Chapter 387 Trigger

Seeing that Li Heng was silent, Liu Yan thought that Li Heng had doubts about the new policy, so he explained: "The new policy is very beneficial to the Tang Dynasty. The purchasing power of tax revenue is not as good as that of the Tianbao period because of the war. As long as the rebellion is quelled and Hebei is brought under management, fiscal revenue will reach a new level."

Li Heng nodded.

Liu Yan continued, "This year is the first year of the implementation of the new system. There are still many people who have not been investigated, and many wealthy families have hidden their property. In two years, the situation will be better. Moreover, taxes are levied based on household status and acreage. Many propertyless people with little land will not have to bear tax pressure, nor will they have to go into exile. This will benefit the country and the people more than it will harm them."

Li Heng said: "Shi'an is right. I am determined to implement the new system. I will not change my mind overnight."

Liu Yan heaved a sigh of relief after hearing Li Heng's firm attitude, and said, "It's just that there are some problems that need to be solved."

Li Ying said, "Shi'an, please speak."

"Grain transport is still a big problem." Liu Yan pondered, "The court's tax collection is mainly in the south of the Yangtze River. Previously, taxes from all over the south of the Yangtze River were transported to Yangzhou in February every year, from Yangzhou across the Huai River to the Bian River, the Bian River into the Yellow River, and the Yellow River into the Luo River. Before Pei Gong changed the grain transport, the direct transport method was adopted, that is, the grain transport team transported grain directly from Yangzhou to Luoyang, which had two problems."

"Which two?" Li Ying asked in cooperation.

Liu Yan said: "First, in February, the Huai River and the Bian River have many shallows in spring, making transportation difficult. It takes four or five months to enter the Yellow River. At this time, it is already June or July. In June and July, the Yellow River has just risen and the current is turbulent, which is not suitable for sailing. It is necessary to wait until August or September when the water level drops before crossing the Yellow River and entering the Luo River to the Eastern Capital Luoyang. There is a section of Sanmenxia between the Eastern Capital Luoyang and Shanzhou. The Sanmenxia is steep and difficult for ships to go upstream, and many ships have sunk."

"Shipment like this will take a lot of time and cost a lot." Li Heng analyzed and asked, "What is the second question?"

Liu Yan said: "The Huai River, Bian River, Yellow River, and Luo River all have different water conservancy. When the fleet started from Yangzhou, the crew were all sailors from the south of the Yangtze River. When they reached the Yellow River and Luo River, they found it difficult to adapt and many accidents occurred."

"This is indeed a big problem." Li Heng nodded.

Liu Yan continued, "After Pei Gong changed the canal transport, he changed the direct transport to segmented transport, set up a warehouse in Heyin, and the Jiangnan ships did not enter the Yellow River. Set up a warehouse in Luokou, and the Yellow River ships did not enter Luokou. In this way, the time of waiting for the rise and fall of the river water was saved, and the crew from all over the country only transported on the sections they were familiar with, which ensured safety."

Li Heng said: "Mr. Pei has made great contributions to the grain transport."

"Yes." Liu Yan agreed, and then said, "But there are some problems."

"Any other questions?" Li Ying asked.

Liu Yan said: "First, the division of sections is not detailed enough. The section of Wei River can be further divided. The Jiangnan area can stop land transportation and use water transportation instead. Second, the water of Bianhe River and Weihe River is shallow and there are many accidents. They can be dredged. Third, the transport ships are all purchased from merchants and civilians, with different specifications and good and bad. Fourth, the shipping method is outdated and the grains are often leaked. Fifth, the transport personnel are all conscripted, which leads to low enthusiasm, freedom and laxity, and low shipping level, which not only wastes time but also increases the accident rate."

Liu Yan raised five questions in one breath, with good reasoning. Li Heng knew that he had a solution and asked, "Do you have a solution?"

Liu Yan took out a memorial from his bosom and presented it to the emperor, saying, "I have written a memorial, please have a look at it, Your Majesty."

