The First Lackey Under The Empress

Inside the Hall of Scholarly Writings, the debate and discussion continued, the empty room seemingly divided into two sections.

This book is first published on the entire network by 𝕥 𝕨 𝕜 𝕒 𝕟 . 𝕔 𝕠 𝕞

At the "conference table" in the center, young scholars were doing their best before the Empress and Grand Tutor Dong, using their wisdom to devise strategies for the new policies, the atmosphere extremely fervent.

Even Mo Zhaorong, after reading the words on the "meeting minutes", stood up and walked to the Empress's side, participating in the discussion.

Thus, only the solitary Zhao Douan remained in the corner.

And a recording official, silently coding words, focused on transcribing the content of the scholars' discussions.

Just like in his previous life, Zhao Douan often liked to go to a bustling public square near his home after work.

The elderly would dance in the square, the music booming from the speakers, children running around and playing in groups, full of life.

Zhao Douan would quietly sit on a park bench at the edge of the square, pondering some things.

Just like now.

"Assessment Law."

Zhao Douan stared at the three words he had written on the paper, and many memories flooded into his mind like a burst dam.

Historically, Zhang Juzheng's reforms were undoubtedly successful.

Although there were also many drawbacks, it was able to bring about the Wanli Restoration, sweeping away the decline, and without leaving too many pitfalls.

Even after his death, some of the new policies were abolished, but some were retained.

Even after the change of dynasties, they were still used by the new emperors, which shows the advancement of his strategies.

Most importantly…

Suitable.

Very similar to the situation facing the Dayu Dynasty today… However, this is not a coincidence, but a kind of inevitability.

Under the system of feudal dynasties, the difficulties faced by successive dynasties have not changed much in essence.

It's like even in his previous life, on the road to development, some of the pitfalls that the pioneers had stepped on, even knowing they existed, the latecomers could only step on them, with no other way.

Zhao Douan sat on the chair, leaning slightly back.

The stack of paper in his hand was very thick, and could be used as a notebook.

He simply placed the thick "notebook" diagonally on the edge of the table, and the slender brush in his hand continued to write new words on the paper:

"In governing, nothing is more urgent than securing the people's livelihood; the key to securing the people's livelihood lies in examining the administration of officials."

"Hang the law for all to see."

"Uphold fairness in granting rewards and punishments…"

Writing here, he paused, not because he ran out of ink, but because this was not the key.

It's not like writing a policy essay… There's no need to point out the theme at the beginning, writing some kind of total-sub-total structure, with one, two, and three points.

He was used to it.

Zhao Douan turned his wrist, drew a dividing line on the paper, and then recalled the main points of the Assessment Law, only excerpting the most core words and sentences.

"Establish time limits for assessing matters."

"Hold people accountable for their actions."

Well, this time it's correct, Zhao Douan had a bit of a toothache.

Because he suddenly remembered that these two sentences were still knowledge points he had brushed on the chalk examination papers when preparing for the civil service examination.

At that time, he only cared about improving his score, not seeking a thorough understanding. Later, in order to improve, he delved into historical books and only then did he understand the relevant content.

Even more so, in order to be able to speak casually and flexibly pretend to be knowledgeable when needed, he had memorized many key contents by rote, which was not difficult, and could be considered a basic skill of the job.

This time, he changed to a new piece of paper and dipped it in ink again.

After a little recollection, he only started an introduction, and the words under his pen flowed out like a trickle:

"Set schedules and limits, establish written records, and cancel them at the end of the month. If the regional inspector delays, the ministries shall report it; if the ministries conceal and deceive, the six departments shall report it; if the six departments do not detect it, then the cabinet ministers shall report it. There is an assessment every month, and an audit every year… Those who make mistakes shall be punished…"

His calligraphy was not considered good, at least compared to this group of ancient scholars, there was a world of difference.

But it was better in neatness. Before long, half memorizing and half rewriting, he had written two pages.

