Chapter 1049: Kaibao

"Four hundred seventy-eight thousand four hundred eighty households, nearly three million adult males—I knew the land of Wuyue was populous and had high expectations, but I never expected so many, almost rivaling the Jiangnan region!" In Chongzheng Hall, Emperor Liu was beaming with joy, and everyone present could feel that delight in his voice.

State Finance Commissioner Lei Dexiang reported: "Your Majesty, these figures are merely based on Wuyue's household registers, which were compiled some years ago and still differ from the actual conditions in each prefecture and county. If we add the growth of recent years and the hidden households throughout the region, the actual population of Liangzhe may well be even larger than what the King of Wuyue presented!"

"Once the court takes over Wuyue, just as with Jiangnan, the work of surveying the population and measuring the land should proceed simultaneously. Strictly urge all officials at every level to be rigorous in their work—no underreporting, no omissions. I want accurate and correct figures!" Liu Chengyou directly raised his hand, weighing the memorial in it, and gave orders in a rather forceful manner: "Taking over Jiangzhe is not merely a matter of receiving those maps and registers! Population, land—these are the sources of tax revenue. The State Finance Commission must pay particular attention!"

"Yes! Your servant understands!" Facing the emperor's command, Lei Dexiang hurriedly acknowledged. As State Finance Commissioner, in charge of the Great Han's finances, he naturally dared not be negligent in this matter. In fact, after taking over the south, the Bureau of Military Affairs and the Ministry of Personnel might be the busiest offices, but the most excited would undoubtedly be the State Finance Commission. Without question, Jiangzhe was the wealthiest and most prosperous region in the realm today, with the foundation already laid, awaiting only the court to continue developing and reaping the benefits.

With obvious excitement in his expression, Lei Dexiang continued reporting the good news: "Your Majesty, if we add the people of Wuyue, the registered households of the Great Han now exceed three million seven hundred thousand—this already rivals the population at the end of the Zhenguan era!"

Knowing that Emperor Liu greatly admired the Zhenguan reign, Lei Dexiang directly used it as an example—intuitive and striking. During the years of Liu Chengyou's governance, he had vigorously promoted population growth and encouraged childbirth. Yet after unifying the south, of those three million seven hundred thousand households, more than half came from the south, which showed just how important the south had become to the empire in this era.

Seeing the emperor nod, Lei Dexiang continued: "Based on calculations by your servant and the other officials, once the south is fully pacified and stability restored, counting the wealth and taxes of Jiangzhe, the court's annual revenue should exceed thirty-five million strings of cash. Levying the two taxes at this amount should pose no problem, perhaps even more. And Jiannan and Jiangzhe may provide over sixty percent of that tax revenue..."

Looking at Lei Dexiang's excited expression, Liu Chengyou smiled along with him, then remarked with genuine feeling: "The King of Qian has truly presented me and the court with a great gift this time!"

After all, even now, Wuyue still maintained some one hundred twenty thousand troops. With so many soldiers—setting aside their fighting capability—if Qian Hongchu had stubbornly resisted, even if he ultimately could not hold out, he would still have brought trouble to the court and easily caused chaos in Liangzhe, which was something Emperor Liu did not wish to see. Considering all this, Liu Chengyou's impression of Qian Hongchu grew ever better.

"The land of Liangzhe, passed down from Qian Liu to Qian Hongchu, has spanned nearly sixty years with few disturbances throughout, always pursuing a policy of nurturing and rest, allowing the people of Liangzhe ample time to recuperate and recover. With such achievements, this result is hardly surprising!" After returning to the Eastern Capital, Tao Gu threw himself directly into his work as a chief minister. He had rested long enough in Hangzhou, and joining the discussion, he now spoke up on his own initiative:

"However, from what your servant knows, after Qian Liu's death, Wuyue's condition declined somewhat. When the King of Wuyue, Qian Hongchu, succeeded the throne, although he continued the old policies—encouraging agriculture and sericulture, and greatly expanding cultivation—there was no further development compared to the early days. Among the people of Wuyue, not a few suffer hardship in making a living!"

"Oh!" Hearing this, Liu Chengyou appeared quite interested, merely raising an eyebrow slightly, and said: "You spent such a long time in Wuyue—it seems you gained something. Do tell!"

Among the ministers present, Tao Gu was the eldest, but this old fellow was also the most eager to show off. Facing the Son of Heaven's inquiry, with a smile on his aged face, he said: "Your servant will venture to speak. Wuyue is indeed one of the realm's most fertile lands, yet its ills are mainly two.

