Chapter 213

…

Zhang Dun, Cai Bian, and Su Shi went to the Chuigong Hall with Zhao Yu, where Zhao Yu laid out entirely to them the plan he and Zhang Chun and Ye Shi Yun had devised for implementing the unified grain tax on scholar-gentry and merging poll tax into land tax.

When Zhang Dun and the other three heard the idea of the stamp tax, their eyes lit up.

They never imagined Zhao Yu could come up with such a brilliant, leveraged idea as the stamp tax.

Undoubtedly, this move would greatly reduce the difficulty of enforcing the unified grain tax on scholar-gentry and merging poll tax into land tax.

Next, Zhao Yu proposed making the Longyou Protectorate the first pilot zone, and the newly reclaimed regions of Ningxia, Qinghai, Gansu, Yun Di Nine Prefectures, and Yi-Zhuo Two Prefectures the second batch of pilot zones.

Longyou was the first region recaptured by the Zhao Song Dynasty, and the Zhao Song Dynasty already held extremely stable rule there; the traditional scholar-gentry class in Longyou had been eradicated by the Zhao Song Dynasty with thunderous, decisive measures, and though some new scholar-gentry factions had begun to emerge, their feeble resistance posed no threat whatsoever; even better, Longyou had already passed its tax-exempt period, making it the perfect testing ground for the unified grain tax on scholar-gentry and merging poll tax into land tax.

As for the newly reclaimed regions like Ningxia, though their local scholar-gentry classes had also been wiped out by the Zhao Song Dynasty with thunderous, decisive measures, these regions still had a one-year tax exemption period, so implementing the unified grain tax on scholar-gentry and merging poll tax into land tax now would yield no effect.

Once the one-year tax exemption period ended for the newly reclaimed regions like Ningxia, they could seamlessly follow Longyou as the next pilot zone.

With three years of successful experimental experience, implementing the unified grain tax on scholar-gentry and merging poll tax into land tax would not only provide proven success and justification, but also allow time to stockpile sufficient grain and wealth to handle any risks.

Seeing Zhao Yu's careful planning rather than reckless, impulsive enforcement of the unified grain tax on scholar-gentry and merging poll tax into land tax, Zhang Dun and the other three felt considerably reassured.

Then, the four monarch and ministers began discussing the specific implementation plan and refining the policy of unified grain tax on scholar-gentry and merging poll tax into land tax…

…

Meanwhile, Yelu Nanxian, the princesses and noblewomen of Western Xia, and the hundreds of beauties collected by Accompanying Tong Guan in Western Xia had been delivered to the inner palace.

Zheng Xiansu, who had just given birth to her third son and firmly secured her position as Empress, did not personally receive or settle these Western Xia women; instead, she entrusted the task to Consort Wang Yisu, who was to lead Guo Ting, Zhang Chun, Li Lin, Xiao Sese, and the three Khitan princesses to welcome and settle them.

This was not because Zheng Xiansu had any objection to Zhao Yu acquiring so many new women.

When Zhao Yu returned victorious from Yan, he had already brought back hundreds of Liao beauties.

Before that, when Lu Huiqing and others had swept through Western Xia and besieged Xingqing Prefecture, Accompanying Tong Guan had already sent over two hundred Western Xia beauties.

Moreover, the Zhao Song Dynasty had first reclaimed Qingtang, then Western Xia, then defeated Liao and reclaimed the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan-Yun, earning renown across the Western Regions, causing numerous Western Region states to send tribute to the Zhao Song Dynasty, requesting vassal status and trade relations. Likely because Guizuo Kingdom set a bad precedent, these small Western Region states sending tribute to Zhao Yu all presented him with beauties, some even marrying off their princesses for alliance.

—Including Bilege, the newly crowned king of Gaochang Uyghur, the current Western Region hegemon, who married his own elder sister Aiyinai to the Zhao Song Dynasty, along with fifty Western Region beauties as dowry.

Now, Zhao Yu's inner palace already exceeded three thousand beauties.