"Phew… I knew it, if you never forget, there must be a response. The effort put in at the beginning will be used sooner or later," Zhao Douan sighed.

Raising his head, he realized that the discussion in the room was still continuing.

"The accumulated problems have been around for a long time, and cannot be solved in three or two months. I still insist on my original opinion."

"I do not agree. In my opinion, the administration of officials should ultimately fall on the word 'supervision'."

"Expand the number of censors? Send more patrolling imperial inspectors down? But the imperial inspectors cannot be stationed in the localities permanently after all, and the people below will inevitably muddle through, wasting money and manpower instead."

"Perhaps we can put effort into the method of assessment?" Someone suggested, "People can only be officials for a time, and we must rely on the law at all times."

"This is correct, but… how to change it? The ancestral system is already complete…"

The chattering discussion continued, but the intensity gradually eased.

This shows that these scholars have finished explaining their views.

Zhao Douan found that the Empress and Grand Tutor Dong had not expressed their opinions from beginning to end. The Empress only listened, seemingly not planning to speak.

Grand Tutor Dong asked a few questions from time to time, but most of the time, he was still in contemplation.

At this moment, seeing that a consensus could not be reached temporarily, he was not surprised, thought for a while, and said:

"Let's put the administration of officials aside for now. Regarding the issue of the empty national treasury, excessive corvée labor, and financial exhaustion, what advice do you have?"

Zhao Douan raised his eyebrows, remembering what Mo Chou had said earlier, that the main thing the Dayu Dynasty's new policies wanted to solve was the financial problem.

As Grand Tutor Dong spoke, the air suddenly became quiet.

Everyone was not in a hurry to speak.

Wang You, the son of the Minister of Personnel who had spoken more before, also closed his mouth, seemingly not wanting to say anything more on this topic.

Seeing this, Grand Tutor Dong cast his sharp gaze towards Han Zhou beside him, signaling him.

Then he turned his head to look at the Empress and said:

"Han Zhou previously wrote a very complete memorial on the matter of finance and taxation, which he gave to this old minister to read, and perhaps we can listen to it."

Xu Zhenguan nodded slightly upon hearing this, his gaze also turning towards the man.

The Grand Tutor personally recommends him… is this an endorsement?

Zhao Du'an also looked over with curiosity.

There, Han Zhou, whose alias was Banshan, the rumored "Number One Talent in the Capital," a gentleman of refined appearance, stood up.

He bowed to the Empress and the Grand Tutor in succession, then presented a thick memorial, offering it with both hands, and said:

"Your Majesty, observing the current financial ills of the Yu Dynasty, the crux of the problem is not excessive expenditure, but rather insufficient production. The root cause lies in the poverty and weakness of the people. Why? Firstly, excessive corvée labor; secondly, the annexation by powerful clans!"

"In the past, I visited various regions and heard the saying: 'Powerful families own land but lack food, while poor people suffer from apportionment…'"

"Powerful clans conceal land, household registrations are in chaos, and they hoard grain and annex land during famine years… As a result, private families grow richer, the imperial court grows poorer, the nation is depleted, and the people are impoverished. The disease truly lies here…"

In the room, Han Zhou's tone was indignant, each word like an awl.

During the memorial, Zhao Du'an hid in the corner of the room, pricking up his ears to listen, using this opportunity to understand the financial situation.

In short, the feudal dynasty could not escape several major ills.

The imperial court has too many affairs and public works to do each year, water conservancy, roads, border defense, mining… Thus, corvée labor always falls on the common people, affecting production.

Furthermore, the taxes of the Great Yu are also diverse, taxing per capita.

In this era, taxes are often paid in goods, which are transferred through layers, making statistics extremely complex.

In addition, local powerful clans annex land, conceal the population in order to pay less tax, resulting in a large amount of hidden land in the accounts… a complete mess.

Zhao Du'an stole glances at the people present, and found that the scholars looked calm.

Obviously, they were well aware of the above analysis. The key was how the new policy would improve the situation.

