xymnovel Chapter 82: Honest people are the most formidable when pushed to the limit.
Chapter 82: Honest people are the most formidable when pushed to the limit.
Wang Ya's words once again silenced Li Anggan.
We need three to five years to recuperate and make up for the deficit, and then another three to five years to accumulate wealth.
This pole has been used up over eight or ten years.
Moreover, this is under ideal conditions.
If a famine or rebellion were to occur during this period, the savings accumulated over several years might all be wiped out at once.
This is clearly not what Li Ang wanted.
Therefore, after a moment's hesitation, he spoke.
"Just now, Sikong said the best way is to rest and recuperate. So, is there a less ideal way?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Ya knew that his persuasion had failed, and a look of disappointment immediately appeared on his face.
Seeing this, Li Ang could only explain, "It's not that I disagree with Sikong's words. Restoring the nation's strength and allowing it to recuperate is indeed the best way to build up national power. However... times have changed, and there are conditions for restoring the nation's strength."
"Since the founding of our Great Tang Dynasty by Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong, more than two hundred years have passed. The court is now riddled with problems, and it is no longer just a matter of insufficient population as it was in the early years of the dynasty."
"Take this private loan in the army, for example. It can certainly make up for the military expenses and relieve the court's difficulties in a roundabout way, but all of this money is the blood and sweat of the people."
Wang Ya frowned slightly, as if he wanted to say something.
However, Li Ang did not give him that chance. Instead, his thoughts became clearer, and he said.
"Of course, I don't mean to preach any grand principles of compassion and pity. I just want to say that allowing private lending within the army is tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst."
"While the imperial court may not be in such dire straits for the time being, the people are suffering greatly; how can they possibly have time to recuperate and rebuild?"
"The government at least has some restraint in pressing for taxes and corvée labor, but the Shence Army acts arrogantly, killing and destroying families at the drop of a hat. If this continues, the people will suffer, and unrest will break out everywhere. If the court then spends money and grain to quell the rebellion, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?"
This time, it was Wang Ya's turn to remain silent.
He never expected that the sage would refute him from this angle.
"Your Majesty's plans are far-sighted; I was mistaken."
After a moment, Wang Ya sighed deeply, his expression becoming somewhat complicated.
Upon hearing this, Li Ang shook his head and said, "The Minister of State is not mistaken; rather, he is more knowledgeable about government affairs than I am, and thus he is blinded by a single leaf."
After all, for Emperor Li Ang, he could sit high on his throne and propose various major policies.
But as prime minister, Wang Ya had to consider how to implement it and whether it was even feasible.
Just like now, Li Ang could certainly use the long-term survival of the dynasty to persuade Wang Ya to change his mind.
But his reasoning did not solve the immediate problem.
Ultimately, those who drink poison to quench their thirst are not unaware that the poisonous wine is toxic, but when their hunger and thirst reach a certain point, they have no choice but to drink it even if they know it is poison.
From this perspective, Li Ang at this time was quite similar to some workplace leaders who wanted to have it all.
Wang Ya sat in the same spot, his brows furrowed, his back visibly hunched over.
Faced with the emperor's expectant gaze, he hesitated for a long time before finally making up his mind and speaking.
"Since Your Majesty has made up your mind, then I think it might be wise to make this cut even harder..."
As he spoke, he took out a document from his sleeve and handed it over.
Li Ang glanced at it, and soon his expression turned serious.
Unlike the previous account of income and expenditure, this document is less a memorial to the throne and more a summary of excerpts from multiple memorials.
Its content is also very simple, basically consisting of impeachments by court officials over the years regarding the Shence Army's embezzlement and misappropriation of funds.
After reading it, Li Ang turned his gaze back to Wang Ya, his eyes now showing a hint of inscrutable uncertainty.
It should be noted that Wang Ya has always maintained a low profile and prudent approach in the court over the years, especially regarding matters concerning palace eunuchs and the Shence Army, in which he has generally not interfered.
In most cases, he would even try to reconcile the two sides, just like he did. Although he was highly regarded by the government and the public, they also thought he was too conservative and lacked ambition.
However, the detailed nature of this document is enough to show that Wang Ya was not unaware of the shortcomings of the Shence Army. On the contrary, he had been paying close attention to the Shence Army for a long time.
Before today, not a single person in the entire court knew this. Such forbearance and restraint are truly admirable.
Li Ang let out a slow breath and hesitated.
"What does Sikong mean?"
Wang Ya stood up, his eyes showing even more determination, and said.
"Since Your Majesty wants to reorganize the Shence Army, it is not enough to just reorganize the officers. The Shence Army has been extremely costly, but at least half of that cost has not been borne by the soldiers."
"Judging from the memorials submitted over the years, there are a large number of people in the Shence Army who are fictitious and impersonating others. Perhaps it is that the officers are embezzling and receiving salaries without working, or perhaps it is that some wealthy families in the capital are paying tribute to the Shence Army in order to enjoy its privileges and avoid forced labor and punishment."
"Although I have not investigated in detail, I roughly estimate that among the current 130,000-plus registered Shence Army soldiers, at least 20,000 to 30,000 fall into this category."
"If we can expel all these people from the military, then we should be able to barely cover the hole left by the private loans."
Li Ang's eyes immediately lit up.
No wonder those leaders in the past could always make all sorts of demands, wanting both.
See, this forced us to come up with a solution?
After frowning and thinking for a while, Li Ang nodded and said.
"This is feasible, however, it will likely be quite difficult..."
There's a saying that goes something like this: when honest people really get physical, they can be the most ruthless.
Although Li Deyu was bold, his reforms of the Shence Army were limited to reconstructing the Shence Army's command system under the pretext of rectifying private lending.
The aim was to remove many important positions that were originally held by eunuchs, and then gradually bring the Shence Army back under the control of the imperial court.
But Wang Ya's idea was even bolder.
The investigation of military personnel records is not just a matter for the Shence Army; it also involves many forces throughout the capital.
It should be noted that these nominal military positions were not solely controlled by eunuchs; many officials, from gentry and wealthy households to civil and military officials in the imperial court, were likely involved.
To investigate military personnel records is tantamount to taking food from their mouths, and the resistance to this is extraordinary.
Wang Ya clearly understood this as well, so he let out a long breath and then bowed.
"Your Majesty is quite right. This matter involves too many interests, and it is beyond my ability to accomplish alone. Therefore, there are some things that I need Your Majesty's permission to do..."
Upon hearing this, Li Ang leaned forward and said.
"you say."
Therefore, Wang Ya solemnly cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I request that you dismiss Jia Su, appoint Du Cong, the military governor, and Li Shi, the finance commissioner, as prime ministers, and appoint Niu Sengru as the salt and iron commissioner, concurrently in charge of finance."
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Ang frowned, his mind racing, and asked.
Why?
However, Wang Ya remained silent on this matter.
After a moment, he answered, but only with a few words.
"Your Majesty, only with unity of purpose and concerted efforts from all sides can success be achieved..."