Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 535 A Brief Overview of the Campaign Against Shu
"The imperial edict has been issued to the people; what is the public's response?"

Zhang Yu walked slowly along the corridor with his hands behind his back, accompanied by Guo Tu and Jia Xu.

"Your Majesty, now that the people know about the decree of the three-tier, seven-grade system, they are all overjoyed and celebrating, saying that Your Majesty is considerate of the people's hearts and is a benevolent ruler!" Guo Tu flattered.

Jia Xu glanced at Guo Tu and said, "Although the people are happy, they also have some worries. They are worried that being classified as an upper-class household will require them to pay more taxes."

Such is the human heart!

Zhang Yu sighed and said, "In times of hardship, people can bend their backs for five pecks of rice, let alone several bushels of rice?"

As he spoke, Zhang Yu said to the two men, “In order to reduce taxes, some people will inevitably try to classify households as inferior. Therefore, whether the seven-level household system can be implemented depends on the verification by the officials of the prefecture and county.”

The three-tiered household system was not without its drawbacks, and Zhang Yu wanted to reduce the burden on ordinary people. However, the people were unwilling to accept this and would try every means to pay taxes in order to pay less, such as using the property of middle-class households to pay the taxes of lower-class households.

"This is a matter of governance!"

Guo Tu said, “I believe that officials should be dispatched to inspect prefectures and counties, and that a general edict should be issued to all scholars and commoners throughout the land, allowing them to report households with false information about their wealth. If a middle-class household falsely reports itself as a lower-class household, or a middle-class household falsely reports itself as a middle-class household, then they should be punished according to the law, and the corresponding county officials should also be punished.”

Zhang Yu frowned slightly and said, "Assessing family assets is not something that can be done in a short time. Besides, China was only just at peace last year, so it is not advisable to use drastic measures."

After a pause, Zhang Yu said, "This year, each prefecture needs to report its progress on the estimated assets every month so that I and the Ministry of Personnel can assess the situation. Sending censors to inspect the prefectures and counties is acceptable, but there is no need to rush matters concerning complaints from the people."

"promise!"

While Guo Tu was arranging for his subordinates to relay the order, Jia Xu advised, "Your Majesty, the common people are frequently in turmoil, and many fall into poverty overnight due to illness. Therefore, Your Majesty should show leniency and allow local areas to adapt to changing circumstances."

“How could I not know your intentions? But I fear that some powerful figures may collude with officials to falsely report household ranks!” Zhang Yu said worriedly.

Jia Xu laughed and said, "This year we are allowed to adapt to changing circumstances, but next year we will allow the public to supervise and report on such matters. Is that not acceptable?"

"There are local worthies in the village, and I have warned them that if the verification of assets is found to be false, they will be punished. However, if the report is wrong, they will be punished for false accusation."

Zhang Yu's face showed a troubled expression. Paying taxes based on family assets was too difficult. After all, in agrarian societies, many people fell back into poverty. Unexpected events or disasters could easily plunge a moderately well-off family into poverty. But how could fairness be achieved if taxes weren't based on assets?
After pondering for a long time, Zhang Yu said, "If the people fall into poverty again, the village head and neighborhood head should write a letter and submit it to the township and village, and then the prefecture and county will conduct statistics. The county will handle the lower-class households, and the prefecture and county will supervise the lower-class households. According to what you two ministers said, starting next year, the people will be allowed to report their family assets. If anyone conceals their assets, they will be punished according to the law."

"The above matters shall be submitted to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Personnel for discussion!"

"promise!"

The neighborhood chief is a subordinate of the village chief. Five households make up one neighborhood chief, and the village chief is above the neighborhood chief. The neighborhood chief is the lowest administrative officer, and his main responsibilities include investigating neighborhood misconduct, registering household registration changes, and assisting in the implementation of government orders.

The saying that "imperial power does not extend to the county level" is debatable. After all, the movement of county-level officials does not mean that imperial power only reaches the county. In reality, the hierarchical administrative system of townships, villages, neighborhoods, and other sub-districts ensured that imperial power could understand changes in household registration at the grassroots level. The smooth functioning of this grassroots administrative system was closely related to the officials at the prefecture and county levels.

Throughout the major reforms in ancient China, from Shang Yang's reforms and Emperor Wu's tax calculations to the Tang and Song reforms and the Ming and Qing tax reforms, which of these reforms or changes to the tax system did not affect the common people under the empire?
Therefore, if imperial power could not extend to the county level, how could there be stories of Shang Yang's reforms or the implementation of the two-tax system in the Tang Dynasty?

Therefore, the new tax law needs to be considered from a macro perspective when it is first formulated, and from a micro perspective during its implementation. Furthermore, it should be patched up according to micro-level circumstances to prevent anyone from profiting from it.

