Chapter 952: Furious Outburst

Not every proposal to reduce taxes is approved by the imperial court.

"The state treasury is empty; reducing taxes will increase the burden on the Ministry of Revenue," Chen Xun said. "If taxes aren't collected from farmers, they must be levied on merchants—but earlier this year, the court issued edicts encouraging trade. Now to raise merchant taxes again would be to reverse policy overnight."

Pan Yun: "When regions suffer disasters, reducing taxes is a form of relief. Otherwise, if the people are driven to despair and rebellion breaks out, the military forces, pay, and grain needed to suppress it will be hundreds or even thousands of times greater than the taxes forgone."

Pan Yun shook her head gravely: "Healing a nation is like healing a man. Treating illness before it worsens costs less and causes less suffering. Must we wait until the disease has reached the marrow before we claim to administer proper medicine?"

Yu Qian stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I support the State Mentor's words. Last year, fierce winds struck Jiangnan, severely damaging Zhejiang and the Southern Directly Governed Region, killing and injuring countless people. Because the court's relief came too late, some disaster victims joined Deng Maoqi's rebellion, delaying the imperial army's suppression—and thus tying down many troops during the late emperor's personal campaign against the Wala."

"The past is a mirror for the future. This time, the court must respond swiftly to pacify the people. Moreover, the affected areas are mostly prefectures and counties under Fujian—Deng Maoqi has only just surrendered, and his rebel forces were disbanded and sent home barely half a year ago. If mishandled, another rebellion may erupt."

"How can the court be blackmailed by a mob of unruly commoners?"

"When the people have no way to survive, they rebel—that is an eternal truth," Cao Nai said. "Knowing this, why deny them a path to live? How can we sit beneath the mirror of justice with any dignity if our officials act like this?"

Zhu Qiyu clenched his teeth. He was a monarch who came to power unexpectedly, and he cared most about public sentiment. Though the treasury's emptiness was a heavy pressure, it could be resolved later.

Moreover, he trusted the State Mentor.

He glanced at Pan Yun and immediately decreed: "Exempt the disaster-stricken regions from corvée labor this year. Reduce grain taxes by half. Poll taxes… also by half."

Yu Qian and the other ministers turned to Chen Xun.

Chen Xun swiftly ran through the historical grain and poll tax figures for each prefecture in Quanzhou, calculating the approximate total in a flash.

Chen Xun clenched his eyes shut tightly. Yu Qian immediately understood: this crossed the Ministry of Revenue's bottom line. He replied: "Your Majesty is wise. The Grand Secretariat will draft the imperial edict at once."

Zhu Qiyu nodded slightly: "Proclaim it throughout the realm. Send imperial censors to deliver relief. Local officials must not impose additional taxes under any pretext."

The hardest part was tax reduction. As for a general amnesty, there were established legal provisions—Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review knew them well.

Political prisoners were generally not included in amnesties. Those eligible were mostly those convicted of resisting taxes or levies, tax evasion, theft, or similar offenses.

The emperor scanned the list, checked off names with his brush, then added Pu Min's name beneath. He handed the list to Pan Yun: "State Mentor, what do you think?"

Pan Yun lifted her tea, leaned forward to glance, and nodded: "That's him. Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhu Qiyu smiled indifferently: "The State Mentor acts for my benefit."

Had Pan Yun not mentioned it, he wouldn't have known that Pu Si of Quanzhou had pledged loyalty to his elder brother.

He'd heard Pu Si bought several ocean-going ships and meddled in maritime trade—but the revenues owed to the Imperial Household Department had been delayed for too long.

A single rat hoards food in its nest, keeping all for itself. But when another rat is added, it learns to offer tribute to its parents—it can't just eat alone.

The Grand Secretariat reviewed the list, fell silent for a moment, then stamped it. The Ministry of Justice said nothing. The list went to the Court of Judicial Review, where the newly promoted Chief Justice, Xue Xuan, frowned at the final name: "Isn't this the criminal who colluded with sea bandits to ambush envoys and silver ships? He was already given leniency by being sentenced to exile. Why is he on the amnesty list?"

The official delivering the list had no idea.

He could only say: "This name was added by the emperor's own brush. The Grand Secretariat, Censorate, and Ministry of Justice have all approved it."

Xue Xuan slammed the list shut and said sternly: "I will not execute this. Send it back to the Censorate and Ministry of Justice. Demand they explain why this man was added."

Xue Xuan said: "By law, he is not eligible for amnesty."

The official's head throbbed. He was only a fifth-rank official—why was he made to handle this?

But everyone knew Xue Xuan's stubborn nature. He could only slump his shoulders and take the list away.

The Censorate and Ministry of Justice gritted their teeth, whispering privately: "This was approved by the Grand Secretariat and personally endorsed by the emperor. Can we possibly refuse? Xue Xuan is bold—let him go speak to the emperor himself!"

