Chapter 311: Volume 1, Chapter 311: Bad Deeds Must Be Done Quietly

The route for inspecting the Yellow River would pass through the territories of quite a few noble families. If the news of affordable cloth, the Weaving Workshop recruiting artisans, generous reward silver, and artisan households settling could be spread along this very route, it might save her a great deal of time.

After Rong Luoge sent Noble Consort Xu back, she had Rong Xin go first to pass word to Kang Shufei, telling her to hand over all the newly dyed cloth from Dowager Consort Liu to the embroiderers of the Inner Court Residence to be made into finished garments, with the clothes split evenly between men's and women's attire according to pattern and fabric.

After giving these instructions, she wrote her thoughts into a memorial and had Yuan Bao deliver it to the front hall for Han Xinglan.

Han Xinglan was discussing matters with someone when he suddenly received the Empress's memorial and found it quite strange—she was someone who hadn't even written a memorial about the cannons.

Han Xinglan thought it might be something major, so he first had his confidants take a short rest, then opened Rong Luoge's memorial himself and read it carefully. The more he read, the more startled he became.

Have the River Inspection Envoys privately post notices along their route, announcing to the common people that the court's Imperial Manufacturing Bureau was recruiting artisan households—one could enter the court's household registry, receive generous wages and reward silver, and the whole family could move to the capital with housing provided...

Food to eat, a house to live in, wages to earn, reward silver to collect, and a legitimate, aboveboard identity to boot...

Who was this targeting?

The unregistered households hidden under the noble families—those people who couldn't see the light of day. The court was giving them a chance to start anew, and with such treatment, who wouldn't be tempted?

Luoge had never mentioned this matter to him before, and what he had been discussing with his advisors just now was exactly this—how to quietly diminish the noble families' grip.

If the unregistered households under the noble families could do this, then could other groups—such as military households not entered into the military registry—follow suit?

Han Xinglan's heart suddenly burned with excitement. What was this called?

This was subduing the enemy without fighting!

If they could quietly hollow out the foundations of the noble families, then although artisan households, unregistered households, or military households might not shake the noble families' roots too deeply, it would still deal them an enormous blow—and that was the ultimate goal.

Han Xinglan paced back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back, his steps growing faster and faster. So matters could be handled this way—how had he not thought of this approach?

Then again, Luoge's thinking was always different from everyone else's. Who could have anticipated her angle for poaching people?

The more Han Xinglan thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. Though this move was not entirely honorable, the noble families hid unregistered households and refused to pay taxes to the court—was that honorable behavior?

Han Xinglan immediately called his confidants in to discuss the matter. Xiao Shen didn't take it seriously at first, but as he listened, his expression changed along with the others'.

Kang Jinsi and Fu Rizhang exchanged a glance. Previously, the Empress had come up with the Weaving Workshop affair, giving their daughters a chance to leave the palace. Now she had produced another idea like this—and yes, they were certain it was the Empress's idea.

Hadn't the memorial Shi An brought in earlier been from the Empress?

His Majesty could come up with such a plan right after reading the memorial—it must be connected to the Empress's memorial.

The shock in their eyes was impossible to conceal. They suddenly felt a bit fortunate that they had climbed aboard and pledged loyalty to His Majesty in time. The Empress had not only produced the cannons but could also devise such a slightly underhanded scheme against the noble families.

Their families were entrenched in various regions—which family didn't have unregistered households?

Their families had them too!

If, without their knowledge, all these unregistered households ran off, the losses would be enormous.

To avoid the court's suspicion and taxation, many common people in their territories had been covertly turned into unregistered households by the local noble families. Everyone did it, and they were no exception.

Now, looking at the Empress's scheme, the two fell silent.

Ruthless—too ruthless!

If they could live better, who would want to be an unregistered household?

These unregistered households weren't listed on the noble families' registers. To put it more plainly, these people were free individuals, not bound by the noble families. If they slipped away secretly, the noble families would have no recourse.

Layers of cold sweat broke out on both men's backs. Looking again at Xiao Shen excitedly discussing the matter with His Majesty, they realized that since they had boarded the Emperor's ship, they could only accept it.

The question was, what about the unregistered households of their own families?

While the two were hesitating, Han Xinglan looked at them and asked, "What do my two worthy ministers think?"

What else could Kang Jinsi and Fu Rizhang do but drop to their knees and confess?

Han Xinglan personally helped them to their feet and said with a smile, "Long-standing abuses, customary for ages past—I cannot blame my two worthy ministers for this."

As soon as Kang Jinsi heard this, he knew His Majesty was letting bygones be bygones. He immediately said, "Your Majesty, this humble subject is willing to redeem himself by handing over the common people under my name who have not been entered into the registry."

Surrendering them voluntarily was repentance and reform. If they waited until His Majesty and the Empress's scheme lured the people away, they would be guilty parties.

Fu Rizhang could only echo Kang Jinsi's words, but thinking about having to negotiate with the clan elders, he couldn't help feeling a headache coming on.

Han Xinglan, however, said with a smile, "I am very pleased that my two worthy ministers are willing to do so. But I fear that if you do this, it will be difficult to explain to your clan elders, no?"

The two fell silent for a moment. Indeed, it would be difficult to explain.

Han Xinglan still wore a kindly smile as he looked at them. "You serve me with loyalty, and I cannot let you down. In this matter, pretend you know nothing. If common people from your territories pledge allegiance, I will not blame you—but such practices must never happen again."

The two were overjoyed. His Majesty's meaning was that they need not offend the clan elders—so long as they didn't reach out to stop anyone, they could simply let the unregistered households in their territories leave.

That way, they wouldn't be caught between the clan elders and His Majesty. The two immediately dropped to their knees to express their gratitude.

"I understand the difficulties my two worthy ministers face. Let it be settled thus. This matter must not be disclosed—if word leaks out, I will have no choice but to hold the two of you accountable."

"Yes, this humble subject obeys Your Majesty's command."

Han Xinglan had them withdraw, keeping only Xiao Shen behind.

Only then did Xiao Shen reveal a trace of genuine emotion. Looking at the Emperor, he said, "Your Majesty, you are too lenient with them."

Han Xinglan sighed softly. "I am short of people to use right now. Since they have pledged loyalty to me, I cannot press them too hard. Besides, they are indeed in a difficult position."

Xiao Shen was deeply moved by His Majesty's benevolence and immediately said, "Your Majesty, this humble subject is willing to take men and quietly make the trip."

"Not you. The defense of the capital cannot do without you. Besides, once the cannons are built, your men will be the first to go into battle. The most important thing for you right now is that."

Xiao Shen thought it over and had to let it go. After a moment's reflection, he said, "Then whom does Your Majesty plan to send? This is no small matter—if word gets out, it will be a great threat to Your Majesty."

This kind of underhanded business, of course, had to be done quietly.

Notices couldn't be posted—they'd leave evidence behind. It could only spread by word of mouth.

Han Xinglan thought it over and finally said, "I plan to send the Prince of Liang."

Xiao Shen was taken aback. "The Prince of Liang? This... Your Majesty, please think twice."

Han Xinglan understood Xiao Shen's concern. He said with a smile, "The Prince of Liang has been handling matters quite reliably lately. Give him a chance to gain experience—he can't be kept in the capital forever."

Xiao Shen understood. His Majesty was testing the Prince of Liang. If the Prince of Liang could pull this off, then upon his return to the capital, he would become someone His Majesty truly trusted.