Ball Ball Cultivation

Qiuqiu imprisoned them in various vacant palaces within the palace. These nearly fifty men, all in their thirties and forties, were likely future cabinet ministers. Now imprisoned, one could imagine their feelings. Some had hearts dedicated to serving their country and their people, but they had been taught from childhood that family was the most important thing, and that concealing a crime could be a minor offense.

The Emperor seized this opportunity to mobilize a large number of grassroots officials, remeasure the land, and establish a new tax system based on a percentage of land output, eliminating the tax exemption privileges enjoyed by the aristocratic families. While implementation initially proceeded smoothly at the grassroots level, it became increasingly difficult to implement the new policy once it impacted the interests of the major families. Furthermore, the newly assigned grassroots officials lacked experience in navigating these complex relationships, and the prefectures and counties controlled by the major families nearly sparked public outrage. A stalemate ensued, and the true battle began!

The current court's execution is swift. When this kind of behavior harms the interests of the aristocratic families, capable officials from these families stand by and watch. This is because the surveillance around them is too strict, and they dare not put obstacles in the way of the emperor. This would truly touch the aristocratic families' cake. While the court dares not act, they can still manipulate it from below. Out of the emperor's sight, public resentment is rampant.

Qiuqiu wasn't good at these intrigues, but these were just Xu Jin's ideas. Furthermore, Qiuqiu's descendants had experienced thousands of years of historical change, with dynasties and systems established. Their current territory was only half the size of China, with Tibet, Xinjiang, and Mongolia still being inhabited by barbarians and foreigners. On the battlefield, many children of aristocratic families held prominent positions. Although they weren't directly affected, they still had to rely on their own abilities to advance.

That day, a restless Qiuqiu stopped practicing and attended to government affairs, wandering the Imperial Gardens to relax and think about solutions. The Emperor was in poor health and had never been interested in women. Currently, the entire harem consisted of only three concubines and one empress. The rest were maids and eunuchs. Over the past three years, they had arrested batches of eunuchs but never received any new ones. Now, many palaces were empty and unattended.

Although the imperial garden was full of flowers and had a sense of artificial craftsmanship, because the area had not been cleared in advance, the emperor in casual clothes and Liu Fu heard a lot of gossip.

Two old eunuchs pruning flower branches: "Although the work is heavier, the lower-level eunuchs and palace maids are not oppressed or exploited. How much money can we save for retirement when we get older?"

A clever little maid said: "The palace affairs are divided between the two empresses. I want to learn to be a female official. In the future, I can serve as an official in the lower places and get married and have children. The empress said that many female officials are needed. Not only in the orphanage, but also in other places. I want to learn embroidery from my aunt. Even if I don't pass the exam to become a female official, I can become a female master and teach embroidery."

……

Listening to these discussions, Qiuqiu suddenly had an idea: take the nearly fifty capable prisoners secretly held in the palace and bring them to a deserted palace hall. These scholars, who had lived a life of luxury since childhood, had endured months of imprisonment, and then nearly a month of darkness and incommunicado. If they hadn't developed any negative emotions, it would be a sign of high moral character! This method of tormenting people in a cramped, dark room is commonly known as "confinement in a small dark room."

Seeing the capable ministers covered in dirt and odor, Qiuqiu was not ambiguous. Seeing the prince with an unnatural look on his face, he smiled in a good mood.

The Emperor: "Everyone will have a table, a set of four treasures of the study, and a bowl of thick porridge."

Liu Fu immediately executed it!

The Emperor: "You all know your current situation. This is the most strictly guarded place. Not even a bird can get in! If you don't want to die of illness, you must show your worth. If you have the guts to die, and secretly want to avenge your dead relatives, you can consider exile to other places. Your descendants will retain the qualification to take the imperial examination and become officials! Without you as hostages, no matter how talented you are, I dare not use you!"

"Furthermore, our investigation revealed that although you and those who plotted to murder me are related by blood, you all have some dirty deeds and even grudges against each other. However, it is a fact that you knew about it but did not report it. This is why I did not kill you and left hope for your descendants."

"Now that the privileges of the aristocratic families have been abolished, all land across the country has been remeasured, and all taxes are in a state of panic. I'll tell you the solution, and you can refine it and add any new ideas you have. Also, send letters to the existing major aristocratic families, each selecting one or two. Whether it's threats or inducements, you can get them to implement the new policy!"

The prince recorded the new policy:

Universal military service: Men between the ages of fifteen and twenty must serve for at least one year, learning knowledge and exercising their bodies. Upon passing the assessment, they will complete the course. Only those who have completed military service can take the imperial examinations, marry, and enter the government.

Girls aged twelve to seventeen were required to study and exercise for at least six months, and only after passing the examination could they marry and become court ladies. Those who had not completed military service could not obtain marriage certificates, and their children were not considered legitimate, but illegitimate, and had no inheritance rights. Special cases were handled on a case-by-case basis.

Assessment and entry into the government

Students who passed the county examination were exempt from taxes on ten acres of land.

Those who pass the county examination and become high school students are exempt from taxes on fifty acres of land.

Those who pass the provincial examination and become college students are exempt from taxes on one hundred acres of land.

Passing the national examination and becoming a disciple of the emperor will exempt 300 mu of land from tax. This cannot be accumulated.

Officials, excluding tax-exempt properties and income from shops and workshops, are subject to 80% tax of civilians for officials from the fifth to ninth ranks, while officials of the fourth rank and above are subject to 50%... There is also a maximum limit on the amount of land that can be owned, and it is divided into different levels.

As for the royal relatives and dukes, they should write strict rules according to this standard and the quality of their land!

Finally, commercial taxes, such as those for ordinary people setting up stalls, are exempted! As long as there are no problems every year, the monthly income of any store is less than 100 taels, and the tax should not exceed 10 taels!

For those large shops, we need to formulate a tax standard!

After collecting this tax, the court must also formulate specific measures on how to protect the company!

After giving some instructions, he said, "First, write the letter that will implement the new policy, then go shower and change clothes. Write out the specific regulations I want within three days, and we'll count them as points."

Next is the points introduction: "You are prisoners, but you are also people with real talents and knowledge. If you were not dragged down by your family, you would definitely play a vital role in the court.

Murdering the Emperor, the Empress, and General Shen are all serious crimes that can exterminate nine generations of your clan. I spared your lives not only because you were not directly involved, but also because you all possess extraordinary talents!

If you want to live well in the next ten years, you have to accumulate points.

Writing a letter like this, proposing reforms to the land system, will earn you between one and five points, depending on the level of your resolution. Points will also be awarded for compiling statecraft based on your contributions. This can be achieved by compiling books, cultivating improved crops, or improving various weapons and tools. For example, improving a plow will earn you ten points. Of course, you can also count towards points for things like family secrets and secret mines. Upon reaching a thousand points, you'll be released from prison and free. To rejoin the civil service, simply take the imperial examination. With your knowledge, you'll reach a high position in less than three years.