Although Yang Yi was merely standing there, speaking with ease, Xu Jingzong and the others could already envision the storm his strategies would unleash once put into action. The markets in the former capitals of Qing and Song would inevitably be thrown into turmoil, and a silent but ruthless economic war would take shape—one that killed without shedding a single drop of blood. As they watched the smiling Yang Yi, an eerie chill crept into their hearts. His tactics were clearly aimed at eliminating speculators entirely, leaving them no room to maneuver. This was the work of the so-called King of Hell indeed. Even an invisible battlefield of commerce could lead to complete annihilation and ruin. Chapters first released on novel{f}ire.net A flicker of astonishment flashed through Wu Zhao’s phoenix eyes. Yang Yi’s words had lifted the veil of uncertainty that had clouded her thoughts moments ago. Everything now made perfect sense. Pressing her rosy lips together, she felt an undeniable admiration. Was there anything this man couldn’t do? Seemingly oblivious to the expressions around him, Yang Yi cupped his hands and continued, “At this stage, prices will gradually stabilize… The fate of these speculators will serve as a clear warning, ensuring no one dares to manipulate the currency again. And from here, Great Zhou only needs to enact a few more policies to secure the foundation of the Great Zhou Treasure Notes once and for all.” The officials stiffened, inhaling sharply as they exchanged glances. There was more? Wu Zhao’s gaze shimmered with anticipation. “Minister Yang, continue…” A faint smile played on Yang Yi’s lips. “First, the government will issue national bonds. These bonds will serve as a welfare policy for the people, allowing them to earn substantial interest simply by purchasing them. “Naturally, the common folk will buy in large numbers. However, since the bonds can only be purchased using Great Zhou Treasure Notes, this will further reinforce the currency’s stability.” The tension in the room deepened. It was an ingenious move—one that tightened control over the financial market while ensuring public confidence. “But that’s just the domestic approach,” Yang Yi went on. “Externally, we must seek opportunities to strengthen the Great Zhou Treasure Notes beyond our borders. “We can negotiate with nations such as Qin, Han, Tang, and Ming, securing their recognition of our currency and allowing direct exchange between their money and ours. If state-to-state transactions are settled in Great Zhou Treasure Notes, their credibility will rise exponentially.” His voice was steady, confident. “Through foreign trade—both imports and exports—we can solidify the Great Zhou Treasure Notes within the broader currency system. Once these nations acknowledge and use our currency, it won’t just be limited to internal trade but will have real, tangible value across borders. “With the influence of Qin, Han, Tang, and Ming, it will eventually hold the same status as gold and silver. At that point, the people’s faith in it will be unshakable, eliminating any resistance. “Great Zhou Treasure Notes will become the sole circulating currency within our empire, completely replacing gold and silver. Stunned silence filled the hall. Shock and admiration flickered across the faces of the officials as they finally grasped the full scope of Yang Yi’s plan. They had seen only pieces of the puzzle, but Yang Yi had already assembled the entire picture. He wasn’t just stabilizing the currency domestically—he was paving the way for its dominance on the international stage. After mercilessly crushing the speculators, he followed up with two decisive, ironclad policies to reinforce Great Zhou’s financial structure. Xu Jingzong stroked his beard, his eyes filled with admiration. “Minister Yang, your foresight is unparalleled… I am truly impressed.” The other officials nodded, their expressions a mixture of awe and contemplation. Wu Zhao, invigorated by the plan, rose to her feet. “We will proceed as Minister Yang suggests. The Secretariat is to draft a comprehensive and detailed implementation plan immediately. Have the Ministry of Rites reach out to foreign nations—I want results as soon as possible.” A chorus of voices responded in unison. “Yes, Your Majesty.” With that, the court session concluded, and the ministers dispersed, leaving only Yang Yi and Wu Zhao in the grand hall. After a brief silence, Wu Zhao narrowed her eyes. “Your strategy is sound, but how can we ensure these nations will actually agree to recognize Great Zhou’s currency?” Yang Yi smiled, his confidence unwavering. “Once they witness the success of our Great Zhou Treasure Notes, they will undoubtedly follow suit. The transition from metal currency to paper is inevitable in this era. “Sooner or later, they will introduce their own paper currency. By cooperating with us now, they’re simply paving the way for their own convenience in the future. “Besides, given Great Zhou’s current economic influence, it will be impossible for them to avoid using our currency unless they sever all trade relations with us. And that,” he paused, his smile deepening, “is not a realistic option.” Wu Zhao nodded slowly. His reasoning was flawless. Days later, the imperial court finalized the strategy and swiftly enacted new policies. A decree was issued mandating that all taxes and government transactions be conducted exclusively in Great Zhou Treasure Notes. The private exchange of gold, silver, and old currency was strictly forbidden. At the same time, an opportunity arose to take further action. The military was deployed to the former capitals of Song and Qing—now part of Great Zhou’s territory, Yanjing and Bianjing—where they arrested illegal gold and silver traders, imposing heavy penalties. The crackdown sent shockwaves through the black market, striking fear into those with ulterior motives. With these two decisive blows, the faltering Great Zhou Treasure Notes found solid ground once more. Meanwhile, in the Ming Empire— “Father, Great Zhou is aggressively pushing paper money,” Zhu Biao mused, deep in thought. “Judging by Yang Yi’s determination, he seems intent on making it their dominant currency. Do you think he can succeed?” Zhu Yuanzhang stroked his chin. “Back when we introduced Ming Treasure Notes, it was a disaster. They seem to be struggling now too. I’d say it’s going to be difficult.” A sly chuckle escaped him. “But issuing paper money is only the first step. Let’s see how Yang Yi handles what comes next.” He leaned back, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Greedy merchants are like flies drawn to rotting meat—they’ll swarm in at the first opportunity. And it’s not just us watching. “The people of Great Zhou are watching, too. If Yang Yi fails to outmaneuver these currency traders, public confidence will collapse, and the Great Zhou Treasure Notes will become nothing more than worthless scraps of paper.”