Chapter 1382: The Attitude of the Meritorious Nobles

Though he kept a reserved tone, from the subtle movements of Zhao Kuangyin's eyes, it was clear that he was somewhat tempted by what Zhao Kuangyi had said. Marrying his daughter into the Eastern Palace was an unexpected delight, but if he could marry a princess into his own family, that would naturally be even better.

Zhao Kuangyin couldn't help but look at Zhao Dezhao. He was thoroughly satisfied with this de facto eldest son of his. Thanks to excellent family upbringing, he was a graceful gentleman with a considerable reputation in the capital—pillar material. Zhao Kuangyin held great hopes for him, intending to pass the family legacy to him. In his view, he was worthy of a princess.

Zhao Dezhao, already twenty years old, had reached the age to find a worthy match. There were plenty of noble ladies in the world for him to choose from, but if he could marry a princess, all other noble daughters would seem ordinary by comparison.

As he was pondering, Zhao Kuangyi spoke again: "Second Brother, though I have only recently returned, I hear that during this period, undercurrents have been stirring within the court, and rumors are spreading throughout the capital!"

Zhao Kuangyin was briefly startled by this, then followed his gaze to see Chancellor Zhao Pu sitting alone in his own seat below the imperial steps, looking somewhat solitary. A strange glint flashed in his eyes as Zhao Kuangyin took a sip of wine and said calmly, "Kuangyi, your ears are quite sharp!"

"Such matters need no investigation—word reaches one's ears on its own!" Zhao Kuangyi remarked with a composed expression. "This Chancellor Zhao of ours truly has audacity in abundance. Who knows what designs he harbors, actually wanting to undermine the very foundations of our Great Han!"

There was no small amount of sarcasm in Zhao Kuangyi's words. He himself held a noble title, enjoyed aristocratic privileges, and had enjoyed a smooth official career—so naturally, he could hardly hold any fondness for Zhao Pu.

"Kuangyi, mind your words!" Zhao Kuangyin immediately stopped him, then after a moment's thought, said slowly, "Chancellor Zhao is a capable man, with the ability and bearing to govern the realm as a chief minister. His Majesty himself has said he is the most capable man in the court!

With such high praise and such weighty favor, how could Chancellor Zhao not produce results? The northern expedition consumed enormous resources, and the state treasury has indeed fallen into some difficulty. These days, from the Hall of State Affairs on down, the entire court revolves around the single word 'money.' Chancellor Zhao seeks to relieve the state's worries and has his own considerations. I should think he would not let personal motives lead him to harm state affairs or corrupt the court's discipline..."

Zhao Kuangyin's words seemed quite understanding of Zhao Pu, and sounded fairly reasonable, but they carried a note of insincerity. Zhao Kuangyi detected it as well and smiled slightly: "Though I have been in the provinces and am not deeply familiar with central affairs, I still have some understanding of the Great Han's situation. The treasury deficit and fiscal strain are merely results of the northern expedition's expenditures—a temporary loss. Though tax revenues have been affected, given time, they will surely recover.

Moreover, the court has already been adjusting its policies and taking measures for restoration; things will gradually improve. Chancellor Zhao's plans to increase revenue and reduce expenditure are far too bold, far too reckless.

What I fear is that he wishes to use the banner of fiscal improvement to carry out actual reforms! If he succeeds, the court's discipline will be ruined by him..."

Hearing Zhao Kuangyi's words, Zhao Kuangyin still maintained an unshakable demeanor, but his brows furrowed. When it came to political sensitivity, he was somewhat inferior to Zhao Kuangyi.

Of course, he had not failed to give deep thought to his words either. The anxieties of the meritorious nobles were equally present in Zhao Kuangyin. From an objective standpoint, Zhao Kuangyin could understand the influence the noble class exerted on the court and the increasingly heavy burden they would place upon it in the future—but understanding was one thing; one's position still determined one's perspective.

This was the Liu family's realm, not his Zhao family's. Serving the state loyally was one's duty, but looking after one's own family was only human nature. Their group, starting from his father Zhao Hongyin, had earned their current wealth and status through unwavering devotion and risking life and limb.

Counting from the Kaibao era's merit enfeoffments, it had been less than ten years. Now someone was targeting them, wanting to take a slice of their pie—how could that be accepted? How could it be endured?

As Zhao Kuangyi had said, the Great Han's fiscal difficulties were only a temporary predicament, not as severe as it appeared on the surface. Even if the court wished to increase revenue and reduce expenditure, it should not set its sights on those meritorious officials who had rendered outstanding service to the state.

Moreover, what had increased the state's fiscal burden was hardly just the support of nobles. In the current Great Han, that was certainly a fixed and enormous expenditure, but compared to the entire state, how much did it truly account for? The bulk lay in administration, official salaries, in warfare and garrison defense, in disaster relief and major construction.

