Protect Our Chief

"The major strategic direction indeed has few issues. But most Military Families do not engage in production, relying solely on guard taxes, county taxes, and national taxes for support. And Your Majesty has always been generous to the Military Families, leading to the army growing increasingly bloated over time. As a result, a large portion of the collected guard taxes, county taxes, and even national taxes has to be allocated to maintaining military expenses, leaving barely any funds for local governance and development. This action by Your Majesty raises suspicions of ’focusing on military at the expense of economic development’."

Emperor Longchang’s face turned dark, just as he was about to retort, "Wang Shouzhe, are you teaching me how to rule?" he reconsidered, because it was he who asked Wang to speak and assured him he wouldn’t be penalized for speaking his mind.

With no alternative, he retorted coldly, "Shouzhe, your words are misguided. At present, Daqian faces numerous foreign threats, and there is the Outer Domain Battlefield that needs military garrison. Without increasing military investment, how can we deter our enemies?"

"Your Majesty, the Outer Domain Battlefield is a collective responsibility of the Human Race, putting that aside. Regarding the two countries of Western Jin and Southern Qin, it appears grand to face two enemies at once. Yet why not draw one to our side to fight? Even if that’s not possible, at least disrupt the cooperation between them. Besides, what is Your Majesty’s purpose for waging war?"

"Naturally, it’s to make them submit to Daqian." Emperor Longchang’s temper began to flare up, "Without a blood-and-iron army, how can we conquer them?"

"Your Majesty’s words are reasonable. But training armies and waging war cost money. Without an abundant source of revenue, how can wars be won?" Wang Shouzhe spoke eloquently, "Even Prince Kang knows to first engage in smuggling and corruption to earn more money before taking the battlefield in the Outer Domain. Only then can soldiers bravely serve, leading to successive victories."

"Wang Shouzhe, are you implying that I’m not as capable as Prince Kang?" Emperor Longchang’s eyebrows raised in anger.

"That’s not it, the Great Emperor is indeed stronger than Prince Kang..."

"Stronger?" The Emperor raised his eyebrows in challenge.

"The Great Emperor wages war often out of pride. For example, when the Emperor of Western Jin spoke disrespectfully, the Great Emperor immediately sent troops across, forcing an apology in a national document from them, returning triumphantly with displays of military might..."

"I would like to ask, after gaining advantage, why not demand Western Jin to cede territory and pay reparations? Even if they refuse, at the very least, they should be made to pay annual tribute."

"Thus, Western Jin would annually suffer resource and national power depletion, while Daqian could earn military pay to nourish the army."

Emperor Longchang’s cheek twitched, erupting in anger, "You know nothing, the bordering areas with Western Jin are impoverished, lacking fields and mines, what use are those desolate lands? Asking for annual tribute is even less feasible. Western Jin would fight us to the death."

"Your Majesty, I was merely providing an example. In essence, winning a war must come with benefits, correct?" Wang Shouzhe said candidly, "At the very least, securing advantages in trade tariffs is essential, like exempting some of our special products from taxes, thrusting them into Western Jin’s market; not only profiting, but also squeezing out domestic competitors in Western Jin..."

"The words of a cunning merchant." Emperor Longchang’s eyelid quivered a few times, then spoke truthfully, "We don’t have any products superior to theirs; rather, we must guard against their impacting and disrupting our trade system."

"These words serve to prove that while Your Majesty excels in combat, he falters in domestic governance, exhibiting symptoms of vanity and hubris." Wang Shouzhe spoke directly.

Vanity and hubris!

He actually dared to utter these four words in front of me...

Emperor Longchang nearly spat blood in rage, pointing at him angrily, "You, you, you... dare to criticize me so recklessly?"

"Your Majesty... it was you who asked Shouzhe to speak. Shouzhe is not skilled at lying." Wang Shouzhe innocently replied, "If Your Majesty wishes to halt, I, I would remain silent."

"No... stop." Emperor Longchang gasped, grimly stating, "Continue. I want to hear what other insights you may have."

"Your Majesty appointing people from Military Families as City Guards and Commanders indicates a lack of separation between military and governance." Wang Shouzhe continued, "The development of an area requires dedicated personnel for management and governance. The duties of City Guards and Commanders are primarily military guardianship. It should not be assumed that a City Guard is the lord of a guard... Ask yourself, these City Guards, from Military Family backgrounds, being reassigned every twenty to thirty years, how many have genuine interest and capability to develop local economies? This government structure is indeed absurd~"

"You, you, you are calling me a dimwitted ruler?" Emperor Longchang’s face turned red and white.

"Not calling Your Majesty dimwitted. However, Shouzhe believes that economic strength begets military power. Your Majesty should devote some attention to local economic development. For instance, when Commandery Governor Taishi An Kang of Longzuo County came with a development plan, Your Majesty repeatedly deferred due to personal interests... reflecting contempt for the term ’economy’." Wang Shouzhe stated seriously.

"Alright, alright~ What else?" Emperor Longchang’s eyes flared with anger, "Speak! I command you to speak truthfully."

"Your Majesty was too stern in youth, but overly gentle and soft-hearted in old age, not skilled in family governance." Wang Shouzhe spoke frankly, "During this time, princes, county princes, and even ordinary royal members have continuously popped up absurd scandals. While it’s primarily due to their misconduct, ultimately, Your Majesty bears responsibility for inadequate discipline..."

"More..."

"Wait a moment!" Emperor Longchang, his face red, reached out to stop him.

"Does Your Majesty wish me to remain silent? I can comply." Wang Shouzhe respectfully bowed.

"No, no, no, I just need a moment to rest, to catch my breath." Emperor Longchang glared angrily at Old Yao, "Old Yao, are you blind? Can’t you see my past trauma of Divine Soul injuries acting up? Where’s my Peaceful God Treasure Pill?"

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty, please rest for now."

Old Yao reacted swiftly, immediately taking out a Treasure Pill, feeding it to Emperor Longchang, then glared at Wang Shouzhe, "Shouzhe, you are truly insensitive, knowing Your Majesty harbors hidden injuries in his Divine Soul, yet you don’t know to show restraint. Let’s end the commentary here today."

What?

Your Majesty harbors injuries within his Divine Soul?

Wang Shouzhe looked bewildered.

He had never heard of this intelligence!

"Alright, then let’s stop here for today." Wang Shouzhe cupped his hands.

Emperor Longchang breathed a sigh of relief, murmuring to himself, if you kept on berating me, I would’ve collapsed here.

He instantly feigned weakness, "Thanks" weakly, "Thank you, Shouzhe, for your consideration. However, this doesn’t mean I ignored your wise counsel. Actually, Shouzhe’s words are quite thought-provoking, worthy of being regarded as words of gold and jade. Unfortunately, my physical condition today... alas~"

"If Your Majesty wishes to hear more, I can note down today’s remarks and compile them into a booklet for Your Majesty to review at leisure." Wang Shouzhe "considerately and understandingly" said, "If necessary, Shouzhe can delay the reunion with his spouse, prolonging his stay in the Capital City. If Your Majesty needs, he can summon Shouzhe anytime for commentary."

Thank you!

Emperor Longchang nearly spat blood again.

Wang Shouzhe, do you truly intend to see me depart this world early?

...