The court, having shamelessly entered the fray of commerce itself, was now being painted by this young man as merely a pragmatic measure for economizing.
With Han Mo's persuasive arguments, Emperor Zhao Ji could guarantee that even if this matter were brought before the imperial court, not a single minister would dare to utter a word of protest.
After all, the reality was that the court was utterly dependent on the annual revenue generated by the Maritime Trade Directorate.
The entire court, all the officials, had already grudgingly accepted this situation.
Ultimately, the reorganization of the Maritime Trade Directorate only affected the interests of a few maritime merchant families.
Of course, when those families suffered losses, officials who had dealings with them would also have to endure silent hardship.
After all, with the restructuring of the Maritime Trade Directorate, the funds transacted by these merchants, whether for purchases or sales, were now effectively protection fees paid to the Emperor.
Anyone who dared to cross them would first have to see if the Emperor approved.
Regardless of how the Maritime Trade Directorate was reformed, the money contributed by these families was the true bulk of the revenue.
Having accepted this fundamental premise, Han Mo's second proposal, concerning overseas voyages, transformed from an option into an absolute necessity.
Indeed, how could one rationally set prices without understanding the local market prices for goods?
Once the imperative nature of this matter was established, any further objections from anyone would be easily quashed by the Emperor simply presenting the astronomical expenditure required.
If anyone dared to complain further, they would be told to fund it themselves!
Moreover, there was no such concept as "competing with the populace for profit" in the Great Song Dynasty.
Salt, iron, tea, silk, alum, minerals, even brothels – whatever business could generate profit, the court was involved in it!
Adding maritime trade to the list was an even simpler proposition for these scholar-officials to accept than the business of brothels!
"Regarding the fleet..."
Upon hearing Han Mo's words, Zhao Ji immediately fell into contemplation.
He might not have been clear on other matters, but when it came to fleets, the Emperor's mind immediately went to the meager funds painstakingly accumulated by the Ministry of Revenue.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, my intention is for the fleet to raise its own funds; there is no need for the court to allocate additional appropriations!"
With his understanding of Zhao Ji, Han Mo naturally knew what the Emperor was worried about.
The Emperor was utterly profligate when it came to spending his own money, never considering the actual value of things, always opting for the most expensive, not necessarily the most appropriate.
However, when it came to allocating funds for proper business, the situation was entirely different!
"If it's not about the money, then what is the difficulty?"
After hearing Han Mo's explanation, Zhao Ji became even more hesitant. If it wasn't a matter of money, then what was it?
"Your Majesty may not know, but those foreign peoples overseas respect might over benevolence. They are like frogs in a well, unaware of the might of our Great Song. There are even many rogue elements who make a living by robbing passing merchants. While the smaller nations that have already established tributary relationships with the Great Song are fine, I fear those..."
As Han Mo spoke, Zhao Ji suddenly understood. This young man was asking for authority.
However, after only a moment's hesitation, Zhao Ji immediately made up his mind.
"I thought it was some major difficulty. This matter doesn't even need to be brought to the imperial court. I shall bestow upon you a Dragon Banner. If anyone dares to defile this celestial authority, the accompanying escorting troops may act at their discretion. As for those who disrespect our royal governance, even annihilating a few small countries would be inconsequential!"
Although the Northern Song was not a unified dynasty, with its prosperous commercial background and the management of successive emperors, the Northern Song Dynasty's understanding of the South Seas actually surpassed that of all previous dynasties.
Essentially, along the route from Quanzhou all the way to the Red Sea, all the relatively powerful nations had already established tributary relationships with the Northern Song.
Even if these tributary relationships were unreliable, and the vast majority of these so-called tributary states were merely for tribute trade,
However, through long-term tribute trade, even an emperor like Zhao Ji was aware that, apart from Wa (Japan), the remaining maritime nations that had not yet established tributary relations with the Northern Song were truly insignificant.
What consequence would it have to destroy one or two such small countries?
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Even Han Mo had not expected Zhao Ji to agree so readily. However, this saved him a great deal of trouble.
Perhaps Zhao Ji himself did not realize that by saying just a few words, he had inadvertently caused Han Mo to completely ensnare Wa (Japan).
"Very well, are there any other difficulties you have? You may state them all at once!"
Seeing the excitement on Han Mo's face, Zhao Ji smiled and asked again.
"There is still a slight issue. Your Majesty should be aware that among the auxiliary troops in Liangzhe, there are many who have long been unsuitable for service. My suggestion is to select some capable soldiers from these auxiliary troops to supplement the navy. As for those who are unsuitable for service, I wish to find them another path and concurrently relieve them of their military duties."
Hearing this, Zhao Ji truly hesitated.
Redundant soldiers, redundant officials, redundant expenses – these were the three mountains that weighed down the Great Song Dynasty. For many years, no emperor had been able to resolve this issue. Even a strong figure like Wang Anshi, the Prime Minister, had not been able to completely solve this problem.
Han Mo's resurfacing of this issue now made the Emperor somewhat worried for him.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I guarantee that this matter will only be implemented in the Liangzhe region and will absolutely not affect other areas! Furthermore, I guarantee that no one will use this matter to cause trouble for Your Majesty!"
"This is not that I fear trouble. You must understand that this matter involves a chain reaction. If it truly causes chaos, I may not be able to protect you. You must think carefully!"
Over the years, a silent tumor had formed within the Great Song Dynasty around the colossal expenditure of military funds.
To ensure their continuous flow of wealth, everyone involved in this interest chain was unusually united.
Anyone who dared to sever this chain of interest would inevitably be attacked by all.
These people had money, power, and manpower. From the imperial court to the local level, an invisible net had already been formed.
The failure of Wang Anshi's reforms was not unrelated to the efforts of these individuals!
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I guarantee that I will only offer them a choice of retirement; everyone's decision to stay or leave will be entirely voluntary."
"Are you truly confident about this?"
Looking at Han Mo's earnest expression, Zhao Ji couldn't help but take another deep look at him.
As emperor, he dreamt of resolving the issue of redundant soldiers as soon as possible. After all, if this problem could be solved, the court's annual expenses could be reduced by at least twenty million guan!
With so much money, how many construction projects could be completed? How many beautiful women could be supported?