Chapter Thirty-Three: The New Tang Concept—Confucian Merchants!

“Let’s continue,” Li Er said, massaging his temples. At once, a eunuch handed him a fresh cup of tea. Li Yi caught the eunuch’s eye; fortunately, the man was respectful enough to pour him a cup as well. Li Yi took a sip, grimacing as he swallowed. Though he had drunk Tang tea for over ten years, he never grew accustomed to its taste. Unlike modern tea, Tang tea was brewed with ingredients like scallions and ginger—strange flavors indeed.

“What’s wrong? Does my nephew find the tea disagreeable?”

“Yes, I really do.”

Li Er’s brows furrowed; he nearly wanted to kick Li Yi twice. “You brat! This is new tea shipped up from the south, premium green tea, and you complain? What do you usually drink—immortal tea?”

“Uncle Li, you misunderstand. It’s not your tea I dislike, but the method of brewing. I know a way to brew tea that’s far superior. One day, I’ll make you a cup myself.”

“Hmph! Always full of tricks, aren’t you? Drink up and answer my question properly.”

Li Yi smiled. “The world is bustling, all for profit. Since ancient times, merchants have been despised because they buy cheap and sell dear, essentially competing with the people for profit. Many merchants are unscrupulous and driven only by gain, which is why their reputation has suffered, and nobles avoid commerce in public.”

“Indeed, well said. Go on.”

“For a nation, scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants are all indispensable. Scholars govern, bringing order and stability; farmers provide food, sustaining life; artisans construct, driving progress; merchants facilitate, forming the lifeblood of the economy. Merchants ensure that goods circulate efficiently, allowing people to sell surplus and buy necessities. There have been many virtuous merchants in history, such as Zigong and Tao Zhugong. So, commerce should be a noble profession. It’s only that modern merchants have lost their sense of honor, prioritizing profit above all. If business is to be conducted openly and honorably, merchants must be granted their proper status.”

Li Er frowned. “Proper status? That’s easier said than done!”

“In truth, it’s simple. We needn’t reform every merchant's nature; as long as the bank has a respectable reputation, that suffices. The solution is to cultivate Confucian merchants.”

Li Er’s eyes gleamed. “Confucian merchants? What are those?”

“A Confucian merchant is a blend of ‘Confucian’ and ‘merchant’—a person possessing the morals and wisdom of a scholar, along with the wealth and success of a businessman. They are paragons among scholars, elites among merchants. Confucian merchants emphasize personal cultivation, operate with integrity, possess high cultural literacy, value cooperation, and bear strong social responsibility. Their ultimate aim transcends mere profit; they feel a lofty duty to the nation, aspire to aid the people, and strive to benefit all under heaven. In essence, though they earn money, every coin must serve the country and the people, never selfishly nor in competition with the masses.”

“Confucian merchants? Excellent! If all merchants were like that, how could Tang not flourish? Ha! With Confucian merchants, the bank’s business dealings are resolved. Nephew, you are truly my advisor!”

Li Yi coughed. “Uncle Li, you’ve had too much to drink!”

“You rascal, always provoking me! But becoming a Confucian merchant won’t be easy, will it?”

“Of course. First, it would be best to establish a commercial organization—let’s call it the Commercial Alliance, or simply the Alliance. Second, the Alliance must develop. Since it practices Confucian commerce and avoids competing with the people, it cannot rely solely on buying low and selling high. That makes its business model a challenge. Third, though the Alliance and the bank serve the country and people, their primary principle must be to avoid involvement in politics. Moreover, Confucian merchants must not only serve the public good, but their managers and owners must possess exemplary morals and personal cultivation, as their actions shape the Alliance’s image. Otherwise, ‘Confucian merchant’ becomes just an empty slogan. Choosing the right shareholders and participants is crucial. Fourth, Confucian merchants are, for now, limited to the Alliance. Turning all merchants under heaven into Confucian merchants is a hard nut to crack. There are also issues of management, relations with the court, and so forth—all to be resolved step by step.”

Li Er pondered for a while; Li Yi’s words contained much information, especially things Li Er had never heard before.

“So, you’re saying the Alliance should unite with others?”

“Precisely. In my vision, the Alliance would focus on innovative, practical industries—creating new products, establishing brands, then selling them. For example, take my invention, the fan. The Alliance could produce fans and sell them. It seems simple, but there’s much behind it. Uncle, to make fans, we need workers, and must pay them, as we won’t deal in slaves. That solves livelihood for many. Fans require materials—wood—so we can contract farmers to grow trees, buying from them, enriching them. Our fans would be priced beyond commoners’ reach, bought mainly by nobles. Thus, money flows from the rich to workers and farmers, then through donations and charity, back to the people. And that’s just the fan. If we invent more advanced products, this virtuous cycle will grow, rapidly lifting the populace out of poverty. This differs fundamentally from ordinary merchants and embodies what a Confucian merchant should do.”

