Having achieved what he wanted, the Emperor casually asked, “Does anyone else have suggestions?”
In the ensuing discussion, many ministers voiced their opinions, proposing around seventy to eighty suggestions. Ultimately, only two were approved.
The first was the establishnt of military dics in the army.
During warti, there were naturally military doctors accompanying the troops. However, once the fighting ended, those doctors would withdraw. In peaceti, if soldiers wanted dical treatnt, they either had to pay out of pocket to see a doctor, endure the illness while waiting for the emperor to show benevolence by sending imperial physicians to the camps, or rely on the general to request an imperial physician from the court.
Now, with the new arrangent, military camps would have resident doctors available to treat soldiers for free, and a certain amount of dicinal supplies could be obtained free of charge from state-run pharmacies in each prefecture.
The second provision was tax exemptions for families of soldiers who died in battle. Families that had lost their adult male mbers would be exempted from land taxes for three years. If, after three years, the household still lacked an adult male, the exemption would continue, extending up to a maximum of ten years.
At first glance, it seed like a heavy burden on the state, but in reality, even without the newly discovered gold and silver mines, the court could easily afford it.
After all, the exemption only applied to land taxes. Other taxes, such as the child poll tax, adult poll tax, labor replacent tax, and property tax, were still in effect.
Additionally, there were various other taxes, such as: families having to periodically provide silkworm cocoons to the governnt; taxes on mined copper and iron, calculated based on yield; timber taxes for cutting down forest trees; fishing taxes; and even feather taxes for capturing birds.
This system had existed throughout history. Even the emperors celebrated as benevolent rulers in historical records were often praised for “exempting land taxes,” while other forms of taxation were conveniently omitted, as if they didn’t exist.
Still, compared to emperors who either increased taxes or rely reduced a small portion of land taxes, such a ruler would indeed be considered enlightened.
As was his habit, the old Emperor vented about the day’s court proceedings to Empress Dou.
“I honestly don’t know how so people can suggest such absurd ideas. They proposed replacing the soldiers’ five-day rewards of at and wine with cash instead. For soldiers, after their daily exhaustion from training, having a sip of warm wine and a piece of fatty at is sothing they look forward to. Sure, silver coins might seem appealing on the surface, but they wouldn’t be able to hold onto the money for long. By the ti it reaches their hands, what should have been ten taels might end up as just two.”
“And another thing! I’ve never heard of soldiers having to pay out of pocket to repair their gear or saddles. On top of that, they expect them to buy their own gunpowder and bullets for training? Are these people undercover spies from the previous dynasty?”
“And there’s more…”
One thing after another left Empress Dou stunned and speechless.
No wonder only two of the seventy or eighty suggestions were deed acceptable. Expecting soldiers to buy their own ammunition for training —who thought that was even remotely feasible?!
“Thankfully, that rascal Xu Yanmiao helped ease so of the burden,” the Emperor added.
Empress Dou tactfully showed a puzzled expression.
The old Emperor bead. “He was thinking about so kind of city inspector system to oversee compensation, staffed by retired veterans. I think it’s a solid idea. It directly involves those with a vested interest. Retired soldiers would be placed in governnt offices. When they patrol the streets and visit families of fallen soldiers, they can quickly ascertain whether or not they’ve received their compensation. And if anyone dares to embezzle from those funds, these veterans would have no hesitation cutting off their hands.”
— After all, even if you disregard the camaraderie on the battlefield, you’d still have to think about your own compensation. If you don’t care whether others’ pensions are protected, when it’s your turn, no one will care whether your family gets what they deserve.
Empress Dou was sowhat surprised. “Minister Xu is only nineteen, yet his deep insight into human nature and precise analysis of complex matters—such talent is truly rare in this world.”
The old Emperor grumbled, “That brat isn’t dissecting human nature; he’s simply seen too much and knows how to use it at will.”
The Empress was montarily taken aback and looked toward Emperor Tiantong.
The Emperor sighed, half in lant, half in admiration. “Bai Ze’s vast knowledge and experience have made such matters commonplace to him. That’s probably why, upon hearing of retired soldiers, he imdiately thought of employing them to manage city security.”
“—That kind of perspective, neither the beggar emperor nor the most erudite scholars can compare to. Sotis I wonder what kind of world his eyes have witnessed. Back in Da Xia, it seems like nothing could leave a mark on his heart.”
Author’s Note:
The ten-year tax exemption ntioned here has historical precedent. Emperor Wen of Han once exempted the entire nation from agricultural taxes for eleven years.
(Of course, other taxes were not waived—especially the poll tax, which was a major source of revenue during the Western Han.)
The following (in parentheses) is purely speculative and not guaranteed to be accurate: (With the abolition of agricultural taxes, households had more food, which allowed them to raise more children. With a larger population, the total amount of poll tax collected also increased.
