Chapter 97: Reverse Tactics
What happens in Chapter 95 of "The Great Ming in the Box"? Liang Shixian was thoroughly intimidated by the âwelcomeâ ceremony that Thirty-Two had orchestrated.Frightened by the... Read on to find out!
Liang Shixian was thoroughly intimidated by the âwelcomeâ ceremony that Thirty-Two had orchestrated.Frightened by the experience, he suddenly felt that his seventh-rank County Magistrate status wasnât quite worthy to meet the master of this household.
Their social standing wasnât on the same level.
If he hadnât been carrying heavy responsibilities, he would have beaten a retreat then and there, refusing to venture further inside. Yet, recalling the refugees heâd witnessed along the wayâliving amidst unspeakable sufferingâhe steeled himself and summoned his courage.
The people from all distant lands look toward clarity as if toward liberation from a bitter sea.
Now, only I am capable of saving them.
Do not retreat. Advance!
He straightened his official hat, smoothed the wrinkles in his official garments, adjusted his belt, and squared his posture before turning to his clerk, bailiffs, attendants, and hangers-on: âWait for me here. Do not act recklessly.â
Then he followed Thirty-Two up the stairs to the top level of the watchtower.
Upon entering the hall, he saw a dignified young woman clad in a splendid white gown, seated perfectly upright in a chair, an expression of solemnity on her face.
In truth, Gao Yiyeâs heart was in turmoil. She was just an ordinary peasant girl. For her, the County Magistrate seemed a vast, unapproachable titleâsheâd never dared imagine she would one day face a County Magistrate, let alone remain seated in his presence.
Fortunately, she had practiced!
The more dignified she appeared, the more respect they would show the Deity. She repeated this to herself relentlessly, clinging to her composure, forcing her expression not to crack.
Liang Shixian, looking at this woman, thought inwardly: She wonât even meet my eyes in these official clothes. Clearly, a seventh-rank County Magistrate is too lowly in her esteem. The mistress of such an ancient, established household must have seen wealthy nobles as numerous as hairs on an ox.
He felt a flicker of nervousness!
I must stay composed. Weakness will ruin negotiations.
Locked in mutual tension, the two sat across the hall from each other.
Thirty-Two made a show of introductions:
âThis is the masterâs wife of our household.â
âAnd this is Liang Shixian Liang, the newly appointed Magistrate of Chengcheng County.â
Gao Yiye dared not speak. She only gave a slight nod. âHmm.â
Liang Shixian thought: What an arrogant air. Is a mere âHmmâ all I get?
Thirty-Two: âCounty Lord, for what purpose do you grace us, traveling all the way here?â
Liang Shixian had no patience for pleasantries. He stated plainly: âUpon arriving in Chengcheng County, I immediately heard it had recently faced banditry. Fortunately, the Inspector Cheng Xu fought valiantly and succeeded in beheading Wang Er, thereby quelling the rebellion. However, this battle severely depleted Chengchengâs vitality⌠refugees fill the countryside. During my approach today, I witnessed villages deserted nine out of ten, livelihoods devastated, and people suffering unspeakably. My heart truly⌠trulyâŚâ
He trailed off, a glistening tear forming at the corner of his eye.
Li Daoxuan, using a high-definition camera trained through a window and magnifying the image on his phone screen, saw this tearâs streak. He wondered to himself: Is this a crooked official playing a part, or a good official shedding genuine tears? Too early to tell.
Liang Shixian sighed, then shifted his tone: âMy unannounced visit is born of desperation. Chengcheng County hasnât finished remitting this yearâs tax silver, yet the bandits like Wang Er have already ransacked the official warehouse stockpile. Even the most resourceful housewife cannot work without rice. After meticulous thought, the only way to save the countyâs refugees is to turn to the local gentry for aidâŚâ
Upon hearing this, Thirty-Twoâlong experienced in the machinations of the yamenâimmediately understood: Apportioning!
Apportioning taxes had existed since ancient times. Usually, officials shifted taxes from the rich onto the backs of the poor to let the wealthy pay less. This Liang Shixian, shockingly, intended to do the oppositeâapportioning the portions the poor couldnât afford onto the rich!
Such an act is turning truth and justice on their heads!
Wait⌠No!
Shouldnât it be⌠Setting things right after chaos?
Thirty-Two felt his brain whirl in confusion.
Even Li Daoxuan outside the box paused, stunned. He truly hadnât anticipated such a reverse tactic from an official.
Seeing Thirty-Twoâs startled expression, Liang Shixian knew he had once again taken someone aback. He was quite used to surprising people because he often stood outside the circle of âhis own kind.â
His posting to Shaanxi was precisely because heâd offended officials in the Eunuch Party within court politics. Theyâd âexiledâ him to serve as Magistrate in this nearly âhopelessâ land.
The Eunuch Party wanted him dead. They hoped the Emperor would execute him.
But he still intended to resist.
Liang Shixian gestured toward the window:
âMadam, with your Li Familyâs immense wealthârich enough to build this opulent Fortress, peasants under your care so well fed, blessed enough to have rain fall specifically on your land, favored so by Heavenâshouldnât you then shoulder even greater responsibility?
The people of Chengcheng County are now mired in bitter poverty, unable to sustain themselves. Levying taxes on them now is akin to demanding their lives. Might your Li Family spare a portion of silver? Pay the taxes in their stead? Assist them through this trial?
Performing this great act of charity will accumulate blessings for your descendants. What say you?â
Thirty-Two was utterly confused. Usually incredibly sharp-witted, he was equally flustered encountering Liang Shixianâs reverse tactics.
Li Daoxuan spoke instead: âRefuse him!â
Gao Yiye looked toward Thirty-Two and slowly shook her head.
Thirty-Two abruptly snapped to attention. The Deityâs instruction had arrived. Yet this time, he felt puzzled: The Deity had always been merciful and magnanimous, constantly bestowing necessities to rescue people, practically answering every plea. Why was He refusing to pay the taxes on the peopleâs behalf now? How strange.
Faced with two successive reverse tactics, Thirty-Two was completely at a loss.
He said stiffly to Liang Shixian:
âCounty Lord Liang, concerning your demand, we of the Li Family regretfully cannot comply.â
The rejection came, but Liang Shixian wasnât surprised. Successfully demanding money was never easy. Thirty-Twoâs reaction was within his expectations. He added promptly:
âI understand this matter isnât simple. Yet, might the Li Family consider: If the common people cannot survive, they will inevitably rebel. Once they rebelâgathered in mobs, burning, looting, killingâare you truly unworried of being drowned beneath the tide of insurrection? Along my journey here, Iâve already seen multiple wealthy manors burnt to ashes.â
His voice grew darker:
âA wealthy family like yours becomes an easy target for the rebels. Truly, no fear of becoming the next consumed by flames? In these troubled times, best to spend silver to pacify the massesâconsider it money spent to avert disaster.â
Indeed, what he said resonated with Thirty-Two. Not long ago, he himself had fervently advised Zhang Yaocai against pressing for taxes!
But the Deity had refused just nowâŚ.
Thirty-Two wavered.
Just then, Li Daoxuan spoke again:
âTell him paying their taxes is impossible. Not a single copper coin of ours reaches corrupt officials. But we are willing to distribute grain to aid the refugees. Every single grain must land in their stomachs.â