How can one be Emperor Chongzhen without money?

Chapter 311 Training Institute for Canal Transport Taxes
When the dragon boat reached Huai'an, even before it docked, you could smell a mixture of fishy and earthy odors.

Emperor Chongzhen did not rush into the city; the fleet anchored directly at the Qingjiangpu Wharf. Near the wharf was a place where the Yellow River, the Huai River, and the Grand Canal mingled, and the water was all murky.

After disembarking from the boat, Emperor Chongzhen did not take a palanquin. Instead, he led Zhang Zhiji, Wei Zhongxian, and several others, along with Xu Hongji, Lü Weiqi, and Zheng Sanjun, who all looked reluctant, and walked along the muddy embankment towards the most dangerous section of the river.

Down below the dike, many villages had only the rooftops visible above the water, and crooked tree branches were covered with rotten grass. In the fields, sorghum stalks lay fallen, yellowish-brown, the mud still clinging to them.

Several river workers, dressed in patched-up uniforms, were led by soldiers to kneel trembling in the mud. Chongzhen did not let them get up, but walked to an old river worker with gray hair and bent down.

"Brother, how many years have you been working on this river?"

The old foreman didn't dare to raise his head, his throat tightening: "Reporting to...reporting to Your Honor, I...I've been making a living in this field for over thirty years."

“This dike is repaired every year, yet it collapses every year?” Chongzhen pointed to the dike at his feet, which was riddled with holes from being washed away.

"Yes...yes," the old river worker said, his voice trembling with tears. "The Yellow River is raging, full of sand, and the riverbed rises higher every year. This summer's heavy rains were just too much to bear..."

Emperor Chongzhen straightened up, his gaze sweeping over the officials in scarlet and blue robes behind him, finally settling on Xu Hongji's face: "Duke of Wei, you are in charge of the defense of Nanjing, so the defense of the Jianghuai region is also within your purview, isn't it? Look, is this the country you've been guarding?"

Xu Hongji's face turned pale and then flushed, and he held his breath, bowing deeply and saying, "Your subject... deserves to die ten thousand times!"

Chongzhen ignored him and turned to Zhang Zhiji, saying, "Zhiji, have you seen it clearly? The foundation is rotten. Just sitting in Nanjing will not be enough to protect the country."

“Your Majesty, I have seen it clearly,” Zhang Zhiji replied in a deep voice.

……

The next day, the main hall of the Huai'an Prefectural Government, which was temporarily serving as the imperial headquarters, was packed with people. Officials from various prefectures and states north of the Yangtze River, leaders of river works and canal transport, as well as prominent local gentry, were all present. Everyone held their breath, waiting for the Emperor to give his instructions.

Emperor Chongzhen didn't sit; he stood on it, with a huge map of Huaiyang hanging behind him. He got straight to the point, without uttering a single unnecessary word.

"I have come here this time not for any formalities. I have come for one thing only: to manage the river!"

The people below perked up and all pricked up their ears.

"Zhang Zhiji," Emperor Chongzhen called out.

"Your Majesty," Zhang Zhiji stepped forward, holding a wooden stick, and walked to the map. "Colleagues," he said, "according to the preliminary survey by the Ministry of Works and the River Conservancy Department, last autumn's floods caused the Yellow and Huai Rivers to swell simultaneously, breaching the dikes in twenty-seven places. The section from Qingkou to Yuntiguan was particularly badly affected, with the riverbed silted up, the Huai River having nowhere to go, and overflowing for thousands of miles. The most urgent task at present is to dredge the channels to the sea and divert the floodwaters..."

He spoke the truth, the data was clear, and the dangers were obvious. Many local officials nodded in approval; this British duke didn't seem like someone who was just all talk.

After Zhang Zhiji finished speaking, Chongzhen spoke, his voice not loud, yet it silenced the hall: "You have all heard the data. I have also witnessed the difficulties firsthand. Now, I want to hear what you have to say."

His gaze swept down: "Who's from Xuzhou?"

An official in his forties quickly stepped forward and knelt down: "Your Majesty, I am Ma Xiaocai, the Prefect of Xuzhou!"

"Has the floodwaters receded in Xuzhou? How are the people being resettled?" Chongzhen asked.

