Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 465 Tribute and Child Rearing

In summer, the clouds are light and the breeze is gentle, and the grass grows tall and the birds fly.

Zhang Yu had been managing affairs in Chang'an for many months, but he couldn't resist the urge to hunt, so he led his men to the foothills to go hunting.

They set off in a grand procession in the morning, and in just one morning, Zhang Yu had hunted two deer, three roe deer, and several pheasants. By noon, due to the hot weather, Zhang Yu was not keen to move, so he and his men hid under the shade of a tree to rest.

After drinking the cool boiled water from the water bag, Zhang Yu asked, "According to the annual system, it is time for the border tribes to pay tribute. I wonder how many horses will be offered as tribute?"

The Minister of Rites, Linghu Shao, approached and reported: "Your Highness, the Wuhuan, Xianbei, and Xiongnu tribes, in accordance with regulations, have presented 20,000 fine horses as tribute and requested the purchase of salt, silk, iron, and other goods. However, since Your Highness has ascended the throne and established the nation, the tribes have presented an additional 3,000 horses to celebrate."

"How much are the horses worth this year?" Zhang Yu asked.

Linghu Shao said, “In the past, when the ruler of the north was in charge of the affairs of the north, he agreed that when there was no disaster in the north, forty bolts of silk could be exchanged for one top-quality horse, thirty bolts of silk for one medium-quality horse, and twenty bolts of silk for one inferior horse. However, according to the reports from the various Hu tribes, out of 20,000 horses, there are 5,000 inferior horses, 10,000 medium-quality horses, and 5,000 superior horses. The treasury needs to spend 600,000 bolts of silk.”

The tributary system originated in the Zhou Dynasty and spread outwards during the Western Han Dynasty, enfeoffing a large number of vassal states or tribes, either within the Han Dynasty or outside its borders, such as the Qiang, Cong, Yue, and Nanyi tribes, or the various states of the Western Regions.

The various vassal states paid tribute on time and traded under the guise of tribute. The Western Han Dynasty rewarded them with gold and silver and permitted trade, which constituted the Western Han Dynasty's tribute system.

During the Eastern Han Dynasty's revival, the tributary system it led not only included trade but also mercenary elements. For example, from the early Eastern Han period, in addition to tribute and rewards, the Eastern Han paid money annually to the Xianbei, the Western Regions, the Xiongnu, and the Wuhuan. The Xianbei tribes received 270 million coins, the Southern Xiongnu received over 190 million coins, and the Western Regions received 74.8 million coins annually.

The Eastern Han Dynasty spent 500 million coins annually on the northern frontier and the western regions, hoping that the various nomadic tribes would guard the Eastern Han's borders. Furthermore, when the Eastern Han launched military expeditions, the tribes that received rewards were required to mobilize troops to accompany the expeditions. Therefore, the Southern Xiongnu, Xianbei, and Wuhuan tribes contributed significantly to the Eastern Han's conquest of the Northern Xiongnu.

In addition, due to the different military systems and external threats of the two dynasties, the Eastern Han Dynasty did not have a strong demand for warhorses. There were no large-scale state-run horse farms. Instead, it adopted various methods to acquire warhorses, with trade with the Northern Hu as the main channel.

Spending 500 million in taxes on the Hu people might have prevented the northern borders of the Eastern Han Dynasty from being raided by them, but if ambitious individuals emerged, or if the Eastern Han Dynasty weakened, the peace system maintained by money would be extremely fragile.

Therefore, from the middle and later periods onward, the fattened Xianbei became increasingly uncontrollable by the Eastern Han Dynasty, and continued to raid the borders. With the century-long war between the Han and the Qiang, and the Eastern Han Dynasty's heavy reliance on land revenue, its financial situation deteriorated sharply, and it could not afford to pay for mercenaries, or rather, to pay for peace. As a result, the Wuhuan and Southern Xiongnu continued to cause trouble.

Because the Eastern Han Dynasty lacked state-run large ranches, Zhang Yu's army continued the old system of purchasing horses from the northern nomadic tribes. Therefore, the 20,000 horses, ostensibly a tribute, were actually a form of trade. However, not all northern nomadic tribes were qualified to offer tribute horses; only those tribes that had submitted to Zhang Yu or been granted titles by him were eligible.

