After traveling through time, I led the whole village to become rich!

Zhang Hulan said, "Your Majesty, there's no need to conceal the conscription. It would be better to do it publicly."

Duke Wei asked, "Why? Wouldn't this let Tubo know we're prepared?"

Zhang Hulan said: "The Tubo people want the emperor to send troops for support, then the emperor can openly ask for benefits from the Tubo people.

Sending troops will definitely require food and silver. Whether Tubo is truly experiencing internal unrest and needs help or is setting up a conspiracy, they all hope that we will send troops. If we ask Tubo for benefits, they will definitely give them.

Now that we have the benefits, we will decide whether to send troops or not when the time comes.

Our high-profile conscription can let the Tubo envoys know that we are already recruiting soldiers and are going to send troops to support Tubo.

But it takes time to train soldiers, right? It also takes time to forge weapons and armor, right?

This period is the time to ask for benefits from them, and you will definitely be able to find out information at the same time.

If they are setting us up, then we should cheat them out of more money.

They kept asking Tubo for things. They asked for silver when the army set out, when they were halfway, and when they reached the border.

Finally, we stationed a large army at the border to defend and make them angry to death.

All the silver and supplies seized from Tubo were used as military supplies, and then Tubo’s money was used to fight Tubo.

We can also take advantage of their strategy and pull our army into Tubo.

If they set up a plan, they must want to use internal and external forces to encircle our army.

Then let's take them by surprise. As soon as the army arrives in Tubo, we will take action and kill the Tubo royal family first.

But this is risky. If Tubo has already contacted the grassland people, and the grassland army is also in Tubo, it will be disadvantageous to us."

After Zhang Hulan finished speaking, everyone looked at him.

Emperor Yongxing and the others all had only one thought in their minds: Zhang Hulan was too mean.

It sounds a bit bold, but it feels particularly exciting and satisfying.

The Duke of Wei laughed heartily. "Haha, haha... That's a good idea, I like it. If the Tibetans really dare to team up with the grassland people to harm us, then we won't be polite. We'll kill them."

Wu Bangtai said: "It is a relief, but it will definitely offend Tubo. It will definitely be a fight to the death.

If Tubo and the grasslands send troops to attack Yongning together, we will be in trouble.

If we were to take the grasslands or Tibetans individually, we would certainly be able to defeat them easily, but if they joined forces, we would have a hard time.”

Wu Bangtai's worries are not unreasonable. If Tubo and the grassland join forces, Yongning Kingdom will probably be in trouble.

Qin Bingrong said, "Your Majesty, you must immediately issue an order to strengthen the city's defenses in the west and north.

If Tubo and the grasslands really join forces, we can only defend ourselves.

As long as we have enough, it won’t be easy for them to break in.”

Emperor Yongxing nodded and said, "Minister Qin is absolutely right. I will issue the order immediately."

Emperor Yongxing asked Wu Bangtai, "Lord Wu, how much silver is currently in the treasury? If we were to fight both the north and the west simultaneously, we would need at least 500,000 troops. How long could the treasury sustain the expenses of 500,000 troops?"

Wu Bangtai replied, "Your Majesty, the national treasury currently has approximately 20 million taels of silver and 12 million dan of grain reserves, which is enough to sustain 50 armies for a year.

But if you want to add armor, weapons, horses and other military equipment, and strengthen the city walls, the silver will only be enough for half a year's expenses at most.

Once the war breaks out, this year's taxes will definitely increase, which will help us sustain the economy for a longer period of time.

However, if we can get some money from Tubo as Zhang Tunjian said, it will greatly reduce the pressure on us."

Emperor Yongxing nodded, then said, "It is settled. New soldiers will be recruited. City defenses will be reinforced in the west and north. The Ministry of Works will also manufacture weapons and armor. Minister Wu will ensure all necessary supplies."

Emperor Yongxing then sighed and said, "I do not want to go to war. Once a war breaks out, the people will be implicated."

Zhang Hulan felt that it was a blessing for the people of Yongning to have such an emperor, unlike some emperors who never cared about the lives of the people.

Zhang Hulan bowed to Emperor Yongxing and said, "Your Majesty, I know nothing about warfare, so I can't be of much help. I have earned some silver over the past two years, over 100,000 taels. Tomorrow, I will hand it over to Lord Wu as my contribution to the Yongning Kingdom."

Everyone looked at Zhang Hulan again, their eyes filled with shock and surprise.

Duke Wei then said, "Your Majesty, I still have some money at home. I will give it to you tomorrow."

Then Qin Bingrong and Wu Bangtai, Marquis of Jing'an, both spoke up and said they wanted to take out the silver.

Emperor Yongxing was somewhat moved. "I am deeply pleased by your sincere patriotism. It is a blessing for me, for Yongning, and for the people that you are so devoted to your country."

"But I appreciate your kindness, my dear ministers. The court has its own responsibilities for matters of state, so how can I allow you to spend money on them?"

Zhang Hulan said, "Your Majesty, every citizen has a share of responsibility for the fate of their nation. As subjects, we are also part of Yongning. Now that our nation is about to go to war, we need both men and money. Our humble efforts may be able to alleviate the immediate need. We hope Your Majesty will support our desire to serve our country."

Emperor Yongxing said, "Lord Zhang, I know you are devoted to your country, but we haven't reached that point yet. If that day comes and I need your help, I will ask for your help.

You don't have to worry too much. For now, we are just preparing for the worst. Maybe there really is an internal conflict in Tibet that requires our military assistance, and then things will be much simpler."

Wu Bangtai said, "I hope so."

Marquis Jing'an continued, "I will immediately send people to Tubo and the grasslands to gather information."

Emperor Yongxing nodded and said, "Lord Qin, tell the Tibetan envoy that we agree to send troops and we will start recruiting immediately, but we need them to pay silver first. When their silver arrives, our army will set out.

Say the same thing to the other court officials, and don't tell them our true intentions yet."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After discussing it in advance, everyone left.

After everyone left, Empress Ye said, "Zhang Hulan is truly loyal to the Emperor. Before the war even started, he donated all his wealth."

Emperor Yongxing laughed and said, "If everyone were like Zhang Hulan, then my role as emperor would be much easier."

Empress Ye said, "Then Your Majesty, please don't treat her unfairly. There are not many people who are so devoted to you and the country."

Emperor Yongxing said, "Even if the Empress doesn't tell me, I know that as long as I am here, I will ensure that their family will be prosperous and wealthy."

When Zhang Hulan and the others arrived outside, Qin Bingrong said to Zhang Hulan, "Zhang Tunjian, please don't speak carelessly in front of the emperor and other ministers anymore.

If only the emperor is here, you can say whatever you want, but if there are others, you can’t say it casually.”