Fu Shanhe

Chapter 479 The situation is out of control
Nanwan Camp.

"Your Excellency, what brings you here so late at night?"

Looking at Wan Huaijin, who was dressed in plain clothes, Yun Xiangwen pretended to be confused and asked.

It was as if all the previous contact with Master Wen had never happened.

"As an imperial envoy, I must dress like this in order to enter the military camp."

Lord Yun, why ask a question you already know the answer to?

Wan Huaijin answered expressionlessly.

According to the official hierarchy, the Minister of Revenue should have a higher political status than the General, but today Yun Xiangwen clearly did not treat him as his superior.

The Minister of Revenue concurrently serving as "Imperial Envoy" sounds prestigious, but his actual power is quite limited.

No matter how high one's position or how much power one wields, if one has no ability to control the local military, then one is merely a colleague.

In theory, an imperial envoy can issue a document to local authorities to mobilize troops, but whether they will comply depends entirely on their mood.

If he had been the Governor-General of Jiangnan, becoming his direct superior, Yun Xiangwen would have already gone out to greet him.

"Ha ha……"

"Lord Wan is joking. This world belongs to the Great Yu Dynasty, and it also belongs to the Emperor."

You are the Minister of Revenue and Imperial Commissioner appointed by the Imperial Court; who dares to restrict your freedom?

Yun Xiangwen responded with a smile.

Times have changed. With the decline of the aristocratic clique, these aristocratic generals must now behave with humility.

At its peak, the noble faction had more than 100,000 troops stationed in the Jiangnan region.

Those above also control the empire's military and political power, so naturally they can suppress any dissent.

The situation has now changed. A large number of troops from the nobility were transferred to the northern frontier and never returned.

He was fortunate enough to return to work in Southern Zhili, an opportunity that his family had obtained at great cost.

His position remained that of a general, but his power was greatly reduced, and he only had one battalion under his command.

The military force of the nobility stationed in Southern Zhili consisted of only this one battalion.

While they were able to maintain a certain level of influence locally, the possibility of suppressing dissent as they had before was no longer possible.

This situation arose partly due to the limited financial resources of the imperial court, and partly due to factional compromises following political struggles.

He is indeed dissatisfied with the current situation, but that doesn't mean he's willing to become someone else's tool.

"Lord Yun, fortune and honor are found in danger."

If you handle this matter well, I will recommend you to the court for the position of Governor-General of Southern Zhili.

Even if the imperial court doesn't approve, you can still restore the establishment of a fully-staffed town; the difference in expenses and grain will be covered by the Ministry of Revenue in Nanjing!

Wan Huaijin immediately agreed.

Having witnessed firsthand the power of the Jiangnan gentry, he was acutely aware of the immense risks involved in this debt collection effort.

If he hadn't been decisive enough to arrange for someone to impersonate him and stay in place to attract attention, pretending to be a servant emptying chamber pots, he wouldn't have had the chance to enter the camp.

If you want someone to risk their life for you, you can't do it without giving them something in return.

"Lord Wan, the power of the gentry in Jiangnan is far greater than you have imagined."

To be honest, although you were well prepared tonight, you still couldn't hide it from them.

Everyone at the post station was pre-arranged by them.

The fact that you were able to get here smoothly is thanks to my men who cleaned up the mess for you.

Collecting taxes will inevitably involve bloodshed, so your offer isn't enough!

Yun Xiangwen shook his head and said.

The power of the Jiangnan gentry has never been in military matters; they naturally wouldn't take a real fight seriously.

This time, however, it's about collecting taxes; the real battle between the two sides is the power struggle that unfolds both on and off stage.

The problem cannot be solved simply by making an example of someone.

The noble faction was able to operate back then because the situation in the south was turbulent, and in chaotic times, harsh measures were needed.

When someone is killed, not only will the rebels take the blame, but the leader will also be able to cover it up.

The pressure from both the government and the public will not fall on them.

The situation has changed, and it's impossible to expect Wan Huaijin to shoulder all the pressure.

Even if this imperial envoy was willing to take responsibility, he wasn't physically strong enough.

Before the matter was over, he was kicked out.

The imperial envoy couldn't carry it, and neither could Yun Xiangwen.

To succeed, you must gain more supporters.

