Chapter 179 - 139: Fame Shakes the Northern Barbarians
Chapter 179: Chapter 139: Fame Shakes the Northern Barbarians
"Besides, I have a feeling the general leading the Northern Barbarians this time is no ordinary man.
The Three Barbarians are very strong.
But I’m not necessarily his match. In any case, give it ten days and with the way the Northern Barbarians are now, I’ll be defeated. So let’s retreat. Retreat! We’re leaving now.
If we wait any longer, I’m afraid we won’t be able to escape."
The Shengman might have been fierce, but that didn’t mean they were stupid. Lu Yuan had moved far too quickly this time.
The power he had displayed was simply too great.
Besides, the Shengman’s true purpose this time was indeed just to extort some winter provisions from the Northern Barbarians.
They had no real intention of fighting to the death.
Now that Lu Yuan had pulled a move like this, it was obvious they couldn’t stop him. If they didn’t leave now, they would be the ones in an awkward position later.
After receiving the order, the Vice General turned and left the tent, then started shouting at his men to strike camp.
For a time, the camp was a hive of activity.
Inside the Northern Barbarians’ Imperial City, Li Qing and Xiao Gu stood on a high point in South City, looking at the cluster of buildings where foundations were already being laid.
The latter spoke softly, "Prime Minister Li, you are the best at managing finances and generating revenue for the court. What do you think? Can Prince Qin’s business venture succeed?"
Li Qing shook his head. "If it were up to me, it would definitely be a loss. Don’t you see that block of buildings over there? That was a project I initiated back in the day. Now it’s abandoned, nothing more than a den for beggars.
Lu Yuan has six thousand mu of land here, and several thousand residences.
Who’s going to buy them? And no offense to him, but these residences of his aren’t even as good as the ones I had built."
As he finished, a trace of confidence appeared on Li Qing’s face.
Xiao Gu gave a bitter smile. "At this rate, I expect it will all be completed after winter."
"Indeed. Prince Qin has put a great deal of effort into this. He’s hired a lot of people, and he’s even providing meals. In the dead of winter, who wouldn’t show up for that? But even if he loses money, it won’t be a crippling blow this time. He seized a great deal on the frontier.
Once his share of the spoils is distributed, it will be more than enough to cover any losses," Li Qing said slowly.
At this, Xiao Gu seemed to remember something and said to Li Qing, "Speaking of which, the Imperial Clan’s initial cultivation materials have been in arrears for some time. With the silver being sent back from Ancient River Pass this time, you must make up for the shortfall. And you need to set aside an extra half-year’s supply for us.
Otherwise, everyone in the Imperial Clan will be cursing me, the Grand Minister of Rites."
"Aren’t you putting me in a difficult position? In the south, on the border with Dayong, hundreds of thousands of Border Cavalry are stationed. Their pay silver hasn’t been disbursed yet—it’s been almost two months overdue. In the west, on the border with Great Yu, their pay is also two months late.
The Imperial Guard’s pay is a month overdue as well.
And the officials at court haven’t received their salaries in half a year.
Furthermore, the maintenance of armor and weapons, the fodder for the horses, the provisions for the Warriors—which of these doesn’t require silver?
Tell me, who should I prioritize?
Once the silver arrives, every department will get a share. I’ll have to calculate how much everyone gets. But making up half a year’s worth of cultivation materials for you is impossible. I can give you two months’ worth at most.
As for setting aside an extra half-year’s supply, that’s even more out of the question.
No matter how you look at it, the members of the Imperial Clan are from high-ranking families, aren’t they? A few months without materials won’t affect them much. At worst, they’ll complain a bit.
But if we delay payment for the Imperial Guard and the Border Cavalry any longer, something disastrous will happen.
They must be the priority."
Li Qing’s words left Xiao Gu speechless. He could only nod and say, "Fine, I’ll endure it one more time. But this is the last time. I’m only doing this out of respect for His Majesty."
"Sigh... In truth, His Majesty is the one in the most difficult position," Li Qing sighed. "After the late emperor passed, he left behind such a mess. Every day is just robbing Peter to pay Paul, and the more we patch, the more holes appear. I’m truly afraid of the day it all comes crashing down."
A look of helplessness crossed the Prime Minister’s face.
For now, the leadership still controls absolute military power, so aside from those Vassal Towns, the common people have no choice but to endure.
But if this continues, when things become completely unchangeable, not even absolute military power can stop people who are determined to take you down with them.
Besides, those Vassal Towns won’t just sit back and watch. They would absolutely dare to take advantage of the chaos.
Whether a dynasty is strong and prosperous, apart from military might, ultimately comes down to its foundation. This includes silver, population, and cultivation materials—not a single one can be lacking.