I Want to Be Emperor.

Summary

Zhou Yafu and Chao Cuo arrive at the Unending Palace, where they speculate about the Emperor's summons, likely related to the annual report or the Five-Zhu coin. The Emperor's governance emphasizes the importance of food and goods, a principle that has become widely recognized. As they await the Emperor, they learn from Wang Dao, a trusted eunuch, that the discussion will focus on salt and iron, igniting Chao Cuo's enthusiasm for centralized control over these resources. This indicates a potential shift in policy towards government regulation of salt and iron, a Legalist approach, which could threaten the merchant class's profits. Zhou Yafu remains cautious, aware of the historical implications of such a decree.

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