Chapter 150

Since Wang Yang crossed over, he had been observing the details of society with care. When conversing with others, he was adept at guiding the topic to glean information. Coupled with his habit of diligent reflection and tireless reading, he had gained many insights. Now that Yu Yi asked, partly out of gratitude for Yu Yi's protection and partly because he still had requests for him, he naturally did not hold back and explained:

"Throughout history, what has been most emphasized in finance is nothing more than two things. One is the population, and the other is the land. When implemented in taxation, the former is the population tax—oh, that is, the so-called poll tax and household levy (one based on the person, one based on the household)—and the latter is the land rent. These three taxes, collectively called the 'Three Levies,' are the primary sources of tax revenue. All three are based on agriculture, which is why every dynasty has taken agriculture as the foundation. The reason for emphasizing agriculture is twofold: first, the people regard food as their heaven, so it cannot be ignored; second, the national treasury relies on agriculture, so it must be emphasized!"

Yu Yi's expression became increasingly solemn, while the other youths looked at Wang Yang as if looking at a celestial being.

Wang Yang wore a thoughtful expression, his voice steady: "... However, relying on agriculture has its own drawbacks. Firstly, land is limited; secondly, output is limited; and thirdly, it depends on the weather. Therefore, when the treasury is exhausted, one can only increase taxes and rents. Increasing taxes and rents makes the people unable to bear the burden; when the people cannot bear the burden, they rebel; when the people rebel, troops are raised; when troops are raised, taxes are increased; when taxes are increased, the people rebel even more. This cycle continues, eventually leading to collapse."

Everyone at the table listened with bated breath, not making a sound.

Wang Yang felt thirsty from talking and drank the wine in his cup in one gulp. Just as he prepared to pour more, he realized there was no wine pot on the table; previously, servants had always been the ones to refill it. Seeing this, Yu Qianlou said, "Someone, come here!"

Yu Yi frowned: "Call whom! You go!"

"Yes."

Yu Qianlou stood up to pour wine for Wang Yang, but Wang Yang hurriedly said he dared not.

Yu Yuling volunteered: "I'll do it!"

How could Wang Yang be embarrassed to let Yu Yuling serve him? He was about to stand up to get the wine pot when Yu Yi said: "Zhiyan, sit still. In terms of age, you are one year older than my son, and in terms of learning and insight, you surpass him tenfold! What is wrong with him pouring you a cup of wine?"

He looked at Yu Yuling: "Ajie, from now on, treat Zhiyan with the courtesy due to an elder brother!"

Yu Yuling said happily: "I will strictly follow Father's instructions!"

Seeing that Yu Yi had already called him "Zhiyan," Wang Yang no longer declined. After a cup of calamus wine went down his throat, he continued:

"If tax revenue relies on agriculture, then private merchants must be suppressed. One important purpose of suppressing private merchants is to prevent farmers from imitating them and abandoning farming for commerce. To protect agricultural taxes, merchants are constantly disparaged. Disparaging private merchants suppresses commercial development and often leaves merchants in a state of exploitation—at the central level, this is like Emperor Wu of Han's 'Edict on Reporting Hoarded Wealth,' and at the local level, there is the oppression by officials and gentry. Without a good business environment, commercial taxes will inevitably be sluggish. If commercial taxes are sluggish, tax revenue relies even more on agriculture; if it relies more on agriculture, private merchants are suppressed even more. This forms another cycle."

Yu Yi nodded and asked: "Zhiyan, then how do you think these two cycles should be broken?"

Xie Xinghan gave a small cough, her starry eyes blinking: "Young Master Wang, you haven't eaten yet, don't just focus on talking and forget to eat."

Wang Yang looked at Xie Xinghan and saw her give him a wink.

Yu Yi smiled apologetically: "It is my fault. Zhiyan, please eat first."

Then he instructed Yu Qianlou: "You go arrange for a fresh serving of food for Zhiyan."

Yu Qianlou did not want to leave; he still wanted to hear Wang Yang continue, but since his father had ordered it, he had no other choice and had to leave the table.

