Chapter 1181: Sparing No Cost

After the autumn equinox, the days grew shorter and shorter. By now, before one even noticed, the bright light outside had dimmed. The gloomy sky and bleak surroundings seemed to cast their shadow directly onto people's hearts, draping a pall of melancholy over their moods.

Attendant servants carefully added lamp oil and candles, brightening the Hall of State Affairs somewhat. Liu Yang and Zhao Kuangyin were still conversing in low voices before the map, mostly with Liu Yang asking questions and Zhao Kuangyin providing answers.

The atmosphere felt somewhat stifling, until Emperor Liu strolled in at a leisurely pace, even taking an interest in observing the layout of the Hall of State Affairs. Although the Hall of State Affairs in Kaifeng was situated within Guangzheng Hall, compared to that one, this one in Luoyang was far more imposing—an aura of authority seemed to emanate from every beam and pillar, every tile and brick...

"We pay our respects to Your Majesty!"

As they bowed in salute, Zhao Pu, who had been handling official business at the desk, also set down his work and rose to greet and bow.

Emperor Liu glanced at the assembled men, then let his gaze settle on Zhao Pu: "I had nothing to do, so I came to take a look. Are there any pressing matters?"

At the question, Zhao Pu turned around, picked up a memorial from the desk, and presented it to Emperor Liu: "A report from the Jiannan Circuit states that the southern campaign has required extensive levies, placing a heavy burden on the common people. They request that next year's summer tax be remitted!"

For this southern campaign, although troops were mobilized from across the entire southwest, the civilian laborers supporting the logistics were mostly conscripted from along the Jiannan and eastern Chuanshu axes. Although the autumn harvest was now nearing its end, the massive diversion of labor to the war effort had still greatly impacted agricultural work—especially since, according to the seasonal calendar, the farming period of late autumn and early winter had essentially been missed.

Therefore, upon hearing this memorial, Emperor Liu appeared quite generous. With a grand wave of his hand, he directly approved: "Granted!"

"Additionally, Lord Xue's memorial also requests that this year's autumn tax revenues in grain and coin be retained locally and used directly for the Dali campaign, to avoid wasteful detours and expenditures!" Zhao Pu added.

At this, Emperor Liu's brow furrowed slightly. The court had always kept a tight grip on local fiscal authority. The reduction of the military governors' power in the early Qianyou years had been accompanied by the stripping of fiscal control—local tax retention rates had been cut through three successive imperial edicts, and eventually the court demanded that all revenues be remitted in full, to be redistributed by the central government.

However, this approach had clearly gone too far, resulting in obvious waste. Once the state's finances had improved, Emperor Liu accepted the advice of his subordinates: of the annual two tax collections, each circuit would retain two-tenths for daily operations, with no exceptions. The revenues remitted upward were to be dispatched and used at the unified discretion of the court.

As a key fiscal region of the Great Han, the annual volume of grain and coin transported from Chuanshu was enormous. But due to geographical constraints, the cost of transport was also extremely high.

For this southern campaign, the court had specifically allocated grain, equipment, and funds to support the advance. Now that the war was underway, Chuanshu—especially Jiannan—served as the rear base for the great army's expedition, and September and October were the collection periods for the autumn tax. If the old procedures were followed, it would indeed cause considerable waste, and could even affect the fighting at the front.

If the revenues could be retained and used locally, allocated on-site, it would indeed be far more convenient, eliminating much of the wasteful circulation and greatly improving efficiency—not by a small margin.

Emperor Liu could see the benefits, but what gave him pause was precisely the matter of breaking precedent. If one could make concessions for military reasons this time, then what about the future? Could localities use various "necessary" justifications to make similar requests? Thinking further ahead, should local tax retention at the circuit and prefecture levels continue to increase? After all, it was also a way to save administrative costs and reduce needless losses...

It had to be said, Emperor Liu's thinking seemed to be growing increasingly conservative and rigid. The administrative system of the Great Han that he had built up over so many years—he had no desire whatsoever to damage it; on the contrary, he was determined to defend it resolutely.

However, when faced with matters as critical as military campaigns, it seemed appropriate to adapt flexibly and break certain established conventions.

"How much civilian labor has been conscripted in the southwest in total?" After considering for a while, Emperor Liu asked.

"According to the Jiannan Circuit's report, able-bodied men from fifteen prefectures have been called up. Aside from those serving with the army, there are still over one hundred thirty thousand!" Zhao Pu said.

"That many people!" Emperor Liu remarked with a slight sigh.

