Chapter 52 Starting with the Ministry of Revenue

Chapter 52: Striking at the Ministry of Revenue

After Zhu Di finished speaking, he announced the adjournment of the morning court session, concluding the imperial council.

Having successfully secured substantial authority and even taking down a founding marquis of the Jingnan campaign, Xu Jingchang had achieved a triumphant opening move in his maiden endeavor.

Although Zhu Di had previously managed to recover the official silver from Qiu Fu and severely reprimanded him, that matter had been handled privately and could not be brought to the surface. Zhu Di dared not treat the meritorious veterans who had helped him conquer the empire lightly. Moreover, when all was said and done, Zhu Di, having ascended the throne through a rebellion, still fell far short of his father’s immense prestige. Therefore, relatively speaking, Zhu Yuanzhuo had been more inclined toward internal consolidation, whereas Zhu Di was more partial to external military campaigns.

Although Wang Zhong had been thrown into prison for a mere three months this time, it nevertheless set a precedent: the Jingnan founding meritorious ministers were not entirely unshakable. And the one who had successfully accomplished this remarkable feat was none other than Xu Jingchang, who was not yet sixteen years of age.

Within the imperial court, both civil officials and hereditary nobility were utterly shocked.

The gazes they cast toward him were completely out of the ordinary.

Yet for Xu Jingchang, this was merely a preliminary test of his skills. What did this amount to? He still had far more formidable moves waiting in the wings!

"Gentlemen, allow me to offer you a piece of advice: if you wish to spend this New Year in peace and tranquility, you would all do well to properly discipline the members of your households and keep them under strict control. Otherwise, should any trouble arise, nobody's face will look good. And if any of you are so unfortunate as to be packed off to prison—to the point where there are more people inside the cells than outside—that truly wouldn't be very pleasant."

With that, Xu Jingchang flicked his sleeves and strode away.

The officials looked at one another in dismay. Was he threatening us?

This brat actually dares to threaten us!

Shall we join forces to impeach him and bring him down, so he learns just how formidable we are?

The group exchanged glances, but before anyone could utter a word, Xia Yuanji suddenly threw his head back and burst into hearty laughter, chanting loudly:
*"There are birds in the southern mountains, and nets are cast in the northern mountains. The birds fly high of their own accord, what can the nets possibly do to them?"*

Xia Yuanji sang these lines three times in succession before descending with a triumphant air, brimming with the sweet satisfaction of having his revenge fulfilled.

You blind, foolish wretches! You thought of me, Old Xia, as your rival, failing to realize that that little cub Xu Jingchang is your true nemesis. Now look at you: the Directorate of Ceremonial has acquired military command and tax-collecting powers, and perhaps you have also forgotten that Xu Jingchang still holds the authority over the court gazette. Through the Directorate, he can oversee the administrative progress of every single government office.

Combine these powers together, and in terms of threat level, they undoubtedly far surpass the Ministry of Revenue. You have dug your own graves; now let's just see how you get buried in them.

The officials stared at each other, sensing that something was terribly wrong, but alas, it was already too late.

First were the nobles, who departed one after another filled with bitter resentment. It was all because of these meddling civil officials—had they not impeached Wang Zhong in the first place, His Majesty would never have listened to Xu Jingchang.

Let's wait and see how this plays out!

The nobles hurried back to their respective estates. Many of them actually followed Xu Jingchang's warning, ordering their family members and household guards to behave themselves, stay out of trouble, and on no account fall into Xu Jingchang's clutches.

Even if one managed to survive the ordeal, having to eat New Year's Eve dinner in a prison cell was a humiliation that would last a lifetime.

As the officials dispersed in all directions, Xu Jingchang returned to the offices of the Directorate of Ceremonial, where someone was already waiting for him alone.

Big-bellied Zhu's face was slightly flushed, betraying a trace of awkwardness and embarrassment.

"I came by earlier, but it so happened you were out. Only Grand Preceptor Yao spoke a few words with me, telling me to bide my time and watch how things unfold."