Li Heng took it and looked at it carefully.

In his memorial, Liu Yan answered the five questions he had just raised one by one.

First, there is the problem of segmentation.

Based on Pei Yaoqing's theory, Liu Yan divided the river into four sections: the Yangtze River, the Bian River, the Yellow River and the Wei River, which means "River ships do not enter the Bian River, Bian River ships do not enter the Yellow River, and river ships do not enter the Wei River. The transport of goods from the south of the Yangtze River is accumulated in Yangzhou, the transport of goods from the Bian River is accumulated in Heyin, the transport of river ships is accumulated in Weikou, and the transport of goods from the Wei River enters Taicang."

Second, there is the problem of the Bian River channel.

Liu Yan suggested clearing the river channel, opening the Bian Canal, and diverting the Yellow River water into the Tongji Canal.

At the same time, for the sake of efficiency and quality, the manpower will not be conscripted for labor service, but will be hired with money instead.

Third, there is the issue of ships.

Liu Yan felt that ships were the key to grain transport. Buying all the ships from merchants and civilians would be a big problem as they were of different sizes and qualities. Therefore, he proposed that the government should be responsible for ship production and build ships in detail according to different waters.

Based on this point, Liu Yan further proposed that the organization of water transport should not be monopolized by the rich, but should be undertaken by the government.

The fourth point is the shipping method.

The previous shipping method was extremely irregular, with buckets and baskets, which resulted in a lot of leakage. Liu Yan proposed to standardize it and uniformly use sealed bags for packaging, which can not only avoid leakage but also facilitate salvage after the ship capsizes.
Liu Yan's idea may seem insignificant, but it is actually the same approach as that of containers. It's just that with the current level of technology, it is not possible to make containers.

The fifth point is the issue of transportation personnel.

This question follows up on the second point. There is still no need to conscript labor forcibly, but to hire them with money.

Liu Yan also explained that although hiring people may seem to incur additional expenses, hired people can be managed professionally, are more motivated, and both efficiency and safety can be guaranteed. The money saved will be greater than if corvée were to be conscripted for free.

Liu Yan may not have heard the saying "free is sometimes the most expensive", but he obviously grasped the essence of it.

Li Heng was not so clear about the details of the canal transport. After reading Liu Yan's strategy, he agreed with it and said, "Such a detailed strategy, Shi An must have prepared it a long time ago, right?"

Liu Yan said, "To be honest with you, Your Majesty, I have been investigating and thinking about this for several years. However, due to the shortage of finances and the injustice in the world, it was difficult for me to realize what I proposed. Now the rebels only have Shi Siming fighting desperately in Fanyang and Pinglu. The court has also implemented a new system, and with the salt policy, the court has the financial resources to solve the problem of grain transport."

Li Heng nodded and said, "Okay, if that's the case, let's do it according to your method. I approve it."

"I obey your command!" Liu Yan stood up and saluted, crying with joy.

Seeing Liu Yan so excited, Li Heng asked in confusion, "What happened to Shi An?"

Liu Yan said: "I am a humble and incompetent minister, but your majesty has placed such trust in me that I am moved to tears. This is a breach of etiquette, and I beg your majesty to forgive me."

Li Heng stood up and patted Liu Yan on the shoulder, saying, "It is a blessing from heaven that I have Shi'an. Shi'an, just display your talents. I will support you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Liu Yan expressed his gratitude and proposed the government collection and commercial sales of tea.

Li Ying also agreed.

The two talked for half a day.

The next day, Liu Yan presented his own grain transport strategy in the Secretariat and asked the officials to prepare for its implementation.

However, before the implementation began, some people came out to oppose it. Although Liu Yan was just a scholar, he had a strong character and fought back against all opposition.

Seeing that Liu Yan refused to budge, the opposing officials came to complain to Li Heng.

There were two groups of people who opposed the reform. The first group, represented by Zhang Hao and Pei Mian, opposed the idea of ​​changing the system from conscripted labor to employees.

