TGPSAC – Chapter 52

Chi Wan ran quickly; she didn’t dare to linger. It wasn’t hard to tell that she hadn’t misunderstood at the end—she had said it deliberately to tease Yu Jiuzhou.

Evidently, Yu Jiuzhou had bristled.

But wasn’t that the whole point of her deliberate provocation?

A friendship that was too much like stagnant water wasn’t good. Without a bit of mischievous teasing, what was the point?

In any case, seeing Yu Jiuzhou get her feathers ruffled, Chi Wan left the Princess’s Residence with a sense of satisfaction.

This time, she sat in a luxurious carriage. The maids of the Princess’s Residence had prepared snacks, tea, and a fur blanket for the journey.

Though the carriage wasn’t as large as Yu Jiuzhou’s, it was by no means small, measuring about ten square meters by her estimation. She could sleep soundly in it and arrive at Qingyuan County without a problem.

However, Yu Jiuzhou’s meaning was clear: she wanted her back soon. Therefore, the convoy could not travel too slowly, either going or returning.

Fortunately, the craftsmanship of the carriage was excellent. When it was moving, she could barely feel any bumps from inside.

This was imperial craftsmanship; if it wasn’t made well, or if it caused a member of the imperial family to feel a jolt, heads would roll.

The carriage was certainly slower than riding a horse, but not by much. The journey took the same amount of time as her last trip to Qingyuan County.

Perhaps it was because her horse had fallen ill last time, delaying them on the road; otherwise, it wouldn’t have taken so long.

They had set out early in the morning, arriving in Qingyuan County just before nine o’clock.

This time, her arrival was high-profile, with a grand carriage and an escort of several dozen men from the Imperial City Division. Word had reached Qingyuan County long before she arrived.

Lu Zhen, as the highest official in Qingyuan County, had received the news and was waiting outside the county town early on.

But Chi Wan did not alight. She had the carriage driven directly to the county yamen. Such an act would not cause displeasure; on the contrary, it was seen as proper.

No high-ranking official would get out of their carriage at the town gate, but the local officials had no choice but to go out of the town to greet them.

She was also sending a message to the local gentry who were watching her: she was not to be trifled with. If they didn’t believe it, they were welcome to try.

Chi Wan was wearing the official robes of a noble, a bright red, round-collared python robe with an interlocking four-sided ruyi pattern. Her rank was equivalent to a commandery prince, so she was permitted to wear it. On her head was a black gauze cap, and she wore a leather belt with two hanging tails. She stepped down from the carriage without a thick cloak.

Dressed in brilliant red, with only her hat and boots in black, the red official robe gave her a different kind of presence, whether for a civil or military official, or for a first-rank noble like herself.

All eyes were on her, watching as she disembarked from the carriage with an imposing air.

Today, she was here to back Lu Zhen. If the local officials and gentry of Qingyuan County refused to cooperate, they couldn’t blame her for being impolite.

When Yu Jiuzhou had told her to take the carriage, she had decided to wear her official robes—the ones that represented her highest rank.

She had to wear this for daily court sessions. For grand ceremonies, she had even more magnificent attire.

A single set like this consumed an unknown amount of manpower and resources, but the aura it bestowed upon the wearer was one of authority that needed no anger to be felt.

The onlooking commoners only dared to glance at her before quickly lowering their heads.

Lu Zhen led the officials of Qingyuan County forward. “We, your humble subordinates, pay our respects to the Fuma.”

“Rise.”

Chi Wan walked into the county yamen first, with Lu Zhen and the others following behind her.

Once inside the main hall of the yamen, Chi Wan announced, “A decree from His Majesty.”

“We humbly inquire after His Majesty’s health and well-being.”

“We are well.”

Since Chi Wan was reading the decree, it was not improper for her to speak this way. She then unfurled the imperial edict. “We have heard that in Qingyuan County, there are those who have seized the fields of the common people, driving them to their deaths. Our heart is filled with grief and anger. The officials of Qingyuan County, high and low, are to cooperate with the Fuma in thoroughly investigating the annexation of private fields within the county and returning the land to the people.”

