Chapter 1367: A Hundred Thousand Households in Mourning White

"The total casualties of the northern expedition—still not out yet?" Emperor Liu crossed his legs, pressed both hands on his knees, and asked in a slow, deliberate manner.

Upon hearing the question, Zhao Pu immediately walked to the desk, found one memorial from the mountain of piled-up reports, and bowed as he presented it to Emperor Liu: "The Ministry of War has already submitted a preliminary tally!"

While Emperor Liu scanned the document, Zhao Pu reported: "According to the Ministry of War's statistics, of the imperial army conscripted for the campaign, 13,492 died and 219 went missing, with cavalry making up the majority. Of the over ten thousand imperial cavalry that went out with Liu Tinghan, only 3,239 returned intact.

Beyond the imperial army, casualties among officers and men on the various battlefronts were equally severe, totaling over 78,000. In the bloody battle at Jinzhou alone, 17,935 were killed in action, and the wounded numbered several times that!"

"Nearly a hundred thousand officers and men, their blood staining the battlefield, their bodies wrapped in horsehide!" Hearing this, Emperor Liu slowly closed the memorial, as if it weighed a thousand jun, and murmured: "Nearly a hundred thousand households, donning mourning white for the dead!"

"Your Majesty!" Although he noticed Emperor Liu's spirits gradually sinking, Zhao Pu still decided to continue with a heavy truth: "The actual casualties are even greater. This report does not include the armies of Wang Yansheng and Yang Ye on the far expedition to Mobei, nor Guo Jin's forces fighting in the Western Regions. Moreover, among the conscripted laborers who served, the casualties number in the tens of thousands. Those whose homes were destroyed by the war along the Han–Liao border before the campaign—still uncounted—are most numerous in Shanyang..."

After hearing Zhao Pu's words, Emperor Liu fell silent, and the atmosphere in the room grew heavy as well. Zhao Pu and the other two each lowered their heads one by one.

After a long while, Emperor Liu sighed: "These past few days, the Western Capital has been filled with jubilation—yet behind those smiles lie over ten thousand households weeping for their sons, grandsons, brothers, fathers and uncles! While we celebrate, we have neglected them!"

"Your Majesty need not grieve overmuch. Compared to the Liao's losses, though the Great Han's casualties are enormous and the depletion severe, it is ultimately not unacceptable!" Zhao Pu consoled.

It had to be said—for a chancellor like Zhao Pu, so-called casualties were nothing more than numbers left on paper. What war had no deaths? Since the founding of the Great Han, which large-scale war had casualties not numbered in the tens of thousands? On the stone steles of the Zhaolie Temple in the Eastern Capital, those countless monuments were densely engraved with the names of fallen officers and men.

And recalling the days before the four seas were pacified and the realm was settled, those who perished from war, disease, and hunger were as numerous as grains of sand. Zhao Pu also believed that a man of iron-blooded temperament like Emperor Liu, who had walked all the way from mountains of corpses and seas of blood, could hardly truly be so troubled and restless over such casualties...

This mournful expression, Zhao Pu would rather believe, was put on for the officers and men, put on for the people of the realm, to display His Majesty the Emperor's benevolent heart.

Therefore, it naturally had to be played along with. Zhao Pu reported: "The Ministry of War is already rapidly verifying the merits of the fallen officers and men and preparing compensation funds. In due course, military clerks will call upon the families of the fallen to offer condolences!"

"That is exactly how it should be!" Sure enough, Emperor Liu's mournful expression vanished without a trace, and he immediately instructed: "Convey my words—go door to door, and make sure the court's sentiments are delivered to every household. Officers and men who gave their lives for the nation—the state must also grant them rewards!

Furthermore, beyond the imperial army, all other officers and men shall be handled the same way. They are equally martyrs who gave their lives for the Great Han—there is no distinction of high or low, noble or base. Sort out the lists as quickly as possible. From now on, the Ministry of War shall place compensation for the fallen first!

As for the conscripted laborers who served—though they have no battle merits, they bore risks, contributed their labor and strength, and even gave their lives. Have the local authorities provide compensation according to court regulations. Should anyone be treated shabbily, they must be severely punished—no leniency whatsoever!

Send the lists of the fallen officers and men to the Eastern Capital as soon as possible. Have Wang Qiwu arrange promptly for them to be engraved on the steles of the Zhaolie Temple, so that their heroic spirits may enjoy incense offerings for all time! When the time comes, I shall personally travel to the Eastern Capital to pay homage!"

"Yes!" Zhao Pu acknowledged.

"But if we add the rewards and commendations for those with merit in the northern expedition, the court's various expenditures in the coming period will be far too great! To supply the northern expedition, the granaries and treasuries of the various prefectures have likewise been drained empty. The local circuits and prefectures are probably in dire straits as well..." Immediately after, Zhao Pu reminded again.

