Chapter 359 The Reforms in Qin (3000 words)
The postponement of the Third Princess's marriage and the prior holding of the Second Prince's marriage made little difference to the rest of the family.
Furthermore, because of these two joyous events, the entire Qin state can reduce taxes for several more years, which is even better.
However, the Second Prince felt somewhat guilty for delaying his sister's marriage because of his own, so he frequently visited the Shuangwang Mansion or the Princess's Mansion to apologize.
Xiao Mo naturally greeted her with courtesy, but Qin Siyao was still somewhat angry.
Every time her older brother came, Qin Siyao would pout.
If Xiao Mo hadn't insisted on receiving the Second Prince, the Second Prince wouldn't have even had tea.
Even when the Second Prince finally sat down in the courtyard to drink tea, Qin Siyao kept calling him "Stinky Second Brother!" and "Bad Second Brother!"
This left the Second Prince, Qin Jingyuan, quite embarrassed.
"Siyao, my mother seems to have something to discuss with you. Why don't you go to the Xiao residence first?"
Xiao Mo smiled and said to Qin Siyao.
"Aunt Zhou?" Qin Siyao blinked, then glanced at the Second Prince. "You brat, I'll let you off the hook for today."
The girl snorted and then turned to leave the courtyard.
"Second Prince, please don't mind her. Siyao is just like that. She'll be fine in a few days."
After Qin Siyao left, Xiao Mo poured a cup of tea for the Second Prince and said with a smile.
"Ha ha ha ha."
The Second Prince, Qin Jingyuan, smiled and shook his head.
“I know what my brother-in-law is saying. After all, we watched Siyao grow up. And it was indeed my fault as the older brother. I feel really guilty. I would like to apologize to my brother-in-law here and hope that he can forgive me.”
"Your Highness is too kind." Xiao Mo nodded. "The marriage between our two countries is far more important than my marriage with Siyao. How could I dare to have any objections?"
"However," Xiao Mo hesitated for a moment before saying, "I wonder what Second Brother's opinion is on this marriage to the Jin Kingdom?"
"How else can we interpret it?"
Qin Jingyuan sighed.
"We members of the royal family have never made our own decisions about marriage, neither my elder brother nor I."
"Now that both Qin and Jin are powerful states, if we can establish a Qin-Jin alliance through this marriage, it would be an immense blessing. Not to mention, we have just annexed Wei, our soldiers are exhausted and need rest, and Wei's territory needs time to be digested."
"In comparison," Qin Jingyuan looked out the door, "fortunately, Siyao met you, brother-in-law. Being able to marry the person you love is truly the rarest thing in the world."
Xiao Mo simply smiled and remained silent.
"Alright, alright." Qin Jingyuan waved his hand. "Let's not talk about this anymore. I just left the palace. The reason I came here is that my father asked me to summon you. Brother-in-law, hurry up and go, don't be late."
"Your Majesty called me?" Xiao Mo was taken aback.
"Hmm." Qin Jingyuan nodded. "Recently, it seems that the court wants to implement reforms, but they are still exploring the options. I'm afraid that the reason Father summoned you over is for this matter."
“.”
After pondering for a moment, Xiao Mo stood up and bowed.
"I am grateful for the summons from the Second Prince and will proceed to the palace immediately."
About an incense stick later, Xiao Mo arrived at the Imperial Study.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
Xiao Mo bowed slightly.
"Xiao Mo, you've arrived. No need for formalities, please sit down. We're all family now, why be so polite?" the King of Qin greeted him with a smile.
"Thank you for offering me a seat, Your Majesty." Xiao Mo sat down to one side and asked, "May I ask what business Your Majesty has with me?"
The King of Qin gradually lost his smile, his face turning somewhat serious:
"Xiao Mo, although you are young, only in your twenties, in my opinion, you are far more mature than most ministers, and because of your youth, you are even more spirited."
Therefore, I have some matters I would like to ask for your opinion on.
"Your Majesty, please ask whatever you wish. I will answer all your questions without reservation." Xiao Mo rose and bowed.
"Alright, alright, I've already told you there's no need to be so polite." The King of Qin pressed his hand down, letting Xiao Mo sit down again. "That's not a good thing about you. You should learn from your bride who's not yet married to you. She's been nagging me about this all the time lately."
"Hehe." Xiao Mo just chuckled to lighten the mood.
Siyao is his daughter, so he can do as he pleases, but no matter what, he is a subject and dares not act recklessly.
"Take a look. After you've read it, tell me your thoughts." The King of Qin handed the memorial on the table to Xiao Mo.
"yes."
Xiao Mo took the memorial and read it carefully.
The more Xiao Mo looked at him, the more serious his expression became.
All these memorials are about reform!
This involves various aspects such as military, agriculture, and commerce.
However, all of these reforms were too conservative.
It's clear that these officials genuinely wanted to improve the Qin state, but these nobles were more interested in protecting their own interests!
"Xiao Mo, what do you think of these reforms?"
Upon seeing Xiao Mo put down the last memorial, the King of Qin asked.
"this"
Xiao Mo looked at the King of Qin, his expression showing some hesitation.
"Xiao Mo, please speak freely. Whether you are right or wrong, I will not blame you," said the King of Qin, seeing Xiao Mo's concerns.
"Since Your Majesty has put it this way, then I shall dare to presume to speak."
Xiao Mo organized his thoughts and slowly began to speak.
