Protect Our Clan Leader
Chapter 1117 - 80: Great Emperor VS Shou Zhe! Perilous Drive to Collapse_4

"The overall strategic direction indeed doesn't have a big problem. However, most military aristocracies do not engage in production and simply rely on garrison taxes, county taxes, and national taxes for support. Moreover, Your Majesty has always been generous to the military aristocracies, and over time, the size of the army has become increasingly bloated. As a result, a large portion of the garrison taxes, county taxes, and even national taxes collected must be allocated to maintain military expenses. Naturally, this leaves little money for local governance and development. Your Majesty's actions bear the suspicion of 'waging costly warfare.'"

Emperor Longchang's face darkened, and he was just about to rebuke with "Wang Shouzhe, are you teaching me how to do my job?" when he caught himself, remembering this was exactly what he had asked for, and he had already assured beforehand that Wang Shouzhe would not be punished for his words.

Left with no choice, he could only retort with a cold face, "Wang Shouzhe, your statement is flawed. Now, Da Qian faces numerous external enemies, and we also need our armies to guard the battlefields beyond our realm. Without increasing military investment, how can we deter the enemy?"

"Your Majesty, setting aside for a moment the battlefields beyond our realm, which are a collective responsibility for the human race, let's talk about West Jin and South Qin. Facing two adversaries, Your Majesty appears powerful going up against both, but why not pull one in to fight the other? Even if that's not possible, at the very least we should disrupt their alliance. Besides, what is Your Majesty's purpose in waging war?"

"Naturally, it's to make the other side submit to Da Qian," the temper of Emperor Longchang was rising, "Without a mighty army, how can we conquer them?"

"Your words are certainly valid, Your Majesty. But cultivating an army and waging war, both cost money. Without a strong financial basis, how can we win the wars?" Wang Shouzhe spoke earnestly, "Even the Kang Commandery Prince knows to engage in some smuggling and corruption first to earn extra money, and only then go to the battlefield beyond our realm. In doing so, he can ensure his soldiers fight fearlessly and render valiant service, winning battle after battle."

"Wang Shouzhe, are you implying that I am inferior to the Kang Commandery Prince?" Emperor Longchang's brows were raised in anger.

"That's not it, Great Emperor is still stronger than the Kang Commandery Prince…"

"Stronger?" the Great Emperor's eyebrows lifted.

"The Great Emperor wages wars, often over matters of pride and reputational disputes. For instance, if the West Jin emperor disrespects Da Qian through his words, Your Majesty immediately sends troops to engage until the other side submits a national letter of apology, and then Your Majesty returns in triumph…"

"Let me ask this, why doesn't our army, once holding an advantage, force West Jin to cede land and pay reparations? Even if they refuse, they should still be compelled to pay tribute every year."

"In doing so, you would weaken West Jin annually by draining a portion of their resources and national strength, while Da Qian would gain military funds to support its forces."

Emperor Longchang's face twitched with anger, unable to contain his wrath, he said, "You don't know a damn thing. The border region we share with West Jin is all impoverished land that has neither fields nor mines. What use are those broken lands? Annual tribute is even more impossible. West Jin would rather fight us to the death."

"Your Majesty, it was just an example. Ultimately, there must be some benefits after winning a war, right?" said Wang Shouzhe, "At the very least, we must gain a trade advantage. For instance, exempting some of Da Qian's distinctive products from taxes and with these goods penetrate the West Jin market, can both earn us money and crush West Jin's domestic competitors…"

"The words of a cunning merchant." Emperor Longchang's eyelids twitched several times before he honestly admitted, "We don't even have any goods that are better than theirs; on the contrary, we have to be careful that their goods don't come into Da Qian and destroy our trade system."

"This statement alone proves that Your Majesty excels in warfare but not in domestic policy, suggesting a penchant for grand achievements," Wang Shouzhe bluntly stated.

A penchant for grand achievements!

This youngster actually dared to say these words to his face...

