The fiercest soldier of the border army

The Crown Prince dismissed the scholars and kept Tang Shunce alone to ask him questions, clearly indicating that he was interested in him.

"Your Highness," Tang Shun replied, "I was born and raised in the countryside; I am one of the common people. How could I, a member of the family, not know my own family's affairs?"

"What the common people ask for is nothing more than a house to shelter them from the wind and rain."

"Two meals a day, enough to fill my stomach."

"If we can afford to buy a few new clothes every year and live without having to borrow money, then that can be called a prosperous era."

Tang Shun spoke plainly, without quoting classical texts or talking about benevolent governance; he was like a farmer sitting on the edge of a field talking about this year's harvest.

The prince remained silent, his eyelids lowered.

Tang Shun continued, "To accomplish all this, the country must first become wealthy."

"If a country is not wealthy, it will have no food to provide relief, no soldiers to support, and no weapons to use."

"To enrich the nation, the shackles on the people must first be removed."

As he said this, his voice grew slightly somber, "The current system for travel permits is extremely strict."

"People who leave their hometowns by ten miles need government approval; otherwise, they are considered refugees and can be arrested or killed."

"But the world is so vast, and the land varies in fertility. In years of disaster and poor harvest, a family may not be able to survive. Should they just be trapped and die in the same place?"

"Tang Shun!" Shi Hanshan frowned and shouted sternly, "You are not allowed to discuss state affairs!"

Tang Shun is too bold!

The system of travel permits was established by the Great Qian Emperor and has been a common practice since ancient times!

Now, Tang Shun, with just a few words, wants to abolish the travel permit. Does he really think he's a living saint?

"It's alright." The Crown Prince waved his hand to stop him. "Since it's a question, then speak freely."

"If it leads to a prosperous nation and a strong people, what crime is there?"

"Tang Shun, please continue."

Tang Shun nodded slightly and continued in a deep voice, "If we abolish the travel permits and allow people to travel and trade, exchange goods and services, transport grain from the south to the north, and transport iron from the north to the south, markets will naturally flourish and taxes will naturally increase."

"If the people can move around, they can live; if they can live, they can pay taxes; if they can pay taxes, the country will have money to do its work."

He paused after he finished speaking.

The hall was completely silent.

The prince frowned slightly and tapped the edge of the table lightly with his fingers.

This is neither opposition nor praise, but reflection.

The Crown Prince spoke slowly, but with a heavy tone, "The travel permit is an ancestral system, designed to prevent displaced people from causing trouble and bandits from running rampant."

"Do you realize how many rules your single word 'abolish' will shake?"

Tang Shun calmly replied, "Ancestral rules are meant to protect the people, not to bind them."

"If a rule makes it impossible for people to survive, then it is a bad policy, not a good law."

"Your Highness is wise," Tang Shun said again, "the common people are neither thieves nor the source of chaos."

"What drove them to become thieves was the unbearable existence they could no longer endure."

"If they have a road to walk on and work to do, who would be willing to risk their life to fight for a bite to eat?"

"Tang Shun! Shut up!"

Shi Hanshan observed the Crown Prince's expression and, seeing that the other's brows furrowed slightly, immediately stopped him!

That's too harsh a statement!

The system of travel permits involved local control, household registration checks, and tax and labor levies, and has always been one of the foundations for the court's stability.

A border army officer dared to openly advocate abolishing it; he was incredibly audacious!

pat-

Shi Hanshan knelt on one knee. "Your Highness, Tang Shun is merely a lowly squad leader. He is ignorant of his place, presumptuously discussing state affairs and offending Your Highness. I beg Your Highness to punish him!"

Military Governor Li Qing'an remained silent, knowing that if his words were to spread, they would cause a great stir.

The Crown Prince ignored him, gave a faint smile, and glanced at Shi Hanshan with interest, then at Li Qing'an.

He finally spoke, "You say you were born and raised in the wild, but your speech is clear and logical, and your knowledge is extensive. You don't seem like someone who has never read books."

"How can you, coming from a rural background, possess such insight?"

Tang Shun's heart tightened.

This question wasn't out of curiosity, but rather a test.

What the Crown Prince really wanted to ask was: How do you, a mere platoon leader in the border army, know so much? Who taught you?

Did Li Qing'an have already planted spies and cultivated loyal followers, plotting something far-reaching?

If the answer is inappropriate, today's events will become the pretext for future retribution.