Seeing Zhu Gaozhi acting as though he had committed a grave mistake, Xu Jingchang could not help laughing aloud.

"Your Highness, since you're already here, I would like to ask you to run an errand for me."

Startled, Zhu Gaozhi hurriedly replied, "Just give your orders, Brother."

Xu Jingchang smiled and said, "Go to the Ministry of Revenue right now, see Xia Yuanji, and tell him that as the Directorate of Ceremonial prepares to collect commercial taxes going forward, we will honestly and faithfully follow any suggestions or demands he has. As for any pending cases he doesn't have time to process, we are quite willing to take them over and settle them properly on behalf of the Ministry of Revenue."

Zhu Gaozhi fell into a silent contemplation. After a moment, a look of sudden realization crossed his face, and he nodded.

For the four years that Zhu Di spent campaigning in military expeditions, Zhu Gaozhi had been left in charge of keeping the home fires burning. Aside from defending Beiping, he had also had to prepare provisions and military supplies, resolving all logistical challenges. Though still young, Zhu Gaozhi was already a seasoned master of domestic administration with seasoned experience.

In truth, when Xia Yuanji summoned him earlier, it wasn't because the big-bellied prince lacked intelligence; rather, the rigorous training he had undergone over the past few years had conditioned him with the mindset of an academic problem-solver.

When a problem arose, one simply solved the problem.

However, the rules of the imperial court were entirely different: solving a problem was far too difficult, so it was always much more convenient to simply eliminate the person who raised the problem in the first place.

Thus, the moment Xu Jingchang sensed the problem, he had decisively struck at Xia Yuanji.

Neither approach was inherently superior or inferior; they merely stemmed from different trains of thought.

Sending Zhu Gaozhi over at this juncture was meant to let the big-bellied prince experience what it meant when the balance of power shifted, and what it meant to have the absolute upper hand!

Now it was Xia Yuanji's turn to seek favors from them. He wanted Zhu Gaozhi to properly handle that old fox and show him no mercy whatsoever.

Fully grasping the implication, Zhu Gaozhi felt an overwhelming surge of gratitude toward his younger cousin.

He hurried off to the Ministry of Revenue. About an hour later, Zhu Gaozhi returned with a radiant expression beaming across his face. Dropping heavily into a seat opposite Xu Jingchang, he pulled a small booklet from his sleeve.

"This was given to me by Minister Xia, who instructed me to pass it on to you, Cousin. You may decide for yourself who to strike against."

Xu Jingchang smiled. "Has Your Highness perused its contents?"

"Certainly not!" Zhu Gaozhi replied decisively. "Minister Xia asked me to look, but I refused. His Imperial Father merely told me to observe state affairs; it truly is not my place to meddle. Having made one mistake, I can most certainly not afford a second."

Xu Jingchang burst into laughter. "His Highness is indeed cautious. But to let such a splendid opportunity to establish your authority slip right through your fingers—do you not regret it?"

Zhu Gaozhi hastily protested, "I have no need for any grand prestige! To speak from the heart, I have been pondering this: state affairs are far too complicated. I'd much rather go fishing and listen to music, living a carefree life."

"In that case, Your Highness must properly educate the Imperial Grandson. Only when a son becomes a dragon can the father finally catch his breath. Wouldn't you agree?"

Zhu Gaozhi nodded repeatedly. "What Cousin says is entirely true! Later today, I shall arrange for renowned tutors for that brat and have him strictly educated, without allowing him a single moment of slackness."

Splendid. The dark-skinned boy's nightmare was about to begin.

Xu Jingchang always kept his word, especially when dealing with children; breaking a promise was simply out of the question.

Even if there were no difficulties to be found, one had to manufacture them.

As Zhu Gaozhi spoke, his eyes kept drifting back to that small booklet. Xu Jingchang saw it all and understood perfectly. Although the big-bellied prince had managed to restrain himself from reading it, everyone possessed curiosity.

Out of sheer vengeance, Xia Yuanji had undoubtedly recorded explosive material within its pages.