Pointing the spear at the stipends and wealth of meritorious nobles like themselves was clearly unfair—even somewhat excessive. This was something Zhao Kuangyin could not accept either. As for the future, that was even less his concern; for now, the priority was protecting their own interests.

How others viewed this matter, Zhao Kuangyin did not know, nor had he rushed about like some nobles to make connections, complain, or curse. But Zhao Kuangyin felt that most people's views probably would not diverge much from his own—including those trusted ministers and old retainers of Emperor Liu.

Coming back to himself, Zhao Kuangyin looked at Zhao Kuangyi, who remained elegant and composed, and asked, "Kuangyi, in these two days since you returned to the capital, you've seen quite a few people, haven't you!"

Zhao Kuangyi smiled lightly: "Having served in the provinces for many years without returning to the capital, I merely exchanged words with some old friends!"

Noting his confident and unhurried demeanor, Zhao Kuangyin sighed inwardly. This younger brother of his was becoming increasingly opinionated, and had built up his own influence and power.

After a moment's deliberation, Zhao Kuangyin warned him in the capacity of an elder brother: "This matter has yet to be decided, and how it will develop is hard to predict. One misstep could stir up a storm. Don't rush to involve yourself, lest you bring trouble upon your own head!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyi took a sip of wine and said, "Second Brother, Zhao Pu may be chancellor, but surely he's not worth such wariness!"

Zhao Kuangyin sighed slowly: "Zhao Pu is not to be feared—but what of the one behind him?"

Zhao Kuangyin's words carried a pointed meaning, and Zhao Kuangyi caught on as well. His expression turned slightly solemn, growing serious.

"I understand, Brother!" Soon, Zhao Kuangyi replied with a low laugh: "However, no matter how much noise they make, it will be difficult for them to touch our Zhao family in the slightest. Second Brother, perhaps you should have Sister-in-law visit the Eastern Palace more often. In the future, things may well come down to my niece..."

The two brothers exchanged a glance, seemingly sharing an unspoken understanding, and quickly changed the subject. Zhao Kuangyin asked, "You governed Annam for many years with considerable achievements. The court has a high opinion of your administrative talents!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyi shook his head and said, "After all, it is a poor and remote place, and the people there are mostly stubborn and unruly. The work of civilizing them cannot be accomplished overnight—it is no easy task!"

"In recent years, large numbers of Annam slaves have flowed into the Great Han. Were those all arranged by you?" Zhao Kuangyin said.

"Is there some question?" Zhao Kuangyi asked.

"The court has always maintained vigilance toward these foreign tribesmen, and there has never been a definitive policy on importing foreign slaves. This matter—who knows whether it will prove a blessing or a curse, a merit or a fault!" Zhao Kuangyin said.

Over these years, no fewer than two hundred thousand natives of various tribes had been brought into the country from Annam to supplement the labor shortage. Most of them were conscripted as government slaves or distributed to nobles lacking farming population. Moreover, as time passed, this was rapidly becoming an industry of its own.

Tian Qinzuo, in pacifying the disobedient in Annam, besides slaughter, had also sold captured able-bodied prisoners within the country to supplement military funds. And in the south, private slave-catching bands had even begun to appear.

The Great Han prohibited the keeping of slaves. This shift in customs seemed to conflict with policy—though of course, this applied to citizens of the Great Han. Some people were simply not treated as citizens.

Hearing Zhao Kuangyin's words, Zhao Kuangyi thought it over carefully, then said, "What I handled can withstand investigation. There was prior authorization from the central government. Those brought into the interior were mostly sent to the southern mines and salt ponds, or used for building roads and bridges. There should be no problem!"

Only then did Zhao Kuangyin nod, a hint of a smile appearing on his face: "After your report to the throne, have you confirmed your next post?"

At this mention, Zhao Kuangyi smiled slightly: "I spoke with the Ministry of Personnel. Minister Zhong conveyed His Majesty's intentions—it will likely be either the Annam Circuit or Luoyang Prefecture, one of the two!"

"You should strive for Luoyang Prefecture!" Zhao Kuangyin said affirmatively.

Between Luoyang Prefecture and the Annam Circuit, anyone would choose the former. Zhao Kuangyi was no different. He clasped his hands and said, "I may have to rely on Second Brother's assistance!"

"Between brothers, we ought to support each other—no need for such formality!" Zhao Kuangyin waved his hand.

"I must also congratulate Second Brother on your elevation to the Grand Secretariat!" Zhao Kuangyi raised his cup again in toast.

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin shook his head while laughing heartily: "I'm just a military man, not eloquent of speech, and useless with a writing brush. Making me a Grand Academician is no different from a monkey wearing a official's cap—a laughingstock!"

Though he said this, Zhao Kuangyin's mood was clearly good. In the rewards for the northern expedition, besides additional titles and increased stipends, Zhao Kuangyin had also been appointed Grand Academician of the Grand Secretariat, standing alongside Duke of Yu, Wei Renpu.