For example, the Xiongnu tribes, having submitted to Zhang Yu, were qualified to trade horses; the Wuhuan tribes, having been subdued, had their leaders appointed by Zhang Yu and were qualified to pay tribute. Besides official horse trade, Zhang Yu permitted Han and Hu tribes to trade at the border markets, but a tax of twenty coins was levied on every thousand coins traded.

As for the mercenary system that the Eastern Han Dynasty maintained with money, Zhang Yu had no intention of keeping it. In his eyes, the Hu people could not be tamed, and if they were fattened up, they would turn against him.

"Six hundred thousand bolts of silk is no small sum!"

Zhang Yu pondered for a moment and said, "There is a lot of salt stockpiled in Hedong. Let's see if we can exchange it for salt and guide the tribes to sell salt to the tribes in the northern desert."

During the Han Dynasty, the Hedong Salt Lake supplied salt to Jingbei, Guanzhong, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou, resulting in a huge output. Now, Zhang Yu regards salt tax as a key tax, so even with the turmoil in the country, the output of the Hedong Salt Lake has not decreased much. In addition, salt has a long shelf life, so a large amount of salt has been stockpiled.

In order to find a market for salt from Hedong and reduce the expenditure on silk, Zhang Yu deliberately had the Hu tribes who were subordinate to him act as middlemen to sell salt to the Hu tribes living in the desert, so as to make a profit from it.

As for whether they will be easy to sell, there's absolutely no need to worry.

Apart from salt lakes, salt is almost nonexistent in the grasslands. Furthermore, due to the limited technology of the Hu people, the quality of their salt is far inferior to that produced in Hedong. Therefore, if the price is right, the Hu tribes are willing to substitute salt for silk.

After some thought, Linghu Shao said, “Your Highness, the Hu tribes lack silk and salt, and they pay tribute and trade every year to purchase what they lack. Now, the salt lakes in Hedong have abundant production, and there is also salt from the coast. Therefore, there is a surplus of salt but a shortage of people. In order to increase the price of salt and commercial taxes, I think it would be better to allow Hu tribes to trade with Han merchants, and those who wish to travel between Han and Hu areas for business should apply for a trade permit.”

"Collecting commercial taxes based on certificates and levying salt taxes on government-owned salt are methods to increase revenue!"

In short, Linghu Shao hoped to issue trade permits, allowing Han Chinese merchants to trade with the Seneihu tribes, such as transporting salt from Hedong to the grasslands to open up additional market channels. At that time, the imperial court would be able to make a small profit from the trade permits.

As for Han or non-Han merchants applying for trade permits, the fact that they dared to apply indicates that they had channels and even armed forces to guarantee their business.

Zhang Yu looked on with admiration and said, "Uncle Kong does have a talent for economics!"

"Having grown up in the northern frontier, I often see Han and non-Han peoples doing business, hence my humble opinion!"

Linghu Shao humbly replied, "Furthermore, Your Highness forbids any non-Hu tribes from paying tribute, which I fear may lead to oversights."

"But it doesn't matter!"

Linghu Shao said, “In recent years, many northern barbarian tribes have migrated south. These southern tribes are arrogant and domineering. Our dynasty does not allow trade with them, and they often fight with the tributary tribes, sometimes affecting our Han people. In my opinion, Your Highness should allow the southern barbarian tribes to trade, but the tax collected should be 30%, and they should not be allowed to offer horses as tribute. However, if they wish to be included in the list, their accounts should be reported, pastures should be designated, and hostages should be sent. They must not violate the rules for five years.”

"If looting occurs and people flee to the desert, the tributary tribes will be ordered to investigate and bring back criminals to be executed in the border markets, in order to deter the evil barbarians."

"good!"

Zhang Yu smiled and said to those around him, "Kong Shu has the talent for economics; it would be a waste of his talent to appoint him as Minister of Rites!"

Zhang Yu greatly appreciated Linghu Shao's insights into trade with the Hu tribes. Because he had focused on affairs of the Central Plains for many years, his understanding of Hu trade was limited to horse trade volume; a more detailed economic system was undoubtedly a good thing.

With that, Zhang Yu composed himself and said, "Since this is Kong Shu's opinion, then this matter will be entrusted to Kong Shu. Order the Accounting Department and the Ministry of Revenue to send people to cooperate and draft the corresponding trade regulations as soon as possible." "Yes, sir!" the men around him responded.

