Phi-Fic Chapter 430 Effective immediately, local exorbitant taxes and levies are abolished.
Chapter 430 Effective immediately, local exorbitant taxes and levies are abolished.
Only then did Zhao Laoliu notice the food bag hanging on the brigade's horse. His eyes suddenly welled up with tears. In the hundred years since the founding of the Qin Dynasty, when had there ever been such an incorruptible official?
Just as Zhao Laoliu returned to the village with newspapers and new observations, enthusiastically explaining the new policies to his fellow villagers, Zheng Yuanpei of Nanling County was receiving several uninvited guests.
“Lord Zheng, with the new policy, all our salt permits will have to be reissued, and this will result in losses…” The wealthy merchant Zhang Shirong looked worried.
“Yes, the newly established finance department in the county is directly connected with the province, and our accounts…” Rice merchant Fatty Liu hesitated before continuing.
Zheng Yuanpei narrowed his eyes: "Gentlemen, rest assured, the implementation of the new policies will take time. During this period..." He lowered his voice, "it might be wise to create some... chaos. Once the people are in disarray, the court will naturally realize that the new policies should not be rushed."
The merchants understood perfectly. They were adept at using tactics such as price gouging and spreading rumors.
Three days later, grain prices in Nanling market suddenly skyrocketed, causing widespread discontent among the people. Rumors began to circulate in the streets that "the new policies have led to chaos in the government and its inability to control the market."
Standing atop the high tower of the prefectural governor's mansion, Zheng Yuanpei watched the commotion in the street, a cold smile playing on his lips. He wanted the imperial court to know that local affairs could not be changed by a few decrees.
However, what he didn't expect was that on the very evening of the day the commotion occurred, a troop of black-armored cavalry entered Nanling City under the cover of dusk. The leader was Zheng Guo, the head of the Household Tax Bureau.
"Prefect Zheng," Zheng Guo said, seated on his horse, expressionless, "His Majesty is very concerned about the implementation of the new policies in Nanling and has specially ordered me to come... to assist."
Zheng Yuanpei's face turned ashen, and his hands trembled uncontrollably as he knelt to pay his respects. Only then did he realize that the court's determination to implement the new policies this time was far more resolute than he had imagined.
The morning in Nanling County was ripped apart by the rapid sound of horses' hooves. When Zhao Laoliu awoke with a start from the haystack, it was still pitch black outside the window. He fumbled for an oil lamp to light and heard the orderly footsteps and the crisp clanging of metal coming from the street.
"What happened?" His wife grabbed his arm anxiously.
Zhao Laoliu put on his clothes and carefully pushed open a crack in the door. In the morning mist, a troop of soldiers in black armor were marching through the village road, the light of their torches illuminating the bronze badges on their chests.
"It's the Black Ice Guard!" Zhao Laoliu gasped, quickly closing the door. Everyone in the Qin Dynasty knew that when the Black Ice Guard was involved, a major case was inevitable.
Just as dawn was breaking, the village was in an uproar. Old Wang, the tofu seller, returned from town with shocking news: Prefect Zheng Yuanpei had been arrested last night by the head of the Household Tax Bureau and was now being escorted to Xianyang!
"I heard that Prefect Zheng embezzled 100,000 shi of grain in taxes and even bought five mansions in the south of the city," Old Man Wang said in a low voice. "The Black Ice Guard has been watching him for a long time, just waiting for him to resist the new policies so they can catch him in one fell swoop."
Old Zhao squatted on the doorstep, slowly digesting the news. No wonder the county suddenly sent people to remeasure the land yesterday, and their attitude was so polite; they knew things were about to change.
"That's good now," Old Wang slapped his thigh. "With Prefect Zheng down, let's see who dares to outwardly comply but inwardly defy him. My son-in-law works in the county government, and he said the magistrate got up before dawn this morning to study the details of the new policies, fearing he might follow in Prefect Zheng's footsteps."
The news spread like wildfire, reaching every prefecture of the Qin Dynasty in less than three days. The reactions of officials across the land were remarkably consistent—the previously piling-up documents of the new policies were suddenly worn and frayed, and governments at all levels were busier than ever before.
