Usurpation of Mongolia: My father-in-law is Genghis Khan

Chapter 167 Zhao Shuo's Three Major Decrees, Ögedei Ascends the Khanate

As the voices of the crowd gradually subsided, Zhao Shuo pressed his hands down, and the entire hall fell silent instantly.

Zhao Shuo continued, "The reason I am willing to share the world with you is not because I have Han blood, but because of your contributions."

"Most of the Han Army's Eight Banners are composed of men from Shandong and Hebei. The suppression of the western immigrants and the fiefdoms also largely rely on the people of Hebei and Shandong. The taxes you pay have made my army well-armed and well-equipped, and the militia you have formed have provided sufficient reserve forces for the Han Army's Eight Banners."

"Only in this way can I expand my territory and become the king of Yan and Zhao, Qi and Lu, Khorasan, Tokharistan, North India, the Kingdom of Bagrajionni, and West Rus'."

"In recognition of your contributions, I hereby announce that this year's land tax will be reduced from 40% to 30%. Furthermore, your burden will be further reduced as needed, ensuring that you receive sufficient compensation for your contributions to your families and children!"

Zhao Shuo had acquired so much gold and silver during his western expedition and the destruction of Western Xia that he didn't really care about this one-tenth of the land tax.

Moreover, the reduction is only for one year, which is negligible.

But it has great significance for the people of Shandong and Hebei.

One-tenth of the land tax may not seem like much, but the people only receive 60% of the total income from the land. This 60% income has to cover daily necessities like firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea; support the elderly and raise children; cope with various unexpected events such as illness and injury; and cover daily expenses such as weddings and funerals. How much is left in the end?
The tax revenue from one-tenth of the land was almost their annual surplus, so the people were naturally very happy.

There's something even more crucial.

Nowadays, there are no natural disasters in Shandong and Hebei, and the people have basically solved their food and clothing problems. Why should taxes be reduced or exempted?

It's important to understand that government-sponsored immigration costs a fortune. A war with the Jin dynasty in the south was inevitable, and conquering other territories around the world also required maintaining a massive military. The government's treasury could never have too much money.

The only explanation is what Zhao Shuo just mentioned: rewarding merit!

They just said they wanted to share the world with them, and immediately started giving them benefits.

This shows that Zhao Shuo wasn't just offering empty words of comfort, but genuinely thought so and immediately put it into action!
Their core base is now secure!

"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!"

Tens of thousands of people kowtowed in gratitude, and cheers erupted.

Zhao Shuo continued, "In addition, I hereby announce a new decree: from today onwards, Shandong and Hebei will encourage childbirth."

"Firstly, if a woman does not marry by the age of eighteen or a man does not marry by the age of twenty, the tax will be doubled."

"Secondly, for each son born, the government will reward the child with a sheep, a bushel of grain, and five catties of fine wine. For each daughter born, the government will reward the child with a sheep and three catties of fine wine. If a child has three or more children, the child will be exempt from corvée labor. If a child has five or more children, the land tax will be permanently reduced to 10%, and the child will be exempt from corvée labor!"

"Thirdly, we must strictly investigate any failure to report such acts. Regardless of whether the infant is male or female, all infants born must be raised. Anyone found drowning an infant shall be punished as a murderer and executed immediately!"

This is a combination of kindness and severity that increases the population.

Indeed, Shandong and Hebei still have more than 15 million people, which sounds like a lot.

But the world is much bigger!
The distant continents of Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, the South Pacific islands, the undiscovered Australian continent, and the Americas... all require a large influx of people. It takes ten years to grow a tree, but a hundred years to cultivate a person; now is the time to encourage childbirth.

The common people, however, don't think that much about it.

The idea that having many children brings many blessings, and that one can have both a son and a daughter, has always been a traditional Chinese belief.

Who wouldn't want to have more offspring?
Who would want to kill their newborn child?
It's not that we have no choice, we just can't afford to raise them.
Now things are much better. The king is showing his favor by rewarding those who have children. Furthermore, having many children results in exemption from corvée labor and even a reduction in land taxes to one-tenth. When the children grow up, they won't have to worry about land allocation; they can stay in Shandong and Hebei and cultivate land. If they go to a foreign land, they will not only be among the elite, but each male will also receive a hundred acres of land—they will have no worries whatsoever!
What are you waiting for?
Give birth!

