Must Win

Fang Zheng recalled news he'd seen in his previous life.

A few college students, fresh out of school, visited sweatshops in the name of justice and discovered many problems: no toilet paper in bathrooms, low wages, long working hours, and various other issues.

The matter escalated, and upstream partners canceled cooperation, forcing the sweatshop to close and lay off workers.

Little did they know that those workers, when farming at home, worked even harder for just over a thousand yuan a month.

Though factory work was tiring, it wasn't as bad as farming. And they could earn two or three thousand a month, significantly improving their lives.

The lack of toilet paper was because workers often stole it.

The college students remained proud and self-satisfied, thinking they'd done good.

But the laid-off workers, though no longer exploited, had no alternatives left.

They wandered the streets, almost wanting to beat those students to death with wrenches!

Li Yuanzhao was initially like this, doing many similarly foolish things, though at least he foolishly gave people money directly.

Fortunately, he was very intelligent and learned quickly!

The court officials' teachings had definitely played an important role.

Combining theory with practice, Li Yuanzhao progressed at an incredible pace.

It was faster than Sasuke activating his Sharingan after his family's death!

Fang Zheng continued speaking eloquently, "His Highness has grown tremendously, even managing thousands of disaster victims with some assistance! That's already an impressive feat!"

"I don't know if His Highness will be a good emperor, nor do I know what makes a good emperor."

"Is there actually a standard for a good emperor?"

"I don't think so. I only know that His Highness has a kind heart, a heart that loves the people."

"Though temporarily willful, he's constantly growing. His Highness desires recognition but doesn't use authority to command praise. His Highness enjoys fine clothes and good food, yet can still suffer alongside the people."

"How many rulers throughout history have been cruel, vainglorious, and fond of flattery?"

"So I don't know if His Highness will be a good emperor, but based on his current performance, he already surpasses most emperors in history. What he currently lacks is just experience."

Fang Zheng couldn't help but give himself a thumbs up!

Said it so damn well, His Majesty surely can't find fault!

Sure enough!

Emperor Jing looked pleased and asked, "Minister Fang, you're not just flattering him, are you?"

"Every word I've said is true! Lying is not my forte! Your Majesty's discerning eyes should see that."

...

"He~tui!"

Guo Tianyang, who had finished chatting with Paba and was approaching the Imperial Study to report, had just reached the door when he heard such a statement.

Without hesitation, he spat a thick glob of phlegm on the ground.

The guards at the door looked at Guo Tianyang with disdain.

Then continued their vigilant duty.

Hearing the two chatting so happily, Guo Tianyang took a deep breath and decided not to enter. He stood at the door waiting for Fang Zheng to come out.

Seeing the large glob of phlegm on the ground, he quickly stepped forward to smooth it out with his foot.

This earned him another round of disdain from the guards....

...

After a heap of compliments for Li Yuanzhao, Emperor Jing was satisfied.

His gaze toward Fang Zheng showed even more appreciation.

Looking down at the desk, his fingers tapping, "Enough about him for now."

"Yesterday when you didn't attend court, Paba presented another letter to me. Wutu wishes to sign a trade agreement with me."

At this, Emperor Jing snorted coldly, "The condition is that Great Jing sends twenty thousand taels of silver to the Northern Rong annually, and the Northern Rong will return a thousand horses and cattle."

"Henceforth, our nations would be brotherly countries, establishing a trading post, never invading each other, and supporting one another."

A thousand horses and cattle for twenty thousand taels of silver? Wutu is quite creative!

Great Jing isn't a defeated nation, and you particularly want to trade. What are you being so arrogant about?

It's too damn confusing!

Fang Zheng pondered for a long time but couldn't figure it out. He hesitantly asked, "I know nothing of military matters. Why is Wutu so arrogant? Is the Northern Rong... very strong?"

Emperor Jing nodded, "When I ascended the throne, the Northern Rong was already in civil war, but my late father fought them twice, losing both times."

"The Northern Rong cavalry is stronger than anything Great Jing can match. Wutu relies on that cavalry."

Fang Zheng understood and continued, "I see. However, I believe the benefits of trade for Great Jing far exceed twenty thousand taels! Even ten times that amount!"

"Great Jing has diverse products to sell to the Northern Rong in exchange for the cattle and horses we need, and all we really need are cattle and horses!"

"Initially, the Northern Rong will follow the rules and exchange war horses for resources, but as time passes, they definitely won't sit by and watch Great Jing develop cavalry."

"By then, Northern Rong's war horses won't flow into Great Jing, while Great Jing will essentially be selling goods one-sidedly to the Northern Rong! Enormous wealth will flow into our country!"

"Paba's desire for trade is strong. The court can certainly negotiate with them."

"However, this annual twenty thousand taels of silver... I believe that's still negotiable."

Emperor Jing said, "Indeed, you speak well. Minister Zheng and you think alike."

"But I hadn't expected Wutu to be so audacious! Does he think Great Jing has no one capable?!"

Fang Zheng was silent.

Twenty thousand taels wasn't much. This was mainly a matter of face.

Emperors cared about face, and this would look bad in the history books.

But once the two countries began trading, Great Jing would benefit tremendously!

The Northern Rong was essentially a commercial desert. Although Great Jing had always prioritized agriculture over commerce, its commercial development far surpassed the Northern Rong.

It was like the Treaty of Shanyuan in his previous life.

Song annually sent tribute to Liao in exchange for peace, which later generations considered humiliating.

But the Treaty of Shanyuan maintained peace between Song and Liao for two hundred years!

The benefits Song reaped from commerce far exceeded the tribute payments!

Liao probably regretted it bitterly but couldn't revoke the treaty.

Emperor Zhenzong of Song was quite proud of the Treaty of Shanyuan and probably never imagined future generations would view it so negatively.

So sometimes, face was more important than practical benefits.

"I'll keep them waiting for a few days!"

"What are your chances of success in Zhang Biao's competition with Chilie?" Emperor Jing stared at Fang Zheng and continued without waiting for his response, "Whatever method you use, this battle must be won, defeat is not an option!"

"Since you've voluntarily taken on this matter, make it an impressive victory. As you said, the capital's citizens will also attend. If we lose, you should understand the magnitude of the impact."

Fang Zheng nodded, "We must win this battle!"

Emperor Jing smiled with satisfaction, "You handle matters. I'm always at ease."

Then he added, "Although Black Mountain Chilie is physically imposing, combat isn't just about size and strength. If I were twenty years younger, I might not be outmatched!"

Fang Zheng nodded silently. Whatever you say!

"Regardless, the Northern Rong will always be a concern for Great Jing."

"Great Jing has just recovered for a few years. The people are still struggling. I don't wish to start wars lightly."

"The Crown Prince has always wanted to fight, hasn't he? Let's leave Wutu to him."

"By then... gunpowder should be ready for war, right, Minister Fang?"

Fang Zheng immediately became alert, "Gunpowder? We'll definitely have it in two years!"

"Two years... a year ago you told me two years! How many two-years will it take?" Emperor Jing's expression grew solemn, "I often think this item is truly a weapon of war. If it could be mass-produced, if not making us invincible in the world, it would at least leave Great Jing undefeated!"

"It can breach cities and startle horses to counter cavalry... with this item, the Northern Rong would no longer be feared! The gunpowder research... you must still be diligent."

Fang Zheng sat up straight.

Give me your daughter, and I'll deliver the gunpowder tomorrow!

Of course, he didn't dare say this....