Late Han Zhao Tang

"Your Majesty, according to the new system of fiefdoms, the dynasty can save 100,000 households of fiefdoms!"

Jia Xu did a rough calculation and said, "If we further reduce or exempt land rent, it will save more than 30,000 households. Based on the current tax expenditures, there are approximately 85,000 households affected."

Looking at the changing data, Zhang Yu said, "After the conquest of the southeast, the number of households in the fiefdom will likely increase by another 10,000 to 20,000. But in any case, compared to the previous system of fiefdoms and rent payments, the two systems of fiefdoms and rent payments have saved the country a great deal of expenditure."

Initially, Zhang Yu had not considered reforming the fief system, but as he generously bestowed too many rewards, he had to pay the price for his previous indiscriminate granting of fiefs. For example, although the fiefs granted to his civil and military officials were not small, they were meritorious officials who had followed him in conquering the country, and it was not unacceptable for their fiefs to reach more than 100,000 households.

The surrendered people, such as Liu He, Lü Bu, Zhang Lu, Zhang Yan, Ma Teng, Liu Xie, Tao Shang, Zang Ba, and the Sun family, already possessed fiefs of 70,000 to 80,000 households. Considering the surrender of people like Shi Xie and the Gongsun family, wouldn't it have cost nearly 100,000 fiefs just to recruit the enemy?

Without reform, the expenditure on fiefdoms would account for one-tenth of the registered population, which would severely strain Zhang Tang's finances. Therefore, out of consideration for saving on fiefdoms, Zhang Yu implemented a five-rank nobility system, using higher ranks to win over former marquises and using the saved fiefdoms to attract more civil and military officials.

Setting down the cloth, Zhang Yu asked, "Now that the two systems are in effect, have the civil and military officials in the county had any opinions?"

"There's been some discussion about it!"

Guo Tu said, "But the discussion was mostly about what title they could receive under the new nobility system. Among them, the General Who Conquers the South sent someone to inquire why Man Chong had been granted the title of Duke of Chen, and when he would be able to receive the title of Duke?"

How did you answer?

Zhang Yu leaned against the armchair and asked with great interest.

"Your Majesty has granted him a title and honors, as he has rendered great service in conquering Shu. Now that he has returned to the capital with his military power, Your Majesty has bestowed upon him a title. When the Grand General pacifies the southeast, how could he not be granted the title of Duke?" Guo Tu replied.

"Ok!"

Zhang Yu nodded in satisfaction and said, "Now I must make sure all the generals understand that the reason I conferred the title of Duke upon Man Chong is because of his merit in conquering Shu and his relinquishment of military power. I am rewarding him for his achievements in this way!"

For founding heroes like Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, Li Song, and Zhong Yao, the fiefdoms they enjoyed were even greater. The honors they pursued today were no longer county marquises and fiefdoms, but rather the hope that wealth and status could be passed down to their descendants and that their names would be recorded in history.

The reform of the nobility system, which introduced three new ranks of nobility—county, prefecture, and county—allowed the establishment of ancestral temples, posthumous titles, and rites equivalent to those of princes and dukes. This was extremely attractive to the founding heroes of the nation.

As for implementing the system of depositing land rent into the treasury, Zhang Yu took a clever approach.

For nobles, food was not their primary concern; what they cared about more was the money they could circulate. After all, land rent often resulted in significant losses during transport, and stored grain required warehouses at home. Large-scale sales would lower grain prices, thus reducing their profits.

Before the system of converting corvée labor into cash, nobles did not enjoy the benefits of corvée labor because it was subject to the allocation of labor by the state and county governments. Under the new system, nobles received a tax exemption from corvée labor, which was used to offset the land rent they disliked even more.
Therefore, to summarize the fief reform in a short time, Zhang Yu simply used a higher rank to obtain fiefs held by his subordinates, and used tax-free money to exchange for land rent to replenish the national treasury.

Furthermore, to compensate the nobles for the loss of their fiefs, Zhang Yu granted them varying amounts of land according to their different ranks. Although the amount was not large, it could be seen as a token of Zhang Yu's goodwill.

