Chapter 152: The Ways of the World

Chapter 152 The State of the World

After the morning court session, the court officials wore troubled expressions. Almost every one of them had concealed land or hidden census records. The smart move now was to deal with these hidden lands as soon as possible—otherwise, if discovered, they would face severe consequences.

Once the lands were dealt with, how would they maintain their current livelihoods? It was easy to transition from frugality to luxury, but the reverse was difficult. Some timid officials, who had only followed the crowd in hiding land, were now the most fearful after Emperor Wuming’s decree to survey the land. They decided to consult their families and sell the land right away.

This way, the land could be legally recorded under the government’s seal.

Officials who had taken less felt somewhat more at ease. Though parting with their holdings was hard, they felt a twinge of schadenfreude in knowing others had hidden hundreds of acres. Seeing others worse off made their own plight seem lighter.

The nobles also frowned, deep in thought, wondering why Zheng Shanci had submitted a memorial proposing the land survey. After all, which noble family didn’t hide land or people? These hidden assets were their private property, and now they were being forced to declare them for taxation—which they bitterly resented. Worse still, some had acquired land through illegal means, a crime serious enough to cost them their heads.

"These young officials just love making trouble to curry favor with the Emperor, and His Majesty indulges them, undermining the very foundations of the state! This Zheng Shanci has grown arrogant since becoming Vice Minister of Revenue!" one nobleman grumbled.

"Now that the Emperor has approved this, it’s at least publicly sanctioned. There’s nothing we can do to him."

"We’d better figure out how to clean up our land records," the Duke of Zhuang said calmly.

He owned a thousand acres himself—the one who should’ve been panicking the most—yet he kept his cool.

"Well said, Your Grace."

"Let us disperse and each find our own way to navigate this crisis."

The officials murmured in agreement, comforting themselves as they scattered, each with their own schemes.

Only when alone did the Duke of Zhuang reveal his anxiety. Rubbing his temples, he realized that if discovered, he would be ruined.

Did the Emperor not understand how difficult this task would be? The courtiers might agree in public, but they would surely scheme in private. To deter them, the Emperor and the Grand Secretariat would need to make an example—someone of high status, to instill fear.

The Duke of Zhuang feared he might become that example.

Wracked with worry, he knew he had two hundred acres on the books with the Ministry of Revenue, while another thousand were hidden in his ancestral home. Sending word to sell those lands now would be too late.

Sweating bullets, he forced himself to focus on his duties first. After his shift, he would return home and consult his advisors. As for the other officials, he doubted any held more than a few hundred acres—few had as much as he did.

The Duke of Ying’s estate had also concealed land, and he was like a cat on a hot tin roof. Yet he couldn’t afford to act rashly. He considered discussing the matter with the Marquis of Changyang but feared drawing attention. All officials were suppressing their panic, wary of revealing any hint of guilt.

Why the hell hadn’t Shan Ci given anyone a heads-up before submitting this? At the very least, he could have warned the ducal households, allowing them to settle their land affairs first. Now he’d gone and dragged his own family into this mess.

The Duke fumed silently—after all, he was Zheng Shanci’s uncle by marriage.

The morning court session had implicated most of Great Yan’s officials and nobility. Only Chief Grand Secretary Wei was unfazed. His family had little to hide; upon becoming a Minister, he had acquired a hundred acres in the capital, which were tax-exempt due to his status. His household was modest, employing a few tenant farmers to tend the fields, ensuring their grain supply without extra expense.

He also owned a rural estate where fruits and vegetables were grown.

As Chief Grand Secretary, his monthly salary was sixty taels, supplemented by holiday gifts and occasional imperial rewards—plenty to keep his family comfortable.

While Chief Grand Secretary Wei stayed cool, others were in chaos.

...

Zheng Shanci returned to the Ministry of Revenue to handle official duties.

At noon, while dining with a friend, Xiao Gaoyang sighed. "Brother Zheng, that memorial of yours is going to ruin a lot of people."

Zheng Shanci smiled. "I kept quiet to keep you out of it. Now that it’s done, I can fill you in."

