Chapter 83 Yang Guifei (Thirteen) Political Reform

The morning light from the Taiji Hall filtered through the window lattice and fell on the memorials in Ling's hand. He had only been on the throne for half a month, but the memorials on the desk were already piled high, most of which were reports on garrisons in the frontiers and disaster relief in Jiangnan.

Lin Jiaojiao walked in with a bowl of hot tea. Seeing his brows furrowed slightly, she gently placed the teacup on the table. "Are you reading the reports from the border again?"

Ling looked up and reached out to hold her hand, his fingertips feeling a hint of coolness. "Well, although An Lushan hasn't gained power yet, he's already secretly expanding his forces. The Jiedushi have too much power, and it will sooner or later become a hidden danger."

He handed her a memorial. "Look, these days, the frontier governors are in charge of both military affairs and finances, and can even appoint and dismiss officials at will. If this continues, it will become an unstoppable force—and this will be the root cause of future chaos."

Lin Jiaojiao took the memorial, quickly skimmed through its contents, and her heart sank. "So, how do you plan to reform it? Directly stripping the Jiedushi of their power would probably cause a backlash."

"We can't force this." Ling stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the morning light outside the palace. "I plan to proceed in three steps: First, I'll send trusted confidants to the frontiers to serve as 'military supervisors'. Nominally, they'll assist the Jiedushi in commanding the army, but in reality, they'll oversee troop movements and food revenue and expenditure, preventing them from expanding their armies privately. Second, I'll reclaim the Jiedushi's financial power. Taxes in the frontiers will be centrally calculated by the Ministry of Revenue, which will then allocate military supplies from the imperial court, effectively cutting off their ability to stockpile food and support their troops. Third, I'll implement a 'rotation system'. Jiedushi's terms will be capped at three years, and upon their expiration, they'll be transferred back to the capital to serve, preventing them from becoming too deeply entrenched in one place."

Lin Jiaojiao nodded and asked, "Will the officials object? After all, many Jiedushi are former subordinates of Li Linfu and have strong ties to the government."

"It's no use opposing it." Ling's eyes sharpened. "Now that the Yulin Army and Qianniu Guard are under my control, most of the court officials support the new policies. They've experienced the pain of Emperor Xuanzong's extravagance and know that only by stabilizing the court can they protect their salaries. Besides, I've had Zhao Heng draft an imperial edict. Any Jiedushi who supports the new policies will be promoted one level upon returning to the capital. Anyone who dares to disobey will be charged with 'colluding with border bandits' and will be punished with no leniency."

As he was speaking, the eunuch announced that the Minister of Revenue wanted to see him.

Ling asked Lin Jiaojiao to wait in the side hall while he returned to the main seat to handle government affairs.

Lin Jiaojiao sat beside the zither in the side hall, gently plucking the strings with her fingertips, and suddenly remembered the Xuan paper she had improved in Taizhen Temple. Now the national treasury was in deficit. If the improved Xuan paper could be promoted, it would not only reduce costs but also allow the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau to produce more practical items rather than luxury goods.

After the Minister of Revenue left, Lin Jiaojiao told Ling about this idea.

Ling's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea! The Jiangnan Weaving Bureau has been producing luxury goods like brocade, and now is the perfect time to transform. I can order the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau to set up a 'Paper Products Workshop'. You will be responsible for improving the craftsmanship of Xuan paper and then promoting this new paper to all prefectures and cities across the country. This will not only save costs, but also allow the people to use cheap, high-quality paper."

In the following days, the new policy was implemented in an orderly manner.

Ling handles government affairs at the morning court every day, and returns to the palace in the evening to discuss the details of the reform with Lin Jiaojiao.

Lin Jiaojiao personally went to the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau to guide the craftsmen to improve Xuan paper. She mixed mulberry bark with bamboo fiber, which not only retained the delicacy of Xuan paper but also increased its toughness, while reducing the cost by 30% compared to the original.

