Chapter 552: Battle of Salt

The deal was settled, yet it seemed unsettled.

After the meeting, Prince Yong Li Lin and his party were lodged by Fang Chongyong in a guest room within the Dengzhou Fuya. Apart from the uninformed Li Bai, the other two wore conflicted expressions.

To avoid suspicion, Li Bai went off on his own to the harbor to enjoy the moonlight and seek poetic inspiration. Only Li Lin and Wei Zichun remained, glaring at each other in the guest room.

"Zichun, what do you think Fang Qing means by this?"

Staring at the long list spread on the desk, Li Lin's face turned bitter, both sorrowful and angry.

It was a personnel appointment and dismissal list, with names and official titles written on it.

Fang Chongyong's arrangement of his trusted subordinates was laid out vividly on this paper, and all were key posts within his own territory. In other words, if Li Lin later wishes to place "his own people", there will be little room for maneuver.

Of course, this is only temporary. Once the regime expands, new territories will appear, and then Li Lin can find opportunities to insert his own people.

With one side weakening and the other strengthening, who will smile in the end remains debatable.

"Your Highness, Fang Qing sent us to Bianzhou, saying it was to prepare for your coronation there and to build the imperial palace. Yet Bianzhou is his old stronghold, and the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army might simply become his guard troops.

Whether these men will later become too powerful to control… hard to say."

Wei Zichun let out a light sigh and said with some regret.

This situation was, of course, within his expectations; after all, Li Lin never leads troops! If the emperor doesn't command troops, he will inevitably be restrained by the commander‑in‑chief of the army.

That is an obvious fact.

"Fang Qing's appetite is too great; I feel a bit resentful,"

Li Lin shook his head helplessly; what is written on this paper is not a reward list at all, but Fang Chongyong mapping out his own power base!

Come to think of it, the ones who fight life and death are Fang Chongyong and the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army; why should anyone be barred from key posts and instead give you, a rear‑area feasting prince, a wedding dress?

"Do you have any good solutions now?"

Li Lin looked at Wei Zichun and asked in a low voice.

"Your Highness, the kind of solution you hope for does not exist.

But I must say: you are the sovereign, he is the subject.

Even if Fang Qing wishes to be like Cao Cao, it is not so easy!

Time is on your side, Your Highness. No matter how much power he holds, the title proclaimed outward always remains you, the Son of Heaven, not him, the Grand Marshal of troops.

Wei Zichun forced himself to speak.

In truth, he had no certainty in his heart, because people's hearts change gradually. The Tang's appeal will also grow weaker.

Does time truly stand on Prince Yong's side? This remark probably only comforts the usually restless Li Lin. Whether it's Cao Mengde or Sima Yi, the precedents of the past are countless, right there on display.

Wei Zichun understood that Li Lin's mind was made up; persuasion would not move him. Even if Fang Chongyong's proposal were a cup of poison, faced with the current severe situation, the Prince Yong could only pinch his nose and drink the poison to quench his thirst.

Wei Zichun thought that Fang Chongyong commanded six provinces, and with the newly controlled Dengzhou (only the western part, the eastern side still has two counties unclaimed), that makes seven provinces.

Li Lin controlled three provinces; the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, returning from Dengzhou to Bianzhou, could also take control of any uncontrolled provinces along the way.

Thus, Li Lin would nominally control over a dozen provinces.

Enough to carve out lands and grant kingship.

Therefore, Fang Chongyong's scheme is not without reason; without a legitimate claim, how could one manage the territories of those dozen provinces?

First let Li Lin ascend the throne in Bianzhou, thereby gaining legitimate authority; whether under Fang Chongyong or Li Lin's own staff, they can set their minds at ease and receive rewards.

At least it is a reward in official rank.

This greatly helps to stabilize people's hearts! Because those who follow Li Lin already know what this lord intends to do!

With hearts steadied, whether marching on Chang'an, holding Bianzhou, or moving south to seize lands, they can act without hesitation, free of worries.

From this angle, Fang Chongyong truly is… deep‑minded, and his tactics are exceedingly seasoned and cunning.

Compared with Fang Youde's style of selflessly defending the Tang regardless of cost, Fang Chongyong can be described as methodical, mastering both military affairs and political scheming.

