Chapter 47: The Economic Advisory Council

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The speaker was a stranger, looking very young, pale-faced and clean-shaven, with eyes sparkling intensely. After thinking for a while, I finally recalled—this was Cai Jing, the one we had caught last night after he drank too much.

“But go ahead and speak!”

Cai Jing clasped his hands, circled them, and sat down again. Before speaking, he deliberately glanced at Liu Sanqiang.

“The platform summons is an ancient custom, used since the Qin and Han dynasties only for officials of the third rank or above. Since the president does not wish to be burdened by such a lofty title, all that is needed is to write a respectful memorial here, one that does not overstep bounds. I believe the emperor would never make such a foolish move. It’s likely that the young master deliberately spread this rumor, which makes it even easier to handle.”

“Speak quickly!”

“We specialize in official bulletins and belong to the Censorate. There is no need for an imperial edict or palace summons. We only need to submit memorials in the name of the Censorate!”

Everyone thought for a long time but still couldn’t grasp this idea.

The key problem was, this trick wouldn’t dispel Wang Pang’s rumors. Outside, so many scholars were blocking the door; the situation had already escalated. The question was how to put out the fire.

Suddenly, Li Chang’an had a flash of inspiration.

That’s right—you heap praise on me, so I’ll wear it. But on whose head, that’s uncertain.

If I went alone to the platform summons, I might become the laughingstock of the world.

But what if it was a large group? A very large group?

Looking at the few talents before him, and considering that Qian Weiming had thirty or forty more, and the estate had several hundred, Wang Pang and Wang Yuanze—this was your first move.

“Good! What Cai Yuanchang said is excellent. Our Economic Weekly acts as the Censorate and has the duty to gather public opinion and report it to Heaven. Enough talk. Brother Sanqiang, you and Cai Yuanchang immediately organize a meeting to specifically collect suggestions from the people regarding the reforms. Our weekly will set up a special section.”

The surprise on Cai Jing’s face instantly turned into a smile—this was acceptance.

Look, this room was full of people who would determine the fate of the Song for the next twenty years. Each represented a prominent local family. To enter this circle meant that Cai Jing truly had stepped into Bianjing.

Liu Sanqiang led his men out, his mind full of questions.

Wasn’t big brother here to catch people for gossip tabloids? How come he ended up carrying the burden for others, turning a landlord into a laborer?

“Qian Weiming, immediately submit a memorial in the name of the weekly, stating that we are just starting out, the structure is not yet complete, and we cannot yet relieve the emperor’s burdens. But as young representatives wholeheartedly devoted to building the Song, our Economic Research Bureau has an unshirkable responsibility to offer advice.

“Therefore, we apply to establish a special institution to collect suggestions for His Majesty through interviews with senior merchants, landlords, and retired officials.”

Sickening. I hope you choke on this!

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After all, Li Chang’an had seen much before. What Elon Musk did, he could mimic cleverly.

If you want to use reputation to harm me, use official constraints to bind me, you underestimate Grandpa Sun’s methods.

Soon, the second wave of envoys arrived.

This time it was the Empress Dowager’s decree—no official rank granted, no consultation sought, just an inquiry about whether Li Chang’an was betrothed and why the family was dividing its property.

Could it be that they wanted to marry him into the royal family as a prince consort? After all, it was rare in feudal society to marry a wife who outranked you.

“Report to the envoy: my father has already arranged my marriage. As for dividing the property, it’s because our surname is Li, not Zhang.”

Qian Weiming handed the memorial to the envoy, slipped him ten strings of silver, and gave careful instructions.

Meanwhile, Cai Jing had already started working.

The Economic Research Bureau was the theoretical research arm of the Financial Affairs Council. The Song Economic Weekly was its official publication, and the Economic Advisory Bureau was the council’s meeting body.

To join the Financial Affairs Council, or to publish articles in the journal, or to share the research results of the bureau, one could join the Advisory Bureau.

This organization set no thresholds. Any individual or group devoted to prospering the economy and building a glorious future for the Song was welcome to apply by name.

No membership fees, join or leave at will, monthly meetings optional, mailboxes open all day for submissions.

As for those wanting to apprentice under Li Chang’an—no time!

President Li held multiple posts, worked day and night, wholeheartedly dedicated to the great cause of Song’s reform, and had no time to take disciples.

If you want to understand President Li’s thoughts, follow our commentary articles, or subscribe early to the upcoming Economic Weekly.

All rumors about the emperor summoning President Li to the platform are false.

The Economic Weekly, as the official bulletin of the Censorate, was already a platform for imperial governance, no extra procedures needed.

Everyone was just overestimating; please do not believe or spread rumors.

The scholars outside heard this and found some truth in it. Besides, if Li Chang’an could not become an official, what meaning was there in following his path?

Better to withdraw and focus on studies—forget economics; better to reread the Four Books and Five Classics.

Within an hour, Cai Jing efficiently cleared all the scholars crowding outside.

A fierce light shone in Liu Sanqiang’s eyes, and drool nearly dripped from his mouth.

Chang’an is not unkind to his brothers. How did he discover such talent? It was worth the months of exhaustive research and the great contributions made to the team.

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It seemed loyalty was indeed necessary!

He was not good at mundane affairs, but now with Cai Jing, running an entertainment weekly would be as easy as Guan Yu passing five passes.

In all of Bianjing, besides himself, who else could understand the entertainment industry?

Wait, how did a descendant of the former royal house become a kingpin in the entertainment world—and start feeling proud about it?

The more he looked at Cai Jing, the more he liked him. This kid, aside from being lecherous, had no real flaws.

But working with him, even lechery counted as a virtue.

At the Prime Minister’s residence, in the public office.

Wang Pang had set aside two rooms to establish a newspaper team.

He had brought two men from his father: Shen Chengliang and Liu Chuan from Fujian.

Additionally, he recruited several newcomers, all of whom had submitted letters to the Prime Minister’s residence, hoping for recommendation and promotion—more than happy to mingle and get familiar with him first.

Listening to the scouts’ reports, Wang Pang smiled evilly.

Not bad, worthy as my opponent—surprisingly calm in a crisis. I just wonder if you can withstand the next move.

Two days ago, by persuasion, he got his father to submit a memorial to save Cao Rui.

Although he lost the position of Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Guard and was demoted three ranks to Southern Bureau Chief, the position still remained, so his power was preserved.

This hungry wolf was now closely watching Li Chang’an. At the slightest mistake, he would surely be impeached.

Thinking that avoiding palace service meant no trouble was wishful thinking.

If you don’t hand over the military reform plan, I will torment you relentlessly until you kneel before me.

Shen Chengliang put down his brush, sighed with relief, and fanned away the ink.

“Young master, the petition is finished. This old man will probably be exiled to Cangzhou as punishment. Let’s see how Li Chang’an handles this!”

“Good! Violating the law, damaging the Green Seedling Policy. I don’t believe that after dividing the property, he can ignore his own grandfather and uncle.”

A messenger came in, pocketed the sealed envelope, and headed straight to the Ministry of Revenue’s Accounts Division.