Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

The old emperor suddenly felt a chill down his back.

He looked around but couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary.

“How strange? Am I being overly suspicious?”

At that moment, the Minister of Revenue strolled over, intending to take advantage of the Minister of War’s preoccupation and the other military officials’ distraction to undermine his plans.

—Most officials weren’t exactly paragons of virtue. The Minister of Revenue simply pretended not to grasp the subtext of the Minister of War’s arguments.

Seeds cost money to buy! Livestock like cattle and horses cost money to feed! Tools require funds to manufacture and repair! Irrigation systems and roads need money for construction and maintenance! If he didn’t work hard to secure more funds for the Ministry of Revenue, where would the money come from to accomplish anything?

The Minister of Revenue murmured, “Your Majesty, the current stockpile of firearms is sufficient. Researching new weaponry can wait until we have more funds…”

Suddenly, another voice murmured from the side, “Your Majesty, there is more than one treasure island in this world. If we discover some bountiful land but lack sharp and effective firearms, it will be too late to start developing them then. Sharpening the axe does not delay the chopping of firewood, Your Majesty!”

The Minister of Revenue: !!!

Despicable! Lowly!

“Your Majesty…” the Minister of Revenue began.

However, the old emperor, having already tasted the rewards of treasure islands, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, had developed a keen interest in expanding territories and uncovering treasures. After hearing the Minister of War’s analysis, he made a decisive call: “Very well! We must advance agriculture and water conservation, but we shall also continue firearm research!”

The emperor’s voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.

The Minister of War and the military officials reacted swiftly: “Your Majesty is wise!!!”@@novelbin@@

The Minister of Revenue had no choice but to agree. “Your Majesty’s insight is impeccable. I failed to consider the bigger picture.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Public Works was still preoccupied with thoughts about his daughter.

The imperial physician, who had been standing quietly on the sidelines, took this opportunity to step forward. “Your Majesty, no soldiers were fatally injured in the fall. Some were hurt, but their injuries are not beyond recovery and can be treated.”

“Hmm…” The old emperor mused, then said, “The soldiers have worked hard. Grant them wine and meat.”

He added, “As for the injured soldiers, reward them generously with money and silk.”

When news of these rewards reached the soldiers, a thunderous chorus of “Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace!” resounded through the air. Over a hundred soldiers turned their gaze to the first row of injured comrades, their eyes glowing with envy like searchlights.

In the first row, some soldiers scratched their heads and grinned foolishly, others maintained calm expressions but couldn’t hide the joy in their eyes, while a few fidgeted nervously, clutching their uniforms. Not one of them seemed upset about being injured; instead, they boasted to their comrades: “Luckily, I fought my way to the front row! Just a fall, and I got paid for it!”

One of their comrades gave the boaster a playful punch on an uninjured part of his body and grumbled sourly, “Alright, alright! Say another word, and I’ll start a fight!”

Though the injured soldiers fell silent, their smiles never faded.

A guard reported the count of horses with broken legs to the emperor. “Your Majesty, ten horses have suffered leg injuries.”

The old emperor wasn’t surprised.

Given the barbarian cavalry’s formation, the first row typically consisted of ten riders. In a charge, these were the horses most likely to sustain injuries. Once a horse’s leg was injured, it couldn’t survive—hence why so many battlefield tactics targeted horses’ legs.

“Select ten fine horses to fill the vacancies left by the injured ones,” the emperor ordered.

The guard saluted and turned to carry out the task.

After finalizing this matter, the old emperor quickly issued another command. “If the Mongols request trade negotiations, exchange more cattle and horses with them.”

The Minister of Rites bowed. “As you command.”

The emperor continued, “If the Mongols ask us to join them in attacking the Jin barbarians, subtly decline but express our support for their offensive against the Jin.”

“Understood.”

“If they want to buy firearms, sell them. Sell them to all eighteen tribes beyond the frontier.”

—After all, if the government doesn’t sell, countless merchants will take the risk and smuggle them out anyway. It’s impossible to completely ban the trade. Selling to all the tribes means that none will have an advantage. With firearms in hand, those tribes will inevitably fight among themselves.

“Understood!”

Minister Liang Rui of the Ministry of Justice stepped forward. In a calm and clear voice, he suggested, “Your Majesty, I believe we should sell firearms based on the degree of closeness to our Da Xia. Tribes allied with us should always have the privilege of being the first to purchase our firearms. Other tribes can only purchase from the second or third batches and at higher prices. Should any tribe show disrespect to Da Xia, we can refuse to trade with them altogether.”

This way, the eighteen tribes beyond the frontier would end up in constant internal strife. As long as no great leader unites them, they will never pose a significant threat.

And if such a leader does emerge? Well, it would be up to fate. The current generation cannot shelter the next forever. If future generations are capable, they’ll use the chaos beyond the frontier to strengthen and elevate the nation to a point where even if the tribes unify someday, they wouldn’t dare rebel.

Liang Rui, with his sharp and austere demeanor, had never been a gentle character. Now, with such a ruthless proposal, he was like a figure who could silence crying children at night.

Yet the old emperor couldn’t help but smile. “One strategy to deal with the Wokou, another to handle the barbarians—Minister Liang, you are truly brimming with wisdom and a pillar of this nation.”

Liang Rui bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I am merely…”