What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 120 How could a lowly clerk possess the wisdom to govern a country?

The commander of the Fengming Division stared coldly at Su Mo with a dark expression: "Where have I gone wrong this time?"

The rank of commander in the Fengming Division is far more prestigious than that of a commander in the Embroidered Uniform Guard!
After all, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was founded by Emperor Wu Taizu, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty!

He has served as emperor for three generations!

The Phoenix Cry Bureau was created by the Empress herself.

The closeness or distance between people is immediately apparent.

In fact, one of the most important duties of the Fengming Division is to monitor the Embroidered Uniform Guard!
Even a fourth or fifth-rank official of the imperial court wouldn't dare to breathe loudly in front of a commander of the Fengming Division.

But a junior officer repeatedly told her she was wrong.

He was extremely angry!
Having come this far, and with his own future prospects at stake, Su Mo was naturally unafraid and said in a deep voice, "The lord says that merchants who do not work should all be killed!"

"Then I shall dare to ask you a question, sir."

"There is a county by the sea with barren land where crops are hard to grow, and the people can only make a living by boiling salt!"

"There is another county that produces no salt, but its land is fertile and its rice and grain production is abundant."

"Without merchants to connect the two places, how would the people survive?"

The commander of Fengming Division snorted: "The people of the two counties can travel between them to exchange rice and salt; there is no need for merchants!"

Su Mo then asked, "What if the two counties are a thousand miles apart?"

The beautiful commander of Fengming Division showed a hint of displeasure and subconsciously said, "Merchants can come, but ordinary people can't?"

Who is questioning whom here?!
Su Mo seemed oblivious to her displeasure, nodding and smiling, "Lord Commander, you are absolutely right!"

"but……"

"Given such a long distance, it would probably take people one or two months to travel back and forth, and with a lack of sufficient transportation, how can we meet the needs of so many people in the two counties?"

“A single trip takes a long time, so how can there be time for further labor?”

Fengming Division Commander was instantly speechless!

Su Mo stared directly at the commander of Fengming Division and pressed his advantage without any hesitation: "These ordinary people who have given up their livelihoods, aren't they just... merchants?"

Fengming Division Commander...

For some reason, I feel like hitting someone!
The dignified Commander of the Phoenix Cry Division, a Grand Sorcerer of the Returning Aperture Realm, how could he have been so...embarrassed by others!
Su Mo continued to court disaster: "In my humble opinion, merchants may seem to do no work, but they still put in labor."

Merchants helped people exchange goods, transporting local products that were originally of little value to other places, thus increasing their value.

"In essence, it also increases social wealth!"

Fengming Si Qianhu stared intently at Su Mo with wide, clenched teeth.

But there was no way to refute it!
As the head of intelligence, one cannot simply sit high in the halls of power and engage in empty talk!

We must have a good understanding of matters concerning people's livelihoods.

Because she understood the situation, she found it even harder to refute the examples Su Mo gave!
Su Mo wasn't spouting any profound truths.

But this simple example actually illustrates more substantively that merchants are not just parasites who only know how to buy low and sell high!

The salt produced by the salt producers was piled up like mountains, and the locals could not consume it all.

If no merchants sell it elsewhere, it's as good as waste.

Is that still considered wealth?

Fengming Si Qianhu was so angry that he gritted his teeth.

This guy clearly seized a lot of wealth from the East and West markets, plundering the people's hard-earned money.

According to the laws of the Great Martial Arts School, it wouldn't be excessive to skin him alive and stuff him with straw!
But that twisted logic left her speechless!

Who is questioning whom?

Qianhu took a deep breath, about to speak.

Suddenly, a look of astonishment appeared on her pretty face.

After a brief pause, his expression returned to its icy state, and he snorted, asking, "Very well!"

"Since you are so eloquent and claim to be skilled in business management."

"I have one more question for you!"

"The Great Wu Dynasty is currently facing financial difficulties. Do you have any ideas on how to increase the national treasury's revenue?"

Su Mo was taken aback!
This is a big problem!
He had indeed considered this issue before; in fact, he could talk about it for three days and three nights without it being too long.

Of course, many of these ideas would be considered utterly rebellious by people of this era.

Su Mo pondered for a moment before saying, "The foundation of a nation lies in agriculture!"

"The main source of the imperial court's income is still agricultural tax."

"The only way to alleviate the financial difficulties is to vigorously develop agriculture."

Qianhu sneered: "Isn't this the way of merchants?"