“However, the Fuma, Chi Wan, bears heavy responsibilities. Therefore, upon the recommendation of the Fuma, Chi Wan, the former Assistant Magistrate of Qingyuan, Lu Zhen, is appointed as the Magistrate of Qingyuan County to thoroughly investigate this case and report to the Fuma.”

The case in Qingyuan County was to be investigated by Lu Zhen, but under Chi Wan’s leadership. Everything had to be reported to her, and her opinion sought.

After all, most of the private fields in Qingyuan County had been annexed by noble and powerful families. Even if the emperor didn’t know the specifics, he had heard rumors.

A marquis had already died, and an earl had been demoted. If another problem arose, where would he put his face?

But Emperor Shengyuan could never have imagined that Yu Jiuzhou and Chi Wan intended to use this case to turn the entire Great Zhou upside down.

Chi Wan looked at the officials kneeling on the ground, a smile touching her beautiful eyes. “You may all rise.”

The officials rose, some choosing to glance up at her before lowering their heads again.

Only Lu Zhen walked up to her. “Fuma, thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. If you must thank someone, thank His Majesty.”

Lu Zhen understood. “This official will certainly repay the imperial grace.”

Chi Wan’s lips curved, and she then declared in a loud voice, “The case of land annexation in Qingyuan County was paid for with the blood of the people. If, during the investigation, anyone fails to contribute and instead drags their feet, this Fuma will use their blood to show the uncooperative what the consequences are.”

“For those who perform well in this case, this Fuma will not hesitate to recommend you to His Majesty and the Ministry of Personnel. Do not be afraid of offending people. This Fuma has your back.”

A stick and a sweet date. If these people still didn’t listen, she wouldn’t mind using forceful means to make them obey.

Having been in this world for quite some time, Chi Wan knew very well that a gentle approach wasn’t always effective. If she didn’t want to be given the runaround, she had to be firm.

“Yes, we will obey the Fuma’s command.”

As the crowd responded, Chi Wan said to Lu Zhen, “Magistrate Lu, let us go to your residence. I have matters to discuss with you.”

“Very well.”

It was clear that Chi Wan had something to discuss with Lu Zhen in private, and the others were perceptive enough not to raise any questions.

They arrived at the residence of the Assistant Magistrate, which was just a small courtyard. Although Lu Zhen was married, her wife resided in the capital and did not accompany her to her post.

Thus, only Lu Zhen and one of her servants lived in the small courtyard.

This was for the best; it was safer for them to talk.

The members of the Imperial City Division that Chi Wan had brought with her stood guard outside, making it even more impossible for anyone to approach the courtyard.

Lu Zhen’s servant brought tea, placed it on the table, and then discreetly left.

After they both sat down, Lu Zhen spoke first, “Fuma…”

“My courtesy name is Jinzhao.”

Hearing this, Lu Zhen was taken aback and quickly said, “I would never dare to address the Fuma by her courtesy name.”

“What do you mean by that? We are not in the county yamen, but in your home. I am speaking to you as a friend. Or are you unwilling to befriend me?”

Chi Wan said this aloud, but she was laughing inwardly. So this was how it felt to speak with such a cunningly innocent tone.

However, she was indeed here to give Lu Zhen a reminder.

Lu Zhen quickly waved her hands. “Fuma… Jinzhao, you overthink things. This humble… my courtesy name is Jingbo.”

“Jingbo? A fine name.”

It could be interpreted as meaning agile and adaptable, able to remain calm amidst the turbulent affairs of the world. It was a good sentiment.

Lu Zhen smiled shyly. “Jinzhao is also a fine name.”

Chi Wan raised an eyebrow. “Her Highness gave it to me.”

“Her Highness?” Lu Zhen was surprised. Weren’t the Princess and the Fuma said to be on bad terms?

A courtesy name could be given by an elder, a teacher, oneself, the emperor or a person of power, or a friend or like-minded peer.

The Grand Princess was a person of power, but rumors claimed the relationship between the Princess and the Fuma was ordinary at best. Yet Her Highness was willing to bestow a courtesy name upon the Fuma. Their relationship was definitely not what the rumors suggested.

Chi Wan hummed in affirmation. “We can talk about that later. I came to find you today to discuss the investigation.”

“To thoroughly investigate the land annexation case, the first step is a land survey, to remeasure all the fields in Qingyuan County.”