Glancing at Zhao Pu—this was another plea of poverty—Emperor Liu said impassively: "However difficult it is, can it be more difficult than at the founding of the state? The difficulties are already before us; how to solve them is what you should be considering. You are all ministers who handle affairs thoroughly—what ideas do you have?"

Upon the question, Zhao Pu, who had long prepared his answer in his mind, clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, we ministers have deliberated. The court's major expenditures ahead lie in border defense, as well as rewards and compensation. We believe that military funds for the northern border cannot be reduced. Compensation for the fallen should take second priority. Rewards for meritorious officers and laborers can be deferred slightly, to be issued once the state's finances improve..."

"This is the result you all deliberated?" Emperor Liu's gaze slanted.

Zhao Pu was slightly startled, then clasped his hands and replied: "Your Majesty, the state treasury is indeed somewhat strained at present!"

Seeing this, Emperor Liu immediately shifted his posture—both feet on the ground, upper body leaning forward—and glared at Zhao Pu: "After all these years, have I ever treated meritorious officers and men shabbily? How long has it been since the northern expedition ended? I have already been back at court for several days! The victory banquet is finished, and now you want to shortchange the rewards?

If so, how can I face the officers and men with any dignity? How can the court rest easy? The northern expedition's officers and men cast aside their heads and shed their hot blood—after returning from battle, are we to make their hearts turn cold?"

"Your Majesty's rebuke is well taken!" Facing Emperor Liu's nearly scolding interrogation, Zhao Pu was not flustered; on the contrary, he appeared rather composed as he bowed in response.

Calming his somewhat agitated emotions, Emperor Liu surveyed these ministers and a slight smile appeared on his face: "You are all chancellors of the court with outstanding abilities—surely you did not only deliberate this one solution!"

Zhao Pu exchanged a glance with Song Qi, then reported: "Your Majesty, there are several other measures, but I fear their implementation may provoke some discontent!"

"Let's hear them!" Emperor Liu seemed to sit even more steadily.

"First, draw upon Chuanshu and Jiangzhe—the southwestern and southeastern circuits have long been the court's fiscal heartlands, and their treasuries have surpluses. A portion can be coordinated to resolve the court's difficulties;

Second, increase commercial taxes. In this northern expedition, a very large portion of the court's fiscal outlay was earned away by those merchants. The court's tax system has been far too lenient toward merchants;

Third, the court's annual expenditures on official salaries and noble stipends account for no small share—they can be appropriately reduced, or their disbursement temporarily deferred..."

After hearing Zhao Pu out, Emperor Liu suddenly understood and smiled bitterly: "No wonder you said it would provoke some discontent—it's more than just discontent!"

Emperor Liu said: "But these three measures you mentioned—none of them can resolve the immediate crisis! Distant water—how can it quench present thirst?"

Zhao Pu said nothing, merely adopting an air of respectfully awaiting the imperial decree. In truth, Zhao Pu was somewhat dissatisfied with the court's current tax system, and he rather wanted to take this opportunity to push through some reforms—such as local tax retention, commercial taxes, and the somewhat bloated noble stipends.

Of the court's annual tax revenue, the spring and autumn taxes were the main levies, the poll tax was a minor portion. Tea and salt brought enormous profits, but they concerned the people's livelihood and were not to be lightly touched. The proportion of commercial tax was increasing year by year, so it was naturally easy to be targeted.

However shrewd Emperor Liu was, he could not see through Zhao Pu's intentions at this moment. He did seriously consider the matter for a while, then instructed: "Chuanshu and the southeast may remit tax revenue to supplement the capital, but mind that it must be moderate! As for increasing commercial taxes, it cannot be applied uniformly—have the Finance Commission produce a feasible plan! As for salaries and stipends, do not set your minds on those for now, lest you stir up a chorus of complaints!"

"Yes!"

After pondering a while longer, Emperor Liu waved his hand: "What the court currently lacks—I shall allocate funds from the inner treasury!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhao Pu's face immediately lit up with joy, his old waist bending nearly several tens of degrees.

Seeing his reaction, Emperor Liu was taken aback, then caught on: "Zhao Pu, you weren't just waiting for me to say those words, were you!"

The state's fiscal difficulties did not mean Emperor Liu was poor either. The Son of Heaven possessing all within the four seas—that was no empty saying. The state treasury and the inner treasury were also kept separate. The state treasury might be empty, but the inner treasury remained well-stocked. Every year, a portion of tax revenue was set aside and delivered to the inner treasury, and with various tributes on top of that, Emperor Liu was still dripping with wealth.

Upon the question, Zhao Pu lowered his eyes submissively and said with a respectful smile: "On behalf of the court, I thank Your Majesty!"

"Heh heh!" Emperor Liu chuckled, then turned serious: "The money—the inner treasury can provide it, but it is a loan. Remember to repay it!"

"Naturally! Naturally!"