Chapter 1052: The Brother-in-Law's Report

"In the past, when people spoke of Shu, they often described it as a land of abundance, a fertile expanse of a thousand li. During my years in Chengdu, I indeed felt this to be true. However, in my view, the great benefits of Shu are mainly three: first, salt; second, tea; third, sericulture! In recent years, when we officials governed Shu and nurtured the people's livelihood, most of the policies we implemented were related to these three!" Inside Chongzheng Hall, Imperial Son-in-law Song Yanwo, who had rushed thousands of li back to the Eastern Capital, spoke eloquently to Emperor Liu.

"Zhang Mei is not only capable of logistics, supply, and provisioning for the military, but also possesses financial acumen. During the Meng Shu period, extravagance prevailed and military preparations were strengthened. Besides increasing taxes, heavy levies were imposed on salt and tea, yielding substantial profits. However, the salt households and tea farmers within the territory lived in hardship, and resentment was widespread.

After Zhang Mei's thorough reorganization—abolishing oppressive levies, punishing corrupt officials, cracking down on lawless profiteers, raising purchase prices, and setting fair selling prices—the salt and tea trade has taken on an entirely new appearance. Everything has now been put on the right track, the people's grievances have dissipated, and they feel grateful for the court's benevolence, their hearts turning toward the government.

In the past, the disparity between rich and poor was especially pronounced in Shu, with sharp contradictions. After the Shu rebellion, the powerful and wealthy moved away, and landless people were granted fields accordingly, giving impoverished households hope for their livelihoods. What I and Zhao Pu did was merely to issue clear decrees, enforce strict discipline, govern officials severely, and treat the people leniently. Though I dare not boast, I can say we have not failed Your Majesty's trust..."

Watching his confident brother-in-law, Liu Chengyou secretly approved. A man nearly forty, yet still so elegant and imposing, his bearing winning people over. He said with a light chuckle: "I have heard of the achievements of my brother-in-law and officials such as Zhao Pu and Zhang Mei. To bring great order to Shu within four years and win the people's allegiance—these are all your accomplishments!"

"Your Majesty overpraises me; I dare not accept it. All of this was done under the guidance of Your Majesty and the court, acting in accordance with the regulations!" Song Yanwo said modestly again.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and chuckled lightly: "We are all family; my brother-in-law need not be so formal!"

Clearly, although Song Yanwo maintained his poise and bearing before Liu Chengyou, he was in fact very careful, his demeanor restrained, not daring to truly treat Emperor Liu as a young brother-in-law. Among the consort relatives, when it came to political wisdom, Song Yanwo ranked among the top.

After the pacification of the Meng Shu, there were five main officials credited with governing Shu: Song Yanwo, Zhao Pu, Zhang Mei, Bian Guangfan, and Wang Ming. Song Yanwo was Administration Commissioner of the Jiannan Circuit, Zhang Mei was the Fiscal Commissioner in charge of the entire Chuanshu financial authority, and Zhao Pu, in the capacity of Grand Coordinator, coordinated all matters. It could be said that through the joint efforts of these three men, results better than expected were achieved in such a short time.

By now, the annual tax revenue delivered to the court from the Chuanshu region, converted to copper cash, has reached five million strings. Compared to the peak revenue during Meng Chang's era, there is still a considerable gap. However, considering the turmoil and upheaval Shu suffered in those years, along with the urgent levies and miscellaneous exactions imposed, one can appreciate how difficult it was to reach the current achievement after four years.

Liu Chengyou pondered for a moment, then asked: "In your view, could the court increase the two-tax quota for Chuanshu?"

Upon hearing this, Song Yanwo showed a trace of surprise, but noticing Emperor Liu's serious expression, he thought for a moment and said: "Your Majesty, forgive me for speaking bluntly. The current situation in Chuanshu has stabilized and is favorable, but the burden borne by the people of Chuanshu is not light. Following this trend, if given more time to recover, with no disasters befalling them, the court could gradually make adjustments. But at this time, I do not recommend increasing the tax quota, lest problems arise!"