A prince like Li Lin, simple‑hearted, meeting a regional military governor like Fang Chongyong, it's hard to say whether it's a blessing or a curse!

Wei Zichun worried silently in his heart.

The reasoning is there beside them; what's missing is a method.

He only wishes that Fang Chongyong makes more mistakes in the future, so he will gradually lose his power, causing his subordinates to become disloyal. Then one could say time stands on Li Lin's side.

Wei Zichun's thought at this moment was the oft‑cited six characters: do one's duty, know destiny.

Thinking of this, he comforted Li Lin, saying:

"Your Highness, always look on the bright side. Now many are dissatisfied with Li Chang's patricide and treason; if you raise the banner of rebellion first, many will come to join you. That would be far better than us being stuck in Qizhou.

As for Fang Qing and his confidants becoming too powerful, that is a matter for the distant future. For now, for a long time he cannot be separated from Your Highness."

Wei Zichun's words hit the nail on the head.

If we keep holding Qizhou, Li Lin will end with only two outcomes: either neighboring regional governors find a pretext to wipe him out, or his subordinates stab him to death.

Either way, it's not a good result.

Ascending the throne in Bianzhou… at least it satisfies the emperor's craving, right? Even if he dies in the end, he'll die a spectacular death! Even if Fang Chongyong rebels, that will be far in the future.

What use is panic now?

Hearing this, Li Lin's expression brightened considerably; he forced a smile and said, "Zichun, your words truly capture my intent. Once the bow is drawn there is no turning back; we have no choice but to act! Starting tomorrow, we will follow the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army and watch Fang Qing and his elite troops defeat the enemy."

Li Lin also thought there was no need to return to Qizhou; he would send someone to inform Gao Shang, have everyone go to Bianzhou, and prepare to attend his new 'emperor' coronation ceremony!

On the way back to Bianzhou lie Laizhou, Qingzhou, and Yanzhou, which are not under control. Li Lin wanted to see how Fang Chongyong would handle the governors of those three provinces.

……

Almost simultaneously, Fang Chongyong was also in a study within the Dengzhou Fuya, personally briefing Liu Yan and Che Guangqian, discussing state affairs.

"The matter of Dengzhou's saltfields must be handled promptly. The current coastal saltfields are too small; they need to be expanded, at the very least not smaller than the Changlu Saltfield.

And relocate displaced peasants to work in the saltfields."

Fang Chongyong instructed Che Guangqian, saying this trusted commander would immediately remain in Dengzhou for official duties; besides training troops, recruitment, and maritime trade, the saltfield expansion also fell to him.

He recalled that during the Northern Song, Dengzhou seemed to be an important sea‑salt production base. Su Dongpo once served there, discovered that local salt prices were the same as elsewhere, and thus submitted a memorial to the court urging reform of salt policies.

"Understood, but I don't know what instructions the Jiedushi has on this?"

Che Guangqian asked, puzzled.

These days the technical threshold for making sea salt is extremely low; there are even professional books that tell coastal fishermen how to produce salt.

The problem is, after this salt is produced, what is it used for!

What are the sales channels? Where are the distribution centers? How is the price set?

Is it specifically for making pickled vegetables, salted meat, or salted fish for maritime trade vessels?

Is it shipped to Bianzhou for sale, or exported to the Bohai Kingdom?

Should a salt tax be levied, how should it be collected, and at what rate?

These details unrelated to salt production are the real crux of the matter.

"Calculate the normal material consumption and labor, and levy a ten‑percent transaction tax. After the salt is produced, ninety percent is shipped to Bianzhou, ten percent is sold within this province and neighboring prefectures, implementing a low‑tax system."

Fang Chongyong smiled indifferently, saying, and gave a slight wave of his hand.

Now not only Che Guangqian felt surprised, but Liu Yan also found it unbelievable.

A ten‑percent salt tax—that is, 10%—is so far off the mark that its low level is almost shocking.

If the salt tax isn't multiplied several times, what use is it?

"Jiedushi, forgive me for speaking plainly, this tax rate is barely better than none; it will hardly bring in any money."

Liu Yan sighed helplessly.

"Indeed we collect almost nothing, but… this way Hebei, Guanzhong, and even the Jiangnan region would also not receive any salt tax."

