Moma Liangshan

Chapter 127: It is easy to change the country, but it is difficult to change one’s nature

In the Chongzheng Hall, Emperor Huizong summoned Cai Jing and asked, "What are your thoughts on Tong Guan's proposal?" Cai Jing replied, "Although we are adopting Minister Wang's idea of ​​trading with the Liao Dynasty, the Liao is a vast and resource-rich country, and weakening its power through trade alone will not be easy. The Western Xia is different; it is a small country with a small population, less than one-tenth the size of the Song Dynasty. If the Song Dynasty establishes trade relations with them, we will surely be able to control their wealth within a few years!" Cai Jing had been in charge of the Ministry of Revenue for many years, and his economic insight was highly regarded by Emperor Huizong. Emperor Huizong, sounding surprised, said, "To think that a single wool trade could control the economic lifeline of Western Xia within a few years, is your claim far too exaggerated, my esteemed minister?" Cai Jing replied confidently, "Western Xia's land is barren; only Lingzhou, Xingqing, and Hengshan are suitable for cultivation. The fields in Lingzhou and Xingqing are the private property of the Western Xia royal family, while the fields in Hengshan are the military farms of the Western Xia border troops. Now that Lord Tong has led six armies to recapture the strategic Hengshan Pass, the military farms west of Hengshan are naturally uncultivable. With the loss of the farms upon which tens of thousands of soldiers depend for their livelihood, the Western Xia king, in order to stabilize morale, will have no choice but to divert grain from Lingzhou and Xingqing. This will inevitably harm the interests of many princes. With the Western Xia treasury empty, they will have no choice but to sue for peace. At that time, Lord Tong can then conveniently propose that the Song Dynasty wishes to purchase large quantities of wool; how could Western Xia possibly refuse?"

Emperor Huizong nodded and said, "The wool trade can compensate the Western Xia princes for their losses on farmland. I imagine Li Qianshun wouldn't dare to incur public wrath then!" But Huizong remained doubtful and continued, "This only shows that Western Xia won't refuse the Song Dynasty's request to buy wool, but it doesn't prove that the Song Dynasty can use this opportunity to control Western Xia's wealth." Cai Jing, secretly pleased, smiled and said, "Sheep reach adulthood at one or two years old, which is the best time for meat; but the best time to shear their wool is between two and seven years old." Huizong suddenly understood, laughed loudly, and said, "The Song Dynasty has recovered the Hengshan natural barrier, and Western Xia..." The Song Dynasty would have little surplus food. Since the Song Dynasty was buying wool from the Western Xia, the Western Xia princes, for immediate profit, would surely order the people to greatly extend the sheep-raising period to maximize wool production. This would significantly reduce the supply of mutton, a staple food for the Western Xia. Hunger among the people is the greatest threat to the nation! Cai Jing, his face full of flattery, said, "Your Majesty is wise!" Emperor Huizong, seemingly not yet satisfied, continued, "With famine in Western Xia, the Liao Dynasty is preoccupied with its own problems, leaving Li Qianshun with only one option: to seek help from me!" Cai Jing seized the opportunity to say, "Heaven bless the Song Dynasty!"

