[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor":3,"chapter-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-319":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Wanli, the Enlightened Emperor",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2322141,4542,"Chapter 319: The Birds Soar High, the Lone Cloud Departs","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-319",319,"\u003Cp>The imperial estate’s public disclosure was already one of today’s agenda items.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But bringing it up so directly caught Old Wang off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Guoguang glanced back and forth between the Emperor on the throne and the ledger before him, then finally forced out: “Your Majesty, shouldn’t we first discuss this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun gave Wang Guoguang a curious glance: “Opinions have been solicited for over a month—every official, scholar, and retired virtuous who submitted memorials on this matter have lavished nothing but praise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since my ascension, I have never encountered such a universally favored matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With such overwhelming support, what is there left to discuss?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Guoguang was silenced by the Emperor’s words and helplessly turned to Shen Shixing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing suddenly felt a toothache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could the Emperor say such things—he’s already bound his own hands to restrict the imperial estate; who dares utter a single word of opposition? Aren’t they afraid of being drowned in saliva?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the censors and remonstrating officials, eager for fame and reputation, who overnight reached a consensus: anyone who opposes this is a corrupt eunuch faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Add to that the impoverished rural virtuous and young scholars who haven’t yet entered officialdom, all submitting memorials to enthusiastically endorse it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even ministers who harbor private objections must publicly sing praises, at most remaining silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only issue the ministers truly care about, however, no one dares ask aloud—after the imperial estate is disclosed, what about us?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is well known.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor’s tactics always come one after another; most ministers have fallen for his subtle maneuvers before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’ve almost developed a reflex—many can’t help wondering whether this time he’s using it to pressure ministers into following suit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet no one dares test the Emperor’s intentions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One can’t just say to his face: “Your Majesty, just disclose it yourself; don’t unnecessarily trouble everyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the pressure inevitably fell on the Censorate, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Grand Secretariat, with colleagues constantly dropping veiled hints every few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Guoguang disliked getting involved; now that the Emperor had raised it directly, he could only turn his gaze to Shen Shixing—who else but Grand Secretary Shen, the soothing herb, must harmonize yin and yang?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing felt Wang Guoguang’s pleading look and took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter truly stirred the whole system; the Grand Secretariat could not ignore it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, he took up the Emperor’s thread and began to mediate: “Your Majesty, there are indeed matters to discuss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Confucius said: ‘When names are correct, speech flows smoothly; once decrees are issued, they must have a proper justification. What is the official name behind Your Majesty’s action?’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without rules, one cannot form square or circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name matters greatly; with a name, the framework is set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we don’t first draw clear boundaries and act in silence, the ministers will lose sleep over it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grand Secretary Shen was always good with words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun couldn’t help laughing: “So you want ‘correct names and proper speech,’ Grand Secretary Shen? You fear I’m acting arbitrarily and wish to expand this further?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing awkwardly tugged at his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun scanned the court ministers; most wore expressions of keen interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Yin Zhengmao, who feigned concern while constantly stealing glances this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though this was expected, Zhu Yijun still felt a pang of disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed and grew solemn: “In the imperial examination of the second year of Wanli, Li Sancai’s essay deeply moved me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heaven has entrusted the throne to me not to elevate me alone with honor and wealth, but to place the lives of millions in my care, to govern them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The salary for governing the realm, I accept as my due; as for honor and wealth, I humbly decline.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After He Xinyin’s blunt rebuke, I awoke: I am no gentleman, incapable of self-discipline. As holder of the great vessel, I must disclose it to all under heaven.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The name, in essence, is this: principle and desire cannot coexist; public and private follow different paths.