Compared to the northern expedition or the pacification of the south, this number was nothing at all. But considering the actual conditions in the southwest, one could understand just how enormous the logistical pressure was.

"What is the Finance Commission's view?" Emperor Liu asked again.

Zhao Pu replied: "Zhang Mei believes it can be approved! Chuanshu's tax revenues are inconvenient to transport, and this would save a great deal of manpower and resources while better supporting the Dali campaign!"

Since Wang Qiwu remained in the Eastern Capital overseeing affairs there, the day-to-day management of the Finance Commission in the Western Capital had been handed over to Salt and Iron Commissioner Zhang Mei.

Nodding, Emperor Liu looked at Zhao Pu: "What do you think, Minister?"

Zhao Pu answered without the slightest hesitation, in a firm tone: "The great southern campaign cannot afford delays. Everything must yield to the priority of the Dali campaign!"

After a brief pause, Zhao Pu continued: "However, the full cost of the southern campaign is still unknown. The court could dispatch a special envoy to Jiannan to oversee this matter!"

Clearly, Zhao Pu had perceived Emperor Liu's slight misgivings. Hearing this, Emperor Liu no longer hesitated and immediately approved: "Draft the reply! Have the Finance Commission send someone to Chengdu!"

"Yes!"

His gaze swept across the room, then settled on the map. Stepping closer, he examined the few simply drawn advance routes and asked: "How is the campaign progressing? Has the Bureau of Military Affairs received the latest military report?"

Liu Yang, standing at the rear flank, answered: "No latest news yet. Dali has gathered its forces to block us at Nongdong Prefecture. Breaking through this gateway to Yangxiemie City will still take some time. According to General Wang Renshan's previous report, after adjustments and preparations, a new round of attacks has been launched—perhaps the breakthrough is not far off..."

Hearing this, Emperor Liu said: "In the highlands and deep mountains of the southwest, having to fight so hard—can the losses possibly be small?"

"Nongdong..." Before anyone could respond, Emperor Liu stared at the Nongdong region shown on the map and quipped: "Who came up with this name? It reeks too much of the barbarians!"

Liu Yang wouldn't know the answer to this question, and Zhao Kuangyin naturally didn't either. Unexpectedly, Zhao Pu spoke up to explain: "The name Nongdong originated during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Former Han, when the southwest barbarians were opened up and Nongdong County was established!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu immediately said: "Since over a thousand years ago, the southwest was already territory of China—how could I not send troops to recover it? Otherwise, would we not be mocked by future generations?"

As he said this, Emperor Liu subconsciously glanced at Zhao Kuangyin.

Zhao Kuangyin felt Emperor Liu's gaze and lowered his head slightly. Then, he took the initiative to speak: "Your Majesty, although Dali is putting up a desperate defense, with the court's overwhelming strength, given time, we will surely break through and reach Yangxiemie City, forcing the Duan clan to surrender!"

"What about Wang Quanbin? Still no news?" Emperor Liu withdrew his gaze and asked with furrowed brows.

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Emperor Liu fell silent. After pondering for a moment, he turned to ask Liu Yang: "In your view, where lies the greatest difficulty in this campaign against Dali?"

This seemed to be another test from Emperor Liu. Liu Yang thought briefly, then replied: "The roads and transportation! Both at the front and in the rear, commanders and officials alike have submitted memorials complaining of the difficult terrain. The civilian laborers conscripted by Lord Xue Ji, aside from transporting military supplies, have had most of their manpower devoted to opening and widening roads. Fortunately, most of the tribal groups along the way have expressed submission and are watching from the sidelines—otherwise, our army's supply lines would face even greater threats and burdens."

Emperor Liu was fairly satisfied with Liu Yang's understanding, though he offered no evaluation. Instead, he pointed at the map and declared decisively: "Transmit my edict to the prefectures of the southwest: supply the great army with everything in full—if men are needed, give men; if grain is needed, give grain! The roads are hard to traverse, are they? Even if you have to chisel with axes, carve out a passage for me to guarantee supplies!"

"Yes!"

Emperor Liu's edict meant sparing no cost, no matter what. Of course, since the southern campaign had begun, the investment had already been enormous—even if they had to grit their teeth and grind them down, they had to persevere.

"On the central side, keep shipping gunpowder, fire-oil bombs, and those things to the southwest! I refuse to believe that things which have been unstoppable in the past would fail to work their magic in Dali!" Emperor Liu said sternly.

"Yes!" Zhao Kuangyin clasped his hands in acceptance of the order.