Li Qing'an also sensed something was wrong, but perhaps because he was upright and honest, he didn't show any reaction.

Tang Shun cannot be said to have traveled from another time, nor can he be said to have used modern military systems, historical experience, or economic logic.

He could only give himself a reasonable identity—a scholar who had once studied and later joined the army.

"Your Highness," Tang Shun replied, his tone unchanged, but he stood even straighter. "Before I joined the army, there was an old man who lived in seclusion in the countryside and taught me to read."

Tang Shun pondered his own memories: he came from the countryside, his family was destroyed and he had long since disappeared without a trace.

So he confidently made up a story:

"The old man taught me to read the Classic of Filial Piety and the Analects, and also to study policy essays, military strategy, and people's livelihood."

"Later, the northern lands were unsettled, and the Xiongnu invaded the border year after year, repeatedly plundering our hometowns, destroying fields and killing people."

"I realized that studying couldn't save lives or save people, so I abandoned my studies to join the army and serve my country."

"I'm not doing this for the sake of becoming an official or for promotion."

"I just think that if one can pick up a pen, one should also be able to pick up a knife. If there are no soldiers to defend the land, no matter how much one reads, it is nothing more than a memorial text at a grave."

After Tang Shun finished speaking, he said no more.

The hall fell silent once more.

The crown prince's gaze changed.

It's no longer doubt, nor is it a condescending scrutiny, but rather a look of renewed understanding.

He originally thought that Tang Shun was just a brave general who stood out because of his impetuousness and military achievements.

But now it seems that this person is not only brave and daring, but also resourceful.

This isn't just a general's talent, this is a commander's talent!

More importantly, every word he spoke was true and undeniable.

The crown prince nodded slowly, a smile appearing on his lips.

This time, his tone softened, as if a weight had been lifted from his heart.

He looked at Li Qing'an: "Li Jiedushi, your subordinates are indeed full of talented people. Even a squad leader has the talent to govern the country and bring peace to the nation."

Li Qing'an clasped his hands in response, "Your Highness flatters me; it's nothing but empty talk."

The Crown Prince hummed in agreement. "Commander-in-Chief Li, I would like to speak with Tang Shun alone. Is that alright?"

Li Qing'an was slightly taken aback. "Your Highness is of esteemed status. It is an honor for Tang Shun to be able to report to Your Highness alone."

After saying this, Li Qing'an took three steps back, gave Shi Hanshan a wink, and the two left the guest room.

Only three people remained in the hall.

The Crown Prince, Tang Shun, and his black-clad advisors.

The crown prince did not speak immediately.

He picked up his teacup, blew on it, took a sip, and then slowly said, "You just said that ordinary people are not thieves; what forces them to become thieves is the inability to survive."

Tang Shun stood there, without responding.

"That makes some sense..." The Crown Prince put down his teacup.

He looked up: "You said you'd abolish travel permits and let people travel freely; that's quite an idea."

"But have you considered how local officials will check the population, collect taxes, and prevent unscrupulous individuals from infiltrating once this is allowed?"

Tang Shun had already planned ahead: "We can set up post stations for registration, not for coercion or restraint, but simply to keep track of the number of people moving around."

"Merchants can carry a travel document specifying the type of goods and the route to and from the destination, and the government can collect taxes and inspect it."

"For short-distance travel by ordinary people, no permits are required; they only need to register at the village or community level. This ensures both the smooth flow of people and leaves a record of their movements."

The Crown Prince smiled softly:

"You're right that discarded travel permits could facilitate trade and revitalize the people."

"But right now the court is short of money, the national treasury is empty, the border troops need pay, the capital garrison needs grain, and disaster-stricken areas need relief. Every single thing needs money to fill the gaps."

"I ask you, what method is quick, minimally invasive, and can bring the court immediate financial gains?"

Tang Shun understood; this was the real purpose behind dismissing the others!

Tang Shun quickly went through the financial structure of the Great Qian Dynasty in his mind.

What the crown prince truly wanted was not a long-term solution, but a drastic measure.

However, if one only answers about methods of accumulating wealth, one will surely be regarded as a cruel official.

If we only talk about leniency towards the people, it will seem like we don't understand practical matters.

He must come up with a solution that can both address the immediate crisis and establish a solid foundation.

Tang Shun, having his own calculations, gave a slight bow and asked in return, "May I ask, Your Highness, how many post stations does the Great Qian Dynasty have?"