Su Mo shook his head: "Merchants can increase social wealth, but that's just icing on the cake. The fundamental way to create wealth still lies in agriculture!"

If an agricultural country doesn't engage in agriculture, what are they supposed to do with finance?

The thousand households pressed on relentlessly: "How can we increase agricultural tax revenue?"

Su Mo let out a breath.

It seems that unless I bring out some real substance, this so-called Fengming Division Commander won't let me off the hook.

All he could say was, "I want to increase agricultural taxes."

"There are essentially three approaches!"

"First, increase taxable land and strengthen policy support for people to reclaim wasteland."

After saying that, he hesitated for a moment and then stopped asking the question.

Hidden Field's problem has offended too many people; bringing it up would be suicide!
He continued, "Secondly, improve farm tools and increase farming efficiency."

"Thirdly, improve crop quality and popularize more efficient planting methods."

He saw that Fengming Si Qianhu was still looking at him coldly.

Su Mo had no choice but to say again, "My lord, as the saying goes, governing a large country is like cooking a small fish."

"The way to govern a country is to be stable rather than hasty. Increasing the government's revenue is something that cannot be rushed."

The method I proposed may sound grandiose and impractical.

But if the imperial court really follows this direction and perseveres, it will definitely have a significant effect!

As a result, the commander of the Fengming Division suddenly showed a look of suspicion on his face: "Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish?"

"Where does this saying come from? I've never heard of it before."

Su Mo thought to himself, "Holy crap!"
He didn't know where that quote came from.

It seems to be from the Analects of Confucius or Mencius, or maybe the Tao Te Ching or something like that?

Doesn't this world have the Four Books and Five Classics?
How could the commander of Fengming Division not have heard of this?

Is he illiterate?
Su Mo could only smile wryly and say, "I've forgotten where I've heard that before."

"I only wrote it down because it seemed to make sense."

“The government’s policies and measures affect hundreds of millions of its subjects, so decisions cannot be made lightly.”

"Even if new policies are to be implemented."

"We should first select one prefecture or one county as a pilot area."

"If the policy is implemented and benefits the country and the people, it is not too late to extend it to a prefecture or a circuit, and finally to the whole country."

"As the saying goes, a small boat is easy to turn around, and this is even more true for governing a large country!"

Fengming Si Qianhu's heart was instantly filled with shock!
Sweat even seeped out from his back!

This……

This is... the way to govern a country!

How could someone in brocade robes and a minor official in a government office acquire the knowledge and skills to govern a country?
How dare a mere clerk presume to comment on state affairs?
Do you really think your head is too sturdy?

Fengming Si Qianhu stared at Su Mo in shock, her pretty face turning deathly pale.

I don't want to continue this performance review!

This petty clerk isn't afraid of death!

She is afraid!
But... she gritted her teeth, her tone becoming serious, with a hint of... politeness and a desire for advice.

“Agricultural activities can indeed increase national treasury revenue, but ultimately it is a long-term solution.”

"Do you have any other quick solutions to the fiscal bailout?"

Su Mo's head was spinning when she heard that!
I haven't systematically studied this kind of course myself.

Most of what I know comes from those keyboard warrior posts on forums, or from other time-travel novels.

If we keep talking, we might give ourselves away!
and also!

Is this a junior officer's report?

Shouldn't a junior officer in the Embroidered Uniform Guard be asking how to gather information and how to arrest criminals?
What does this have to do with national finances?
Ask someone in the Ministry of Revenue, like that Ding Yu!

He sighed: "Lord Commander, may I not speak?"

"This humble official truly does not understand!"

Fengming Division Commander snorted heavily: "If you didn't understand, how could you have increased the protection fees and taxes of the two markets tenfold in just one month!"

Su Mo hesitated for a moment, and finally could only say, "There is a way, but I dare not say it!"

Fengming Division Commander was so angry he died instantly!

They dare to criticize even national affairs!

Now he's actually telling me he doesn't dare to say it?

She took a deep breath: "...I hereby pardon you!"

Su Mo looked at the other person suspiciously.

Shouldn't the emperor be the one to say these words?

However, since he is a commander of the Fengming Division with a very high level of secrecy, it doesn't seem wrong for him to say that.

After hesitating for a moment, Su Mofang said, "I want to resolve the imperial court's financial problems quickly."

"We need to get the money moving first."

"In my opinion, the people of Dawu are not necessarily poor; they just dare not spend their money."

