Capital, residence of the Minister of Personnel, Wang Gong.

This residence, amidst the bustling prosperity of the Capital, exudes a sense of oppressive tranquility.

Since the grassland army retreated, Prince Yu's prestige has soared to its peak.

In the history of the Great Yu Dynasty, there are two precedents for regents guarding the Capital. These are like invisible ropes, guiding everyone's attention and thoughts toward a single focal point - the throne.

Back then, during the pacification period under Emperor Chengzu, Emperor Renzong, as the princely heir, took on the responsibility of guarding Ping City, which had yet to become the Capital. Though not officially named "Regent," he steadfastly fortified the rear with remarkable wisdom, laying a crucial foundation for his future ascension to the throne.

A hundred years later, Emperor Jing, during his regency, confronted the formidable grassland army, ascended to the throne, turned the tide, repelled the strong enemy, successfully defended the Capital, and penned an imperial saga.

These two historical narratives stand like towering monuments in the hearts of the people.

Now, among the officials and nobles left in the Capital, as well as the Border Town Soldiers who have come to serve the Court, at least ninety percent have aligned with Prince Yu.

Prince Yu, well-versed in the art of winning hearts, generously opens the National Treasury, lavishly rewarding with shining silver coins. Unlike the worthless Treasure Notes, these silver coins can genuinely be exchanged for goods in the market.

In the North, numerous new workshops have sprung up like mushrooms after a rain, and these silver coins are the lifeblood enabling their operation; even in the South, these coins easily purchase the necessary items.

Although the North-South divide looms, there is unity in currency. This is due to the significant benefits brought by currency unification. If the Capital were to rashly change currency now, it would undoubtedly be a fiscal disaster, leading to an economic collapse and turmoil across the Northern region.

To further solidify currency unification, the Northern and Southern Capitals maintain close alignment on minting and jointly announce a policy: by the end of next year, silver exchanges for silver coins will incur a processing fee.

This policy acts like an invisible hand, prompting the nobles in the North to bring out their silver hoarded in deep cellars to assist the Capital in minting coins.

After all, no one wants to suffer a loss for nothing.

Moreover, the Court's Bank has introduced an attractive policy that offers interest on silver coin deposits, whereas storing silver incurs an interest charge.

This series of measures is promulgated by Prince Yu to ensure the normal operation of the Court.

Ultimately, solid fiscal income is the foundation for the Court's normal operations; only with financial stability can he truly control the North, even if these decrees conceal significant dangers.

This strategy appears to be Prince Yu's scheme, but it is, in fact, Xu Qing's overt ploy.

Xu Qing understands that as long as the currency remains unified, the North and South can hardly sustain separation and will inevitably move toward unification.

The South, with its robust economic power, can cripple the North in a war of economy.

Much like the Former Song's strategy of annual tribute, the Great Song used mass tribute to make the Northern Dynasty reliant on Southern goods, engaging in a covert economic war. Unfortunately, this strategy by the Former Song was ineffective, failing to achieve its strategic goals, as without strong military support, all economic means seem powerless.

The earlier successful use of this strategy by the Qi Kingdom was due to its powerful standing as an allied lord.

Wang Gong, hailing from a great family and seated in the Court, possesses the political battle acumen and insight into various situations accrued over the years, allowing him to discern the core essence of the North-South struggle.

He recognizes that Prince Yu is unlikely to achieve ultimate victory, not just because of Xu Qing's presence, but due to the overwhelming influence of the old Emperor.

During the battle at Taihe Mountain, the old Emperor demonstrated considerable power, but Wang Gong believes that this is not the entirety of Your Majesty's strength. In the power hierarchy of the realm's pinnacle, Your Majesty stands like a towering mountain, unrivaled.

Neither the enigmatic Snowfield Living Buddha nor the powerful Murong Grandmaster can compete with Your Majesty.

Your Majesty's true rival might only be the fabled, mysterious Black Mountain Demon.

However, in Wang Gong's view, the Black Mountain Demon, though fearsome and mighty, lacks the most crucial trait—the ambition to conquer and govern the realm.

As a member of the Court from a prominent family, Wang Gong accesses secrets beyond the reach of ordinary individuals, including records about the Black Mountain Demon.

After years of research and analysis, he concluded that the Black Mountain Demon's greatest weakness is indifference to the realm.

Therefore, irrespective of how formidable the Black Mountain Demon becomes temporarily, without the determination and capability to conquer and govern, his victories are transient and he will eventually fade from the historical stage.

Xu Qing and Your Majesty, on the other hand, consistently uphold the concept of a unified realm. Even if faced with setbacks, successors will carry on this idea like an ever-burning light.

Prince Yu could have patiently awaited the right moment, inheriting the situation shaped by Your Majesty and Xu Qing, achieving lasting peace across the realm.

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