First, the territory is small while the population is numerous. Although it is said there is no idle land within its borders, this is also a sign of insufficient arable land. As the population grows, more landless commoners face difficult livelihoods and are forced to attach themselves to great households. Second, under the Qian clan's governance, they presented lavish tributes outwardly while indulging in extravagance inwardly. Wuyue is full of ostentation, and wasteful practices prevail—so much so that although production is abundant, the levies and exactions are harsh and oppressive, and the people suffer greatly!"

Glancing at Tao Gu—this was precisely why, although Tao Gu's reputation and prestige at court were not particularly high and he attracted much criticism, Emperor Liu had always given him important posts, even placing him among the chief ministers. The man had insight, could often identify where problems lay, and could often speak right to the emperor's heart.

"Where there is wealth, extravagant customs are bound to arise. People all wish to live in abundance, free from worry, pursuing the good life—there is nothing to fault in that!" With a slight smile, Emperor Liu said calmly, though his tone gradually turned stern: "However, what I do not wish to see is meat rotting behind vermilion gates while frozen corpses lie by the roadside! I desire the realm to be prosperous and peaceful, but I do not love waste and extravagance.

I have heard that in the Eastern Capital, Luoyang, and Daming Prefecture, a culture of pleasure-seeking has begun to rise in these past two years. The state is not yet fully unified, the realm is not yet truly at peace. Looking around, countless people across the land still struggle to make a living and live in hardship. It is far from the time to indulge in ease and comfort..."

"Your Majesty's instruction is right! With such a sage and enlightened sovereign, what worry is there that the realm will not be governed, that the state's strength will not be enriched, that the people of the four borders will not enjoy peace?" Tao Gu hurriedly chimed in agreement, even though among the ministers present, he was the one who most indulged in comfort and pleasure on ordinary days.

"Lü Yin, draft an edict in my name, proclaiming to the realm: advocate frugality, prohibit extravagance!" Following the somewhat drifting topic, Liu Chengyou instructed Lü Yin.

"Yes!"

Taking a deep breath to calm the sudden surge of excitement, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and said: "Wuyue's ills are similar to Jiangnan's. How to correct them—the court still needs to produce a practical and feasible policy! However, if one wishes to govern well, the first priority is selecting officials. For the Jiangnan region, I intend to send Fan Zhi to take charge. For the Wuyue region, whom should we appoint? Do you all have suggestions?"

Upon the question, Dou Yi, as Minister of Personnel, reported with a strong sense of responsibility: "Your Majesty, your servant believes Zan Jurun is fit for the post. Zan has rich governing experience and outstanding ability. In eight years in Xiang, he restored the devastated Hunan to recovery and orderly governance, with outstanding achievements worthy of emulation! Given the complexity of Hunan's local conditions, Zan handled it with ease. Wuyue is newly submitted—your servant believes he is well suited for this task!"

"Approved!" Emperor Liu said a single plain word, affirming the recommendation.

Among the ministers present, besides the several senior officials Wei Renpu, Dou Yi, Lei Dexiang, and Lü Yin, there was also a new face. Though the face was new, the man was an old one—an old minister of the emperor's: Wang Qiwu, Administration Commissioner of Huaidong. Now past forty, Wang Qiwu was someone Emperor Liu felt could be transferred back to the capital for service. He said directly to him: "Minister Wang, the State Finance Commission will be quite busy in the days ahead. I hope you will not decline the hardship and will come to court to serve as Minister of Revenue!"

Wang Qiwu was not overly surprised, and with a cupped-fist salute, acknowledged: "Yes!"

"Xue Juzheng and others have suggested to me that we change the era name next year. What do you all think?" Liu Chengyou suddenly asked.

To this, Wei Renpu, as the foremost among the ministers, spoke on their behalf: "Your Majesty, now the realm is unified under one rule, the world is being rebuilt, the Great Han is reborn, and the cosmos takes on an entirely new aspect. Your servant believes it is fitting to change the era name, to respond to the times and the mandate of heaven!"

"What about the rest of you?" Liu Chengyou looked at the others.

A chorus of assent followed. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou considered briefly and then nodded.

"Since you all deem it appropriate, then change it!" Liu Chengyou said with a faint smile: "Then let us discuss a new era name!"

Hearing this, the assembled ministers all grew interested and immediately set their minds to work. However, before anyone could offer a proposal, Emperor Liu suddenly spoke forcefully: "My mind is made up—the era shall be changed to Kaibao!"