The imperial court is ceding territory from our northern border? Then we'll rebel!

The Regent's Palace.

It was originally the Zhenbei Marquis's residence and was rebuilt.

Inside the study, Xiao Jingchen, Zhou Wenyuan, Zhao Kuo, and Chen Jing were discussing state affairs in front of a huge map.

"Your Highness," Zhou Wenyuan said with a worried expression, holding a dossier in his hand, "I have been reviewing the reports from the Ministry of Revenue and various localities these past few days, and the situation is not optimistic."

"During the reign of the former Empress... no, the Li family, their tyrannical rule and extravagant construction projects have already emptied the national treasury. Currently, the treasury holds less than a million taels of silver. Our Great Yan has suffered defeat in the Eastern Frontier and needs relief; the Northern Frontier is in ruins and needs reconstruction; the capital has just experienced turmoil and needs reassurance. Furthermore, you have ordered a three-year tax exemption... all of these things require money. But where will this money come from?"

The old prime minister was so worried that his hair almost turned white.

Make bricks without straw.

Without money, you can't do anything.

"I already have a solution for the money problem," Xiao Jingchen said calmly.

He pointed to several points around the capital on the map.

"These are the estates and properties in the suburbs of Beijing belonging to those treacherous officials whose homes were raided a few days ago. I have already had people calculate them, and these farmlands alone amount to nearly a million mu. In addition, there are their shops, mines, and other properties in various places... All of these will be nationalized."

"Furthermore, I plan to establish a brand new department in the court, named the 'Commercial Department'."

"The Commerce Department?" Zhou Wenyuan and the others were all taken aback.

"That's right," Xiao Jingchen explained. "This department doesn't belong to the Six Ministries; it's directly under my jurisdiction. Its responsibility is to utilize these nationalized shops and resources for unified operation and management."

"For example, we can establish official salt, iron, tea and horse trade. We can firmly control these most profitable industries in the hands of the imperial court. Part of the profits can be used to replenish the national treasury, and the other part can be directly invested in military spending and people's livelihood."

This idea was unheard of for traditional scholar-officials like Zhou Wenyuan.

In their view, the imperial court should be noble and respectable, how could it be like a merchant, "competing with the people for profit"?

"Your Highness, this move... may be inappropriate," Zhou Wenyuan said hesitantly. "Since ancient times, scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants have been ranked, with merchants being the lowest class. If the court were to personally engage in commerce, it would likely draw criticism and damage the court's reputation."

"Dignity?" Xiao Jingchen laughed. "Old Prime Minister, when the national treasury is empty, the people are starving, and the soldiers have no pay, can 'dignity' put food on the table?"

"I don't care about the social hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. All I know is that for a country to become strong, it must have money. With money, it can support an army. With money, it can ensure the well-being of its people."

"As for criticism... hehe, let them talk. When they see that the money earned by the Commerce Department has become stronger armor for the soldiers on the frontier and sharper farming tools for the people, they will naturally shut up."

Xiao Jingchen's words were simple and blunt, yet they were undeniably persuasive.

Zhou Wenyuan fell silent.

He found that his traditional ideas of governance seemed so pale and powerless in the face of this young regent.

Perhaps, this era really needs some different changes.

"Alright, we'll do as Your Highness says." He finally nodded.

Having solved the money problem, Xiao Jingchen's gaze fell on the north side of the map.

There, there is a vast and boundless grassland.

His eyes suddenly sharpened.

"Minister Chen, how's the matter I asked you to investigate?"

The newly appointed Minister of War, Chen Jing, immediately stepped forward and said with a solemn expression, "Your Highness, everything has been investigated thoroughly."

"In the battle of the northern frontier, the allied forces of the three tribes suffered a crushing defeat, losing their main force. However, their leader, Ashina Sun, managed to escape back to the grassland royal court with nearly ten thousand remaining soldiers."

"According to reports from our spies in the grasslands, after Ashina Sun returned, he immediately executed several tribal leaders who had advocated for peace negotiations and used ruthless methods to reorganize the various tribes of the grasslands."

