Chapter 1054: Wang Pu Departs

In the fifteenth year of Qianyou, though slow, though long, it finally passed. On New Year's Day, Emperor Liu, who had not held a formal court assembly for nearly three months, appeared before all the court officials in a spirited manner, and the Great Han officially welcomed the first year of Kaibao.

The court assembly was grand in scale but extremely concise. Emperor Liu only delivered a New Year's address, briefly summarizing the Great Han's developmental achievements, and officially announced three major matters.

First, the era name was changed to Kaibao;

Second, on the seventh day of the second month, a "Grand Kaibao Ceremony" would be held, with nationwide celebration, merit-based rewards, and the conferral of honors and titles;

Third, by imperial decree, all rent and taxes owed by the people of all circuits and prefectures before the first year of Kaibao would be completely exempted!

These three announcements were basically agreed upon in advance, merely proclaimed at the grand court assembly. The second item made the Great Han's meritorious officials both expectant and nervous, while the third was an act of grace toward the common people. In the past, when natural disasters or other special circumstances led to reduced harvests or even abandoned fields, the court generally implemented tax exemptions or reductions, or simply suspended collection and made up for it the following year.

However, when the new year came, local governments often focused on collecting the current year's two taxes, and as for arrears from the past—those who could pay did, and those who couldn't simply deferred them. In this way, over the long accumulation of years, the tax arrears owed by the people of the Great Han's various prefectures grew large. By now, perhaps even the local governments themselves didn't know the specific extent of the arrears.

But regardless, when added up across the entire country, it was bound to be an extremely enormous figure. Now that Emperor Liu had exempted it with a single edict, one could imagine how joyful those simple, honest common people would be.

Although given the Great Han's current social environment, the pressure of owing money to the state was relatively not that great, being exempted was absolutely a blessing. Therefore, in the new year, perhaps the common people's enthusiasm for paying taxes would increase somewhat.

On the other hand, the newly acquired Two Rivers, Lingnan, Zhangquan, and even Liangzhe would also enjoy this grace. This was also a way, through this policy, to further demonstrate to the people newly brought under the Great Han's rule the court's attitude toward them.

Regarding this matter, during the discussion, State Finance Commissioner Lei Dexiang raised objections. After all, he was the one managing the money bag, and he was especially sensitive about the inflow and outflow of taxes. His reason for objection was also simple: the state would lose a large amount of tax revenue as a result.

However, the newly appointed Minister of Revenue, Wang Qiwu, asked only one question: To collect those old taxes that had been in arrears for several years or even over a decade, scattered across the Great Han's various circuits and prefectures, how much time, effort, and cost would the court and local governments have to spend to collect them?

Officials who came to the capital from local posts were indeed different. Wang Qiwu could better appreciate Emperor Liu's intentions and naturally strongly approved. Emperor Liu also quite appreciated this, so the passage of this matter was beyond doubt. However, Lei Dexiang began to look askance at Wang Qiwu, always feeling that the position of Minister of Revenue was merely a stepping stone, and that the Emperor might use Wang Qiwu to replace him at any time.

Perhaps Emperor Liu's intentions were too obvious—he himself hadn't anticipated that an internal struggle within the State Finance Commission would quietly unfold...

After the beginning of spring, Emperor Liu's visits to the inner palace gradually increased. From the Empress on down, he took turns spending nights with his consorts. By before the Lantern Festival, Emperor Liu had again stayed overnight at Kunming Hall. After this round, his energy had been vented, but his kidneys were somewhat unable to bear it...

The atmosphere in the Han Palace had become increasingly relaxed and festive. At dawn, Emperor Liu was having breakfast with Empress Fu. With an unaffected, natural gesture, he supported his lower back and said to the elder Lady Fu: "By the way, Liu Yang and Liu Xu, the brothers, should be arriving in the capital soon—they ought to make it in time for tomorrow's family banquet!"

Upon hearing this, the elder Lady Fu couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "After all these years, this is the first time Liu Yang has been away from us for so long!"

