasionally say something indifferent to defend Ming Ge:
"It is also very important to win over the hearts of ordinary soldiers. If we do the big picture, it can greatly save the future cost of unifying the world..."

"When your monthly expenses are less than your income, you should count the small expenses within your means instead of talking about the big expenses!"

Fang Xuanling interrupted angrily:
"What future are we still talking about? If the military budget is not paid out next month, the Ming Dynasty will have no future!"

Fang Xuanling's words were definitely not alarmist.

War is a money-eating beast so huge that it is difficult to see its head or tail. The huge military expenditure is difficult for even a powerful country like the Ming Dynasty to bear.

For example, the Ming Dynasty deployed a total of 80,000 elite soldiers and 10,000 war horses on the western Taihang Mountain front.

Doesn’t sound like much, does it?

Each soldier eats three kilograms of food every day, and a war horse consumes four times as much food as a human (if the horse is only fed grass, it can't do anything except breathe). This totals to 360,000 kilograms of food per day.

In order to supply the army with food, drink, and toilet supplies on the front line, civilian laborers are needed in the rear to carry out logistical transportation, and civilian laborers also need food and money.

Fortunately, the Taihang Mountain front was right next to the rear of the Ming Dynasty, and each soldier needed "only" five laborers to support him, which meant 400,000 laborers.

Based on the normal food intake of two kilograms of food per day for an adult male, the food consumed on the logistics road is another 800,000 kilograms per day.

Well, Li Jing’s army doesn’t have to do anything. Just by eating white rice every day, they can consume one million and one hundred thousand kilograms of food.

This is just the staple food. Without some oily side dishes, the soldiers would not have the strength to march and fight. It is also an additional huge amount of money.

This is just for food, not including military pay, bedding, armor, medicine, pensions... and other expenses, which account for the bulk of the cost.

This is just the cost of the Taihang Mountain front, but we also have to take into account the costs of the Central Plains civil engineering team and the southern navy.

This does not include the opportunity cost caused by nearly 500,000 young and middle-aged workers being separated from industrial and agricultural production.

The total cost of all these things is astronomical.

The battle is still going on at the front line. If the rear is delayed, then...

I dare not think about it too much, I dare not think about it too much.

However, regarding this situation, Finance Minister Fang Yi still has the same words:
"As long as we issue another bond, there will always be a way."

Fang Xuanling raised his voice:

"How can I force it?!"

Fang Yize was about to open his mouth to refute, but his father immediately added:
"I'm not talking about finances, I'm talking about... you!"

Fang Xuanling's voice gradually deepened, and his eyes were full of heartache.

Yes, the core reason why Fang Xuanling was so defeated was Fang Yize.

If it were someone else, would they still work with him even if they died from overwork?
But now it’s different, he really has a cow, and his son is really going to die from overwork!

Fang Yize might be the only person in the world who could remain calm when a mountain collapses in front of him and lose his composure like this.

"Have you ever looked in the mirror? Ever since you started managing the treasury for His Majesty, you have become increasingly haggard.

"And after the war, you worked so hard that you were like a ghost!
“Yes, your majesty’s great cause and the unification of the world are indeed very important.

"But you also need to know the truth that if you keep the green mountains, you will never have to worry about having firewood!

"Is it worth it for you to push yourself so hard?"

At the end, Fang Xuanling's tone was almost pleading, and his yellow eyes flickered.

Fang Yizheng is incompetent and cowardly, Fang Yiai is incompetent and greedy, and only the third brother is worthy of taking up the banner of the Fang family.

Lao Fang himself is already very old, and it is time for him to face the same problem as his brother Li Shimin - how to choose the family heir.

If something happened to the only hope of the whole family, the youngest son whom Lao Fang loved the most...

Then Fang Xuanling didn't know why he worked so hard to make progress in his life.

"Father, it's not like that..."

Fang Yize wanted to make a few more remarks, but Changsun Wuji, a spectator, couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted:
"Yize, your father is worried about your health.

