Chapter 503: Household Registration System Reform

Prefect Liu has returned.

Regardless of whether the matters were resolved or not, the moment he returned, it was as if all of Liangzhou had found its backbone.

The instability of the past few days seemed to settle down in an instant.

People ran to tell one another the news.

The Young Master is back!

The Young Master is back!

Those who were still causing trouble over the pension stopped, and began to disperse one after another.

Wang Dapan, of the newly established Trade Union, was even more motivated, and sent people to deliver the first phase of the Trade Union's work report.

The Cabinet Members, meanwhile, began to act with extreme caution.

It seemed as if everyone shared a common understanding.

In this world, is there anything the Young Master cannot resolve?

Once Liu Zheng had rested, he immediately convened an expanded Cabinet meeting.

The nine Cabinet Members sat down in order.

As Liu Zheng's gaze swept over them, they all lowered their heads one by one.

Not to mention how many of these Cabinet Members had ulterior motives; just during the time Liu Zheng was away, the situation in Liangzhou had become so chaotic that every single one of these Cabinet Members could not escape responsibility—the Cabinet was established precisely so he could be a hands-off manager, yet after he left, you all governed Liangzhou even worse than Ling Chen governed the Western Regions? Then what do I need you for?

The atmosphere at the scene became eerie as Liu Zheng entered.

Shen Xing was the first to kneel on the ground, saying guiltily, "Young Master, the Cabinet has failed the Young Master's trust..."

The others' expressions shifted slightly.

What a fine Shen Xing!

Is he trying to drag everyone down with him one by one?

But there was no help for it; Liangzhou after the Young Master's departure was truly too chaotic, and they were also hard to absolve of blame, so they could only follow suit and kneel down in a show of pretense.

"What is this for..."

Liu Zheng hurriedly stood up and gave a gesture to help them up: "My lords, your ranks are all higher than mine... Quickly rise, quickly rise, let us discuss matters properly. Since the problems have arrived, they need to be solved, not met with pleas for forgiveness here."

After several rounds of consolation, the nine people sat back down.

"Who is responsible for the matter of the blocked ships?"

Liu Zheng asked.

Shen Xing replied: "It is General Jiang; upon learning of the Young Master's return, General Jiang is already on his way back."

Liu Zheng nodded and smiled: "There is no rush for this matter. Once I go over, it can be resolved. The most pressing issue at the moment is the assassination attempt on the Princess. If this matter is not handled well, I fear the Imperial Court will lay blame."

The crowd felt a sense of relief.

The assassination of the Princess was a force majeure event, and naturally had nothing to do with them.

Consequently, these Cabinet Members all became filled with righteous indignation.

"Young Master, such assassins must be met with a heavy bounty!"

"That's right! Kill them!"

"Security must be strengthened further!"

The group began to offer suggestions and strategies.

Liu Zheng, however, shook his head slightly: "I actually feel that we have already done well enough in terms of security; forcing a state of extreme tension will instead give the common people a sense of insecurity. I am thinking that Liangzhou can now reform the Household Registration System."

The Household Registration System?

The group looked at one another.

The Household Registration System was indeed something Liu Zheng had always wanted to do. Currently, the entire Longyan Dynasty still followed the Household Registration System of the Qin and Han periods, which is the Anbi System. The most obvious difference from later generations is, first, that when counting the population, only males were counted, which shows what kind of status women held in ancient times. Second, the Household Registration System clearly had hierarchical distinctions.

Imperial family, Nobles, Scholar-officials, Great families, Middle families, Lesser families, slave registers...

The information recorded was relatively detailed, including name, gender, age, address, noble rank (position), height, and even skin color were recorded.

Among them, the Yellow Register was for the descendants of powerful clans.

The White Register was for White-clothed commoners.

And so on and so forth...

Liu Zheng had actually long wanted to reform the Household Registration System, because with the development of Liangzhou, he needed a more precise Household Registration System to manage his subjects. Returning from Wangbei Academy this time, this matter naturally became the top priority. Since the database already exists, why continue using the old Household Registration System? Wouldn't that be a waste of resources?

This time was a perfect opportunity!

"What does the Young Master mean?"

"Young Master, this Household Registration System is the foundation of the Dragon Flame Nation..."

"This..."

The few Cabinet Members looked at each other, somewhat unable to understand.

Liu Zheng chuckled: "The assassination of Longyang Princess just goes to show that the Liangzhou Household Registration System is lax. That is how those Wa assassins were able to sneak in. Everyone, think about it: if we had discovered that these people were suspicious earlier, wouldn't we have been able to take precautions sooner?"

He tapped the table and continued: "If we in Liangzhou had long ago discovered these assassins acting suspiciously and idling about, wouldn't we have been able to strictly control and prevent this?"

"This matter is done for the Emperor to see; there is no need to consider the thoughts of the Imperial Court!"

The nine people were all choked up.

Next.

Liu Zheng brought out the Household Registration System he had long envisioned.

Upon seeing the contents, the nine Cabinet Members were all shocked on the spot.

