Chapter 687: Reforming the Colony Affairs

The fighting in the south seemed to have no impact whatsoever on the city of Kaifeng. To the gentry and common folk of the Eastern Capital, there was no reason the court should fail in pacifying Jing and Hu; by comparison, the arrival of summer was far more worthy of their attention.

As Emperor of the Great Han, beyond keeping watch on the campaigns in Jing and Hu, Liu Chengyou had many more military and governmental affairs requiring his decisions. And the matter now before him was another weighty and significant problem — the military colony affairs across the Great Han's circuits and prefectures.

At the founding of the state, a hundred things awaited restoration. The Central Plains had suffered grievously at the hands of the Khitan, with devastation severe, the people displaced, and the land left barren. But to restore order from chaos, recover stability, and develop production, nothing was more efficient than military colonies — concentrating production resources and focusing development brought great benefit to the state.

The Great Han's earliest colony affairs began after the Battle of Luancheng, when colony offices were established in Heng, Shen, Ji, and Zhao, attracting over a hundred thousand refugees from all directions. Thereafter, they were successively extended to Zhengzhou, Weibo, and the various prefectures of the Central Plains. Over the years, the total number of colony farmers nationwide added up to over a million.

In the beginning, the development of colony affairs brought enormous benefits to the state's recovery and to tax revenue. Even to this day, it remained a considerable source of income. However, it must be said that the policy of military colonies was in essence exploitation and oppression of the colony farmers — even now, the government only collected four-tenths of the colony output.

At first, refugees were displaced and suffering greatly, desperately in need of peace. The court gave them land to till, means to survive, and protection — naturally they were willing to contribute. But as the state developed and the situation stabilized, what had once been favor turned into exploitation.

Especially when compared with self-cultivating farmers who owned their own land and enjoyed government policies, the psychological gap became even greater. It has always been that people do not fear scarcity but fear inequality. Even if the tax burden on the Great Han's self-cultivating farmers was not light, it was still nothing compared to what colony farmers bore — and more importantly, the land they tilled belonged to themselves.

Over the past two years, reports had come in from all regions of colony farmers abandoning their fields and fleeing, occurring repeatedly, and the peasant unrest that had erupted numbered twelve times in all. By now, the question of the pros and cons of colony affairs had been placed on the desks of the Great Han's sovereign and chancellors — a problem urgently requiring resolution.

Gazing at the two chancellors, Li Tao and Xue Juzheng, waiting respectfully in the hall, Liu Chengyou first offered them seats. This was not a formal occasion; there was no need to put on airs.

"Tell me, both ministers, of the situation of colony affairs in the various regions!" Liu Chengyou asked.

It was Li Tao who spoke first, addressing Liu Chengyou: "I report to Your Majesty: according to the submissions from the various prefectures and commanderies, the total number of colony farmers nationwide currently stands at approximately 970,000 — a decrease of over 40,000 compared to the beginning of the sixth year of Qianyou."

"In just two years, over forty thousand fled?" Liu Chengyou's brows knit slightly. "What are the colony officials in the various regions doing!"

Hearing this, Li Tao said: "This is even with the colony officials strengthening their control! Most of those who fled cultivation were farmers from other regions, and where they fled to was mostly their native homes. The various local governments have also been taking in these returnees, registering them into the household rolls, granting them land, to increase their household counts and record them as political achievements!"

Hearing Li Tao say this, Liu Chengyou let out a sigh as well. He did not grow greatly angry, merely saying softly: "In that case, it is hardly surprising!"

"Your Majesty!" Xue Juzheng also spoke up: "According to the calculations of the clerks in the State Finance Commission's expenditure bureau, from the fifth year of Qianyou through to this year, it can be clearly established that the annual revenue from military colonies has been decreasing year by year, and each year more severely than the last. Colony farmers across the regions harbor much resentment and have no heart for their labor, to the point that even newly reclaimed fields show signs of being abandoned."

"It seems the matter of military colonies must be resolved after all!" Liu Chengyou said, his expression still fairly calm: "But this involves over a million colony farmers!"

"Your Majesty! We ministers believe that in governing, the court should naturally promote benefit and eliminate harm! When Your Majesty first ascended the throne, you abolished the previous dynasty's 'camp cultivation offices' because they burdened the people. Now, the evils of nationwide military colonies have already become apparent, and the people suffer from them. With Your Majesty's sagely virtue and love for the people, you ought to eliminate these evils and spread grace to the people! We ministers believe that 'colony affairs' should be reformed!" Li Tao spoke, his remonstrance laced with flattery.

Looking at the two men, Liu Chengyou said: "If the military colonies are abolished, the court will lose a considerable source of income!"

"If the evils are not eliminated, unrest may arise! The colony farmer revolts of these past two years deserve the court's vigilance!" Li Tao said.

