Chapter 158: The King of Chu Has Arrived

"Chu King's Mansion, confiscated thirty-one thousand four hundred taels of gold, six million one hundred twenty-seven thousand taels of silver."

"Fields across various estates total seven hundred ninety-three thousand five hundred mu, residential compounds four hundred eighty-five."

"Pearls, rare treasures, timber, medicinal herbs, spices, copper coins, antiques, calligraphy and paintings. Unique manuscripts and booklets not yet fully tallied."

"Salt permits thirty-nine thousand, salt over thirty thousand shi, grain over one million two hundred thousand shi, firewood four million nine hundred thousand jin."

"Sugar, wax, cloth, leather, fine silks and satins beyond count."

"Merchant caravans, shops, fleets, mules, horses, cattle, sheep, mountains and forests, lakes, mines still being pursued and tallied."

Many ask, in years of disaster, why do the refugees not go into the mountains and forests to hunt, or to the lakes to catch fish?

In truth, it is because all these places have owners.

Enter without permission, and you will be beaten to death by the owners' thugs and servants!

"Estate tenants, slaves, maidservants, beating gangs — numbers too many to tally."

"Raozhou Huai Wang Fu, confiscated gold and silver~~~"

"Huangzhou Jing Wang Fu, confiscated gold and silver~~~"

"Bao Qing Min Wang Fu, confiscated gold and silver~~~"

Gazing at the thick stacks of case files and ledgers before him, Lin Dao smiled and asked, "So, are the various vassal kings of the Great Ming the nation's parasites?"

Huang Degong lowered his head, silent, speechless.

"Salt permits." Lin Dao picked up a salt permit to examine it. "Openly encouraging vassal kings to sell salt for profit."

"Tax revenue." He then picked up the case files confiscated from the yamen. "The taxes the state collects are not used on the common people, but are given to the vassal kings to eat, drink, and make merry."

"Several generations, over a dozen generations, proliferating into hundreds of thousands of imperial clansmen."

"Food, clothing, and expenses all must be the best, all supported by the common people under heaven."

"Do the common people under heaven owe the Zhu family?"

"Making it like the Kong Lao Er family, on what grounds!"

Lin Dao slapped the desk before him. "These things, I will take and use on the common people."

"You watch carefully, as long as distribution is fair, everyone can live good days."

In the following days, Huang Degong personally witnessed the common people of the Hu Guang region joyfully re-dividing the land.

Although the land is nominally leased, the lease has no term limit; as long as there is someone in the household, they can lease it generation after generation.

Buying and selling in any form is prohibited, cutting off land merger at the root.

Every household received grain sufficient to last until next autumn harvest, essential edible salt, and cloth for making clothes.

What made Huang Degong most incredulous was that Lin Dao actually distributed refined iron farming tools to every household!

All top-grade refined iron — so good for forging weapons and armor, yet used on farming tools.

As for fertilizer and such, effects cannot yet be seen for the time being.

"Let soldiers collect taxes." Seeing the specialized tax collection departments all armed with weapons and armor, no different from combat troops, Huang Degong was greatly puzzled. "What does the yamen do?"

Many have a misunderstanding.

They think the yamen of ancient times mainly functioned as upright magistrates trying cases and judging lawsuits.

But in reality, local yamen of all dynasties were much the same; their true primary duty was tax collection.

Grain, silver, dry grass, materials, deerskin, timber, lacquerware, hides — everything was collected.

All manner of materials were collected upward to supply the powerful eunuchs' enjoyment.

Second only to tax collection was moral education.

Plainly put, it was looking after the scholars and local gentry of the prefecture and county.

Trying lawsuits and such were merely incidental functions.

"The yamen is mainly responsible for promoting local development and maintaining local stability."

Lin Dao, in a good mood, explained to him, "From now on, each yamen will be separated, each managing its own affairs."

"There are those specially tasked with maintaining public order and suppressing major bandits."

"There are those specially tasked with adjudicating cases."

"There are those specially tasked with collecting taxes."

"Mutually independent, each busy with their own tasks."

"As for the soldiers collecting taxes you mentioned." Lin Dao, sitting on the boat, mood relaxed, gazed at the scenery on both banks. "Those are specialized tax police."

Tax resistance has existed since ancient times.

Especially in rural areas where clan power is strong.

Without sufficient military force, clan powers simply do not take tax collectors seriously.

Without further explanation, Lin Dao reached out and pointed toward the faintly visible Zhong Shan ahead.

"Jinling City, I have returned."

After a long campaign, having swept across Hu Guang, Lin Dao returned to his loyal Jinling City.

At this time, Jinling City's commerce had already gradually recovered prosperity.

Having lost those powerful nobles who spent gold like dirt, replacing them to revitalize the economy were the massive military dependents.

Lin Dao confiscated so much silver, the main bulk was used on military expenses.

He gave the soldiers a uniquely super-high military pay unmatched in all under heaven.

Regular soldiers each month, military pay alone reached as high as ten taels.

Such a massive influx of silver into soldiers' homes naturally stimulated consumption.

Military dependents entered the city buying everywhere, and businesses in all shops grew increasingly prosperous.

The only thing continuing to decline was the Qinhuai River industry.

The local defense garrisons Lin Dao established in each prefecture were likewise led by military families in consumption, driving economic vitality.

"Wild boar skin for integrity funds, and the result is signing indemnity treaties all day long."

"I pay the soldiers high salaries; I'd like to see who can still force me to sign a surrender document!"

Simply put, Lin Dao transferred the treatment originally given to civil officials and scholars to the soldiers.

Civil officials and scholars cannot defend the nation nor protect the common people.

Then let them have the benefits, and see if the soldiers drawing high salaries can do it.

