Chapter 300: Finance

"I heard you were frightened by me last time?"

After taking off the twelve-ornament ceremonial robe and changing back into his everyday cotton clothes, Zhao Jiu, tired from the day, rested for a while. When he rose in the evening, he ate a little in the permanent military camp, but when the food was brought, he only had a bowl of porridge before having the attendants take it away. Then, facing a notebook he had written himself, he suddenly spoke while reading, not knowing who he was talking to.

"Absolutely not." Yang Yizhong, standing inside the door, immediately turned and clasped his hands, not pretending to be ignorant of which matter was being referred to.

"If it's not true, then why did you secretly dismiss the maidservants?" Zhao Jiu continued flipping through his notebook without looking up. "And you didn't dare send too many at once—over half a month, you sent away three people, giving each five strings of cash…"

"Your servant…"

"I'm not blaming you. You didn't know that day, but haven't you figured it out these past days? What I said I must do has nothing to do with you… I was just asking casually. You misunderstood."

"Your servant understands."

"What the hell do you understand?" Zhao Jiu didn't raise his head. "If you truly understood, you'd know that there are some things I can only say to you… Besides you, who outside would know that I'm actually afraid of personally handling court affairs? Besides you, who outside would know that I've been hiding from those imperial relatives all along?"

"…"

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

"Your Majesty is still Your Majesty. For instance, on the battlefield at Yaoshan, even if Your Majesty drew the bow and shot an arrow and missed, it didn't stop Your Majesty from raising a hand and bringing down the vulture. So-called fear and avoidance are all temporary. Once you truly take that step, you will surely achieve great success."

"And then?"

"Then, your servant is merely a fortunate subject, graced by favor to be ranked in the central government, in charge of intelligence and the Imperial Guard—a position more prominent than I ever dared dream of in a lifetime… I ought to be more cautious and restrained."

"Something like Hu Quan, who wouldn't trade his post as Compiler for a Vice Minister?"

"Something like that, but…"

"But Hu Quan is much freer than you. For you, serving the sovereign is like serving a tiger—that's what you mean, isn't it?"

"…"

"Want an external post?" Zhao Jiu finally looked up. "If you go out, you could serve as Deputy Commander under Han Shizhong or Zhang Jun, or even become a Prefect and switch to civil office…"

"…"

"How could I possibly let you go?" Zhao Jiu let out a sneer. "If I let you go, I wouldn't even have anyone to find the *Benevolent King Protecting the Nation Sutra* for me."

Yang Yizhong remained silent.

"That's about enough." Zhao Jiu finished reviewing the notebook in his hand and finally stood up. "Have them all come to the central army tent to see me!"

Yang Yizhong bowed to receive the order, but hesitated just before leaving: "Would Your Majesty like to change into that set of twelve-ornament ceremonial robes?"

"Change into what?" Zhao Jiu, already on his feet, shook his head repeatedly. "Those old clothes of the Retired Emperor—if it weren't for the fact that this is the only set, I wouldn't even want to wear them…"

With that, watching the other leave, Zhao Jiu hesitated, then picked up the notebook again and walked out with an air of authority.

Stepping outside, dusk had arrived. The autumn cicadas chirped incessantly, and the setting sun had yet to sink westward. Zhao Jiu watched as countless civil and military officials, nobles, Buddhist and Daoist clergy, and wealthy merchants, each with their own thoughts, filed into the central army tent… Though called a tent, it had long been made permanent—a rough but practical brick-and-wood hall. He waited with his hands behind his back until Yang Yizhong returned, then, escorted by the Imperial Guard, made his way there.

By then, though they had only gathered for a short while, the hall full of officials, nobles, monks, Daoists, and merchants were already thoroughly uncomfortable.

After all, how could these people get along with each other?