After a moment, Emperor Huizong seemed to have thought of something and said, "Woolen cloth was invented by Wang Hao. If I were to issue an edict ordering Wang Hao to hand over the method of weaving woolen cloth, it might cause controversy. Do you, my esteemed minister, have a good plan?" Cai Jing said, "As a subject, it is Wang Hao's duty to share the emperor's burdens. His Majesty is benevolent and understands the difficulties Wang Hao faced in establishing his enterprise, and does not wish to take it for free. In my humble opinion, we can promote Wang Hao by one rank as a reward!" Emperor Huizong pondered for a moment and said, "If I remember correctly, Wang Hao concurrently holds the positions of Imperial Diarist, Magistrate of Laoshan County, Transport Commissioner of Jiaozhou Maritime Trade Office, and Commander of the Palace Guard Infantry. Among these positions, the Imperial Diarist, a sixth-rank official, is the highest. If he were promoted by only one rank, he could hold a substantive sixth-rank position. Do you think there are any vacancies in the court?" Cai Jing pretended to ponder and replied, "Lord Wang has not participated in the imperial examinations. It might be inconvenient for him to work alongside officials from various departments." After speaking, he cautiously looked at Emperor Huizong. Emperor Huizong understood the implication in Cai Jing's words and said, "So, promoting Wang Hao has become more difficult?" Cai Jing was silent for a moment, then said, "I've just remembered something. There's an official position that would be very suitable for Lord Wang to hold concurrently!" Emperor Huizong immediately said, "Please speak frankly, my dear minister!" Cai Jing said, "The Director of the Water Conservancy Department of the Ministry of Works!" Emperor Huizong was surprised and said, "The Ministry of Works is indeed a quiet department, but I wonder if Wang Hao is willing to concurrently hold this position?"

Cai Jing said, "Lord Wang is exceptionally intelligent; how could he not understand His Majesty's good intentions? Moreover, Lord Wang is still young; it would not be a bad thing for him to gain more experience in a few years. When the time is right, it would be more convenient to transfer him to another department!" Emperor Huizong considered for a moment and said, "I will follow your suggestion, my dear minister, and appoint Wang Hao as the concurrently serving Director of the Water Conservancy Department of the Ministry of Works!"

Having drafted the imperial edict and affixed the jade seal, Emperor Huizong said, "Issue the edict immediately!" Eunuch Chen replied, "This servant obeys!" At this moment, Cai Jing said, "Could this imperial edict be read aloud by me?" Emperor Huizong, without much thought, said, "The plan was devised by you, my dear minister; it is more appropriate for you to issue the edict. In that case, I will trouble you!" Cai Jing said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!"

Fanlou was not far from the palace, only a quarter of an hour's journey away. After Cai Jing finished reading the imperial edict, he smiled at Wang Hao and said, "Lord Wang, please accept the edict!" Wang Hao remained silent for a long time before finally shouting, "Your subject accepts the edict and thanks you!" He picked up the edict, slowly rose, and then looked at Cai Jing, saying, "Grand Tutor, you truly have remarkable skills, securing a dignified sixth-rank official position in a single day!" Cai Jing shook his head and said, "It is Lord Wang who has secured the dignified sixth-rank official position; I was merely a persuader!" Wang Hao dismissed the maidservant, closed the door, and said, "I will not break my promise to the Grand Tutor. From today onwards, one hundred looms will be delivered to Tokyo every month!" Cai Jing laughed and said, "Lord Wang is a man of his word; I admire you! But I wonder how much each loom will cost?" Wang Hao replied, "One hundred strings of cash per loom!"

Cai Jing said, "No matter how exquisite the loom is, it's still just made of wood. One hundred strings of cash is too expensive!" Wang Hao's face darkened with anger, and he said, "If Grand Tutor thinks it's too expensive, you don't have to buy it. I can also resign from this position as a Water Conservancy Department official!" Cai Jing grinned wickedly and said, "I have a perfect solution, young master. Would you like to hear it?" Wang Hao said, "I'm all ears!" Cai Jing moved a little closer and said, "I'll give you one hundred and ten strings of cash for each loom!" Wang Hao frowned and said, "Grand Tutor, you must be joking!" Cai Jing continued, "But Lord Wang must offer 160 strings of cash per loom!" Wang Hao was almost incredulous, saying, "Grand Tutor, aren't you afraid that Tong Guan and Gao Qiu will find out and settle scores later?" Cai Jing was very confident, saying, "I've gone to all this trouble, while Tong Guan and Gao Qiu reap the benefits. What's wrong with them collecting some travel expenses?" Wang Hao said, "Grand Tutor, isn't this travel expense a bit too much?" Cai Jing said, "Lord Wang only needs to agree to my request; as for what happens afterward, don't worry about it!"