Chapter 7: Straight to the Point

…

"Your servant has heard that the problems of the Great Song's land system have become deeply entrenched: the rich own fields stretching end to end, while the poor have not even a place to stick a cone. This is truly a concern for the state. To reform abuses and promote benefits, the following measures should be enacted:

First, survey all land throughout the empire. Dispatch capable officials to every prefecture and county to meticulously examine landholdings and clearly distinguish public from private property. Those who conceal land or evade registration shall be punished by law, their land confiscated by the state and converted into public fields. The revenue from public fields can both increase tax income and serve as reserves for famine relief.

Second, implement a land-holding cap. Set land limits according to official and civilian ranks. For example, a first-rank official's household may hold no more than fifty hectares; commoner households shall not exceed twenty mu per capita. Those exceeding the limit may retain a modest portion for ancestral rites and hereditary land; the remainder shall either be sold to landless peasants or purchased by the state at fair price and resold to the poor.

Third, encourage reclamation of wasteland. Allow civilians to freely cultivate idle land, exempt from taxes for three years. Once cultivated, they shall pay taxes as usual. Officials and powerful clans who successfully lead their people in reclamation shall be rewarded with titles, stipends, or tax reductions.

Fourth, establish laws governing land deeds. Regulate land transactions to ensure civilians have stable property and clear ownership. All land transfers must be registered and taxed by the state; otherwise, they are illegal. Strictly prohibit forced buying or selling, and land consolidation through coercion or influence.

If these measures are enacted, they may somewhat alleviate the Great Song's land consolidation crisis, ensuring tillers own their land, land taxes become equitable, agriculture and sericulture flourish, and the foundation of the state is secured—great fortune for the realm.

Yet during reform, one must guard against resistance from the powerful. Only if the court upholds justice and enforces strict laws can tangible results be expected…"

This "Memorial on Land Reform" was not written by Zhao Yu—it was written by Zheng Yaban.

Of course, the content was dictated by Zhao Yu.

When Zhao Yu presented his ideas and content, Zheng Yaban felt that expressing them as he had was too blunt, inappropriate, and might backfire.

Thus, after obtaining Zhao Yu's consent, Zheng Yaban began polishing Zhao Yu's "Memorial on Land Reform."

Zheng Yaban's beautiful face resembled blossoms in full spring bloom, pleasing to the eye; her inner talent shone like a radiant pearl, radiating charm in every exchange and discussion.

Zheng Yaban was always humble, courteous, composed, refined, speaking and writing with perfect restraint—she possessed the qualities of a virtuous empress.

No.

Zheng Yaban was not merely capable of becoming a virtuous empress—she would surely become one.

Historically, when Zheng Yaban became Emperor Zhao Ji's empress, his harem was filled with thousands of young women.

At that time, the Liu consorts dominated in beauty, the Qiao and Cui imperial consorts vied for favor, and the Wang consorts—both senior and junior—competed in splendor; Zhao Ji's harem was undeniably filled with beauties.

Even so, Zhao Ji frequently left the palace to seek pleasure, visiting brothels and sleeping with courtesans.

With such a vast and turbulent harem, chaos and bitter rivalries should have been constant. Yet under Zheng Yaban's careful governance and skillful mediation, it remained astonishingly harmonious.

Without exaggeration, every consort, female official, and maid in Zhao Ji's harem performed her duties, rarely embroiled in fierce disputes fueled by jealousy or resentment; they never troubled Zhao Ji, allowing him to focus entirely on his pursuits or personal whims.

If Zhao Yu became emperor, having Zheng Yaban as his empress would satisfy him completely.

Crucially, Zheng Yaban could offer tangible assistance in Zhao Yu's ascension to the throne.

"Should I make her my empress?"

Zhao Yu did not know that, at the very moment he considered making Zheng Yaban his empress, she was also taking new notice of him.

Before this, Zheng Yaban had merely thought Zhao Yu's filial piety commendable, with no other outstanding qualities.

She had even considered Zhao Yu rash and unwise—he dared offend both the emperor and the future empress, showing political immaturity.

But now, Zheng Yaban no longer saw him that way. From the "Memorial on Land Reform," it was clear Zhao Yu was far more complex than she had assumed.

For years, the Zhao Song dynasty had been mired in factional strife between the New Party and the Old Party.

