After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Like Zhao Hu, many people concealed or underreported their assets. Even Zhao Cheng in faraway Luoyang noticed this. He immediately wrote a letter to Zhao Hanzhang, suggesting she issue a proclamation for reporting concealed assets, rewarding those who report others for underreporting.

Chang Ning, who had long-held opinions, immediately submitted a memorial to support this upon hearing it. Many ministers followed in agreement, some even approaching the Little Emperor, hinting that he should issue the asset reporting proclamation himself to gain prestige among the people.

The Little Emperor did not wish to involve himself in such matters. He was exhausted from reading every day and in his spare time, worried constantly about his safety. He really didn’t want to deal with these affairs or these people.

He lacked the ambitions of the late Emperor’s elder brother. He didn’t think he could be as formidable as Zhao Hanzhang, Zhao Ming, or Wang Dao, to turn the tide for the Jin Dynasty. He was only ten years old; he just wanted to survive.

He neither wanted to be executed nor poisoned.

So when these supposedly well-meaning people reached out to him, speaking with earnest concern, all he wanted was to drive them out quickly, though he lacked the authority to do so.

He even suspected they deliberately cornered him in the garden. The guards, eunuchs, and palace maids around him were all arranged by Zhao Hanzhang. Though they treated him with utmost respect, everyone knew their loyalty belonged to Zhao Hanzhang.

Finding him in their presence, they still asked him to assert himself in the political scene. Perhaps they weren’t helping him at all, but rather encouraging him to take action, only for him to end up reporting to Zhao Hanzhang to claim credit?

The Little Emperor didn’t shy away from viewing these people with the utmost suspicion.

Upon learning of this matter, Zhao Hanzhang immediately launched an investigation. After discovering that the official did not accurately report his assets, she simply chuckled and remarked, "Then let’s start with him."

But it was just him; Zhao Hanzhang didn’t implicate others. Once he paid the calculation money and his position was confiscated and he was conscripted, she summoned Chang Ning, who had been repeatedly submitting memorials. Oh, Chang Ning had been promoted; she appointed him as Minister of the Left, an official under Fu Tinghan, primarily responsible for judicial matters.

"Minister Chang, I understand your concerns. Many people are underreporting their assets; they’re embezzling state property."

Chang Ning wore a solemn expression, "Lord, once you know, you should contemplate methods to prevent such matters from unfolding. Such situations occurred as early as during the Han times. Why didn’t you issue the asset reporting proclamation alongside the calculation order?"

"Sir, knowing the history, you should know why the asset reporting proclamation couldn’t be enforced later on. Is it necessary to issue it anyway?"

Chang Ning responded sternly, "That was a few years later. Now the national treasury lacks funds. Since you issued the calculation order, it should be enforced stringently to collect as much money as possible."

Ji Yuan expressed a different opinion from the side, "If enforced too harshly, won’t it lose the people’s support? What if a large number of aristocrats flee south at that time?"

Chang Ning snorted coldly, "They would have left early when the Xiongnu attacked; a mere calculation order wouldn’t cause them to leave."

"It ultimately loses people’s support, which is disadvantageous for the future," Ji Yuan said. "Lord, if you wish to recuperate and build prosperity, you need the contributions of these aristocrats and merchants. With Grandmaster Zhao Qi and Governor Zhao setting examples, those meeting the criteria will contribute some calculation money. Even if the sums don’t match, it’s enough to help us through tough times temporarily. Why make the relationship too strained?"

Ming Yu nodded slightly, saying, "Calculation money was abolished during Emperor Wu’s time, meaning current living merchants haven’t paid it. Besides, this time you’ve increased calculation money and transportation taxes for gentry and officials—this is unprecedented in any dynasty. Everyone knows you’re using their money to fill the treasury and to support the populace, to enrich the poor. Issuing the asset reporting proclamation now would not only displease other officials and gentry but might also discontent those of the Zhao Family?"

If even the Zhao Family openly opposed it, how many would support Zhao Hanzhang?

Even with troops in hand, she couldn’t suppress everyone, could she?

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, agreeing with Ji Yuan and Ming Yu’s views.

Before issuing the calculation order, she knew people would underreport or conceal their assets, but she didn’t issue the asset reporting proclamation, choosing to turn a blind eye because she knew she would only collect calculation money for a year. She was confident she would cancel it next year and revive the economy through other means.

Chang Ning lowered his eyes in thought, then raised his head shortly after and said, "Grandmaster Zhao Qi and Governor Zhao can’t compare to you, Lord. Why don’t you lead by example?"

Zhao Hanzhang blinked and replied, "I’ve paid the calculation money."

"Your transportation taxes weren’t fully paid."

Zhao Hanzhang: "I haven’t fully paid them? Let me ask Ting He."

Chang Ning, expressionless, said, "What about Minister Fu’s transportation and assets? Should his share be paid by Minister Fu or by you, Lord?"

Zhao Hanzhang hesitated before replying, "He has no assets."

Chang Ning: "And his transportation? Minister Fu’s guards and the horses he brings, should these be paid by Minister Fu or by you, Lord?"

Zhao Hanzhang opened her mouth, and after moments said, "Fine, I’ll pay."

Chang Ning immediately handed Zhao Hanzhang a list, detailing numerous names with Zhao Hanzhang at the top. Ji Yuan and Ming Yu’s names were also on the list, both looking bewildered, promptly asking, "Did we also underreport?"

Chang Ning snorted coldly, "You haven’t reported your houses and fields in Luoyang."

Ji Yuan: "...The fields in Luoyang didn’t yield this year. Couldn’t even find tenant farmers, nor was there any cultivation..."

Under Chang Ning’s gaze, Ji Yuan couldn’t continue. He paused and then said, "I’ll return and have someone estimate the value."

Chang Ning: "Also, Mr. Ji, calculate the value of spoils brought back from Northern Land, right?"

Ming Yu’s spine tensed; unfortunately, he also acquired some spoils.

Zhao Hanzhang carefully examined the names on the list and noted that only Zhao Ming and Zhao Cheng’s names were missing from the rolls. Seeing Chang Ning looking over, she promptly said, "All the spoils I brought back have been used by the treasury for public purposes."

"Really? But I heard you sent two cartloads of books to the academy upon returning, all pillaged from Northern Land, along with numerous paintings and calligraphy that went into storage, which I saw Ting He inventory."

This... Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t aware, given her busy national affairs, leaving these domestic matters to Ting He.

Zhao Hanzhang pointed at the list and asked, "Could it be that when Uncle Ming was in Jizhou, he accounted for the value of some precious paintings and calligraphy there?"

Chang Ning nodded solemnly.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang admired him greatly and promptly said, "I’ll soon have Ting He determine the value and repay the remaining money."

Only then did Chang Ning’s expression improve. He stood, bowed to Zhao Hanzhang, and turned to leave.

Ji Yuan watched him depart, unable to resist turning and asking Zhao Hanzhang, "Between him and me, who is truly in charge of finance?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Appointing Chang Ning as Minister of the Left is belittling him. He should be made Imperial Censor."

She turned to Zhao Yunxin, saying, "Note this down, remind me after we return to Luoyang and bury the late Emperor, lest I forget."

Zhao Yunxin acknowledged, jotting this down in the little notebook.