The proper officials present today were all members of the Secret Council—the true rulers of the empire. They looked at everyone else as if they were chickens and ducks, standing solemnly and glancing around with extreme arrogance. Among the nobles, monks, and Daoists, there were further gradations: the top tier, like the two Imperial Fathers-in-Law and a few idle scholar-officials who had once held high office, were perfectly at ease; the lower tier, like the newly arrived monks and Daoists, were anxious and kept talking, trying to glean some information. As for the few wealthy merchants, whose presence no one had expected, their behavior was the most uniform—without anyone reminding them, they obediently went to the farthest corner, standing dumbstruck, not daring to make a sound.

As for the military officers in the camp, they were all animated, chatting with the monks and Daoists about things like the five Vajra Great Bodhisattvas, the five thousand Great Spirit Kings, the twenty-eight constellations descending to earth, and the three hundred sixty-five star lords accompanying the imperial carriage—clearly aware of the afternoon's exchange between the monks and the Daoist temples' counterattacks, they were now engaged in a battle of lore.

Of course, everything fell silent as Zhao Jiu, who had made such a splash that day, entered the central army hall. Everyone became solemn, and many monks, Daoists, and merchants who were meeting the emperor for the first time didn't know where to put their hands; some even fell to their knees with a thud—yet no one laughed.

But Zhao Jiu paid no attention to the chaos around him. He simply walked to the military desk at the front, a bound notebook tucked under his arm, and sat down. At the same time, nearly a hundred armored Imperial Guards, led by Yang Yizhong and Liu Yan, poured in from both sides, taking control of the hall and lighting countless braziers and lamps along the walls.

The sudden brightness made everyone instinctively tense up.

Zhao Jiu looked around at the dense crowd of heads and let out a scoff: "Speaking of which, back when I was on the Huai River, I only lit one candle in my bedroom, and the Empress Dowager mocked me for it… Some among the people also say that while I openly advocate for utility, I'm actually putting on a show of morality. Now, with this sudden extravagance, I wonder if someone will say even my morality is fake."

Several chief councilors led the way with forced smiles, then Privy Councilor Zhang Jun stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said: "Your Majesty has always admired Wang Shuwang (Wang Anshi). But you must know that Wang Shuwang's utility was also guided by principle. How could morality and utility be opposed to each other?"

Zhao Jiu nodded slightly, and the chief councilors nodded along as well. Even Li Guang had no reaction to this statement, though among those smiling below, many felt a sense of wariness.

"I've gathered everyone today because, since the grand sacrifice has brought us all together, I might as well take the opportunity to address two matters," Zhao Jiu said once the crowd had quieted down. "The first matter is the establishment of the Public Council. The second is, with the members of the Public Council and the Secret Council all present, to take the chance to lay out the court's major policy direction for the next few years… Councilor Lu."

Lu Haowen, clearly well-prepared, immediately stepped forward and gave a general outline of the already-discussed establishment of the Public Council.

As the Duke of Yansheng and his nephew, the head of the Plum Blossom Han clan Han Xiaozhou, the two Imperial Fathers-in-Law, the ailing Imperial Uncle Zhao, the great Confucian Hu Anguo, the nineteen abbots and temple heads selected this time, some unexpected wealthy merchants who had formed countless marriage ties with the Zhao clan over the past century and were nominally no longer merchants, and former officials living in retirement like Wang Shuzhan, all came forward one by one to thank the emperor, the atmosphere gradually calmed.

Because this whole thing sounded and looked a lot like the usual grace-granting after a grand sacrifice—just that this willful emperor, to save trouble, had discarded the old ways and come up with a new game. Besides, many of these people had paid money, so they felt justified.

Of course, the wealthy merchants who were nominally not merchants still stirred discontent in everyone's hearts. Only the Imperial Father-in-Law Wu, and by extension Imperial Consort Wu, whose backgrounds were what they were, made it hard for people to say much… Besides, wasn't there the precedent of Wang Lun?