Under these circumstances, a few hundred more or fewer beauties made no difference, especially for Zheng Xiansu, who lacked nothing of Zhao Yu's favor.

In Zheng Xiansu's current view, her two most important duties were: first, managing Zhao Yu's complex inner palace, and second, cultivating Zhao Shou, the Crown Prince.

As for seeking glory, let others have it.

Besides, Western Xia was already destroyed; in truth, Yelu Nanxian and her group were mere war trophies with no background whatsoever—why should Zheng Xiansu, Empress of the Zhao Song Dynasty, personally welcome them? Sending Wang Yisu with Guo Ting, Zhang Chun, and Li Lin to welcome and settle Yelu Nanxian and the others was already Zheng Xiansu extending goodwill; otherwise, Zheng Xiansu could have simply sent Yelu Beixian to handle their reception and settlement.

Thus, Wang Yisu and the other women welcomed the Western Xia women led by Yelu Nanxian.

Upon meeting, Wang Yisu and the others saw four words etched on these Western Xia women—defiant and unyielding.

Western Xia had seen several instances of Empress Dowagers wielding absolute power.

Like Empress Mozang. With support from her brother Mozang E'pang, Empress Mozang controlled Western Xia's government. She lived extravagantly and indulged recklessly, resorting to any means to consolidate her position—even engaging in affairs with ministers, completely disregarding traditional moral norms and court etiquette.

There were also the Great and Little Liang Empress Dowagers, who constantly provoked wars with the Zhao Song Dynasty to divert domestic tensions and solidify their own rule. During their governance, they ruled with iron fists, suppressed dissent, and tightly controlled Western Xia's political landscape.

Due to these powerful female political figures, Western Xia women had a tradition of participating in politics and even military affairs. In Western Xia's army, there were specialized female units called "Ma Kui." These female soldiers fought bravely on the battlefield, fearless and relentless. They underwent the same rigorous military training as male soldiers, participated in all kinds of battles, and sometimes performed no worse than men.

In Western Xia's social life, women enjoyed relatively high status and certain autonomy. They could engage in commerce, buy and sell in markets, and play an equal economic role alongside men. In family affairs, Western Xia women were not entirely subservient; they could voice their opinions and even play decisive roles in certain household decisions.

Regarding marriage, though arranged marriages existed in Western Xia, women still had some opportunity to express their wishes, unlike Han women bound by strict Confucian codes. Moreover, Western Xia women who married could elope; if after some time they found their new husband inferior to their former one, they could return—and their former husband could not reject them, but had to continue living with them.

In short, due to their unique historical, cultural, and social context, Western Xia women were unlike women from other regions and extremely difficult to subdue.

Zhang Chun knew more than others: historically, Genghis Khan, after conquering Western Xia, took the Western Xia Wang Fei Guerbolejin Leijinguowohatun into his harem; Guerbolejin Leijinguowohatun, harboring hatred for her fallen kingdom, bit off Genghis Khan's vital organ during intimacy, causing him fatal injuries and death.

Zhang Chun disliked Zhao Yu's promiscuity, but she did not want Zhao Yu to meet the same fate as Genghis Khan. If Zhao Yu died, she and her son were finished. Even if Zhao Yu were merely injured, she would be forced into lifelong widowhood—and she, who had tasted pleasure, could not endure such a life.

So, even before Zhao Yu returned victorious and planned to summon several Western Xia beauties for amusement, Zhang Chun had warned Zhao Yu not to touch Western Xia women lightly.

Fearing Zhao Yu could not control himself, Zhang Chun specifically told Zheng Xiansu about the special nature of Western Xia women.

Zheng Xiansu listened, smiled faintly, and said confidently: "A period of discipline will suffice."

The next day, the two hundred plus Western Xia beauties were handed over to Pei Sui for discipline.

Pei Sui did not beat or scold the two hundred plus Western Xia women; she simply assigned them, according to protocol, to serve as lowly palace maids.