"Of course you can't slack off at work, but if your health collapses, it will not only cause unacceptable harm to you, your father, and the Fang family, but it will also be an immeasurable loss to His Majesty Li Ming and the Ming Dynasty."

Some things still need to be taught by outsiders.

Fang Yize nodded modestly to accept Uncle Changsun's teachings:
"I will keep it in mind."

I am a humble official... I just wanted to give you some advice as an elder... Changsun's mouth twitched and he glanced at Lao Fang's increasingly gloomy face.

Fang Yize left, leaving only two old fathers in the room.

Huh... Fang Xuanling let out a long breath, his expression slowly returned to its previous state, and he glanced coldly at the next workstation.

"Ahem." Changsun Wuji avoided the sight uncomfortably and pretended that he was working hard.

Fang Xuanling didn't say anything more. He took a sip of tea, picked up the materials at hand, and began to read through them.

The study returned to its former tranquility, with only the rustling sounds of turning pages and pens.

After a long time, Lao Fang spoke, his voice a little hoarse:
"Thank you."

Zhang Sun Wuji was stunned:
"What? Oh, haha, nothing, nothing."

silence.

This little episode just passed like this.

Fang Xuanling and Zhangsun Wuji were far from having a heart-to-heart talk, and being able to swallow their pride and say "thank you" was already a great respect for their co-workers.

Every family has its own problems... Changsun Wuji couldn't help but sigh in his heart. At first, he was dissatisfied with Emperor Li Ming's use of people because Fang Xuanling was the chief minister and Fang Yize was the chief minister, and the father and son of the Fang family monopolized the national finances.

Now, he just wants to thank His Majesty for not killing him.

Although his eldest grandson, Changsun Yan, is also busy every day, he is much better than Fang Yize, who spends twelve hours a day cultivating himself among piles of account books.

Managing the finances of the Ming Dynasty is not a job for humans.

Ultimately, the problem lies with His Majesty Li Ming.

His request was really too perverted.

Ensuring sufficient military funds for the front line is sufficient for the former Tang Dynasty officials who have fought all the way.

It is not impossible for everyone to ensure domestic people's livelihood and economic development if they grit their teeth.

But Li Ming is a pervert because he wants them all——

Military spending must be sufficient, but it must not hinder domestic construction.

This makes people lose their hair.

Yes, the war has been going on for several rounds and large-scale battles have been fought.

But now the Ming Dynasty is still maintaining rapid development and construction at the pace of a peaceful era!
While the war was going on at the front, people in the rear were still reclaiming fields, building cities, renovating houses, and mining coal as usual.

The money spent on this is no less than the cost of war!
Both ends were burning money, which resulted in the fact that although the Ming Dynasty's treasury had considerable income, the deficit could never be filled.

There is only one water inlet pipe, but there are two water outlet pipes.

If we continue to release water like this, the water level in the pool will become negative sooner or later.

In fact, as long as the domestic people's livelihood is tightened and fewer projects are invested, we should save where we should and spend where we should.

The money that can be scraped out from between the fingernails is enough to make this war more financially viable.

For the long-term interests of the country, we should tighten our belts for the time being. I believe the smart people of the Ming Dynasty will understand.

But Li Ming doesn't.

The people of the Ming Dynasty were able to share the country's worries, but His Majesty Li Ming was unwilling to reduce the country's economic development at all, and his attitude was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

Open flow source belongs to it.

This put Fang Yize, who was in charge of finances - and Fang Yize's father Fang Xuanling - in a dilemma.

Of course, Li Ming had his reasons for doing this.

The reason why the Ming Empire was able to compete with the Tang Dynasty was that its superior economy was its fundamental pillar.

It would be unwise to destroy one's own pillars at the beginning of a war.

With the Tang Dynasty in a life-and-death battle, no one knows how long this war will last.

It’s not that Li Ming doesn’t know how to go all in, and it’s not that the Ming Dynasty’s national economy cannot be fully transformed into a wartime state.

but not now.

The backup hidden energy of "militarism" is to be reserved for use at critical moments.

"Oh...it's difficult."