Thus, after this round of bestowals, some were indifferent and at ease, some were clearly disappointed, and some were especially elated… However, when Councilor Lu announced that he would serve as the first head of the Public Council, and that the Public Council's deliberations would go directly to the emperor and the Central Secretariat, the atmosphere reached a predetermined small climax.

After all, there was still a bit of political status and theoretically existing political power… For many who had never touched political power before, or who craved it to a certain degree, how could they not be pleased?

And so, the first matter ended pleasantly, with the bureaucrats looking on coldly and the military officers indifferent.

Then came the second matter—the so-called discussion of major policy direction.

"In the next few years, what should we do to ensure that we can advance the Northern Expedition within a few years?" Zhao Jiu flipped through his notebook and waved his hand. "Everyone present today can speak freely!"

Silence fell below… That said, with the ready-made councilors, ministers, and vice ministers all here, what major policy direction could be discussed? If they didn't speak, was the Duke of Yansheng supposed to?

"Your Majesty!" As expected, Chief Councilor of the Central Secretariat Zhao Ding stepped forward after a moment's deliberation. "The Northern Expedition is a certainty, but to mobilize a large army, governance must be in order. As for the fundamentals of governance, we can proceed in two ways: first, by tracing the roots; second, by examining the harms. Tracing the roots means starting from governance itself—looking at what can still be done in personnel, finance, law, sacred learning, engineering, and military preparations. Examining the harms means starting from the problems before us and seeing how to solve them."

"Please elaborate, Councilor." Zhao Jiu said without hesitation.

At this point, many members of the Public Council below were secretly complaining to themselves, feeling that they had come today just to be window dressing… Otherwise? With this kind of back-and-forth, if anyone said the emperor and the councilors hadn't coordinated beforehand, that would be nonsense!

Of course, what matter didn't require coordination between the emperor and the councilors?

Even back during the White Horse Shaoxing affair, it was said that Zhao Jiu had reached an agreement with the councilors and the Censor-in-Chief beforehand.

"In personnel, the policy Your Majesty is currently implementing—matching name with reality—is an excellent measure. It can be said to sweep away the chaos of official titles that has persisted since the Five Dynasties, and it has correspondingly improved efficiency." Zhao Ding spoke confidently, more like he was reporting on the work of the emperor and the councilors than discussing a problem. "In law, the court is now drafting a new *Imperial Song Criminal Code*, focusing on clarifying provisions to reassure the people…"

"Hold on." Zhao Jiu seemed thoughtful. "What about that matter I brought up with you a few days ago?"

"In reply to Your Majesty," Zhao Ding said calmly. "We, the councilors, first discussed it before Your Majesty, then submitted it to the Secret Council for public deliberation, and then handed it to the Ministry of Justice to draft the specifics. A written document has been prepared, awaiting Your Majesty's preview… But in any case, as Your Majesty proposed: first, abolish all debased-status bondservants and replace them with hired servants; second, abolish the reforms of the Zhenzong era, so that in criminal cases involving masters and hired servants, both parties are judged under the same law as free commoners; as for the practice of pawning wives, we also consider it a violation of human ethics, but such matters cannot be cut off with one stroke. We have set a three-year deadline, after which, starting from New Year's Day three years hence, pawning wives and daughters will no longer be permitted. As for the release of some government-registered courtesans, Your Majesty issued a special decree earlier this month to handle the matter on a case-by-case basis, so there is no need to say more."

Zhao Jiu nodded slowly.

In fact, these were the most fundamental issues, or the most direct consequences, triggered by the courtesan incident that day… Yang Yizhong's investigation had made it clear: discussing courtesans alone was meaningless. The key was personal liberation, preventing economic relations from endangering the basic human rights of the common people.

It must be understood that at the founding of the Song, a major advancement was the replacement of the Tang dynasty's debased-status bondservants with hired servants. In the Tang, debased-status bondservants were treated like livestock by their masters, whereas hired servants were free commoners temporarily working for a master, an economic employment relationship that did not involve basic personal ownership.