Ma Xiaocai's eyes immediately reddened: "Your Majesty, the floodwaters in the city have not yet receded! The surviving citizens are crammed onto the city walls, lacking food and clothing, and an epidemic has broken out... Every time I see this, my heart aches!" As he spoke, he choked up.

Chongzhen nodded, then looked at another one: "From Fengyang Prefecture?"

The Prefect of Fengyang knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling: "Your Majesty! Sizhou City... is almost gone! The ancestral mausoleum is in grave danger!"

Then, Chongzhen selected several more people, some from Huai'an and others from Shandong and Henan who had come to report on the disaster. These people spoke of the devastation with deep sorrow and indignation. Towards the end, it almost turned into a plea for justice, every word dripping with blood and tears.

Once no one was speaking, Chongzhen slowly walked into the hall.

“You have all heard it. Pizhou is submerged in water, Xuzhou is submerged in water, and Sizhou is also in imminent danger! And this is only in the Jianghuai region! In the north, Shandong, Henan, and the capital region, last year there was either drought or locusts, and many places suffered from crop failure. This year there is another flood, and the autumn grain has been ruined! Have I not heard enough of this tragedy of exchanging children to eat in the north?”

His voice suddenly rose, filled with anger: "The imperial court's provisions depend on the rice transported from Jiangnan! But the Grand Canal is cut off! How will the famine in the north survive this year? What will the soldiers on the nine borders eat? Will they drink the northwest wind?! If the north falls into chaos because of this, and the Jurchens of Liaodong take advantage of the situation to invade, who can bear the responsibility?!"

These words struck everyone like a hammer blow. Even Xu Hongji and Zheng Sanjun lowered their heads.

"Controlling the river is not just about controlling the waters of the Huai River, but also about stabilizing the Ming Dynasty!" Emperor Chongzhen's gaze swept across the entire room like lightning. "Is this project difficult? Yes, it is! How much money and grain will it cost? A fortune! But no matter how difficult it is, we must do it! This is not just my personal matter; it concerns the elders of your hometown and the safety of the entire nation!"

Just then, a guard rushed in and whispered a few words in Wei Zhongxian's ear. Wei Zhongxian's expression changed slightly, and he quickly stepped forward to present an urgent document to Emperor Chongzhen.

Emperor Chongzhen opened the document in front of everyone, glanced at it quickly, and his face darkened. He raised the document and said to the crowd, "An urgent report from the Jiliao Military Governor's Office! The Jurchens have divided their forces into two routes, one attacking the Xiaoling River Valley and the other launching a fierce attack on Fuzhou City. This year, western and southern Liaoning have also suffered from disasters, and grain prices have soared. The three towns of Liaodong are facing supply difficulties, and Zu Dashou's troops, who are trapped in the Xiaoling River Valley, are almost out of food!"

A deathly silence fell over the hall. The river floods were still raging, and now the border guards had arrived again!

Emperor Chongzhen slammed the document heavily on the table: "Beset by internal and external troubles! This is the state of the Ming Dynasty right now! Every day we delay here, the soldiers on the border will be in greater danger, and the starving people in the north will face greater despair! River management is of utmost urgency!"

He surveyed the crowd and declared decisively, "From this day forward, the 'Grand Canal Transport Office' will be established and operate here in Qingjiangpu! Duke Zhang Zhiji of England will oversee the entire operation! All existing officials in the canal transport and waterway management departments will be at your disposal! All prefectures, counties, and districts north of the Yangtze River will prioritize the river works in terms of manpower and resources!" He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over the local officials and gentry below, before shifting his focus to the most sensitive issue of finances and provisions.

"I know that when it comes to river management, what you are most concerned about is where the money and grain will come from." Chongzhen's voice was calm and steady, suppressing the slight commotion in the hall. "The national treasury is in dire straits, and I do not wish to impose additional land taxes, which would only increase the burden on the people."

These words brought a sigh of relief to many officials, but their hearts were also on edge. If taxes weren't increased, where would the money come from?
"However, the project is enormous, and without funds and provisions, it is impossible to make any progress," Chongzhen continued. "Therefore, I have decided to follow the ancient precedent of 'customs duties' and establish 'Grain Transport Likin Bureaus' at key checkpoints along the Grand Canal south of Huai'an. A likin fee of two-hundredths will be temporarily levied on passing official, civilian, and merchant ships, with the revenue stored as a special fund for the expenses of the canal works. This is a temporary measure, and the likin fee will cease once the project is completed!"

