Chapter 515: Subordinate's Opinion

like a storm, leaving Li Yinhu standing in the center, his expression rigid and his body numb with cold.This was his first taste of the brutality of politics.This Tahe Hall, transformed into a hellish...Chapter 515: Subordinate's Opinion

"Thus, there are three benefits."

Firstly, abandoned farmland can be reused, ensuring that no land is left uncultivated.

Secondly, at least half of the disaster refugees hoarded in Xishan Province can be relocated. They can be given land and allowed to return to normal life.

Thirdly, we can persuade the rebel soldiers. We can get them to lay down their weapons and pick up their hoes, to stop causing trouble. After all, the law does not punish the masses; the court will only punish those rebel army leaders who instigated the rebellion, not these farmers.

But there are also quite a few drawbacks.

“Firstly, since the founding of our dynasty, there has only been one instance where border cities were almost deserted, following the Yueya Pass Incident decades ago. After that tragedy, the court relocated 300,000 people to those cities and distributed land to them. However, this situation differs fundamentally from that past event. Therefore, it can be said that redistributing land due to disaster is unprecedented in our dynasty. Once we set this precedent, who knows how other provinces will react Although Xishan Province suffered the most severe damage, it doesn't mean other provinces fared better.”

Secondly, redistributing land. How to do it, who gets more or less, involves so many vested interests. If not handled properly, good intentions can backfire and easily trigger an uprising.

"Third, and most importantly, although those fields are abandoned, their former owners are mostly wealthy and influential people. Most of them had already fled with their families before the disaster. If they were to return, what would be done with them"

After Li Chen finished speaking, he glanced at the three people who were thoughtfully silent and said, "Discuss it among yourselves."

Xu Changqing was the first to speak, bowing respectfully. "Your Highness, since the founding of our dynasty, land distribution has only been implemented once, after Emperor Taizu established his rule. According to the policy at the time, land was divided based on household members, with different allotments for males and females."

But at that time, the country was newly established, and the people naturally received land according to regulations from the court. It was like the beginning of chaos, with everything proceeding according to the court's planned arrangements, and nothing amiss.

"Once the land division is implemented, for over three hundred and sixty years, apart from private transactions and land consolidation among civilians, the imperial court has never intervened. People throughout the land tacitly accept that land is private property. The imperial court cannot arbitrarily reclaim it. Although there are laws stipulating that uncultivated land exceeding ten years can be reclaimed by the government if there is no heir, this does not apply to the current situation."

"Lord Zhao advocates for land division in Xishan Province. His considerations are based on the specific circumstances of Xishan Province, but Your Highness should have a broader view encompassing the entire nation. As for this precedent, I believe it should be treated with caution and not acted upon hastily."

Guan Zhiwei, though from the Ministry of Works and not familiar with agricultural matters, belonged to a wealthy local family. He was, therefore, speaking from the perspective of a landowner when he said: "Your Highness, since many fields still have their original owners, if the government were to confiscate them all and distribute them to the people, the original owners would surely object."

Besides, other landlords and powerful figures in different regions will see this as a threat to themselves. They fear the opposition will be strong, and it might even create significant resistance at the imperial court.

Everyone knows that once the precedent is set, the court can follow the rules afterward. No one wants to risk their land suddenly being confiscated by the state and redistributed to ordinary people.

Therefore, I believe this matter is inappropriate and could easily incite opposition from the court officials.

After hearing both of their opinions, Li Chen turned to Zhou Ping'an who had remained silent, and asked: "What do you think" a few others, has painstakingly cultivated their influence over the years. Many crucial positions in various departments and mid-level roles within the imperial court's central institutions are held...