Wan Huaijin was naturally in charge of liaising with the political groups in the north, while Yun Xiangwen was needed to coordinate with the nobility faction.

A mere uncertain recommendation, coupled with the addition of a battalion of soldiers, would at most elicit a few words of support from the nobility.

To gain everyone's full support, there must be greater benefits involved.

"General Yun, what do you want?"

Wan Huaijin asked slowly.

The Jiangnan gentry group produced the most Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) in Dayu and wielded considerable influence in the imperial court.

They also control academic standards among the general public and dictate the direction of public opinion in academic circles.

Facing such an enemy is certainly fraught with risks.

When the tentative offer failed, he simply gave up and passed the question on.

"Lord Wan, the key issue is not what I want, but what the people behind me want."

Your visit this time isn't simply about wanting to cooperate with me.

The rank of a mere General of Southern Zhili is not enough to warrant such a risk from you.

To achieve great things, some benefits must be shared.

The noble faction doesn't have high demands; they just want the previous structure restored.

Don't rush to refute.

Without sufficient military deterrence, don't even think about collecting taxes.

Even if last year's arrears are made up, there will be even more arrears this year, next year, and even the year after.

"If you fail to meet your tax collection targets, you, the Minister of Revenue in Nanjing, may find your position precarious!"

Yun Xiangwen answered calmly.

Frankly speaking, proposing such conditions at this time is also a way of exploiting the court's weakness.

The aristocratic faction was not monolithic; besides the old guys in the capital, there was also a younger generation of rising stars.

These people did not hold high positions in the court, but they were basically first-line generals who controlled the elite military forces of the nobility.

The nominal leader was Li Mu, who was thousands of miles away.

Although Li Mu himself has never participated in any networking activities, it does not prevent people from promoting him as a spiritual leader.

After all, a group of generals, brigade commanders, and deputy generals banding together still lacks political influence.

Compared to the older generation of nobles, the political views of the younger generation were significantly more radical.

People expressed strong dissatisfaction with the concessions made by the noble faction in the court and wanted to reclaim the benefits they had previously lost.

In particular, the generals who were transferred to the northern frontier to work in poverty suffered from unpaid wages and were particularly radical in this regard.

The imperial court was short of funds, and the gentry in Jiangnan were unwilling to bear the tax obligations, which gave them an opportunity to intervene.

Even before the imperial envoy was on his way, Yun Xiangwen received many letters from his colleagues, all urging him to do something.

There's no need to worry about the consequences. If we succeed, all will be well; if we fail, we can simply go south and seek refuge with our old boss.

No matter how powerful the gentry of Jiangnan were, they could not extend their influence to the Annam Protectorate.

Whether for his own sake or out of consideration for their camaraderie, Li Mu would provide him with political asylum.

"Your appetites are too big. Even if I wanted to agree, I'd have to be able to make the decision myself!"

Wan Huaijin said with a helpless expression.

He was an imperial envoy, not the emperor of the Great Yu Dynasty.

Even if it's for personal political gain, without considering the feelings of the civil service, this cooperation was facilitated.

When it came time to deliver the reward, he was unable to do so.

The biggest problem was not the military structure or official positions, but the chronic problem of the Great Yu Dynasty—money.

With a shortage of funds and provisions for several thousand troops, he secured his position as Minister of Revenue in Nanjing, and could easily be transferred out of the position.

With an additional 100,000 troops added at once, no matter how he maneuvered, he couldn't fill the gap.

The imperial court urged the collection of taxes to fill existing gaps, not to create new fiscal deficits.

It is impossible for the noble generals who have been transferred to the northern frontier to return to the south of the Yangtze River.

Without proud and fierce generals holding the line at the front, the northern lands would become the hunting grounds of the northern barbarians.

"Mr. Wan, there's no need to worry about these things. As long as you agree to cooperate, we can handle the follow-up issues."

If the imperial court wanted to safeguard tax revenue in the south, it had to station troops to suppress local forces, making the restoration of the previous organizational structure imperative.

Financial pressures can actually be resolved locally.

"At worst, we can just have the officers and soldiers work a little harder to crack down on tax evasion, and then we'll have everything we need."

Yun Xiangwen said with a smile.