In Longxi County, the prefect convened all county magistrates overnight to discuss the new policy provisions, breaking them down one by one and assigning them to specific individuals. In Donghai County, officials canceled all their holidays and studied the new regulations day and night. Even in the most remote areas, express messengers were dispatched to Xianyang to deliver guarantees of the resolute implementation of the new policy.
In the Xianyang Palace, King Ying Zheng of Qin was reviewing reports sent from various regions.
"Your Majesty, with Zheng Yuanpei arrested, those prefects who were still observing have begun to take action." Feng Quji presented a list, "This is the list of prefects who have voluntarily submitted petitions supporting the new policies over the past three days."
The King of Qin glanced at the list, a slight smile playing on his lips: "How many are left?"
"These prefects..." Feng Quji hesitated slightly, "...appear compliant on the surface, but are actually observing. Especially Zhou Wenhuan, the prefect of Hejian, although he submitted a memorial praising the new policies, he has yet to take any concrete action."
“Zhou Wenhuan…” The Prince of Qin tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, “The one the late Emperor promoted in his later years?”
"Exactly. This man appears honest and upright, but in reality, he has deep connections with local powerful families. The new policies require these families to truthfully declare their land holdings, so naturally, he is unwilling to cooperate."
A cold glint flashed in the King of Qin's eyes: "Send Wang Wan to Hejian Commandery. Tell him that I want to see the results of the new policies in Hejian—by whatever means necessary."
Ten days later, news came from Hejian County that Prefect Zhou Wenhuan had "suddenly fallen ill," and the Prefectural Assistant would temporarily assume his duties. On the same day, a large-scale land survey began in various counties of Hejian, and powerful families voluntarily paid back taxes owed from previous years.
This series of events completely shattered the officials' illusions. The new bureaucratic system of the Qin Dynasty began to operate with astonishing efficiency.
When Zhao Laoliu first stepped into the newly established "Judicial Office" in Chang'an County, his legs trembled involuntarily. In the past, just the door fee for entering the yamen (government office) would cost half a month's wages, not to mention the layers of exploitative clerks.
"What can I do for you, sir?" The young clerk behind the counter looked up, his attitude surprisingly calm.
Zhao Laoliu swallowed hard: "I...I have a land boundary dispute..."
"Please take this petition, write down the details of the matter, and come back in three days." The clerk handed over a beautifully printed form. "If you have difficulty reading, there are scribes available at the entrance; their fee cannot exceed five coins—this is the price set by the imperial court."
Old Zhao walked out of the yamen clutching the petition, feeling as if in a dream. Five copper coins! Not even enough to buy half a liter of coarse rice! He recalled how, ten years ago, he had to sell his only laying hen because of a lawsuit, and his eyes suddenly welled up with tears.
The changes brought about by the new policy didn't stop there. When it was time to pay the autumn tax, Zhao Laoliu brought his grain to the county's "Finance Department" and saw a neat line of people in the courtyard, with more than a dozen officials processing their taxes at the same time. Above each official's head was a clearly marked tax rate table, and there were people next to them to answer questions.
"Sir, your family's taxable grain this year is two shi and eight dou." The clerk quickly calculated the figure by fiddling with his abacus, "According to the new policy, it can be reduced by ten percent, so the actual tax payable is two shi and five dou and two sheng."
After paying his taxes, Zhao Laoliu felt much lighter on his shoulders—not just because he had paid 10% less grain this year, but also because a huge weight had been lifted from his heart. In previous years, paying taxes was like passing through the gates of hell, but now it was so smooth and straightforward. He tightened the newly bought hemp rope around his waist and decided to take a stroll around the county town to see just how much the world had changed under the new policies.
Brand-new notices were plastered everywhere in the market, their black lettering and red seals standing out prominently in the sunlight. Although Zhao Laoliu was illiterate, he stopped to look. A young scholar carrying a satchel was loudly reciting: "...From this day forward, twenty-three local exorbitant taxes and levies are abolished..."