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou quickly put away that hint of expectation and said: "Seeing that the situation in Chuanshu is good, I was merely testing the idea. Since my brother-in-law thinks it inappropriate, then let it be!"

Hearing Liu Chengyou say this, Song Yanwo couldn't help asking curiously: "May I ask Your Majesty, is the court's finances in difficulty?"

"Disasters in the north, the unification campaigns, rewards for pacifying the south, lavish commendations for meritorious officials, plus adjustments to national policy—the Great Han has many places that will require expenditure ahead!" Liu Chengyou said with a sigh.

Song Yanwo raised a question, however: "Jiangnan and Liangzhe are prosperous. Since the court has taken them, can they not make up the difference?"

Liu Chengyou smiled and said: "Prosperous they are, and the harvest has been considerable, but in the end, one cannot simply use it as is. Under the governance of Li and Qian, there are many ills that still need reform and renewal, refreshing their administration to bring them to order, before planning what comes next!"

Hmm, Emperor Liu had earlier been considering lightening the burden on the common people, and now he was again contemplating increasing taxes on Shu. Of course, this was not contradictory. The southern prefectures had enjoyed peace for many years with deep foundations; Chuanshu, along with Jiangsu and Zhejiang, were equally famed for prosperity. For the parts to make some sacrifice for the whole—since they had been incorporated into the Great Han's rule, they naturally should leverage their advantages to provide ample funds and grain for the court.

"Enough, let us return to the matter of Chuanshu!" Liu Chengyou said in a relaxed tone: "Since my brother-in-law has returned to the capital this time, I intend to keep you in the court for an appointment. As for Chuanshu affairs, who do you think could succeed you?"

Hearing the question, Song Yanwo was somewhat surprised. In recent years, to strengthen the court's influence and control over the regions, appointments of such frontier grandees had always been decided by the central government through discussion, never swayed by local interests. Moreover, the Emperor had firm opinions of his own—why was he now asking for his thoughts? It was also because Song Yanwo had long served as an official away from the capital, unfamiliar with Emperor Liu, lacking the close connection that surface-level kinship might suggest, and not understanding him that well.

His understanding of Emperor Liu could only be judged through his own observation and some hearsay. Being a relative of the Emperor was not easy—while enjoying wealth, honor, and glory, one also bore greater pressure and had to tread carefully. Therefore, for those consort relatives who had retired to live out their lives, peacefully enjoying life was not necessarily a bad thing.

However, since Emperor Liu had asked, Song Yanwo decided to answer, and gave a definitive reply: "Your Majesty, I believe the most suitable person is none other than Zhao Pu! Zhao Zeping is a great talent for governing the realm, with extraordinary ability and a strength in practical affairs that I frankly admit I cannot match. Governing the whole world he could do with ease, let alone managing mere Chuanshu!"

"You speak very highly of Zhao Pu!" Seeing Song Yanwo's praise of Zhao Pu, Liu Chengyou smiled, feeling this was also a way of currying favor with him. After all, Zhao Pu was someone sent out from his own side, and since the pacification of Chengdu, Zhao Pu had shouldered the most important role in the pacification and governance of Chuanshu.

"I am merely speaking the truth!" Song Yanwo said with a perfectly composed expression.

Then he reported to Emperor Liu: "In recent years, Zhao Zeping has dispatched envoys widely to establish contact with the Tibetan tribes of western Sichuan, strengthening communications, and many have come to submit. At the same time, he intends to trade for cattle, horses, and furs using products such as salt, tea, grain, and cloth. This has gradually shown results, and several trade routes to Tibet have been reopened..."

Hearing this, Emperor Liu's brows rose slightly. This seemed to be that "Tea-Horse Ancient Road"?

Noticing Liu Chengyou's expression, Song Yanwo continued: "Tibet is divided, with factions contending against one another. According to Zhao Zeping's plan, if this situation develops further, through trade, infiltration, bribery, and recruitment, the Great Han's southwestern borders could achieve considerable expansion..."