Neither department dared approach the Grand Secretariat or the emperor. The next day, they sent another official with the list. Xue Xuan sent it back again.

After three such exchanges, Pan Yun, who had been waiting in the Ministry of Works, grew impatient and casually asked the Director of Spring Affairs: "Has the imperial amnesty list been issued?"

The Director of Spring Affairs, who had been enjoying the drama, perked up, eyes gleaming: "State Mentor has heard too?"

"Heard what?"

The Director of Spring Affairs immediately grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and leaned close, lowering his voice: "They say it's karma—after years, the Court of Judicial Review, Censorate, and Ministry of Justice are at it again, and this time Xue Xuan has the upper hand."

Pan Yun inquired further and learned the amnesty list was stuck at Xue Xuan's desk.

She did not blame Xue Xuan. She simply couldn't understand the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate: "Why don't they explain to Xue Xuan?"

The Director of Spring Affairs blinked. "This was personally approved by the emperor and endorsed by the Grand Secretariat. How can the Ministry of Justice and Censorate explain?"

"Why not?" Pan Yun asked. "It's their duty. Doesn't Xue Xuan's question matter to them? If they have no answer, why not respond to his question?"

Pan Yun's face turned serious: "The Ministry of Justice and the Censorate have neglected their duties."

The Director of Spring Affairs stared blankly. After a long pause, he muttered: "Didn't you be the one who asked the emperor to add the name?"

Pan Yun glanced at him: "How do you know?"

The Director of Spring Affairs: "Everyone knows~~"

Pan Yun: "Do the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate know?"

The Director of Spring Affairs hesitated, then nodded: "They probably know."

"If they know, why don't they ask or answer?"

The Director of Spring Affairs swallowed hard, whispering: "Are you telling them to ask—or not to ask?"

Pan Yun stood: "Whether they ask or not, I am at peace with my conscience—and the procedure remains just."

Pan Yun truly upheld procedural justice. As State Mentor, she could directly approach the emperor, who held the power of special pardon—so she could have the emperor add Pu Min's name.

The Grand Secretariat, the Censorate, the Ministry of Justice, and the Court of Judicial Review all had the right to question and refuse.

The Grand Secretariat didn't ask—most likely because those old men were sharp and had already guessed her and the emperor's intent, so they chose silence.

But the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate didn't ask—did they truly know, or were they pretending to know?

Xue Xuan had done nothing wrong.

In her view, the fault lay with the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate. It was a simple matter—just follow procedure.

Procedural justice was clear; the reason to pardon Pu Min was sufficient. Xue Xuan wasn't a rigid old fool—Pan Yun was certain he wouldn't object once he understood.

Yet the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate refused the straightforward path, instead forging a detour—and they thought themselves loyal, defending the emperor?

Pan Yun ground her teeth and muttered: "Fools!"

Only after Xue Xuan sent the list back for the third time did someone privately inform him: the name had been added at the State Mentor's request.

Xue Xuan heard this, still sent the list back, and muttered the same low curse as Pan Yun: "Fools!"

Then he wrote a memorial denouncing the Censorate and the Ministry of Justice that same night.

The Censorate and the Ministry of Justice had been waiting for it; the moment the memorial was issued the next day, the two departments immediately joined forces to counter-accuse Xue Xuan.

Zhu Qiyu sat silently on the dragon throne listening.

Last night, Pan Yun had cursed the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review for half an hour in front of him.

Only after her throat was dry and her voice hoarse did she leave, still unsatisfied.

He looked down upon the furious officials of the Censorate and the Ministry of Justice, his face expressionless.

If Pan Yun had not cursed the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate last night, he would have despised Xue Xuan during today's morning court and believed he was deliberately opposing him.

But because Pan Yun had already cursed the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate, exposing the hidden tricks, Zhu Qiyu could no longer be deceived.

He even harbored one additional layer of suspicion.

Were they truly, as Pan Yun said, too afraid to offend him and the Grand Secretariat, so they ignored the irregularities merely to protect themselves?

Or were they doing this to provoke Xue Xuan into retaliation, so that he and the Grand Secretariat would grow to hate Xue Xuan?

If it was the former, they were truly despicable—state instruments disregarding procedure solely for self-preservation;

if the latter, even more despicable—willing to use him and the Grand Secretariat as weapons to topple political rivals, driven entirely by private gain.

The Emperor waited until all the officials of the Censorate and the Ministry of Justice had finished accusing Xue Xuan, then turned to him and asked: "Xue Xuan, what do you have to say?"

Xue Xuan stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, I acted strictly according to law and regulation. The crimes committed by Pu Min are not among those eligible for amnesty; since I did not understand, I had to ask for clarification. The Ministry of Justice and the Censorate, knowing there was irregularity, refused to answer me—that is dereliction of duty."

