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

The atmosphere in the study became both fervent and solemn with Xiao Jingchen's final declaration of "unifying the frontier."

Zhou Wenyuan, Zhao Kuo, and Chen Jing were all seasoned veterans, but even now, they could still sense the ambition to conquer the world from the young regent's calm words.

This is no longer just about protecting our homeland.

This is about expanding territory and establishing unparalleled achievements!

"Your Highness," Zhou Wenyuan composed himself, his white beard trembling slightly. As the head of the civil officials, he thought more deeply and further ahead. "This old minister supports Your Highness's grand ambitions. However... the establishment of this Commercial Bureau will likely face numerous obstacles."

He wasn't trying to dampen enthusiasm; he was simply stating a fact.

In the Great Yan Dynasty, the class distinctions of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants were deeply ingrained. To have the court engage in the work of merchants was seen by many well-read civil officials as utterly disgraceful and improper. More importantly, it would infringe upon the interests of countless people.

In the Great Yan Dynasty, the highly profitable industries such as salt, iron, tea, and horses had long been controlled by powerful and influential families and wealthy merchants. They colluded with local officials and even had representatives in the imperial court. For the court to try to snatch these resources from them was tantamount to pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth.

"Obstacles?" A cold, hard smile appeared on Xiao Jingchen's lips. "Haven't I killed enough heads since I entered the capital? Anyone who dares to stand in my way will become the next target for confiscation of their property."

His words, devoid of any emotion, sent a chill down the spines of Zhao Kuo and Chen Jing present. They knew the prince was not joking. The three-day purge that had left the capital overflowing with heads and the prisons overflowing still terrified many.

"I understand the old prime minister's concerns." Xiao Jingchen's tone softened a bit. He looked at Zhou Wenyuan, "So I need someone who can do these 'dirty jobs' for me and isn't afraid of offending people."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wenyuan began to quickly calculate in his mind.

In the imperial court, one must be capable, ruthless, and absolutely loyal to the prince... Such a person is hard to find.

"Does Your Highness have someone in mind?" Zhou Wenyuan asked tentatively.

Xiao Jingchen walked to the desk, picked up a brush, and wrote a name on a piece of white paper.

Sun Xiang.

Upon seeing this name, Zhou Wenyuan, Zhao Kuo, and Chen Jing were all taken aback.

Sun Xiang was one of Xiao Jingchen's trusted generals in the Northern Frontier Army. He was a brave warrior, but even more famous for his intellect. Unlike Lei Lie, who was purely a fierce general, he was meticulous, flexible, and even somewhat ruthless. In the Northern Frontier Army, Xiao Jingchen usually entrusted him with difficult tasks that required unconventional methods.

Sending him to lead troops into battle is no problem. But sending him to manage a completely new "Commercial Department" that oversees the nation's economic lifeline... isn't that a bit too far-fetched?

"Your Highness, General Sun Xiang, does he... understand economics?" Chen Jing couldn't help but ask the question that everyone was wondering about.

"He doesn't understand." Xiao Jingchen put down his pen and admitted bluntly, "But what I want is not an accountant who understands economics. What I want is a knife."

"A swift blade that can pave the way for the Commerce Department and for our Great Yan, cutting through all obstacles and severing all barriers in its path!"

"Those so-called aristocratic and wealthy merchants occupy local areas, collude with the government, and are thieves in name only! You can't reason with them or talk about the law. You have to be more ruthless and unreasonable than them for them to fear you and for them to obediently return the lifeblood of the country that they have seized."

Xiao Jingchen's words plunged Zhou Wenyuan into a long silence.

He had to admit that Xiao Jingchen was right. Those people were like termites clinging to the great tree of the Great Yan Dynasty, impossible to eradicate using ordinary methods. Perhaps, a drastic measure like Sun Xiang's was truly needed.

"This old minister... understands." Zhou Wenyuan sighed and bowed, saying, "This old minister will fully cooperate with General Sun Xiang to set up the framework of the Commerce Department as soon as possible."