He could live up to the expectations of his ancestors, live a good life in his old age, and repay the king's great kindness—it was a win-win-win situation!
"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!"

Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians kowtowed again to express their gratitude, even louder than before.

Zhao Shuo continued, "Finally, there is a small matter. You have all seen kerosene lamps, haven't you? I hereby announce the lifting of the curfew in Zhongdu. Within three months, large kerosene lamps will be installed on all the main roads in Zhongdu. They will provide illumination from dusk until dawn, making it convenient for people traveling at night. All expenses will be covered by the government, and no taxes will be increased for the people."

"In other words, I want to make Zhongdu a city that never sleeps. Later, as the government becomes more generous, the concept of a city that never sleeps will be extended to cities at the prefecture level in Shandong and Hebei! Ultimately, all cities in Shandong and Hebei will lift the curfew, and Shandong and Hebei will be filled with cities that never sleep!"

This matter was already part of Zhao Shuo's plan.

Before the Sui and Tang dynasties, all cities and towns across the country had curfews. This meant that pedestrians were strictly prohibited from walking on the streets at night to prevent thieves from causing trouble.

In the early Northern Song Dynasty, the curfew system of the Tang Dynasty was followed. However, in the third year of the Qiande era, Emperor Taizu of Song issued an edict allowing Kaifeng Prefecture to open night markets before the third watch of the night, greatly relaxing the restrictions on nighttime activities. As recorded in "Dongjing Menghualu", "The night market lasted until the third watch of the night, and reopened again at the fifth watch of the night."

However, the curfew in other cities did not start at the fourth watch like in Bianliang; it was only somewhat relaxed.

After the Jin dynasty occupied the north, a curfew was naturally imposed in Zhongdu (the capital city).

After Zhao Shuo occupied Zhongdu, he immediately began to conquer Shandong, Hebei, Khwarazm, and Western Xia. He had no time to worry about trivial matters like the curfew. Moreover, with Zhao Shuo away on campaign, Shandong and Hebei were vulnerable, and there was indeed a need for security reasons to maintain the curfew.

But now, the Mongol army is the strongest in the world.

Zhao Shuo's strength is the greatest in Mongolia.

If he's the only one hitting others, and no one hits him, what's the point of maintaining the curfew?
Lifting the curfew is a good idea, as it will allow people to live and work in greater peace and contentment, and also promote economic prosperity!

The money needed to maintain the streetlights is not a big problem.

The cost of diesel fuel has now dropped to ten cents per kilogram. Further reductions are unlikely because the distances are too great, and necessary transportation costs will always apply. Further cost reductions will only be possible with the rise of sea freight, which is significantly cheaper than land transport.

Anyway, Zhao Shuo has money, so he won't wait.

Ultimately, what's the point of letting so much gold and silver rot in Zhao Shuo's treasury? It would be better to take it out and use it to pay the wages of artisans and laborers, widen roads, and develop the city's economy, so that these gold and silver can be transformed into Zhao Shuo's true power.

Therefore, turning Zhongdu into a city that never sleeps was put on Zhao Shuo's agenda.

Let's just announce it to the world today.

"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!"

Lifting the curfew demonstrates the magnanimity of a great nation and extreme confidence in its own strength.

Throughout history, what dynasty has ever done this? Even in Bianliang (Kaifeng) during the Song Dynasty, there was a curfew starting at the fourth watch. But their country completely abolished the curfew!

From this alone, the people could feel how powerful this newly established nation was.

Not to mention how many benefits the people will gain from having freedom of movement at night.

Moreover, what dynasty in history has ever witnessed such a spectacle as a city that never sleeps?
Most of those present were residents of Zhongdu and the surrounding area, and they felt truly honored!
Furthermore, since the city that never sleeps doesn't require the people to contribute a single penny, someone still has to pay for it, right? On the surface, it's the government that pays, but in reality, it's allowing the people to continue sharing in the fruits of territorial expansion.

