Chapter 47 Monetary Policy

Tasking Han Xin with the conquest of the Far Eastern tribes was the most appropriate and prudent decision for the present.

First, it allowed Han Xin to continue leading the armies and taking command. Those skilled in warfare naturally took pleasure in it, and Han Xin would undoubtedly be willing to accept the mission, adding another illustrious achievement to his record.

Second, this was also the safest approach. Subduing the three Han tribes of the Far East was no easy task. With the Han Dynasty newly established, national strength was still unstable, and the empire was currently locked in battle against the Xiongnu. In the near future, military campaigns would likely be launched successively against various vassal kings of different surnames. Should the campaign to pacify the Far Eastern tribes end in failure, the blow to the Han Dynasty would undoubtedly be devastating.

This battle could only be won.

There was no room for failure.

Nor could it be delayed.

Xiao He had originally proposed waiting a couple of years, suggesting that the Far East be pacified only after the national strength had grown somewhat stronger, but Liu Gao immediately rejected the idea.

That last emperor of the previous dynasty had hesitated between fighting and making peace, ultimately allowing the Jianzhou Jurchens to grow in power.

How could he afford to be hesitant?

And he was certainly not a hesitant man; when decisiveness was called for, one had to be decisive—they would strike!

He refused to believe that the Far East could not be conquered.

He possessed battle-hardened armies, the ever-victorious Han Xin, and a stable rear supplying grain and logistical support; how could they possibly lose?

"This matter is thus settled. For now, it must not be leaked. The war against the Xiongnu outside Mayi City is not yet over; although Han Xin currently holds the upper hand, the outcome remains uncertain, and we must not let down our guard."

"King Zhao, Zhang Ao, has not yet dispatched his troops to Mayi either."

"Furthermore, we must proceed step by step."

Liu Bang said leisurely.

The ministers nodded in agreement.

Having finalized this matter, Liu Bang was just about to dismiss the assembly when Xiao He appeared to harbor some unspoken difficulty.

Liu Bang's heart sank.

Back in Luoyang, when he had discussed the Three Heroes, he had fully recognized the capabilities of these three men.

Among them, Xiao He's mastery of managing internal affairs was peerless under heaven.

Xiao He handled affairs both great and small in perfect order, and it seemed no administrative problem could ever stump him. Yet now, displaying such hesitation, it was abundantly clear that he had encountered some trouble.

"Xiao He, have you perhaps encountered an issue that you need to report to Us?"

Hearing this, Xiao He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, our dynasty currently faces a problem that urgently needs to be resolved."

"What is it? Speak."

Liu Bang's tone grew slightly heavy. Both were clever men, and he immediately guessed what was going on.

Xiao He had run into a domestic governance issue that could not be resolved in the short term.

Even Xiao He had failed to find a solution after prolonged thought.

The reason for his hesitation was simply that he wanted the Emperor to ask Lu Xuan for the solution.

However, because the Emperor was much more eager to learn from Lu Xuan about imperial succession, the continuation of the Han Dynasty, and other such matters, Xiao He had displayed this reluctance.

Only then did Xiao He speak: "At present, aside from the problems of the vassal kings of different surnames and the Xiongnu, the most severe issue facing our Han Dynasty is the chaos in our monetary system."

"Although the Qin Dynasty issued the Banliang coin after unifying the realm, due to the tyranny of Qin, the resentment of the common people, and the indifference of the nobility, the Banliang coin remained unpopular among the people during the Qin era. While our Han Dynasty has continued to use the Banliang coin and resolved some of the issues, private minting among the populace is rampant. Worse still, if the vassal states mint coins in secret, the court of the Han Dynasty has no way of detecting it. As time passes, the quality of the coinage varies wildly, thereby disrupting civilian trade and subsequently hindering the development of our national strength."

"Your subject has racked his brains searching for a way to break this deadlock, but alas, due to my own dullness, I have found none. I beg Your Majesty to consult Lu Xuan and use the wisdom of later generations to resolve this dilemma."

