Chapter 1078: Generals Disarm, Marshals Step Down

Back then, when the northern expedition against the Khitan reached Yunzhong, before the army returned, military and administrative arrangements were made for the northern frontier. At that time, there was already the intention to send troops westward to recover the old Feng and Sheng prefectures—to hold the Khitan in the north and check the Tangut in the south—and the old general Li Wanchao was chosen for the task, and Li Wanchao gladly accepted.

Moreover, Emperor Liu and Li Wanchao agreed that he would recover the lost territories for the court, garrison them for five years, and then request to retire to his hometown. Later, Li Wanchao led five thousand infantry and cavalry westward, very smoothly defeated the remnants of the Liao army, drove out Khitan forces, and planted the banner of the Great Han once again in the Hetao region.

Thereafter, holding the post of Defender of Jiuyuan, he sat in command of Hetao, leading the soldiers and civilians to build walls and fortifications on the foundations of the old site, constructing a defensive system. Once the situation stabilized, the court established the two prefectures of Feng and Sheng, appointing him Patrol Inspector of both prefectures, and re-established the Tiande Army, with him concurrently serving as its Army Commander.

During these four-plus years, Li Wanchao led his subordinates through wind and rain, firmly guarding the court's northernmost territory. Although a tacit peace existed between the Han and the Liao, and civilian conflicts were gradually decreasing, with the border tending toward tranquility, it could be said that the pressure borne by the Tiande Army was not great. However, if one were to slight or overlook the hardships and merits of the frontier garrison soldiers because of this, that would truly be blind and benighted.

Over these years, the soldiers under the Tiande Army had seen rotations, but the chief commander Li Wanchao remained in his position throughout. This was a norm since the founding of the state. Although the rotation system was implemented, to ensure training and combat effectiveness, rotations were not without limits. Li Wanchao garrisoning Fengzhou for less than five years was actually short—early generals like Ma Quanyi, Yang Ye, Wang Yansheng, and Wang Shenqi had all served ten years or more!

Rather, considering the morale of frontier garrison officers and soldiers, the garrison term had already been controlled to 2–3 years, and a principle of proximity was adopted. However, the times have ultimately changed, and it cannot be like the early days of the state. Otherwise, keeping generals and commanders long in border regions, or long in one place—not to mention that they might have opinions or harbor resentment—the court itself would feel uneasy.

As for Li Wanchao, setting aside everything else, just considering the agreement with the emperor, some response should be made. Although there was still considerable time before the five-year term was complete, how could Liu Chengyou be careless about this, especially after the old general had taken the initiative to submit a memorial mentioning problems with his health?

"How old is the Marquis of Jiuyuan?" Emperor Liu asked, looking at Lü Yin.

"If your minister remembers correctly, he has just turned sixty this year!" Lü Yin replied.

In the earlier merit assessments, Li Wanchao, based on years of accumulated military achievements and garrison service, was granted the title of Marquis of Jiuyuan, also as a reward for recovering Jiuyuan.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou could not help but sigh: "At sixty years of age, to garrison a bitter cold frontier, braving wind and rain, facing wind and snow—truly not easy!"

"Duke Xiang of Qi broke his promise of the melon-ripening agreement with his minister and lost his life because of it. How could I break faith with my generals and ministers? Especially with an old general—I ought to show consideration!"

After some thought, Emperor Liu instructed: "Draft an imperial grace decree to be sent to Jiuyuan, granting the Marquis of Jiuyuan fifty gold, one hundred taels of silver, and fifty bolts of silk. Additionally, permit him to return to Taiyuan to recuperate, bestow upon him the title of Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, and have the Jinyang authorities look after him well. At the same time, tell Minister Li to take good care of his health—sixty is not too old. Once he recovers his health, I still have appointments for him, and the state needs old generals like him!"

Considering Li Wanchao's achievements and years of friendship, Emperor Liu treated him generously. The title could not be further elevated, but in gold, silver, and goods, he was not stingy—the rewards were no small sum, with strong purchasing power. At the same time, he was also considerate in offering "emotional" understanding.