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Li Sancai was overly self-serving and fond of faction-building, his talent and courage were unquestionable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Years ago, he already argued the public-private nature of the Emperor’s property, laying the scholarly foundation—whether the realm is public or familial is too sensitive to address, but at least, property is not the Emperor’s alone; he deserves only a managerial salary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now using his argument is, at least, justified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing and Wang Guoguang exchanged glances and both exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it’s merely this, who wouldn’t support it? The Jiajing Emperor’s constant plundering of the state treasury is still fresh in everyone’s memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This name is mild—so mild it won’t set fire to the ministers; the Emperor seeks to separate public and private—what does that have to do with them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far better than a name like “Lead by Example, Combat Corruption,” which leaves ministers in agonizing limbo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just the two of them, nearly all ministers exhaled in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most feared the Emperor didn’t grasp the stakes and was being overly idealistic; a few, like Yin Zhengmao, had other reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor’s voice rose again, shifting tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ministers’ hearts tightened once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun’s expression was unreadable as he spoke slowly: “It’s not just me—every one of you here is a guide for the realm, a pillar of the state.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If wealth and honor come from public office, you all are scarcely less than I.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, every minister in the hall was struck with alarm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Shen Shixing downward, all rose and stepped back: “We are guilty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun waved a hand gently: “I refer to the office and position, not to you personally.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his tone was mild, the ministers remained standing, awkward and restless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, if the Emperor had pointed it out, it couldn’t be baseless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun continued: “You are all my trusted inner circle; I won’t play games with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have considered asking all ministers to disclose their family estates to the realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But it’s a fool’s dream—I won’t be so naive, so don’t worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is indeed a follow-up, but not there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he gestured for them to sit, Zhu Yijun raised two fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The look suggested more than one follow-up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ministers exchanged glances and slowly sat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief pause, Zhu Yijun spoke slowly: “First, the Grand Secretariat exercises imperial authority as the central organ, the state’s pillar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Shen Shixing’s thoughts churned—joy and anxiety intertwined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rose again from his seat, smiling bitterly: “Your Majesty, please clarify.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun ignored him, turning instead to Wang Xijue: “I won’t pry into your cabinet ministers’ estates, but from now on, for any appointment to the Grand Secretariat, those willing to disclose their family assets will be listed separately by the Ministry of Personnel—I will give them priority.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minor clerks aside, if the state’s pillars, like Minister of Revenue Ye Qi, pursue wealth for their descendants and undermine state policy, the decline will cascade from top to bottom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There must be some lofty ideal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing, already in the cabinet, and Wang Xijue, soon to join, exchanged a glance and quickly looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xijue understood, took a deep breath, clenched his teeth, and boldly declared: “Your Majesty, I volunteer myself—I request disclosure!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was only proper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not encouraged, it’s effectively forbidden; if prioritized, it becomes customary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His haste was unbecoming of an official’s decorum; everyone knew he’d enter the cabinet next year, but to do so so openly was brazen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Wang Xijue was precisely this kind of man; his colleagues were already used to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the Emperor liked him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun was naturally pleased, though he was thinking of something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Imperial rule may have a low floor, but its high ceiling isn’t without reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rigid hierarchy of ruler and minister, clear subordination, offers unique advantages in certain areas—allowing Zhu Yijun to demand such an unreasonable thing with unshakable authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun readily agreed: “Chen Sanmo, see that the Ministry of Personnel verifies and discloses this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Chen the Director bowed and left, Zhu Yijun turned to Shen Li: “I continue—there is a second point.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shen Qing, from now on, in all land surveys conducted by Provincial Governors, the landholdings of all current officials in every prefecture and county must be publicly disclosed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a natural step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If after surveying land, you still know nothing, what was the point?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Li, hearing this, felt it was expected—he’d already prepared mentally during his journey to the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that—he’d weighed the pros and cons repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Li paused, then advised: “Your Majesty, this will only yield temporary results.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one is new to the bureaucracy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, after the survey, disclosure is simple—just copy out the officials’ landholdings separately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But land surveys aren’t permanent; a single certificate doesn’t guarantee truth forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within a decade or so, these figures will inevitably become false.