This was just one county, so remeasuring the land wasn’t too difficult. In such a small area, it would be clear who was concealing or underreporting their holdings.

Once the exact amount of land was measured, the people who had annexed private fields would be exposed.

The key issue was that some people’s fields were enclosed within manors, which ordinary people were forbidden to enter. Forcing a measurement would inevitably lead to conflict.

Chi Wan continued, “I will give you military authority over Qingyuan County. The troops of the Qingyuan garrison will be at your command. Of the Imperial City Division personnel I brought today, twenty will remain to assist you. They will also report to me at all times.”

“And I have given them the authority to directly arrest any resisting official below the fifth rank.”

Lu Zhen’s eyes widened. “Arrest them just for resisting?”

“Arrest them for non-cooperation as well.”

This was a power the emperor had granted the Imperial City Division, and Chi Wan certainly wouldn’t let it go to waste.

Without a thunderous approach, how could she fire the first shot in the investigation of land annexation across the Great Zhou?

Lu Zhen was astonished by Chi Wan’s authority, but her eyes held more excitement. “Rest assured, Fuma. I only need half a month, and I will surely give His Majesty and you a satisfactory account.”

With such power, if she still couldn’t get to the bottom of it, she might as well just bang her head against a wall and die.

Chi Wan raised a hand, signaling that she needn’t be so formal. “I will stay in Qingyuan County for six hours today. During this time, bring everyone for whom you already have evidence to the county yamen for interrogation. Tomorrow, I will present the findings to His Majesty. When making the arrests, apprehend both the master and their chief steward. Interrogate them separately.”

While she was present, she wanted to make a big scene. Indiscriminate arrests would be her way of telling the people below that they need not fear the powerful; she would back them up.

Then she handed Lu Zhen a piece of paper with something written on it.

Lu Zhen took the paper, and after reading its contents, her eyes grew even brighter. “Yes, this subordinate will certainly get these things done within six hours.”

“Go, then. I will wait here in the yamen for your triumphant return, Jingbo.”

“Yes.”

Lu Zhen left the yamen with her men, while Chi Wan sat in the courtyard, closing her eyes and slowly circulating her internal energy.

Internal energy was something that accumulated over time. A little progress each day would lead to a qualitative leap over the course of a year.

However, progress in cultivating internal energy varied with one’s aptitude. Those without talent couldn’t even sense what internal energy was. Those with a little talent might feel a trickle of it entering their body each day. Only those with high aptitude could feel it flowing in streams.

For Chi Wan to have achieved such profound internal energy at her age, with diligent practice, she might truly reach mastery in twenty or thirty years. If some opportunity arose in the meantime, that time could be shortened.

For instance, since Chi Wan understood medicine, if she obtained some precious medicinal herbs, she could concoct pills or brew potions to maximize their effects, which could enhance her internal energy.

In the modern era, such herbs were extremely expensive and not of high quality. Things like thousand-year-old ginseng or fleeceflower root were museum pieces in modern times, but they existed in this era, though they were still very precious.

There was a saying that was true: valuable things were already valuable in ancient times. Worthless things, even after a thousand years, remained junk with no preservation value.

Chi Wan had visited pharmacies. Ordinary ones didn’t have thousand-year-old ginseng. In the large ones, it was a treasure used to draw in customers.

Fortunately, she had a noble status in this life. Once her businesses were up and running, she wouldn’t lack for money. Whether it was ginseng or fleeceflower root, she could obtain any medicinal herb she wanted.

With power and money, she would not lack for medicinal supplies.

As Chi Wan was circulating her internal energy, she suddenly heard a commotion outside and ceased her practice.

A moment later, a voice came from outside. “Sirs, my name is Lu Xin. I am Magistrate Lu’s niece, here to visit my aunt. I ask that you please inform her.”

Lu Xin? The name was familiar. Wasn’t the woman she had almost run into that day also named Lu Xin?

She heard the Imperial City Division guard on duty outside say, “Magistrate Lu is not here. You may come back another day.”

But Lu Xin’s voice was anxious. “I have come to seek refuge with my aunt. I have nowhere else to go.”

That complicated things.

It was Chi Wan who spoke up. “Let her in.”

“Yes.”

