“The Empress is pregnant?”
Li An felt as if someone had smashed him over the head with a club.
“Are you sure?”
Hongmei nodded expressionlessly.
“Three imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau confirmed it together. The pregnancy has just begun. The news has already spread throughout the palace.”
Just begun?
Li An’s mind raced.
Wasn’t that exactly when he had taken the initiative with the Empress…?
Could it really be… his child?
Well. This just escalated completely.
But more importantly, the Empress’s pregnancy was tremendous news for Great Qi.
For three years, the imperial family had gone without an heir. Now at last, there was hope of succession.
Once this news spread, the people’s confidence would surely recover.
Sure enough—
Ding!
【The imperial heir is anticipated. The dragon vein continues. The nation rejoices!】
【Public stability index rises. Panic in the capital decreases by 42%.】
【National Fortune +500】
【Current National Fortune: 183,071】
It increased!
Only five hundred points—but this was the first rise after several consecutive days of decline.
Li An let out a long breath.
“Good news.”
The timing couldn’t have been better.
Combined with the system items he had just drawn, there might truly be a chance to reverse the situation before the cycle settlement.
“Hongmei.”
“I’m here.”
“Keep an eye on the palace. With the Empress pregnant, the court will definitely make major moves. I need to prepare in advance.”
Hongmei acknowledged softly and slipped out through the window.
Li An sat back down and opened the system panel, locking onto an S-rank item.
【Economic Sandbox (S-Rank)】
Effect: Simulates the implementation of any economic policy and projects economic trends over ten days in a virtual environment.
Uses Remaining: 3
Activate?
Yes.
Li An confirmed mentally.
In the next second, a miniature holographic map materialized above his desk.
“Holy—”
Even as a modern man transmigrated into ancient times, Li An couldn’t help but be stunned.
This was a full-on holographic projection.
A scaled-down version of the capital floated midair—streets, banks, grain shops, government offices, even the movement patterns of common citizens were crystal clear.
On the right hovered a control panel:
【Please input economic policy proposal】
【System will simulate ten-day post-implementation economic trends】
Satisfied beyond words, Li An rubbed his hands together.
“Alright. Let’s try the most direct approach first: lift the economic control decree and restore free circulation of silver.”
He entered a detailed policy plan.
The sandbox began running.
Day 1: Long lines formed outside the silver houses.
Day 2: Silver prices plummeted.
Day 3: Tongbao Notes became worthless paper.
Day 5—
【Simulation Result: Full Deregulation】
【National Fortune Change: -128,100】
【Public Sentiment: Collapse】
【Conclusion: Irreversible economic crisis】
Li An sucked in a sharp breath.
No, no.
Releasing everything outright would be suicide.
He entered a second proposal:
“Partial deregulation. Open grain reserves simultaneously to stabilize prices.”
The sandbox ran again.
【Simulation Result: Gradual Relaxation】
【National Fortune Change: -42,000】
【Public Sentiment: Persistently Low】
【Conclusion: Delays collapse but cannot reverse trend】
Better—but still unacceptable.
Treating symptoms, not the root cause.
Li An frowned deeply.
“What’s the root problem?”
“The people don’t dare spend money. Why? They don’t trust paper currency.”
“Why don’t they trust it? Because it can’t be exchanged for silver.”
“Why can’t it be exchanged? Because the silver has been withdrawn. The banks are empty.”
“So…”
He slammed the table.
“We need to bring the silver back!”
No.
Silver supply was fixed. He couldn’t magically produce more silver.
But…
He could change perspective.
Forget silver—use grain.
In ancient times, grain was the hardest of hard currencies.
He quickly entered Proposal Three:
Proposal Three: Abolish Notes, Revive Silver · Work-for-Relief Program
- Immediately abolish Tongbao Notes. Restore silver as the sole legal currency.
- Deploy state grain reserves. Implement dual-track payments of “silver + grain” to launch large-scale infrastructure projects—repair walls, dig canals, dredge rivers.
