YWTGU -Chapter 59 Your Majesty, Money Is Meant to Be Spent!

The day after the delegation left, Li An finally got a good night’s sleep.

He had thought he could stay peacefully at the Top Scholar Residence, waiting calmly for good news from Northern Yan.

Ten days.

At most ten days.

As soon as the Mohist disciples arrived in Northern Yan and began teaching their techniques, Northern Yan’s national strength would start to rise.

Once the system detected it, his compensation mission would definitely be completed.

Thinking of this, Li An finally felt somewhat at ease.

At last… at last he could lie low for a few days.

However—

Life rarely goes as one wishes.

“Young Master, someone from the palace has arrived.”

Hongmei leapt in through the window and said solemnly,

“His Majesty summons you to the palace for discussion.”

The smile that had just appeared on Li An’s face instantly froze.

It’s over.

Back to work again.

Reluctantly, he changed into his official robes and followed the eunuch into the palace.

Along the way, he kept wondering what kind of trouble the Emperor was stirring up this time.

It couldn’t possibly be more “good news,” right?

He was truly sick of good news.

Anyway…

Every time he was summoned to the palace, nothing good ever happened.

In the Golden Throne Hall, civil and military officials were already assembled.

The moment Li An took his place, he sensed something was off.

Minister of Revenue Qian stood in the center of the hall, his face flushed red with excitement, his beard trembling.

“Your Majesty! Great joy! Great joy!”

Holding a thick ledger in both hands, Minister Qian’s voice was brimming with pride.

“Regarding the recent Ten Thousand Nations Exposition, the Ministry of Revenue has carefully calculated all revenues and expenditures…”

“Your Majesty, would you care to guess how much we earned this time?”

Emperor Zhao Ling’er sat upon the dragon throne, her brows slightly raised as she smiled.

“Minister Qian, this concerns state affairs—no need to keep us in suspense. I know your ministry is flush with funds now. You seem quite spirited.”

“Yes, yes!”

Minister Qian nodded repeatedly and opened the ledger, announcing loudly:

“Land auction proceeds during the exposition: 3.2 million taels!”

“Commercial naming rights: 800,000 taels!”

“Trade taxes on foreign goods: 600,000 taels!”

“Miscellaneous income: 400,000 taels!”

“Total—”

“A full five million taels of silver!”

A wave of astonishment swept through the court.

Five million taels!

What did that mean?

Great Qi’s annual tax revenue was only two to three million taels.

One exposition had earned nearly two years’ worth of taxes!

“And not only that!”

Minister Qian grew even more excited.

“The exposition stimulated commercial development around the capital. It is estimated that next year’s commercial tax revenue will double again!”

“Your Majesty! With the treasury so full, this is a sign of Great Qi’s revival!”

“Revival!”

“Great Qi’s revival!”

The ministers echoed in agreement, and the Golden Throne Hall was filled with jubilation.

Some officials were already calculating how to allocate the funds—while the Ministry of Revenue was wealthy, it was time to apply for project budgets.

Others were thinking about renovating their residences.

Some were even considering securing lucrative posts in the Revenue Ministry for their sons.

In short, once they heard the treasury was full, the entire court was immersed in joy.

All except one person—

Li An.

His head buzzed as if struck by thunder.

The treasury… was full?

Five million taels?

He stood there blankly, feeling as if the sky had collapsed.

It’s over, it’s over, it’s over.

The richer the treasury, the higher the national fortune.

The higher the national fortune, the worse it would be for him.

Whether he could earn gold was secondary.

Last cycle, when national fortune rose, the compensation mission nearly killed him.

If he failed it, the system would erase him—erase him!

And the countdown for this cycle was still ticking!

He had finally managed to suppress some of the national fortune surge—

And now it was about to skyrocket again?!

Li An felt faint.

He wanted to cough up blood.

Truly.

But the ministers had no idea about his inner turmoil.

Prime Minister Wang Fu, as head of the officials, stroked his beard and stepped forward first.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty!”

“The success of this exposition is entirely due to Your Majesty’s wisdom!”

Then, with a sideways glance at Li An, he added with a smile:

“Of course, Lord Li’s contributions are also tremendous—he is the chief merit holder.”

It sounded like praise, but it carried hidden implications.

Such merit—should Li An be promoted again?

Would the Emperor allow him to climb even higher so quickly?

But Emperor Zhao Ling’er was no fool.

She didn’t take the bait.