Their central debate: should the Zhao Song dynasty reform at all, and if so, how?

The New Party, led spiritually by Wang Anshi, upheld the ideal of enriching the state and strengthening its military, seeking radical reforms to dispel the dynasty's deep poverty and weakness.

They advocated comprehensive reform of the fiscal system.

The Green Sprout Law aimed to provide farmers with low-interest loans to survive lean seasons, while also increasing state revenue;

the Market Exchange Law sought to strengthen state control over commerce, stabilize prices, and maintain market order.

Militarily, the Baojia and Jiangbing systems operated in tandem, hoping to revive the Zhao Song's military strength and enhance the Song army's combat capability.

The Old Party, represented by Sima Guang and others, feared that rapid reform might trigger social upheaval.

In their view, ancestral laws, though flawed, had been refined over time and were deeply woven into the social fabric of the Zhao Song dynasty.

Moreover, during implementation, some local officials enforced the Green Sprout Law by coercing farmers into loans, burdening many households and plunging them deeper into hardship; the Market Exchange Law also provoked fierce resistance from wealthy merchants and traders, disrupting the previously stable commercial order.

The Old Party believed reform should proceed gradually, on the foundation of tradition, using gentle improvements to resolve national problems, prioritizing the stability of the people's livelihood and the preservation of traditional order.

Thus, in court, the two factions clashed endlessly, and policies swung wildly with each shift in power.

Now, the New and Old Parties had reached a state of irreconcilable hostility—there could be no coexistence, only mutual destruction.

The Zhao Song dynasty limped forward amid their tug-of-war and power struggles, its fate slowly drifting into an unknown direction within this endless vortex of factional strife.

Meanwhile, common people struggled to survive amid these turbulent court politics, yearning for the court to finally find a path truly beneficial to the nation's long-term stability and the people's peace and prosperity.

In Zheng Yaban's view, the New Party had the will to reform but lacked the method; Wang Anshi's laws themselves contained grave flaws, yet they refused to admit it, obsessed only with defeating the Old Party and forcing through these deeply flawed policies.

Zhao Yu's "Memorial on Land Reform," however, appeared genuinely feasible.

Crucially, Zhao Yu proposed that the law be trialed for three years in the capital region first—if successful, then expanded; if not, problems would be identified and resolved until the law was proven viable before wider implementation.

This showed Zhao Yu desired reform and wished to strengthen the Zhao Song dynasty, while also embracing the Old Party's principle of gradual, gentle improvement.

Zheng Yaban cast an unobtrusive glance at Zhao Yu: "He possesses both the bold vision and courage to reform landholding, and the prudence to pilot the reform locally before expansion, balancing competing interests and ideologies. If Prince Xin were emperor, the New and Old Party conflict might be resolved; court intrigues could gradually fade, and ministers might unite their efforts toward making the Great Song truly prosperous, rather than sinking deeper into the mire of factional strife…"

More than an hour later, through their joint efforts, Zhao Yu and Zheng Yaban completed the "Memorial on Land Reform."

Zhao Yu praised without restraint: "Commandant, your literary talent is superb—I am in awe."

Zheng Yaban replied humbly: "Your Highness flatters me. If I have not delayed Your Highness's great affairs, this humble servant is content."

Zhao Yu waved his hand: "Commandant, no need for modesty. I've only injured my wrist, not my mind—how could I fail to see your talent?"

Zhao Yu's blunt praise unsettled Zheng Yaban, yet thrilled her deeply! All her years of studying classics and histories had been for one purpose: to earn the admiration of the powerful and be lifted by them.

Though Zhao Yu held little real power, he was still a genuine prince, and in matters concerning the imperial family, he could still make his voice heard.

Zhao Yu had already successfully drawn Empress Dowager Xiang's attention—he might soon become one of her favorites.

If so, Zhao Yu's favorable words on her behalf would surely benefit Zheng Yaban.

This was the primary reason Zheng Yaban had chosen to assist Zhao Yu.

Now, Zhao Yu's words proved he admired her.

Yet Zheng Yaban never imagined Zhao Yu would suddenly shift tone and speak outright:

"Commandant, you truly understand my heart. Seeing you, how could I not rejoice? I wish to ask Empress Dowager to grant us a marriage, making you my Wang Fei—what is your response?"

……

(End of Chapter)