"Moreover... he also sent envoys to the Yuezhi Kingdom in the Western Regions to seek help. It seems he wanted to borrow troops to take revenge."

"The Yuezhi Kingdom?" Xiao Jingchen frowned.

It was a powerful kingdom entrenched in the Western Regions, known for its fierce and warlike people, and its elite cavalry. If they were to unite with the three nomadic tribes of the grasslands, it would indeed be a considerable problem.

"Hmph, a stray dog ​​with its spine broken, still dreaming of making a comeback?" Lei Lie sneered disdainfully from the side. He had now been appointed "Mighty General" and was Xiao Jingchen's number one fierce general.

"Your Highness, give the order! This humble general is willing to lead 50,000 iron cavalry straight to the heart of the enemy, flatten their grassland royal court, and twist Ashina Sun's head off for you to use as a chamber pot!"

"We definitely have to fight." Xiao Jingchen tapped lightly on the location of the grassland royal court on the map.

"But not now."

"Why?" Lei Lie asked, puzzled.

"Because we need to wait for the best opportunity." A glint of wisdom flashed in Xiao Jingchen's eyes.

"Winter is just around the corner on the grasslands."

"Once the heavy snow closes the mountains, their cattle and sheep will lack fodder and die in large numbers. Their people will also lack food and winter clothing. That is when they are at their weakest."

"And we can use this winter to make full preparations."

He looked at Chen Jing: "Chen Shangshou, I order you to immediately establish three large armories in the Northern Frontier. Focus all your efforts on developing a brand-new weapon—the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow. I want at least 30,000 of them equipped before spring!"

He then looked at Zhao Kuo: "General Zhao, the defense of the capital and the northern frontier is temporarily entrusted to you. I need you to strengthen the city's defenses, train the new recruits, and ensure the absolute safety of our rear."

Finally, his gaze fell on Zhou Wenyuan.

"Prime Minister, I entrust the affairs of the court to you. The matters concerning the Ministry of Commerce must be implemented as soon as possible. I want to see sufficient funds in the national treasury by next spring to support our great expedition to the grasslands!"

"Don't worry, Your Highness!" the three replied in unison.

A massive and meticulous war plan targeting the grasslands slowly took shape in Xiao Jingchen's mind.

What he needs to do is not to defeat.

Rather, it was a complete, once-and-for-all conquest.

He wanted to ensure that the three tribes of the grasslands would never again pose any threat to the Central Plains.

He wanted to completely incorporate that vast grassland into the territory of the Great Yan Dynasty.

This is what he envisioned as "unifying the frontier."

Just as Xiao Jingchen was busily planning for the future.

The distant grassland royal court.

Inside the golden tent, Ashina Sun's face was terribly gloomy.

He had just seen off the envoy from the Yuezhi Kingdom.

The other party's conditions were extremely demanding.

They are willing to send troops, but after the war, they want half of the grassland's pastures and 30,000 grassland women.

This is an absolute disgrace!

"This is outrageous!" He slammed his fist on the table in front of him, smashing the sturdy wooden table to pieces.

The tribal chiefs under his command were all silent with fear.

"Great Khan, Xiao Jingchen has now become the Regent of the Great Yan, wielding immense power. Should we...should we still fight him?" an elderly chieftain asked tremulously.

"Fight! Why not fight!" Ashina Jun's eyes burned with the flames of revenge.

"He destroyed everything I had! He killed so many of my warriors! I will avenge this!"

"Pass on my order! From this day forward, all tribes, tighten your belts! Save all edible cattle and sheep and prioritize their supply to the warriors!"

"This winter, even if half the elderly, women, and children starve to death, we must muster an army of 100,000!"

"Next spring, I will personally lead a large army south! I will use Xiao Jingchen's blood to wash away my shame!"

His roar, like that of a madman, echoed within the golden tent.

A decisive battle that will determine the future of two nations is now inevitable.

This cold winter will be a long and unpredictable period of preparation for both the grasslands and the Central Plains.