This may have been why Emperor Wen of Han dared to eliminate agricultural taxes outright.)
Additionally, Emperor Wen had other sources of revenue, such as the policy of “grain-for-titles.” For instance, delivering 600 shi of grain to the front lines would earn you the title of Shangzao; 4,000 shi would earn the title of Wudafu; and 12,000 shi would earn the title of Dashuzhang. When the front-line grain stores were sufficient for five years, Emperor Wen extended this policy nationwide, stockpiling enough grain in each county to feed the population for an entire year. This beca an early example of a national strategic grain reserve.
— From “Telling History to My Child”
Military benefits (referenced text):
For each fallen soldier, ten taels of silver would be granted to their family through clan officials. A monunt to loyalty and righteousness would be erected at the officer’s headquarters, listing the nas of the deceased. For widows with children, full rations and additional support were provided. Widows without children received five dou of grain monthly, one bolt of cloth in winter, and three catties of clean cotton. If the widow remarried, the support ceased.
— “Records of Lü Gong’s Practical Policies,” Volu 8
On black beans as a redy for sumr heat: From the beginning of the sumr solstice to the end of the period, one dou of black beans was allocated per ten n every month. The quartermaster would distribute the beans, which were used to brew soup to cool and refresh the soldiers.
— “Records of Lü Gong’s Practical Policies,” Volu 8
In the military, every ten days there was a feast to reward the troops. For an army of ten thousand soldiers, each feast cost 300 taels of silver, leaving a surplus.
Cooked yellow wine was served, one jin per person, along with cooked pork, also one jin per person. The feast was arranged in open spaces, divided into 20 locations, with groups of 50 soldiers lined up by na to receive their portions. Local tavern keepers, butchers, and cooks were employed for two days to assist, and they were rewarded for their efforts.
The cost of ten such feasts amounted to 3,000 taels of silver. For the soldiers, the joy and enthusiasm this brought were imnse. In comparison, modern rewards are often given in silver, with expenditures frequently reaching tens of thousands per instance, yet they fail to inspire or motivate the troops and serve no real purpose. In ancient tis, oxen were slaughtered, and wine was brewed to feast the soldiers. The significance of this practice was well understood. Now, oxen, sheep, and other animals are treated as re objects, and n are driven to their deaths for such trivialities—truly a tragedy.
— Records of Lü Gong’s Practical Policies, Volu 8
[Note from the author]:
Volu 8 is not available online—only the first six volus are. Volu 8 is only found in physical copies, which are in traditional vertical script without punctuation. I added punctuation myself, so if there are any errors, I apologize.
In the 7th year of the Tiansheng era, the Law Office revised the uniform standards for all military units. Cavalry soldiers were provided with seven items for both spring and winter, while infantry soldiers received seven items for spring and six for winter. Strict penalties were imposed on those who dared to sell these items.
— History of the Song Dynasty
Cavalry Spring Uniform (7 items): Black silk robe, white silk undershirt, white silk lined trousers, purple gauze headscarf, red silk belt, white silk inner garnt, straw shoes.
Infantry Spring Uniform (7 items): Black silk robe, white silk undershirt, white silk lined trousers, purple gauze headscarf, blue and yellow shoulder drape, white silk inner garnt, straw shoes.
Cavalry Winter Uniform (7 items): Black silk padded cloak, yellow silk padded robe, white silk padded socks and trousers, white silk lined socks and trousers, purple gauze headscarf, red silk belt, straw shoes.
Infantry Winter Uniform (6 items): Black silk padded cloak, yellow silk padded robe, white silk padded socks and trousers, purple gauze headscarf, blue and yellow shoulder drape, straw shoes.
Military Doctors:
In cases where the military lacked physicians, generals and provincial officials could request the allocation of dical personnel.
— Great Ming Code
Note: In the Ming dynasty, the military did not have permanent doctors. dical assistance was only dispatched when the Emperor rembered the troops and sent imperial physicians (often praised as an act of compassion). Alternatively, generals could petition the court for dical support.
However, pharmacies existed. In the 3rd year of Hongwu, the Huimin Pharmacies were established. These provided physicians at the prefecture level and local dical officers at the county level. dicine and treatnt were given to impoverished civilians and soldiers.
— History of the Ming Dynasty
Maintenance of Equipnt:
The cost of repairing saddles and gear, along with other personal expenses such as vegetables and seasonal clothing, fell on the soldiers themselves. For those with parents, wives, and children to support, survival was even more arduous.
— Qing Records: Shunzhi Reign Chronicles
Soldiers Supplying Their Own Ammunition:
Upon investigation, it was found that gunners under command were poorly trained. The root cause was that gunpowder and bullets were purchased by the soldiers themselves, leaving them unable to practice diligently.— Imperial Edicts of Emperor Yongzheng
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