They felt that Liu Yan was either crazy or had ulterior motives and wanted to enrich himself by spending the court's money instead of conscripting free laborers.

The second wave was represented by Cui Youfu and Fang Guan.

Cui Youfu was born in the Boling Cui family and was a cousin of Cui Guangyuan who was killed earlier. Because of Cui Guangyuan's death, Cui Youfu had some opinions about Li Ying. He believed that although Cui Guangyuan was guilty, his crime did not deserve the death penalty.

Fang Guan was originally the governor of Longyou, but Du Fu and Diwu Qi had a good relationship with Fang Guan and thought that Fang Guan was talented, so they recommended Fang Guan to the court.

Li Heng knew about Fang Guan's poor performance in history and originally did not want to employ him. However, on the one hand, he had the recommendation of Du Fu and Diwu Qi; secondly, Fang Guan's poor performance in history was in warfare, but he was acceptable as a civil servant; thirdly, Fang Guan was Li Heng's man before, and if he did not employ him, it would seem that his efforts to win over Li Heng's subordinates were insincere, so Li Heng gave him this opportunity.

What these two people opposed was the government's shipbuilding and organization of canal transport.

They advised the government that building ships and organizing the canal transport would lead to redundant officials and increase management costs. At the same time, it would compete with the people for profits and would dampen the enthusiasm of the people for shipbuilding.

This was the apparent reason they gave, but in reality, it was because the government's shipbuilding and organization of water transport affected the interests of local powerful people.

Li Heng ignored the two groups' complaints and continued to support Liu Yan.

However, the impact of the Anshi Rebellion, the discussion about Li Heng's implementation of the Two-Tax System, and the salt monopoly have accumulated to the point where conflicts have become extremely intense. Now Li Heng supports Liu Yan's vigorous reform of the grain transport system. The grain transport system, which originally did not have many problems, has become a fuse, and various forces have begun to become restless again.

In Chang'an, it was rumored everywhere that Liu Yan was the second Li Linfu. Since Liu Yan's appearance was not very good, they also jokingly called Liu Yan "Ugly Lang", corresponding to Li Linfu's Shilang.

At the same time, it was said that Li Heng was arbitrary and autocratic, did not accept loyal advice, set up the Jinyiwei to monitor all officials, killed people at will, and had the tendency to be a tyrant.

These remarks soon spread to the palace, and the eunuchs and maids in the palace were also discussing them secretly.

When Yang Yuhuan heard these remarks, she became indignant and unhappy.

Li Heng saw that Yang Yuhuan was unhappy, so he asked, "What's on the Queen's mind lately?"

Yang Yuhuan sighed and said, "My dear husband, you are devoted to the country and the people, but you are criticized. Now it is said in the palace that you have the tendency to be a tyrant."

Li Ying smiled and said, "I was prepared for this from the beginning. They can say whatever they want."

Yang Yuhuan said, "People's gossip is scary. If we let them spread it, my husband's reputation will be affected, which is not conducive to unity. Moreover, although my husband doesn't care, the people who follow him may not all care. They are clearly working for their country and the world, but they have to suffer cold eyes and ridicule, and their enthusiasm will be greatly reduced."

Li Ying seemed to be thinking about something, and said, "You are right. If not for myself, I should also consider the people working under me. What do you think we should do?"

Yang Yuhuan said: "It is better to guard against people's mouths than to guard against rivers. If we just suppress them blindly, it may backfire. Therefore, I think we can use courtesy first and then force."

"Why use courtesy before force?" Li Ying asked.

Yang Yuhuan said: "First explain the reason. If you can't explain the reason clearly, then mobilize the troops."

Li Heng said: "Many of them have their own interests at stake. Talking to them is like waking up a person pretending to be asleep. You can't make them understand."

Yang Yuhuan said: "I am not telling this to those who are pretending to be asleep, I am telling this to the people of the world. As long as the people of the world are not misled by those who are pretending to be asleep, then you can kill them."