Zheng Shanci revealed some facts about the declining tax revenues collected by the Ministry of Revenue this year.

"If this continues, taxes will decrease year after year, and the treasury won't be able to keep up. We'll lack the means for everything we want to do," Zheng said.

Du Ning chimed in, "Conducting land surveys is the right approach. It’ll serve as a wake-up call for them, making them think twice before trying anything shady in the future."

Mei Huai added, "That may be true, but from now on, Brother Zheng will have made many enemies. Plenty of people will hate your guts."

"So, Brother Zheng, you should be careful when commuting to work," Jiang Lanli advised.

"I doubt it'll go that far. Even if they kill me, His Majesty will just appoint another official to handle this matter," Zheng Shanci joked lightly.

Still, he took his friends' warnings seriously, knowing he needed to protect himself.

The Grand Secretariat drew up a list and distributed the documents to various prefectures, counties, towns, and villages. They also had to send supervisors to oversee the process. Chief Grand Secretary Wei still needed to discuss this with Emperor Wuming.

Once the emperor gave the order, the Grand Secretariat would act swiftly. As for the land survey in the capital, since the Ministry of Revenue was already there, the task would be left to them to handle directly, saving them the hassle of bringing in extra help.

After his shift, Zheng Shanci returned home, where everything remained peaceful.

Yu Lanyi was tutoring Xiao Ping’an in his homework, though the experience was driving him up the wall.

"Think it over carefully yourself," Yu Lanyi said.

Xiao Ping’an gave a miserable little "Oh" and continued staring at the problem.

The academy taught a wide range of subjects. At their age, the focus was on literacy, and Xiao Ping’an had to write a page of large characters every day. Recently, they had started arithmetic, which knocked him for a loop.

He came home seeking Yu Lanyi’s help, but Yu Lanyi was already about to lose his cool.

When Zheng Shanci saw Yu Lanyi and Xiao Ping’an in the courtyard, he burst out laughing.

"You’re back! You're good at arithmetic—rescue your kid," Yu Lanyi said, as if spotting a lifeline.

Hearing the commotion, Xiao Ping’an turned around, still clutching his brush, and looked at Zheng Shanci with pleading eyes.

"Let me change my clothes first, then I’ll come help," Zheng Shanci replied cheerfully.

Once home, Zheng Shanci felt the weight lift off his shoulders. When he tutored Xiao Ping’an, his demeanor was measured and patient.

After passing the troublesome task to Zheng Shanci, Yu Lanyi breathed a sigh of relief. Watching Zheng Shanci explain things to Xiao Ping’an with such care, Yu Lanyi thought to himself how rare it was to find a man with such level-headedness.

No wonder he was even qualified to lecture the crown prince.

Yu Lanyi felt his own emotions were often all over the place, whereas Zheng Shanci remained composed in most situations. In the past, Yu Lanyi had found such people too rigid and dull. Now, he realized how valuable they were—especially since Zheng Shanci could still get worked up around him.

Under Zheng Shanci’s guidance, Xiao Ping’an had a lightbulb moment and quickly finished all the assignments his teacher had given him.

Zheng Shanci didn’t hold back on praise. "Ping’an, you’re amazing!"

Xiao Ping’an lit up with a grin. After packing up his brushes, ink, and books into his case, he was free to go play. Stepping on the crossbar of his chair, he nimbly hopped down.

"Father, Dad, I’m going out to play!" Xiao Ping’an dashed off to find his friends, with a servant following close behind.

As he had grown older, he no longer needed just a wet nurse but also a male attendant. Yu Lanyi had snagged a young servant from the Marquis of Changyang’s household—one already trained by the marquis’ estate, saving him the headache of doing it himself.

"Gentlemen, the marquis invites you both to join him for dinner this evening," Deng Xue stepped forward to announce.

Zheng Shanci knew what was coming: "Alright, we'll go when the time comes."

Yu Lanyi felt a little confused: "In the past, it was always me going home. This time Father specifically invited us back for dinner."

He couldn't figure it out.

Zheng Shanci smiled: "Just treat it as going for fun."