Instead, she turned to Li An and tossed the question back at him.

“Lord Li, the Prime Minister suggests we reward you handsomely. With the treasury so full, what do you think?”

What do I think?

I want to die.

Li An screamed internally.

But outwardly, he put on a worried expression.

“Your Majesty…”

He sighed and stepped forward solemnly.

“I have something to say, though I do not know if it is appropriate.”

Zhao Ling’er was intrigued.

“Speak freely.”

Li An took a deep breath and adopted a look of grave concern.

“Your Majesty! With so much silver in the treasury… national wealth may not necessarily be a good thing!”

The entire court froze.

National wealth… not a good thing?

What kind of twisted logic was that?

Li An truly shocked the court every time he opened his mouth.

Prime Minister Wang Fu seized the moment to rebut:

“Lord Li’s words are mistaken.”

“A full treasury and contented people are signs of prosperity.”

“Are you cursing Great Qi?”

Li An cursed the old fox internally but had prepared his argument.

“Prime Minister, you are mistaken!”

“Since ancient times, wealth without strength invites disaster!”

“Money sitting in the treasury is dead money!”

“Dead money does not generate more wealth—it only attracts thieves!”

“Your Majesty, imagine if neighboring states learned that a single exposition brought us five million taels…”

“What would they think?”

Zhao Ling’er frowned thoughtfully.

“You mean…”

“Exactly!”

Li An’s eyes lit up.

“Enemy states will covet our wealth!”

“Northern Yan eyes us like a tiger. Southern Zhou stirs restlessly. Eastern Wu watches from across the sea!”

“They are all waiting for an opportunity!”

“If they know Great Qi is rolling in silver, they might invade tomorrow!”

His alarmist rhetoric left the court momentarily speechless.

From that angle… it almost made sense.

Zhao Ling’er pondered, then asked seriously:

“What do you propose?”

This was the line Li An had been waiting for.

“Your Majesty!”

“I believe…”

“This money must be spent!”

“And spent lavishly!”

“The faster the better!”

“Let the whole world know that Great Qi has already spent it all!”

“Only then will enemy states lose interest in us!”

The court erupted in shock.

Prime Minister Wang Fu immediately objected.

“Absurd!”

“The treasury is for disaster relief and military funding!”

“How can we spend it recklessly?”

“Lord Li is seeking to ruin the nation!”

Ruin the nation?

Exactly!

Li An rejoiced internally.

But he put on a wounded expression.

“Prime Minister, you misunderstand.”

“I do not mean spending recklessly.”

“I mean… spending strategically.”

“On projects that benefit the nation and the people!”

Hearing that, Zhao Ling’er leaned forward with interest.

“Oh? What are your insights?”

Li An cleared his throat.

“I have three proposals for Your Majesty’s judgment!”

“First: Pave the roads!”

“The capital’s streets are muddy and uneven. It pains me to see it!”

“I propose paving the entire city with the finest bluestone slabs!”

“The most expensive materials! The most intricate craftsmanship!”

“Make the streets smoother than the palace tiles!”

He grew more animated as he spoke.

“Second: Install lamps!”

“The capital is pitch-black at night. Citizens stumble in the dark!”

“I propose installing an eternal lamp every ten steps!”

“The finest lamp oil!”

“Burning all night long!”

“This will create a city that never sleeps—benefiting generations!”

The ministers were stunned.

A lamp every ten steps?

How much oil would that burn?

That was literally burning money!

Minister Qian’s face turned pale.

“Lord Li, do you understand what one lamp every ten steps entails?”

“The capital’s streets stretch for hundreds of li!”

“Even just counting main roads, that’s tens of thousands of lamps!”

“If each burns two taels of oil per night, then in a month…”

The more he calculated, the more his heart ached.

“That’s an enormous sum!”

Inside, Li An was delighted.

Yes, yes, spend more!

But outwardly he remained solemn.

“Minister Qian, you must not look only at the present.”

“This is investment!”

“Large initial cost, but infinite returns!”

He continued without letting them argue.

“Third: Open night markets!”

“I propose lifting the curfew in the capital and allowing all-night markets!”

“Let citizens stroll, dine, and shop at night!”

“This will… stimulate consumption!”

He gestured enthusiastically.

“Night markets provide leisure for the people.”

“Merchants gain business opportunities.”

“If everyone is happy and prosperous, who would think of rebellion?”

He spoke with fiery passion.