The Emperor turned to the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate.

The officials of both departments leapt up, all claiming that Xue Xuan was deliberately harassing them, seeking revenge for old grudges and delaying matters of state.

"The list was reviewed and approved by the Grand Secretariat—what problem could there be?"

The Emperor asked: "If there is no problem, why did you not answer the Court of Judicial Review?"

"I said there was no problem…"

The Emperor countered: "What is your reason?"

The official fell silent, sensing the atmosphere had turned hostile, his voice dropping eight tones: "This is Your Majesty's vermilion annotation, and it was reviewed by the Grand Secretariat—what problem could there be?"

The official grew more confident, his voice rising again: "Moreover, review is the responsibility of the Grand Secretariat and the Censorate; the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review are only responsible for enforcement. I have no authority or duty to review."

Zhu Qiyu suppressed his anger and asked: "What does the Censorate say?"

The Censorate also believed that if the Emperor and the Grand Secretariat had approved the decree, how could there be any problem?

Zhu Qiyu flew into a rage, pointing his finger at the Minister of Justice and the Censorate's Chief Censor for the first time during a grand court assembly: "... State parasites! Incompetents! A matter this simple has been delayed for five days by your three departments—our relief inspectors have already reached Quanzhou, yet you still bicker over a single list!"

He scolded the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate for caring only for private gain and power, ignoring obvious irregularities merely to please him and the Grand Secretariat;

and he scolded Xue Xuan for being inflexible: "You clearly knew you could not get answers from the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate, yet you did not report or inquire—do you think you cannot see me, or are you unable to see me?"

"The State Master said you all have only yourselves in your eyes—and she was absolutely right. Great Ming is cursed to have you! Five days! If any criminal eligible for amnesty dies during this time because of you, the guilt will rest upon you!"

Having spoken, the Emperor imposed heavy penalties on the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate; as for Xue Xuan, because he upheld procedural justice, the Emperor merely reprimanded him, without punishment.

In addition to the penalties, the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate were also formally rebuked by imperial decree.

In recent years, these two departments had been rebuked twice—and both times because of Xue Xuan.

When Wang Wen stepped out of the hall, his face was ashen; he glanced wearily at the silent Xue Xuan, then turned and left without expression.

And the Emperor, before all the court officials, explained the list.

"Pu Min is talented—he is precisely the kind of talent I can use, hence his special amnesty."

This reason was sufficient and procedurally sound; the ministers agreed.

Thus, the list was stamped and approved; the Court of Judicial Review drafted the amnesty orders the same day and dispatched them to the places of imprisonment and the registered hometowns of the convicts.

From this incident, all ministers understood that this Emperor was alert and rule-bound, and detested those who pursued private gain at the expense of state affairs.

As the ruler went, so went the ministers; gradually, they reined in their behavior and began observing rules, fearing that any procedural violation might one day be used against them.

Yu Qian, upon seeing this, was greatly relieved; that night at home, he could not resist spending money to send his young son to the general store to buy two taels of wine. After drinking it, he sighed contentedly to his wife: "This one outburst from the Emperor has achieved more than six months of my efforts to reform the bureaucracy. Indeed, as the ruler goes, so go the ministers—if the Emperor upholds the law, the ministers uphold the law; if the Emperor cares for the people, the ministers care for the people."

Dong Shi smiled: "Are you pleased?"

Yu Qian nodded openly in admission: "Pleased! Extremely pleased!"

Many ministers in court shared Yu Qian's joy, and they also knew why the Emperor had reacted so.

Afterward, they all learned that the night before the incident, the State Master had visited the Emperor.

The name was added at the State Master's request; she did not blame Xue Xuan for blocking the list, but taught the Emperor to view the matter from the standpoint of the state and the law.

"The State Master… she is teaching the Emperor how to be a true ruler. The Emperor ascended the throne mid-reign—that is the state's misfortune. But with the State Master as his advisor, it is truly the state's fortune."

"Pity the State Master is a Daoist Priest—what of the future…"

"She doesn't brew elixirs; she prefers crafting devices. Good, good…"

Many ministers felt relieved; the Ministry of Works also felt relieved.

Since Pan Yun became State Master, their Ministry of Works' budget has grown steadily—and so has the actual amount disbursed.

Even as the amnesty orders had already left the capital, Pan Yun was preparing to depart as well, when officials from the Ministry of Works rushed to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to find her, exclaiming joyfully: "State Master, we have built six telegraph machines; two of them developed issues during testing. We cannot determine the cause—please come and inspect them."

Pan Yun could only go with them first, then wrote to Wang Cong in Quanzhou: "I am busy. Focus on relief efforts. When I'm done, I'll come find you—or when your relief work ends, come to the capital to find me."