The only question was: did one dare to strike?

Xu Jingchang remained completely unperturbed. Unlike others who feared matters might be too trivial, he desperately hoped the scandal would be as massive as possible—the kind that could practically pierce the heavens. Otherwise, petty little squabbles would simply be too dull!

"Let me take a look, then, and see just how many secrets Xia Yuanji has managed to unearth."

He casually flipped it open and read a few pages. Immediately, Xu Jingchang's brows knitted together, though a moment later, he couldn't help laughing aloud.

"This old fellow Xia is truly calculating. He's actually exposing his own department's scandals just to get me to eliminate his political rivals for him!"

Perplexed, Zhu Gaozhi asked, "Cousin, what is this all about?"

Xu Jingchang smiled. "It's like this: the former Minister of Revenue, Yu Xin, once suggested that since local products vary across regions while the autumn tax is universally collected in rice, the court could permit taxpayers to substitute two *shi* of millet, sorghum, or buckwheat for one *shi* of rice as part of the regular imperial levy."

Zhu Gaozhi nodded instinctively. "That is a benevolent policy that benefits both the state and the people. Yu Xin put a great deal of thoughtful care into that arrangement."

Xu Jingchang chuckled. "Indeed. But things changed once commercial taxes began to be levied. Transporting grain to the imperial court is exempt from tax. If someone swaps two *shi* of coarse grains for two *shi* of rice, transports it into the capital, hands one *shi* over to the Imperial Granary, they can then take the remaining *shi* out to the open market and sell it. Although the tax rate on grain is only one-thirtieth, saving even a little bit adds up. And given the sheer volume of grain involved, this is by no means a small sum of money."

After pondering this for a moment, Zhu Gaozhi finally understood, though he could not help letting out a sigh. "To amass wealth and personal gain, these people rack their brains to the utmost. If they exerted even half of that effort toward affairs of state, the Great Ming Dynasty would have achieved universal peace long ago."

Sighing further, the big-bellied prince asked, "What do you plan to do, Brother? Are you going to bring down Yu Xin?"

Xu Jingchang smiled. "If I were to take down Yu Xin, wouldn't that be playing right into Xia Yuanji's hands?"

Zhu Gaozhi was startled. "Brother, aren't you and Minister Xia comrades-in-arms? Besides, this time you're supposed to be helping him vent his anger."

Xu Jingchang gave a low chuckle. "Your Highness, I certainly intend to help Xia Yuanji, but not in the way he envisions. Would Your Highness care to accompany me and watch the show?"

Zhu Gaozhi paused for a moment before nodding. "I would."

Xu Jingchang stood up as well. "Order Zhu Yong to assemble eight hundred men and follow me directly to the Ministry of Revenue!"

Even Zhu Gaozhi was completely dumbfounded at this command. What on earth were they going to the Ministry of Revenue for?

Why was Xu Jingchang acting like a mad dog? Xia Yuanji had helped him out so much, yet he was still turning around to strike at the Ministry of Revenue?!

Disregarding all of that, Xu Jingchang led his men with a murderous aura straight toward the Ministry of Revenue. Upon arrival, he immediately ordered the entire compound sealed off, then strode inside at the head of his troops.

"Confiscate all ledgers! Seal all tax and farming registers for the four provinces of Huaihe, Shandong, Huguang, and Jiangxi immediately, and make sure not a single one is missed."

When word reached him, Xia Yuanji was utterly stunned. Everyone knew Xu Jingchang could not be measured by conventional logic, but this brat's actions were entirely devoid of reason!

"Comrade! Comrade! Is this how you treat a comrade?!" Xia Yuanji roared, seething with fury.

Xu Jingchang waved his hands dismissively. "Do not worry, Elder Xia. To forge iron, one must be strong oneself. I am simply helping you clear out the worms." Lowering his voice, Xu Jingchang leaned close to Xia Yuanji's ear. "Quickly tell me which of these people are Yu Xin's former factional adherents, and I'll help you purge your house right now."