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun shook his head: “I know. That’s why you, Shen Li, as Survey Commissioner, will not be dismissed afterward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You will conduct periodic land inspections and receive reports.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reports?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Li was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first to understand was Grand Censor Wen Chun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having led the Censorate for years, he instantly grasped the Emperor’s unspoken intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned and cautioned: “Your Majesty, exposing private affairs risks inciting the people against officials—it is not the righteous way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reporting, after all, has always carried the taboo of inferiors challenging superiors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Censorate has never accepted complaints from commoners or colleagues; the only legitimate path is to submit a memorial to the Emperor and request a thorough investigation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, with the power of the ministries so immense and nearly unchecked, they would sooner or later become tools in political struggles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, such matters inevitably involve false accusations; even if the ministries could remain upright and impartial, it would merely waste manpower and resources, and harm the court’s moral climate for no reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zongyi quickly grasped the situation and chimed in: “Your Majesty, such actions appear hasty and will surely cause panic and unrest. I humbly suggest we deliberate at length.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun sensed the ministers’ resistance but fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened his mouth to speak, then swallowed the words back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, he unusually offered no explanation, only spoke harshly: “My decision is final. Let us try it first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor suddenly revealed his obstinate side; the ministers’ expressions froze, then turned uneasy and doubtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Zhu Yijun sighed inwardly—not that he didn’t wish to explain, but he simply didn’t know where to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Panic and unrest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew full well—but that was precisely what he wanted!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The high-pressure environment of public land disclosure could not last long; it would inevitably fade with the ruler’s death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But some things must be done, even if only as a passing gust of wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not for the sake of anti-corruption—public land disclosure would have little effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To speak bluntly, corruption is rooted in human nature; in some sense, it is almost a living organism, possessing a survival instinct as if it could always struggle to endure and find its own way, no matter how dire the circumstances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Examination System, corruption had been curbed by only two or three tenths; rooting it out entirely was like dreaming nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, with land disclosure, these people will hide their silver and gold, cast copper coins, buy shops, and even secretly back merchant firms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the east doesn’t shine, the west will—there are always ways to acquire property.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But, oddly enough, this was exactly what Zhu Yijun intended!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who holds the nation’s wealth is self-evident—though today’s confiscations routinely yield millions of taels, astonishing as they seem, they are but a drop in the ocean compared to Li Zicheng’s capture of Beijing, when “the total plunder reached seventy million taels: three-tenths from noble households, two-tenths from officials.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guiding the economy is like managing water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These vermin’s wealth must be squeezed out of landholdings!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Public land disclosure does not curb corruption—it curbs the obsession with acquiring land and property!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a thousand years, the way to seize wealth has been confined to land consolidation—too slow!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is precisely because their efficiency in devouring others falls behind the outside world that they are overtaken—don’t speak of inherent flaws; all are devourers. To devour slowly is immoral; weakness is the original sin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this move, as long as the Wanli court maintains a high-pressure atmosphere of panic-driven denunciations against land corruption while relaxing oversight elsewhere, it will force these corrupt officials to shift their gaze away from land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These men will naturally use their privileges to trade luxury goods, let their aunts and uncles set up shops, back relatives in establishing workshops, and follow the nobles to open merchant firms—this path Zhu Yijun has already paved half-way; the nobles have already begun feasting. Corrupt officials must devour others, just like the gentry of foreign lands—they are forever devouring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Zhu Yijun is driving this crowd to devour elsewhere, so that even as they devour, they unconsciously contribute to the prosperity of the commodity economy—joining the commodity economy means adding bricks and mortar, no matter the posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Capital must accumulate—even feudal bureaucratic capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s see how far these men can run before the ruler dies and the policy fades…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor’s tone had rarely been so cold; the ministers in the hall all sensed something was amiss with his mood, and fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Shen Shixing stepped forward to ease the tension: “Your Majesty’s heart is pure and sincere—how could we refuse even to try?