After the new paper was introduced, it was quickly welcomed by all prefectures and cities. The Minister of Revenue reported to the emperor, "Now all prefectures and cities use the new paper for copying documents and students preparing for exams. This will save the national treasury nearly 100,000 taels of silver each year."

That morning, the Minister of War presented a report from the frontier: "Your Majesty, military supervisors have been dispatched to the frontiers one after another. Although the military governors have expressed dissatisfaction, none dares to disobey. Furthermore, An Lushan has been transferred back to the capital under the 'rotational system' to assume a sinecure. His military power has been divided among three deputy generals, all of whom are trusted by Your Majesty."

Ling nodded in satisfaction. "Well done. Furthermore, I will issue an order to establish 'Martial Arts Schools' on the frontiers, selecting brave civilians to study military tactics. Upon graduation, they will be added to the army. This will not only weaken the Jiedushi's control over the army, but also cultivate loyal and brave generals for the court, preventing the future chaos of 'generals not knowing their soldiers, and soldiers not knowing their generals.'"

The court officials all bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"

After dismissing the court, Ling returned to the central palace and saw Lin Jiaojiao teaching the palace maids to play the new piece "Minsheng Music".

The melody is cheerful, and the lyrics go like this: "The fields are full of mulberry and hemp, and the people have no worries." It makes people feel warm inside.

Ling walked up to her and said with a smile: "This song is really good. If it spreads to the people, it will definitely soothe their hearts."

Lin Jiaojiao paused playing the zither and said, "I just want the people to know that the current imperial court cares about them. Oh, and I also want to set up a 'Huiminfang' in the capital, where artisans can teach the people the skills of brocade weaving and papermaking. I can also sell seeds and farm tools at low prices to help them reclaim wasteland. This will not only increase food production, but also allow the people to live and work in peace. Even if there are any unrest in the future, it will reduce the number of refugees and stabilize people's hearts."

Ling held her hand, his eyes full of admiration: "Jiaojiao, with you, my new policy can be implemented so smoothly. You not only understand music and dance, but also understand people's livelihood. You are really my good wife."

Lin Jiaojiao's cheeks flushed slightly. "I'm just doing what I can. By the way, has An Lushan made any unusual moves since he was transferred back to the capital?"

"He's been quite obedient." Ling's tone was cold. "I've sent people to keep an eye on him. He knows his military power has been taken away, so even if he wants to, he can't make any waves. Besides, I've issued an edict that all officials' children must study at the Imperial Academy and can only take up positions after graduation. An Lushan's son is among them, so he's like a hostage. He doesn't dare to act rashly."

As the days go by, the effects of the new policy gradually become apparent.

Frontier garrisons were no longer solely controlled by military governors, financial revenues and expenditures were transparent, and there was no more private stockpiling of food to support soldiers.

After the transformation of the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau, it not only saved treasury expenditure, but also provided more livelihoods for the people.

The "Huiminfang" in the capital was even more crowded with people, with smiles on their faces, carrying newly woven cloth and newly ground rice.

That evening, Ling and Lin Jiaojiao stood on the terrace of the Taiji Hall, overlooking the city of Chang'an.

The streets were brightly lit, and the laughter of the people could be heard faintly, making it much more lively than usual.

Lin Jiaojiao leaned against Ling and whispered, "Look, as long as the court truly cares about the people, the people will live and work in peace and contentment. Even if there are ambitious people, they won't be able to stir up any trouble."

Ling nodded and squeezed her hand. "Yes, the root cause of the An Lushan Rebellion was nothing more than the excessive power of the military governors, the corruption of the imperial court, and the hardship of the people. We are now eliminating these evils to prevent further disasters. In the future, I will continue to implement new policies, reduce taxes, develop water conservancy projects, and emphasize agriculture and sericulture, so that this prosperous Tang Dynasty will truly become a prosperous era for the people."

Lin Jiaojiao looked up at Ling, her eyes full of stars: "I will always be with you, and together with you, we will build this prosperous Tang Dynasty even better."

As the night deepened, the palace lanterns lit up one by one, making the figures of the two people look particularly warm.