Yu Lanyi put the matter aside.

Zheng Shanci pondered—this trip to the Marquis's residence was probably about the land survey. Recalling Xiao Gaoyang's warning about safety, he considered getting help from his father-in-law and brother-in-law to get a few guards from the Marquis's household. Additionally, as a precaution, he decided to reinforce his official robe with metal plates.

By evening, they arrived at the Marquis's residence.

The food at the Marquis's residence was as delicious as ever. Mr. Yu observed that Yu Lanyi seemed very happy, having grown several years older yet still as handsome as ever. Clearly, he had it easy at home and lived comfortably.

The Marquis of Changyang had called them over not just for dinner—shortly after the meal, the three men of the household retreated to the study.

Only then did Yu Lanyi finally realize and mutter, "It wasn’t really about wanting us back for dinner—it was just for Zheng Shanci."

Mr. Yu laughed upon hearing this: "You still ate plenty."

An Geer added, "Mother and Father miss you too."

Yu Lanyi complained.

The Marquis of Changyang pushed open the study door and left his attendant guarding the door outside.

A servant brought tea and then closed the door behind him. The Marquis motioned for the two to sit.

"Today’s meeting—you know why we’re here. Changxing and I don’t care much about the land survey itself. What matters most is that this will offend many people. You need to understand that."

The Marquis's estate owned three manors in the outskirts—one had been given to Yu Lanyi as dowry, another transferred to Yu Zhangxing after his marriage, leaving one retained by the household.

Their family had over a hundred acres of land worked by the manor’s tenants, all registered with the Ministry of Revenue. The remaining assets consisted mostly of shops and rental properties.

Mr. Yu was skilled in management, so the Marquis's household never wanted for anything. There was no need to conceal land or population, avoiding future trouble.

Moreover, Yu Zhangxing had not separated from the family, and the Emperor gave them yearly gifts, ensuring a substantial income each year.

Zheng Shanci cupped his hands respectfully: "Thank you for the reminder, Father-in-law. Proposing the land survey was the only option. If the Ministry of Revenue’s ledgers were more accurate, it wouldn’t have come to this. The thought of hidden land shifting the entire Great Yan Dynasty’s tax burden onto the common people weighs heavily on me. Even in these relatively peaceful times, the people suffer greatly. As officials, our salaries come from their taxes—it’s shameful."

"The land survey is vital to the country. Serving in the Ministry of Revenue, I must report what I see and hear to His Majesty. Only then can I live up to his trust and promotion."

Yu Zhangxing said, "Father and I agree that you should travel with more skilled guards. I’ve prepared five for you—take them home today."

Zheng Shanci was moved: "Thank you, Father-in-law and Elder Brother."

"Do what you must. While I still have connections among the military, I’ll help you navigate those circles. But you must exercise judgment. This path won’t be easy. The entire court understands the gravity of the land survey, yet no one dared submit a memorial. You’re young and impulsive, maybe even reckless—but I admire that very spirit."

The Marquis of Changyang added, "Also, the Duke of Ying’s household has concealed some land—three hundred acres, I’ve confirmed."

Zheng Shanci replied, "His Majesty doesn’t seek to destroy them. If the Duke confesses voluntarily, His Majesty dislikes deception but values sincerity. An honest approach will earn his leniency."

Emperor Wuming had no intention of driving them to ruin—only testing their loyalty.

Yu Zhangxing nodded: "Shan Ci’s suggestion is sound."

As the three men left the study, the Marquis of Changyang patted Zheng Shanci’s shoulder. "Since you raised this issue, make sure it’s done right."

Zheng Shanci cupped his hands and said, "I'll follow your guidance, Father-in-law."

Yu Lanyi stood by the carriage, seeing Zheng Shanci still talking with the Marquis of Changyang. He grumbled impatiently, "It's already late. We should head back."

The Marquis of Changyang let Zheng Shanci leave.

Zheng Shanci returned to his residence with five trained fighters.

Once the two were inside their room, Yu Lanyi asked Zheng Shanci, "Why did Father suddenly give you five fighters?"

Zheng Shanci explained the land measurement issue to Yu Lanyi.

