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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 224: The Court's Tension
As a result, the atmosphere in the Court grew increasingly tense, with any matter potentially becoming a topic for debate and attack among the Courtiers.
One day, Li Jian Cheng asked the officials of the Ministry of Civil Affairs about the state of governance. An official who had served in the Ministry during the Kaihuang era replied, "There are eight hundred ninety-seven thousand households, totaling four million six hundred one thousand people. The Chang'an Granary, Luoyang Hanji Warehouse, Luo Kou Warehouse, Yongfeng Granary, Taiyuan Granary, and National Granary are all full.
The capital and various provincial granaries hold tens of millions in textiles and silks, and the foreign tribes are submissive, contributing tributes. Since the Qin-Han period, there has not been such a prosperous dynasty."
The Courtiers could not help but express their admiration; indeed, it was a flourishing age. However, they soon began to criticize Emperor Yang.
In such a prosperous time, to have it deteriorate within just over a decade was indeed a grave sin.
After venting their frustrations against Emperor Yang, Li Jian Cheng asked, "Gentlemen, after such great chaos, how long will it take to restore order? And if we can achieve peace throughout the realm, what methods should we employ?"
Wang Yi stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, after experiencing war and turmoil, the people yearn for stability. If Your Majesty implements policies that allow the people to rest and recuperate, it would be in accordance with Heaven's will and people's desires. In three to five years, we could see a well-governed state."
Pei Ji shook his head and replied, "Three to five years? How can we expect such speed? While we might achieve victory in a battle within that timeframe, true governance cannot be realized so quickly; we must proceed gradually."
"I concur with the Chancellor's words," another minister added. "Breaking something is easy; fostering something is difficult. Without ten years of dedicated effort, how can we succeed?"
Minister of Personnel Feng Deyi stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that after such great chaos in the realm, if we wish to achieve true governance, we must adopt strict and decisive measures rather than the gradual approach currently in use. If we can regulate the realm effectively, I believe we can achieve good governance within three years."
Upon hearing Feng Deyi's words, an official mocked him: "If we were to govern according to the Duke's words, how would Your Majesty differ from Emperor Qin or Emperor Yang? Are you trying to lead Your Majesty into an unjust situation?"
The remark was sharp. Wei Zheng slowly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, what the Duke suggests is for Your Majesty to wield absolute authority and act unilaterally like the tyrants of Sui. Both those rulers sought to subjugate the world through their own power and enslave the populace."
Feng Deyi snorted coldly: "Doctor Wei, everyone knows my Emperor is wise and martial; how could he be compared to the Second Emperor of Qin or Sui Yangdi? I ask you not to place such blame on me.
Your Majesty, after the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, people's hearts have gradually become indifferent. Thus Qin relied solely on Legalism while Han mixed both Legalism and Confucianism; they aimed for enlightenment but failed. Your Majesty should not heed Doctor Wei's shallow and straightforward views that lack insight into current affairs; believing in his empty theories will surely lead to national ruin."
Li Jian Cheng spoke up: "Gentlemen, discussing state affairs is common practice; it's fine to hold differing opinions but do not attack one another."
The crowd reined in their confrontational attitudes: "We shall obey your command."
Du Ruhui spoke calmly, "If what the Duke says is true, that people's hearts have grown increasingly indifferent and lack the simplicity of old, then after more than two thousand years since the Three Dynasties, should we consider the current people as mere ghosts and spirits? Is it better to recover and educate them?"
He chuckled lightly, "It seems that the Duke's references to ancient times in today's context might be somewhat fanciful. The way to govern a nation must be grounded in reality; it cannot tolerate even a hint of emptiness."
Pei Ji naturally stood with Feng Deyi, "Then what insights does Minister Wei have on governing the nation?"
Wei Zheng did not hold back his opinions: "The world is weary today, and the people are eagerly hoping for great governance; this is what their hearts desire. If we apply education, we can achieve twice the result with half the effort.
