Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 251 Guo Tu: I don't solve problems, but I can solve the people who create them!
What were the consequences of allowing prefects to appoint their own salt and iron officials?
Do not underestimate the audacity of salt and iron officials, or rather, do not underestimate how much audacity is emboldened by self-interest.

Even if the court is still strong and powerful, once it encounters natural disasters or man-made calamities, these people will still dare to take risks for hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of times the profit, and drive up the price of salt.

The people are suffering terribly?

Not eating salt for a period of time won't kill you; it's just that you'll feel like you're living a life worse than death.

Even if you really die, all you lose is a worthless, insignificant life, while the masters lose enough huge profits to further prosper the family!
The lack of salt led to the emergence of a large number of smuggled salt dealers who were willing to take risks.

Guess how many rebels started out selling smuggled salt, and how large a scale of their activities was.

For example, Wang Xianzhi, Huang Chao, and Zhang Shicheng. Otherwise, where do you think these individuals got their money, gathered their troops, and started a rebellion?
Do you really think that failing an exam is something you can just create?

Those who smuggled salt already formed a group of salt workers who were always at risk of being beheaded. Smuggling salt and rebelling both lead to death, so what difference did they make?
Salt smugglers amassed a group of desperados and enough money to raise an army. Taking advantage of the weakness of the imperial court, they launched a rebellion, which is another reason why dynasties cracked down on salt smugglers.

In addition to these reasons, the fact that the prefects personally arranged for people to manage the salt and iron industries also led to the local areas becoming too powerful.

Where did the so-called "warlords" at the end of the Han Dynasty have the resources to raise troops?
Although many of them had family support behind them, it was difficult for them to last long. In the end, they were able to raise an army by making huge profits from salt and iron.

With the right to operate iron mines, weapons could be forged.

With the huge profits from salt and iron, soldiers could be recruited and formed into an army in a short period of time.

"I intend to reclaim the local salt and iron management rights, following the example of Emperor Xiaozhang's state monopoly on salt and iron. What do you all think?"

Liu Bian raised the first issue of the new dynasty to his officials. He glanced at the different expressions on the faces of the Three Dukes, Nine Ministers and the important officials in the Secretariat, and smiled as he reminded them: "I have never been arbitrary, nor have I punished people for their words. You may speak your minds."

While the officials were somewhat surprised that the emperor had suddenly brought this matter up for discussion, they had not entirely expected it.

The emperor had already convened a small group of high-ranking officials to discuss this matter. In fact, the idea of ​​nationalizing salt and iron had been circulating in the court and among the people for some time, but the emperor had never formally brought it up when he was the regent crown prince.

The seat for the Grand Commandant was empty among the three high-ranking officials.

Since witnessing Liu Bian's ascension to the throne, Yang Ci has been seriously ill and has not recovered. He has only been awake for less than half an hour since yesterday.

According to Zhang Ji, the Imperial Physician, the old Grand Commandant's body had long been exhausted, and he was only able to hold on until now because he still had a strong attachment in his heart.

Having witnessed Liu Bian's ascension to the throne, Yang Ci's spirits dissipated, and his health naturally collapsed completely.

Liu Yan, seated in the Situ seat, showed no intention of speaking. Instead, he stared at the Nine Ministers and the officials of the Secretariat, waiting to refute the opposition that was about to emerge.

Seated in the seat of the Minister of Works was Cui Lie, the former Minister of Justice.

Liu Bian ultimately fulfilled Cui Lie's dream of becoming one of the Three Dukes, avoiding the fate of him spending five million coins to buy the position of Minister of Works and being despised by the people. At least now Cui Lie is still the respected head of the Boling Cui clan and the foremost scholar in Hebei!

As for why Cui Lie was ultimately chosen to be appointed as Minister of Works, Cui Lie was a man who did not care about trivial matters, meaning he was willing to be the emperor's lackey, but he also had great principles in his heart and was sufficiently loyal to the Han Dynasty.

What was Cui Lie's opinion on the emperor's state monopoly on salt and iron?