Li Yi’s mouth dried from speaking, but Li Er grew ever more excited, his eyes shining, his grin broadening. “A virtuous cycle! Excellent! Nephew, are you really only fifteen? With this cycle, how could the world not prosper? Wen Yong, it is my great fortune to have you!”

Li Yi quickly stood and bowed. “Uncle, you praise me too highly. I merely offer an idea. This virtuous cycle, Confucian commerce, charity—easy to speak, hard to do. It will take time, which is why I suggest involving more participants in the Alliance. Many hands make light work. No profit compares to a strong and prosperous Tang.”

“Haha! Who would expect Li Shimin to be corrected by a youth? But you are right, nephew. Nothing is greater than Tang. With your wisdom, I could never hold you back. Tell me, who should join in cooperation?”

Li Yi grinned. “Uncle, I’ve always believed in this saying: When the youth are wise, the nation is wise; when the youth are wealthy, the nation is wealthy; when the youth are strong, the nation is strong; when the youth are independent, the nation is independent; when the youth are free, the nation is free; when the youth advance, the nation advances; when the youth triumph over all, then Tang triumphs over all!”

“Youth? Well said! Are you not the very youth who surpasses all others, offering such grand ideas? Ha! I too think Tang’s idle young men need some burdens placed upon them!” Li Er laughed heartily.

“Oh, and there’s one more thing. I’d like to ask Your Majesty to grant the Alliance its name,” Li Yi said, recognizing Li Er’s vain streak—he loved such tasks.

As expected, Li Er squinted and smiled, prompting Li Yi to feel a private disdain, though outwardly he remained respectful—after all, Li Er was the leader.

“Very well. Let it be called the Golden Cauldron Alliance. May its golden light spread across the land and its aid reach all people.”

“Golden Cauldron? Uncle, you are truly remarkable! I could never come up with such a powerful name!” Li Yi genuinely applauded—this name indeed carried a commanding air.

“Hmph, always flattering! But anyone can see my pride—old but incorrigible.”

“No, truly! I mean it from the heart!”

“Enough! Nephew, you must carry out this task well. Go forth boldly; I know what worries you. Let me assure you: if you are loyal to me, I will be loyal to you.”

Li Yi immediately rose and knelt on one knee. “Nephew Li Yi thanks Your Majesty!”

“Rise! You have shocked me greatly today. You are right; this must be done step by step. I must digest and strategize. Go home for now; you’ve worked yourself hard these days. Rest well, for soon you’ll be busy, and I won’t go easy on you! Don’t complain then!”

“Uncle Li, though I’m not an official, I work for you. Shouldn’t you pay me a wage?”

“What? You rascal, you dare ask me for wages? I haven’t even reclaimed the five hundred gold taels you swindled from Dai Chunlin in Luoyang, and you want wages from me!” Li Er grabbed the fan, threatening to slap Li Yi’s face.

“Uncle, please! If you won’t pay, so be it—no need for violence! Too rough!”

“What? You dare call me rough? Why, you…”

“Oh, Uncle Li! I just remembered—my grandmother sent me to buy soy sauce. I’ll take my leave, no need to see me off!” Li Yi sprang up, covered his head, and dashed out.

Li Er, trembling with anger, nearly threw the fan, but thought better of it, and instead breathed heavily.

Just then, Li Yi poked his head back in through the door.

“Uncle Li, if you need to vent, just do it! Don’t hold it in—it’s bad for the health!” With that, Li Yi vanished, not lingering for a second.

This time, Li Er couldn’t hold back. He hurled the memorials beside him, then launched into a tirade—complaining about sullied dignity, declaring the youth unworthy of counsel!

As befitted an emperor, Li Er managed to curse for a full quarter of an hour. When he finished, he collapsed exhausted onto the bed, panting. Gradually, he began to smile. He understood Li Yi’s intention; these days, the flood of news had left him tense, swinging between joy and sorrow. Venting like this, he felt his mood lighten and his body refreshed.

“That rascal! Ah, I hope you are sincere. Honestly, I’m starting to feel reluctant to let you go. Don’t ever break my heart!”

“Ahem! Someone, tidy up the hall. And Sima, don’t record this part—it’s an affront to decorum!”