"Alright." Xiao Jingchen nodded. "General Zhao Kuo."

"Your subordinate is here!"

"You shall allocate five thousand elite soldiers from the Imperial Guard, who shall report directly to Sun Xiang. Wherever the Commerce Bureau goes, if there are those who resist the law, disobey orders, or gather crowds to cause trouble, they may be executed first and reported later!"

"Your humble servant obeys!" Zhao Kuo's heart skipped a beat.

Execute first, then report later!

The weight of those four words is immense. It's tantamount to granting Sun Xiang and his business department absolute power of life and death. It seems the Prince is serious about this.

A war without gunfire, targeting the internal economic sphere of the Great Yan, has begun.

Three days later, the Commerce Department was officially established.

The office was set up in the mansion of the former emperor's brother-in-law, the Wang family. That once magnificent mansion, now bare and desolate, was itself a silent warning.

Sun Xiang took off the armor he had worn for more than ten years, put on a black brocade robe, and carried the imperial sword bestowed by Xiao Jingchen at his waist. He took office and became the first director of the Commerce Department.

The news caused an uproar in the business community of Beijing.

"What? You're letting a military commander manage our business?"

"Isn't this ridiculous! What does he know about business? What does he know about buying and selling?"

"I think this regent is just obsessed with money! He's practically robbing us!"

The largest salt and iron merchants in the capital held a banquet that very day at the most famous restaurant, "Zui Xian Lou." They joined forces with dozens of large and small businesses to discuss how to resist the newly established Ministry of Commerce.

"Gentlemen, this Commerce Bureau, nominally an official-merchant, is in reality a traitor to the country! If they steal all our business, what will we eat and drink?" The leader was Qian Wansan, the largest salt merchant in the capital. His family had been in the private salt business for generations, and their wealth was comparable to that of a country. They had extremely deep connections in the imperial court and in the local areas.

"Boss Qian is right! We can't just sit here and wait to die!" A blacksmith shop owner slammed his fist on the table. "I propose that we all close down our shops starting tomorrow! I want to see where his Ministry of Commerce will get its salt and iron for the millions of people in the capital without us!"

"Yes! Close the door! Let him know what we're capable of!"

"When public resentment boils over, let's see if that regent will still be able to sit still!"

A group of businessmen, filled with indignation, quickly formed a defensive alliance.

They believed that the law would not punish the masses. They thought that if they united, they could make the newly appointed military commander back down.

However, they underestimated Sun Xiang, and even more so, they underestimated Xiao Jingchen behind him.

The next day, in the capital, more than 70% of the salt shops and ironware stores were indeed closed, with signs saying "Owner is unwell, business is temporarily suspended".

On the market, the prices of salt and iron began to rise at an alarming rate. Some people, unaware of the situation, began panic buying.

The entire capital was gripped by fear and unease.

Zhou Wenyuan and other civil officials were as anxious as ants on a hot pan, and they submitted memorials one after another, requesting the regent to step in, appease the merchants, and stabilize prices.

However, Xiao Jingchen's Regent's Mansion remained tightly shut, with no sign of activity.

Inside the Ministry of Commerce, Sun Xiang was leisurely drinking tea and listening to his subordinates' reports.

"Chief, at Li's Salt Shop in the west of the city, a pound of salt is now selling for three hundred cash, ten times the usual price!"

"Director, the price of iron in the south of the city has also increased fivefold! Many farmers who need their farm tools made are in tears!"

Sun Xiang listened, but a smile appeared on his face.

"Very good, let them rise a little longer." He put down his teacup and said slowly, "The fish should be caught in one net when they've all jumped out of the water."

He waited.

Those merchants who had united were also waiting.

They were waiting for the Commerce Department to back down, waiting for the Regent to compromise.

However, what awaited them was not appeasement from officials, but rather five thousand menacing imperial guards led by Zhao Kuo!