I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Feng Yi’s expression grew serious when he heard this. He looked at Song Yunzhao and said, "Merchants who wish to do business in other regions need road permits and government credentials."

Song Yunzhao knew this. It was one of the court’s methods for controlling merchants. ’It’s a bit like the difference between a local pass and a national one in later generations,’ she thought. ’One is only valid locally, becoming useless outside its designated county or province. The national pass, however, is accepted everywhere without any hindrance.’

"Your Majesty, think about it. It is precisely because of court regulations like these that merchants are so restricted. Once they are confined to a single area, they are easily at the mercy of the local government. They have no choice but to collude with officials. What if Your Majesty were to create an opening in this restriction?"

"An opening?"

"Yes. For example, Your Majesty could select a group of merchants who have rendered meritorious service to the nation and grant them permission to do business anywhere, issuing them nationwide road permits. To obtain such a permit, they would have to make a significant contribution to the court. Just imagine, for a chance like this, those merchants would surely be willing to send men and money to the disaster areas."

Feng Yi looked at Song Yunzhao. "Merchants can already travel to do business."

"They can, but they face many restrictions."

"How do you know all this?"

Song Yunzhao was prepared for this and answered without a hint of panic, "My second uncle was not cut out for scholarly pursuits, so he manages the Song Family’s ancestral properties and shops. My second aunt is from Xuanzhou, and as Your Majesty knows, Xuanzhou has a great many cloth merchants. My second aunt is the daughter of one such merchant. Back in Nanyu, our families were very close, and my second aunt’s niece was a good friend of mine. I heard about these things from her."

Feng Yi then recalled that the Song Family was indeed connected by marriage to a family named Xie from Xuanzhou. He looked at Yun Zhao. "You came up with such an idea based on just that?"

"Your Majesty, you are the Emperor, enthroned high in the halls of power. How could you know the hardships of the common folk? You may think this is a small matter, but for merchants, it is anything but. Take the Xie family, for example. When they come to the Capital City to do business, they not only have to pay various taxes in Xuanzhou on the silver they earn, but they must also pay taxes here. It’s equivalent to being taxed twice on the same income. Merchants cannot afford to operate at a loss, so they have no choice but to raise their prices. In the end, wouldn’t you say it’s the common people who suffer?"

Feng Yi recalled some books he had read that did touch upon matters of commerce, but he had skimmed them in a hurry and lacked the time to ponder them deeply. Now, listening to Song Yunzhao, he found her perspective refreshingly new.

"According to you, then, this is all the court’s fault?" Feng Yi asked, looking at Yun Zhao.

Song Yunzhao immediately replied, "Your Majesty, this isn’t a simple matter of right or wrong. It’s just that as time moves forward, it requires an enlightened and wise Emperor such as yourself to constantly adjust the court’s direction—to discard what is bad and keep what is good. I was merely speaking off the cuff. Please don’t take my words too seriously."

Feng Yi snorted. ’Off the cuff?’

’Not likely.’

She had likely started thinking about these things the moment Song Nanzhen headed south. As the Emperor, it was impossible for him to be an expert in every field or to see every matter with perfect clarity. That was why he needed exceptional people; his role was simply to steer the ship.

This was the first lesson he had gleaned from his recent, arduous study of the theories of rulership. Otherwise, he could work himself to death and still never master every single thing.

"Since you’ve brought this up, I assume you have someone to recommend?"

"Your Majesty is brilliant!" ’Of course I do,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’Who would go to all this thankless trouble if there wasn’t something in it for their own family?’

"The Xie family?" Feng Yi asked, a wry smile playing on his lips as he looked at Song Yunzhao.

Song Yunzhao maintained a perfectly straight face. "They are our family’s only such relations by marriage, so of course it would be the Xie family. However, I am merely making a recommendation. Whether they are suitable, and whether you choose to use them, is entirely up to Your Majesty."

’I’ve secured such a golden opportunity for the Xie family. If Xie Jinshu can’t grasp it, he’s a complete idiot.’

’How could the silver spent on disaster relief possibly compare to a nationwide road permit? Or, if the Emperor decides to reform tax laws in the future, merchants like them who have contributed to the country would surely receive preferential treatment.’

’As long as he isn’t shortsighted, he’ll know this is nothing but a win.’

Feng Yi glanced at Yun Zhao again. "And what if I choose not to use the Xie family?"

"Then it must be because the Xie family did not perform well enough."

’In any case, the Emperor is never wrong.’

Feng Yi’s mood brightened considerably. This was why Song Yunzhao suited him so perfectly. Every word she spoke resonated deep within him, leaving him feeling pleased and at ease.

Promoting one’s in-laws was no great matter. As long as the Xie family proved themselves useful, he would naturally grant her this favor.

"I will think on it."

Song Yunzhao watched the Emperor’s prim and proper act and wanted to grind her teeth in frustration. Instead, she put on a joyous smile and threw herself at him.

’No matter if you’re the strongest steel, I’ll eventually melt you into pliant softness.’