The courtyard gate opened. When Lu Xin saw Chi Wan, she showed no surprise, only pleasant delight. “Benefactor?”

Chi Wan nodded. “You need not call me benefactor.”

“Yes. Then should this subordinate address you as Fuma?” Lu Xin bowed, her posture respectful.

This person was rather interesting. She made no attempt to hide that she already knew her identity.

Chi Wan smiled. “You said you are Magistrate Lu’s niece?”

“Yes. My aunt and my father are of the same generation, so I should address her as such.”

The Lu clan of Fanyang was a large family that had not split its genealogy. Every year at the ancestral worship, everyone bowed to the same ancestors. Even if she wasn’t a direct aunt, by seniority, she should be called one.

Understanding Lu Xin’s meaning, Chi Wan nodded. “Sit.”

“Thank you, Fuma.”

After sitting down, Lu Xin first refilled Chi Wan’s cup with tea, then poured one for herself, before calling out to the only servant in the small courtyard, “A-Ming, we’re out of tea.”

The servant named A-Ming immediately came over, took the teapot, and left.

Lu Xin explained apologetically, “A-Ming is a mute servant. My aunt took pity on her and chose her as a personal attendant. It has been many years now.”

In fact, mute servants were often very popular because they couldn’t speak. If they also couldn’t write, many secrets could not be revealed.

Clearly, Lu Zhen was not that kind of person.

Chi Wan understood now. No wonder A-Ming hadn’t said a word earlier.

“Magistrate Lu is a good person.” And a good official.

She fulfilled her duties in her position. Whether serving locally, as a capital official, or in the Grand Secretariat, Lu Zhen never let down the people of the realm.

Not only was she good to the people, but she was also a person of integrity who did not fear the powerful. She would punish any official who violated the laws of Great Zhou and had made great efforts to rectify the administration.

That was why, from the moment she met Lu Zhen, Chi Wan felt it was best to draw her over to Yu Jiuzhou’s side.

Lu Xin listened with a smile, then nodded in agreement with Chi Wan’s words. Her aunt was indeed a very good person.

Then Chi Wan asked, “You just referred to yourself as ‘this subordinate.’ Do you already hold an official rank?”

“This subordinate was formerly the Chief Administrator in Prince Zhongshan’s residence. I have already submitted my resignation and may no longer serve as an official in the future. However, the Ministry of Personnel has not yet issued the official document, so I still refer to myself as ‘this subordinate.’”

Lu Xin stated the reason calmly, as if she were not the one about to fall from being an official to a commoner.

Normally, someone who had passed the metropolitan examination would still retain their scholarly rank even if they no longer held an official post, and there was always the possibility of being reinstated. If those in power forgot about them, they would live out their days as a wealthy gentleman.

But those who could pass the metropolitan examination were welcomed everywhere. Even in the capital, they were honored guests in many households. If a family could hire a metropolitan graduate as a tutor for their children, the chances of their own children passing the examination would be much greater.

This was the educational disparity of ancient times. The rich and powerful could hire provincial and metropolitan graduates for one-on-one tutoring. Moderately wealthy families could afford a county graduate. The very poor didn’t even have the opportunity to study.

So, as long as one passed the provincial or metropolitan examinations, with the preferential treatment Great Zhou afforded them, there was no chance of being poor.

However, to resign from office after going through the trouble of passing the metropolitan examination was thought-provoking.

Did she disapprove of Prince Zhongshan, or was she driven out by him?

But Chi Wan wasn’t that curious. “I see.”

She said only this and nothing more, leaving Lu Xin unsure of how to continue.

Lu Xin had traveled a long way, not to seek refuge with her aunt, but to have a chance encounter with Chi Wan. If the other party didn’t ask, her plan to offer her allegiance would come to nothing.

“Fuma, in truth, I did not come here to seek refuge with my aunt, but to offer my allegiance to you. I can serve without an official position, seeking only the role of an advisor.”

Recommending herself with sincerity, Lu Xin ultimately chose to lay her thoughts bare. From her first contact with Chi Wan, to her deliberate investigation, and Chi Wan’s actions in Qingyuan County today.

One could say this was a mutual interview between a lord and an advisor.

She had seen the men from the Imperial City Division, leading the yamen runners, storm into the homes of Qingyuan’s elite, arresting the officials and gentry whom no one dared to offend. She had also seen the notice posted in the town.

