Chapter 1204: The Proposal on Keeping Slaves

"This memorial—did you come up with it?" In Chuigong Hall, Emperor Liu raised his brow slightly, looking at the Crown Prince.

Facing Emperor Liu's question, Liu Yang naturally dared not conceal anything, nor was there any need to. Therefore, Liu Yang replied: "Previously, Your Majesty observed the deficiencies in what the court, ministers, and common people required in terms of labor. It happened that Zhao Kuangyi, the Prefect of Jiaozhou, had memorialized on matters of Annam. I privately thought that capturing slaves to supplement labor might provide some relief. I discussed it with Chancellor Zhao and the Court of Colonial Affairs, worked through the details, compiled this document, and now present it for Your Majesty's perusal!"

"Zhao Kuangyi?" The reaction on Emperor Liu's face made his attitude difficult to read. He only chuckled lightly: "That man can make a name for himself wherever he goes! Even at the far southern edge of the realm, he still keeps the court in mind and worries about domestic affairs. Since when did he become so aggressive?"

What Liu Yang had presented was naturally an entire scheme for capturing barbarian natives abroad and selling them into slavery within the country. After Emperor Liu finished reading it, his attitude remained inscrutable.

After pondering for a while, Emperor Liu asked: "In your view, if this policy is enacted, who stands to benefit?"

Liu Yang had naturally thought about this, and answered directly: "The court, the ministers, and the powerful magnates!"

"Does this not run counter to established national policy?" Emperor Liu glanced at him, saying flatly: "Slaves as private property have always fueled the expansion of powerful families. Once this door is opened, it will not be easy to close. I fear that in the future, the practice of keeping slaves will rise again within the country!

Today we can capture people from beyond civilization as slaves—will there come a day when our own people are forced into slavery?

The situation in the south has only just stabilized, and the various states' wariness toward the court has only just eased. If the slave-catching wind picks up, will it not plunge the far south into turmoil?

Moreover, when people from beyond civilization enter the country, can they truly be kept as slaves forever? If this continues, contradictions will accumulate, and unrest will be unavoidable. Besides, is this not making them compete with the people of the Great Han for the very ground to survive?

......"

Facing this string of questions from Emperor Liu, Liu Yang's expression had already turned serious. Frowning in deep thought, he said: "I have heard that Liao to the north also has many policies of capturing slaves to bolster its population. Hence I felt inclined to emulate them, thinking this method could resolve the present problem.

Furthermore, even if slaves were captured and kept, the numbers would not be too great. For this to become a scourge—would that be so easy? As such, it would also be a source of revenue for the court."

"Do not set your sights only on the present—think long-term!" Emperor Liu's tone grew sterner: "A hundred thousand, two hundred thousand slaves mean nothing. But what of a million, ten million? The Great Han is a nation of many peoples; the contradictions among the various groups within already give one a headache. Must we add another burden for our descendants? Does the Great Han truly lack those few hundred thousand acres of arable land and the people to work them?"

"When issuing a policy, one must see its benefits, but also consider its harms. If you can devise solutions in advance, all the better......"

"Your son's considerations were inadequate!" This was perhaps Liu Yang's most proactive moment, yet when Emperor Liu displayed his formidable edge, he had no choice but to bow his head. Facing this lesson, he said with a somewhat dejected air.

Seeing that he seemed a bit deflated, Emperor Liu's tone softened again: "Still, that you would proactively offer counsel and share my burdens brings me considerable comfort.

Rather than capturing slaves, this attached hired-labor decree—after all these years, since the hiring method has proven workable, put more thought into this area and refine it. Relieving a moment's difficulty is easy; establishing a law that endures for generations is hard!

It is not just hired farm laborers. The commercial atmosphere within the country grows ever stronger—shops, transport, and the various crafts all employ no small number of people. For these people as well, laws should be enacted to constrain both employers and employees and protect the interests of the common folk!

You may discuss the matter further with Zhao Pu and draft a set of regulations!"

Liu Yang could feel the approval in Emperor Liu's tone, and his somewhat dampened enthusiasm recovered. A gleam flashed in his eyes, and he bowed in a posture of reverence, replying: "Yes!"

Noting Emperor Liu's expression, Liu Yang hesitated for a moment, then asked again: "Then the proposal on capturing slaves—shall it be shelved for now?"

Glancing at him, Emperor Liu sank back into thought, though his gaze kept drifting toward Liu Yang. As for this matter, Emperor Liu's own attitude actually hovered between permissible and impermissible. If one were to say he had great misgivings—considering the long-term situation—it had not quite reached that level.

