The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

"These things... I don't quite understand. If Miss Feng is interested, I'll call over the officials later so you can have a proper discussion," Chen Huai'an said tactfully.

If possible, he didn't want to get involved with Feng Qiao'er.

This banquet today looks strange no matter how you look at it.

It's a bit like a blind date.

Li Shimin laughed in exasperation: "You don't understand?"

Chen Huai'an claims he doesn't understand these things, but who believes him?

Who was that talking so eloquently before the Feng siblings came in?

"I truly do not understand, nor can I understand!" Chen Huai'an said frankly.

Empress Zhangsun understood, and the others also understood, but Li Shimin... remained silent.

Feng Zhidai and Feng Qiao'er looked at each other, somewhat confused about the situation.

However, they could still sense that Chen Huai'an didn't seem to want to interact with them much.

Thinking about this, the two of them felt a bit conflicted.

"You two... just ignore him," Li Shimin sneered. "This man is too clever, too clever, but sometimes that makes him dumber than anyone else!"

"Never mind, let's not talk about this anymore."

"Today, everyone has worked hard, especially Huai'an, Xue Wanche and others. One of you has been doing everything you can for the national treasury, and the other is about to lead the army to Shuofang. I hope that next year, there will be no more natural disasters, and that the Great Tang can achieve true unification."

"drink wine!"

Everyone raised their glasses and drank them down in one gulp.

Immediately, Li Shimin stared at Chen Huai'an and asked about something: "Huai'an, I have looked at your Ministry of Revenue's account books, and I have found that your Ministry of Revenue's funds and grain are now somewhat unbalanced."

"In the past, the Ministry of Revenue always had more grain than money, but since you came, the situation has been reversed, and now there is more money than grain."

"Of course, I know this is not your fault. It's just that this year's tax revenue has not been enough to collect much grain, and with various projects and war expenditures, the grain supply has been decreasing."

"If it weren't for your scheme in Chang'an, the national treasury would certainly be short of grain, let alone be able to send troops to Liang Shidu."

"I believe that while having money is certainly a good thing, we cannot lack food."

Changsun Wuji agreed, "That's true. If there's too much money involved, it's very likely that, like last time, grain merchants will figure this out and drastically raise prices."

"Enough money is enough; food is the foundation of everything."

Du Ruhui turned his head and asked, "Does the Duke of Anguo have any good ideas on how to resolve this matter?"

As soon as the question was asked, everyone's eyes turned to Chen Huai'an.

Chen Huai'an nodded and said, "It's very simple. Whether it's refined salt or papermaking technology, it's actually controlled by the imperial court. Although there are official production, official approval, and commercial sales, all the rules are still set by the imperial court."

"Now merchants use money to settle accounts with us when they get goods, which naturally leads to less and less food being consumed, while more and more money is being spent."

"It's simple to change this situation: just use a barter system. Instead of accepting money, accept grain and silk."

"Although the imperial court has no grain, these aristocratic families have more than they can eat."

"Even if they can't afford it, they can buy it or exchange it. In short, we set the rules!"

Li Shimin turned his head and immediately understood, saying meaningfully, "I understand now. You had this other intention behind your proposal of government-owned property, government approval, and commercial sales."

"Dismantle monopolies, tie interests together, change rules, and slow dilution?"

"That's right." Chen Huai'an smiled and said, "Under these rules, if they want to get a share of the profits, they have to abide by our rules."

"This is a crucial step, turning them from independent individuals into dependents."

"Another reason why I proposed government-owned assets, government approval, and commercial sales is that I need the money that aristocratic families have buried underground."

"This money is buried underground and is of no use. Only by taking it out and letting it circulate can we revitalize the market, allow the economy to flow, and enable everyone to have money in their hands so that the people can become rich."

He paused, then continued, "It's like a river. Only when it flows continuously is the water alive. Once it stops flowing, the water slowly turns into stagnant, foul water!"

Chen Huai'an's analogy was very vivid, and since there were no fools present, they roughly understood what Chen Huai'an wanted to express after a little thought.

Li Shimin asked again, "Since that's the case, have you revitalized the business? Is the money you've collected enough?"

"You yourself said that after defeating Liang Shidu this year, you would send troops to the Eastern Turks next year."

"The amount of food and fodder consumed by these two is completely incomparable."

"It's not that easy," Chen Huai'an shook his head. "It's destined to be a long process. The money flowing into the market now is insignificant to the people of the world."

"The money distributed through work relief will probably only create a slight ripple, and will have little other impact."

"Of course, I know I can't keep collecting money forever, and next year is likely to be turbulent, so I'm prepared to change the rules."

"Will next year be anything but peaceful?" Li Shimin's heart tightened.

Having been emperor for only a year, the drought, frost, and rebellions in the first year of the Zhenguan era truly overwhelmed him.

Judging from Chen Huai'an's words, could it be that he might cause him some trouble next year?

Feng Qiao'er stared at Chen Huai'an, who had just been speaking eloquently, and was utterly speechless.

This doesn't look like someone who doesn't understand at all.

You're really going to great lengths to avoid contact with yourself.

"Duke Anguo, what does this mean?" Du Ruhui and the others were getting anxious.

Chen Huai'an had been accurate about these things far too many times, so they had no choice but to take it seriously.

Chen Huai'an sighed and said, "Gentlemen, as you should know, I have been sending people to reclaim wasteland in the Guanzhong region, and sometimes I go there myself to take a look."

Everyone nodded in agreement; they were certainly aware of the matter.

Chen Huai'an continued, "But when I went to the land reclamation site last time, I found that the people dug up a lot of locust eggs while turning over the soil. As the saying goes, a great drought is followed by a great locust plague."

"This year's drought is so severe, I'm worried... there might be a locust plague next year!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin slapped his forehead, his face turning ashen.

Du Ruhui and the others didn't look much better either.

They had all heard the saying that a great drought is followed by a great locust plague, and this can be verified by the fact that many droughts in history have been followed by locust plagues.

From the Spring and Autumn Period to the Eastern Han Dynasty, droughts and locust plagues became common knowledge.

With Chen Huai'an personally stating that he had unearthed a considerable number of locust eggs during the land reclamation, they instantly believed him to be mostly true.

"But..." Fang Xuanling hesitated, "There's already been a locust plague this year!"

"Could there be another locust plague next year?"

"......"