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one could understand what the Emperor was thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing assumed the Emperor hated corrupt officials and clung to idealistic notions, hence his stubbornness; his expression was inevitably strained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words subtly endorsed the Emperor while implying that if the harms outweighed the benefits, the policy should be promptly abolished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He treated it as the Emperor’s childish tantrum, sighed inwardly, and quietly comforted himself: no one is perfect; youth is passionate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zongyi frowned deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every single word, every single line, every single point was correct!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wished to nip problems in the bud and offer gentle counsel, yet feared provoking the Emperor’s temper, and remained torn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Li and Wen Chun exchanged glances, helplessly aware that a true emperor determined to override opposition could not be restrained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Shen Shixing mediating, the two swallowed their words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reluctantly, they compromised: “We humbly obey the imperial decree.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun watched the ministers’ reactions and knew exactly what they were thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fresh wave of melancholy rose within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up at the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Birds fly high till none remain; a lone cloud drifts away, idle…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one, perhaps not even in future generations, will ever understand him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wondered how, when his life ended, this “evil policy” would be judged—how much merit, how much blame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun let his thoughts wander briefly, then quickly pulled them back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He no longer dwelled on the matter, waved his hand: “Let it be settled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he turned to Wang Xijue, ready to move to the next agenda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Guoguang suddenly pulled another memorial from his sleeve and spoke first: “Your Majesty, here is a classified compilation of tax and corvée burdens from five prefectures—Songjiang, Yangzhou, Chengdu, Changsha, and Huzhou—compiled over many years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun paused in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, he remembered and reached out to take the memorial: “Has Hao Weiqiao finished his mission?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Guoguang nodded: “Yes. Hao Weiqiao returned to the capital just last month from Chengdu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Wanli’s first year, Songjiang Prefecture had been the court’s experimental ground for tax reform in the south; when the Li family’s daughter became imperial consort, the Southern Zhili authorities voluntarily submitted a memorial adding Yangzhou Prefecture—both were major tax regions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since then, any new ideas were typically piloted in the capital region’s counties and these two southern prefectures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ministry of Revenue had made extensive preparations for tax reform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the third year of Wanli, Censor Hao Weiqiao submitted a memorial stating: “The state’s tax and corvée quotas were originally fixed. Yet laws shift capriciously; official levies decrease on paper but increase secretly, with unnamed exactions and irregular demands. Less than half the two taxes reach the treasury, while miscellaneous levies far exceed it.” He requested imperial orders be sent to all provinces to audit local miscellaneous taxes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, the pilot began in Songjiang and Yangzhou Prefectures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ministry of Revenue issued orders; censors personally supervised, instructing both prefectures to audit all revenues extracted from the people beyond the two taxes—such as labor service, household levies, public expenses, and oppressive surcharges—and classify them into three categories: increased quotas, newly added items, and inherited old practices, then submit detailed registers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, they were to tally how much extra taxation local governments had imposed on the people beyond the official tax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, Li Sancai, a provincial secretary of Sichuan, volunteered, and Governor Liang Menglong of Huguang actively petitioned; the pilot expanded to nearly a hundred counties across the five prefectures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun carefully reviewed the documents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These figures would serve as the basis for future fixed tax quotas—too high or too low would both be unsustainable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, the Prefect of Chengdu, Li Kun, appended a separate volume at the end.” Wang Guoguang pointed to the end of the scroll. “He writes: ‘Tax quotas are fixed; if reduced too drastically, supplies become insufficient. Corvée labor has fixed obligations; if laborers must be hired at the last minute, preparations cannot be made in time.