Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

At the end of the third year of Xuanji, in winter.

Before the repercussions of the edict to move the capital to Chang'an had subsided, another edict, which shook the court and the country and touched the hearts of hundreds of millions of people, was issued from the capital and promulgated to all prefectures and counties in the country with the utmost urgency. This was the "Equal Field Edict," which Xiao Chen, together with the cabinet, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Works, had deliberated, weighed, and revised over several months before finalizing it.

Inside the Imperial Study, the lights remained on all night.

Beside the enormous map of the Great Xia territory hung another map, densely marked with information on the land, population, taxes, and land abandoned due to war in each prefecture, state, and county.

Xiao Chen, Han Yu, the Minister of Revenue, the Minister of Works, and several officials skilled in agricultural administration and familiar with local conditions were giving final consideration to the detailed rules of the "Equal Field Equalization Decree."

Outside the window, the capital city was swept by a biting wind; inside, a heated discussion was taking place concerning the very foundation of the nation.

"Your Majesty, the equal-field system has existed since ancient times. It was implemented in the Northern Wei, Sui, and Tang dynasties. However, it rose rapidly and fell just as suddenly."

The root cause lies in the annexation of land by powerful clans, the corruption of officials, the flight of people, and the concealment of farmland.

The new court is now established, and everything is in need of rebuilding. The land system is in even worse shape than in the previous dynasty. Jiangnan, the Central Plains, and Guanzhong have suffered from wars, resulting in a sharp decline in population. Four or five out of ten of the lands are now unclaimed and abandoned.

Those who seized land either hid their fields or turned cultivated land into wasteland to evade taxes. Displaced people either became tenants of powerful families, banded in the mountains, or perished in ditches and ravines. This was truly a scourge upon the heart of the nation!

The Minister of Revenue, an elderly official with graying temples and a gaunt face, pointed to a large area on the map marked as "abandoned" and "with unclear property rights," his voice heavy.

Han Yu interjected, "At the end of the Yongchu era of the previous dynasty, land annexation had reached its extreme. The rich owned vast tracts of land, while the poor had no place to stand. Seven or eight out of ten taxes and corvée labor were levied on the poor. How could there not be chaos?"

The root of many previous upheavals, including the pseudo-Zhao and pseudo-Chu regimes, lies here.

Your Majesty desires to usher in an era of lasting peace. This cannot be achieved without reforming the land system, ensuring that farmers own their land and taxes are paid.

However, the equal-field system would affect a wide range of interests. The gentry of Jiangnan, powerful families in the Central Plains, military families on the borders, and even temples throughout the country all possessed vast tracts of land. Its implementation would inevitably face obstacles and could even incite unrest. We must heed the lessons of the past.

Xiao Chen's gaze lingered between the map and the memorial.

He knew perfectly well that what Han Yu said was true.

The equal distribution of land was not merely a simple allocation of land; it was a profound redistribution of interests that touched the very foundations of the empire.

It aims to reclaim land that has been lost to its owners during wars, or that has been seized and concealed by powerful figures, and redistribute it to landless or land-poor peasants in order to restore production, stabilize tax revenue, and maintain social stability.

This is tantamount to snatching food from a tiger's mouth.

"How could I not know how difficult it would be?"

Xiao Chen spoke slowly, his voice exceptionally clear in the still night, "However, the people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is firm, the state is secure. A people without land is like water without a source; the foundation of the nation will surely decay. When powerful families hide their land and evade taxes and corvée labor, the national treasury is empty, and the nation's resources are insufficient. If this continues, even with a million mighty soldiers and a thousand capable generals, it will be like building a tower on sand; its collapse will be imminent. The chaos of the previous dynasty is clear proof of this!"

He walked to the map, his finger tracing the war-torn regions of the Central Plains and Jiangnan: "The world has just been pacified, and people yearn for peace, especially the common folk. All they ask for is a roof over their heads and a patch of land to fill their stomachs. Now, wastelands are everywhere, and refugees block the roads. Is this not a golden opportunity to reorganize the land system? Though there are many powerful clans, can their strength withstand the imperial army? Can their reasoning prevail over the hearts of the people?"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

The Minister of Works stated, "However, the key to equal land distribution lies first and foremost in thorough land surveying. If the acreage is unclear and the population figures are inaccurate, then equal land distribution will lack a basis and will only lead to greater problems. The conditions in different regions vary greatly; there are newly recovered areas from war, areas that have been stable for a long time, fertile plains, and mountainous and hilly areas. If a one-size-fits-all order is implemented, I fear that the people will not adapt to the local conditions and will become increasingly resentful."

