Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 405 A Born Toiler!

"There are also several small countries to the west, such as Kucha. I have heard of them. They always like to come and take advantage of others, and each time they bring some worthless gems. They can always exchange those low-quality gems for more gold and silver treasures. For them, it is a sure-fire way to make money. However, they keep taking advantage of others, complaining about being poor, but they refuse to send any of their good products over. This kind of unfair trade cannot continue in the future."

"I have heard that the Western Regions are rich in wine and various gemstones, and their embroidery is vastly different from that of the Central Plains, exceptionally vibrant. While the scholar-officials and other refined individuals naturally dislike such bright colors, the common people and merchants adore them. Where there is demand, there is supply. We love the wine, gemstones, and even the beauties of the Western Regions. The Western Regions, in turn, have a great fondness for our tea, silk, and porcelain. I don't believe the nobles there will be able to resist once they know they can exchange at a more favorable price. Since they are unwilling, we will take the initiative. We will establish a market at the border between our two countries. It won't even require the court to invest; just a little word will attract large merchants from all over. The market's establishment won't require a single penny from the court. However, for bilateral trade, the commercial tax must be increased. But this only applies to large merchants and large-scale transactions; small merchants who merely earn a living will have their taxes reduced."

"Our country borders the sea to the east, and there are actually many countries on the other side of the sea. They have food crops that we don't have here. Perhaps they have high-yield crops. Now that the crisis on the grasslands has been resolved, what we need to do next is to let the people rest and recuperate, eat their fill and dress warmly, and improve their sense of happiness. If we can ensure that all the people in the world can eat their fill, then we won't need to make a fuss; all the countries will naturally come to pay tribute!"

"Moreover, I have witnessed much suffering among the people during my journey north. To say something that might displease Father, I have always felt that the agricultural tax system of the Great Jing Dynasty is too complicated and has too many items. The people work themselves to the bone, producing so much grain all year round, but after paying so much tax, they receive less than half of it. How can this motivate them to farm?"

"There's also the poll tax, which could actually be abolished. After so many years of war, our population is already insufficient, and this is precisely the time to encourage people to have children. Some people can't afford the poll tax and often drown their newborns, especially girls. You see, childbirth ultimately falls on women. Over time, this will greatly reduce the number of women, and human reproduction isn't like that of wild animals, where they can have many children at once; two in three years is considered a lot. In fact, this phenomenon ultimately stems from poverty. If we could abolish the poll tax and reward one tael of silver for each male infant and three taels of silver for each female infant, with that confidence, why wouldn't people want to have children?"

"Furthermore, there are still too few capable officials in the court. Many people are still clinging to the old ways. If we could recruit talents without being bound by convention, and not be limited to how well they are learned in poetry and books, but instead recruit people who specialize in various fields, such as agriculture, construction, medicine, commerce..."

"Furthermore, for many people at the bottom of society, the only way to improve their lives is through education. However, the cost of writing materials alone is a huge expense. If cheaper writing materials could be developed, more impoverished students would be able to devote themselves to their studies..."

Emperor Jingtai had only intended to provoke Jiuque, but unexpectedly, the boy spontaneously rattled off so many plans. At first, he was just pretending, but as he listened, Emperor Jingtai's expression grew increasingly serious. He keenly sensed that these methods were actually quite feasible.

As an emperor who rose from humble beginnings, Emperor Jingtai's greatest regret was that he began learning to read and write too late. He was skilled at leading troops into battle, which was his forte, but handling state affairs truly exhausted him. It wasn't that he did poorly, but such matters certainly required talent, and Emperor Jingtai was already considered a clever man. He had previously been proud of this, but only after listening to Jiu Que's eloquent discourse tonight did he realize just how terrifying talent could be.

What is even more remarkable is that this talent for governing the country is not something taught by human hands, but rather a gift from heaven.

Looking at Jiu Que's radiant face, Emperor Jingtai nodded repeatedly and even began to talk to him. "What do you mean by a life of leisure and comfort? I think you're destined for a life of toil, a natural-born worker!"

With so many ideas, and now a stage for you to put them to use, I refuse to believe you can remain inactive. The people of the land are all hoping for a monarch who can lead them to prosperity and strength. Emperor Jingtai knew clearly that he might not be that kind of emperor, but he was about to find a successor for the dynasty who could ensure that everyone had enough to eat and wear and lived a better life.

Although this move goes against the will of the world and will inevitably be met with opposition from the people.

But in reality, who are the people of the world? The voice that best represents an dynasty is not that of aristocratic families, princes and ministers, or wealthy merchants, but rather the most ordinary people at the bottom of society!

It was precisely because he knew this that Emperor Jingtai was able to ascend to the throne. Later generations might disagree with his actions, even thinking he might have been insane. But Emperor Jingtai knew perfectly well that he had found the most suitable leader for this dynasty. He would surely be remembered in history for this, his name etched in the annals of emperors!
"Father?"

As Jiu Que spoke, she suddenly realized something was amiss. Why was she speaking so freely? She wondered if His Majesty even wanted to listen to all this…

[Oh dear, have I gotten a little too cocky? When it comes to handling state affairs, His Majesty is undoubtedly a master. I, a complete novice with no practical experience, am being a bit annoying by saying all this?]

Emperor Jingtai smiled and comforted her.

"Why did you stop there, Jiuque? I think your idea is very feasible. Go on! Is it really true that there is gold and silver everywhere overseas? Are there really gold islands and silver islands?"

The still inexperienced Jiu Que was quickly coaxed back by the seasoned emperor and continued to talk eloquently.

"Of course there is! Father, let me tell you, there really is a Silver Island overseas. It's full of silver mines underground. We don't need all this trouble with trade; we can just send people to occupy the island, and what we'll dig up is pure silver! But we have to be careful of the island's inhabitants. They're always concerned with small things and disregard the greater good. If we become powerful, they'll naturally submit obediently, more subservient than anyone else. But if we show any weakness, the islanders will turn their backs on us. In my opinion, we should first wipe out the island's royal family. With so many people on the island, we can mine the silver. After a few decades, we can send teachers to educate them, and after a hundred years, they'll naturally be completely submissive..."