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If those suffering losses are forced to appeal, cunning individuals will exploit the pretext of hardship to stir chaos and disrupt the overall situation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We humbly hope Your Majesty will adapt policies to local conditions, so the people are not forced to secretly compensate for losses…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Secret compensation” meant that if the court cut too deeply, local officials would find their own ways again, forcing the people to privately pay additional taxes to prefectures and counties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When public outcry arose, the cunning would seize the opportunity to hijack the reform and ruin its good intentions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun didn’t look up, clicked his tongue: “Rarely does he dare say this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This tax audit was not merely to give the central government a clearer picture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Put plainly, this move was twofold: first, to establish oversight standards for local officials’ tax duties; second, to ensure the completion of the two taxes by capping the collection of the four miscellaneous levies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fundamentally, it remained a struggle between center and locality over the people’s wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under this central crackdown, Li Kun dared to speak for the localities—this was risking his career to state the pros and cons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun tapped his finger on the miscellaneous tax figures for Chengdu Prefecture: “Chengdu’s miscellaneous taxes exceed the official tax by several times—likely collected decades into the future!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, Sichuan’s terrain is complex and its people fierce; local expenditures naturally run higher.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xijue spoke a fair word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, Li Kun would not have suggested adapting policies to local conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply hoped that after reducing miscellaneous taxes, more official tax revenue would remain to cover local expenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun sighed: “Let the issue of central-local tax division wait until after land survey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed the memorial and passed it to Shen Shixing, signaling for others to read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned to Wang Guoguang: “Revise it. Let them start reforming on their own. Use these years of land survey to observe results.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, expand the scope—send orders to provincial governors and inspectors to classify and compile tax and corvée burdens in their provinces according to the five prefectures’ experience.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Guoguang silently replied: “Yes, Your Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After waiting a moment and seeing Wang the Elder had no further reports, Zhu Yijun turned to Li Youzi: “Li Qing, you’ve seen it—during reform, the Ministry of Revenue is the busiest. The Minister of Revenue works day and night, his hair turning white.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Qing, after the New Year, you will join the Ministry of Revenue as Left Vice Minister and assist him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Youzi froze, his fat body shifting awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his head, his astonishment unhidden: “Your Majesty, no imperial deliberation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun waved his hand: “You were nominated by the ministry. Since I and the ministers now agree, there’s no reason for a formal deliberation to withhold your appointment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joking—ministerial officials are all here; even if a formal deliberation were held, there’d be no shortage of support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Wang Xijue added: “Li Butang has headed the Guanglu Temple for seven years and co-edited the Wanli Financial Records. In both seniority and ability, he is the unanimous choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, one thing remained unsaid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Youzi was obese and suffered from urological ailments; he was nicknamed “Li Three Urns”—tea urn, wine urn, and urine urn—all indispensable. The first needs no explanation; the last refers to his inability to hold his urine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For officials at high rank, physical dignity mattered most. Such unsavory flaws, if not privately agreed upon, could derail a formal deliberation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Youzi knew his own condition best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief silence, he did not refuse, covered his face, and rose: “Your Majesty’s grace—I am willing to die for it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun, seeing his emotional state, said nothing, merely waved his hand lightly: “Hand over the land survey in Henan to Deng Yizan—he is fair-minded, has proven competence, and is ready to stand alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he turned to Pan Cheng: “Pan Qing, you will assume the post of Minister of Justice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he finished speaking, the ministers all turned their heads simultaneously toward Zhang Han.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Cheng was equally taken aback and was about to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Han nodded first, explaining calmly: “I am already past seventy. Lately, I feel my will outstrips my strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have already submitted my resignation to His Majesty. After today, I shall bid farewell to my colleagues and return home to write.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ministers exchanged uneasy glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Han’s desire to retire was reasonable, yet unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the southern altar sacrifice, Zhang Han, Chen Yubai, and others had claimed to be moral gentlemen, yet for the sake of the greater good, they sided with Zhang Juzheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, many among them had merely compromised to avoid being labeled opponents of the new policies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the storm subsided, Chen Yubai resigned and returned home under the pretext of caring for his elderly father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now Zhang Han, retiring abruptly at year’s end, has followed in his footsteps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it is too hasty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shixing frowned, displeased: “I do not recall the Grand Secretariat ever receiving a petition for the Minister of Justice to retire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to the Emperor, unusually firm: “Your Majesty, what crime has the Minister of Justice committed to warrant this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Han is a second-rank official who has headed the Ministry of Justice for seven years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had His Majesty not intended to dismiss him, Zhang Han would never have left so abruptly—nor would the Grand Secretariat have heard of it for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun shook his head: “The Minister of Justice has presided over criminal law for years, enforcing order—how could he have committed any offense?