Fang Chongyong gave a slight wave, a mysterious smile on his face.

Liu Yan, being clever, immediately grasped the key point.

Indeed, according to Fang Chongyong's plan, Bianzhou would collect very little salt tax. Yet this is a "people‑nourishing" strategy, allowing the populace of each province to better sustain themselves and to gain their support for the regime.

On the other hand, Bianzhou's salt price is low, which means the surrounding areas would also fail to collect salt tax!

Bianzhou's official salt would be taken away by merchants from everywhere who come seeking it, becoming "private salt" elsewhere, thereby disrupting other regions' edible‑salt markets and leaving heavily taxed official salt without a market.

If the authorities force a sale, would the locals resist?

That would certainly happen; the power of the "private‑salt dealers" is understood by all.

Without spending a single soldier, creating contradictions or even a rebellion elsewhere—what's not to like?

Fang Chongyong's move may look simple, but in essence it is dumping, and it belongs to "anticipating others' anticipations."

To make money, whether it's the Chang'an court, the Hebei rebels, or any other local power, they will grind the salt tax to death. Then they will use that tax to recruit soldiers, buy provisions, and forge armor and weapons.

I don't care whether I profit; as long as you also cannot profit, I've won.

"Impressive, I can't collect the salt tax, and others shouldn't either.

Jiedushi, this move is brilliant."

Che Guangqian clapped their hands and laughed, having fully grasped Fang Chongyong's intention!

Send the salt to Bianzhou for centralized sale, and the salt there will be much cheaper than the heavily taxed salt in the surrounding areas.

Then, will many merchants come here to sell salt?

According to the principle of not traveling empty‑handed, those merchants will certainly bring something else to sell, such as grain, to make the trip worthwhile.

If they also sell only grain or other necessities, they can obtain a "salt voucher," which can be used to purchase cheap salt under the decree.

In that case, would the prefects and county magistrates of the surrounding prefectures, seeing that their regions collect no salt tax while resources pour out, feel ecstatic or desperate?

The salt they themselves eat would have to be bought in Bianzhou.

With cheap, low‑tax Bianzhou salt, this salt voucher will surely be coveted by merchants; could it then be used as currency?

If so, would the economy be revitalized?

"The Jiedushi's strategy is superb."

Having understood the far‑reaching side effects, Liu Yan couldn't help but salute Fang Chongyong with a crossed‑hand salute, speaking sincerely.

By doing the opposite, implementing an ultra‑low salt tax and a salt voucher system, the vouchers unintentionally gain a "preservation of value" property.

Why does this happen? Because salt prices in the surrounding prefectures are certainly higher! All factions, seeking war funds, will inevitably manipulate the salt tax.

The low‑price salt strategy actually uses salt to exchange for various goods in surrounding prefectures, and it also builds a good reputation—why not?

The salt tax is reduced, but might other commercial taxes increase?

Liu Yan, being a person with a sharp economic mind, understood Fang Chongyong's strategy as soon as he heard it. This Fang Jiedushi has prepared for long‑term development, not intending to make a quick profit in Bianzhou.

Being able to formulate excellent economic policies gives a warlord regime a pair of wings compared to other such regimes.

Bianzhou is a canal hub and a prosperous trading port; as soon as the world stabilizes a bit, its locational advantage will quickly come into play.

"Salt matters are of utmost importance; after returning to Bianzhou, Prosecutor Liu will surely be promoted to Minister of Revenue, and then the salt administration will be entrusted to you."

Low salt tax is a principle that must not be broken; we will not use it to extract wealth. As for everything else, Prosecutor Liu can handle it as he sees fit.

The salt fields in Dengzhou should be expanded as much as possible; worry not about sales routes!

Fang Chongyong said calmly, though a sigh rose in his heart.

He had previously conceived many governing strategies, but at that time the Great Tang lacked the conditions to implement them; public opinion was hard to reconcile, vested interest groups were powerful, and a single hair could move the whole body.

Now, controlling a warlord regime, policies that were previously inconvenient to implement are now easy to enact.

Compared to those ethereal, silk‑backed jiaozi, salt that can be taken at any time is undeniably more solid; it won't spoil even after ten years.