After Yu Yi finished instructing his son, he looked at Wang Yang.

Wang Yang knew that Yu Yi had not called for servants directly but had let Yu Qianlou "arrange" it, meaning that before the food arrived, Wang Yang could continue speaking.

He also guessed Xie Xinghan's intention. This clever little beauty was likely worried that answering Yu Yi's question might involve sensitive content, so she was reminding him to be cautious.

In fact, there was no need for Xie Xinghan to interrupt; Wang Yang himself had reservations. Although Yu Yi said there were no outsiders present, Wang Yang still did not touch upon certain sensitive topics, such as the role the aristocratic clans played in the current political and commercial model, or another important purpose of suppressing commerce: preventing population mobility. The reason for preventing mobility, besides facilitating tax collection and labor service, also included considerations of stabilizing rule. Merchants traveled far and wide, transporting goods in and out, stirring people's hearts and passing news, which was unfavorable to autocracy. Furthermore, suppressing commerce also involved political factors such as preventing merchants from becoming too powerful.

In short, this problem was extremely complex and could not be explained in a few words. Some parts still needed to be pondered and scrutinized, while others were not suitable to be expanded upon.

Wang Yang simply said: "To break the cycle, the key lies in opening new sources of revenue—that is, while ensuring agriculture, expand income outside of agricultural taxes. Internally, increase revenue through commerce; externally, facilitate trade and transportation."

Yu Yi immediately pressed: "How to ensure agriculture? How to increase revenue through commerce? And how to facilitate trade and transportation?"

Wang Yang hesitated and did not answer. Yu Qianlou had already returned with the food.

Seeing Wang Yang pondering in silence, Yu Yi said: "Zizhen, serve the dishes for Zhiyan!"

Wang Yang hurriedly refused, but Yu Yi insisted. Then a strange scene occurred:

The two young masters of the Yu clan of Xinye stood on Wang Yang's left and right, one pouring wine and the other serving dishes. This level of courtesy was at its peak, and Wang Yang himself felt that if he didn't say a few more words, it would be a bit unjustifiable!

Inside a hall of the Liu residence, eight retainers stood with hands hanging down, standing on both sides.

Suddenly, footsteps arose, and all eight bowed and cupped their hands.

Liu Cheng's face was pale, his eyes slightly bloodshot, his expression stern. He walked through the middle with large strides and sat alone in the high seat. As he sat down, the doors and windows all slammed shut with a 'clack.'

Liu Cheng's face was cold as he said at the outset: "You have followed me for quite some time. I will only ask one thing now: if I am humiliated, what will you do?"

One person quickly stepped out: "A retainer labors for the master's worries; a retainer dies for the master's humiliation! If the young master is humiliated, we will only die!"

Another person's tiger-like eyes widened, and he cupped his hands with a loud sound: "Willing to go through fire and water for the young master! No sacrifice is too great!"

"Who dares to humiliate the young master? Are they tired of living?! I will surely avenge the young master!"

"If we do not avenge this for the young master, what face do we have to stand in this world?"

"Well said! Those who offend the young master, even if they are far away, must be executed!"

"Young master, who is this thief? Tell us what you need us to do!"

Everyone's eyes were sharp, their emotions agitated, each acting as if they themselves had been insulted, looking as if they couldn't wait to die for Liu Cheng immediately. Only the person standing at the very end did not make a sound. However, under the cover of so many voices, no one noticed him.

Liu Cheng felt slightly comforted and nodded: "Very good. The person who humiliated me is named Wang Yang, a collateral branch of the Langya Wang clan. His family influence has long since declined, a person of no consequence. Whoever can avenge this for me, I will reward heavily!"

As soon as everyone heard it was Wang Yang, they immediately fell silent.

If it were some third-rate aristocratic clan that didn't know any better, or some small-time official who didn't know the score, surrounding them and giving them a beating to vent the young master's anger would be fine. As for those even lower, thinking of a way to toy with them or even kill them directly wouldn't be difficult. After all, with the Hedong Liu clan behind them, who would dare to pull the tiger's whiskers?