Fang Xuanling couldn't help talking to himself and rubbing his temples sleepily.

For the well-being of the Ming Dynasty and for the sake of His Majesty Li Ming's willful "grand plan", the Fang family will have to suffer, and Li Ming will have to bear the blame.

"Don't you find it strange that Your Majesty is so eager to start a war against the Tang Dynasty now?"

Changsun Wuji suddenly spoke again.

Fang Xuanling ignored him.

"..." Zhang Sun Wuji was somewhat awkwardly silent for a while, then he began to talk to himself:

"As long as a few years pass, there is no guarantee that the Emperor Emeritus of the Tang Dynasty... members of the royal family will not change.

"Wouldn't it be much easier to take action then? Your Majesty is in his prime, so he can definitely wait."

Fang Xuanling continued to write quickly, responding with the rustling sound of writing.

"Is there a possibility..." Changsun Wuji swallowed his saliva and continued to speak:

"Is it His Majesty Li Ming who wants you to personally witness the unification of the world, so that you can be recorded in history as the true founding hero of the Ming Dynasty?"

With a click, Fang Xuanling put down his pen and stared at Changsun Wuji coldly.

This time, Changsun Wuji learned his lesson. He simply lowered his head and pretended to be busy with things.

Fang Xuanling snorted coldly without a smile:
"Oh, what the uncle means is that His Majesty is afraid that I will not live longer than the retired emperor and die with regrets, so he launched the war in advance, hoping that I can witness the unification of the world with my own eyes, so that I can smile in my grave in the future?"

It sounds harsh, but that's what I mean.

Chang Sun Wuji did not take his eyes off the document and shrugged expressionlessly:

"I didn't say that."

After he finished speaking, a long time passed and he still didn't hear Fang Xuanling's answer.

He couldn't help but sneak a peek in the direction of the old house.

Sure enough, the idiot had already returned to his work wholeheartedly, as if the previous question and answer had never existed.

It’s so tiring to communicate with this guy... Changsun Wuji sighed in his heart and returned to work.

As soon as he picked up the pen, he heard Fang Xuanling say:

"Your Majesty is not the kind of superficial person who would hastily decide the national policy just to make an old man laugh.

"He wants to be King You of Zhou, but I am still Bao Si."

Zhang Sun Wuji was stubborn to the end:

"I don't mean that at all. If you insist on thinking that way, then I can't help it."

Silence and continue working.

After a while, Fang Xuanling finally spoke, his voice was very low and his tone was somewhat reluctant:

"But thank you for your enlightenment. It makes me feel that His Majesty is still kind and righteous, and does not simply treat us as cattle and horses."

Lao Fang said this so seriously that Chang Sun Wuji felt embarrassed and said in a muffled voice:

"Ahem...you're welcome."

It's really awkward to deal with this old enemy...

…………

Taihang Mountains, Chenguan Pass.

The weather is getting colder day by day, and the first snow since the beginning of winter this year has fallen.

In the dense forests between the mountains, between the arrays of the Tang army.

A snowman suddenly moved.

"Oh my god, I almost fell asleep!"

Cheng Zhijie cursed as he brushed off the snow on his body and continued to stare at the east where the enemy might attack.

The deputy general couldn't bear it any longer and advised earnestly:
"General, the weather is getting colder, you should take care of yourself, or go back and warm yourself up first..."

"No!" Cheng Zhijie sternly refused:

"Li Ming is very cunning. We must not let down our guard against him for even a moment!"

Just as he was fighting his battle of wits with the air, the messenger came up in a panic on horseback.

Cheng Zhijie rebuked with full authority:
"What could possibly scare you like this? No matter how urgent the situation is, don't lose your composure!"

"General, something terrible is happening—" The messenger didn't even have time to hear Cheng Zhijie's words and shouted at the top of his voice:

"The Bingzhou Grand Administrator's Mansion has been lost!"

"Bingzhou...?!" Cheng Zhijie was suddenly speechless.

We must never let our guard down against Li Ming!
(End of this chapter)