The solution devised by the younger generation was to continue demanding money from the gentry and merchants of Jiangnan.

The South has recovered for several years, with its total economic output increasing significantly. There's no reason why tax revenue shouldn't rise.

According to estimates within the nobility faction, the amount of tax evaded annually in the Jiangnan region is no less than ten million taels.

Strictly enforce tax laws, and the money will come out on its own.

The taxes that the yamen runners couldn't collect, the army could.

"Alright, I agree to this. But let me make this clear beforehand: if the court doesn't agree to your conditions, don't hold me responsible!"

Wan Huaijin said with a solemn expression.

Reason told him that the court would find it difficult to meet the demands of the nobles.

There is no other reason than that once the tax law is strictly enforced, it will not only harm the gentry in Jiangnan, but also the gentry and merchants throughout the southern land, who will have to pay more money.

It involved too many interest groups and stood in opposition to a host of political forces, both large and small, in the South.

Even if the cabinet members wanted to push it forward, they couldn't withstand the pressure from both the government and the public.

If the noble faction had hundreds of thousands of troops in the south, then even if chaos arose from a forced military push, it could be suppressed.

Even if people are dissatisfied, they can only grit their teeth and accept it.

The problem is that these armies exist in theory but have not yet been actually assembled.

Guangyun Xiangwen's few thousand soldiers were no match for so many interest groups.

Knowing the risks involved, Wan Huaijin had no choice.

He didn't expect to collect all the taxes; as long as he could catch up with the figures from previous years, he could report back to the imperial court.

The Chinese people prefer compromises. With the nobles making excessive demands, it is likely that the gentry of Jiangnan will be more willing to accept his proposal.

"Rest assured, Lord Wan, we have a way to deal with the imperial court. You just need to cooperate!"

Yun Xiangwen said, feigning confidence.

Since things had come to this point, regardless of whether he was confident or not, he had to maintain the facade of composure.

Frankly speaking, he is not good at political struggles.

He had absolutely no idea how to deal with the various factions in the court.

Not only was he not good at it, but the entire elite young faction was not good at it either.

The courage to make such a plan was entirely due to being forced into it.

Having grown accustomed to a good life, the sudden shift to hardship is unbearable for anyone.

So I might as well take this opportunity to make a scene.

If we succeed, great; if we fail, someone will cover for us.

Afterwards, when various factions attempted a political reckoning, they were unable to hold the perpetrators accountable. At worst, the heads of the noble families in the capital would be made the scapegoats.

Being a leader isn't easy. If you don't have enough prestige and can't control your subordinates, you have to be prepared for a backlash.

If we change the person in charge, the matter will be over.

……

As the first rays of sunlight shone on the earth, the soldiers of Nanwan Camp left the camp after having breakfast.

Before the group of gentry representatives gathered in Nanjing could even know what was happening, they were forcibly taken to the government office by a group of soldiers.

This process is bound to involve friction, so harmony is impossible.

Many gentry members appeared quite disheveled.

"Gentlemen, the people below are ignorant and have startled you."

I've hastily invited you all here mainly to handle one matter—collecting taxes.

This is something everyone is familiar with; back then, the Marquis of Wuyang invited everyone from all over the country to discuss tax reform together.

Today I am merely following the example of the sages of the past; I ask for your cooperation.

Yun Xiangwen said with a serious expression.

There's nothing new about it; it's just copying homework.

Any major reform involving vested interests will inevitably result in a disharmonious outcome.

However, in the past, the Marquis of Wuyang sent troops to invite people from the homes of various gentry, but this time he only invited representatives from each family in Nanjing.

"Bastard!"

"Who do you think you are, Yun Xiangwen, to compare yourself to the Marquis of Wuyang? It's utterly ridiculous!"

"Hurry up and release us!"

……

Contrary to expectations of fear among the gentry, Yun Xiangwen was met with their angry curses.

In theory, we are simply implementing policies that have reached a consensus, and the gentry are much more accepting of them.

Compared to previous reforms, the level of difficulty is on a completely different level.

However, the current situation is in stark contrast to that before.

When the White Lotus army rampaged through the south, the gentry were terrified of being killed and reluctantly accepted their terms.

By the time the reforms were extended to Southern Zhili, many southern provinces had already completed tax reforms, and the gentry group had long since differentiated itself.