Of course, in terms of actual legal provisions and real-world circumstances, a considerable number of debased-status bondservants still existed. In other words, the Song's personal liberation was not thorough.

Not only that, but as time passed, this existing distinction between free and debased status actually influenced the law in reverse. By the Zhenzong era, legal revisions appeared that, in disputes between masters and servants, reduced the master's punishment by one degree… This was a textbook case of turning back the wheel of history.

Moreover, this kind of backsliding grew increasingly severe. By the present time, many provisions had been amended to the detriment of servants, and public sentiment was also growing more unfavorable toward bondservants. In another timeline, after the Southern Song stabilized, it even took great strides in imposing various personal restrictions on bondservants, to some extent restoring the system of free and base people... So Zhao Jiu's concerns and vigilance were not unfounded.

And since he had thought of this issue, he naturally used the pretext of rallying popular support and alleviating pressure on the lower classes to persuade the chief ministers to reverse this fundamental problem.

This effectively abolished the system of free and base people, guaranteeing the basic human rights of a considerable portion of the lower class.

As for the practice of pawning wives, which violated human ethics, it went without saying. Abolishing it at the same time was perfectly justified.

To be frank, this series of actions had already affected the interests of the powerful, wealthy merchants, and even monks and Daoists. But as the saying goes, before the Son of Heaven, the scholar-officials, and the military, who did they think they were?

Those below, even if they had any thoughts on the matter, only felt that they were in for trouble today. Who cared about such trifles?

"As for the imperial learning, there's no need to elaborate. His Majesty synthesizes the School of Principle and the New Learning, promotes the Original Learning, and the transition from old to new creates its own atmosphere." Seeing Zhao Jiu nod, Zhao Ding continued his introduction. "Beyond that, His Majesty established the Daxiangguo Temple Cannon Workshop, reorganized the Directorate for Armaments, and set up the Steamship Workshop—all timely measures. And militarily, there's no need to say much; it's clear for all to see."

"So, you're saying that I and the various ministers have accomplished quite a bit?" Zhao Jiu looked up from his notebook and smiled.

At these words, many of the nobles below who were qualified to speak could no longer hold back and prepared to flatter him. Meanwhile, Censor-in-Chief Li Guang instinctively frowned but stood solemnly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

However, seeing Li Guang unmoved, with no other choice, Zhang Jun, who had already stepped forward, could only clasp his hands and speak seriously: "Your Majesty should be cautious in your words! Since ancient times, those who travel a hundred miles often stop at ninety. Moreover, the state has not even completed half the journey—how can we afford to be complacent?"

The restless nobles immediately fell silent. Li Guang looked at Zhang Jun as if he had swallowed a fly. More ministers keenly sensed that today's events would not be so simple... The emperor and the chief ministers, and likely even the Censor-in-Chief, had already reached some degree of consensus on a certain matter. But it was clearly of great importance, requiring the endorsement of everyone present.

Considering that this was a military camp, where the emperor's authority was most enforceable, and during a sacrificial ceremony, where his prestige was at its peak, yet they still had to resort to this, it seemed that something truly major was about to happen.

"What Minister Zhang says is very true." Zhao Jiu replied calmly and seriously. "What Minister Zhao just said was a discussion of the root cause, but he has yet to speak of the harmful effects..."

"Your Majesty." Vice Grand Councilor Liu Ji also stepped forward half a pace and smiled wryly. "Speaking of the harmful effects is actually quite simple."

"Go ahead, then."

"Let me inform Your Majesty." Vice Commissioner of Military Affairs Chen Gui, who had somehow stepped forward, stroked his beard and sighed. "If we are to discuss the harmful effects, based on the first hundred years of this dynasty, there has long been a settled view—nothing more than the Three Surpluses: surplus troops, surplus officials, and surplus expenses... But times change. After the Jingkeng Incident, although the state's orthodoxy survived, Your Majesty's restoration was like founding a new dynasty, and the Three Surpluses were essentially abandoned. Yet, though the state no longer has the Three Surpluses, it has other drawbacks. First, the loss of the two river regions; second, the war damage to Henan, Huaibei, Jingdong, and Guanxi. Thus, this dynasty still faces difficulties of insufficient military strength and insufficient finances. Not to say it is impoverished and weak, but it is both poor and weak."