"Your Majesty, General Xu Huang requests an audience, discussing the campaign against Shu," the attendant reported.

"Summon Xu Gongming to an audience!" "Yes, sir!"

To facilitate his conversation with Xu Huang, Zhang Yu went to the terrace in the corridor to sit for a while. Guo Tu and Jia Xu sat with him, while the rest of the servants stood to serve him.

"Your subject Huang pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Xu Huang strode forward with great speed and bowed deeply to Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu smiled and helped Xu Huang up, then said to those around him, "My Zhou Yafu has arrived!"

Upon receiving Zhang Yu's high praise, Xu Huang's expression became even more serious. He said, "Your Majesty, according to my intelligence gathering, since Sun Ce's death, there has been much unrest in Bashu, and some soldiers and generals have even rebelled. Although Sun Quan's troops have quelled the rebellion, it is clear that the people of Shu are restless."

"According to Huang and the other officials of the Privy Council, I believe that if we can break through the strategic passes and drive our troops straight into Sichuan, defeat their army and defeat their troops, we can then send out proclamations."

"it is good!"

Zhang Yu nodded with relief and said, "The Sun family has suddenly lost their two lords, Sun Jian and Sun Ce. Their soldiers have no intention of holding out for long, and the people have no intention of resisting the Heavenly Master. Therefore, I am not worried that Gongming will defeat their army in open battle. However, the roads of Shu are dangerous, and not everyone can cross them. For example, there is the danger of Baishui Pass between Hanzhong and Shu. And beyond Baishui Pass is the danger of Jiameng Pass. Therefore, I fear that the enemy will use this as a defense when Gongming leads his troops south."

“Initially, I intended to seize Baishui under the guise of welcoming a bride, but I feared that the Sun family would be on guard and the surprise attack on Baishui would fail. Moreover, even if the attack on Baishui were successful, there are still many dangerous passes along the way. I wonder what strategy you have?” Zhang Yu asked.

Xu Huang bent his knees slightly, stood up straight, and cupped his hands, saying, "There are three routes from Hanzhong to Shu, from west to east: Yinping, Jinniu, and Micang. Among them, the Jinniu route is the main route, while the Yinping and Micang routes pass through towering mountains and deep valleys, requiring passage through barbarian lands before reaching Bashu."

"If I were to attack Shu, I would send a large army out of Jinniu, directly to Baishui and Jiameng, and then demand the capture of Zitong. If Zitong is captured, the people of Shu will surely be terrified, and the counties along the way will be able to surrender. Even Sun Quan might surrender out of fear."

"If our troops are blocked at Jinniu, a detachment should advance along the Micang Road. Zhang Lu is the leader of the Celestial Masters sect, and many of the Ba people used to submit to him, so he can accompany the army. We can use Zhang Lu's prestige to connect with the Ba people, and use them as guides to help transport grain along the way, directly attacking Yanqu. If Yanqu is breached, we can follow the Yanqu River (now the Qujiang River) straight down to take Ba County. Once Ba County surrenders, our troops can advance westward and directly attack Shu, thus defeating the Shu army!"

Xu Huang's strategy for conquering Shu is not difficult to understand. It was simply a matter of dividing his forces into two routes: one main force would advance along the Jinniu Road, while the other detachment would advance along the Micang Road. If one route broke through the enemy's defenses, they could advance rapidly and eventually the two armies would join forces. The combined forces would then capture Shu Commandery and subjugate the Sun family.

Zhang Yu pondered for a moment and asked, "Yinping Road connects with Longyou, why don't you head towards Yinping to enter Bashu?"

Xu Huang shook his head and said, "Although our country has Yinping, it is mostly inhabited by the Qiang people, so it is not well managed. Moreover, the Yinping road is treacherous and longer than the Micang and Jinniu roads, making it inconvenient for the transportation of military supplies. Now our country has the Shangyong and Hanzhong prefectures, and the military and civilians in Guanzhong can easily transport supplies via the Micang and Jinniu roads."

After a pause, Xu Huang hesitated and said, "Unless both armies block our way, we can send a surprise force out of Yinping and detour to Shu!"

"Where is Wenhe?"

Jia Xu said, "The Privy Council and I have discussed this and believe that we can send troops out in two routes. Although the Jinniu Road is full of dangerous passes, the Micang Road is sparsely populated and has many hidden paths, which may allow us to achieve a surprise victory."

Seeing that the civil and military officials had reached an agreement, Zhang Yu, who adhered to the principle of trusting those he employed and not employing those he doubted, decided not to interfere any further.

"Since Gongming and the Privy Council have no objection, then the strategy for attacking Shu shall be as you have suggested!"

"Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail your expectations!" Xu Huang said in a deep voice.

P.S.: The previous confusion between Zhang Wei and Zhang Zhang has been completely corrected.

(End of this chapter)