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

"Of course, it's for governing the country." Empress Zhangsun seemed to understand Li Shimin's plan, but she didn't say it. Instead, she gave this answer: "The greatest use of the national treasury's money is, of course, for governing the country."

The meaning of governing a country has a very broad scope.

Disaster relief is a form of governance, as is paying salaries to officials.

Empress Zhangsun's answer was not problematic.

Li Shimin nodded: "That's one way to put it, but this year, the national treasury's money will be primarily used for work relief and to prepare for war against the Eastern Turks."

"Let's leave aside the work-for-relief program. Guanyinbi, tell me, what's the largest work-for-relief project right now?"

"Naturally, we should build dams along the Yellow River!" Empress Zhangsun said without hesitation.

The Yellow River has been a headache for countless capable rulers throughout history. Each time the Yellow River was repaired, at least 50,000 laborers had to be mobilized, with an average of 100,000.

With such a huge number of people involved, it is naturally the largest project.

The people who went to repair the Yellow River are only the first batch. Now they are recruiting the second batch, which already amounts to tens of thousands of people.

What project in the Tang Dynasty is larger than this?

"What is needed to repair the Yellow River?" Li Shimin asked again.

Empress Zhangsun feigned sudden realization: "Your Majesty, I understand now. The Yellow River repair is different now than before. What is needed now is cement. Apart from the wages paid to the people, cement is actually the biggest cost."

"The cement business is a private affair, and we take the lion's share."

"A lot of the money in the national treasury is used to purchase cement."

"In this way, this money will eventually return to His Majesty's hands after going through many twists and turns."

"Not bad!" Li Shimin was about to speak when he suddenly felt that the scene was somewhat familiar.

Isn't this the way Chen Huai'an often uses with them?

First, pose a question, then gradually reveal the next answer, guiding them step by step toward the correct one.

I have to say, this approach is really satisfying.

Just like now, seeing the look of realization on Empress Zhangsun's face as she discovered the correct answer under his step-by-step guidance, Li Shimin had only one thought in his mind.

--Cool!

No wonder Chen Huai'an always likes to use this method, it's really... quite good!

"Actually, Chen Huai'an really likes to trick me and make things difficult for me." Li Shimin shook his head helplessly, then said, "But this kid never jokes about serious matters, nor does he think about making things difficult for me, so he delays important matters."

"What he said today really makes a lot of sense."

Li Shimin tapped his fingers lightly on the edge of the bed, his tone gradually becoming serious: "Public matters are public matters, and private matters are private matters; they must be clearly distinguished!"

"Six ships of supplies entered the national treasury. It may seem like I earned less, but these six ships of supplies represent the Feng family's attitude towards the court."

"At the time, many officials also saw it, but they didn't know the exact number."

"If the supplies go into the national treasury, then they are a gift from the Feng family to the court; if they go into my private treasury, then they are a gift to me, Li Shimin, personally."

"The former is public, the latter is private."

"Since the Feng family wants to be subjects of the Tang Dynasty, their loyalty should be for the court and the people, not just for me."

"This start must be successful!"

Empress Zhangsun nodded thoughtfully: "So Your Majesty is acting in accordance with the prevailing trend?"

"Yes." Li Shimin did not deny it. "I already understood this principle when Chen Huai'an talked to me about public and private matters."

"So I took the opportunity to give the six ships of supplies to the national treasury."

He said with some emotion, "Furthermore, Huai'an is right. If I set a precedent by conflating the imperial treasury with the national treasury, and future generations follow suit, then the Tang Dynasty's national treasury will sooner or later become the emperor's private pocket."

"At that point, wouldn't the emperor be able to do whatever he wants?"

Empress Zhangsun became serious: "That's absolutely true, this precedent must not be set!"

"The imperial treasury is the imperial treasury, and the national treasury is the national treasury; they must never be confused!"

"And then there's..." Li Shimin paused, "That kid Chen Huai'an, he had it all planned out from the very beginning. He was probably worried that I and future emperors would be short of money, so he specially prepared the Beauty Pass and cement to make a steady stream of money for the imperial treasury."

"With these two things, and if I pass them down, the emperor will basically never lack money. If he does, then he is not fit to be emperor!"

Empress Zhangsun wholeheartedly agreed.

As the biggest supporter of these two deals, Empress Zhangsun was all too aware of how profitable they were. Leaving aside the Beauty Pass, its profit margin was far greater than that of refined salt.

But cement is different. She has a feeling that it might be just as profitable as salt in the future.

Even now, the profits brought in by cement and Meirenguan every month are enormous.

Even though Empress Zhangsun and Li Shimin often generously rewarded their subordinates and spent money freely, they still couldn't spend all the money and had a lot left over.

Such a large sum of money, if future monarchs could spend it all, it might not even be enough.

This clearly shows that he was a foolish and incompetent ruler.

Li Shimin thought of something and said happily, "Furthermore, while the Feng family is indeed the largest in Lingnan, there are also many other tribes. It would be good for me to return the favor to Feng Ang."

"But what are the return gifts? Aren't they just silk, porcelain, and tea—specialties from the Central Plains?"

"These things, I take them from the workshops in the palace, how much do they cost? But if they are transported to Lingnan, the profit will double."

"After Feng Ang returned, he brought back so many things; the news couldn't be kept secret. Once I publish it in the court, all the tribes there will know. Who wouldn't be envious? Who wouldn't want to come to Chang'an to pay tribute and trade with the court?"

"What's this called? This is called throwing out a brick to attract jade!"

Empress Zhangsun was amused by him and covered her mouth, laughing for a while: "So Your Majesty has already figured it all out?"

"Of course!"

"Has Your Majesty considered this?" Empress Zhangsun asked at the opportune moment, "Even if Your Majesty doesn't allocate the supplies to the national treasury, the purchase of cement still needs to come from the national treasury."

"Wouldn't His Majesty be able to earn even more then?"

"They made money from both the supplies offered by Feng Ang and the cement."

"You..." Li Shimin reached out and pointed at Empress Zhangsun, "This time you've shown some womanly narrow-mindedness and short-sightedness!"

"If everyone prioritizes their own interests in everything, how can this country be governed?"

"How will future generations judge me?"

"You're saying I'm selfish and disregard national affairs for my own selfish desires?"

"Smelling like money?"

Empress Zhangsun suddenly realized: "Your Majesty, I understand now. I was short-sighted. Please forgive me."

"You, Guanyinbi, still have a lot to learn."

"Your Majesty is right. I still need to study hard."

"..."