- Workers receive daily wages of three jin of grain + twenty copper coins.
- Designate Tongji Bank as the official clearing house for all government project payments.
The sandbox began running again—slower this time.
Day 1: Abolition decree announced. Citizens cheered. Prices stabilized transparently.
Day 3: Construction sites opened. Unemployed merchants and refugees flooded in. Grain began circulating.
Day 5: Tongji Bank reopened under state endorsement. Depositor confidence surged.
Day 7: Surrounding shops revived—food stalls, tool sellers, cloth vendors—new economic clusters formed.
Day 10—
【Simulation Result: Abolish Notes & Work-for-Relief】
【National Fortune Change: +85,000】
【Public Sentiment: Steadily Rising】
【Economic Vitality: Restored to 80% of pre-crisis level】
【Conclusion: Highly feasible. Recommend immediate implementation】
+85,000!
Li An knew instantly—this was it.
“This is the one!”
Government-funded infrastructure to drive employment and stimulate circulation.
In modern terms: Keynesian stimulus.
In ancient terms: Work-for-relief.
Different names. Same principle.
And he still had two trump cards:
- Financial Safe Haven — shield Tongji Bank from bank runs.
- Granary Multiplication — double the national grain reserves.
With grain as backing, the bank stabilized, and infrastructure generating jobs—
Three measures working together.
Things might truly turn around.
Ding!
【Economic Sandbox used 1 time. Remaining uses: 2】
He closed the sandbox and began drafting his memorial.
Halfway through, he paused.
“Wait.”
A plan wasn’t enough. He needed cooperation.
Minister of Revenue Qian Tong would almost certainly oppose him.
Prime Minister Wang Fu would love to see him fail.
But those weren’t the biggest issue.
The real issue was—
Where would the money come from?
Infrastructure costs money. Grain costs money. Wages cost money.
The treasury was nearly empty.
“Where does the silver come from…”
He paced the room—then suddenly froze.
“Right!”
During earlier trade with Northern Yan, Great Qi had exported silk, porcelain, and tea. The silver earned had been placed into a special “Foreign Trade Fund” under the Ministry of Revenue.
It had never been touched.
Nominally, it was earmarked as “military preparedness funds,” requiring imperial approval to reallocate.
But now—
Didn’t the Emperor say:
“If you lack something, tell me.”
Fine.
He would tell him.
The Next Morning — Court Session
Li An was unusually energized.
He even had Jin Daya straighten his official hat and smooth the wrinkles from his robes.
“My lord, why so spirited today?” Jin Daya muttered.
“Because today is a hard battle.”
He tucked the memorial into his sleeve and strode toward the Golden Hall.
Officials lined both sides.
The Ministry of Rites stepped forward first.
“Your Majesty, the Empress’s joyful pulse has been confirmed. Three imperial physicians concur. We request a proclamation of celebration and general amnesty!”
The young emperor, Zhao Ling’er, sat calmly on the dragon throne.
But Li An noticed her fingers gripping the armrest tightly.
She didn’t look happy.
Well… understandable.
No matter who it was, learning you’re about to “happily become a father” under such circumstances wouldn’t inspire smiles.
“General amnesty… approved.”
“Exempt the capital region from corvée labor for ten days. Grant each household two dou of grain.”
The court thundered:
“Your Majesty is wise!”
Ding!
【Imperial Proclamation boosts public morale!】
【National Fortune +300】
【Current National Fortune: 183,371】
Not bad.
The atmosphere was harmonious.
Perfect timing.
“Your Majesty, this minister Li An has a memorial!”
All eyes turned toward him.
He hadn’t appeared in court for days amid the economic crisis.
Many gazes carried schadenfreude.
Minister of Revenue Qian Tong snorted coldly.
“Heh. Minister Li still has the face to appear?”
Whispers rippled among the censors.