Li Guang had no choice but to step forward and replied coldly: "Is it only finances? Don't we need to rally popular support?"

"Popular support does need to be rallied," Zhao Ding finally interjected again. "But the biggest issue concerning popular support is none other than the need to fund the army and fill the treasury, which has led to increased taxes in the Southeast, additional levies in Jingxiang, and advance payments of fiscal revenues in Bashu. Out of a thousand concerns about popular sentiment, eight hundred lie here! So, in the end, it all comes back to financial strain... If finances were ample, why would we need to cap the Imperial Army at two hundred thousand? Why not support three hundred thousand? If finances were ample, why would the southern people have to suffer so, and why not remove the new taxes? If finances were ample, why would we have to issue national debt every winter? If finances were ample, why did we have to rely on private donations to redeem the Hebei refugees last time, and why did His Majesty have to sell palace properties to redeem the official courtesans this time? If finances were ample, why hold such a grand ceremony, with His Majesty wearing the old imperial robe of the Retired Emperor, while all the civil and military officials can only offer sacrifices in their official robes?! When we speak of harmful effects, a thousand or ten thousand points are not too many, but if we boil it down to one word, it's money!"

The chief ministers spoke in such a clear and coordinated manner that the wealthy merchants below felt a chill in their hearts... Were they about to be targeted?

Even the monks and Daoists were filled with anxiety.

As for the rest of the civil and military officials, and even some of the nobles, they were all eager and ready to act... If the emperor and the chief ministers meant this, why wouldn't they cooperate?

In fact, even setting aside dark motives, purely for the sake of the country and the people, many scholar-officials who took their duties seriously could no longer hold back... To be sure, the emperor and the chief ministers launching a surprise attack was wrong, but the problem itself was stark naked—it was all about money.

"Your Majesty!" Minister of Revenue Lin Qi stepped forward and spoke earnestly. "I have previously given some thought to fiscal matters... Our fiscal revenues have now reached their limit. Any further increase would only stir up popular unrest. The profits from the monopolies on salt, iron, tea, wine, alum, and tin still have room for growth, but we cannot actively raise prices and further damage urban morale. Instead, we should wait for them to fatten naturally. Besides that, with the recovery of Jingdong, if we manage it sincerely, an additional million strings of cash in a year or two is not unusual. Moreover, Jingdong has always had thriving maritime trade, with smooth connections to Goryeo and Japan, which might bring in another million strings. Beyond that, if we want to raise more funds, it will have to be through jiaozi paper currency and national debt."

No one was surprised. Throughout the Song dynasty, the market economy was developed, and the monopolies on maritime trade and certain commercial products were already very mature. For instance, Zhao Kai's tea-horse reforms in Bashu were more about the court previously restricting commercial activities in the Bashu region, which were now being liberalized. In the coastal areas directly under the court's influence, there was no situation where commercial potential was being suppressed.

For example, during the reign of Emperor Zhezong of Song, a reward mechanism for maritime trade was established. Any maritime merchant who paid more taxes would be rewarded with official positions, and regulations similar to maritime accident ordinances were also set up. On the other hand, the time-traveler Zhao Jiu had once approved a rather improper directive in Nanyang, which aimed to abolish the ceremony where eunuchs saw off fleets departing from the southeast coast, in order to save the state some money.

In short, Lin Qi's meaning was clear. Since popular sentiment had to be considered, taxes could not be raised further. While commercial taxes, as a major part of the Great Song's fiscal revenue, theoretically still had room for squeezing, considering that commercial taxes also affected the morale of a large proportion of the urban population, it would be unwise to force growth. Instead, the court should be patient and allow it to recover slowly.