But the person the young master mentioned...

Are you kidding! Even if his family influence has declined, he is still the Langya Wang clan!!!!! A top-tier aristocratic clan!!!!! In terms of lineage alone, the Hedong Liu clan is slightly inferior.

Besides, this person is not "of no consequence"! He can chat and laugh with the Prince of Badong and is a guest of honor among several major aristocratic clans in Jingzhou! For such a person, let alone causing a death, even if he were just injured or bumped, it wouldn't end well! If something really happened, let alone themselves, even the young master would likely not be able to stay out of it.

Seeing everyone lowering their heads in silence, not daring to meet his gaze, Liu Cheng was suddenly furious: "Why aren't you speaking? Weren't you all very good at talking just now? Retainers dying for humiliation, going through fire and water, executing those far away—all of you, speak!!!"

The person who had previously said "retainers die for humiliation" said tremblingly: "Young master, Wang Yang's status is special. It might be better to discuss it with the second young master first before making plans."

The one who said "go through fire and water" stammered: "A gentleman's revenge is not too late in ten years. Instead of both sides suffering, it is better to temporarily... temporarily endure, and wait until the time is ripe to..."

The one who said "must be executed" secretly glanced at Liu Cheng and whispered: "Mainly because the young master is entering officialdom this October. It seems inappropriate to cause more trouble before then. And it is not suitable to cause trouble in Jingzhou. Why not wait until we return to Jiankang—"

Liu Cheng laughed in extreme anger: "Ha! Just now you were all high-spirited and energetic, and now you are timid and fearful! I let you come here to find a way to avenge me! Not to advise me to swallow my pride! Wang Yang, that brat, has humiliated me repeatedly. If this revenge is not taken, I, Liu Cheng, am not a man!!! Those who are unwilling to help me, get out now!"

One person said: "Young master, the Duke has old subordinates in Jingzhou. Why not—"

"No, this matter cannot implicate the family!" Liu Cheng categorically rejected.

"I have a plan. Why not bribe a woman to collide with Wang Yang's carriage on the road, then lure him to a medical clinic, and then lure away the people around him? At that time, accuse him of attempted rape. Although it may not be possible to convict him, it can ruin his reputation."

Liu Cheng's face was dark: "Don't mention such low-class schemes."

"I heard that Wang Yang is buying silk in large quantities. Why not pressure the merchants and tell them not to sell goods to him."

"That doesn't hurt or itch. What kind of revenge is that?"

"Ambush some men, and when he leaves the city, catch him off guard and give him a good beating!"

Liu Cheng frowned: "If the government investigates, how to clean up the mess? With so many people, can we guarantee to hide our tracks? What if someone is captured?"

Everyone discussed it messily. In their hearts, they were unwilling to let Liu Cheng and Wang Yang fight to the death, so they all just casually suggested methods to stall. As for those poisonous schemes that would harm others and themselves, or ruin their bodies and families, no one mentioned them. Even Liu Cheng himself didn't think in that direction.

Liu Cheng listened to the whole circle and felt frustrated, so he drove everyone out. Just as he was sitting alone and sulking, one of the eight people who had been silent all along suddenly returned to request an audience.

Liu Cheng said coldly: "You have been a retainer under my door for three years. Although I cannot compare to the generous treatment of Meng Changjun or Lü Buwei, I have not treated you poorly. Yet today, when I have a matter, you don't say a word. Is it that you are willing but unable, and have no strategy; or are you harboring two minds and simply haven't taken my matter to heart?"

The man first bowed deeply, then said: "Matters succeed through secrecy and fail through leakage. I have already thought of a plan, and was just waiting for everyone to disperse to present it to the young master. However, for the sake of thoroughness, I ask the young master to give me more time to prepare. Once the opportunity arrives, we will implement it."

Liu Cheng was overjoyed: "Well said! This matter should indeed prioritize thoroughness! Whatever plan you have, just speak freely!"