Chapter 115: The Way to a Powerful Nation (Subscriptions Requested)

The student believes that the four major border armies are sufficient to fend off invasions from the four neighboring countries. If their forces fall short, the regional armies and the imperial troops can provide support. As long as the nation's gates remain unbreached, there will be no internal turmoil.

Of course, strengthening the military is necessary. Expanding the four border armies by recruiting an additional one hundred thousand soldiers each as standing forces will ensure the land remains secure. Xia Zhenghong, fond of reading military texts, understood some of these principles.

"Yes, I have heard you once accompanied the provincial troops in anti-bandit campaigns. Can you describe the situation with those mountain bandits?" Emperor Wu Qing inquired.

"Your Majesty, those bandits merely rely on the dense forests and high mountains to evade the officials. In truth, they are a disorganized rabble. If confronted with real combat against the official troops, they would stand no chance and are therefore not a serious concern," Xia Zhenghong replied disdainfully.

The emperor then dismissed Xia Zhenghong and looked toward Fang Xian. After a moment of silence, he did not call on him but summoned Lu Kunrong instead, leaving the court officials puzzled but bringing joy to scholars like Shi Hongchang.

"Your Majesty, as long as the people are stable internally, there will be no fear of encirclement by the four countries. Moreover, mobilizing able-bodied citizens to assist the border armies will surely make the Wu Kingdom as solid as a fortress," Lu Kunrong said respectfully.

As a scholar from a humble background, Lu Kunrong's concerns were mainly for the common people. His ideal scenario was for the emperor to first stabilize the populace and then enlist their support in defending the borders. However, implementing this in practice would be challenging.

Emperor Wu Qing said little in response, then questioned several other scholars before finally calling Fang Xian’s name. Standing there silently throughout, Fang Xian maintained the same posture even when the emperor skipped over him to question others. He noticed the emperor’s gaze occasionally sweeping over him.

"I am here," Fang Xian stepped forward and bowed.

"Your merit in curing the crown prince’s tuberculosis is already considerable. Why do you still wish to participate in the palace examination?" the emperor asked, posing a question Fang Xian had not anticipated.

"I am, first and foremost, a scholar. Taking the palace exam has always been my aspiration. As for practicing medicine, it is merely a pastime during my leisure hours—better than wasting time in pleasure quarters," Fang Xian answered boldly.

Hearing this, many court officials and scholars blushed, for their usual diversions often involved lingering in brothels, whether to enjoy music or spend the night—activities Fang Xian dismissed as mere frivolity.

"If you were to answer the previous two questions, how would you respond?" Emperor Wu Qing asked.

"If the four nations invade our borders, the Wu Kingdom would face the threat of annihilation. I believe Your Majesty should personally lead the army and dispatch princes to various border posts to inspire morale. This is the embodiment of a sovereign sacrificing for his realm, the Son of Heaven guarding the nation's gates.

"Secondly, all measures must be taken to mobilize the entire nation against the invaders. In times of chaos, harsh punishments should be enforced: those who propose surrender shall be executed; rebels, traitors, conspirators, or those disturbing the people shall all be put to death. This will make Wu as unyielding as iron, impenetrable by enemies."

Fang Xian’s answer was neither evasive nor perfunctory; he offered a genuine solution, though his words brimmed with a deadly resolve that startled the court.

As his voice faded, a heavy silence filled the Great Supreme Hall. It was not a lack of sound but a chorus of sharp intakes of breath—his audience was shocked.

Even Emperor Wu Qing had not expected Fang Xian to declare such views openly, revealing him as a staunch advocate of war.

However, the five death penalties Fang Xian proposed cast a shadow of great dread over the emperor, evoking images of a blood-soaked era descending upon the land.

Yet, if the Wu Kingdom truly faced the existential threat of invasion by the four nations, Fang Xian’s harsh approach would be most beneficial to the royal family. While other ministers or commoners might surrender, the royal lineage could never capitulate.

For the four nations to annihilate Wu, they would have to exterminate every member of the royal family, severing all hopes of rebellion and ensuring complete submission.

Though inwardly approving, Emperor Wu Qing could not show his favor publicly, so he calmly changed the subject.

"Fang Xian, I have reviewed your policy essay, which outlines a series of strategies for strengthening the state. Could you explain these strategies to the assembled ministers?"

Fang Xian was well aware of how shocking his previous statements were. When the emperor shifted the topic, he secretly breathed easier, wary of anyone exploiting his words, though he himself feared nothing.

"I believe a nation can be strengthened through twelve principles: prioritizing agriculture, focusing on industry and commerce, broadening education, and lightening taxes. Additionally, diligent military training and conscription are essential. By adhering to these, the state will grow ever stronger," Fang Xian answered without hesitation.

"These seem to summarize your policy essay. Could you elaborate on these twelve principles?" Emperor Wu Qing asked with genuine interest.

"Prioritizing agriculture means placing the highest importance on farming because food security is the foundation of national stability. When the people have sufficient grain in hand, they remain calm and will not incite unrest for other reasons," Fang Xian explained.

"Having grain in hand calms the heart," the emperor repeated, his eyes lighting up.

The other ministers also pondered the phrase. Though they knew the importance of food, none had expressed it so succinctly, capturing the people's true sentiments and emphasizing grain’s paramount importance.

"May I ask, Scholar Fang, every dynasty has claimed to value grain, yet shortages persist due to floods, droughts, locusts, and other natural disasters, as well as warfare. How can these be prevented?" Left Chancellor Lu Zhiyun could not help but ask, and Emperor Wu Qing made no sign of rebuke, indicating this was a question he wished to hear answered.

"Natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and locust plagues can be managed, though I cannot elaborate here. While wars cannot be entirely avoided, a strong nation need not fear them and can confine conflicts to foreign lands, sparing its agriculture.

"The reason food shortages persist despite official attention is that the people lack their own land and thus lack motivation to cultivate it fully. This underutilization of arable land causes the scarcity," Fang Xian said respectfully, turning toward Lu Zhiyun.

"Absurd. Scholar Fang suggests distributing land to the people? If so, what becomes of the royal estate?" a voice suddenly interjected. Fang Xian glanced to see a lean man standing in the fourth row of the civil officials, a face unfamiliar to him.