However, on the other hand, allowing it to recover slowly was indeed the kingly way, but wasn't the current problem that they were preparing for war and were directly short of money?

So Lin Qi bluntly stated that if they wanted quick money without losing more popular support, they would have to consider national debt and jiaozi... This was an inevitable direction.

In fact, Zhao Jiu had already rehearsed this line of reasoning with the chief ministers in previous discussions. At that time, Liu Ji had analyzed it this way, and Li Guang had immediately refuted him.

"I believe what the Minister of Revenue said is superficial and may not be appropriate in essence." Just then, Sacrificial Wine Chen Gui of the Directorate of Education stepped forward and publicly refuted him. "Although I am not well-versed in fiscal matters, I understand some fundamental principles... In the end, the wealth of the world is right there. Land taxes come from the fields, commercial taxes arise from the markets—all have their traces. The current dilemma of the court is that the areas north of the Huai River have been ravaged by war, and we must support the army to recover the north. Reluctantly, we have increased taxes in the south, losing some popular support. Therefore, we absolutely cannot touch the land, nor should we touch the markets. And the markets of Goryeo, Japan, Dali, Tubo, and even the Arabs are only so big. Annual trade revenues cannot suddenly exceed expectations. So I dare ask Minister Lin, if you want to use national debt and jiaozi to raise funds, there must be a source, right?! Whose money are you planning to take?"

In the central army hall, illuminated by countless braziers as bright as day, everyone fell into a subtle state. Some were tense, some eager, some fearful, some thoughtful.

Even if the chief ministers' opening remarks seemed like a performance of *The Legend of the White Snake*, the words they spoke from a high vantage point were beyond reproach. The state did have this fiscal problem.

And Minister of Revenue Lin Qi, who had taken up the topic out of duty, had made an analysis that was also beyond reproach.

Even Chen Gui, a young leader among the war faction who had just been promoted to a full position and was full of youthful vigor, had spoken directly and perhaps rashly, but his words were irrefutable... The logic was right there.

So, with the emperor and the chief ministers playing off each other, whose money were they trying to extract through national debt and jiaozi?

"There are some people in this world who do not engage in production, who sit back and enjoy the fruits of others' labor. In times of national crisis, they are unwilling to contribute a single hair. After the crisis, they are busy scheming for wealth, office, land, and profit." Just then, Minister of Personnel Chen Gongfu suddenly stepped out of the ranks. Instead of looking back at the emperor and the chief ministers, he turned to face the assembly and spoke boldly. "Now that the state is in such difficulty, every bit of fiscal revenue must be used for the military, to the point where even His Majesty must raise fish and plant mulberries in the rear palace. So why keep those people around, with their bellies full of fat? Just to hold rituals and fill the pavilions?!"

"Namo Amitabha."

As the high officials of the central government gradually revealed their true intentions layer by layer, the abbot of Fahe Temple silently recited a Buddhist prayer in his heart and even felt a bit aggrieved... Wasn't everything fine this afternoon? I called you a Bodhisattva, you called me an Arhat, and now this in the evening?

Were they really going to kill the goose that laid the golden egg, confiscate all land, and seize all movable wealth?

If so, it was no wonder the people from Mingdao Temple hadn't come... Their temple had already been cleaned out by the emperor four years ago, even the gold plating on the statue of the Daoist ancestor had been scraped off.

In fact, not only the monks, Daoists, and merchants felt the murderous intent in these words, but even the Duke Yansheng and others began to feel inexplicably uneasy... Surely they weren't going to confiscate the sacrificial fields of Qufu as well? They hadn't done anything wrong, had they?

At this thought, many instinctively looked toward the Zhao emperor in the center, only to find him staring blankly at a notebook on his desk, lost in thought.

PS: Routine sacrifice, new book by the mighty Sacred Wisdom Wolf, *The Ancient God Raiser*.