The moment the words "likin" were uttered, a murmur of discussion arose from the audience. This was tantamount to setting up a new tax checkpoint on the lifeline of the Grand Canal. Although the tax rate was low, it had far-reaching implications.

Emperor Chongzhen raised his hand to stop the discussion: "However, the most important thing in levying the likin tax is clear regulations and clean governance. If we continue to use the old clerks, it will inevitably lead to the abuse of merchants and travelers and the enrichment of their own people. This will not only be of no benefit to the river works, but will also damage the national image and the people's hearts!"

He looked sharply at the crowd: "Therefore, I will recruit new officials for the 'Grand Canal Transport Tax Bureau'! I will not use the old ones!"

These words shocked the entire room. If not the old officials, then who?

"The newly established Grain Transport and Tax Bureau requires a thousand staff members. I hereby decree," Emperor Chongzhen said, emphasizing each word, "that all prefectures and counties north of the Yangtze River immediately recommend a thousand students and imperial academy students who are knowledgeable in practical learning, of good character, and dedicated to contributing to flood control and disaster relief in their hometowns. These students shall report to the 'Grain Transport and Tax Bureau Training Institute' in Huai'an by the due date!"

He explained in detail: "These thousand scholars will need to undergo a month of training at the training institute, learning practical skills such as the regulations for collecting likin (transit tax), accounting for taxes and grain, identification of goods, and canal transport regulations. After the month is over, they will be assessed by officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Transport. Only those who pass the assessment will be granted a substantive position in the 'Likin Bureau for Transport' and enjoy the salary of a ninth-rank official!"

From a ninth-rank official! Although it was only a low-ranking position, it was a real official position! This meant that these scholars, who might have been trapped in the imperial examinations for their entire lives or could only serve as advisors or clerks, now had a completely new path to advancement!

"From now on, their promotions and demotions will be based solely on performance evaluations! Those who are diligent in their work, keep clear accounts, and facilitate business travel can be promoted according to regulations, and may even be transferred to local government positions! Those who embezzle or neglect their duties will be impeached and investigated without exception!" Chongzhen's voice carried an unquestionable determination. "The future of these thousand men depends on the river works, and also on themselves! What I need is a new army that is practical, knows when to advance and retreat, and is honest and capable, to manage the purse strings of the river works!"

This plan, like a boulder thrown into stagnant water, stirred up huge waves in the hall.

Instead of using clerks and officials, they were replaced with trained scholars! They were even promised official positions and a path to promotion!
For many scholars struggling to gain access to the imperial examinations or from impoverished backgrounds, this was nothing short of a shortcut to success! More importantly, the emperor linked this to "serving one's hometown," giving them a perfectly legitimate pretext. Local officials recommending candidates was also for the benefit of their hometown, and they could even use the opportunity to place their own people there—it was all perfectly justified.

Many local officials and gentry who were initially resistant to the "likin" tax changed their tune. This was no longer a simple tax, but a redistribution of interests, a massive system of "official titles and rewards" orchestrated by the emperor! These thousand slots represented a thousand opportunities! Whoever seized them would secure a place in the new order.

Zhang Zhiji immediately stepped forward and loudly replied, "Your subject obeys the decree! I will certainly conduct rigorous examinations to select capable individuals for Your Majesty!"

Wei Zhongxian squinted and smiled, "Your Majesty is wise! Using scholars to manage money and grain not only closes the door to embezzlement by clerks, but also provides a path for scholars to advance their careers, and can also ensure the funding for river works. It's truly killing three birds with one stone!"

Emperor Chongzhen nodded slightly, and finally said in a deep voice, "This matter concerns the success or failure of the project, and also my new method of selecting and employing officials! All prefectures, counties, and districts must do their utmost to recommend candidates, and must not show favoritism! The regulations for the training institute shall be drafted immediately by Zhang Zhiji in conjunction with the Ministry of Revenue. One month from now, I want to see these one thousand capable and accountable tax officials on the checkpoints! As long as the Yellow River and the Huai River remain connected, the canal transport will not be smooth, and the likin tax will not be suspended, I will be here in Huai'an, waiting to see the results!"

The imperial edict establishing the Likin Bureau and the recruitment notice for the "Grand Canal Likin Training Institute" were sent to various prefectures and counties north of the Yangtze River at the fastest speed of six hundred li.