Li An ignored them.
“Your Majesty, I propose abolishing the Tongbao Notes and restoring silver as the sole legal currency!”
The hall exploded.
“What?!”
“Abolish the notes? Weren’t those your idea, Minister Li?!”
“So soon, and you’re slapping your own face?”
Minister of Revenue Qian Tong was the first to jump out.
“Minister Li, the Tongbao Notes were your initiative. There are millions of taels worth of notes circulating in the market. You say abolish them and they’re abolished? What about the common people holding them?”
A good question.
Li An had already prepared for it.
“I have considered that.”
He pulled a memorial from his sleeve and handed it to the nearby eunuch.
“I propose three parallel measures.”
“First: Abolish the Tongbao Notes, but establish a thirty-day grace period. During this time, citizens may exchange their notes at 80% of face value for silver or grain. The treasury will cover the loss.”
“Second: Launch a comprehensive work-for-relief program. Repair city walls, dig canals, dredge rivers. Participants receive three jin of grain and twenty copper coins per day.”
“Third: Designate Tongji Bank as the official settlement bank. All project funds will flow through Tongji Bank.”
He stepped back and waited.
The hall fell silent for a heartbeat.
Then—
“Absurd!”
As expected—Qian Tong.
“Leaving aside the massive cost of redeeming those notes, where will the money come from for work-for-relief? Where will the grain come from? The treasury can barely pay officials’ salaries!”
“Minister Li, do you think the treasury is your backyard?”
Prime Minister Wang Fu remained silent, stroking his beard, eyes narrowed at Li An.
Three words written all over his face:
Let’s see you perform.
Emperor Zhao Ling’er looked toward Li An.
“Minister Li, Qian Tong raises a fair point. Where will the silver and grain come from?”
Li An smiled calmly.
“Your Majesty, the silver comes from Northern Yan.”
“What?”
“During prior trade with Northern Yan, we exported silk, porcelain, and tea in exchange for silver. That silver remains in the Ministry of Revenue’s foreign trade fund.”
He paused.
“Approximately 3.2 million taels.”
The hall erupted in gasps.
Qian Tong’s face changed instantly.
“That is military reserve funding! It cannot be touched!”
“Minister Qian.”
Li An smiled faintly.
“You are correct. It is military funding. But let me ask—if the people of Great Qi starve to death, who exactly are we preparing that military for?”
Qian Tong fell silent.
Zhao Ling’er nodded.
“Continue.”
“Your Majesty, repairing city walls and digging canals both serve military purposes. Strengthening city defenses and ensuring stable grain transport for the army.”
“I would be using military funds for military infrastructure. Entirely appropriate.”
“And as for grain—”
Before he could continue, the system notification appeared.
Ding!
【Granary Multiplication ready. Use on National Treasury Granary?】
Li An silently confirmed.
Ding!
【Granary Multiplication activated!】
【Treasury Grain: 48,000 shi → 96,000 shi】
【Effect lasts seven days. Increased amount becomes permanent thereafter.】
Ninety-six thousand shi.
Enough to sustain the program for two months.
Li An’s expression did not change.
“As for grain, I have already arranged an inventory of the national granary. The latest count is ninety-six thousand shi. Sufficient to support this plan.”
Qian Tong froze.
“Ninety-six… impossible! Last month’s audit showed only forty-eight thousand!”
“Minister Qian,” Li An said steadily, “that was last month. This month, the Agricultural Bureau has stored newly collected autumn grain. If you doubt it, you may verify it personally.”
Qian Tong opened his mouth but found no words.
He hadn’t inspected the granary recently.
The situation had been too chaotic.
Prime Minister Wang Fu finally spoke.
“Minister Li’s proposal… has merit.”
“But I have one concern.”
He slowly stood.
“Work-for-relief involves major projects. Who supervises? Who ensures quality? Who prevents corruption?”
Li An cursed internally.
