The Tang Dynasty's Greatest Public Enemy

Tang Dynasty / championing the people / the art of overthrowing dragons / institutional reform / curbing the great clans / court intrigue

What should one teach the emperor? The lesson is called: Equalize wealth and strengthen the Tang Dynasty.

Question: How many steps does it take to make the Tang Dynasty rule the world?

Answer: Three.

First, turn the Hu people's money into Tang people's money, using the wealth of the rich to support the poor.

Second, make the Hu people adopt Tang tastes, so they willingly pay the Tang people and believe that everything Tang is best.

Third, make the Tang people's faith the Hu people's faith, and make the Tang people's gods the Hu people's gods.

Lu Yao: Li Zhi, if you don't curb the great clans and let them keep monopolizing land, no one in the realm will pay taxes. The Tang finances will collapse before An Lushan even appears.

Li Zhi: For the sake of the throne, I'll change.

Lu Yao: A fair redistribution of wealth, so everyone has food to eat, is the key to lasting stability.

Li Zhi: For the sake of the realm, I'll change.

Lu Yao: Use the wealth of the great clans to support the people. That's how the country can prosper and develop.

Li Zhi: What a brilliant insight, sir.

Lu Yao: Expand exports and restrict imports. Create a trade surplus and keep the money circulating within the Tang Dynasty.

Li Zhi: Sir, you truly are a peerless genius. That makes perfect sense.

Lu Yao: Reforms should be tested in pilot programs before being gradually expanded. That's called taking things step by step.

Li Zhi: Your wisdom is profound, sir.

Lu Yao: To achieve common prosperity, we need to promote employment. Large-scale infrastructure projects are essential. That's the Lu School of Economics.

Li Zhi: Sir, you truly are a divine sage.

Lu Yao: Once we have money, we must build a powerful Tang army. Otherwise, the Tang Dynasty will look like a fat goose to everyone else. Truth is only within the reach of the Tang army.