Whoever performed well received promotion and increased benefits.

Those who demonstrated outstanding merit were recommended for imperial concubinage; those who refused to cooperate with "reformation" were exiled to the laundry quarters, where fierce women watched them wash clothes from dawn to dusk.

And this was collective punishment—her relatives and friends suffered alongside her.

Still unyielding?

No problem.

Then they were sent to the latrines—to empty chamber pots, clean latrines, and even wipe the buttocks of high-ranking concubines.

Sometimes, when Pei Sui was in the mood, she arranged for formerly high-born women—once nobles or even royal family members—to serve the bodily needs of women who had once been their servants but were now favored by Zhao Yu for meritorious service.

If even this failed to break them, then they were cast into the Cold Palace.

The Cold Palace, long neglected and dilapidated, had rudimentary facilities; women living there received minimal, poor-quality food, barely meeting basic needs. They also faced discrimination and bullying from other palace women, enduring immense psychological pain and pressure. Their movements were strictly confined, imprisoned in tiny spaces with virtually no freedom, cut off from the outside world, ignorant of events beyond, and with almost no chance to change their fate. Moreover, with no one caring or attending to them, illness went untreated, and their lives were in constant danger.

This entire process led to one of two outcomes: total submission or death—there was no third possibility.

Take the previous two hundred plus similarly defiant Western Xia women: though not all were fully tamed, the vast majority had submitted, allowing Zhao Yu to do as he pleased; only a handful of stubborn ones remained in the Cold Palace, begging for another chance.

Thus, seeing the hostility in the eyes of these new Western Xia women, Wang Yisu and the others said nothing and took no offense—they knew someone would teach them discipline.

Wang Yisu said to the leader, Yelu Nanxian: "You arrived at a fortunate time. Qunyu Palace has just been completed; it has many rooms and a pleasant environment, perfect for your residence."

After a moment's thought, Wang Yisu further advised Yelu Nanxian and the others: "In Hua Rui's 'Poem on the Fall of the State,' it says: 'The king raised the white flag on the city wall; how could I, deep in the palace, know? One hundred forty thousand men laid down their arms—none among them was a true man!' The rise and fall of a nation is a man's affair—what has it to do with us women? You have now entered the great Song imperial palace; you must forget your past, live peacefully, and let bygones be bygones—dwelling on them only brings sorrow. Though some among you were once princesses, princesses of commanderies, or noblewomen, times have changed—what matters now is to begin anew."

To Wang Yisu and the others' surprise, Yelu Nanxian bowed gracefully in Han etiquette and said: "Thank Your Majesty's instruction. We, guilty women, understand. Western Xia is gone; we are all condemned souls. To be granted even a humble place to reside by His Majesty, to submit to Heaven's will and find peace, is already boundless imperial grace—we dare not seek anything more."

Hearing Yelu Nanxian's words, Zhang Chun looked at Li Lin, her eyes saying: "Another formidable woman."

Li Lin nodded, thinking: 'Ancient people were merely born earlier than us, not stupider—when it comes to cunning, we may not be their match!'

Zhang Chun and Li Lin were not mistaken.

In just a few sentences, Yelu Nanxian had won the favor of Wang Yisu and Guo Ting, the highest-ranking women present. When she learned Guo Ting was the daughter of Guo Cheng, the Zhao Song general who had crushed Liao and Western Xia, she said with deep admiration: "So Your Ladyship is the daughter of a famed general—no wonder your bearing is extraordinary. Your humble servant has long heard of your father's renown; meeting you today is truly a blessing of three lifetimes."

Yelu Nanxian also showed great respect to Zhang Chun and Li Lin, who revered Wang Yisu, Guo Ting, and Xiao Sese, and even acted according to their moods; yet, since she still did not know their true backgrounds, she did not approach them rashly.