Seeing Lü Yin silently noting down the instructions, Emperor Liu added: "Also, regarding the garrison defense of Feng and Sheng prefectures and the rotation of the Tiande Army, have the Bureau of Military Affairs make the arrangements!"

"Yes!" Lü Yin acknowledged.

Under Emperor Liu's gaze, Lü Yin took the initiative to report: "Additionally, the State Finance Commission's expenditure department has reported that this year's summer tax, across all circuits and prefectures of the realm, should amount to 15,730,000 strings of cash! These are the quotas allocated to each circuit as drafted by the State Finance Commission—please review them, Your Majesty!"

At the mention of money, Emperor Liu immediately became interested and quickly took the document to review. In previous years at this time, the tax quotas would have already been issued and dispatched to the circuits and prefectures, giving local authorities ample time to prepare for tax collection. However, because the new policies stipulated that tax quotas for each circuit required comprehensive consideration in allocation, the State Finance Commission had drawn them up urgently.

Of course, matters involving national taxation could not yield a suitable and reasonable figure in a short time. Before this, the expenditure department had already made preparations in advance; today's submission was merely the final verification and confirmation.

Emperor Liu paid close attention to finance—every level, every aspect, nothing did not require money. After carefully reviewing the document, he was quite satisfied with the figure that had been set.

One should know that just a few years ago, the total two-tax revenue of the Great Han for an entire year was around this figure; now, it had more than doubled. Of course, this was the result after pacifying the south.

Scanning the quotas for each region, unsurprisingly, Jiannan Circuit ranked first, allocated 2,890,000 strings—nearly one-fifth of the total. Following it were Huainan East, Hebei, Henan, Hedong, and the Capital Region circuits. The southeastern circuits, because of major operations, had been given some relief for the time being. But this did not mean the southeast was not contributing tax revenue to the court—merely the war dividends, those floating assets beyond the two taxes, had already filled the inner treasury and replenished the state coffers.

As for East Sichuan, Shannan, Longyou, Shanyang, the Yan Mountains, and the Two Guangs, they were likewise given reduced burdens. As for Hexi, that was even more of a token gesture—to consolidate peace in the northwest and ensure its stability, the court's annual allocation of money and grain to that region was far more than those meager two taxes could compare with.

"Is the tax quota set for Jiannan Circuit too much?" Staring at the string of data, Emperor Liu thought seriously for a moment, then looked up and asked: "I recall that two years ago, Jiannan Circuit's entire year was only a little over five million strings!"

Jiannan's prosperity was renowned throughout the realm, and in these two years it had indeed become a major source of national tax revenue. Previously, Emperor Liu had also considered increasing taxes there. Now that the State Finance Commission had adjusted it, Emperor Liu worried it might be too heavy and feared it could provoke popular unrest.

Apparently aware of Emperor Liu's concern, Lü Yin proactively explained: "According to multiple investigations and reports, Jiannan Circuit—especially Chengdu and its surrounding prefectures and counties—has recovered rapidly over these two years, now on par with the eighth year of Qianyou. The tax quota set by the State Finance Commission is still less than seventy percent of what the Meng Shu had imposed back then! With this adjustment, there should be no major problems!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu felt somewhat reassured and said to him with a wry smile: "State finance lies in money and taxes, yet setting the tax quota and grasping the proper measure is not easy—too little and fiscal resources fall short, too much and one worries about the burden on the people..."

After this reflection, he instructed: "Issue it as soon as possible. It is late today—grant the various circuits some leeway on time!"

"Yes!"

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Ruguo will soon arrive in the capital!" Lü Yin added.

Due to health reasons, and also because of the proper arrangements for military and civil affairs in the southeast, Li Gu had been recalled by Emperor Liu. Hearing this, his expression relaxed, and he said: "Notify the Crown Prince to receive him on my behalf!"

"Yes!"