Yunyue National State, Cheng County, Lizhou Prefecture.
Upon hearing of the imperial envoy's arrival to deliver an edict, the local county magistrate hastily summoned his colleagues and subordinates. After bathing and burning incense, the main gate was opened wide to greet the envoy with kowtows.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, I decree:
I have long pondered, and though I diligently attend to state affairs daily without the slightest slackening, the imperial court continues to decline. I am deeply troubled, for I fear I will have no words to face the former emperors in the netherworld. At this juncture, Prime Minister Chu advised that Yunyue Kingdom suffers from a grave illness and requires potent medicine. He proposes reforms to strengthen the nation, to revolutionize heaven and earth.
I wholeheartedly agree and pledge my unwavering support. To assuage his concerns, I have betrothed him to my fifth daughter, Li Xin Yue. This union, witnessed by all civil and military officials, signifies my resolve!
I hereby assent to Prime Minister Chu's proposal, on the seventh day of the eleventh month, in the year three thousand two hundred and forty-two of the Qingzhou Continent. From this moment forward, all past acts of corruption shall be pardoned. I urge all officials to conduct themselves with propriety. Henceforth, any who repeatedly transgress and continue to engage in corruption shall face doubled penalties, with past and present offenses combined, to ensure severe punishment. Let this be known!
At this time, reforms shall be implemented in taxation, land surveys, and tiered taxation! These measures are to be enacted to achieve national strengthening through reform! As my imperial decree commands, all officials who witness this shall render their assistance, and shall not cling to old ways in defiance. Those who refuse shall, at the least, be stripped of their hats and sent home; at the worst, they shall be imprisoned and thoroughly investigated!
My resolve for reform is absolute! It shall not waver!
By Imperial Command!"
"What!?"
Magistrate Wu and the other officials kneeling on the ground could scarcely believe their ears. Had they misheard something so absurd?
"Magistrate Wu, are you not receiving the edict?"
The eunuch delivering the decree waited a few moments, then reprimanded with some impatience.
"Yes, yes, yes, your humble servant Wu Wei receives the edict!"
Magistrate Wu, filled with trepidation, rose and, with trembling hands, accepted the imperial decree from the envoy. He then handed it to a servant for safekeeping.
Leaning closer, he asked with confusion, "Envoy, why would His Majesty issue such a decree?"
"I am merely responsible for delivering the decree; how would I know His Majesty's deeper intentions?" the eunuch replied, casting a reproachful glance at him.
Magistrate Wu immediately produced a small silver ingot weighing five taels from his sleeve and placed it in the eunuch's hand, smiling apologetically, "Envoy, a small token of my humble regard. Please accept it?"
"Tsk~ Very well," the eunuch cautiously glanced behind him. Seeing no reaction from the soldiers accompanying him, he pocketed the silver ingot and said with a smile, "Earlier, during the court session, Prime Minister Chu Chen stated that our nation is at a critical juncture, and if this crisis is not addressed, we risk imminent collapse. Thus, His Majesty has issued this decree."
Magistrate Wu inwardly cursed the eunuch for stating the obvious, but continued to smile apologetically, "May I ask, Envoy, what specifically is this crisis?"
"The common people lack land to cultivate and live in hardship. Local gentry and powerful families control governance, land, and wealth below the county level. Noble families and the powerful share in the court's authority. The prevailing atmosphere is one of extravagance and corruption. Numerous sects pose a threat to local order. In short, the court lacks money and land, and local officials are insubordinate."
"Is that clear enough?" the eunuch said with a smile, his words carrying a veiled meaning.
Magistrate Wu and the others immediately broke out in a cold sweat. Insurbordination, corruption, and the unwillingness of officials to act without bribes – wasn't this precisely describing them?
"Ah, this, esteemed Envoy, please see the truth! Please see!"
Magistrate Wu shivered and bowed, begging for mercy.
"These words are of no use to me. I need to see Magistrate Wu's actions," the eunuch shook his head and said meaningfully. "After I deliver the edict, I will not leave immediately. I must supervise Magistrate Wu in writing a proclamation to post the contents of the edict so that the people may be informed. As for their reaction and how you will respond, that is no longer my concern."
After speaking, the eunuch touched the silver ingot in his sleeve and added, "Given your token of regard, I shall offer a bit more advice. The heavens of our nation are about to change! Prime Minister Chu holds immense power at court and has the Emperor's support. Therefore, if you wish your official career to last, this prevailing atmosphere must also change. I have said all I can. Act wisely. I shall now retire to rest and await Magistrate Wu's news."
With that, he waved his hand and left the county office with his soldiers.
"My Lord, what are we to do?"
As soon as the eunuch left, the other officials gathered around, asking with worry.
"What else can we do? We can only take it one step at a time," Magistrate Wu sighed and said with a wry smile. "In any case, we will first handle this matter as the envoy instructed. If the powerful families in the county cause trouble, we will deal with it then."
With that, Magistrate Wu returned to his seat and began drafting the proclamation.
Half an hour later, a squad of county soldiers, carrying the proclamation, arrived at the notice board and posted it.
Soon, some of the populace noticed the notice and gathered around. However, most of the common people were illiterate and could not understand what was written. Fortunately, there were still some impoverished scholars in the county. When they arrived, they read the contents of the proclamation aloud for the common folk.
After reading it, the scholars were overjoyed. "This is good news! Truly good news!"
"Scholar, the notice doesn't mention tax reductions, so why is it good news?" someone scoffed.
"What do you know? The notice contains the Emperor's own reflections, expressing his intent to reform and strengthen the nation. It mentions three reform measures: tax system reform, land surveying, and tiered taxation. These are all directly related to us," the scholar retorted, glaring at him and explaining briefly.
"Tax system reform, land surveying, tiered taxation? What are these things? I don't understand. Since you are well-read, scholar, perhaps you can explain?" another person asked curiously, egging him on.
"Yes, scholar, please explain. How do these three reforms relate to us common folk?" Amidst the clamor of the crowd, the scholar reluctantly said, "Alright, alright, I will explain."
Immediately, the surroundings fell silent.
"According to the notice, the general idea is that His Majesty now understands our difficult and impoverished lives and intends to reform them to improve our future. He wants us to live a better life."
"Is that true?" the crowd asked disbelievingly.
The scholar ignored them and continued, "Regarding these three reforms, tax system reform, as I see it, means changing the current tax system. The amount of tax paid by the rich and the poor will be adjusted. Perhaps the rich will pay more, and the poor will pay less."
"That's good news! If it can truly be like this, then life might be a little better in the future!" The crowd was delighted to hear this.
"As for land surveying, it doesn't concern us since we have no land. But tiered taxation corresponds to what I said earlier: paying taxes based on one's wealth and income. In short, that's the general idea." The scholar felt a little embarrassed as he spoke. "Currently, there are no specific details. It's essentially a general announcement. I believe the court will take action soon."
"Wonderful!" The surrounding people shouted happily.