"Your Highness, last year's campaign against Hebei resulted in the loss of many horses. When we were rescuing Hanzhong, Shi Yi borrowed horses from the Qiang tribes of Longyou. Ke Bi and Xu Huang defeated Sun Ce, driving their horses into battle, resulting in the deaths and injuries of thousands of horses. Therefore, all units in the army are now short of horses." Xun You said with a cupped hand during a break.

"Your Highness, horses are essential for military intelligence reporting, relaying messages, and transporting supplies. I request horses to fill the vacancies," Du Ji said.

In the agricultural era, horses were comparable to modern cars. Not only were they in short supply for military campaigns, but various departments of the imperial court also lacked them. Therefore, now that 20,000 horses have been offered as tribute, even though everyone knows it will be difficult to compete with the army for the distribution of warhorses, they still want a share.

Zhang Yu gestured to stop the argument and said, "The needs of the army must be taken into account. We have 20,000 horses. Each of the 20,000 horses should be divided among the various units, and the remaining 3,000 horses should be selected from inferior ones. The allocation of the remaining 3,000 horses shall be decided by the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat."

"promise!"

While Zhang Yu was chatting with his attendants, Zhang Luo, Zhang Bi, and He Yan, after playing around for a while, came over covered in sweat.

"Father!"

The three sons bowed and said in unison.

Zhang Yu's hunting trip this time was not just with his civil and military officials; he also brought his three sons. Although the three sons were young, they needed to train themselves through hunting.

"How was the harvest?" Zhang Yu asked.

"Father, I have hunted a roe deer!"

Zhang Bi, with his chubby face and sharp features, pointed to the prey in his servant's hand and said with pride.

"Young man, your skill in hunting deer with a small bow is truly remarkable!"

Zhang Yu praised him, then looked at the other two and asked.

"Where are you two?"

Zhang Luo lowered his head slightly and said, "Your archery skills are not good enough; you have not caught any prey."

Where is Uncle Ping?

"My son is not skilled on horseback and has not yet seen any prey!"

He Yan looked embarrassed and stole glances at Zhang Yu's expression, afraid that his adoptive father would be displeased.

Seeing that his two older sons were not performing as well as his younger son, Zhang Yu frowned slightly and asked, "I have something to say to you two. I always tell you to practice riding and archery diligently. Why are you regressing instead of improving in these skills?"

Zhang Luo said, "My mother said that although the world is in chaos, it will eventually be well-governed. However, to govern the world, one cannot rely on horses and saddles, but must govern the world with classical learning."

"Foolish woman!"

Seeing his wife arbitrarily alter the plans for their sons' upbringing, Zhang Yu couldn't help but curse, "Governing the world with literature and pacifying it with military force. Once the world is unified, weapons are stored away, military preparedness is relaxed, and this is a sign of the nation's demise!"

"Father, please calm your anger. My archery skills are poor; it is not Mother's fault!" Zhang Luo said, trying to make amends for fear that Zhang Yu would blame Wang Ji.

Zhang Yu patted Zhang Luo's head and said earnestly, "Riding and archery are the foundation of my family's success, and you must not forget them."

As he spoke, Zhang Yu looked at He Yan and said gently, "I have no intention of letting Uncle Ping fight on horseback, but a gentleman must be good at archery. Those who wish to become great talents must be proficient in both literature and martial arts."

"Thank you for your admonition, Father!" the two sons replied.

After reprimanding his two sons, Zhang Yu took Zhang Bi's hand and said, "Your diligent archery practice pleases me greatly. May I ask what you desire, Bi?"

“I am quite bored riding and shooting alone. I wonder if Father could give me a few boys so that I can ride, shoot, and hunt.” Although Zhang Bi was only eight years old, he answered fluently.

"it is good!"

Zhang Yu smiled with satisfaction and said, "While riding, archery, and hunting are important, one must not neglect the study of the classics. Do not be a reckless fool."

“I will keep this in mind!” Zhang Bi said, “Now that I am enfeoffed in the countryside, I dare not neglect my studies in both literature and martial arts.”

Seeing that Zhang Bi understood responsibility from a young age, Zhang Yu secretly admired him.

(End of this chapter)