The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 114

Dou Keling, who had sharp ears, immediately interjected, “Second Sister-in-law, with Second Brother going to Jiangnan alone, shouldn’t you arrange for a maidservant to accompany him?”

Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough to draw the attention of many in the room, all of whom turned their gaze toward Xie Yunchu and Wang Shuhuai.

Xie Yunchu lifted her eyes and glanced at her stoic husband beside her. “It’s up to the Second Master to decide.”

Wang Shuhuai met his wife’s gaze. She smiled at him, as if indicating that if he nodded, she would make the arrangements. A strange feeling rose in his heart. He turned a sharp glance toward Dou Keling and said coldly, “I appreciate my sister-in-law’s kind intentions. But if you feel your own household is too quiet, you could always find a few more for the Third Brother.”

Dou Keling immediately shut her mouth.

The Duke, who disliked seeing Dou Keling make things difficult for Xie Yunchu, darkened his expression. “You’re a woman yourself—why do you take pleasure in making things difficult for your sisters-in-law? Do you think taking concubines is such a grand matter?”

Feeling wronged, Dou Keling pouted, “I was merely speaking offhandedly.” As she spoke, her eyes had already reddened.

The Duke, unwilling to continue scolding her, remained silent. However, the Grand Princess disliked her behavior and said directly, “If you can’t speak properly, then don’t bother coming in the future.”

Dou Keling turned pale and immediately knelt. “Grandmother, I know my mistake. Please forgive me.”

The Grand Princess, whose word was law, gave a subtle glance to her attendant. The female official beside her discreetly motioned for Dou Keling to withdraw. Understanding the cue, Dou Keling left in disgrace, tears brimming in her eyes. The Third Young Master Wang Shukuang, her husband, felt utterly humiliated and lowered his head in silence.

With the mood at the table now soured, the Elders Princess ordered the banquet to end, leaving only Wang Shuhuai behind.

He followed his grandparents into the study. The Duke sat by the window, amusing himself with his birds, giving them space to talk. The Grand Princess, seated at her desk, handed Wang Shuhuai a thick dossier.

“This is a record of Jiangnan’s powerful families—their backgrounds, connections, and influence are all meticulously documented. You must remember it by heart.”

Wang Shuhuai accepted the documents with respect. A quick glance told him that some of the information was beyond what he had been able to gather himself. The Grand Princess, after all, resided within the Imperial Court. If she wished to obtain classified intelligence from the Eastern Depot or the Embroidered Guard, it would be effortless. It seemed the wound he had suffered had not been in vain.

“Grandson thanks Grandmother for her guidance.”

The Grand Princess gestured for him to sit and continued, “In your efforts to implement state policies in Jiangnan, there is one man you must win over.”

Sitting upright with his hands on his knees, Wang Shuhuai replied, “Is Grandmother referring to Jiangnan Governor Jiang Cheng?”

“Exactly.” The Grand Princess nodded. “He holds military and administrative power over two provinces. Though he enjoys a reputation for integrity, he is a wily old fox. Implementing reforms will be challenging, and I fear he may not want to get involved. However, if you gain his trust and secure his support, your mission will be far easier.”

Wang Shuhuai pondered for a moment. “I have heard much about his reputation in Jiangnan. When the Wokou raiders attacked, he led three thousand naval troops into battle, ensuring Jiangnan’s safety. The local gentry deeply respect him.”

Then, with a faint smile, he added, “But if this policy truly benefits the nation and the people, he won’t be able to remain neutral forever.”

The Princess sensed there was more to his words. “Do you have a strategy in mind?”

From his sleeve, Wang Shuhuai produced a memorial and handed it to the Grand Princess. “I wouldn’t call it a strategy, but these past days, I have pondered deeply and devised a tax reform that aligns with the land survey policy. The details are in the document—please review it.”

As the Grand Princess read, Wang Shuhuai explained, “The purpose of remeasuring the land is for the court to gain direct control over both land and population, which in turn allows for proper taxation. However, the problem is that most of the land has been seized by powerful families. Even if we conduct a new survey, many commoners will be reluctant to register under the court. Why? Because the taxation imposed by these powerful families may be lighter than what the court demands. By staying under their protection, they can avoid labor duties—so why wouldn’t they choose that option?”

The Grand Princess nodded in deep agreement. She herself owned several estates in Jiangnan and was well aware of the system’s flaws. “This is indeed a great disadvantage to the court. If this continues, the national treasury will be emptied, and the country will crumble.”

Wang Shuhuai added, “Why else does Great Jin lack confidence against the Mongols? Why else do we endure provocations from Western Chu without responding? The root cause is a depleted treasury. Grandmother, those Jiangnan elites are only focused on their immediate gains, disregarding the fate of the nation. But you stand above the court and can see far beyond them—you surely understand the long-term consequences better than anyone.”

The Grand Princess’s furrowed brows finally eased as she let out a sincere sigh. “You speak wisely. When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. The nation must come first. And in your opinion, what should be done?”

A rare glimmer of brilliance flashed in Wang Shuhuai’s eyes as he pointed to the memorial, his usually composed expression radiating with a newfound intensity. “The first step is to survey the land and register the population. The second step is to assign tax based on land acreage, levying taxes per mu while replacing corvée labor with hired labor. Government offices will pay laborers in place of forced service, allowing the common people to either fulfill their labor obligations or substitute them with monetary payment.”

The Grand Princess frowned slightly. “Substituting labor with money?”

“Precisely,” Wang Shuhuai replied. “In the past, the various forms of corvée labor were overwhelming, burdening the people unbearably. Now, we streamline the tax system into just labor service and grain tax. Those willing to serve can do so; those unwilling may pay a tax instead, and the court can use those funds to hire laborers. This simplifies matters for both sides.”

“Furthermore, the collection of grain taxes has always been riddled with problems. The people must not only deliver the grain themselves to designated granaries but also bear additional transport levies, making them miserable. Instead, we should adapt to local conditions. For instance, in fertile, grain-producing regions, we continue collecting grain for government and military needs. In other areas, we convert the tax to silver payments, ensuring mutual benefit for both the court and the people.”