Of course, that fire was the gleam of a successful scheme.

Bluestone paving? One million taels gone.

Ten-step lamps? At least 500,000 taels a year in oil.

Night markets? Security and management costs—another 200,000 to 300,000.

With all three combined, the treasury would soon be drained!

Once national fortune dropped, he’d make a fortune!

However—

As soon as he finished, the court erupted again.

“Preposterous!”

Grand Commandant Sun Qian stepped forward first.

“Road paving and lamp installation burden the people!”

“Lifting the curfew endangers public order!”

“Lord Li, are you truly trying to empty the treasury and plunge the capital into chaos?”

The Duke Liu De also chimed in agreement…

“The Grand Commandant is right!”

“Even when the late emperor was alive, the treasury was never squandered like this!”

“Lord Li’s proposal is truly…”

He shook his head, looking heartbroken.

Prime Minister Wang Fu sneered repeatedly.

“Lord Li, I truly cannot understand you.”

“You claim that national wealth attracts thieves, yet you propose reckless spending.”

“Are you trying to protect the treasury—or bankrupt it?”

Of course I’m trying to bankrupt it! Li An screamed inwardly.

But he couldn’t say that out loud.

“Prime Minister, your vision is too narrow.”

He swayed slightly as he spoke.

“Money sitting in the treasury is dead.”

“But once spent, it turns into popular support!”

“When roads are repaired, the people travel conveniently—they will be grateful to Your Majesty!”

“When lamps are lit, the people will no longer fear the dark—they will be grateful to Your Majesty!”

“When night markets open and livelihoods increase—they will be grateful to Your Majesty!”

“What is this called?”

“This is called storing wealth among the people!”

“This is benevolent governance for the ages!”

He spoke passionately, righteous and indignant.

The officials were stunned.

Wait…

It actually sounded a little reasonable?

It was just that… no dynasty in history had ever done such a thing!

On the dragon throne, Zhao Ling’er’s eyes grew brighter the more she listened.

She lowered her gaze to the jade ruyi in her hand, thinking carefully.

Li Aiqing is right!

Money locked in the treasury really is dead.

But if it’s spent…

Roads improve logistics!

Faster circulation of goods means increased commercial tax revenue!

Street lamps improve public security!

People feel safer at night—confidence rises!

Night markets stimulate consumption!

With places to spend money, commerce naturally flourishes!

This is…

This is a tightly interconnected economic cycle plan!

Li Aiqing truly is a pillar of the nation!

The more Zhao Ling’er thought about it, the more convinced she became.

“Good!”

She suddenly slapped the armrest of the dragon throne, her voice crisp and decisive.

At that moment, everyone froze.

Including Prime Minister Wang Fu at the front.

He had never imagined the Emperor would agree so readily.

What kind of spell had Li An cast?

How could he say anything and have it accepted?

Grand Commandant Sun Qian was equally dumbfounded.

He had opposed so fiercely—yet the Emperor hadn’t listened at all.

That slap in the face… rang loudly.

Only Li An suppressed the sly curve of his lips.

Success!

This little emperor truly did not disappoint him!

Her over-interpretation skills were unparalleled!

“Li Aiqing’s proposal is approved!”

The court erupted in shock.

“Your Majesty!”

Wang Fu hurried forward.

“This must not be done!”

“Such reckless extravagance will drain the treasury—”

“Enough!”

Zhao Ling’er cut him off.

“Prime Minister, you see only immediate expenses.”

“You fail to see long-term returns.”

She stood, her gaze sweeping across the officials.

“Li Aiqing is right.”

“A nation rich while its people are poor is not a flourishing age.”

“Only by storing wealth among the people can we achieve lasting stability.”

She turned to Li An, her eyes full of praise.

“I place this matter entirely in Li Aiqing’s hands.”

“The Ministry of Works will assist with paving roads and installing lamps.”

“The Street Administration will oversee the night markets.”

“I grant you three months to transform the capital!”

Li An was secretly overjoyed.

It worked?

Just like that?

The Emperor really agreed?

He quickly bowed.

“Your servant… obeys the decree!”

After court was dismissed, Li An sprinted back to his residence.

“Hahahaha!”

“It worked! It finally worked!”

“This time the treasury’s money is doomed!”

He paced around the room, calculating.

Bluestone paving—at least one million taels!

One lamp every ten steps—lamp oil alone would cost at least five hundred thousand taels a year!