The emperor's henchmen do not need to have their own opinions; the emperor's opinion is their opinion!

Cao Song, who was the most qualified to speak on this matter among the Nine Ministers, was practically in favor of it. He was willing to set up a stall even if it meant making money to replenish the national treasury!
As for the other nine ministers, none of them are fools. If the emperor asks you to give your opinion, would you really give it?

Normally there would be no problem, but today is the first grand court assembly after the emperor ascended the throne, and it is also the first specific national decree issued. If the officials object, where will the emperor's dignity be?

Why invite bad luck at a time like this?
However, these days, there is never a shortage of people who cannot see the situation clearly, or rather, because the interests behind them are so great that they have the audacity to oppose the emperor.

Zheng Tai, the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, rose and bowed to the Emperor, saying solemnly, "Your Majesty, I believe this action is inappropriate!"

Do you really eat it?

Liu Bian's gaze slowly fell on Zheng Tai, a gloomy look flashing across his eyes, but a gentle smile remained on his lips as he said, "Please try to speak."

"Your Majesty, the late Emperor Shizu cared deeply for the people and thus permitted commoners to engage in the salt and iron trade. This was an act of benevolence. Now that the nation has just ascended to the throne, how can we compete with the people for profit?" Zheng Tai, holding his tablet, bowed to Liu Bian again and said "sincerely," "I have heard that the ancient sages valued virtue and despised profit, and valued righteousness and disregarded wealth. The state monopoly on salt and iron may seem to be for the benefit of the court, but it has corrupted the simple and honest social atmosphere and led the people down the path of abandoning righteousness and pursuing profit!"

When Zheng Tai saw the emperor staring directly at him, he knew he was contradicting the emperor, but he still straightened his back without any fear. He even appeared somewhat humble and arrogant, like a loyal minister who stood up for the greater good of the country and dared to speak out against the emperor.

Yes, it just looks like it!
Zheng Tai understood the emperor's thoughts. Salt and iron had been partially liberalized since the reign of Emperor Xiaozhao, and a historically significant "Salt and Iron Debate" had even been held over this matter. The virtuous officials launched a comprehensive attack on the political and economic policies established during the reign of Emperor Xiaowu, demanding the abolition of the salt and iron monopolies, the wine monopoly, and the equalization of transportation.

And the sharpest weapon in the hands of these virtuous men is the very thing Zheng Tai holds today—benevolence!
No emperor wants to be condemned as a tyrant in history books, so whenever the topic of competing with the people for profit or benevolence is brought up, emperors are often at a disadvantage. Therefore, emperors throughout history either chose to back down or abandoned the idea of ​​state monopoly on salt and iron.

It was also Zheng Tai's reliance in standing up against the emperor's state monopoly on salt and iron.

Even if the emperor does not adopt his advice, he will not be punished; on the contrary, he will become famous among scholars.

I speak out for benevolence and virtue, I speak out for the people, would the emperor really execute me for my words?

Seeing that the emperor remained silent, some opportunists stood up along with Zheng Tai. Even Zhang Xi, the Minister of Civil Affairs, stood up under Liu Bian's sinister gaze to oppose the state monopoly on salt and iron.

The Minister of Civil Affairs was in charge of repairs, construction, salt ponds, and gardens.

Besides the Grand Minister of Agriculture, the person in the court with the most authority on matters of salt and iron was none other than Zhang Xi, the Minister of Civil Affairs.

"Your subject, Minister Cao Xi, risks death to present this memorial!"

"Firstly, it is depriving the people of their livelihood and harming their very foundation. Salt and iron are essential for the people's livelihood. If the government sells them, the prices will be high and the products will be of poor quality, causing heavy burdens on farmers and workers. Does this not violate the teachings of the Book of Documents, which emphasize 'rectifying virtue, utilizing resources, and enriching the people'?"