The people of Jinling City came out to welcome him, naturally a scene of warm greetings and bustle.

Yet among the crowd, Qian Qianyi's figure was nowhere to be seen.

The various departments' troops returned to the camp, and Lin Dao also returned to his own residence.

Chen Yuanyuan and the others enthusiastically came out to welcome him, each dressed up to the nines, smiling brightly.

Dong Xiaowan personally went to the kitchen and prepared a table full of delicious dishes.

The girls teased him in turn: "The master isn't in the residence, and you play leaf-card games all night long, sleeping until three poles high in the sun."

"The sisters want to eat the delicious dishes you make; no matter how we beg you, you won't do it."

"The Great King returned, and preparations began the night before, boiling soup."

The girls helped out on the side, and Lin Dao understood the hint.

He nodded with satisfaction: "You've worked hard; there will surely be repayment tonight."

Dong Xiaowan's pretty face was full of strange expression: "Master, there's a new person in the household; it's better to care for the new person first."

Hearing this, Lin Dao immediately frowned.

"What new person?"

"Lady Hedong has arrived," Bian Sai interjected from the side. "Mr. Mu Zhai personally brought her, and she's been here nearly a month."

"This is outrageous!" Lin Dao flew into a rage. "Send someone at once to summon Qin Huai, and take the person away."

"When Mr. Mu Zhai brought Lady Hedong, he said so," Kou Mei explained from the side. "His health is failing; he's returned to his hometown to recuperate. Please, Master, do not seek him again. Anyone who comes to Jinling City from now on can only be a corpse."

"He sure can boast!"

Lin Dao scoffed: "An itchy scalp with cold water—he still dares to threaten me."

"Master," Li Xiangjun offered a tea bowl with both hands. "The town has been spreading word that you intend to collect the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai."

"It is said that Marquis Xincheng and others have been threatening and luring Mr. Mu Zhai day and night."

"He was also frightened out of his wits and could only abandon Lady Hedong."

"My reputation~~~" Lin Dao laughed in extreme anger. "This bunch of good-for-nothings can't help with proper business, but they're experts in these crooked ways."

"This is ruining my reputation!"

"Besides, Ma Xiang Lan has long been dead; how can the Eight Beauties be collected?"

Bian Sai reached out and pulled his sister Bian Min over. "Those meddlers took the girls and gave them positions."

"Forget it."

Lin Dao waved his hand. "Go tell Liu Rushi to let her go on her own."

"I really am not that kind of person!"

Dong Xiaowan, who was on good terms with Liu Rushi, set out for the rear courtyard to convey Lin Dao's decision.

In a short while, Dong Xiaowan returned. "Master, Lady Hedong says she wishes to see you."

"What's there to see?" Lin Dao refused. "If I truly meet her, it will harm her reputation."

The girls looked at one another; the master's words were rather laughable.

The person has already been sent into the residence—what reputation could there be left?

Dong Xiaowan went to the rear courtyard again.

When she returned, her expression was somewhat flustered. "Lady Hedong says that if Master does not see her, she will die in the room!"

Lin Dao's good mood was completely ruined by this odd couple.

He put down his bowl and chopsticks, rose with a stern face, and strode toward the rear courtyard.

In the courtyard where Liu Rushi was lodged, seeing him enter in large strides, several maidservants hurriedly saluted.

The room door was open, and Lin Dao entered directly.

Liu Rushi stood there gracefully, holding a gold hairpin in her hand.

The last time they met, Lin Dao had still been seeking Qian Qianyi's favor, actively visiting and presenting gifts.

After many days, when they met again, everything had changed, and their identities had completely transformed.

"This matter has nothing to do with me."

Lin Dao got straight to the point: "I have never hinted or implied to Qin Huai that he do such a thing."

"It was his own cowardice, believing rumors."

"Concubine knows," Liu Rushi said, lightly biting her silver teeth. "Concubine was blind to choose such a coward!"

Lin Dao spread his hands. "If so, then go wherever you wish."

"Great Commander means for Concubine to die?" Liu Rushi smiled desolately. "If so, then Concubine will die."

Saying this, she raised the gold hairpin in her hand and stabbed toward her neck.

Lin Dao took a large step forward, snatched the gold hairpin away, and flew into a rage. "What are you doing?"

"Inside and outside Jinling City, all know that Concubine was sent by Qin Huai into the Great Commander's residence."

"Now driven out of the residence by the Great Commander, what face does Concubine have to remain in the world?"

"Better to die."

Lin Dao was also speechless; this was pinning the blame on him.

He wanted to wash his hands of everything, but Liu Rushi's temperament was too fierce, and she forced the issue with her life.

Casually putting away the gold hairpin, Lin Dao straightforwardly asked, "What do you want? Speak directly."

"Since this concubine was given by Qin Huai to the Marshal, I am naturally the Marshal's person."

With two lines of clear tears falling, Liu Rushi met Lin Dao's gaze without the slightest fear. "If the Marshal drives me away, I will die."

"Fine."

Lin Dao didn't dilly-dally. "Then stay."

"However, I'll tell you in advance, I have a bad temper."

"If you can't endure it~~~"

Before the words were finished, Liu Rushi before him had already bloomed a brilliant smile. "Master, this concubine is yours from now on."

"Let alone a bad temper, even if it's beating and scolding, or simply beating me to death, this concubine will naturally accept it all."

"I only beg you not to drive this concubine away."

Seeing tears hanging on her face, yet she smiled with a charming, moving allure.

Lin Dao here had a thoughtful stir in his heart.

The woman before him, in all likelihood, was going with the flow.

Thinking here, he didn't flare up, but instead smiled. "Good, let's go eat first."

"When it's time to rest, I'll naturally let you know just how bad my temper really is!"

End of Chapter