Yelu Nanxian also introduced to Wang Yisu and the others the concubines of Li Qianshun—such as Liang Shi, Cao Shi, Mo Cang Shi, Yeli Shi—as well as the highest-ranking among them, the Empress Dowager Mo Yi Shi, the Wang Fei of Prince Jin Li Change, Mo Cang Shi, and the legitimate daughters of Western Xia noble families: Mo Mu Shi, Dou Luo Shi, Ren Duo Shi, Po Chou Shi, Wei Mu Shi, Wang Shi, Fei Ting Shi, Wang Li Shi, Po Chao Shi, and others.

In short, the atmosphere during their first meeting was still quite pleasant, and all the Western Xia women made efforts to restrain their wildness.

Next, Wang Yisu led the women to escort Yelu Nanxian and the other Western Xia women to Qunyu Palace.

Although these Western Xia women were mostly daughters of the Western Xia imperial family, royal clan, or nobility, their homeland's harsh, frigid lands were worlds apart from the prosperous and wealthy Central Plains. Though Qunyu Palace was not the most luxurious place in the imperial palace, to these Western Xia women, it was like entering a fairyland—pavilions, terraces, towers, painted beams and carved rafters, rare flowers and exotic grasses, all breathtakingly beautiful.

This eased their hearts, and the wildness in their eyes faded somewhat.

After arranging the Western Xia women's accommodations, Wang Yisu ordered ten large copper cauldrons brought in, and at the same time, palace eunuchs from the Imperial Kitchen delivered dozens of freshly slaughtered lambs sent from Western Xia.

Once everything was ready, the Western Xia beauties previously sent to the palace by Accompanying Tong Guan helped Yelu Nanxian and the others prepare the dipping sauces and taught them how to eat.

Wang Yisu then said to Yelu Nanxian and the others: "This is a gift bestowed upon you by the Empress. You may enjoy it freely."

Where had the Western Xia women ever tasted such delicious hot pot? More importantly, along their journey, they had endured wind and dew, surviving only on military rations, never once eating a proper meal. Even more crucially, the lamb meat swirled in the scalding copper cauldrons, filling Qunyu Palace with rich aromas, while the dipping sauces were spicy, numbing, and deeply savory—just smelling them made one's mouth water.

Thus, under Yelu Nanxian's guidance, the Western Xia women gathered around the stove and began their meal.

Not long after, their initial reserve and suspicion gradually melted away under the lure of food. Some nibbled the lamb slowly, savoring each bite; others devoured it in large bites, their satisfaction plainly visible.

Watching this, Zhang Chun whispered to Li Lin: "Once you've tasted such comfort, how many can endure returning to hardship? Our Empress remains as brilliant as ever—this tactic of first courtesy, then force is something I'd need years to learn."

Li Lin said softly: "It's easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to return from luxury to frugality. If we were sent back to be lowly palace maids, we couldn't endure it either."

Soon after, Wang Yisu handed over the scene to Xiao Sese, instructing her to entertain the Western Xia women alongside the three Khitan princesses, then withdrew with the others.

Yelu Nanxian understood: Wang Yisu was giving her and Xiao Sese, along with her close friends, a chance to interact, and allowing Xiao Sese and the others to soothe her and these Western Xia women.

Yelu Nanxian bowed gracefully and thanked: "Thank Your Majesty for your kindness."

Wang Yisu nodded; all was understood without words. She felt Yelu Nanxian was wise and well-mannered, and planned to speak well of her to Zheng Xiansu later.

Zhang Chun cast a long, meaningful glance at Yelu Nanxian. She knew well that Yelu Nanxian was deeply devoted to her homeland; historically, she and her son with Li Qianshun, Li Ren, repeatedly urged Li Qianshun to send troops to rescue Liao. Later, when Li Qianshun ceased sending aid, Li Ren died of grief and indignation, and she starved herself to death. How could such a woman be easily tamed?

Indeed!

No sooner had Wang Yisu and the women left than Yelu Nanxian invited Xiao Sese and the three Khitan princesses to her quarters and bluntly asked: "How do you find this place? Among us, who among you has the bearing to become Empress…"

…

(End of Chapter)