We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Although the lobby of the government office was spacious, it was now crowded with people and seemed a bit cramped.

Li Che sat upright in the main seat, and on his left were several officials headed by Kong Xing, all of whom had solemn expressions and were dressed simply.

On the right were more than ten representatives of Shanxi merchants. Although they were dressed in gorgeous clothes, there was a hint of nervousness between their brows.

Although Daqing did not restrict merchants' clothing, their status was still far inferior to that of officials.

But it’s different in Jin. After all, Jin merchants are related to Emperor Qing and can be considered half-official merchants.

Otherwise, these merchants would not be able to sit at the same table with the officials.

There was silence for a moment, and it was still the fat Shanxi merchant who spoke first.

He bowed deeply to Li Che, his tone sincere but unable to conceal his excitement:

"Your Majesty, it's not that we, the common people, are ignorant of etiquette. It's really Master Kong's laws that have caused all industries in Jin to decline and the people's lives to suffer!"

After that, he counted carefully with his chubby fingers:

"In the past, we operated mines and workshops. For example, our Wu family alone employed thousands of craftsmen and laborers."

"Together with the transportation, warehousing, and sales work, how many people have been provided with livelihoods?"

"We are legitimate merchants, paying every penny of tax. The Jinyang treasury is always full, and I wonder how many families in Jinyang we support."

"But since Lord Kong came to power, he has shut down and abolished most industries, saying, 'Strange and lewd skills compete with the people for profit.'"

After saying this, he turned to Kong Xing, his face showing a hint of dissatisfaction: "Master Kong, do you know that because of just one sentence from you, so many people lost their livelihoods overnight, and the market has become deserted."

"This is what I saw with my own eyes. I am not lying. It comes from the bottom of my heart. I have no intention of criticizing the government's policies!"

Another more polite businessman interjected, speaking in a more rational tone: "Your Majesty, Lord Kong is honest and upright, and we admire him."

"However, governing a region requires more than just honesty and integrity. Strengthening agriculture and sericulture is the right thing to do, but if industry and commerce are completely suppressed, then goods will not flow, wealth will not accumulate, the people will have no surplus wealth, and the treasury will be empty. This is ultimately not a long-term solution."

"Jin is a land of mountains and little farmland, and its prosperity depends on the complementary strengths of industry and commerce."

"I have read books, and the sage said: It is better to have no books than to believe everything in them."

These words are quite heartbreaking, as they are explicitly and implicitly mocking Kong Xing for being pedantic and only knowing how to read books.

As expected, when Kong Xing heard this, his face turned from red to white with anger.

But he suddenly stood up, pointed at the businessman, and angrily shouted, "Ridiculous! Such nonsense!"

Then he turned to Li Che and said, "Your Majesty, please do not believe such absurd words!"

"Agriculture is the foundation of a country, and food is the people's primary need. Those so-called workshops employ refugees, gathering thousands of people, and are prone to causing trouble."

"So-called commerce is nothing more than hoarding, price manipulation, and exploitation of the common people. This is not a recipe for prosperity, but a source of disaster and chaos!"

"The tax silver they paid was tainted with the stench of money. How could it be compared to the millet produced in the fields?"

"As officials, we should let the people farm and study in peace, that is the right way to peace!"

"Those profit-seeking people only care about gold and silver. How could they have ever seen a starving person? If they are not strictly controlled, there will be great trouble!"

This series of accusations were all politically correct, and even Li Che felt a headache after hearing them, not to mention these merchants who were already of low status.

"Master Kong, are you trying to force us to death?"

An impatient businessman suddenly stood up and shouted with a red face:

"Do you want me to wait for silk and satin to farm?"

"The salt and iron in Jin cannot be brought out of the mountains. Should we just let them rot in the warehouse?"

"If the common people have skills but cannot exchange them for money, and are left starving while guarding their meager farmland, is this the peaceful and prosperous world you desire?"

"How dare you!" a young official beside Kong Xing shouted, "How dare you discuss state affairs and criticize the prefect!"

"I'm not making a false accusation; it's truly from the bottom of my heart!" The merchant turned and bowed to Li Che. "Your Majesty, we don't deny agriculture and sericulture. We simply seek a way to survive, and to provide more opportunities for the people of Jin!"

"Your so-called way to survive is nothing more than a way to compete with the people for profit! Workshops are springing up, fertile fields are left barren, and people's minds are changing. If this continues, the country will no longer be a country!"

The focus of the debate between the two sides has risen from the pros and cons of specific policies to the fundamental national policy of "promoting agriculture and suppressing commerce" versus "developing agriculture and commerce simultaneously."

The voices in the hall grew louder and louder. Some quoted from scriptures, some presented evidence, and some were emotionally excited.

Li Che listened quietly and did not rush to interrupt.

Only when both sides were at a loss for words and had regained their breath did he gently tap the table.

In an instant, the entire lobby fell silent.

All eyes were focused on Li Che, hoping that the young emperor could bring justice to them.

Li Che first looked at Kong Xing and said calmly, "My dear Kong."

"The minister is here."

"You are honest and dedicated to your work, your heart is with the people, and you adhere to the teachings of the sages. I know this heart and this aspiration very well, and I commend you."

Kong Xing's expression eased slightly, and he bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration."

Then, Li Che turned his gaze to the Shanxi merchants: "I have listened to what you said."