The notice required everyone in Qingyuan County to voluntarily report the amount of land they owned to the yamen. Furthermore, yamen clerks would lead runners to each village to inform the village head, ensuring the headman conveyed the yamen’s policy and guaranteed the truthfulness of the registered information. If an investigation proved otherwise, the headman would be held culpable. This was to be completed within three days, after which a thorough investigation of Qingyuan’s land would begin. Those who concealed land would be punished according to the severity of the situation.

Concealing over a hundred mu would result in confiscation of property. For less than a hundred mu, the fine would be three times the value of the land.

One mu of good land was worth about twenty to thirty taels of silver, medium-grade land about a dozen taels, and poor-grade land could be bought for a few taels. Of course, the price of land varied by region, with some being inflated and others suppressed.

In short, once this notice was issued, Chi Wan was telling the people of Qingyuan County to be sensible. The consequences had been laid out. Refusal to comply? That would be considered a provocation.

But surely some would be unwilling. After all, to reveal everything would be to hand over evidence of their own land annexation. To willingly offer up evidence against oneself was simply asking for death.

But for every policy from above, there was a countermeasure from below. Some would certainly forge land deeds and temporarily register the land under others’ names.

Thus, the last sentence of the notice read: Qingyuan County will implement a land-based tax system, no longer collecting a poll tax, effective this year.

The meaning was simple: from now on, those with land would be taxed, and those without would not. Furthermore, only silver would be accepted for tax payments, no longer goods in kind.

Emperor Shengyuan had said that everything in Qingyuan County was up to her. So, after discussing it with Yu Jiuzhou, Qingyuan County had become a pilot area.

The emperor needed to be handled cautiously; it was merely a matter of reframing the concept. After explaining the benefits, the emperor would naturally agree.

It was a combined version of the famous Single Whip Method and the policy of apportioning the poll tax into the land tax from ancient times, with some suitable modern methods borrowed as well.

Qingyuan County was the pilot. What Chi Wan did today would surely cause a huge uproar in the imperial court tomorrow. The ministers would likely engage in a war of words, terrified that the events in Qingyuan would spread.

By merging the poll tax into the land tax, everyone, whether commoner or official, would be taxed as long as they owned land.

The people with the most land in Great Zhou were these officials and gentry. Abolishing the poll tax would undoubtedly cause a loss of revenue for the state treasury, but the land tax would repay this loss ten thousand, even a hundred thousand times over.

The officials and gentry made up only one-thousandth of Great Zhou’s population, yet their land accounted for eighty percent of the total. With this change, how could the state treasury not become wealthy?

If it weren’t for the fact that they couldn’t easily propose reforms and changes to Emperor Shengyuan, this wouldn’t be a pilot program; the entire Great Zhou would have to comply.

Chi Wan had come to Qingyuan County to suppress its demons and monsters, but she hadn’t expected to attract someone offering their allegiance.

If they wanted to pledge allegiance to Yu Jiuzhou through her, that would be one thing. But Lu Xin said she wanted to pledge allegiance to her. That was truly a novelty.

“Give me a reason.”

A reason that could move her.

Lu Xin’s mind raced. “I do not get along with Prince Zhongshan. He is a prince, and it is not my place to judge him. I simply wish to find someone through whom I can realize my ambitions. And my ambitions are not so lofty as to serve the country and its people for the sake of the world, nor do I wish to have my name recorded in history. I only wish to eliminate malpractices and innovate.”

Eliminate malpractices and innovate?

Chi Wan smiled. “Reform and changing the laws will cost lives.”

“But isn’t the Fuma already doing it?”

This retort made Chi Wan pause for a moment, then she said with satisfaction, “This Fuma will entrust you with a task. If you succeed, how does the position of Vice Minister of the Grand Court of Revision sound?”

Both the Chief Administrator of a prince’s residence and the Vice Minister of the Grand Court of Revision were fifth-rank positions. The former was limited to Prince Zhongshan’s command, with almost no chance of promotion unless the prince ascended the throne. The latter, however, meant her official career was just beginning.

Lu Xin’s eyes lit up at once. “May I ask what the Fuma requires of this subordinate?”