Huai'an, an ancient city devastated by floods, suddenly became the focus of attention for disillusioned scholars throughout Jiangbei and beyond. An unconventional examination, different from the imperial examinations, quietly began.

Deep within the mansion of Zhao Zhilong, the Earl of Xincheng, in Nanjing, there is a flower hall with all the doors and windows tightly shut.

A few horn lamps were lit, their dim light barely illuminating a few faces burdened with worries. Besides the host, Zhao Zhilong, those present included Zhu Guobi of the Duke of Baoguo's mansion and Liu Kongzhao, the Earl of Chengyi. Although Duke Xu Hongji of Wei had been taken north, his eldest son, Xu Yinjue, had been secretly invited, representing his father's lineage.

Zhao Zhilong slammed the secret report, which had just been delivered by express courier from Huai'an, onto the rosewood tea table. His throat was a little dry. "Did you all hear that clearly? A thousand real officials of the ninth rank! The Emperor is trying to use peasants from Jiangbei to replace the positions that our ancestors have worked so hard for!"

Marquis Zhu Guobi of Funing was younger and had a fiery temper. He said angrily, "He's trying to undermine us! To cut off our foundation!"

Sitting at the lower end of the table was Liu Kongzhao, the Earl of Chengyi, whose temperament was even more gloomy. He slowly twirled his fingers and said unhurriedly, "What's the use of just cursing? These thousand official vacancies are real. His Majesty's 'north-south prime minister system' is a brilliant move!"

Xu Yinjue, the heir of the Duke of Wei, who had been mostly silent, raised his head, his face filled with worry: "Lord, uncles, my father is currently detained in the north, and Nanjing is being watched over by the Prince of Qin, the Duke of Dingguo, and Qian Muzhai. We are already stretched thin. Now the Emperor has released these thousand official vacancies, clearly intending to establish another faction under our very noses that obeys him. If this continues, where will we have a foothold in Nanjing?"

His words struck a nerve with everyone, and the flower hall fell silent for a moment, with only heavy breathing remaining.

At this moment, Zhang Pu, the leader of the Fushe Society, who was sitting in the shadows, slowly spoke. His voice was not loud, but it made everyone quiet down to listen to him. He said, "What the Crown Prince said makes sense. The Emperor's move, which looks like a selection of officials, is actually a means of dividing and conquering. He knows that we are in the Jiangnan region, a place with heavy tax revenue, and the gentry have deep-rooted relationships, making it difficult to take action. Therefore, he has turned to Jiangbei."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "Although Jiangbei is poor, it is the land where dragons rose to power, and the sons of Huaiyou have always been fierce. What's even better is that among you all, who doesn't have a few relatives or old friends who are hereditary military officers in the garrisons near Fengyang, Huai'an, and Yangzhou? When those garrison commanders and chiliarchs see you, my lords and marquises, which one of them doesn't respectfully call you 'Old superior'?"

These words were like a match, instantly igniting everyone's thoughts.

Zhao Zhilong asked hesitantly, "What does Mr. Zhang mean?"

Zhang Pu sneered: "If the Emperor needs people, we'll send them to him! And we'll send our own people! Everyone, hurry up and write letters, use all your connections, and notify your relatives in Jiangbei, especially in our hometown of Fengyang, to send all the clever, literate, and arithmetic-skilled young men from your clan and the army, preferably those with military status or a military academy background, to Huai'an! To take the entrance exam for that 'training institute'!"

His eyes gleamed with calculation: "We dare not say we can secure all one thousand spots, but with your connections in Huaiyou, grabbing five or six hundred should not be difficult at all!"

Marquis Chengyi, Liu Kongzhao, was the first to understand, and clapped his hands lightly: "Brilliant! Mr. Zhang's plan is ingenious! On the surface, we are responding to the Emperor's order to recommend talented people from our hometown to serve the country. But secretly, it's hard to say who this newly trained army will listen to in the future!"

Zhu Guobi also became excited: "That's right! Our Huaiyou people are always better than those outsiders who don't even know their background!"

The gloom on Zhao Zhilong's face dissipated considerably, and he let out a heavy sigh: "Good! Let's do as Mr. Zhang says! Let's 'add fuel to the fire'! Let's stuff our people into his new stove! Let's see who ends up burning in the end!"

(End of this chapter)