Chapter 1 The Silver Coin's Progress in Zhenzhou

As for the promotion of silver coins in Zhenzhou, it was even more relaxed and pleasant. Most of Zhenzhou's supplies now had to be transported through Yunzhou, including grain, non-staple foods, tools, tea, salt, and so on. These essential items for the development of Zhenzhou were needed by almost every household to varying degrees. Since all the suppliers here were willing to accept silver coins, the silver coins flowed from the bank to the soldiers and veterans, and then from these families to the merchants. These merchants would then either flow the silver coins back to Yunzhou or invest locally, establishing new commercial branches. In this way, the silver coins circulated. Because silver coins were more convenient for payment than actual silver and eliminated the problems of fineness and cutting losses, people increasingly realized the benefits of silver coins.

Meanwhile, in Dongping, there were various opinions regarding the implementation of a different currency system under the Northern Frontier Pacification Bureau than in Dongping. Those who had always been at odds with Ye Tao naturally continued to attack him, criticizing Yunzhou's governance as contrary to common sense. Tan Xiaopei happened to be commanding the battle in front of Zhenning Pass at this time instead of being in Danyang. The Crown Prince Tan Weiming, who was supervising the state, was somewhat overwhelmed by the ministers in the court. Some said that Ye Tao and Tan Weiran were in cahoots, plotting to usurp the country; others said that Ye Tao was separating himself from Dongping in every way, intending to become independent and disloyal; and some even exaggerated, saying that Ye Tao was a demon sent from heaven, foreshadowing the destruction of the country and chaos... Those who strongly supported Ye Tao had completely different views. Some advocated that Dongping should also promote silver coins, while others advocated the full implementation of the new policies and the re-establishment of the position of prime minister, to be held by Ye Tao... Although Tan Weiming was not like Tan Weiran, who could enthusiastically train and suffer in the army, finally winning the hearts of the soldiers and being able to command the Jingyun Cavalry with ease, truly becoming a respected figure in the Yunzhou army instead of relying on his identity as a prince; Tan Weiming was also not a civil official like Huang Xuping, who could treat various strategies as his profession and make even the most bizarre things sound real on paper. Tan Weiming did not need to be a military general or a civil official. Originally, the current Crown Prince, the future ruler of the country, was a very special profession. And Tan Weiming suddenly realized that Huang Xuping and others, who had always strongly supported Ye Tao, looked indifferent, hiding on the side with a gloating expression.

Huang Xuping really didn't want to talk much now. Lu Dan was his son-in-law and had been selected by Ye Tao to become the governor of Zhenzhou and had already taken office. Huang Wan was leisurely on her way to Yunzhou. Due to the complex situation in Zhenzhou, it was better for Huang Wan to be separated from Lu Dan for a while, especially since Huang Wan was now pregnant, although it was only a little over a month, it didn't affect the easy and comfortable journey much, but the impact would always get bigger and bigger. No matter what, Huang Xuping would be identified as being in Ye Tao's faction.

Seeing Huang Xuping like this, Tan Weiming naturally understood the reason for Huang Xuping's silence and also understood why he didn't care. Huang Xuping naturally knew the key to the problem: Ye Tao was doing this because Tan Xiaopei and Tan Weiming had both agreed. It was not them, the ministers, who needed to support Ye Tao, but Tan Weiming. If they didn't support Ye Tao, then they shouldn't expect Ye Tao to do a good job in the future.

In the Hall of Political Affairs, Tan Weiming rubbed his temples, stretched out his hands and pressed down, signaling everyone to be silent.

"First of all, every strategy implemented by Ye Tao was reported to the Father King in advance. Regarding the establishment of Yunzhou Bank, a total of ninety-two documents were submitted, totaling more than three thousand pages. There were prospects, various operating rules, and contingency plans in case of difficulties. In terms of various governance measures, Yunzhou's caution and seriousness far exceeded everyone's imagination. Regardless of whether the measures are effective or not, they are implemented with our consent at least. ... Zhao Tianci, you have been a local official for seven years and implemented four local strategies. Each time, you first achieved results before reporting to the court to ask for punishment, but each time it was a reward, right?" Looking at Zhao Tianci's embarrassed face, Tan Weiming smiled and nodded, saying, "Are you embarrassed to mention the charge of disobeying the court's orders or something like that?"

"Zhao Yi, Ye Tao declined more than once when he was appointed as the Yunzhou Pacification Commissioner, but you didn't say anything. Ye Tao agreed to take the post of Yunzhou Pacification Commissioner, and your congratulatory letter was the second to arrive, right? ... The first was me." Tan Weiming curled his lips and said, "Why are you now saying that he has the intention to usurp power? You even sent gifts so heavy that Ye Tao would return them, you probably don't understand Ye Tao's heart very well."

"Wu Yaoyang, you are a member of the Ministry of Rites, and economics is not your forte. How dare you say that Yunzhou Bank's actions are to amass wealth and ruin the people's livelihood?" Tan Weiming said, "The lives of the people of Yunzhou, I dare not say all, but at least most of them are still very good. Silver coins have been in use for a while now, you haven't finished copying them, but I haven't seen any of the people unable to survive."

