novelSusiti Chapter 12 Strategizing the Northern Frontier, A Dragon Devours the World
Chapter 12 Strategizing the Northern Frontier, A Dragon Devours the World
Ji Dan pointed his finger northward at the map, "After Your Highness takes office, you can proceed in three steps."
Li Yuan, the governor of Youzhou, is a direct descendant of the Li clan, which in turn is the maternal clan of the Prince of Qi. This man will undoubtedly be a hindrance. Your Highness must find an opportunity to transfer him and replace him with a trusted confidant to ensure the smooth flow of your policies.
He paused, then added, "However, this matter cannot be rushed. Your Highness has just arrived in Youzhou and has not yet established a firm foothold. It is not advisable to confront the Li family head-on. We can feign weakness first and then seize the opportunity when it is ripe."
Tian Heng nodded: "Sir, your considerations are thorough. What about the second step?"
"Secondly, appease the displaced people and replenish the household registration." Ji Dan picked up his brush and circled several places among the mountains and valleys on the map.
"The scarcity of registered households in Youzhou is not due to a lack of population, but rather because the people have hidden themselves under the patronage of powerful families or become vagrants to avoid exorbitant taxes. I learned from a friend that, according to the Ministry of Revenue's archives over the past ten years, the reported number of households in Youzhou has decreased from 250,000 to 150,000, but the actual number is much lower."
He wrote a line of numbers in the blank space on the paper: "According to my calculations, the actual population of Youzhou should be more than 250,000 households."
Where did those 100,000 households go? They were either hidden away by powerful families as tenant farmers or servants, or they became refugees, struggling to survive in the mountains and fields.
Tian Heng's expression hardened: "One hundred thousand households... if each household has five people, that's five hundred thousand people!"
"Exactly." Ji Dan emphasized the paper with his pen. "These people are Your Highness's greatest asset, but also your greatest hidden danger. If they are properly managed, they can increase tax revenue and provide manpower for the army. If left unchecked, they could become a mob of 500,000 people if things go wrong."
"How should we arrange it?" Tian Heng leaned forward.
"Reduce taxes and levies, and rectify official corruption." Ji Dan said decisively, "Your Highness's first decree upon taking office should be 'tax reduction.' Reduce the land tax in Youzhou from one-thirtieth to one-fortieth, halve the poll tax, and at the same time investigate official corruption and severely punish corruption. In this way, displaced people will surely come to join you."
He dipped his brush in ink and marked several more places on the drawing:
"These places have fertile land, but they are abandoned due to the lack of irrigation. Your Highness can recruit refugees and carry out work relief to build irrigation systems and reclaim wasteland. Within three years, the grain production of Youzhou can increase by 30%, and the number of households can increase by 50,000."
Tian Heng was deeply moved and clapped his hands, exclaiming, "Sir, your insight is brilliant! And what about the third step?"
Ji Dan suddenly stopped writing.
He raised his eyes and looked directly at Tian Heng, his gaze sharp as a knife, as if trying to pierce through skin and see into the heart: "No rush. Before we discuss the third step, I have a question, and I hope Your Highness will answer it truthfully."
"Please speak, sir." Tian Heng's expression turned solemn.
"What is Your Highness's view on the situation in the capital?" Ji Dan asked in a low voice. "Or rather, is Your Highness's ambition limited to Youzhou, or...?"
He didn't finish his sentence, but the unspoken meaning was clear to both of them.
Yang cast their shadows on the wall, making them appear very long.
Tian Heng remained silent for a long time.
He got up and walked to the window, pushing it open halfway. A spring breeze rushed in, carrying the coolness of late spring and dispersing the sandalwood incense in the study.
He gazed at the somber scenery outside the window, at the sleeping yet turbulent capital city, and slowly spoke:
"Within the capital, the Crown Prince's Palace and the Prince of Qi's Mansion are at odds, the Emperor's attitude is ambiguous, and the civil and military officials either side with the Crown Prince, join the Prince of Qi, or choose to protect themselves. The powerful clans are deeply entrenched, corruption is rampant, and the people are suffering."
He turned around, the candlelight dancing in his eyes like two clusters of flame:
"With such a court and such a world, what good is it for me to stay in the capital? I should be stationed in Youzhou to accumulate strength and wait for the right time to act. This is the path my father chose for me, and it is also the path I chose myself."
Ji Dan looked intently at Tian Heng: "Does Your Highness also harbor ambitions to seize the throne?"
"The throne is supreme; who wouldn't desire it?" A smug glint flashed in Tian Heng's eyes—a sharpness beyond his years, the sharpness of a powerful ruler.
"Furthermore, my two elder brothers are either stubborn and self-willed or indecisive and incapable of being a wise ruler. If the Great Xia dynasty is handed over to them, chaos will surely ensue within ten years!"
He walked back to the desk, placed his hands on the edge of the table, leaned forward, and said, word by word, "In this world, only I can rule!"
The candlelight burned in his eyes, its light so intense it seemed to overflow. Ji Dan looked at Tian Heng like this, and his heart trembled.
He had seen too many people: the arrogance of the King of Qi, the cunning of the King of Jin, the slickness of the court officials, and the greed of the aristocratic families. But none of them had such clear and firm eyes, such undisguised ambition and confidence.
