The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 574
Inside the Taiji Hall, the wisps of smoke rising from the bronze crane incense burner were scattered by a sudden gust of wind. Qin Shou's fingers tapped lightly on the memorials on his desk, the rhythm as deep and muffled as a war drum. The assembled officials held their breath, their eyes fixed on the secret memorial from Kuaiji Commandery.

"Do you all know how many people the major families of Kuaiji Prefecture have hidden?" Qin Shou's voice was unhurried, yet it caused the temperature in the hall to drop sharply.

Xun You, the Chamberlain, stood at the head of the civil officials, his fingers trembling slightly beneath his wide robe sleeves. He glanced at Zhong Yao, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, beside him and noticed that even this usually composed old minister had fine beads of sweat on his forehead.

"One hundred thousand." Qin Shou suddenly raised his voice, slamming the memorial heavily on the table, and coldly snorted, "A full one hundred thousand people! The registered population of Ji County is only four hundred and eighty thousand; those who are hiding make up one-fifth!"

A commotion immediately erupted in the hall. The imperial censor Chen Qun's tablet fell to the ground with a loud "thud," its sound particularly jarring in the otherwise silent hall.

"Your Majesty, there's probably more to this than meets the eye." Xun You stepped forward, his voice tight and trembling as he explained, "The Jiangnan region has suffered from floods for years, so the chaotic household registration system is understandable."

"Excusable?" Qin Shou sneered, rising from the dragon throne. The gold threads on his black dragon robe gleamed coldly in the sunlight. He scoffed, "Grand Secretary Xun, do you know how much tax these reclusive households evade each year? Enough for me to rebuild Chang'an!"

Xun You's face turned deathly pale, and he took a half step back, daring not to speak again. Behind him, Zhong Yao's eyes flashed with fear, and he secretly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.

Qin Shou descended the steps, his footsteps echoing in the hall. He stopped in front of Xun You and suddenly patted the old minister on the shoulder: "My dear minister, there's no need to be nervous. I know that your Xun family also owns considerable land in Yingchuan."

Xun You trembled, his knees buckled and he was about to kneel down, but Qin Shou caught him.

"Your Majesty is wise! All the land in my family is well-documented, and there is absolutely no concealment of people!" Xun You's voice trembled, and his back was already soaked with sweat.

Qin Shou smiled meaningfully and turned to walk towards the ranks of military officers. His gaze lingered on Jia Xu for a moment; the strategist, renowned for his wisdom, remained composed, as if he had anticipated everything that was happening before him.

"What does Jia Qing think?" Qin Shou suddenly asked.

Jia Xu stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, “Your Majesty is wise. The problem of hidden households has a long history and is not limited to Kuaiji Prefecture. If we can take this opportunity to thoroughly investigate, the national treasury can increase tax revenue by 30%.”

These words were like a sharp sword, piercing the hearts of the powerful ministers. Chen Qun could no longer contain himself and stepped forward urgently, saying, "Your Majesty! This matter involves far-reaching issues. If we investigate rashly, it may cause turmoil throughout the land!"

"Turbulence?" Qin Shou narrowed his eyes and chuckled. "Does Minister Chen mean that those parasites who suck the blood and flesh of the court will resort to desperate measures?"

Chen Qun was speechless, his face turning pale and then flushed. The atmosphere in the hall was so heavy it was almost suffocating.

Qin Shou surveyed his assembled ministers, then suddenly burst into laughter, saying, "Why are you all so tense? I brought this up today simply to hear your opinions."

He turned back to the dragon throne, his tone suddenly turning cold, and coldly ordered, "Court adjourned. Xun You, Zhong Yao, Chen Qun, and Jia Xu, remain."

After the courtiers had left, only five people remained in the hall. Qin Shou closed the hall door, and sunlight streamed through the window lattices, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

"I know what you're thinking," Qin Shou said bluntly. "The practice of hidden households exists among all powerful families in the land. Today, I'm not here to assign blame, but to resolve this issue."

