From cute to empress

Old Farmer Sun stumbled into the imperial study, his body hunched over, his face weathered. Upon seeing me, he immediately knelt and said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. Long live Your Majesty!"

I quickly stepped forward to help him up and said gently, "Old man, please stand up quickly. You are old and there is no need for such a grand ceremony."

Old Farmer Sun's cloudy eyes were filled with tears. "Your Majesty cares about the people. I am deeply grateful!"

After comforting Old Farmer Sun for a few words, I invited him and Craftsman Zhao to sit down and inquired in detail about the locust plague and the suffering of the people. Old Farmer Sun's descriptions pierced my heart. The people were displaced and had no harvest. Such suffering lay hidden beneath this prosperous era!

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down, and turned to look at Craftsman Zhao. "Craftsman Zhao, you're well versed in mechanical engineering. Do you have any ideas for dealing with the locust plague?"

Craftsman Zhao bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have been researching ways to kill locusts these days and have made some progress, but..."

"Just what? Feel free to tell me!" I asked anxiously.

"But developing new equipment requires a lot of money and manpower. I'm afraid..." Craftsman Zhao looked embarrassed.

I understand his concerns. The treasury is empty, and it's not easy to come up with so much money! But I can't just watch the people suffer, and I can't give up any hope!

"Master Craftsman Zhao, just go ahead and do it. I fully support you!" I said firmly, "How much money and manpower do you need? Just tell me!"

Craftsman Zhao knelt down, moved. "Thank you, Your Majesty! I will do my best to develop a locust-killing weapon as soon as possible to benefit the people!"

After sending off Sun Laonong and Zhao Gongjian, I immediately summoned all my ministers to arrange disaster relief. I ordered the opening of the treasury, allocating a large amount of silver for disaster relief and the development of locust-killing equipment. At the same time, I enacted a series of policies to benefit the people, reducing taxes, encouraging the reclamation of wasteland, and encouraging trade...

I know that disaster relief alone can only address the immediate problem. To fully resolve the problem, we must fundamentally enhance our national strength. Developing the economy and expanding trade are paramount priorities.

I glanced at the ministers in the court and said in a deep voice, "My dear ministers, the Great Wei is vast and rich in resources, but it has been closed to the outside world for a long time, with little communication with the outside world. I have decided to open the ports, lower tariffs, and encourage trade with neighboring countries from now on!"

As soon as I finished speaking, a burst of discussion broke out in the court.

"Your Majesty, opening the port is a matter of great importance. Please reconsider!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, our Great Wei has always been based on agriculture. If we rashly open the port, chaos may arise!"

I raised my hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and my eyes fell on Wang Bozhu in the crowd. He was an experienced navigator and businessman with his own fleet. He traveled on the sea all year round and was very familiar with overseas trade.

"Master Wang, what do you think?" I asked.

Wang Bozhu stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I believe that opening the ports will bring more benefits than disadvantages! Our Great Wei is rich in products. Silk, tea, and porcelain are all treasures that overseas countries dream of. Overseas countries also have spices, gems, medicinal herbs, and other things that we need. Through trade, we can share what we have, learn from each other's strengths and overcome our weaknesses, promote economic development, and improve the living standards of the people!"

His words were sonorous and powerful, full of longing for the future, and also ignited the fire of hope in my heart.

"Excellent!" I exclaimed. "Master Wang is absolutely right! I have made up my mind. Effective immediately, we will open the ports, lower tariffs, and encourage private merchant ships to go out to sea and trade! Master Wang, this matter will fall entirely under your responsibility. See that it is carried out successfully!"

"I obey your order!" Wang Bozhu knelt down excitedly to receive the order.

Watching Wang Bozhu confidently assemble his fleet, preparing to ride the coming wave of trade, I was filled with anticipation. However, I didn't know that this was just the beginning, and greater challenges lay ahead...

At this time, Tax Officer Li came up to me, hesitant to speak...

Tax Officer Li approached me hesitantly, wanting to say something but stopping himself. I gestured to him to go ahead and speak.

"Your Majesty," Tax Officer Li said with a bow, "Opening the port is a good thing, but regarding the taxation..."

I understood his concerns. With the opening of the ports, the influx of goods would make it difficult for the existing tax system to adapt. I gestured for him to continue.

"The original tax process is cumbersome, complicated, time-consuming and labor-intensive, and is not conducive to the development of port trade. I suggest simplifying the tax process, lowering the tax rate, and encouraging more merchants to come and trade." Tax Officer Li made the suggestion cautiously.

"Well said!" I nodded approvingly. "Tax Officer Li, you've been very thoughtful. Let's do as you say. Formulate a new tax policy as soon as possible. Make sure it's simple, efficient, and convenient for merchants!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Tax official Li showed a happy expression on his face and bowed and retreated.

After the port was opened, as I had predicted, a large number of foreign merchant ships poured into the port, bringing with them a dazzling array of exotic goods, which also boosted the economic development of the Wei Dynasty. Wang Bozhu lived up to expectations and led his fleet to brave the wind and waves, exporting Wei's silk, tea, and porcelain overseas, in exchange for a large amount of spices, gems, medicinal herbs, and other materials. For a time, the national treasury was full and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment.

However, the good times did not last long. In order to make huge profits, some foreign merchants began to manipulate market prices in various ways, maliciously lowering the prices of Wei goods while raising the prices of the goods they brought, seriously damaging the interests of Wei merchants.