First, Liu Zheng abolished the distinction between the so-called Yellow Register and White Register; in Liangzhou, whether a child of a wealthy family or a child of a slave, they automatically become a "citizen" of Liangzhou!

Second, all citizens have the right to vote and to be elected. As long as they are adults, they all have the right to participate in the People's Representative Congress!

Third, after the new Household Registration System is promulgated, regardless of gender, age, or status, a population census registration will be conducted every year, and it must be done without a single omission!

Afterwards, the Household Registration System was subdivided into Military Household, Official Household, Farmer Household, Merchant Household, Artisan Household, Laborer Household, Medical Household, and Scholar Household... Each type of household registration would have a different tax rate!

Not only that, but on the previously registered information, a portrait of each person must be added! And at the same time, a specially made, impossible-to-forge Resident Identity Card from Liangzhou Prefecture would be issued to everyone!

For outsiders, registration must be even more detailed, and control must be strictly enforced! The management of people from other lands and foreign countries would also have various differences. For those with a criminal record, or those who have committed crimes in Liangzhou, even more attention must be paid.

Local people have social benefits that local people can enjoy.

But outsiders who have long been investing, working, and contributing taxes in Liangzhou can also enjoy various protections such as Liangzhou's Public School, free medical care, Pension, and so on...

Shock!

The nine Cabinet Members were all shocked.

They each took a deep breath.

This Household Registration System that Prefect Liu is reforming is simply going to turn Liangzhou upside down!

Although there is no direct confrontation with the feudal dynasty...

But...

This cancellation of the distinction between the Yellow Register and the White Register means that the privileged class will gradually disappear...

Among the nine Cabinet Members present, which one is not from a powerful official family?

Let them sit on equal footing with a bunch of White-clothed?

Who could stand it?

On the scene, there was a moment of silence, and the atmosphere became eerie.

One person finally stood up, weeping bitterly: "Prefect Liu, this must not be done, this must not be done!"

"Implementing this method is rebellious..."

"That's right, Young Master, without an official status, where is the majesty?"

"Without majesty, how can one govern the people?"

"That bunch of commoners, poverty breeds wicked schemes. Heavy codes are needed..."

Liu Zheng chuckled: "My goal is to have no poor people in Liangzhou. As for how to govern the people, our judicial system is sufficient."

He raised an eyebrow and smiled brightly: "Everyone, let's start voting."

The few people on the scene all trembled.

Voting?

What is there to vote for!

You have already decided, the regulations are all prepared, and you are calling us to vote?

These people gritted their teeth.

The current Liangzhou is not like the previous Liangzhou. Before, when taking down Powerful Clans, they still dared to jump around and disobey. But now...

Looking at the murderous intent hidden in Prefect Liu's eyes.

Vote!

Vote!

Passed unanimously!

Sure enough.

As soon as the "Liangzhou Household Registration System" was issued, the entire Liangzhou was shocked.

A few days ago, because of the assassination of the Princess, the entire Liangzhou was under martial law. Now it is good, once the Household Registration System was launched, the Assistance work of these Liangzhou Army soldiers could not have been smoother.

That same day, many outsiders with ulterior motives were escorted to the yamen for investigation.

Because after the Household Registration System was issued, the public's mood was undoubtedly at its highest.

From now on, there is no such thing as official status or White-clothed in Liangzhou!

They can also be masters of their own house!

The public mood began to become high-spirited.

Sure enough, when the Young Master returns, there are big events, and there are big good things.

Report!

Denounce!

The grand cleanup activity in Liangzhou began just like this with the "Household Registration System Reform".

Investigate and report on people around you whose movements are suspicious!

Some caught-off-guard commercial spies, military spies, and rumor spreaders were all taken away one by one by the Liangzhou Army.

How long have you been in Liangzhou?

What? Here to find a job? Have you found one? What craft do you know?

Three months and haven't found one?

And still eating, drinking, and having fun every day?

Then you came to Liangzhou for nothing?

Someone, take them away!

You opened a restaurant not far from Yintan City? How long has it been open? More than a year? No profit, always losing money, arrest them, take them away for questioning!

What? You are here for tourism?

You have been traveling for three months within a thirty-mile radius of Yintan City?

Who are you trying to fool!

Take them away, prepare to deport them!

Not to mention.

A single Household Registration System made the public order in Liangzhou, which had recently become chaotic, stabilize instantly.

Yinzhou Coin.

Over these three days, it has been on a constant rise.

It is unclear whether it is because Prefect Liu has returned, and investors have full confidence in Prefect Liu.

Or if it is because the unveiling of this Household Registration System has allowed them to see a stable investment environment once again.

In any case.

It is inseparable from this Prefect Liu.

He has only been back for three days.

Liangzhou has stabilized by more than half.

Many people who have been observing the situation in Liangzhou cannot help but marvel.

Is this the Prefect Liu?

They did not expect that this was merely the first move in Prefect Liu's game.

Prefect Liu, who had finally returned from Liangshan.

Next.

He continues his own brilliant performance.