Chapter 116: The Tremendous Impact (Please Subscribe)

“Minister Li’s words are precisely what I wished to ask. Fang Xian, do you mean to suggest that I should distribute the land to the people of the realm?” Emperor Wu Qing replied calmly, subtly indicating that the questioner was a high-ranking official of the second or third rank.

“Your Majesty, all under heaven belongs to the king; all shores and lands are the king’s subjects. Naturally, the land of the realm ought to belong to the royal family. Yet now, vast tracts of land have been monopolized by princes, nobles, wealthy merchants, and powerful elites, leaving many common folk without even an inch of land. This is the root cause of the widespread scarcity of food.

“Specifically, the powerful and wealthy do not lack grain, nor does the royal family, but the overwhelming majority of common people suffer from shortages. When disasters strike—whether from nature or men—the common folk are left naked and starving, with no means of survival. In desperation, they often resort to reckless and dangerous paths.

“I propose that land ownership and land use be considered separately. All land under heaven should be owned by the royal family; no individual, not even the powerful or wealthy, should hold ownership of any land.

“However, the royal family may grant land use rights to the common people, allocating half an acre per person according to the household registry. Each acre would be subject to a tax of one-thirtieth of the harvest, paid as rent to the royal treasury.

“Furthermore, the tax rate should increase with the amount of land rented: for holdings exceeding one hundred acres, the tax would be one-tenth; over a thousand acres, one-fifth; and over ten thousand acres, one-third. This tiered system would enhance the royal revenue.

“Of course, the taxes collected by the royal family should not be wholly retained by the crown. One-third should support the royal household’s needs, one-third should be returned to the people for public works such as building bridges, repairing roads, developing irrigation, and supporting the military, and one-third reserved for emergencies.

“I firmly believe that if the common people are granted land use rights, the grain they produce—beyond a modest tax—would belong to them. Within a few years, there would be no shortage of food among the people of the realm.”

Fang Xian spoke earnestly. Yet his proposal drew frowns from many court officials, for it clearly aimed to suppress the powerful elites, reclaiming their land for the crown. The high taxes on large holdings would render the acquisition of extensive land use rights unprofitable for them.

Many ministers were eager to refute Fang Xian’s words, but Emperor Wu Qing’s gaze silenced them all, and none dared interrupt until Fang Xian finished.

“Your Majesty, this is seditious talk inciting the people. I believe this youth is too presumptuous and should be dismissed,” an elderly minister with white hair and beard suddenly said in a trembling voice.

“Yes, such ideas undermine the foundation of the state, hardly a means to strengthen the nation. This path leads only to ruin,” exclaimed another minister, pounding his chest in distress.

“Your Majesty, if land is distributed to the people, it will be difficult to reclaim it later. Over time, the people will believe the land is theirs and will no longer respect the royal family,” a minister warned loudly.

“Esteemed ministers, are you reluctant to part with the vast lands you control? Why do people starve? Why do some become bandits? Why do others rise in rebellion? It is because they cannot survive otherwise; they seek paths that are no paths at all.

“If every minister present here, along with your families and friends, possessed only enough land to sustain yourselves, and if the majority of land use rights were granted to the common people, would there still be rebellions? With land to cultivate and grain to harvest, would there be unrest?

“Your Majesty, if the people all have grain in hand, the small rivers will be full, the great rivers overflowing; the royal family will not lack grain, the ministers will not lack grain, and the soldiers will not lack grain.

“If a foreign power invades to disrupt such a life, would the people stand by idly? Certainly not. To protect their own interests, the people would eagerly send their sons to the army to resist the enemy. At that time, Your Majesty may rest assured without worry.”

Fang Xian ignored the ministers’ objections and spoke with passionate conviction.

“Let us not be hasty. We are merely discussing governance strategies. Fang Xian’s words are but his own opinions; let us hear them fully. You spoke earlier about emphasizing agriculture. I believe I understand your point. Now, please tell us about your thoughts on industry and commerce,” Emperor Wu Qing said, halting the unrest among the ministers, though his heart was filled with astonishment.

“Allow me to explain industry and commerce. ‘Industry’ refers to artisans, craftsmen, and those engaged in manual trades, while ‘commerce’ refers to merchants.

“We must value artisans highly and vigorously encourage their inventions and creations. More artisans devoted to their crafts mean more innovations that reduce production costs, improve efficiency, and create greater value.

“Valuing merchants can generate more social wealth, for merchants transport diverse goods from all corners of the realm and even foreign lands to places of need, enabling everyone to live more comfortably.

“Of course, the royal family must enact policies accordingly—imposing commercial taxes to enrich the treasury, curbing illicit activities among merchants to prevent profiteering, and strictly forbidding them from breaking laws once wealthy.

“In short, there are many measures to take. The royal family must guide industry and commerce toward positive development while preventing negative influences, so the entire nation grows ever more prosperous.”

Fang Xian expressed his ideas, which contained some concepts ahead of their time.

For the ministers and scholars of the Wu Kingdom, these notions were a tremendous shock. Some found them absurd, while others saw great potential.

Emperor Wu Qing’s breathing quickened, but he soon controlled himself and slowed his breath. Though Fang Xian’s words stirred a tremor of excitement within him, he mastered his emotions and suppressed all agitation.

The other ministers in the Supreme Hall began either to ponder Fang Xian’s proposals seriously or to consider how to refute them, but none spoke for the moment.

“Fang, if industry and commerce hold such promise, and all the people take to trade, who then will till the land?” Shi Hongchang suddenly asked.

“The realm is vast, with tens of millions of people. Those engaged in industry and commerce will be but a minority. Artisans must have innate talent; not everyone can be one. Merchants require capital, courage, and vision—how many can meet such demands?

“Therefore, the vast majority will remain farmers, while those in industry and commerce will be few. There is no need to worry about a shortage of farmers; if anything, the problem is that there is too much land and not enough people to cultivate it,” Fang Xian replied with a smile.