"In my opinion, these changes do not seem to have much impact on the nobility."
"Haha, you're putting it so euphemistically, kid."
The King of Qin stood up and paced back and forth in the imperial study with his hands behind his back.
“I know what you mean. Indeed, just as you said, the reform proposals these guys are putting forward are openly and secretly aimed at securing benefits for their own families.”
For these nobles, the hereditary nature of their titles, passed down through generations, was the most reassuring thing.
However, after so many years, these nobles who relied on their ancestors' blessings have become increasingly bloated.
For an ordinary person, climbing up to this level is no easy feat.
An ordinary person's life is just that of an ordinary person, as if everything is determined at birth, with no end in sight.
How could a Qin state like this possibly conquer other powerful states?
Only when people see hope, and only when everyone has the chance to defy fate, will the entire Qin state not remain stagnant!
so."
The King of Qin turned around and looked directly into Xiao Mo's eyes.
"I want reforms!"
"Your Majesty's ambition is deeply admired by your subject," Xiao Mo said, bowing.
"Alright, alright, enough with the nice words. Let's get back to your thoughts."
"I do have some immature ideas."
Xiao Mo stroked the memorial, and finally decided to try speaking it out.
"I believe that the hereditary system of nobility should be abolished and replaced with a merit-based system."
All Qin people, regardless of their background, who kill one enemy leader in battle will be granted the title of "Gongshi" and receive one qing of land and nine mu of house.
Accumulated military merits can lead to promotions in rank, up to and including the title of marquis.
However, the title is only passed down for two generations, and it will be reduced if no new achievements are made in those two generations.
This move would prevent noble sons from resting on their ancestral laurels, and give commoner heroes a chance to change their social standing.
Furthermore, the Qin state is now divided into provinces, and below each province are fiefdoms and cities, resulting in a very large administrative span.
Your subject believes that the prefecture-county system should be implemented, with prefectures under the state and counties under the prefectures.
Prefects and magistrates were appointed and dismissed directly by the imperial court. Their performance was evaluated based on four criteria: land reclamation, population, criminal justice, and grain tax. They were evaluated every three years, and those who performed well were promoted while those who performed poorly were dismissed.
Nobles were not allowed to interfere in politics and received their stipends based solely on their rank.
Regarding farmland, the "land allocation system" and the "abandonment of field paths" were implemented.
The land occupied by nobles was confiscated by the state and allocated to households.
Every person can apply for 100 mu of land, of which 20 mu are permanent land that can be passed down to their descendants, and 50 mu are allotted land that is returned to the government when they get old.
Those who reclaim wasteland will be exempt from taxes for three years, and those who produce more grain will be awarded a rank of nobility.
At the same time, land transactions will be strictly regulated to prevent powerful families from taking over land.
Finally, having nothing to do recently, I have been reviewing the laws of the Qin state.
They felt that the laws of the Qin state were too vague and that supervision was lax.
Your servant suggests that the Qin Law be revised and that the provisions on punishment and reward be inscribed on city gates and village pavilions so that everyone, from women to children, may know them.
An additional 'censor' was appointed to inspect law enforcement in various regions.
A special 'Military Merit Verification Division' was established to verify battlefield achievements and prevent false credits.
Any official who commits fraud shall be punished three times more severely.
Finally, my Qin state should recruit talented individuals from other states and appoint them as guest ministers.
My idea is that we can temporarily divide our guest ministers into three categories.
Senior Guest Minister: One who presents a strategy capable of destroying a nation will be granted a mansion, permission to attend court assemblies, and an annual stipend of 10,000 shi (a unit of grain).
Guest Minister: Those who are proficient in law, agriculture, and water conservancy are appointed as deputy officials in prefectures and counties for a trial period. If they succeed in the trial period, they will be promoted to full-fledged officials.
"Inferior retainers: Those of exceptional courage and strength, or those skilled in extraordinary techniques and crafts, are recruited into the 'Directorate of Works' or the 'Elite Battalion,' where meritorious service can lead to promotion."
As Xiao Mo finished speaking, the King of Qin frowned, sat on the soft couch, and remained silent.
After a long while, the King of Qin raised his head and looked at Xiao Mo: "Xiao Mo, do you know how the ministers and nobles will view you if word of your reforms gets out?"
"Your subject understands."
"Do you know that such a reform is tantamount to taking half the lives of those nobles?"
"Your subject understands."
"You are now the Frost King, granted the land of Wei. Such actions are tantamount to not considering the future of your descendants. Do you realize this?"
"I know that too."
Xiao Mo raised his head.
"But I am even more aware that all the states are now eyeing my Qin state with covetous eyes. Your Majesty has worked hard to govern the country and that is why we have achieved what we have today. But what if, several generations later, your descendants are like the ruler of Wei?"
If the Qin state were annexed, how could there be talk of 'hereditary succession' and 'lasting for thousands of generations'?
“.”
Listening to Xiao Mo's words, the King of Qin stroked his beard and pondered for a long time.
Finally, the King of Qin shook his head, sighed, and said:
"The reforms we are implementing today are known only to you and me. Do not tell anyone else. During this time, you can rest peacefully in the capital and spend more time with Siyao."
The King of Qin turned around and waved his hand: "My dear minister, you may leave now."
Xiao Mo's mouth opened slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he simply bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave."
Even after Xiao Mo left the imperial study, the Qin king's ears were still filled with Xiao Mo's words, which lingered for a long time.
(End of this chapter)
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