"Your Majesty's intentions may not be understood by the generals!" Guo Tu pondered for a moment and said, "Therefore, it would be better to send an envoy to tour the various armies and explain the new system of ranks, so as to encourage the generals and soldiers to achieve merit!"

“Then you shall select a quick-witted person from the Secretariat to be sent on the mission!” Zhang Yu said.

"promise!"

Jia Xu pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, only Man Jun is a Duke in the country, and I fear that he may feel uneasy about accepting the title. Moreover, the ministers are eager for titles, so it would be better to select meritorious officials from among the civil officials to be rewarded."

“If you wish to confer the title of Duke, there is no other civil official besides the Prime Minister!” Zhang Yu said.

If one wishes to be promoted to Duke, among the civil officials, only Zhong Yao and Yu Yi are suitable candidates. Zhong Yao, needless to say, is in charge of logistics and administrative affairs. As for Yu Yi, firstly, he has followed Zhang Yu for nearly twenty years, and secondly, he has made meritorious contributions in coordinating military supplies. Additionally, if the standards are lowered slightly, Du Ji could barely qualify.

As for Jia Xu, Xun You, and Guo Tu, they were strategists who had followed Zhang Yu on campaigns for many years and had military achievements to their name. But even so, it would be difficult for the three of them to be promoted to the rank of Duke.

"Your Majesty's merits are outstanding. When Your Majesty goes on campaigns, the Prime Minister manages the supplies for the army; when Your Majesty reforms the system, the Prime Minister manages the affairs of the state. Considering his merits to this day, Your Majesty wishes to appoint him as Prime Minister, and I believe it is a suitable position!" Jia Xu said.

“The Prime Minister is from Yingchuan, which was the place where Yu the Great met with the feudal lords at Juntai. Now, the Prime Minister can be granted the title of Duke of Xia, with a fief of seven thousand households.” Zhang Yu pointed at Zhao Zi and said, “You shall draft an edict for me, and be sure to expound on the Prime Minister’s achievements so that the world may know them.”

Compared to the generals who are difficult to appoint now, the merits of the civil officials are basically clear, especially those of Chancellor Zhong Yao. We will appoint Zhong Yao first, and then appoint civil and military officials all at once after the generals have conquered Cao Cao in the south.

"As ordered!"

After chatting for a while, a servant suddenly rushed into the hall to report.

"Your Majesty, the Empress is outside requesting an audience!" the attendant reported.

"Summon!"

Upon seeing Wang Ji searching outside the hall, Guo Tu, Jia Xu, Zhao Zi, and the others tactfully excused themselves, leaving space for Zhang Yu.

A short while later, Wang Ji, adorned in brocade and gold, with a dignified appearance and noble bearing, entered the palace with graceful steps.

"Shulan has come to see me suddenly. What business does he have to report?" Zhang Yu asked. Wang Ji stepped forward and sat down beside Zhang Yu. After hesitating for a while, he said, "Your Majesty has recently changed the system of nobility. First, Man Chong was granted the title of Duke. Does Your Majesty intend to re-grant titles to other ministers?"

"Of course!"

Zhang Yu vaguely knew Wang Ji's purpose in coming and asked, "What is your intention, Madam?"

Wang Ji hesitated for a moment, then said, "My elder brother is serving in Dali, while I am serving in the south. I wonder if Your Majesty could offer some assistance?"

Zhang Yu remained expressionless and asked, "Does Madam wish to make my elder brother a Duke?"

"Ok!"

Wang Ji dared not look directly at Zhang Yu and said, "Brother, you have followed His Majesty for many years, devoting yourself wholeheartedly. It would be wonderful if you could become a Duke!"

Zhang Yu pondered for a moment and said, "Brother's achievements are somewhat lacking, and I'm afraid that being made a Duke is not enough for him."

Although Zhang Yu was previously dissatisfied with Wang Ji's interference in politics, he was not displeased by Wang Chen's request to take care of him. After all, it is only natural to take care of one's relatives, especially since Wang Chen was diligent and did not abuse his status as a relative of the emperor. It was just that Wang Chen's achievements were too few.

"Then what is Your Majesty's opinion?" Wang Ji asked.