"Secondly: It has led to the abuse of corruption. Officials in charge of tax collection have become cunning and corrupt. Scales are used to cheat in the market, bribes are solicited on the road, and resentment and hatred have accumulated among the people. This is not the original intention of the court's benevolent governance."

"Thirdly: Cut off the path of commerce. In the past, people were able to boil seawater and smelt mountains, and goods circulated freely, and all industries flourished; now all of these are controlled by the imperial treasury, and the markets are desolate. This is the harm that Guanzi called 'profit coming from one hole'."

"Fourthly: This violates the benevolent governance of the Three Dynasties. When the sage kings ruled, they did not prohibit the use of mountains and marshes, nor did they levy taxes at passes. To seize even the smallest profit is to compete with a peddler for the right to travel; how can this demonstrate virtuous rule?"

Fifthly: government projects are often wasteful. Ironworkers focus on filling the required number of tools without improving their quality; the transport of salt wastes public funds while the people suffer the consequences.

"Sixthly: It will incite upheaval among the common people. At present, powerful and wealthy families are seizing land, and refugees fill the roads. They are also seizing the meager profits from salt and iron, which is like breaching a dike on a pile of firewood. I am deeply worried about this!"

Zhang Xi's views can be summarized as follows: monopolizing the salt and iron trade would lead to low-quality salt and iron with high prices, and would breed corruption among salt and iron officials, cutting off merchants' livelihoods. Furthermore, government-run operations would increase costs, which would violate the benevolent governance of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties and would incite popular uprisings.

In short, regardless of what benefits this may bring to the country, the government's monopoly on salt and iron is tantamount to competing with the people for profit!
Competing with the people for profit is immoral, and immorality is a political mistake!
Liu Bian looked at Zhang Xi, his eyes filled with coldness.

No wonder Zhang Ji said before his death that Zhang Xi could at most serve as one of the Nine Ministers, and absolutely could not serve as one of the Three Dukes.

After Zhang Ji's death, Zhang Xi leaned towards the scholar class, despised the eunuch faction, and quickly severed ties with them.

Liu Bian could understand this. Who wouldn't want to be a respectable and upright scholar, praised by others, and who would like to be called a eunuch's lackey?
But if you want to clear your name, you shouldn't use the interests of the country as a pledge of allegiance.

How could Zhang Xin, who is usually not good with words, possibly say such a thing?

It's likely that someone was directing things behind the scenes, and that this was prepared when the news of the state monopoly on salt and iron first broke in the court.

Ah!
Liu Bian sneered, but did not comment on Zheng Tai and Zhang Xi's arguments. He just sat there, looking at Zhang Xi with a half-smile.

Zhang Xi and the emperor exchanged a glance, and suddenly Zhang Xi felt uneasy.

But having already presented all six arguments and pledged his allegiance, he had no way to back down.

However, Liu Bian remained calm. He was not in a hurry to deal with Zhang Xi, as someone else would take his place.

Do they really think his position as the Grand Chancellor is just for show?
But while the Imperial Secretariat was still deciding who would go first, a courtier who surprised Liu Bian suddenly appeared, holding a tablet, and launched into a familiar, smooth combo.

Guo Tu pointed his ceremonial tablet at Zheng Tai, then turned to the Emperor and said, “Your Majesty, I have impeached Zheng Gongye, the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. His family is extremely wealthy. They own four hundred acres of superior land in Kaifeng County, Henan Province, yet they are still short of food. It has been discovered that this is because they are secretly harboring assassins and have plotted a rebellion!”

“This official was once a subordinate of the Yuan family, and must be a remnant of the Yuan family of Runan. I request that his entire clan be exterminated!”

Guo Tu's cold, sharp eyes swept over all the officials in the court, finally settling on Zheng Tai.

I'm not good at solving problems, but I'm good at taking care of the people who create them!
(3070 words)
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P.S.: I'm having barbecue tonight, so I'm in a particularly good mood and will add another 1000 words!

A total of 2000 extra words were added today!
Dear readers, please give me some extra monthly votes in recognition of the extra 2000 words I'm adding today!
(End of this chapter)