Chapter 188: Answer

Emperor Jingwu looked at Zhang Jian with bright eyes, pondered slightly, and said calmly.

"Sir, you possess great talent; surely you can see our nation's predicament. Our Great Qian is a vast and prosperous land, rich in resources and people, yet over ninety percent of its wealth is controlled by the aristocratic clans across the regions. Consequently, the populace has lost their land, become displaced, and periodically, refugees rise in rebellion, attempting to overthrow the court. Thus, the court must periodically open the treasury, disburse silver, and strive to quell the uprisings. This cycle repeats, preventing the court's national strength from rising, while the people's poverty remains unchanged. Meanwhile, the aristocratic clans grow ever larger. I ask you, Sir: how should I act to reverse this trend and transform Great Qian?"

As soon as he spoke, he posed Zhang Jian a formidable problem.

This is indeed a king's bomb.

A poor answer would bring considerable trouble.

If an ordinary senior minister were faced with this, it would be a death sentence.

Zhang Jian's expression was thoughtful as he also considered the intentions of Emperor Jingwu.

In fact, Zhang Jian had naturally considered this problem and had many solutions in mind, yet every solution would entail a severe backlash.

Moreover, the Zhang family itself is now part of the scholar-official class, with no reason to betray its own class.

However, speaking again,

if the Great Qian court could resolve the aristocratic clans in advance, even merely weakening their power, it would benefit the Zhang family's future hold on power.

With Great Qian bearing the risk, the Zhang family could reap the rewards later.

A thought flashed through his mind.

Zhang Jian pondered for a moment and then said.

"Your Majesty, the aristocratic clans are the foundation of the court; rash action would inevitably cause great disaster. Please, Your Majesty, reconsider carefully!"

Emperor Jingwu, however, fixed his gaze on Zhang Jian and spoke in a deep voice.

"Mr. Zhang, only the three of us are present here. Speak freely; I, as the Son of Heaven, guarantee that our words today will not reach a fourth ear!"

"Please, Sir, instruct me!"

Zhang Jian glanced at Emperor Jingwu, thinking, I believe your nonsense.

Zhang Jian still replied:

"Your Majesty, the way to govern begins by emulating the ancients and reforming existing laws. The court's foremost problem today is the severe land consolidation, wealth loss, and national poverty. As the saying goes, poverty leads to change, change leads to harmony!"

The harm of land consolidation to the court needs no elaboration: not only does all wealth flow into the hands of the great clans, but these clans also possess both manpower and wealth, so much so that the court sometimes dares not act against them lightly.

Next is taxation: how many peasant households are concealed by the clans, becoming hidden households, causing the court's tax revenue and wealth to sharply decline.

In fact, suppressing the aristocratic clans is not difficult in Zhang Jian's view.

The examination system has already been perfected.

The clans' monopoly on knowledge has been broken; thereafter, by skillfully utilizing this, we can shift the conflict between the clans and the court into one between old clans and new commoner families. Then, by seizing military authority and granting some power to those commanders from humble origins, we can naturally gradually dismantle the clans' dominance.

As for resolving the land consolidation issue, this is the most difficult.

But predecessors have set examples.

That is, no longer tax by headcount, but by land area—regardless of who owns the land or what privileges they hold—setting tax rates according to each plot's fertility.

Once the treasury has funds and new troops are trained, we need not hesitate to deal with whomever we wish.

Zhang Jian briefly outlined the idea of taxing land instead of persons, and Emperor Jingwu's eyes immediately lit up.

As for specific measures, the Zhang family, citing their own years of study and ignorance of local affairs, declined to answer.

He merely guided Emperor Jingwu toward this line of thought, not claiming to be its primary advocate.

Such a backlash, besides the court, no one could bear.

"Furthermore, Your Majesty may revise the clan genealogies to strengthen the influence of the imperial surname; if the clan records are revised to make the imperial name the national surname, the Great Qian imperial house will surely rise higher!"

"These words are most pleasing to My heart!"

Emperor Jingwu's eyes flickered with a smile.

He gazed at Zhang Jian, feeling joy at this moment; Zhang Jian's proposed measures were like sending charcoal in the snow—he was not ignorant of local affairs, but rather quite skilled in them, able to keenly discern the excellence of these suggestions.

Truly, each point directly addresses the vital issue.

Emperor Jingwu retained Zhang Jian until after lunch, then allowed him to depart.

After Zhang Jian left, Emperor Jingwu habitually turned to the attendant, asking for this close palace servant's opinion.

"Grand Attendant, what do you think of Secretary Zhang's words?"

The attendant, having already listened nearby, replied: "Your Majesty, Secretary Zhang's words are to fight poison with poison, yet this also contains great danger. If we wish to implement land taxation, we must pass through the aristocratic clans; Your Majesty must suppress the localities with iron and blood, but now is not the time!"

"Moreover, we will later need to investigate fugitive households and hidden households, which also involves the foundations of many clans..."

The attendant's expression was solemn; the method is good, but must not be rushed.

Otherwise, it would be a heavenly catastrophe.

Emperor Jingwu also understood the pros and cons; hearing this, he gave a slight nod.

But not long after, he issued an edict: Secretary Zhang Jian of the Literary Academy, for his meritorious lectures, has displayed his talent and been promoted to Academician of the Literary Academy, a regular sixth-rank position.

Serving as deputy to Academician Huang Liangzhong, Reader-in-Waiting.

The rank of Academician of the Literary Academy is, however, extremely prestigious!

Usually only senior officials of the various bureaus have the opportunity to hold such a title!

……

Having entered the Literary Academy less than half a year, he was promoted by half a rank, clearly showing Zhang Jian's smooth official career.

Within the Literary Academy, many editors, sitting officials, and numerous clerks were clamoring for Zhang Jian to treat them at the Zhuangyuan Residence.

Zhang Jian, however, went along with the flow and, taking advantage of the occasion, entertained many colleagues.

Reader-in-Waiting Huang Liangzhong was also among the crowd; he had originally held Zhang Jian in high regard, and upon seeing his promotion, was surprised yet willingly went.

……

Inside the Zhuangyuan Residence

Many officials of the Literary Academy gathered, making it very lively, until just before curfew when they gradually dispersed.

Most officials merely took a sip, but some drank to the point of utter drunkenness.

Among them was Chen Xiuming.

The distress of this Chen Xiuzhu was seen by many jinshi of the Wen Ti Yuan, but most people pretended not to notice.

People cannot be compared!

Both are zhuangyuan, yet one was promoted in half a year, while the other remains in the same place after four or five years— the difference is clear!

After seeing off many colleagues, Zhang Jian finally left the Zhuangyuan Ju.

Having walked only a short distance, he saw at the corner of the long street a familiar figure in a red robe stepping out.

This was a middle-aged man with a slightly pale face.

Zhang Jian frowned slightly, but heard the other party laugh heartily.

"Zhang Langjun, you have kept this seat waiting; I have already been here for a long time!"

"Who are you?"

Zhang Jian's heart already recognized the origin of this figure before him; not long ago, he had seen this person before the San Yan Zhen Sha Jing.

This is a powerful cultivator of the Xue Ying Mo Zong.

"I am the Tie Xue Dao Ren." This figure in blood-red robes had a faint smile on his face.

"Langjun, your righteous and noble spirit reaches the heavens; upon hearing the news, I was overjoyed and specially came to invite Langjun to be a guest at the Blood River bank. Please do not refuse, for though I personally extended the invitation, Langjun cannot refuse!"