With the assimilative power of the Central Kingdom, what fear was there of a few extra alien peoples within the borders? As for future troubles and social contradictions—those could never be entirely avoided. If the state weakened, every kind of problem would erupt; this was hardly unique.

And if the slave trade were opened, the profits obtainable in a short time would certainly be considerable.

The reason Emperor Liu felt repulsed was, first, the fear that the slave-keeping wind would spread to the Great Han, harm the people, damage the foundations, and bolster the power of the powerful families, threatening the imperial authority and the court.

Second, there was a certain xenophobic sentiment within him. The Great Han under Emperor Liu's rule, though it claimed to embrace all rivers and accept all peoples, still distinguished between kinds and types. In Emperor Liu's view, some people did not even qualify to be slaves of the Great Han......

Additionally, one truly had to consider—in another twenty or thirty years, would the Great Han still be troubled by insufficient population?

This was no longer the era of a poor country with few people. The craving for population was no longer so acute. Add to that the overall sound operation of the state—minor problems were not without solutions. Why seek change?

Of course, his satisfaction with Liu Yang lay in this: judging by this matter, by this policy, one could see that the Crown Prince of the Great Han was not a pedantic man. This point clearly pleased Emperor Liu even more.

Liu Yang awaited instructions. After thinking for a while, Emperor Liu finally gave his answer: "In devising this policy, you must have racked your brains. To reject it outright would be to waste your efforts.

Let it be this way: a small trial may be made. However, it must be led by the government, with the slaves designated as government slaves. For mining, road construction, official fields, and salary fields—wherever hands are lacking, resolve it by this method.

Let us first see the results!"

Pausing, Emperor Liu raised his hand to indicate: "Draft an edict to be sent to Annam. Since Zhao Kuangyi was the first to raise this matter, let him handle it on the spot! The Bureau of Military Affairs should also issue a directive—when necessary, have the local garrison troops cooperate.

Moreover, directly capturing slaves would easily stir up unrest, and it would look too ugly besides. Those pedantic Confucians in the court would surely have plenty to say. Have the Finance Commission allocate some funds and try purchasing through trade instead!"

Hearing this series of instructions from Emperor Liu, Liu Yang nodded repeatedly, then replied with utmost deference: "Yes!"

Liu Yang's face was full of heartfelt admiration, while inwardly he sighed silently. Though he had participated in court politics for years, compared to the Emperor his father, the gap was still all too obvious. Many matters, he had considered far too one-sidedly.

"Have you thought about why Zhao Pu and the others pushed this matter?" Looking at the pensive Crown Prince, Emperor Liu asked again.

Liu Yang pondered, then answered: "To curry favor with those who stand to benefit?"

Emperor Liu resumed his leisurely air, saying softly: "I have cultivated the meritorious aristocratic class of the Great Han. Their influence over the court's military and political affairs now pervades both inside and outside the court. Among the successive chancellors, Zhao Pu has the shallowest seniority......"

Liu Yang first felt a flash of insight, then fell into thought again. Seeing this, Emperor Liu asked once more: "Meritorious officials and nobles—they are meant to consolidate the state and balance the court. Treat them with high rank and generous emoluments, yet one must not allow them to swell unchecked. How to restrain them—have you ever considered that?"

Emperor Liu's words were light and airy, yet like a sharp sword they pierced straight to his heart. Noticing Emperor Liu's face turning cold, Liu Yang felt a chill rise in his gut. After hesitating for a moment, he suddenly asked in a low voice: "Does that include the Fu and Li clans?"

Hearing the question, Emperor Liu remained impassive. He looked at the Crown Prince, was silent for a while, then said in a cold, faint voice: "They are not merely meritorious nobles—they are also relatives of the imperial family!"

"Your subject understands!" Facing these words, Liu Yang drew a deep breath and clasped his hands in salute.

How to restrain the meritorious aristocratic bloc was something Emperor Liu himself constantly pondered. He had not arrived at a complete solution, let alone Liu Yang. Therefore, he did not demand an answer from him.

He was merely issuing a reminder, to give him ideological awareness on this front. And the increasingly mature Liu Yang had clearly received the signal Emperor Liu was sending. It was precisely for this reason that when he withdrew from Chuigong Hall, his mood felt somewhat heavy.

The more he saw, the more he experienced, the more Liu Yang felt the weight of the Crown Prince's position. Even without much pressure in the struggle for succession, it was not enough to simply be a peaceful Crown Prince. For now he could still shelter under Emperor Liu's wings—but what of the future?