If we rely solely on laws and oppressive tactics, the people will say that our dynasty follows the bad examples of Emperor Yang. The recently stabilized hearts of the populace will surely fall into chaos. When people's hearts are in turmoil, nothing can be accomplished. We must align with the people's wishes, unite as one, and gradually deepen our education to achieve great governance.
When the people are strong and well-fed, great governance will naturally follow; it will come effortlessly."
Though this statement was not particularly profound or insightful, it made the courtiers realize that Wei Zheng was not only bold in his straightforward advice but also had some capability in matters of state.
Of course, today's debate about the principles of great governance was merely superficial; ultimately, it was a struggle over the matter of reducing officials. They were testing how resolute the Emperor was regarding this issue.
If the Emperor was not so determined, they would need to exert their influence.
Li Jian Cheng said, "The vastness of the world cannot be understood by one or a few individuals alone. Therefore, we must remain humble and open to various opinions. Governing the nation cannot rely solely on my strength; laws must be lenient and governance gentle. First, we must eliminate redundant officials and bureaucrats, reduce extravagance and expenses, lighten burdens and taxes, and select honest officials so that the people have enough food and clothing."
"My Emperor is wise."
With the Emperor expressing his stance once again and leading by example by targeting the Royal Family, he decreed that those members of the Royal Family without merit would have their titles reduced by one rank. As a result of this decree, some members of the Royal Family could no longer even maintain their county lord titles.
They flocked to the Retired Emperor to lament their plight. Despite her poor health, Empress Dowager still had numerous court ladies disturbing her. Upon hearing this, Queen rushed over in anger to reprimand them severely.
As a result, Guanlong Officials had no choice but to temporarily retreat. This retreat led to dissatisfaction among officials from Jiangnan and Shandong who had initially supported reducing redundant officials but began to grow discontent with Fang Du, who was overseeing this matter.
There were two thousand five hundred sixty-three officials in Capital City; now they were expected to streamline operations and reduce redundant officials to just over seven hundred. Nearly two thousand officials were losing their positions.
Most of the blows landed on Guanglong Head, but given its large size, no matter how much they were struck, it remained the largest faction in the Court. The officials from Shandong Jiangnan were already few in number, and with such ruthless cuts, there were hardly any left.
If the Capital City was like this, the local areas must be even harsher. Once again, officials from Jiangnan in Kanto and Shandong rose in rebellion, claiming to eliminate the corrupt officials of the House of Fang and Du, targeting King Liu.
The Emperor commanded the Duke of Xiangyang, Governor of Youzhou, Luo Yi, New Feng Marquis, Left General of the Golden Guard, Wang Shichong, to suppress the rebellion.
Thus, this matter proceeded smoothly. When the good news of the suppression arrived, the Emperor addressed the courtiers: "I cannot bear to see you lose your positions and titles. However, there are many officials in the world and expenses are increasing daily. The number of clerks has doubled while rents have decreased yearly. It is said that there are few people but many officials—Ten Sheep and Nine Shepherds.
Now we must reduce excess and make small matters significant so that the state does not suffer losses in grain and silk. Selecting talents will be easier. I truly do not wish to do this but must harden my heart. I hope you can understand my position.
For those officials who are dismissed, the court can retain their rank and official salary for one year. Within this year, you may either rely on your own abilities to seek a real position or retire. The court will provide half of your retirement salary based on your rank to support your family."
If this had been said at the beginning, the courtiers would not have felt much gratitude. But now that they had cried and caused a commotion, they had reluctantly accepted it. At this moment, when His Majesty offered them honeyed words, they could only kneel in thanks for his imperial favor.
The capital officials accepted it; local officials dared not cause trouble anymore as several generals were ready at any time to achieve merit in suppressing the rebellion.
The heads of ten departments also used this opportunity to establish their own authority as new officials, strengthening the court's control over local areas even further.
………………
(End of Chapter)
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