"So you're in danger now? Five men aren’t enough—you should have at least twenty. They ought to form a circle around you every time you step out."

Zheng Shanci: "..."

"Not even the Chief Grand Secretary rates that kind of protection."

Yu Lanyi: "You must be careful when going out. These folks are small-minded. If anything goes wrong, they’ll pin it all on you—even though they’re the ones who did wrong and got caught, they’ll resent the one who exposed them."

Zheng Shanci glanced at Yu Lanyi in surprise. "Lan Yi, I didn’t expect you to think this way."

Yu Lanyi: "Who do you think you’re underestimating? I know plenty."

Zheng Shanci nodded with a smile.

Though Yu Lanyi didn’t fully understand the land measurement issue, Zheng Shanci’s tone told him it would offend many people.

"I know a few families who claim they’re not well-off, yet they live comfortably—shopping monthly at Jin Yi Pavilion. But then Father told me they’ve been selling heirlooms to scrape by. If life is already so hard, why bother keeping up appearances?"

Yu Lanyi tugged the blanket up and chatted idly with Zheng Shanci.

"Some people care more about face than anything else."

Yu Lanyi suddenly asked, "A man ought to have savings. How much do you have?"

Caught off guard by the abrupt question, Zheng Shanci nearly blurted out the answer.

He paused briefly before saying, "I don’t have much. My pay all goes to you."

Yu Lanyi thought Zheng Shanci wasn’t being entirely honest, but he didn’t mind—after all, he controlled the purse strings now. He was just curious about Zheng Shanci’s personal funds.

Zheng Shanci thought to himself that he should keep some money on hand—after all, he’d need cash out with Lan Yi and the kid.

Yu Lanyi grew drowsy as he pondered. "We’ll attend Du Ning’s wedding banquet on our day off, and in a few days, we have to go to the academy."

"Why the academy?"

"The tutor’s summoning all the fathers." Yu Lanyi yawned, tugged Zheng Shanci’s arm, and fell asleep.

......

Ye Yunchu was quite supportive when he learned that Zheng Shanci had proposed the land measurement. Scores of officials were hiding acreage to evade taxes, and if this continued, the imperial coffers would keep shrinking.

As he was still the crown prince, household management remained in the hands of his mother the Princess Consort. He owned a few shops and a manor, all entrusted to Yu Shiyan. He had no land under his name, so Emperor Wuming’s decree on land surveys wouldn’t affect his interests in the slightest.

The officials at the Court of Judicial Review, however, thought differently. The vice minister, in particular, looked like his whole lineage had died—no wonder he made a scene in court.

Ye Yunchu knew the land measurement was political dynamite. When he returned home after duty, his parents’ faces were stormy.

"Your son pays respects to Father and Mother." Ye Yunchu stepped forward.

"You may rise. It seems His Majesty is dead set on reforming the issue of concealed landholdings. Yunchu, you must also think of a solution." Prince Zhennan sighed, his heart heavy.

"Could it be our family has hidden landholdings?!" Ye Yunchu was incredulous.

His father was a prince of a different surname, and his mother was of imperial lineage—by all accounts, they lacked nothing. Why would they evade taxes?

Prince Zhennan nodded. "Our family has hidden several hundred acres of land. Your Lady Mother has already acted urgently to sell it off. If no one buys, we’ll be left holding the burden."

Lady Mother added, "This whole mess was stirred up by that upstart Zheng's petition. All we can do now is sell the land and avoid leaving any evidence in our hands."

For the moment, everyone in the capital was offloading land, driving prices down. Would His Majesty truly fail to trace it, or would he pretend not to see?

Ye Yunchu was now personally involved in the land survey as well—no longer just an observer.

Officials and nobility in the capital were selling land, some even sending word back to their hometowns in hopes of disposing of their holdings there.

Ye Yunchu suspected Emperor Wuming would make an example of someone—preferably a high-ranking figure. His breath quickened as he asked, "How much land does our family still have left to sell?"

Lady Mother replied, "Two hundred acres."