The people deeply felt that this newly emerging country was not only different from the corrupt and decadent Jin Dynasty, but also completely different from the Qin, Han, Tang, and Song Dynasties.

The fate of a nation is closely related to that of every individual.

After all, the peaceful and prosperous times of the past only meant that prices were low, and the common people benefited from it.

What does territorial expansion have to do with the common people? It's already good enough if they don't increase taxes to fund the military.

But now, it is the government that is actively offering benefits! "The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen." Although there are no similar words now, similar ideas have taken root in their hearts.

After announcing the three decrees, Zhao Shuo descended from the high platform, remounted his horse, and the carriage headed towards Zhongdu.

The remaining officials and ordinary citizens also went home.

Anyway, everything is peaceful now, and there's nothing urgent. We can deal with anything tomorrow.

For the next six months or so, Zhao Shuo mainly worked with civil officials such as Yelü Chucai to reform the official system.

Originally, Shandong and Hebei were not Zhao Shuo's fiefdoms, so officials like Yelü Chucai were not officially recognized and could only be referred to as "acting as so-and-so in Shandong and Hebei." Now that this area is Zhao Shuo's fiefdom, there are fewer restrictions.

Zhao Shuo did not adopt the official system of the Song or Jin dynasties, but instead followed the Tang dynasty's model.

The Tang Dynasty implemented a Three Departments and Six Ministries system. The Secretariat drafted government orders, the Chancellery reviewed them, and the Department of State Affairs implemented them. The three departments checked and balanced each other, resulting in a relatively centralized power. For example, the head of the Department of State Affairs could concurrently hold positions in the Secretariat and the Chancellery, participating in decision-making. The Six Ministries were subordinate to the Department of State Affairs, possessing complete and independent authority.

During the Song Dynasty, the power of the prime minister was divided through the "Two Offices and Three Departments System": the Secretariat-Chancellery (Zhongshu Menxia) was in charge of administration, the Privy Council was in charge of military affairs, and the Three Departments were in charge of finance, forming a system of separation of military, political, and financial powers and strengthening imperial power. The functions of the Six Ministries in the Song Dynasty were rendered ineffective by the Privy Council, the Three Departments, and other institutions.

To put it bluntly, the Song Dynasty was simply too weak. It could only resort to a series of checks and balances to ensure the emperor's absolute power. While the emperor's position was secure, the country became extremely inefficient and plagued by a bloated bureaucracy, ultimately leading to corruption and its eventual demise.

Zhao Shuo wanted to establish a global nation, and the cumbersome and inefficient system like that of the Song Dynasty was completely out of the question.

Besides reforming the official system, the next task is to formulate a law that promotes immigration, agriculture, warfare, and exploration. This matter cannot be rushed and can only be entrusted to Yelü Chucai to handle gradually; there have been no significant results yet.

Over the past six months, kerosene lamps have filled the main roads of Zhongdu City, turning it into a city that never sleeps.

The city that never sleeps is not only a spectacle, but also greatly benefits the people. Impoverished people who cannot afford lamp oil can do needlework under the streetlights, which provides a small supplement to their lives. In any case, since Zhongdu is located "under the emperor's nose" and has countless patrolling soldiers, safety is not a problem at all.

The most significant effect of these streetlights was to boost the economy of the Zhongdu night market. Wealthier residents would go out at night to stroll through the night market, eat, drink, and have fun, relaxing themselves while the merchants made profits, and Zhao Shuo also received substantial tax revenue.

These taxes not only fully cover the cost of the streetlights, but also leave some surplus.

The entire Shandong and Hebei provinces are thriving.

After Zhao Shuo issued his three decrees, the people were greatly reassured. They lived and worked in peace during the day and devoted themselves to procreation at night, feeling that life was becoming more and more hopeful.

Not to mention the officials. At the beginning of any dynasty, the officialdom is generally clean and efficient, and promotions are based on merit. Moreover, Zhao Shuo's kingdom has unlimited potential for expansion, so officials are thinking about promotions based on merit, not about embezzling, accepting bribes, and engaging in petty scheming that would ruin their promising futures.

