Chapter Eight: His Majesty, the Enlightened Monarch

After clearing out the imperial gardens of Chang’an, it turned out there were fifteen or sixteen in all. Gao Buyi exclaimed at the extravagance and immediately commanded that the larger gardens with beautiful scenery be tidied up, their treasures taken into the national treasury, and the gardens themselves opened to the public free of charge. As for the rest, with so many foreign merchants currently in Chang’an, he ordered that they be sold at high prices without delay. Gao Buyi assigned this task to Yang Guozhong.

Though Yang Guozhong was incompetent in statecraft, his efficiency in matters of business was remarkable. When it came to amassing wealth, he was every bit the equal of Li Linfu. With the two of them around, Emperor Xuanzong’s reign never wanted for riches.

Before long, all the gardens were sold, bringing in a sum of one billion and one hundred million taels of silver—and this was merely Chang’an. There were still imperial gardens across the country yet to be sold. If all went as planned, this would be an astonishing income.

Gao Buyi had already decided how to use these funds: he would establish a national chain of money houses, akin to the banks of later generations. This era was the perfect time to launch such an enterprise—perhaps a multinational bank could even emerge from it, so great was the demand. Where there is demand, business is sure to follow.

He intended to entrust this task to Lishi. The man was capable and loyal, but had become too deeply entangled in palace intrigue; he could not remain in the palace any longer.

At that moment, Lishi knelt before Gao Buyi, who had already told him of his new assignment, as well as the purpose behind founding the bank: to raise funds for road-building, military training, and enriching the people.

“Are you willing to take on this task?” Gao Buyi finally asked.

“Can such an enterprise truly enrich the nation without increasing the people’s burdens?” Lishi inquired.

“Of course, if you perform well.”

“Should I inform the Crown Prince?”

“You answer only to me.”

At this, Lishi finally relaxed, reassured that he remained the Emperor’s confidant. He kowtowed promptly. “Your servant is willing.”

“Very good. Go, then. The one billion and one hundred million taels from the sale of the gardens will be your capital. Remember, advance steadily and cautiously.”

“I understand what must be done,” Lishi replied.

“Well said. You are worthy of being my trusted man. Carry out your duties without worry; I will not leave you without a future. And one more thing: find a way to purchase more grain and store it near Chang’an.” This was both a promise of reward and a precaution for what was to come.

According to historical records, in the seventh month of the year 747, Chang’an suffered a famine. Gao Buyi was preparing in advance.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Watching Lishi depart, Gao Buyi began to ponder his next move.

Standing nearby, Shangguan Peihui could not help but sigh inwardly: “Once all-powerful, Lishi has now been removed from the center of power. Truly, the rise and fall of fortunes hinge on a single word from the Emperor.” Thinking this, she glanced at the most powerful old man in the realm. He seemed in good spirits—she hoped it was not merely the last flare before dusk. At last, there was a glimmer of hope.

After much thought, Gao Buyi decided that the first business of the new year would be to gather talented men. In this age, luminaries such as Li Bai, Du Fu, and Gao Shi were all in their prime—this was the time for them to make their mark on the world.

“Cough, cough, cough!—This damned body!” Gao Buyi cursed under his breath, for his aging form was struggling to keep up. Suddenly, he turned to Shangguan Peihui, their eyes meeting. She quickly averted her gaze.

“Peihui, you’ve practiced breath cultivation, haven’t you?”

Shangguan Peihui’s heart raced, and she nodded repeatedly.

“Hahaha! Good, good! Come, teach me now.”

Gao Buyi, desperate to change his decrepit state, could only pin his hopes on the ancient art of breath cultivation.

At that moment, the beautiful Shangguan’s face was as red as a blossom, but Gao Buyi had no time to appreciate her charms—he was intent on beginning his exercises at once, lest death catch him unprepared.

In the days that followed, Gao Buyi was either practicing or poring over a map—the deployment of the ten great military governors’ forces across the realm.

“Hui’er!”

“Your servant is here!” Gao Buyi had decreed that the palace maids should refer to themselves as ‘your servant’ rather than ‘slave’, for he disliked the sound of the latter, which smacked of cruel landlords.

“How many days until the Lantern Festival?”

“Your Majesty, three days remain!” Shangguan Peihui, adorned with a crown of six-flower hairpins, was a vision of beauty—a credit to Gao Buyi’s own efforts. The other palace maids now wore flying-immortal hairstyles, inspired by the heavenly maidens in later television adaptations of Journey to the West. Their attire, too, had been altered to resemble that of celestial attendants.

“Attend me!”

“Your Majesty!” Chen Xuan entered.

“Is the General on duty today? Where are Geshu Han and Li Sheng?”

“They are also on duty, but stationed outside.”

“General, you work hard.”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty!”

“Does the Northern Garrison now number a hundred thousand?”

“Your Majesty, a little over ninety thousand—just short of a hundred thousand.”

“Listen carefully. I give you three years to expand the garrison to three hundred thousand men. The palace security will be entrusted entirely to Geshu Han and the others; you are to devote yourself fully to this task.” At these words, Chen Xuan was both astonished and uneasy. Wasn’t the plan to focus on peace and recovery? Why the sudden expansion?

“Is there a problem?”

“Not a major one, but—”

“If there’s no problem, that’s enough. This expansion must include recruiting more commoners. Explain to them clearly that all men over eighteen are encouraged to enlist voluntarily. After five years of service, they may return home of their own accord. Upon discharge, the court will grant them a resettlement allowance on top of their monthly stipend. This should become standard practice. The current system is flawed—soldiers shouldn’t serve for life.”

Chen Xuan didn’t fully grasp the reasoning, but sensed it was a good thing, and agreed at once.

“This matter brooks no delay, but remember—enlistment must be voluntary. That is both principle and bottom line; the people’s lives must not be disrupted.”

“I understand, Your Majesty!”

“Though this is an age of prosperity, military readiness cannot be neglected. One must be prepared for trouble in times of peace,” Gao Buyi sighed. “I will give you a personal directive. Summon Wang Sizhong to return to Chang’an before the Lantern Festival. Instruct Fumeng Lingcha and the Deputy Commissioner of Anxi, Guo Ziyi, to return from Beiting as well. Let the Deputy Commissioner of Beiting, Gao Xianzhi, and the Chief Clerk of Anxi, Feng Changqing, act temporarily as military governors in their stead.”

Later, Guo Ziyi did not reach Chang’an, but was appointed Governor of Longyou and diverted there en route.

Hearing this, Chen Xuan’s heart skipped a beat and he knelt in alarm. “Your Majesty, though General Wang commands troops in four regions, I stake my life on his absolute loyalty.”

Gao Buyi laughed. “Rise. What are you imagining? Have you heard rumors?”

“Your Majesty, I cannot hide it. I have indeed heard Li Linfu slandering General Wang in passing.”

“Haha! You! After the New Year, I intend to reform military affairs, and will need to consult General Wang on some matters. Go and see to it, and have him bring Pugu Huai’en from Shuofang as well.” Gao Buyi felt that, since he treated Chen Xuan as a trusted general, it was best to be direct to avoid misunderstandings.

Sure enough, Chen Xuan was relieved. Xuanzong had already begun to suspect Wang Sizhong, swayed by others.

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

After Chen Xuan departed, Gao Buyi turned to Shangguan Peihui with a smile. “Hui’er, am I truly so frightening? I saw Chen Xuan breathe a huge sigh of relief just now.”

Shangguan Peihui immediately knelt. “Your Majesty is a wise and enlightened ruler!”