“Ordinary commoners are excluded, but rich farmers, landlords, gentry, and big merchants must have a lot of silver in their savings.”

"If we can get them to take the money out of the cellar, the court can naturally collect more commercial taxes from it."

"in addition……"

Su Mo was silent for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "The imperial court can relax some of the regulations!"

"For example, as long as a merchant pays a certain amount of money, he can obtain a status and standard that surpasses that of other merchants, and wear fine silks, satins, and brightly colored robes, etc..."

"I suppose those wealthy merchants won't be stingy with this little bit of money!"

Su Mo paused, then added with a serious expression, "The premise is that the imperial court must guarantee the safety of their property!"

"If merchants flaunt their wealth, they become easy targets for exploitation, and merchants will not dare to show off their money!"

"In fact, the imperial court could set up a case as a warning to others, so that merchants would know the court's determination!"

Without a significant increase in productivity.

If the imperial court wants quick money, it can only take it from other people's pockets.

Otherwise, even if Su Mo were a god, he couldn't possibly conjure up so much wealth out of thin air!
In Su Mo's view, regulations seem to be able to maintain the royal status and dignity.

In fact, it's completely useless.

Controlling a country relies on nothing more than force and money!
Using these unrealistic things to exchange for money and strengthen the country is something any normal person can figure out.

As for what the empress thinks, that's none of my business.

Su Mo naturally knew that this performance review would almost certainly be presented to the Empress's desk!

Fengming Division Commander remained silent for a moment, then looked at Su Mo with a strange expression: "Is it acceptable to make you the example?"

Su Mo was startled and hurriedly said, "My lord, I am timid, please don't frighten me!"

"Besides...besides, I don't have much money!"

Fengming Division Commander almost laughed out of anger!

Is that what you call being timid?
In my opinion, throughout the entire world, apart from sages, this fellow has the greatest audacity!
She snorted irritably, then tossed a token to Su Mo: "From now on, half of the profits from both the East and West markets shall be handed over to the Fengming Division!"

"Let's take a car back!"

"Remember, nothing that happens here must be revealed to outsiders!"

"Also, keep your identity badge a secret and do not show it to others unless absolutely necessary!"

Su Mo exclaimed, "Oh my god!"
He himself has specifically pointed out that the wealth and interests of merchants must be protected.

She immediately demanded half of her income from both cities?
So what if you're a high-ranking official!

He couldn't help but look at the tooth token he had bought with half his income.

Then, he swallowed hard!

The ivory plaque was made of jade.

One side is carved with a lifelike phoenix with outstretched wings.

On the other side, the words "Su Mo, the Chief of the Phoenix Cry Division" are engraved.

The following is number 120!

He had become a seventh-rank flag officer?
Or is he the chief of the Phoenix Cry Division?

Su Mo breathed a sigh of relief.

Even if half of the profits come from the East and West markets, it still has value.

At least, I won't have to worry about being raided by the Embroidered Uniform Guard one day!

Although the protection fees in the East and West cities are nominally collected by the urban management officers.

In fact, everyone knows that they are the little flies behind the scenes!

It absolutely cannot withstand scrutiny.

Changping County is managed like a solid block, with no loopholes at any level.

But what if it's the Imperial Guards from Yong'an Prefecture who arrive?

With Fengming Division as their backer.

There shouldn't be any problems from now on.

He also received a seventh-rank general position.

This is a good deal.

It seems that the other party is quite satisfied with this performance review.

Otherwise, this jade ivory pendant would not have ended up in my hands.

With the commander of Fengming Division issuing an order to leave, Su Mo naturally had no choice but to depart by carriage again.

The treatment was better this time.

Even if the carriage doors remain closed, at least you don't have to cover your eyes with a black cloth.

The carriage disappeared into the bushes.

Suddenly, a ripple of light appeared on one side of the stone pavilion, and a woman with a slightly pale face slowly revealed herself!
Commander Fengming immediately knelt down!
Empress Leng Liuxi, the Great Wu Empress, didn't even glance at Commander Fengming Si.

His gaze drifted in the direction where Su Mo had disappeared, his phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and he murmured, "Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish?"

"Pilot program?"

"Is a small boat easier to turn around?"

After a long time.

Leng Liuxi then withdrew her gaze and turned to the kneeling Fengming Si Qianhu.

"check!"

"Thorough investigation!"

"I need to know everything that is related to him."

(End of this chapter)