Ye Yunchu knew noble families hoarded land, but he hadn’t expected his own family to be no exception. Working cases at the High Court, he’d seen commoners with just twenty mu [about 3 acres] of taxed land getting by comfortably. Yet his family had concealed so much—and if officials large and small had done the same, it likely accounted for half of Great Yan’s arable land.

No wonder the imperial treasury struggled when half the land evaded taxes. Moreover, the northern lands were barren, yielding little grain. The lost taxes amounted to a fortune.

No wonder His Majesty supported the land survey.

"At this point, turning a profit is the least of our concerns. Sell the land at a low price, Father. You could even throw yourself on His Majesty's mercy and donate supplies to the Ministry of War. The land sales can’t be hidden—once the magistrates compare records, they’ll trace it back to us."

Ye Yunchu, trusted by Emperor Wuming, considered the emperor’s perspective and concluded that declaring allegiance was paramount.

Lady Mother protested, "What foolishness are you suggesting, Yunchu? Your suggestion is no different from your father turning himself in. If you resent me, fine, but in such a crisis, must you offer such terrible counsel?"

Prince Zhennan hesitated. "This requires careful consideration."

"Father, the sooner you declare your allegiance to His Majesty, the better. If someone else acts first, our sincerity will be halved."

The prince wavered. He thought he might play the elder statesman card for Emperor Wuming’s leniency—but if he delayed, the emperor would have seen all such tactics and might not humor him.

"I will seek an audience with His Majesty tomorrow," Prince Zhennan decided then and there.

Lady Mother still protested. "Why such haste? Once the land is sold, it’s no longer our concern."

Having persuaded his father, Ye Yunchu relaxed slightly. He bowed to his parents and withdrew to his quarters.

They dined separately now, which pleased him. Before, he’d had to cater to his parents’ tastes. If he ordered late-night snacks from the kitchen, his mother would know by morning and lecture him with well-meaning concern.

Eventually, he stopped asking for snacks.

Guilt gnawed at him—he hated worrying his mother. But now, with his own private kitchen, free from shared meals, he felt truly at ease.

Step by step, he was escaping his mother’s overbearing ways. He would heed her—but only if her words were reasonable and aligned with his own feelings.

It took raising Xiao Yezi to understand that parental love didn't have to be as suffocating as his mother’s. Worried himself sick over the boy’s health, meals, and happiness, he resolved to spare him any hardship.

*Father!* Xiao Yezi cheerfully called.

Ye Yunchu thought that when Xiao Yezi grew up, he would pass the heir's title to Xiao Yezi after assuming his own noble title.

Yu Shiyan doted on Xiao Yezi with all his fatherly affection, but Ye Yunchu felt this wasn’t entirely good—he was too restrictive with Xiao Yezi, just like his mother had been with him.

"Let’s eat." Yu Shiyan had been suffering from migraines lately, an ailment that could only be managed, not cured. He had just had acupuncture from the royal physician and still looked rather pale.

Ye Yunchu held his son’s hand as they went to dine together.

If Xiao Yezi ate too much meat, Yu Shiyan would say, "Children shouldn’t eat too much meat, or they’ll gain weight."

Xiao Yezi would murmur assent and reach for vegetables instead.

After the meal, Ye Yunchu planned to discuss Xiao Yezi’s upbringing with Yu Shiyan.

Ye Yunchu didn’t want others to see them arguing—servants were quick to curry favor with whoever held power. If they knew he and Yu Shiyan were at odds, it would reflect poorly on Yu Shiyan.

"You’re too strict with Xiao Yezi. At the very least, he should have freedom in what he eats. If he puts on a few pounds, we’ll just run or walk it off. Besides, since when do kids need to diet? If he wants meat, let him have it. If you keep controlling him like this, he’ll grow up timid, and I know that’s not what you want either."

Yu Shiyan frowned. "The princess consort (his mother) is watching me closely. If Xiao Yezi shows even the slightest flaw, she’ll try to take him away. And it’s not like I’m strictly controlling his diet—if you’re upset with me, say it outright instead of using Xiao Yezi as an excuse."

Neither spoke for a long moment.