Chapter Forty-Six: On Commerce

Li Chengqian saw that Li Yi sat down as soon as he was told, and his heart leapt with joy. Ever since he was young, he had been surrounded by sycophants and dullards, but this was the first time he had encountered someone as unique as Li Yi. For reasons unknown, an unusual feeling arose within him—a vibrant sense of youthful energy.

Kong Yingda, however, frowned. Li Wenyong was far too disrespectful. Yet recalling the emperor's instructions, he swallowed his words and gave a muted snort, then began his lecture.

“Your Highness, I shall continue,” Kong Yingda announced. Li Chengqian promptly rose and bowed, his movements impeccable and precise. Yet to Li Yi, it was clear how painful this was for the prince; he was no ordinary child, but rather a puppet on strings. No wonder he would later develop psychological issues. As the old saying goes, one either goes mad in silence or becomes warped—Li Chengqian had both in his previous life, and so he met his end in silence.

Whatever Li Yi thought, Kong Yingda was satisfied and nodded before preparing to begin the lesson. But after glancing at Li Yi, who sat upright and proper, he changed his mind.

Kong Yingda swiftly wrote four large characters on the paper. “Your Highness, today we will not discuss the classics. Let us instead debate. We shall take the phrase ‘No merchant without cunning’ as our topic. What do you think?” Kong Yingda spoke as he smiled slyly at Li Yi.

Li Chengqian was delighted; his lessons had always consisted of the teacher speaking and him listening. Now, with a new approach, he was naturally excited.

Li Yi saw the old scholar’s shifty smile and knew things would not be so simple. Surely, Li Er must have mentioned the matter of the bank at court, and they must know the idea was his. These old conservatives were the main force against commerce, unable to deal with Li Er and now seeking to vent their frustrations on him. Or perhaps this was Li Er’s strategy, diverting trouble elsewhere. These schemers were always plotting; it was enough to taint his innocent heart. But he would not fall for their tricks—he would listen quietly and respond as he saw fit, for wasn’t he the inventor of Tai Chi in this world, at least?

Kong Yingda, seeing Li Yi unmoved, frowned. “Your Highness, tell us what you believe the phrase ‘No merchant without cunning’ means.”

Li Chengqian rose at once and recited, “Without a sharp mind—or rather, without a cunning nature—one cannot be a merchant. Merchants are therefore greedy and sly by default.”

Kong Yingda nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Li Yi. “Wenyong, what is your opinion?”

Li Yi’s brow twitched. He had intended to ignore them, but seeing it was an elder, he decided to give some respect. After thinking for a moment, he rose and said, “Master Kong, I believe His Highness has a point.”

Kong Yingda’s eyebrows shot up—Li Yi was not following the expected script. He pressed further, “Oh? Then you mean to say the royal family should not operate a bank?”

Li Yi wanted to explode but restrained himself, since it was his first day. “Master Kong, this is a school; discussing matters of state here seems inappropriate.”

Kong Yingda waved it off. “No matter. This school is meant to teach the crown prince; hearing of state affairs will do him good.”

Li Yi frowned, about to refuse again, when a commanding voice rang from outside, “Master Kong, to interrogate a student about matters unresolved in court within the school is perhaps improper!”

Li Yi turned to see Li Er striding in, eyebrows furrowed, followed by ministers such as Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, Changsun Wuji, and assorted censors, all entering with airs of authority. Li Er sat down, gave a cold snort, and made it clear he was displeased.

Li Yi, Li Chengqian, and Kong Yingda hurried forward to pay their respects. Li Er impatiently waved them off, and the others arranged themselves to the sides, transforming the school into a miniature court.

Once everyone was in place, Kong Yingda could wait no longer. “Your Majesty, the matter of the bank was proposed by Li Wenyong. Since the court cannot resolve it, I believe it necessary for him to share his perspective.”

Li Er snorted again. “Humph! He’s still only a fifteen-year-old boy!”

Kong Yingda pressed on. “But as the bank was his idea, we cannot regard him as merely a child.”

Li Er frowned, then seemed to concede. “You have a point. Very well, then, Yi, speak freely. Don’t worry—I’ll protect you.”

At that, Li Yi understood everything. Li Er was being deliberate; the debate at court had been heated, and now he wanted to shift the blame, making Li Yi the scapegoat. Kong Yingda and the others hoped to use him as the breakthrough. Monarch and ministers were working in tacit agreement—today’s drama was their orchestrated act. Hmph! He had been turned into a tool. These old men bullying a minor—he would not take it lying down.

Li Yi calmly stood, walked to the center of the hall, smiled lightly, and replied, “Since Your Majesty commands, I shall try to explain.”

He walked to the desk, took up a brush, and wrote four large characters: “No merchant without cunning.” Then, on another sheet, he wrote: “No merchant without sharpness.”

Taking both papers, he returned and first held up “No merchant without cunning” for all to see. “Since the topic begins with these four words, let us first discuss their meaning. It is as His Highness has said—greed and cunning are often seen as merchants’ traits. But does anyone here know the origin of this phrase?”

He looked around, seeing the ministers frown, but none answered. Li Er smiled, “I truly don’t know the source of ‘No merchant without cunning.’ Interesting, you rascal—speak plainly. Don’t keep us guessing, or I’ll punish you!”

Though Li Er’s words sounded threatening, every minister present could tell by the tone that this was a sign of favor. Li Yi was under Li Er’s protection; not just anyone would be called “rascal” by the emperor—it was clearly a term of affection.

Li Yi smiled, “As Your Majesty commands. The phrase ‘No merchant without sharpness’ originates from the old practice of measuring rice with pecks and bushels, hence the term ‘commoners of the peck and bushel.’ Sellers would use a rosewood ruler to level the rice in the measure, ensuring accuracy. After the transaction, they would add a little extra from the basket, forming a small peak on the leveled rice—a gesture of generosity, a merchant’s noble conduct.

Later, as commerce expanded, methods and avenues of trade multiplied, competition intensified, and merchants faced increasing pressure. Their status was never high, and some failing merchants grew reckless, resorting to unscrupulous conduct—cheating, swindling, cunning and deceit. Such behavior allowed them to amass wealth quickly, and their corrupt ways spread wider and wider, eventually permeating the entire business world. This, then, is the direct reason why merchants are now viewed so unfavorably.”