The third batch of 300,000 immigrants has already departed.

Once they reached their destination, all of Zhao Shuo's fiefdoms had Han Chinese immigrants, making his fiefdoms even more secure.

Finally, the day of the Kurultai was approaching, and Zhao Shuo left Zhongdu and came to Genghis Khan's Great Khan'erduo on the banks of the Kerulen River in the Mongolian grasslands.

At this moment, all members of the Golden Family and all the hereditary commanders of the Mongol tribes were present.

Although Temujin had left a will, Mongolian custom dictated that the youngest son should guard the hearth. The older sons, upon reaching adulthood, would receive a share of the livestock and live their own lives. The youngest sons would live with their parents and inherit all remaining property.

Many Mongol noyans, influenced by traditional ideas, demanded that Tolui be made Khan.

After nearly a year of ruling as regent, enjoying the taste of having power over the entire Mongol Empire, and inheriting most of Temujin's army and property, Tolui was somewhat hesitant.

After all, apart from the commanders of Jochi, Ögedei, Tolui, and Zhao Shuo, as well as the commanders of Temujin's brothers such as Temuge and Belgutei, the rest were considered his direct subordinates.

In other words, most of the hereditary Mongol commanders present were subordinates of Tolui.

If Tolui were determined to inherit Temujin's throne, his chances of success would be quite considerable.

Of course, there were still many people who were willing to follow Genghis Khan's dying wish.

The two sides argued and quarreled endlessly.

Among them, the one who was most agitated was Temujin's younger brother, Temuge.

He supports Tolui.

On the surface, Temuge was upholding the custom of the youngest son guarding the hearth, but in reality, he probably also had his own ambitions for the Khan's throne.

After all, he was the youngest son of Temujin's father, Yesugei.

Although Temuge had no chance of inheriting the Khanate this time, there's always tomorrow. As long as the rule of "youngest son succeeding to the throne" is confirmed by the Kurultai, Temuge might still have a chance in the future.

Zhao Shuo didn't care about any of that. Since he had promised Temujin, he wouldn't cause any trouble for Ögedei's ascension to the throne.

Of course, he wouldn't help Ögedei in any way, nor would he say anything in Ögedei's favor.

If Ögedei Khan couldn't even handle Tolui, he wouldn't deserve to be the Great Khan. As for Temüge, he was utterly insignificant.

As expected, Ögedei Khan sent the veteran Mongol general Zhenhai, who persuaded Tolui to obey Temujin's dying wish.

Three days later, Tolui took the initiative to express to all the Mongol noyans in Dahan'erduo that he was willing to follow Temujin's dying wish and support Ögedei to ascend to the throne.

Of course, Ögedei declined.

He stated that Tolui spent the most time with his father, the Khan, and naturally received the most instruction, making him more suitable to be the Great Khan of the Mongols than himself.

But this is just a way of showing humility.

With Tolui remaining silent and Zhao Shuo not expressing explicit opposition, the position of Great Khan of the Mongols was destined to belong to Ögedei.

Everyone knew what was going on, so they started throwing lavish banquets, eating, drinking, and having fun.

Forty days after the grand banquet, according to the new generation of "Tongtian Shaman," it would be the perfect day for his coronation.

So Jochi and Chagatai, supporting Ögedei's left and right arms, and Zhao Shuo, supporting Ögedei's waist, sat on the throne symbolizing the Great Khan of the Mongols.

On behalf of the Mongol noyans, Tolui offered a cup of fine wine to Ögedei, who then officially became the Great Khan of the Mongols.

Originally, during the ceremony of Ögedei's accession to the throne, Temüge should have been supporting Ögedei's waist.

However, he has been acting too aggressively lately, and Ögedei Khan deeply dislikes him, so he changed his name to Zhao Shuo.

Furthermore, this also demonstrates Ögedei's high regard for Zhao Shuo.

After all, whether he ascends to the throne or remains in power, he needs Zhao Shuo's support.

After ascending to the throne, Ögedei Khan's first decree was to extend grace to the world, granting amnesty to all criminals who had committed crimes between the time of Temujin's death and his ascension to the throne.

(End of this chapter)