At this time, Han Zhou also got to the main topic, and said loudly:

"For this reason, I have written ten policies."

"First, the Bianliang Two-Tax System… Whenever there is a shortage of food in spring and autumn, the government can lend to the people, with an interest rate of two percent per half year… to be repaid with the spring and autumn taxes."

"Second, the Exemption from Service Law…"

"Third, the Land Distribution Law…"

This slightly weak-looking scholar threw out one policy after another.

Each time he threw out one, the faces of the young scholars present changed.

Guo Jiexuan, who was proficient in finance and taxes and always smiled at people, sat up straight and quickly calculated the loan interest in his mind.

Wang You, who was born into a prominent family and had the air of a noble young man, looked gloomy, but did not say a word, only pursed his lips tightly.

The other scholars also had different expressions.

Some were surprised, some were admiring, some were contemplative, and some showed concern…

But no one noticed.

In the corner, Zhao Du'an, who was holding paper and pen and eavesdropping, gradually became strange.

Although these ten policies have many subtle differences, what is this faint sense of familiarity?

Zhao Du'an frowned and thought, and the distant memory gradually became clear.

Shortage of food in spring and autumn, two taxes…

Wait!

Zhao Du'an's breathing stagnated, he remembered!

No wonder it was so familiar, what "Spring and Autumn Two-Tax System" was clearly just the "Green Sprouts Policy" with a changed name?

There is also the measurement of land, dividing it into upper, middle, and lower grades… Although there are differences, isn't it also a variant of the Equal-Field System?

The more Zhao Du'an listened, the more familiar it became.

Several of these policies of the other party are similar to Wang Anshi's Reform in the Song Dynasty, which he is familiar with.

However, compared to Wang Anshi's set, Han Zhou's policies, although there are several similarities, are much milder in the specific details.

And especially emphasized:

"Be sure to proceed slowly and employ virtuous talents."

Obviously, this Number One Talent also knows in his heart that some of the proposed policies have drawbacks.

If it is done too hastily, or if the wrong person is employed, even if the financial crisis of the Great Yu is successfully reversed, the pit left behind will not be small.

"Hiss… Playing it so big?" Zhao Du'an shook his head slightly.

No one knows the specific results of any unverified strategy.

Therefore, these ten policies, on paper, do have a great effect on reversing the crisis of the imperial court. This should also be the reason mentioned by Grand Tutor Dong.

Han Zhou is indeed not simple. He can come up with these ten policies with the mere position of a compiler in the Academy of Scholarly Learning, which shows his wisdom.

It's a pity… Zhao Du'an shook his head slightly, knowing that the essence of this legal system is to plunder the wealth of the world into the national treasury.

Violating objective laws, I am afraid it will be difficult to succeed.

He first wrote down the names of Han Zhou's ten policies on the paper with a brush, and then put a × after "Spring and Autumn Two-Tax System" and "Land Distribution Law".

He also put a check mark after several policies such as the reform of the imperial examination system, which could be adopted.

Then, he turned a page of paper and was too lazy to listen anymore.

Instead, he swished, swished, swished, and wrote the four characters "Single Whip Law" on the paper first, and then thought about it and crossed it out again.

Since he was already copying, he simply went one step further, and he started a new line and wrote the four characters "Taxing Land by Mu".

While Zhao Du'an was recalling relevant content.

Grand Tutor Dong and others also launched a fierce discussion on Han Zhou's ten policies.

Obviously, the sensation caused by this memorial was quite significant.

With this memorial, Han Zhou also secured the position of the first young scholar in the Academy of Scholarly Learning.

It's just that the Empress has always been silent, neither nodding nor shaking her head.

Grand Tutor Dong also knew that although this method was effective, it also had many drawbacks, so he simply let the scholars discuss and brainstorm together.

Time passed extremely quickly in the discussion.

Grand Tutor Dong glanced at the hourglass and was surprised to find that it was almost noon. He patted the table lightly, and everyone looked at him.