Nodding slightly and thinking for a moment, Liu Chengyou asked: "As for how to proceed with measures, have you two ministers given it any consideration?"

At the question, Xue Juzheng clasped his hands and spoke: "After repeated deliberation and careful weighing, your minister has decided on a three-year period for the gradual abolition of military colonies throughout the regions. In the Central Plains, Zhengzhou's colonies are the most extensive, and being near the capital, it can serve as the trial."

"All the fields, oxen, and farm implements that colony farmers cultivate may be valued and sold to their own households. If a household lacks sufficient means, then they may continue under the colony regulations issued by the court, with the government's levy on colony output reduced by another tenth..."

Xue Juzheng laid out a general framework, and Liu Chengyou considered it seriously for a few moments, a smile appearing on his face. According to the measures proposed by the State Finance Commission, there were three advantages: first, the court could continue enjoying the benefits of the colonies for another three years; second, merely selling off those means of production would constitute a huge income for the state treasury; third, the court's reform would give a million colony farmers hope, temporarily dispelling the threat of unrest.

Of course, this was only the general direction. The specific implementation and the deeper impact on the colony farmers remained to be discussed — after all, this was a great undertaking involving a million souls. But on the whole, it was a good thing.

"Regarding the abolition and reform of military colonies, the Hall of State Affairs should issue a comprehensive policy, considering all aspects thoroughly, and disseminate it across the realm as soon as possible, to reassure the hearts of a million colony farmers!" Liu Chengyou said with a satisfied air, giving his instructions: "Also, as Minister Xue said, Zhengzhou is right before our eyes — it can serve as the pilot, implementing the redemption purchase policy. If the trial proceeds without major problems, it can then be extended nationwide!"

"Yes!" The two ministers, Li and Xue, immediately acknowledged.

"The reform of military colonies is of great importance and touches on extremely broad matters; it requires a capable official. Throughout the court, who would be appropriate to take charge of this task?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"Jing Fan once served in Zhengzhou and oversaw its colony affairs, but he now holds the post of Governor of Kaifeng and cannot easily be moved!" Li Tao remarked.

Xue Juzheng then clasped his hands and said: "Your minister recommends Vice Minister of Revenue Bian Guangfan. Lord Bian has served in many posts, with outstanding abilities, has always handled matters properly, and enjoys a good reputation — he is fully capable of bearing this great responsibility. If he is put in charge of colony affairs, the people may have their worries relieved and receive benefits, and the court may be at ease!"

Looking at Xue Juzheng, Liu Chengyou smiled: "I have heard of Minister Bian's reputation as well. Moreover, to be recommended by Minister Xue, he must certainly be equal to this task."

"Let it be so then!" Liu Chengyou looked at Li Tao: "Appoint Bian Guangfan as Commissioner for Colony Affairs, to participate in planning the reform policies. Once the regulations are issued, he shall first go to Zhengzhou to carry out the reform work!"

"Yes!" Li Tao acknowledged.

After thinking a moment, Liu Chengyou raised another matter: "Since the civilian colonies are to be reformed, what of the military colonies?"

At this, both Li Tao and Xue Juzheng grew somewhat more serious, for it involved military affairs. Li Tao said: "Your Majesty, the Great Han's military colonies are not large in scale, and moreover, military colonies involve military matters and the security of the borders — they should not be lightly touched!"

"You have misunderstood my meaning!" Liu Chengyou shook his head and explained: "What I am considering is that the court should appropriately raise the treatment of the soldiers and civilians in the military colonies."

Liu Chengyou had long held the idea of migrating people to strengthen the frontiers, but with the Great Han's current population insufficient and the internal land not yet fully absorbed, how could he possibly attract people to move to the frontier? As for forced migration, there was even less need for it. The only thing being done was using border garrison duty to carry out military colonies.

But just because it was not possible now did not mean it would not be possible in ten or twenty years. And Liu Chengyou's gaze had always been cast far ahead.

Seeing that the two chancellors could not immediately keep up with his thinking, Liu Chengyou did not take it to heart, waving his hand: "The matter of military colonies shall remain unchanged for now — let us first resolve the civilian colonies!"

After all, when it involved the military, it would also require a joint meeting with the Bureau of Military Affairs and the Ministry of War, synthesizing opinions before reaching a final decision.

"Yes!"

"You two ministers may withdraw for now!" Liu Chengyou instructed.

After receiving the two chancellors, before he could even rest for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Liu Chengyou received a notification that Sun Guangxian, the envoy of Nanping, sought an audience.

"Summon him to the hall for an audience!" Thinking of this man, Liu Chengyou's demeanor visibly relaxed somewhat. His gaze turned south, as if he could already see the city of Jiangling.