She had already started calling herself a subordinate.

Chi Wan stated the task she had for Lu Xin. “To prevent anyone from fooling the common people, I want you to make them understand the benefits of this matter. Not just in Qingyuan County, but the people of the entire Great Zhou must know.”

Once the people understood the benefits, they would naturally form a force of support. The officials and gentry were a single entity; reform was destined to be in opposition to them. In that case, she would stand with the people.

The power of an individual commoner was weak. Perhaps even a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand were still weak. But what about all the common people of Great Zhou?

This task was not easy, but it wasn’t of hellish difficulty either. If Lu Xin could do it, she would. If not, Chi Wan wouldn’t force her.

When one spoke of advisors, names like Zhuge Liang and Guo Jia came to mind. She was a Fuma, after all. Lu Xin didn’t have to be as brilliant as these historical figures, but she should at least have the capability of someone like Yao Chong by Empress Wu’s side.

After all, those who pledged allegiance to her would eventually follow Yu Jiuzhou. Once Yu Jiuzhou took power, the old retainers from her residence would all be appointed to high positions.

Of course, Lu Xin would not refuse. If her lord gave her an opportunity and she failed to seize it, then she was useless.

“This subordinate will do my utmost.”

Chi Wan took a sip of tea. This task needed to be done, but there hadn’t been a suitable candidate. In any case, it wasn’t urgent yet. She could let Lu Xin try. If there were no results in a short time, then the people Yu Jiuzhou had arranged could be set in motion.

Of course, if Lu Xin achieved results, the people arranged by Yu Jiuzhou could then maximize the effect.

These days, no one had been idle.

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News of what Chi Wan was doing in Qingyuan County had already reached Yu Jiuzhou.

This time, pigeons flew everywhere from Qingyuan County, and express horses galloped, delivering the news to the high officials in the capital in the shortest possible time.

Upon receiving the news, the first reaction of these people was not to see the emperor, but to meet with the person they relied on, be it a Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat or one of the three princes.

However, the members of the Grand Secretariat had all been summoned by Yu Jiuzhou today. Even though they had received the news, they couldn’t discuss it with their allies.

At the same time, Yu Jiuzhou had spread the news that Emperor Shengyuan wanted to conduct a salt inspection tour, leading the three princes to believe that one of them would be chosen. And whoever went, if successful, would become the future crown prince.

With such news out, it remained to be seen whether the position of crown prince was more important, or blocking the investigation into land annexation. It was also possible they would try to do both, but those who wanted to have it all were destined to die the fastest.

Yu Jiuzhou looked at the three Grand Secretaries below her. Gao Zheng had already submitted. With the Lord Grand Secretary on their side, the remaining two were no threat.

This time, she and Chi Wan, coordinating from two different places, had achieved a beautiful opening move.

However, there were always those who lacked foresight. Yuan Yiqing stepped forward. “Your Highness, you are a Kun Ze. This minister does not agree with Your Highness participating in the Grand Secretariat’s discussions. I have already submitted a memorial on this matter. Before His Majesty’s decree is issued, this minister will not discuss matters with Your Highness. I take my leave.”

Another Grand Secretary, Zhang Weisi, spoke up. “Your Highness, this minister requests an audience with His Majesty. I have an urgent matter to report. The Fuma, Chi Wan, went to Qingyuan County and had a notice posted. What is this about abolishing the poll tax and turning Qingyuan into a land-based tax system? This minister wants to ask His Majesty who gave her the authority to dare do such a thing. If no one gave her this authority, then she is committing treason. This minister requests that troops be dispatched to arrest her.”

This matter had blown up. Gao Zheng was inwardly bitter. He had been thinking of proposing a thorough investigation of land annexation in all of Yanbei at court tomorrow, but how could he have known that the Fuma would play such a big hand? He was now riding a tiger, unable to get off, and could only see this path through to the end. The court officials would think he was the mastermind behind this, that it was premeditated, making him the minister of ten thousand crimes for advocating reform.

At that point, the Fuma would become the innocent party who had been used. After all, the Fuma was only nineteen. At that age, how could she propose such a unique, incisive, and brilliant reform? He didn’t believe it either.

His Majesty, the Grand Princess, and an ignorant Fuma… they had utterly ruined him!

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