The popularity of low‑tax salt will also make the salt voucher a popular "token".

Thus Bianzhou can use salt vouchers as credit currency, with moderate leverage. This aligns perfectly with the policy Liu Yan previously planned.

Feudal society, having developed to the High Tang, has entered a bottleneck; any bit of innovation is extremely precious.

This move, which Fang Chongyong has plotted for a long time, now draws the long sword; it will block every avenue of extracting wealth through salt tax, preventing them from even paying troops.

"Building a new capital, expanding the army, establishing farms—all require money, a lot of money."

I, the Jiedushi, intend to reform the tax system, abolish the rent‑labor levy, and implement a two‑tax system.

In principle, taxes will be levied according to the amount of assets, collected in two installments in summer and autumn.

The autumn harvest has now passed; the reform will take effect from next year, so we must plan meticulously now and make all preparations.

When the time comes, we will inevitably face opposition from the great households of each province. Those who oppose must be firmly suppressed.

Liu Yan, this matter is also entrusted to you for overall planning. I will raise a unit dedicated to tax collection, under your command.

Recruiting and training troops is handled by a dedicated officer daily; you need not concern yourself with it.

Fang Chongyong then put forward an earth‑shaking grand scheme.

Everyone knows the rent‑labor levy is no longer effective. Moreover, Liu Yan used to work in the Ministry of Revenue, handling finances, and sees clearly how the levy has become a mere formality.

But how to reform the tax law—when Ji Ge was present, court opinions were highly contradictory. The cry that ancestral laws must not be altered was loud.

In fact, everyone sees right and wrong clearly; it's just that the powerful will not voluntarily change their fate. Once you understand this, you know why the new tax law has never been promulgated.

Liu Yan nodded slightly, saying little. There are still six months to prepare; by then, things might shake the very earth.

But since Fang Chongyong has abandoned the high‑salt tax extraction, implementing the two‑tax system is the inevitable choice.

"According to the new tax law, there will be no distinction between principal households and clients; taxes will be levied uniformly based on assets, and anyone who owns land locally is considered a local.

We will re‑survey land holdings; those who do not cooperate will have all their land confiscated and turned over to the state."

Fang Chongyong conveyed this important principle to Liu Yan.

Upon hearing this, Liu Yan instantly understood that Fang Chongyong is a genuine insider; an insider would never speak such words otherwise.

The biggest problem with the rent‑labor levy now is that the government ledgers hardly match the local household registers!

Those who should pay taxes refuse, and those exempt are driven to flee by heavy taxes, so ultimately no revenue is collected.

Confirming the current situation, taxing based on assets is a compromise with the past and a correction for the future.

Only the wise can undertake this.

The advantage is: henceforth no one can evade taxes; the more land you own, the more you pay, and I won't question how your land was acquired, at least for now.

The hidden drawback is that the rent‑labor levy's "land‑grant system" has been formally and substantively abolished. In other words, allocating land to landless refugees will no longer be routine.

The rent‑labor levy system was unreasonable, but it at least had a superficial layer; theoretically it still granted land. It simply could not be implemented because there was no land left.

We will not raise this issue now, which amounts to tacit approval of past mistakes—no blame for the past.

Or, to put it bluntly, we simply stop maintaining it.

Liu Yan nodded gravely; Fang Chongyong's having this notion is already exceedingly rare.

If other hard‑hearted Jiedushis were in his place, what would they think?

How to rob, how to kill, how to take women, how to seize territory. Who would contemplate tax implementation, who would think about resting with the people?

"Jiedushi, rest assured; regarding the new tax law, I will prepare it earnestly."

Liu Yan bowed deeply to Fang Chongyong and said.

"Jiedushi, rest assured, the salt fields of Dengzhou can certainly be built, on a grand and special scale."

Che Guangqian also clasped fists in salute to Fang Chongyong, her heart surging.

"Hmm, the main army departs tomorrow; you all may rest now.

These matters cannot be completed in just a few days."

Fang Chongyong stood, stretched lazily, and only then realized it was already night; he was utterly exhausted.

After seeing off Che Guangqian and Liu Yan, he finally lay on a soft couch, staring blankly at the pitch‑black ceiling beams.

"In the end, we still have to compromise with reality,"

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but let out a long sigh.