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor answered with a question, avoiding a direct reply to Shen Shixing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grand Secretary Shen was unwilling to accept this and prepared to ask again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Zhang Han let out a bitter laugh: “Grand Secretary Shen, why must you expose an old man’s weaknesses?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does fame come from literary talent? Officials retire due to age and illness. My words of being too weak to carry on are no excuse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed, speaking from the heart: “It is not merely about the former Chief Grand Secretary’s refusal to observe mourning rites.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For years, the Ministry of Justice has been in chaos; revisions to the Great Ming Code have been repeatedly flawed. As the new policies grow more intense, I simply lack the strength to remain at the center and hold my colleagues back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were earnest; his colleagues were left speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Chun looked at Zhang Han and felt deep sympathy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Han is an old man, and over the years he has truly endured many scoldings from the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few days ago, when the Three Judicial Offices reported to the Emperor, Zhang Han was harshly reprimanded—he still remembers how fiercely the Emperor spoke: “Why is the court in such uproar? Isn’t it because your Ministry of Justice is a dead weight, always favoring one side!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At seventy, unable to keep pace with the Emperor’s thinking, he has developed a desire to retire—it is truly heartbreaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the Emperor suddenly spoke: “Zhang Qing is a moral gentleman who has never erred. It is I who placed you in the wrong position, causing you exhaustion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your virtue and prestige benefit the state—I have personally written these eight characters for you: ‘Virtuous, Revered, Beneficial to the Nation.’ They have already been framed and will be sent to your residence shortly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do not speak of holding others back. I know your merits clearly. A title of Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, with honors upon your return, is assured for you, Zhang Qing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the Emperor’s scoldings had struck a nerve; now, hearing these words, Zhang Han’s eyes involuntarily grew moist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly lowered his head to conceal it, then handed out from his sleeve the revised Great Ming Code: “Your Majesty, this is the revised Great Ming Code according to your instructions. It may still contain many oversights.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun felt he had been too harsh with Zhang Han earlier. Now, as he took the code and flipped through several pages, he forced a faint smile, his expression unusually gentle: “Keep the draft in the National History Office. The unfinished work may be left to Pan Qing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then passed the code to Pan Cheng: “Good. Now, regarding Yongnian Bo’s fraudulent land registration, we must invoke the Eight Privileges to mitigate his punishment. Pan Qing, you may also take charge of this matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Cheng rose immediately to receive it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the Emperor’s words, he flipped to the section on the Eight Privileges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opening naturally began with a declaration of principle: a long list of phrases like “Ritual does not apply to commoners; punishment does not touch the nobles,” “Clarify virtue and be cautious in punishment,” “Virtue as the guide, punishment as the aid,” and “Show utmost respect to ministers”—all arguing for the necessity of the Eight Privileges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, the original draft had been heavily revised; all these phrases had been crossed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their place was the Emperor’s imperial annotation: “The Eight Privileges arose to shield members of the ruling elite from punishment, the result of a negotiation between maintaining rule and indulging intimates, a concrete product of legal authority yielding to the power of the ruling group headed by the Emperor, and a brief, unavoidable phase in the evolution of our laws.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Cheng silently closed the revised Great Ming Code, his peripheral vision glancing between the Emperor and Zhang Han.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not Zhang Minister’s fault that he could not follow the Emperor’s thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, back to maritime trade. Li Qing, can the Fujian Maritime Trade Office open next year? Zhu Qing, when will the long-distance ships be ready to sail? Give me a definite answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One topic followed another as the Emperor called names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Zhu Heng could speak, Li Zaiting interrupted: “Your Majesty, I have an unorthodox request—if granted, Fujian will surely open for trade next year!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun glanced at Li Zaiting: “Speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zaiting said solemnly: “Your Majesty, I wish to rehabilitate Wang Zhi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",4631,"2026-06-20T16:31:35.124Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","03ee7abfbe264bb1b403a697afdc66f35bc408e9e7fa9b2f377d90325dd6bed7","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-320","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-318",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwanli-the-enlightened-emperor-cover.jpg"]