Deng Daren was still lost in thought, pondering just how Crown Princess Yun Shu intended to deal with them, when her clear and resolute voice rang through the great hall.
"...Therefore, Your Daughter believes that the current head tax system should be abolished. Taxation should no longer be levied based on the number of individuals, but rather on the amount and fertility of one's land.
Those who own more land shall pay more. Those with less shall pay less. Those without any land shall pay nothing at all.
In addition, the silver that local officials extort under the guise of collection losses should instead be replaced with a centrally administered tax. Alongside this, a regulated stipend for honest governance should be established, to curb arbitrary levies and local corruption.
This will not only ease the burden on the common people, it will also discourage the practice of abandoning or even drowning infants in order to reduce taxes. It would allow the population of Tian Sheng to flourish."
She was not here to punish them after all. She meant to reduce the people's tax burden and, in passing, to address the corruption of local officials?
Deng Daren blinked in disbelief. After exchanging glances with Qian Daren and a few others, he stepped boldly forward.
"This official supports the proposal! Your Majesty, I believe that with the state treasury well-supplied, a partial reduction of the people's taxes would not endanger our finances.
Instead, it would bring real benefit to the people and deepen their gratitude toward the Court, toward Your Majesty, and toward Her Highness the Crown Princess.
More importantly, it would greatly encourage population growth across Tian Sheng, which in turn would be a great boon to the empire's development."
Whether or not Her Highness truly intended to let them off today was unclear. Perhaps it was merely that the reform of land-tax integration and central oversight took priority.
Still, they had now spoken in Her Highness's favor. Surely, on account of that, she might consider sparing them some of her ire?
After all, it had only been a small matter. Surely not worth holding a grudge.
As each of them clung to their own silent calculations, this scene took on a different meaning in the eyes of others.
These officials—who could hardly be said to share any closeness with the Crown Princess—had somehow stepped forward at the very first moment, as though they had known all along what she would propose.
Could it be that they had already pledged allegiance to Her Highness, unbeknownst to the rest of the court?
Now that they thought back, it did seem that Yun Shu had greeted these very men on her way into the hall.
And beyond Deng Daren and Qian Daren, there were still others...
One by one, the ministers recalled those whom Yun Shu had greeted that morning. Before long, more voices rose from among them.
"This official concurs!"
"This official also concurs!"
Emperor Xuanwu raised a brow. "?"
Had his little daughter truly gained such influence within the court?
A major policy shift such as tax reform, and yet all she had to do was raise it aloud, and a whole wave of support came forth, without even the need for a debate?
Unaware of the undercurrents, Emperor Xuanwu was surprised. Yet outwardly, he remained composed, and passed the matter on to the relevant departments for implementation.
Seeing how smoothly the matter was resolved, Deng Daren and the others let out a breath of relief and prepared to return to their places.
But then Yun Shu's voice rose once more.
"Father Emperor, Your Daughter has another petition to present."
Another?
Deng Daren stiffened at once. He had no time to react before Yun Shu's sigh swept across the hall.
"It is somewhat shameful to admit, but while pondering how to ease the burden on the people through proper tax reforms, Your Daughter was struck by a sudden impulse. I asked someone to calculate how much tax I would owe, were the lands under my name taxed like any ordinary estate.
The result... left me both shaken and ashamed.
As Your Majesty's daughter, raised on the devotion of the people, I have enjoyed a life of privilege and favor beyond measure.
Already blessed beyond what I deserve, and yet I do not even need to pay this modest tax.
Your Daughter finds it difficult to sleep with a clear conscience.
I believe that the many esteemed officials of the court, who have pledged since the day they took office to serve Your Majesty and safeguard the people, must feel the same as I do.
Thus, Your Daughter proposes that our Tian Sheng Empire enact a system whereby officials and gentry alike pay grain taxes.
As the first to set an example, I shall personally make up for the taxes I have not paid over the past ten years."
Officials and gentry alike, paying grain taxes?
Deng Daren inhaled sharply. His vision went black for a moment, nearly fainting on the spot.
He had suspected Her Highness would not let them off easily, but he had never imagined her ambitions ran this deep.
She meant to strip them of a privilege their class had enjoyed for a thousand years.
She would have all of them—holders of official rank and titles—pay taxes just like commoners.
Who could possibly agree to such a thing?
No matter how many laurels she placed on their heads, the answer was still no.
Sure enough, the moment Yun Shu's words faded, a voice immediately rang out in protest.
"Your Majesty, this official acknowledges the sincerity behind Her Highness's proposal, which is admirable indeed.
Were this matter confined solely to the officials within this court, I too would willingly pay my share, even if it meant contributing back an additional ten or twenty years.
However, this reform would affect all the scholars of the realm.
Her Highness herself has said before, no nation can thrive without its learned class.
If such a system were enforced, it would inevitably discourage families from sending their children to study. That would be most harmful to the future of Tian Sheng."
"Indeed, Your Majesty. With the treasury already full, why burden the state's future for the sake of taxes we do not truly need?"
"The honored officials speak with reason."
Yun Shu received the objections calmly.
"This is a concern This Princess has also taken into account.
Therefore—"
She turned to Emperor Xuanwu and gave a formal bow, her tone grave and resolute.
"Your Daughter proposes that the funds gained from this reform be used to establish academies throughout Tian Sheng. Every child of appropriate age shall be granted three years of free education."
"Excellent!"
Emperor Xuanwu did not wait for further protest. He clapped his hands and praised her openly.
"As expected of Our Crown Princess. Such foresight, such compassion for the realm. You are most deserving of reward."
The ministers: "…!!"
Wait—had the matter already been settled?
Could they not at least be allowed to... discuss it?
"What do Our Aiqing think?"
"…Your Majesty is most wise."
You had already declared it a fine plan before asking for their opinion. What other answer could they possibly give?
Truly, only those with blackened hearts could sit upon the Dragon Throne.
And some Crown Princesses were blacker still.