Emperor Longchang nearly spat blood in anger, pointing at him, he raged, "You... you... how dare you recklessly critique me?"

"Your Majesty... it was you who asked Wang Shouzhe to speak," Wang Shouzhe said with an innocent face, "If Your Majesty wants to stop me, I'll... I'll just shut my mouth."

"Don't stop..." Emperor Longchang huffed angrily, "Continue. I want to hear more of your so-called wisdom."

"Your Majesty selecting individuals from military aristocracies to serve as City Lords and Prefectural Governors suggests a lack of separation between military and political affairs," Wang Shouzhe continued, "The development of a region requires dedicated officials specifically responsible for management and governance. The responsibility of City Lords and Prefectural Governors is more towards the military defense of the region, not that a City Lord is the master of a garrison... If we consider, City Lords all hail from military aristocracies, and every twenty or thirty years they get reassigned, how many of them can truly be devoted and capable of fostering the region's economic development? This government structure is truly absurd~"

"You, you, you... are you calling me an incompetent emperor?" Emperor Longchang's face turned alternately white and red with anger.

"It's not that His Majesty is an incompetent emperor. Rather, Wang Shouzhe believes that economic strength underpins military power. Your Majesty should devote some attention to how to develop the local economy. For instance, a while back, when Prefectural Governor Taishi Ankang from Longzuo County brought a development plan to Your Majesty, you repeatedly stalled it due to your personal preferences...which clearly shows disdain for the concept of 'economy,'" Wang Shouzhe said earnestly.

"Good, good, good... What else?" Flames seemed to be spitting from Emperor Longchang's eyes. "Speak! I command you to tell the whole truth!"

"His Majesty was overly imposing in his youth, overly kind and soft-hearted in his old age, and not adept at managing his household," Wang Shouzhe spoke frankly. "In recent times, Princes and Commandery Princes, even ordinary members of the Imperial family, have continually been involved in all manner of absurd scandals. The primary reason is of course their own misconduct, but ultimately, Your Majesty must bear some responsibility for lax discipline..."

"Moreover..."

"Wait a minute!" Emperor Longchang, his face beet red, held up his hand to stop him.

"Does Your Majesty wish me to be silent? I can obey such an order," Wang Shouzhe said respectfully with a bow.

"No, no, no, I just need to catch my breath," Emperor Longchang said, annoyance in his eyes as he gave Old Yao a glare. "Old Yao, are you blind? Didn't you see my Divine Soul trauma acting up from when I was young? Where is my Treasure Pill for calming the spirit?"

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty should take a rest."

Old Yao was also quick to react, immediately taking out a Treasure Pill and feeding it to Emperor Longchang, then glaring at Wang Shouzhe he said, "Shouzhe, you really don't know how to behave. Knowing full well that His Majesty has a hidden injury in his Divine Soul, you should have restrained yourself. Let's end today's critique here."

What?

His Majesty has a hidden injury in his Divine Soul?

Wang Shouzhe looked utterly baffled.

He had never heard such information before.

"That's fine, let's end today's proceedings here," Wang Shouzhe cupped his hands in agreement.

Emperor Longchang sighed with relief as if a heavy burden had been lifted, thinking to himself, if you keep critiquing like this, I might just have an imperial collapse right here.

Immediately, he feigned a weak appearance and "feebly" said, "Thank you for your consideration, Shouzhe. But this isn't to say that I ignore the advice of others. Actually, Shouzhe's words are quite thought-provoking and can be considered golden and valuable. It's just a shame that my health today... alas~"

"Should Your Majesty wish to hear more, after I return, I can record all that has been said today, compile it into a volume for Your Majesty to peruse at your leisure," Wang Shouzhe said with "sympathetic understanding." "If necessary, Shouzhe can also delay returning home to reunite with his wife, and remain in Kyoto for a longer period. Should Your Majesty need it, you can summon Shouzhe at any time for commentary."

Thank you so much!

Emperor Longchang almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

Wang Shouzhe, do you really want me to abdicate sooner rather than later?

...