The old fox wasn’t opposing the plan—he wanted control.
Whoever supervised would control millions of taels.
Before Li An could answer, Zhao Ling’er spoke first.
“The infrastructure shall remain fully under Minister Li’s authority.”
Wang Fu’s smile stiffened.
“Your Majesty—”
“I said I trust him.”
Ding!
【Emperor’s support secured. Policy passed!】
【‘Abolish Notes & Revive Silver Decree’ officially issued!】
【‘Three-Year Work-for-Relief Plan’ launched!】
【Public confidence stops declining.】
【National Fortune +1,200】
【Current National Fortune: 184,571】
Up another 1,200!
Just the announcement alone.
That meant the people had been waiting—for a signal.
A signal that the court hadn’t abandoned them.
Silver restored. Jobs provided. Food secured.
That was enough.
The common people never asked for much.
Li An felt a faint ache in his chest.
After Court
As Li An exited the Golden Hall, a eunuch stopped him.
“Minister Li, His Majesty invites you to the Imperial Study.”
Again?
Inside, Zhao Ling’er had changed into plain clothes.
No longer the imposing Son of Heaven—just a tired young ruler.
“Sit.”
Li An sat properly.
“Li An.”
She used his name—not “Beloved Minister.”
That felt off.
“Do you think… the Empress’s pregnancy is a good thing?”
The question startled him.
“Of course. Three years without an heir. Now there is a dragon seed. The people are reassured. National Fortune rises. It is a joyous event.”
Zhao Ling’er fell silent.
“Yes… a joyous event.”
Her tone carried no joy.
Li An was puzzled.
Wasn’t this their scheme to trap him?
Now he was firmly in the pit—what was there to be unhappy about?
“Your Majesty… are you troubled?”
“No. I am merely… tired.”
She sipped tea.
“Li An. The Ministry of War has sent urgent frontier intelligence.”
She handed him a sealed document.
He unfolded it—and his face changed drastically.
“Northern Yan’s Yelü Xiong has assembled eighty thousand elite troops in Yunzhong Commandery?!”
“Yes.”
Zhao Ling’er’s voice turned cold.
“They are equipped with new iron armor and weapons. Their marching speed has increased by thirty percent.”
New iron armor.
Li An’s heart tightened.
That was his technology.
What he had given them now hung like a blade over Great Qi.
“Your Majesty, do we have countermeasures?”
“The Ministry of War can only submit petitions asking for reinforcements.”
She looked at him.
“Li An. You manage the economy. This border crisis… I want you to handle it as well.”
“Wait—”
Li An nearly jumped from his seat.
“Your Majesty, I’m a civil official! I can’t even wield a blade!”
“I don’t need you to fight.”
She interrupted.
“I need your brain. Didn’t you once speak of ‘subduing the enemy without fighting’? Then do it.”
I was bluffing when I said that, Your Majesty!
But aloud—
“This minister… obeys.”
What else could he say?
She dismissed him.
Walking out, Li An felt like destiny had truly chosen him.
Left hand saving the economy.
Right hand stopping eighty thousand cavalry.
And the root of it all—
His own doing.
The technology was his.
The grain was his.
The iron armor was crafted by Mohist disciples he had sent.
Now the backlash had arrived.
“Damn it.”
Back at his residence, Jin Daya cautiously asked:
“My lord… what did His Majesty say?”
“Said I’m the most capable man in Great Qi.”
“That’s good, isn’t it?”
“Good? My ass.”
He slammed the study door.
“So capable I now manage wars too.”
Jin Daya scratched his head outside.
“Did my lord get promoted or demoted? Why does it look worse than losing office…”
Inside, Li An’s gaze fell upon the system inventory.
Finally, it locked onto—
【Heavenly Engineering Blueprint (S-Rank) — Improved Zhuge Repeating Crossbow】
Before, he thought it useless.
Now…
It suddenly seemed extremely useful.
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