The Good Grandson of the Red Chamber

Chapter 20: Bitterness 1 Bitter Surname

At this moment, Emperor Yonglong was completely relaxed, not thinking about national affairs or power struggles, and was like a kind grandfather in an ordinary family.

He looked at Xia Chengzong and asked, "Brother Zong, you've just moved into the palace, are you settling in well?"

Xia Chengzong said, "It's just like being at home with Grandfather here, so what's there to be uncomfortable about?"

"I see you look worried, Grandfather. Have you encountered some problem? Tell me, perhaps I can help you?"

Upon hearing these words, Emperor Yonglong chuckled.

He was also eager to test the little ones, so he said:

"These past few days, Grandpa has really encountered a problem! Tell me, Grandpa, and see if you can come up with any ideas."

"A few days ago, there was a heavy snowfall. The capital city was alright, but most of Youzhou suffered from the snow disaster."

"Many people's houses collapsed under the weight of the heavy snow, and they became refugees, in need of disaster relief from the imperial court."

"Meanwhile, the Dzungar Khanate in the northwest is stirring up trouble, and the Jie people in the north are also restless, so the border troops need a lot of military expenditure."

"But now the imperial treasury is depleted and cannot provide enough silver. How can this be resolved?"

It turns out the problem was a lack of silver. This was a problem that existed in every dynasty, but there was no very effective solution.

The robust and spirited Xia Chengren was the first to speak: "Grandpa Emperor, when I grow up, I will personally lead troops to wipe out the Dzungars and the Jie tribe, and relieve your burdens!"

Emperor Yonglong laughed heartily, "Good, Ren'er, you have ambition! Your grandfather didn't spoil you for nothing!"

Xia Chengyan said, "Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. I think we can raise funds in the capital. There are many wealthy merchants in the capital, so it will not be difficult to raise enough silver."

Emperor Yonglong shook his head and said, "In recent years, disasters have occurred frequently. We have been raising funds every year, but even if we do it again, it will be difficult to raise much silver."

"This gap is enormous, and it cannot be filled by donations alone."

Xia Chengli said, "Grandfather, there are many corrupt officials in the capital. Why not arrest a few of them, confiscate their property, and use the money to make up for the shortfall?"

Emperor Yonglong shook his head and said, "The court has its own laws and regulations. If we confiscate property at will, it will make everyone feel insecure, and the harm will be endless. It cannot be used lightly."

Xia Chengxu said, "Grandfather, after I return home, I will tighten my belt and donate my monthly allowance."

"And I called on those around me to donate as well, to do our part."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yonglong said with satisfaction, "Doing one's best and putting it into practice is excellent."

Upon hearing this, Xia Chengxu was overjoyed.

In fact, Emperor Yonglong didn't think the little ones could give the correct answer at first.

How could these little guys find a solution to a problem that even the most powerful officials in the imperial court struggled to solve?

And from their answers, one can also see their personalities.

Of course, some of these answers must be flattering or insincere, but isn't that a good way to see their true character?

At this moment, Xia Chengxu asked, "Third brother, do you have any solutions?"

Emperor Yonglong then realized, "Oh right, this little guy hasn't answered yet."

Emperor Yonglong was somewhat looking forward to seeing what answer he would give.

Xia Chengzong said, "I've heard my father mention that the national treasury is in deficit, largely because it has lent out too much silver."

"Yes, my Prince Zhongzheng's Mansion has also borrowed money from the national treasury. If we can recover these debts, we should be able to make up for the deficit."

Xia Chengzong felt that this method was the most practical.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yonglong shook his head and said, "It's difficult, very difficult. Those who borrow silver from the national treasury are either imperial relatives or important officials in the court."

"They were also struggling financially and had no choice but to borrow money. Their hasty pursuit of repayment was a breach of the proper conduct of the imperial court."

"Besides, distant water cannot quench immediate thirst, and these deficits cannot be cleared up in a year or six months."

Upon hearing Emperor Yonglong's words, Xia Chengzong knew that his grandfather did not want to pursue debts during his reign.

Much of the national treasury's debt was lent out because of him.

In his later years, Emperor Yonglong enjoyed traveling and sightseeing, and he visited the Jiangnan region many times.

The Jia family received the emperor once, the Wang family once, and the Zhen family four times.

A single reception for the emperor costs a fortune.

Where did this silver come from? It was all borrowed from the national treasury.

How do you expect Emperor Yonglong to recover the outstanding debts?

These people came to the palace to plead for mercy; what could he say?

To solve the problem of the national treasury deficit, besides recovering the outstanding debts, he actually knew the correct answer.

But he didn't want to say it because he didn't agree with the answer at all.

However, his brothers clearly did not want to let him go.

Xia Chengli said, "Third brother, I see you are hesitant to speak. You must have a better way. Tell us so we can learn from you."

Xia Chengzong hesitated for a moment, then remained silent.

Emperor Yonglong laughed and said, "Brother Zong, just speak your mind. What does it matter who is right and who is wrong?"

Xia Chengzong finally spoke, saying, "Grandfather, I believe that if the above methods cannot solve the problem..."

"The only way is to make the people suffer and increase taxes to get through this difficult time for now."

Xia Chengzong knew that this was the correct answer.

A glance at historical records reveals that when faced with financial problems, dynasties almost always resorted to increasing taxes and making life harder for the people.

Upon hearing this answer, the people reacted in various ways.

Xia Chengren and Xia Chengyan found it hard to believe that Xia Chengzong would give such an answer.

Xia Chengli and Xia Chengxu were overjoyed.

Too much talk leads to mistakes; this third brother actually said something foolish!

However, that alone is far from enough.

We must make him say more, deepen the Emperor's dislike for him, and make the Emperor give up on him completely.

Thinking of this, Xia Chengxu quickly said, "Third brother, you are mistaken."

Mencius said: "The people are the most important, the state is next, and the ruler is the least important. Those who govern should reduce taxes and levies and cherish the people."

"How can we so easily increase taxes and burden the people?"

"Remember, the ruler is the boat, and the people are the water; the water can carry the boat, but it can also capsize it!"

Xia Chengzong looked at Xia Chengxu and asked with a smile, "Brother Xu, how should we make up for the financial deficit?"

"Benevolence, morality, and righteous indignation cannot solve the problem. Without disaster relief funds, the victims will starve to death."

"Without military pay, the border defenses are in disarray, and the border troops are in danger of mutiny. What will we do then if foreign tribes invade unimpeded?"

Xia Chengzong's question left Xia Chengxu speechless for a moment.

Xia Chengli asked, "Why make the common people suffer instead of increasing commercial taxes? Merchants are wealthy; wouldn't it be better to let them take their money?"

Xia Chengzong said, "Every wealthy merchant has a powerful official backing them, and many are even officials-merchants."

"Imposing additional commercial taxes will ultimately be passed on to the people, and will be even more exploitative than directly increasing taxes."

"Therefore, it would be better to increase taxes from the beginning."

Xia Chengli remained unconvinced and asked sharply, "Aren't you afraid that the officials will force the people to rebel?"