"The people of Jin live in great hardship, and industry and commerce do have their reasons for existence. Trade can save countless lives and enrich the country and strengthen the military. It is not something to be scorned by the word 'lowly profession'."

When the merchants heard this, expressions of surprise and gratitude appeared on their faces.

Being able to receive the emperor's personal approval is something that cannot be bought with any amount of money.

However, Li Che changed the subject: "However, if industrial and commercial affairs are left without any regulations and allowed to run wild, they will be like wild horses running wild, and will also breed the disasters of mergers, exploitation, and unrest."

"Your concern, Lord Kong, is not entirely unreasonable."

He paused for a moment, his eyes sweeping across the room, and he slowly spoke, "In my opinion, agriculture is the foundation of the nation and cannot be abandoned. Commerce is the future of the nation and cannot be stopped. The two are not incompatible, they should complement each other."

"Specifically in Jin, among the many workshops, those that benefit the people's livelihood and strengthen the country should be restored in an orderly manner."

“However, regulations must be established to guarantee food and clothing to employees, clarify tax responsibilities, and strictly prohibit hoarding and monopoly.”

"Commercial circulation should be encouraged, but prices should also be kept low, unscrupulous merchants should be punished, and the smooth flow of goods should be ensured to benefit the country and the people."

He looked at Kong Xing and said, "I trust your integrity, my dear Kong."

"But the way to govern, besides being honest, also requires the ability to adapt and reconcile. Simply blocking things is definitely not the best approach."

He then turned to the Shanxi merchants and said, "What you seek is merely an opportunity to conduct business fairly and to maximize your strengths. I will grant that. You must also remember that if you benefit the people, you must give back to them. Do not disappoint me."

The Shanxi merchants were overjoyed and bowed prostrate themselves, saying, "Your Majesty is wise and wise! We will faithfully follow your instructions, operate lawfully, and will never betray your grace!"

Li Che nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "I will order people to formulate the detailed rules of the new policy for Jin, including agriculture, commerce, industry and mining."

"All merchants must cooperate fully. If anyone pretends to obey but actually disobeys, or takes advantage of the opportunity to profit, do not blame me for being ruthless!"

The Shanxi merchants were overjoyed and repeatedly praised Your Majesty for his wisdom.

Kong Xing opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something.

But in the end, looking at Li Che's determined eyes, he swallowed his words back.

Li Che smiled gently: "Mr. Kong, why don't you take a rest first? I still need to warn these merchants."

Kong Xing looked disappointed, but he just bowed deeply.

"I...obey your order."

After Kong Xing and others received the order and left, only Li Che, Prince Jin and a group of anxious Jin merchants were left in the government hall.

Just now, the emperor affirmed the value of these businessmen, but they also knew that the grace of the royal family was never free.

Especially at this critical juncture, the war on the front line urgently needs money and food support, and these people will inevitably suffer heavy losses.

Several big businessmen exchanged glances, and finally the richest businessman named Wu represented everyone, stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty has dismissed his attendants, leaving us merchants alone. I believe you have some plans, but please explain them clearly."

"To serve our country, we will do anything...even if it means losing everything we have!"

The words were said beautifully, but there was a hint of panic in the tone, and it was obvious that he was prepared to be persuaded to donate or even forcibly requisitioned.

Li Che saw through their thoughts clearly and couldn't help but find it a little funny.

"Everyone, please be at ease. I am not a person who takes things by force."

Everyone looked at each other, and no one dared to respond.

Li Che's reputation spread throughout the world, and his reputation for prestige far outweighed his reputation for benevolence.

Not to mention these merchants, even those wealthy families who offended him would be wiped out.

Li Che also knew his reputation, so he simply asked someone to serve tea to the merchants first. After everyone calmed down, he walked to the window.

Looking out the window at the somewhat desolate streets of Jinyang, he asked casually:

"You travel the world, do business, carry large sums of gold and silver, is it still convenient?"

This nonsensical question left all the Shanxi merchants stunned.

The merchant surnamed Wu thought for a moment and replied cautiously, "Your Majesty, it is very difficult."

"Not to mention the huge costs of transporting it by car or boat, hiring bodyguards is another huge expense, and the checkpoints along the way are full of extortion."

"Even worse, if you run into bandits or pirates, you'll lose everything, both your money and your life."

The other merchants nodded, looking sad.

Merchants have no status and no security, which is undoubtedly one of their biggest pain points.

"Well," Li Che turned around and glanced at the crowd, "If I tell you there's a way to enable you to trade in the future without having to transport real money over long distances. With just a piece of paper, you can mobilize millions of dollars and circulate them throughout the world..."

"What do you think?"

The businessmen's eyes widened immediately, disbelief written all over their faces.

If the person in front of him was not Li Che, the words "Arabian Nights" would have come out of his mouth.

The merchant surnamed Wu hesitated and asked, "Your Majesty, what you are talking about...could it be that you are referring to the Feiqian and Jiaozi used in the previous dynasty?"

"Although this technique is good, it is mostly limited to government operations or small-scale use among acquaintances. Moreover, its credibility is difficult to guarantee. How can it be widely used?"

"Not really." Li Che smiled slightly and shook his head. "What I'm talking about is more thorough than flying money, and more grand than private lending."

"I want to call it... a bank!"