Xun You exchanged a glance with Zhong Yao and cautiously asked, "What does Your Majesty mean?"

"Reform," Qin Shou said decisively. "From this day forward, all prefectures and counties must truthfully report any concealed population. Past offenses will be overlooked, but any further concealment—" He paused, a cold glint in his eyes—" will be treated as treason."

Chen Qun gasped, exclaiming, "Your Majesty, this matter has far-reaching implications; if it is not handled properly..."

“Therefore, I need your cooperation,” Qin Shou interrupted him, coldly scoffing, “You are all from aristocratic families, and you understand the ins and outs best. Rather than having me send Sima Yi to investigate one by one, it would be better if you voluntarily assisted the court in completing this matter.” Zhong Yao pondered for a moment, then cautiously asked, “Your Majesty, if the aristocratic families cooperate with the investigation, is there any compensation?”

Qin Shou's lips curled slightly: "Naturally. I have decided to abolish the poll tax and incorporate it into the land tax. What do you all think?"

The poll tax should be converted into a land tax!

A glint of light flashed in Jia Xu's eyes, and he immediately bowed, saying, "Your Majesty is wise! This method can both alleviate the burden on the poor and ensure the court's tax revenue; it is truly a policy that benefits the country and its people."

Xun You's expression changed drastically, and he said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, this move may shake the foundations of the nation! Increased land taxes will inevitably lead to the downfall of powerful clans..."

"Inevitably what?" Qin Shou interrupted coldly, "Inevitably a rebellion?"

A deathly silence fell over the hall. Wisps of smoke rose from the bronze crane incense burner, casting ever-changing shadows on the faces of the four people.

Zhong Yao suddenly knelt and kowtowed: "This old minister is willing to take the lead in investigating all the land and people of the Zhong family in Yingchuan, setting an example for the world!"

The shift from poll tax to land tax would harm the interests of powerful clans. As the Tang Dynasty expanded its territory, many powerful clans went to Central and Southern China, Goguryeo, and other places to buy land.

Following Qin Shou's approach, powerful clans would have to pay exorbitant fees. In that case, it would be better to hand over the hidden civilians and minimize their losses.

This action stunned both Xun You and Chen Qun. Qin Shou nodded in satisfaction and personally helped Zhong Yao up: "My dear minister's loyalty is truly gratifying to me."

Jia Xu seized the opportunity to step forward: "Your Majesty, I suggest establishing a Bureau for the Investigation of Agricultural Fields, with respected and virtuous individuals recommended by prominent families in each prefecture to serve as its head, assisting the court in its investigations."

"Excellent!" Qin Shou clapped his hands and laughed. "We'll proceed as Jia Qing suggests. However..." He changed his tone, his gaze sweeping over the crowd like a sharp blade, "If anyone outwardly agrees but inwardly disagrees..."

Chen Qun hurriedly knelt down: "Your subject is willing to sign a military pledge, guaranteeing that the Chen family will never conceal anything!"

Seeing this, Xun You knew the situation was hopeless. He could only sigh and slowly kneel down: "The Xun family of Yingchuan obeys the decree."

Qin Shou turned his back, gazing at the bright spring sunshine outside the hall, his voice suddenly softening: "My beloved ministers, please rise. I know you still have concerns. But please remember, this empire is not only mine, but also yours."

As he turned, a scroll of documents appeared in his hand: "This is a secret report sent by Sima Yi from Yangzhou. The Gu family of Yangzhou has proactively identified over 20,000 hidden households and paid back five years' worth of taxes."

All four were astonished upon hearing this. Jia Xu was the first to react, exclaiming, "Gu Yong actually possesses such courage?"

Only Gu Yong could accomplish this task.

However, in the eyes of Chen Qun and others, Gu Yong's actions felt like a betrayal of the aristocratic families, which was utterly despicable.

"Gu Qing is still very smart."

Qin Shou chuckled.

(End of this chapter)