Zhang Yu pondered for a long time and said, "Brother, you are not a general and have no outstanding military achievements. It is difficult for you to become a Duke!"

Wang Ji grew increasingly dissatisfied and said, "When my husband was a commoner, my elder brother took him in in Luoyang. Now that he is the emperor, can't he even issue a single decree?"

Zhang Yu calmly replied, "I was able to bestow a thousand gold pieces upon my elder brother to repay past kindness, but now that I am the emperor, I cannot arbitrarily grant him a fief."

How can my brother be treated the same as foreign officials?

Wang Ji said, "As a maternal relative of the Crown Prince, he should rightfully receive a title. Does His Majesty think my brother has rendered no service?"

"There are merits, but merits vary in magnitude."

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "Although my brother's achievements are not great, as the Empress said, he has followed me for many years and is now the Crown Prince's maternal uncle. How about granting him the title of Duke?"

Wang Ji frowned and said, "Li Bosong's military strategy is inferior to that of the great generals, yet he was appointed as the Grand General. Is this not merely due to the Emperor's decree? My brother is exceptionally talented in literature and skilled in law enforcement. Why is he not as good as Li Bosong?"

Zhang Yu's expression grew cold as he said, "How could the Empress, residing in the palace, possibly know anything about military affairs? Li Bosong is a great general of the nation; as Empress, it is inappropriate for you to speak so recklessly. Moreover, how could I not know of my brother's achievements?"

"However, all those who are granted the title of Duke must have the merit of destroying a country. The reason why Prime Minister Zhong Yao was able to become a Duke is because he had the merit of sitting in the central government."

Although Wang Chen has made achievements as a civil official, he cannot be compared with a military general. If Wang Chen were to be granted the title of Duke, the prestige of the Duke would be lowered. Sending Wang Chen to be appointed as a county Duke is already the limit of what Zhang Yu can do.

Wang Ji remained silent, unhappy that Zhang Yu could not agree to his request, but he also understood the reasoning behind Zhang Yu's words.

"Could it be the will of the prince?" Zhang Yu suddenly asked.

“It was not Father’s intention!” Wang Ji said.

Zhang Yu had no intention of arguing with Wang Ji, so he backed down slightly and said, "My younger brother has followed me on campaigns since he was a child, and he has made great achievements since he was appointed as a general. If he can make meritorious contributions in the south, the Wang family will surely be able to obtain another duke in the future. If his achievements are outstanding, no less than those of generals such as Man Boning and Li Bosong, I will definitely appoint him as a duke."

"Brother, is it not possible?"

"No!"

Seeing Zhang Yu's resolute stance, Wang Ji secretly sighed at Zhang Yu's ruthlessness, then bowed and said, "Since that's the case, I'll take my leave now, so as not to disturb Your Majesty's governance!"

Watching Wang Ji's retreating figure, Zhang Yu felt a headache coming on. During Wang Ji's early entrepreneurial days, he could still communicate with him and thought Wang Ji was intelligent. However, now that their roles had changed, Wang Ji still maintained his old ideas, making it increasingly difficult for him to communicate with him.

For example, Zhang Yu, now the emperor, not only has a small family but also a broader, more expansive family. He cannot only consider his small family but also the broader family. Therefore, in Zhang Yu's view, the special status of the small family must be within the framework of the broader family, and cannot transcend it.

Although Wang Ji was the empress, for her, her personal family took precedence over the larger family. The rules of the larger family applied to everyone except her own family, while the rules of the personal family were different from those of the larger family.

Therefore, their different perspectives led to frequent disagreements between Zhang Yu and Wang Ji.

The controversy surrounding Wang Chen's ennoblement is a typical example of a clash of ideas. Within the framework of the larger community, Zhang Yu only allowed Wang Chen to be ennobled as a Duke of the County. However, in Wang Ji's view that the smaller family is superior to the larger one, Wang Chen's achievements were insufficient, but he was a relative of the imperial family and could be ennobled as a Duke of the State for this reason.

P.S.: My back is still a bit sore today, so I can't update at 3 PM for now. I'll make up for it when my back recovers. (End of Chapter)