"Your Highness, do you know..." Ji Dan said slowly, "A dynasty lasts a hundred years, a family lasts a thousand. Even if Your Highness ascends to the throne, if you cannot control the families, you will be nothing more than a puppet."
"Then let's break the bonds with the powerful families." Tian Heng's voice turned cold, like metal clashing against stone.
"My blade can slay powerful clans. Anyone who dares to stand in my way will face certain death."
He spoke calmly, but beneath that calm lay an overwhelming killing intent and determination.
Ji Dan suddenly smiled. The smile was faint, but it came from the heart. He stood up, straightened his clothes, and then knelt down and kowtowed to the ground.
"Your subject, Ji Dan, is willing to serve Your Highness with utmost loyalty and devotion, assisting you in achieving a lasting and glorious reign!"
This time, it wasn't a perfunctory gesture, nor a test. His forehead rested on the cool blue bricks, his voice steady and firm, each word carrying the weight of a thousand pounds.
Tian Heng was taken aback for a moment, then overjoyed. He quickly stepped forward and helped Ji Dan up with both hands: "Please rise, sir! With your help, what is there to worry about in achieving our great cause!"
"Thank you for your trust, Your Highness." Ji Dan stood up, a long-lost light shining in his eyes.
It is the resolute determination of a scholar to die for one who understands him, and the joy of encountering a wise ruler.
The two sat down again; the tea had gone cold, but no one paid any attention.
"Sir, you previously discussed the strategy for Youzhou, but you haven't finished explaining the third step yet." Tian Heng personally poured tea for Ji Dan, his tone sincere. "Please enlighten me, sir."
Ji Dan held the cup, but did not drink. He gazed at the tea leaves floating in the tea soup and slowly said, "The third step, and the most difficult step, is reform."
"Reform?" Tian Heng's eyes narrowed.
"Yes, reform." Ji Dan nodded. "Reducing taxes, building water conservancy projects, and reforming the bureaucracy are all temporary solutions. If Youzhou is to truly become strong, and if Your Highness is to have the resources to contend for supremacy, reform is necessary."
He put down his teacup and traced his finger across the map of Youzhou: "Three essentials of reform."
Firstly, the military system. Although the border troops of Youzhou are brave, their organization is outdated, with soldiers and officers separated. I have observed in historical records that during the previous dynasties, the Great Ling had its elite infantry, and the Great Hong had its elite soldiers; all were rewarded with land and houses based on military merit, hence their invincibility. Your Highness may try implementing a new military system in Youzhou, granting land and houses to those who achieve outstanding military merit, exempting them from taxes, and allowing their descendants to inherit military positions.”
A glint flashed in Tian Heng's eyes: "Sir, are you saying... to exchange land and houses for the morale of the army?"
"Exactly," Ji Dan continued.
"Secondly, the imperial examination system. Nowadays, the path to officialdom is monopolized by aristocratic families, and it is difficult for children from poor families to rise to prominence, even if they are talented."
Your Highness may establish the "Youzhou Examination" in Youzhou, disregarding social background and testing only talent and learning. Those who pass the examination will be granted official positions and given practical responsibilities. In this way, the hearts of scholars from humble backgrounds throughout the land can be won over.
"Brilliant!" Tian Heng exclaimed in admiration. "And the third one?"
Ji Dan took a deep breath and slowly uttered four words: "Investigate the fields."
Tian Heng's expression changed drastically.
The simple phrase "investigating land ownership" touches upon the most fundamental interests of powerful clans. How have these clans endured for centuries?
They relied on concealing their land, evading taxes, and raising private armies. Once their land was investigated, they would become enemies with all the aristocratic families.
"Sir, are you aware..." Tian Heng's voice was hoarse, "that this act is tantamount to treason?"
"Your Majesty understands," Ji Dan said calmly. "But if Your Highness wishes to achieve great things, you must take this risky step. Although the powerful families of Youzhou are not as numerous as those in the capital, they are still deeply entrenched. Their hidden lands and populations are precisely the resources Your Highness needs most. Moreover..."
He paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "Your Highness's reforms in Youzhou will surely be obstructed by the aristocratic families in the capital. Rather than waiting for them to make trouble, it is better to strike first."
Using the pretext of investigating land ownership, they suppressed the local aristocratic families of Youzhou. This would both replenish the treasury and establish their authority. By the time the capital reacted, His Highness would have already gained a firm foothold in Youzhou, beyond their reach.
Tian Heng fell silent.
He got up and paced around the study, his steps light, yet each one resonated deeply within him.
Reforms, military system, imperial examinations, land surveys... every step was a risky move, every step could lead to utter ruin.
but--
He stopped and looked out the window.
As dawn broke and the east began to lighten, sunlight pierced through the clouds and fell upon the ginkgo tree in the courtyard. The tender green leaves, glistening with morning dew, shimmered in the soft light, radiating vitality.
Just like this era, this world, and this ancient land.
It is sick, very sick.
The powerful clans are like a festering sore, corruption is like ants causing a dam to burst, and the common people are like sheep waiting to be slaughtered. But it is precisely because of this that someone is needed to govern, to change, to destroy and then rebuild.