Tan Weiming didn't want to embarrass anyone too much. The people he named were those who usually jumped around more and whose words and deeds were very inconsistent. But Tan Weiming's occasional outburst stunned everyone, and they didn't know how to react.

"To talk about common sense, what can be related to common sense? Before Ye Tao, who dared to say that people could fly in the air? Everything is common sense, common sense, how can things be done? The reason why Dongping is so prosperous today is because Dongping has always had many people who dare to take responsibility. I believe that Ye Tao is also such a person. The Yunzhou Bank issue was originally approved by both the Father King and me. If there is any problem, the responsibility lies with us. Let's not talk about this. As for whether to popularize it throughout Dongping and how to popularize it, that is another matter. Ye Tao and Tan Weixin have long had a list of suggestions for this matter, and even if it is really to be carried out, it is not something that can be done in a short time. In order to issue silver coins in Yunzhou, Yunzhou has made extensive and sufficient preparations within its capabilities and taken action cautiously. I don't need to talk about the effect, but this attitude alone is something that everyone should emulate."

While Tan Weiming was fully supporting Ye Tao, Ye Tao had already led the airship team to the front lines of Northern Liao. Since there were no ground navigators along the way, it was not convenient for night flights, so everyone chose a simpler and easier-to-control route. Ye Tao took his airship from Ningyuan to Thunderclap Cliff to rendezvous with the airship squadron, then went south to Dongjiaji, and from Dongjiaji went east, bypassing Zhenning Pass and then turning north. After fighting on the front lines for this period of time, the number of airships has increased again, and now there are forty-two airships.

When the airships finally arrived at Zhenning Pass, all the Dongping officers and soldiers were dumbfounded and didn't know how to react. Although officers had already been informed according to the instructions of their superiors to not be surprised no matter what, these officers themselves were panicked when they suddenly saw these things flying in the sky. Now, only the senior officers in these armies conquering Northern Liao knew about Yunzhou's basic mastery of the safe flight technology of airships and their important role in combat. The officers were dumbfounded, and many soldiers were so nervous and afraid that they trembled like chaff. The city walls of Zhenning Pass were also in chaos.

At this moment, Tan Xiaopei, who had returned to Zhenning Pass to wait for Ye Tao, appeared. He strode up the city wall from the long ramps on both sides of the city gate, which were used to push large military equipment, and looked up at the airships slowly descending towards the open space in front of Zhenning Pass, clicking his tongue.

"Your Majesty, please take care, I don't know what kind of evil spirit this is, please avoid it for now..." When some of the soldiers and junior officers around saw Tan Xiaopei, they seemed to have gained courage and immediately surrounded him, their weapons facing outward, making a desperate posture to protect him. But Tan Xiaopei was amused, and he laughed loudly: "It's okay, everyone, go back to your positions. That's not some evil spirit, that's Ye Tao."

As soon as they heard it was Ye Tao, the surroundings became strangely quiet, and there was no more commotion. Everyone seemed to be thinking in their hearts: Oh, it's Ye Tao, he's even come up with flying things...

The current Ye Tao has challenged everyone's imagination time and time again, making everyone immune. Anyway, Ye Tao is on our side, everyone has this awareness, very firm. Even if Ye Tao is really some kind of evil spirit, this is an evil spirit that is standing on their side.

After Ye Tao and his party jumped off the airship and tied the airship to the iron stakes that Zhenning Pass had arranged in advance, and after greeting Tan Xiaopei, Tan Xiaopei circled around the airship like a curious child, constantly asking what this was and what that was. The design of the airship was really quite attractive. The metal parts exposed outside the gondola, such as the nozzles and bomb racks, shone brightly under the light of the sky when flying, with a very industrial aesthetic. And on the ground, looking closely at these parts from a close distance, one could see the ingenious design and exquisite craftsmanship even more.

"Go, take me for a flight," Tan Xiaopei suddenly turned to Ye Tao and said.

"...This," Ye Tao frowned and said, "Your Majesty, now? We still need to refuel."

"Just now, refuel if you need to, I'll wait." Tan Xiaopei insisted.

Liu Meng, standing behind Tan Xiaopei, shrugged, looking indifferent. Since even Liu Meng didn't want to dissuade him, then so be it. Ye Tao quickly ordered refueling and prepared for another flight. In addition to Ye Tao's personal airship, two more airships were launched to provide escort.

Before long, the airship was ready and flew them into the air. The entire Zhenning Pass and the surrounding scenery were taken into view. The magnificent and majestic scene was completely different from what they saw on the sand table. Especially the sparkling waves of the rivers and lakes not far away were intoxicating.

Tan Xiaopei sighed and said, "Now that you have come here and brought the airship squadron, this time, we can finally turn the tide of the battle."

"Your Majesty, is the situation very bad?" Ye Tao asked cautiously.

"Very bad... The main combat troops this time suffered considerable losses. Qiu Haohui fought well, but Northern Liao fought even better this time. I have never seen the Northern Liao army so shrewd. In terms of advancing, the Tianxuan Army has penetrated deep into Northern Liao. But the Tianxuan Army has never had the opportunity to confront the enemy head-on. Small units are not considered to be worn down. In addition, the supply line from Zhenning Pass to the Tianxuan Army has never been completely secure. At least five thousand men in large teams harassed the supply line, it's a headache." Tan Xiaopei shook his head and said.