Chapter 688: Making an enemy out of others while displaying impressive migh (1/2)
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Han Yunxi said, “Your Excellency, it’s still too early to prepare battle horses, recruit men, and collect grain. In this aspect, the Board of War could better use its one to two month window to observe the situation and see if there’s a way to end it without battling at all. After all, war is the option when none others exist. It’s also used to wrap things up, so it doesn’t need much advance preparation at all.”
Hearing this, the minister of the Board of War felt helpless. But he feared Baili Yuanlong too much to speak out on his own. Unexpectedly, the Minister of Civil Personnel by his side spoke up with a grin. “Esteemed wangfei, it’s all very well to talk, but getting things done is another matter. Judging from the current situation…”
“Are you the Minister of Revenue?” Han Yunxi snapped.
“I…this official, this official is in charge of Civil Personnel,” the minister said as reveal his identity.
“Esteemed wangfei was condescending to grant instruction to the Ministry of Revenue, not you. Why are you butting in?” she asked coldly.
The Minister of Civil was rendered mute. He didn’t know how to reply besides cupping a bow with hands clasped. “Yes, this official was too indiscreet.” He was afraid that Han Yunxi would treat him like how she’d treated the Minister of Revenue. If he didn’t have a plan for that, he’d be ruined.
“Speaking out of turn, someone come, box his ears!” Long Feiye suddenly said coldly.
The quite hall was quiet except for the sound of rain dripping off the aves outside. One droplet fell as soon as Long Feiye spoke, but made no sound. The silence in the room was almost frightening. The Minister of Civil Personnel shot glance for help towards the clan head who’d pushed him out, only to see the man knit his brows at him. He was unsatisfied with the results, but would keep quiet.
Soon enough, the guards arrived. The Minister of Civili Personnel fell to his knees and apologized. “Esteemed wangfei, this official had a slip of the tone and committed a breach of etiquette! May Your Excellency esteemed wangfei show generosity by sparing this official this once.”
Han Yunxi just waved a hand for the guards to take them away. The Minster of Civil Personnel exhaled a breath. “Many thanks to esteemed wangfei!”
Baili Yuanlong only fretted as he watched from the sidelines. He feared that Han Yunxi wouldn’t be able to shoulder the consequences of the Duke of Qin’s favor and make herself a laughingstock in front of the other clan heads! Now that things had gotten so awkward, she needed to convince them fast before they sought to pay back what they’d been accused of in fool. It had to be something they accepted and left them staring and speechless!
Han Yunxi said, “Plenty of top-tier natural resources will be smuggled out of the borders during the war between three nations. These will either be exported to Northern Li or the south central regions. Here is the safest place and most suitable for a residence. Thus, these advantages will draw the exports towards us.”
As she spoke, she asked seriously, “What do I mean by top-tier natural resources? Of course it’s people and material goods. Let’s talk about the people first: who are they?”
The group looked at Han Yunxi with a mixture of curiosity and surprise. They didn’t really understand what she was talking about, but it sounded very interesting. Han Yunxi’s “top-tier natural resources” was a completely foreign term to their ears.
Thus, Han Yunxi went on to answer her own question. “The people would be talents from all trades and walks of life: farmers, herdsmen, weavers, bricklayers, metalworkers, woodworkers, physicians and pharmacists, wine brewers, tailors and dyers, potters, and all the rest. As craftsmen, they have no choice but to flee if they want to avoid the fighting, so they’ll head for the borders of the south central regions.”
Long Feiye’s lips were already curving up in appreciation as she spoke.
“And material goods? That would include precious and rare animals as well as various metals, stones, and antiques. Chaos births heroes, but treasures as well. These items will follow the fugitives on the run from their home into the south central regions, or be sold to us directly,” Han Yunxi continued. The group of old men nodded in agreement; all this was true.
“Instead of urgently recruiting men and horses, why doesn’t the Ministry of Revenue consider how to keep these top-tier resources within our lands instead? Seize the chance to use them well. How will you keep the treasures and talent to strengthen ourselves? Promote a hundred trades, because their growth forms the basis of any strong nation! A strong nation induces peace and makes it a naturally formidable foe even without rising to arms!”
Silence greeted her words. You could hear a leaf drop. Nobody expected the woman reclining lazily in the Duke of Qin’s lap to speak such things, much less the men present there today.
She’s not a wangfei at all. She has the talents of generals and ministers of state! A rare genius, at that! In the history of Cloud Realm Continent, all countries debated between issuing troops or selling grain in times of war, but rarely had anyone considered the issue from Han Yunxi’s perspective. Long Feiye’s smile was extremely attractive as he finally released Han Yunxi’s waist. Still, he didn’t release her, but simply wrapped his hands around her so he could clap.
“Good! Most excellent! Esteemed wangfei is wise and brilliant! This soldier is filled with esteem!” Baili Yuanlong rejoiced as his heart settled back into his chest. Even if esteemed wangfei really is a femme fatale for His Highness, I’ll accept, comply, and submit to it!
“Lofty! Wise and brilliant indeed. It was right of us to come today, hehe!”
“Listening to esteemed wangfei’s words is better than studying ten years’ worth of books!”
“Esteemed wangfei, seeing you is much better than hearing of your name. Today, this old man has widened his perspectives.”
“Your Excellency Gao, esteemed wangfei has already pointed out a path for the Ministry of Revenue. You better think it over when you go back. If you dawdle too long and miss your chance, this old man will hold you accountable!”
“May esteemed wangfei condescend to instruct us again in the future, many times and often!”
The five clan heads had changed their attitudes completely. Of course, they didn’t forget the man behind Han Yunxi and flattered him, too. In total, the Six Ministries asked their share of question, all of which Han Yunxi answered smoothly. Since she came from the present, her mind was full of the wisdom assembled after thousands of years. Although she was no expert in administering a country, her unique perspective and vision was far beyond what the present party could grasp themselves.