I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 580 - 69: Standing Alone to Stabilize the Nation, Development of Maritime Trade

In just a few short years, Panyu has developed to its current scale.

This demonstrates exactly how fast the development here has been.

If not for the considerable restrictions imposed by the Great Tang, this situation would have unfolded even faster.

This is the terrifying aspect of Kyushu!

The entire court is paying close attention to this matter, for although the Great Tang is indeed powerful now, expanding a city has never been a trivial matter.

Especially when it involves expanding multiple cities at once.

The costs are astronomical, and they cannot afford to be imprudent.

In Luoyang Palace, the ministers gathered.

The young Emperor sat on the dragon throne, with Gu Jing by his side, silently listening to the ministers below debate the issue.

The Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Di Renjie, stepped forward with his tablet, his voice steady yet tinged with undeniable concern: "Your Majesty, Grand Tutor!"

"The coastal cities are flourishing, merchants gather, and trade connects the four seas, which is indeed a sign of the Great Tang’s flourishing national fortune."

"However, expanding cities is no trivial matter!"

"Panyu has been expanded multiple times, the projects of Yonghui are still fresh in our minds, and now it’s urgent again; the speed at which this is happening defies reason."

"I do not wish for it to be weakened, but rather am truly worried about its haste!"

"Raising multiple cities at once, where will the funds come from?"

His expression was extremely serious, clearly very worried about the current situation, unwilling to let the court take such a big risk.

As soon as he finished speaking, Lou Shide immediately stepped forward to refute: "Lord Di’s words are indeed the wise strategy for running the country, but perhaps a bit too cautious!"

Then, he bowed slightly to Gu Jing, saying: "Your Majesty, Grand Tutor!"

"I believe the prosperity of the coastal regions is not the prosperity of one city or one place, but the prosperity of our Great Tang embracing the ocean and encompassing the world!"

"Merchants flock there, and the people rush to it like ducks, this is the grand trend, how can mere restrictions suppress it for long?"

"Currently, Panyu Port is congested, merchant ships have no place to dock, residential areas are so densely packed that there is barely room to stand a needle, this is not speculation, it is what I have personally seen!"

"If we are bound by ’gradual progress’, we may miss a great opportunity!"

"Sea merchants pursue profits, if due to our port being too small or our cities too cramped they turn elsewhere, or if smuggling and unauthorized construction arise, it will become a festering sore. Expansion is not just to accommodate the people, but also to consolidate the foundation!"

"I advise taking drastic measures, planning comprehensively, and advancing multiple cities together!"

His words resonated throughout the hall.

Immediately after, Xu Yougong stepped forward, took a deep breath, and said: "Your Majesty, Grand Tutor."

"Both lords have valid points."

"However, I believe that whether to expand and at what pace are secondary; the primary focus should be on the law!"

"In the past, the expansion under Yonghui had regulations, but now the new city far surpasses the old, its planning, land use, construction standards, and jurisdiction divisions, is there a set Chapter?"

"..."

The ministers expressed their opinions, and the hall echoed with keywords like "people’s strength", "opportunity", "law", "long-term".

Those advocating caution emphasized risk and order, while those urging swift action focused on opportunity and national strength, and those emphasizing the law stressed the necessity of implementing restrictions while vigorously developing.

Though the debate was intense, not one voiced self-interest, all speaking from the perspective of the family and country.

This is the Great Tang now.

Even if there is some strife among them, they must unite externally when faced with great matters of principle, otherwise, they could not have come this far.

Gu Yi was also paying attention to this scene, not feeling surprised by it.

The development of coastal cities does not need much discourse.

What truly concerned him were the details, specifically the merchant guilds formed by sea merchants and the biggest merchants among them.

——The influence of these individuals now far exceeds Gu Yi’s expectations.

The growth of maritime trade has drawn too many people in.

This elevated their status considerably, and coupled with their increasing wealth, these individuals have now exerted influence, be it locally or overseas.

This is definitely not a good sign.

Although everything now seems to be developing continuously, the foundation is actually built upon the Great Tang being sufficiently strong internally.

If any unforeseen events occur in the future, these people could very likely transform into regional separatist forces.

Even without internal allies.

Using their financial resources, coupled with overseas influence, would pose a significant factor of instability.

Amidst his thoughts, Gu Yi suddenly had a spark of an idea, taking out the Spirit Communication Jade from his bag, though he did not transmit any critical information.

Gu Yi merely used the Spirit Communication Jade to plant a thought in Gu Jing’s mind about "using sea merchants to build the city".

With Gu Jing’s talent, he could surely figure out the relations within.

Inside the hall.

Gu Jing had been earnestly listening to the thoughts of the crowd, while also continually weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

Building is a necessity.

Lou Shide’s analysis was correct; if the court does not handle this matter, maritime trade will certainly be impacted.

The current financial revenue from maritime trade of the Great Tang is taking up an increasingly large portion.

It has even surpassed the benefits brought by the Silk Road, this is a piece of fat the Great Tang absolutely cannot give up.

But the real difficulty is how to construct it——

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, and amidst this contemplation, Gu Jing suddenly had an idea, directing all the issues towards one core——

Great Sea Merchants!

This is the magic of the Spirit Communication Jade, which makes a thought arise in one’s mind as if inspired from beyond.

In an instant, Gu Jing felt enlightened.

He had already noticed the sea merchants, as the Imperial Censorate is now most concerned with the Western Regions as well as various coastal ports.

Gu Jing was clearly aware of how astonishing the profits obtained by these sea merchants over the years were.