"That's exactly right."

Xiao Chen nodded, "Therefore, the Equal Field Ordinance is not a coercive order, but rather a framework. The detailed rules and regulations should be adapted to local conditions."

He gestured for the eunuchs to unfold the final draft of the "Equal Field Equalization Law" and explain it clause by clause:

"First, survey all the land in the country and verify the household registration."

This is the foundation of the equal distribution of land.

The various provinces, prefectures, and counties were instructed to re-examine the population and land holdings registered at the end of the third year of Xuanji.

Regardless of whether it is government land, private land, temple or monastery land, or wasteland, all land must be registered, mapped, and marked.

Anyone who conceals land will have their land confiscated by the government and the owner punished if discovered.

This is a forbidden zone; you must not cross it.

The Ministry of Revenue, the Censorate, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard should dispatch officials to various regions to supervise the land surveys. Those found guilty of corruption, malfeasance, dereliction of duty, or collusion with powerful figures should be severely punished!

Second, the principle of land allocation.

All registered citizens of the Great Xia Dynasty, men aged eighteen to sixty, are considered able-bodied and are granted forty mu of open land (land for planting grains). Women receive half that, twenty mu. Slaves and oxen are also granted land according to the same regulations, but the granted land cannot be bought or sold; if the slave dies or the ox grows old, it will be reclaimed by the government. In addition, each able-bodied person is granted twenty mu of mulberry land, which is perpetual property that can be passed down to descendants and can also be bought and sold to a limited extent. The elderly, the sick, widows, and concubines receive a reduced amount of land. Newly registered citizens and those who have returned from exile receive land in the same manner.

"Third, the source of land. The land granted mainly comes from: ownerless land abandoned during wartime; government-controlled land and military farmland; confiscated property and land belonging to those who died without descendants; and land hidden by powerful families or exceeding the limit. It is strictly forbidden to forcibly seize the people's existing permanent land in the name of 'equal land distribution'."

"Fourth, the rent, labor service, and tax system. The able-bodied men who received land were required to pay taxes and labor services. Each able-bodied man paid two shi of millet per year as 'rent'; two zhang of silk and three liang of cotton as 'tax'; and twenty days of corvée labor per year as 'labor'. This rent, labor service, and tax system was based on the number of able-bodied men. If one owned land, there was rent; if one had a family, there was tax; if one was alive, there was labor. It was relatively simple. Widows, widowers, orphans, the disabled, and the poor could be exempted or reduced as appropriate."

Fifth, prioritize according to urgency.

Equal distribution of land and thorough land surveys cannot be accomplished overnight. They must be carried out gradually, from near to far, from the center to the periphery, and from plains to mountains.

The first batch of pilot projects will be conducted in several prefectures in areas severely affected by war, Henan, Hebei, Huainan, and Jiangnan, where there is a lot of wasteland and the implementation is easy. The imperial court will send capable officials to oversee the projects, and once experience is gained, the projects will be promoted further.

In the Jiangnan and Shandong regions, powerful clans are deeply entrenched, so the process can be delayed. However, the land survey and household registration verification must proceed simultaneously.

"In border regions, newly annexed southern frontiers, and tributary states, this policy will not be implemented for the time being; the old system will continue, and progress will be made gradually."

"Sixth, suppress mergers and acquisitions, and prevent escapees."

The private sale and mortgage of land are strictly prohibited, especially the sale of open fields. The sale of mulberry fields must also be reported to the authorities, and the total amount of land owned by the buyer must not exceed a certain limit. Household registration must be strictly investigated to prevent people from hiding their population to evade taxes and corvée labor, or from seeking refuge with powerful families. Local officials must encourage agriculture and sericulture, resettle displaced people, and encourage them to return to their fields.

After Xiao Chen finished explaining, his gaze swept over the assembled officials: "The essence of this decree lies in pacifying the people, ensuring the population is secure, increasing taxes, and curbing land annexation."

We must proceed with caution during the implementation process.

First, we must select officials who are honest, capable, knowledgeable about agriculture, and unafraid of powerful figures.