The chaotic expenses of night markets—another few hundred thousand!

Altogether, at least two million taels!

Spend two million, the treasury shrinks.

The treasury shrinks, national fortune drops.

National fortune drops—he makes money!

Perfect!

Absolutely perfect!

Just as he was reveling in his brilliance, there was a knock at the door.

“Young Master, Jin Daya and Zhao Dadan are here.”

Li An suppressed his grin and cleared his throat.

“Let them in.”

Jin Daya and Zhao Dadan entered one after the other.

Both wore excited expressions.

“My lord!”

Jin Daya rubbed his hands eagerly.

“We heard His Majesty handed the road paving and lamp installation to us?”

“Looks like another fortune’s coming our way!”

Zhao Dadan leaned in.

“And that night market project too!”

“Our Street Office is going to be busy!”

Li An looked at the two men and felt secretly pleased.

One managed streets, the other oversaw trade.

Both were excellent spendthrifts.

With them around, emptying the treasury would be easy!

“That’s right.”

He nodded solemnly.

“This is no trivial matter—it concerns the grand plan.”

“You two must handle it properly.”

The two exchanged knowing smiles.

Lord Li truly was a once-in-a-millennium genius.

Every seemingly crazy move of his must hide deeper meaning.

This time’s “paving roads, installing lamps, opening night markets” looked like spending money.

But with Lord Li’s brilliance, he would surely earn it back in clever ways!

No wonder he was the top scholar.

What a brain!

“Rest assured, Lord Li!”

Jin Daya patted his chest.

“Leave it to us!”

Li An nodded with satisfaction.

“Go.”

“Remember—spend big.”

“Use the best materials, hire the most workers.”

“Make sure every last coin is spent cleanly!”

The two accepted the order.

At the doorway, Jin Daya hesitated.

“My lord… should we really use the best materials?”

“Nonsense!”

Li An glared.

“For paving stones, use the finest blue stone from Taihu!”

“For lamp posts, use premium ironwood!”

“For lamp covers, use glazed glass!”

“Simplicity? Doesn’t exist!”

“We are going for extravagance!”

“Lavish spending! This is the capital, beneath the Son of Heaven—we must use the best!”

Jin Daya’s eyes lit up.

Understood!

The boss wanted a benchmark project!

This road would become Great Qi’s showcase!

Grand vision!

Truly grand vision!

His admiration for Li An deepened.

“Rest assured, Lord Li!”

“I guarantee it will be done beautifully!”

Zhao Dadan nodded as well.

“I’ll keep a close eye on the night markets!”

“I’ll make sure the capital becomes lively!”

The two left brimming with confidence.

Li An watched them go, a smile returning to his lips.

Excellent.

Everything was under control.

Within three months, the treasury would be drained.

And then—

Ding!

A familiar notification sounded in his mind.

Li An froze.

The system?

【New host initiative detected】

【“Capital Renovation Plan” officially launched】

【Estimated scope of impact: Extensive】

【Calculating change in national fortune…】

【Due to multiple sectors involved, calculation load is high】

【Full results will display in three days】

【Please wait patiently】

Li An frowned slightly.

Three days for results again?

This lousy system computed far too slowly.

But…

It didn’t matter.

The result would surely show a sharp drop in national fortune due to his extravagance.

Meanwhile, deep within the palace, Zhao Ling’er was also pondering.

“Li Aiqing…”

“You have never disappointed me.”

“Storing wealth among the people…”

“What a masterstroke.”

“As long as this plan proceeds smoothly…”

“The capital of Great Qi will witness unprecedented prosperity!”

Her eyes shone brightly, filled with expectation.

Little did she know, her “beloved minister” was at home calculating how to bankrupt the treasury.

Three days later.

On the main roads of the capital, workers had already begun measuring land.

Zhao Dadan personally supervised.

“Work properly!”

“This is a task personally ordered by Lord Li!”

“Anyone who cuts corners—I’ll skin him alive!”

The workers labored diligently.

After all, the wages were triple the usual rate.

Only a fool would slack off.

Meanwhile, Jin Daya was busy planning night market stalls.

“Food vendors here!”

“General goods over there!”

“Leave a wide passage in the middle!”

“Make it easy for people to walk—that’s how you get lively crowds!”

Everything proceeded in orderly fashion.

From atop a tall building, Li An watched the two teams in action.

“Good…”

“Keep spending…”

“Drain Great Qi’s treasury dry…”