"That makes sense." Li Heng smiled, pinched Yang Yuhuan's cheek, and said, "You are really smart."

Seeing Li Heng's expression, Yang Yuhuan asked, "Does my husband have a solution?"

Li Heng said: "I plan to hold a debate in the court, and let those who are dissatisfied come out and speak out. Many things cannot be understood without clarification."

"That's a good idea." Yang Yuhuan smiled and said, "My dear, you have already made plans. I was worrying too much."

Li Ying smiled and said, "Then don't be so depressed, let's go shopping."

"Okay." Yang Yuhuan smiled sweetly and went with Li Heng.

……

Xuanzheng Hall.

Li Heng sat on the dragon throne, with two groups of people standing below him. One group was the reformists represented by Liu Yan, and the other was the conservatives and the aristocratic faction represented by Zhang Hao, Pei Mian, Cui Youfu, and Fang Guan.

Li Heng said: "I have heard some of the recent rumors. I know some of you are dissatisfied, but I also know that some of you are dissatisfied not because of personal gain. Today, I will let you speak out. No matter what you say today, I will pardon you. But if you don't speak out today, and discuss privately in the future, don't blame me for being merciless!"

Upon hearing this, the officials looked at each other in bewilderment.

Zhang Hao was always upright. He stood up and said, "Since your majesty has given the order, if I don't speak up, I will be guilty of deceiving the emperor."

Li Ying said, "You say."

Zhang Hao said: "I think the salt monopoly should be abolished. The reason why the court had a monopoly on the salt industry before was because of the war and the court needed to increase fiscal revenue, but now only Shi Siming is hiding in Fanyang and Pinglu waiting to be executed. The world will be stabilized soon. Now we should benefit the people and reassure the people of the world."

Liu Yan took over the conversation and said, "Fanyang and Pinglu are both strategically located areas. It will take time to quell the rebellion. If something unexpected happens during this period, where will we get the money to quell the rebellion?"

Liu Yan paused, and continued, "Besides, is Shi Siming's rebellion the only crisis facing the Tang Dynasty? Nanzhao has taken over the Pyu Kingdom and other places, and is entrenched in the south, overlooking Jiannan. Tubo is eyeing them covetously, trying every means to fight for Longyou Road and the Western Regions. Huihe is in the north, and Khitan, Shiwei, and Tongluo are in the northeast, overlooking the Central Plains, ready to attack at any time. The ancestors of the Tang Dynasty sympathized with the people on the border, so they rectified the beacon fires, built barrier fortresses, and sent soldiers to cultivate the land on the border. Your Majesty inherited the virtue of the revival, so he established policies such as salt monopoly to support border expenses. If these policies are abolished now, it will lead to an empty treasury internally and a lack of border defense resources externally, leaving the soldiers on the border starving and cold. If this is the case, how can the Tang Dynasty guard against foreign invasions?"

Zhang Hao retorted: "The best way to govern the people is to prevent the source of arrogance, extravagance and debauchery, open up the path of benevolence and righteousness, and broaden the continuity of morality. The reason why An Lushan rebelled was because the emperor was too favored, which made him powerful, talented and rich, and his morality low. Now the salt industry is monopolized, competing with the people for profits, causing the current salt price to increase three times compared to before the salt industry monopoly. Doing so will only destroy the simple and honest nature of the people and form a culture of greed and corruption. There will be fewer and fewer people willing to work hard on the land, and more and more people will pursue the interests of industry and commerce. This will undoubtedly damage the agricultural foundation of the Tang Dynasty and aggravate the extravagance of society. In this way, the Tang Dynasty will only become more and more chaotic."

Both Liu Yan and Zhang Hao put forward their own arguments.

From opposing the Two-Tax System to monopolizing the salt industry, Zhang Hao's actions were not motivated by personal gain. His starting point was indeed for the good of the Tang Dynasty.

It's just that his idea is too idealistic.

But it is precisely because of the good intentions but the wrong direction that it seems even more terrifying.

(End of this chapter)