Secondly, we must prioritize tasks, avoid pursuing empty fame, and refrain from seeking quick success; we should prioritize stability over chaos.

Thirdly, strict investigations must be conducted. The imperial court will send envoys to inspect the area, and relevant officials will supervise each other. The people are allowed to report any cases of inaccurate land surveys, unfair distribution, or bullying of the people.

Fourth, flexibility is essential. Local conditions vary, so slight modifications can be made to the general outline, but the fundamental principles must remain unchanged.

"Your Majesty's considerations are thorough; we are deeply impressed."

The ministers all spoke in unison.

The emperor's policy was based on the previous equal-field system, but it was also adjusted to suit the actual situation of the current dynasty. Furthermore, it took into account the strategy and pace of its implementation, demonstrating a mature and prudent approach to governing the country.

"However," Han Yu still had concerns, "the powerful clans in Jiangnan and the Central Plains are deeply entrenched and will likely not sit idly by. They will undoubtedly obstruct us, whether openly or covertly. And if local officials collude with them..."

A sharp glint flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes: "This is national policy, not something to be discussed with them. Those who obstruct land surveys, conceal land ownership, resist taxes, or incite popular uprisings will be punished as treasoners! The Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Provincial Surveillance Commission will be my eyes and ears, and will thoroughly investigate such malpractices. As for local officials..."

He paused, then said, "Those who effectively implement the equal-field system, ensuring social stability and increased tax revenue, will be promoted without exception. Those who are perfunctory, collude with powerful families, and enrich themselves at the expense of the public will be severely punished without exception, even if pardoned! Chancellor Han, the Ministry of Personnel should use this as the standard to evaluate all prefectures and counties in the country!"

"I obey your decree!"

"This decree is hereby issued by the Emperor and promulgated throughout the land, ensuring that every household is aware of it. All prefectures and counties are hereby ordered to immediately post notices and dispatch officials to the countryside to explain the decree, so that the common people may know the Emperor's benevolent will, and the powerful may know the Emperor's laws!"

In the twelfth month of the third year of Xuanji, the Equal Field Order was promulgated throughout the land.

Like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples.

Inside the capital city, officials were in an uproar, some excited, some worried, and some secretly plotting.

But in the vast countryside, and in the ears of countless displaced people, this edict was like a timely rain after a long drought, a beacon in the dark.

On the banks of the Wei River in Guanzhong, a ragged old farmer, trembling, touched the wooden stakes recently driven into the ground by the government to mark the boundaries of his fields, tears streaming down his face; in Yingchuan, Henan, migrants returning with their families, guided by government officials, kowtowed repeatedly before the land allocated to them—a land that, though barren, belonged to them; in the water towns of Jiangnan, some self-cultivating farmers secretly breathed a sigh of relief, hoping the new law would curb land annexation, while within the manors of wealthy gentry, suppressed curses and uneasy secret discussions could be heard…

The empire’s massive bureaucratic machine began to operate slowly and laboriously around the unprecedentedly arduous tasks of “land surveying,” “verifying household registration,” and “allocating wasteland.”

Countless local officials, clerks, and village heads, carrying measuring ropes and household registers, went to the fields.

At the same time, the imperial court dispatched inspectors and secret agents of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, like an invisible net, to every corner of the empire.

Resistance, delays, deception, and confrontation are inevitable.

The powerful local magnates' resistance, the corrupt practices of lower-ranking officials, the technical difficulties of land surveys, and the challenges of implementation in remote areas... all these problems will continue to emerge in the coming years, testing the new dynasty's resolve and wisdom.

In any case, the heavy machine of the equal-field system, aimed at reshaping the foundation of the empire, had already been started with a roar under the firm will of this young emperor.

It will slowly but irreversibly crush the old land order, binding countless landless or land-poor peasants back to the land, and solidifying the foundation of the empire's taxation on a broader and more fragile small-scale peasant economy.

Xiao Chen knew this was just the beginning. The real challenge lay in whether this system could be maintained in the long run amidst the backlash from powerful clans, rampant corruption, population shifts, and natural disasters. But he also knew that without this risky move and by breaking this deadlock, the golden age of the Great Xia Dynasty would be impossible. Standing before the Zichen Palace, gazing at the leaden sky, he seemed to see, in the distant countryside, new hope, with the re-erected boundary markers, struggling yet tenaciously sprouting from the soil.