"Your Majesty, you must make a decision for us!" Wang Bozhu hurried into the imperial study and knelt on the ground, his face full of anxiety. "Those foreign merchants are really going too far. They deliberately lower the prices of our goods. We work hard on the sea, but we can't make much money. If this continues, we will go bankrupt!"

I quickly helped him up and asked in a deep voice, "What exactly happened? Tell me slowly."

Wang Bozhu tearfully recounted the events. It turned out that the foreign merchants had colluded to spread rumors, claiming that Wei's silk had declined in quality and tea production had decreased, thereby driving down prices. Meanwhile, they deliberately inflated the prices of luxury goods such as spices and gems they brought in, claiming they were in short supply.

After hearing this, I was furious. These foreign merchants took advantage of the fact that Wei was just opening its ports for the first time and were unfamiliar with overseas trade rules, so they acted recklessly and oppressed Wei merchants. This was simply outrageous!

"Your Majesty, please make the decision for us!" Wang Bozhu's voice sounded again, with a hint of tears in his voice.

I took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in my heart, and said with a firm gaze, "Don't worry, I will never sit idly by! I will..."

"Don't worry, I won't sit idly by! I'll just..." I turned around abruptly, my eyes piercing, "Pass on my order. Summon all the foreign merchants trading at the port. I want to discuss this matter with them face to face!"

Wang Bozhu was stunned at first, then a look of ecstasy appeared on his face, "Your Majesty is wise!"

The next day, sunlight shimmered across the shimmering sea, bathing the entire harbor in a golden glow. Inside the towering palace, I sat atop the Dragon Throne, gazing down at the merchants from various nations below. Each of them was lavishly dressed, yet their eyes couldn't conceal the arrogance and contempt.

"I have summoned you all here today to discuss a major issue concerning the long-term development of trade between our Great Wei and other countries." My tone was calm, but it revealed an unquestionable majesty.

"I have been informed that some foreign merchants have recently violated trade rules and maliciously manipulated market prices, harming the interests of our Great Wei merchants. Such behavior is tantamount to killing the goose that lays the golden eggs and destroying their own financial resources!"

As soon as I finished speaking, a whisper broke out from below. I glanced at the crowd, and those merchants who had originally looked at me with contempt now lowered their heads.

"I'm going to lay down the rules today!" I slammed the armrest of the dragon throne and stood up. "From today on, all merchants trading in my Great Wei must abide by the fair trade rules established by my Great Wei! Anyone who dares to violate them will be severely punished!"

I ordered someone to read out the fair trade rules that had been prepared in advance to everyone. They clearly stipulated details such as commodity pricing, transaction procedures, and dispute resolution to ensure that all merchants, regardless of their country of origin, could trade in a fair and just environment.

After the new trade rules were promulgated, those foreign merchants, though reluctant, were forced to stop their recklessness under the might of the Wei Dynasty. Wang Bozhu was even more delighted, leading his fleet, fully loaded with goods, and once again embarked on the journey of ocean trade.

From that point on, Wei's port trade entered an unprecedented period of prosperity. Merchant ships from around the world streamed in, and the market was flooded with rare treasures. The people's lives became increasingly prosperous, and their faces were filled with happy smiles. Wang Bozhu's fleet became a pioneer in ocean trade, and each return brought back a rich treasure, making a huge contribution to the economic development of Wei.

However, just as the port's trade was booming, a merchant ship flying a foreign flag slowly sailed into the port. The hull was dilapidated, as if... it had experienced a storm.

"Report—" A sharp cry broke through the din of the harbor, and a soldier hurried into the palace. "Your Majesty, the Nanyang merchant ship 'Haifan' has encountered pirates in our waters. The ship has been severely damaged and has now sunk!"

"What?!" I stood up suddenly, my heart pounding. Pirates? Ever since I ordered the extermination of pirates in the nearby waters a few years ago, there haven't been any pirates in this area for a long time. "Are there any casualties on board?"

"Your Majesty," the soldier knelt on the ground, his voice trembling, "Of the thirty crew members on the 'Sea Sail', only one... survived."

I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "Pass the order down. Immediately dispatch search and rescue personnel to the area of ​​the incident. Do everything possible to treat the surviving crew members! Also, summon the envoy from the nation that owns the 'Sea Sail' to the palace. I need to personally inquire about the situation!"

"According to the order!"

I can't calm down. This incident is of great importance. If not handled properly, it could easily lead to international conflict, or even war!

In the evening, the envoy from Nanyang Kingdom arrived at the palace. He was short and gloomy. He knelt on the ground as soon as he entered the hall and tearfully accused the pirates of their crimes. He also implicitly pointed out that this was caused by the Wei Dynasty's inadequate coastal defense and demanded that the Wei Dynasty be held responsible.

I suppressed my anger and said in a cold tone, "Your Majesty, I am deeply saddened. I have sent people to search and rescue the murderer with all my strength and will bring him to justice!"

"Your Majesty, the 'Sea Sail' was our nation's largest merchant ship, laden with priceless spices and jewels. Now that it's wrecked and with all its crew members dead, this loss..." The envoy paused deliberately, his eyes gleaming. "I wonder how the Great Wei intends to compensate?"

I looked at him coldly, already guessing his intentions. Sure enough, this was just a premeditated conspiracy!

"Come here!" I slammed the table. "Ask the wealthy businessman from Zheng, the old farmer Sun, and the ship owner Wang to come to the palace. I have something important to discuss with you!"