Xiao He simply could not hold back any longer.

He had pondered this matter for a very long time, having even begun discussing and researching it with other ministers a year or two ago, yet no good solution had ever materialized.

Presently, due to Zhang Liang's suggestion, Lu Xuan was doomed to die.

There was less than a month left.

If they did not ask about this matter now, who knew when the Han Dynasty would finally be able to completely resolve the monetary crisis.

If he didn't ask now, it would be too late!

Although he felt resentful over the future emperor's decision to execute him, and harbored some grievances toward His Majesty, he was still currently serving in the court and wished to continue contributing a modicum of his own strength to the Great Han.

This matter could not be delayed any longer.

"We understand. Today, We shall ask Lu Xuan." Liu Bang said in a deep voice. Indeed, it was time to inquire about serious matters.

Lu Xuan had been in the Han Dynasty for two months now.

Regarding national policy and institutional design, they had not asked a single question.

They had been entirely busy with other matters.

He was an emperor, and he ought to place the affairs of the state above all else.

In truth, Liu Bang was more inclined to believe that if the issue of imperial succession could be resolved—ensuring the throne was passed down in an orderly, normal, and stable manner—and the threats from foreign tribes neutralized, then so-called national policies and institutional frameworks would not require deep investigation. However, different people had different views; Xiao He and Zhang Liang firmly believed that national policies and institutions were far more important.

Yet ultimately, Xiao He and the others could not overrule him.

After all, he was the Emperor.

Over these past two months, national policies and institutions had suffered no problems whatsoever.

So he would ask now; indeed, if he didn't ask now, there would be no more opportunities.

He signaled for the officials to disperse.

Immediately afterward, Liu Bang personally carried a steaming hot meal prepared by the attendants and walked on foot toward the imperial jade chariot.

The Son of Heaven, Liu Bang, and his high-ranking ministers had been discussing matters inside a separate jade chariot. The specific topics of their discussion were naturally unknown to the other officials and soldiers, but they watched as His Majesty personally carried a tray of food—not to enjoy it himself, but slowly walking toward another jade chariot. Their expressions instantly froze.

Among the total of nine jade chariots, the one Liu Bang was approaching was the fifth. The officials clearly remembered that the person riding in this carriage was that blind young man.

The Son of Heaven was personally carrying food to serve that young man?

Who on earth was this person? Why did the Emperor treat him with such deference?

Even the Grand Emperor, the Emperor's father, Old Sire Liu, if he were here, might not have received such attentive service from His Majesty, would he?

The crowd was utterly astonished. Yet, not knowing who this blind young man of divine insight actually was, nor what manner of status he held, no one dared to ask.

They could only bury their doubts deep within their hearts.

Liu Bang slowly boarded the jade chariot and entered. After placing the dishes neatly on the low table one by one, he poked his head out and signaled for the convoy to resume its march.

The imperial roads built by the Qin Dynasty were still partially usable, such as the grand road leading from Chang'an to Luoyang. The journey was not particularly bumpy, and combined with the exceptionally stable, cushion-like ride of the jade chariot reserved exclusively for the Son of Heaven's inspection tours, Liu Bang had no fear that the food would be spilled or scattered by the journey.

"Sorry to trouble Uncle Ji." Lu Xuan reached out to touch the bowls and chopsticks. Liu Bang personally attended to him, appearing exceptionally meticulous and attentive.

In a state of blindness, doing things was indeed troublesome, such as eating a meal.

Relying on innate human instincts, Lu Xuan wouldn't shove the food up his nose, but simply because he couldn't see the location of the dishes, he had trouble picking them up with chopsticks.

Fortunately, he had a kind-hearted person like Uncle Ji around.

After a long while, the meal was mostly finished. Liu Bang neatly packed away the utensils and set them aside. Speaking in a slow, gentle voice, he said, "Lu Xuan, I hear that the monetary system in the current Central Plains dynasty is rather chaotic. Once we reach the capital, if you could offer His Majesty some suggestions from this perspective, it might make His Majesty value you even more..."