Hearing her sigh, Liu Chengyou said: "A young eagle spreading its wings always needs a chance to fly alone. This time, his performance in Jiangnan has made me quite satisfied!"

Emperor Liu's words seemed specifically meant for the elder Lady Fu's ears, and he carefully watched her reaction. Seeing a hint of a smile appear on her jade-like countenance, Liu Chengyou also relaxed and smiled, continuing: "I had originally planned to let them stay longer in Jiangning, but if both grandsons were absent from the Lantern Festival family banquet, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to answer to the Empress Dowager...

The elder Lady Fu's beautiful eyes appraised Emperor Liu for a moment, her bright pupils seemingly carrying a smile as she asked: "Does His Majesty not miss them then?"

"I am both the head of a family and the sovereign of a nation. I can barely keep up with matters of state and military affairs—how could I have time to think of my own sons." Liu Chengyou put on airs and answered thus.

Yet how could Emperor Liu not care about or miss his sons, especially the Crown Prince, who concerned the very foundation of the state?

"Your Majesty!" On the way back to Chongzheng Hall, he saw Lü Yin arriving hurriedly: "Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty?"

Liu Chengyou looked at Lü Yin with slight surprise, his brows furrowing slightly: "What has happened? Something so urgent that you came personally to report?"

Lü Yin steadied his breathing slightly and reported: "The household of Lord Wang Wenbo has sent word—Lord Wang is on his last legs!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu's originally relaxed mood was instantly cast under a shadow. He directly waved his hand and said in a solemn tone: "Prepare the carriage! Leaving the palace!"

"Yes!" Having become a close attendant by the Emperor's side, Yan Tuo's perceptiveness had greatly improved. Not daring to be negligent, he hurriedly responded.

Over the past year, Wang Pu's illness had fluctuated—when good, he was nearly recovered; when bad, he was close to death's door. Never free from his medicine pot, he had endured bitterly through nearly a year. Yet having survived the bitter winter and endured the harsh cold, who would have thought that as the earth returned to spring, the man could finally hold on no longer.

This was Emperor Liu's fourth visit to Wang Pu's residence this year, and it seemed to portend ill omens. The entire household was already immersed in a stifling atmosphere, and the very air seemed to brew with sorrow.

When Liu Chengyou saw Wang Pu, the scene surprised him somewhat. There was no smell of medicinal broth; the room was very clean, the air fresh. Wang Pu had changed into a brand-new set of robes, his gray-white hair carefully combed, but his sickly countenance was utterly impossible to conceal. He was nearly collapsed in a soft chair, clearly with little time remaining.

His four sons—Wang Shen, Wang Zhuan, Wang Bei, Wang Yan—along with the Wang family members, all knelt to one side. When Liu Chengyou stepped into the hall, Wang Shen greeted him with a heavy tone: "Your Majesty!"

Without acknowledging him, Liu Chengyou went straight forward, walking to Wang Pu's side. He could hardly believe that the withered, haggard old man before him was the once spirited, peerless worthy minister who had taken the world as his responsibility.

Emperor Liu's eyes instantly reddened, and compassion surged in his heart. Seeing Liu Chengyou, Wang Pu, whose oil and lamp were nearly spent, flashed a trace of agitation across his aged face and struggled to rise to pay his respects. He hurriedly crouched down, taking a hand that had wasted away to mere skin and bone—it was cold, ice-cold...

"Minister Wang!" Scenes from the past surfaced one after another in his mind. Emperor Liu's strong, hardened heart rarely softened somewhat, and he called out with emotion.

Emotion is contagious and transmissible. Wang Pu clearly felt it. Amid his deeply furrowed, weathered face, a slight smile actually appeared. His aged eyes were especially bright as he moved his trembling lips and strove to say: "Your Majesty, your servant has no regrets!"

Meeting his gaze, Liu Chengyou took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Minister Wang need not worry about what comes after!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Pu moved his lips again. Judging by the shape of his mouth, it seemed he was giving thanks, but he could no longer produce any sound. Slowly, he closed his eyes...