Yun Shu's idea to establish state-funded academies in the Tian Sheng court was not born of a passing whim. She had long prepared for this moment, carefully considering every detail from start to finish.
So when she laid out her plan in a crisp, relentless stream of logic, even Emperor Xuanwu was left momentarily speechless.
The proposal sounded good in theory—very good, in fact. But every part of it screamed expense.
In fact, it felt even costlier than founding a navy.
At least when it came to the navy, most of the men selected had already been part of military garrisons across the empire. They required wages wherever they were stationed, so the budget didn't balloon too much.
That ten million taels Yun Shu had requisitioned from the Ministry of Revenue, which left Minister Yan howling in distress for days, had only gone toward shipbuilding and training losses. It didn't even cover food or lodging.
But the academies she envisioned were an entirely different matter.
According to Yun Shu, the institutions would provide room and board not just for the teaching scholars, but also for students from impoverished households.
From purchasing land, to constructing buildings, to paying a proper monthly stipend to each instructor—not to mention desks, chairs, and a vast array of books. And then there was that strange "innovation and mechanics" curriculum she mentioned, which required all manner of so-called experimental materials.
And above all, there was the issue of feeding everyone.
Every corner of the plan demanded money, and a great deal of it.
Emperor Xuanwu did some rough calculations based on the projected size of the academies. Within the first year alone, the empire would need to invest no less than thirty million taels of silver.
No wonder the little rascal had kept quiet about this plan until now.
This single proposal would swallow nearly half the imperial treasury's annual revenue from years past.
Had it not been for the surge in commercial taxes this year, she would have been cursed to the heavens by Minister Yan the moment she opened her mouth.
Even now, Emperor Xuanwu was not entirely certain Minister Yan would take the news calmly. There was a very real chance the man would return to his old ways and clash with Yun Shu every time they met.
After a moment's hesitation, Emperor Xuanwu spoke in a measured tone.
"If you wish to establish academies, so be it. But you must know well that getting Minister Yan to open the purse strings is no simple task."
He looked at her steadily.
"We offer you two paths. One, We shall speak on your behalf. Minister Yan will have no choice but to release the funds, and matters will proceed more smoothly thereafter. However, such coercion will undoubtedly leave him resentful. He may drag his feet during future allocations or deliberately create obstacles."
He paused, letting the words sink in.
"Alternatively, you may try to persuade Minister Yan yourself. Should you succeed, his cooperation will be more earnest. But make no mistake, it will not be easy. This matter may be delayed for some time before it can formally begin."
"I choose the second!" Yun Shu answered without hesitation.
"I wish to leave the palace immediately to speak with Minister Yan."
"..."
Now?
Did this rascal actually believe that just because Minister Yan had been treating her a little better lately, asking for money would be a simple task?
The commercial tax revenue may have just hit one billion eight hundred million taels, but as far as Emperor Xuanwu knew, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Rites, and many other departments had all gone to Minister Yan with requests for funds. None of them had received a single coin.
According to Minister Yan, there was a way to plan without money, and likewise, there was a way to plan with it. Just because funds had come in did not mean he would toss silver around carelessly.
He would remain as stringent as ever, ensuring that every copper was spent where it truly mattered.
No more, no less.
Given how tight-fisted and rigid that old man was, would he ever agree to hand over thirty million taels for some "public welfare academies"?
It was laughable just thinking about it.
Emperor Xuanwu held no hope whatsoever.
Still, he thought it might do Yun Shu some good to hit a wall.
Maybe then she would begin to understand how generous her Imperial Father truly was. Perhaps she would stop scheming with the Sixth Prince behind his back, trying to trip him up at every turn.
Letting out a quiet huff, Emperor Xuanwu's expression remained unchanged as he nodded.
"If you wish to go, then go."
"Then I shall take my leave," Yun Shu replied, unaware of the devious intent lurking behind her Imperial Father's calm gaze.
With her Imperial Father's blessing, she left the palace without a backward glance, heading straight for the Minister's residence.
Emperor Xuanwu, on the other hand, reviewed a few more memorials without expression, then suddenly called for Li Dehai.
"Is the Sixth Prince in the imperial study today?"
"Your Majesty, His Highness is taking a rest day. He should be in Yaohua Palace."
Li Dehai had a precise memory when it came to His Highness Yun Chuhuan's schedule—especially after the young prince had crouched outside the imperial library for hours just to see his Fifth Sister.
Li Dehai carefully glanced at the Emperor's expression and asked tentatively, "Does Your Majesty wish to summon the Sixth Prince?"
"No need," the Emperor replied, setting down his red brush and rising to his feet.
"Prepare the sedan. We are going to Yaohua Palace."
Xiao Wu had only warned him not to bring up that little incident with the concrete again. She never said he couldn't find some other reason to go after Yun Chuhuan.
He still remembered that image from the Simulation Life Selection System—the one that yielded nothing but static.
Sleeping with a blanket over the head, was it?
Hmph...
The petty Emperor Xuanwu set out for Yaohua Palace in person.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the capital, Yun Shu had already arrived outside the residence of Minister Yan.
Inside the main hall, Minister Yan was locked in a fierce debate with the Minister of Rites when a young servant burst in, clearly in a hurry. Minister Yan looked up, annoyed.
"Who is it this time, come to beg for money again?"
The servant hesitated, face pale.
His master was truly fearless. But today was no ordinary day.
Withstanding the full brunt of Minister Yan's glare, the servant braced himself and whispered, "Master, it is the Crown Princess."
"The Crown Princess?"
Minister Yan was so used to officials swarming him day in and day out for funds that it took him a second to register what he had just heard. He nearly asked which Crown Princess—then caught himself.
His mind finally caught up to his mouth. He shot to his feet, so abruptly that he didn't even bother straightening the wrinkles in his robe before rushing out.
"Why has Her Highness suddenly come? Did she say what the matter concerns?"
"Her Highness only said it was a matter of importance. I did not dare ask further," the servant replied quickly, jogging alongside him.
"But judging from her expression, it did not seem to be anything bad."
"You can tell from her expression?"
Even if the Crown Princess wasn't scowling or looking grim, what did that prove?
What if this ancestral terror had another one of her grand ideas and came to ask for money again?
She wasn't someone you could compare with the other ministers. Even when the treasury was practically empty, she had opened her mouth and casually asked for ten million taels.