Even if the gentry in Guangnan Zhili region opposed it, they could not stand alone.

In addition, the Marquis of Wuyang had killed countless rebel soldiers and was known as a god of war among the people, making him far more intimidating than Yun Xiangwen.

Only then did everyone reluctantly agree to the tax reform.

He did copy the homework, but now the situation has changed, and the gentry don't believe he would dare to go on a killing spree.

"boom!"

Before you speak or act, please consider the consequences.

Refusing a toast only leads to a penalty drink; there will be a price to pay!

"Whether you like it or not, I'm going to collect this tax today."

We'll start calling roll now. Those whose names are called will be required to pay the outstanding taxes and a 30% penalty.

"Anyone who dares not pay, let's see if your bones are tougher than my blade!"

Yun Xiangwen slammed his fist on the table and angrily rebuked him.

The atmosphere has built up to this point, and we have to hold on no matter what.

If today's situation cannot persuade everyone to compromise, it will only be more difficult to collect taxes later.

"The Zhou family of Songjiang Prefecture owes a total of 25,000 taels of taxes and a fine of 7,500 taels. They are ordered to settle the debt with the government within half a month."

The Yan family of Songjiang Prefecture owes a total of 38,000 taels of taxes and a fine of 11,400 taels, all of which must be settled within half a month.

……

The Qian family of Suzhou Prefecture owes a total of 227,000 taels of taxes and a fine of 98,100 taels…

"Nonsense!"

"My Qian family has a clean reputation for generations. How could we owe the imperial court taxes? Someone must have framed us!"

Qian Yanfeng couldn't help but interrupt.

Other gentry families usually owed tens of thousands of taels of silver, but his debts were doubled.

Despite the fact that the amount of taxes he had evaded over the years was far more than this figure, he still couldn't help but explode.

If they don't come out to refute it and tacitly accept the matter, the Qian family will become famous.

It's impossible for him to pay more than 300,000 taels of silver in one go.

"Mr. Qian, whatever I say is the price, that's the price."

If you're not satisfied, the evidence will come out after we raid the Qian family's property!

Yun Xiangwen said, feigning an air of dominance.

The move he was using was something he learned from Li Mu.

When Li Mu was in Guangdong and Guangxi, he encountered local forces he didn't get along with, and he used this method.

The only difference is that the crime back then was colluding with the White Lotus Sect, but now it's tax evasion, which has significantly reduced its impact.

"Okay!"

"I've been waiting for you to come and raid the Qian family!"

Qian Yanfeng said with a disdainful look.

The Qian family was a prominent clan, with dozens of its members serving as officials in the imperial court. Among them, outstanding members even rose to the high positions of governor and vice minister.

Without sufficient official power to amass a vast fortune, one cannot incur such a large tax debt.

According to the laws of the Great Yu Dynasty, the emperor needed to issue an imperial edict to investigate and confiscate the property of officials like them.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Wan Huaijin in the back room also panicked.

Everyone here works within the system; he had no intention of overturning the table!
If Yun Xiangwen were to lead troops to raid the Qian family's property, breaking the rules of the political game, he, as the imperial envoy, would be in deep trouble.

However, given the current situation, he is unable to intervene or dissuade them.

Once the truth is revealed, the dream of collecting taxes becomes a complete illusion.

Now we can only hope that local officials will come quickly to mediate and prevent any deaths.

Unfortunately, the higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment.

Looking at the sky outside, it was almost noon, and the officials from the yamen had not yet appeared.

It's obvious they don't want to get involved and are deliberately hiding.

"very good!"

"Mr. Qian, since you have such backbone, I hope you can always have backbone."

"Order the Left Army Commander to mobilize and search the Qian family clan. Anyone who obstructs this operation will be executed without mercy!"

Yun Xiangwen gave the order with murderous intent.

He was well aware of the Qian family's influence in Jiangnan.

If possible, he wouldn't want to get involved with such a powerful family.

Their foundation is too deep to be wiped out in one fell swoop, which could easily leave hidden dangers for themselves.

But since Qian Yanfeng was the first to jump out, there was no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it.

Even if Qian Yanfeng is just a member of a branch of the family and not the head of the Qian family.

(End of this chapter)