CHAPTER 230: 230 NEW POLICIES

The most important matter for the Feng Family right now is the wedding between Feng Shu and Xie Zhang. Fengyu couldn’t contribute much, as she had to take charge of business across twelve provinces; recently, she had been gathering information about the new policies.

The new policies, led by Xie Jue and the cabinet, had yet to reveal detailed clauses, but everyone was discussing them. At gatherings of scholars in Wangjiang Restaurant, the new policies were the most talked-about topic, with opinions varying widely.

Over a decade ago, a failed attempt to implement new policies nearly led to a regime change. This time, with the Marquis Mansion overseeing the process, most people were optimistic, seeing it as an opportunity for strengthening the nation. The policies covered various aspects such as military, economy, agriculture, and taxation. Everyone was paying attention, and during business meetings, Fengyu and the shopkeepers also discussed the new policies.

Manager Wang from Baofeng Bank and Manager Wen from Linlang Pavilion both advised Fengyu to prepare early by referring to the terms of the policies from over ten years ago, to avoid the potential chaos when the new policies were implemented. However, Fengyu chose to remain observant for now. Taxation, which was closely tied to merchants, varied across the regions of Yanyang. If the reforms were applied across the entire territory, the consequences would be profound.

Fengyu asked Manager Wang, "Do you think the new policies will succeed?"

Manager Wang pondered. "It’s hard to say."

Fengyu was also uncertain. Manager Wang said, "Recently, many shopkeepers at the merchants’ guild have taken action, most believing the policies will succeed. What concerns do you have, Miss?"

"The specific clauses of the policies are still unclear. I’d rather wait and see," Fengyu said calmly. "A thick layer of ice doesn’t form overnight. When everyone is optimistic, I can’t help being a bit pessimistic."

Manager Wang chuckled and said, "Over a decade ago, when they tried to implement similar policies, the entire Capital City was filled with pessimism, and indeed trouble ensued. Back then, we merchants also discussed it privately and deemed it unpromising, so we took no rash actions. But things are different now. Peace talks have gone well, the wars in Ningzhou have ceased, and while the cabinet is leading the current reforms, the Marquis Mansion is safeguarding them. The likelihood of successful implementation is much higher this time. Why do you remain doubtful?"

"The louder the calls for reform, the more uneasy I feel, as if trouble is brewing. It’s just a feeling I can’t quite describe."

Manager Wen remarked, "If the reforms are to be implemented nationwide, it’ll take years. If you’re worried, Miss, you can wait and observe until the specific clauses are published. If absolutely necessary, you might inquire directly with the Marquis Mansion about the details."

Fengyu nodded thoughtfully. She had discussed this matter with Feng Shu, who was optimistic about the reforms, but since the sisters held opposing views, Fengyu didn’t pursue the discussion further with her elder sister.

Upon leaving Baofeng Bank, Fengyu saw Xie Xun. All her worries melted away instantly. Unable to resist, she waved at him. Since Dugu Jing had left the Capital City, and Xie Xun had spent two days in Lian City and just returned, the moment was serendipitous for them to meet again.

Xie Xun thought, Truly, fate works wonders!

In no rush to return to the Marquis Mansion, he strolled along the riverbank with Fengyu, eagerly handing her a delicate wooden box. "A gift for you," he said.

Fengyu raised her eyebrows. Inside the box was a pomegranate flower hairpin, crafted from pure gold and adorned with rubies. The rubies gleamed brilliantly, more radiant than any gemstone she had ever seen, as if tiny streams rippled within them under the sunlight. Fengyu was utterly captivated. "It’s so beautiful," she exclaimed.

Xie Xun had been watching Fengyu’s expression closely. Seeing her delight, he breathed a sigh of relief. He had long wanted to gift Fengyu something, and naturally, a gift should match her preferences. Knowing Fengyu’s fondness for jewelry, he decided to give her something extraordinary. But the Third Miss was notoriously difficult to please, and with her vast collection of exquisite gems, anything ordinary would not suffice.

The Marquis Mansion’s treasure vault held numerous heirloom jewels, yet they were unsuitable as gifts, especially for a young lady. Linlang Pavilion, the most beloved shop among young women in the Capital City and part of Fengyu’s business empire, had also failed to offer the right piece. However, during his recent mission in Lian City, Xie Xun deliberately searched for rare items and finally found this hairpin.

Fengyu loved pomegranate flowers, and when Xie Xun came upon this hairpin, he instantly felt it was perfect for her.

"Do you like it?" he asked.

"I love it!" Fengyu’s affection for the hairpin stemmed from two aspects: first, the gemstone’s exceptional radiance, making it a rare treasure, and second, the symbolic meaning behind a man gifting a hairpin—absolute commitment between husband and wife.

Both the gift itself and its significance pleased her greatly.

Xie Xun took the hairpin and gently fixed it in her hair. "I’ve also purchased plenty of gemstones. Once the artisans at the Imperial Workshop finish crafting a full set of ornaments, I’ll gift that to you as well."

The Imperial Workshop, where the finest craftsmen in the palace worked, specialized in creating jewelry for the Empress, concubines, and princesses.

He wanted nothing but the best for Fengyu!

Fengyu thought about the desolate courtyard Xie Xun lived in. He wasn’t fond of extravagance and had even criticized her for being indulgent and wasteful before. Yet now, to cater to her tastes, he had done a complete about-face. It was truly remarkable.

"Xie Xun, you’re done for!" Fengyu teased. "It’s easy to move from frugality to indulgence, but hard to go back. I’ve led you astray."

Xie Xun couldn’t help but laugh. "As long as you’re happy, I don’t mind. These trinkets are well within my means to gift."

"Though I already have plenty of jewelry, receiving gifts still makes me happy."

Xie Xun understood. "Alright, I’ll bring you more in the future."

"Deal!" Fengyu agreed without hesitation. She never went against her own preferences, nor did she feign modesty. She was adept at indulging herself.

Xie Xun secretly resolved to gather an abundance of gemstones for her so she could treat them like marbles.

Recalling the fervent discussions about the new policies, Fengyu asked Xie Xun, "The court plans to reform taxation and land distribution. Can you tell me more about the specifics?"

Xie Xun didn’t handle matters related to the new policies. Officially, the cabinet was leading the reforms, but in truth, it was Xie Jue who was steering the initiative. Despite being blind, Xie Jue had painstakingly drafted detailed clauses for the reforms during the peace negotiations.

The policies aimed to improve tax systems, agriculture, and criminal penalties while addressing land issues. Over a decade ago, a similar reform attempt under the late emperor had provoked violent resistance from the aristocratic families, resulting in rivers of blood.

Xie Jue had been tirelessly refining the reforms, striving to balance the interests of the aristocratic families and the common people.

The Marquis Zhenbei had different plans for each of his three sons. The eldest, Xie Zhang, was groomed to inherit military authority. From a young age, he was trained as a military general—a rare asset that required meticulous guidance from the marquis. In addition to mastery of battlefield commands and strategies, he had to be well-versed in military treatises and equipped to handle real-world challenges, not just theoretical ones.

He was also required to understand astronomy, geography, military equipment, and geopolitics. Xie Zhang met all the criteria his father sought in a commander.

Due to poor health from early childhood, Xie Jue was instead prepared for the civil service examination path. He initially studied in the Capital City under the tutelage of an elder statesman, destined to become a governance expert.

After Emperor Jianming ascended the throne, the Marquis brought Xie Jue to the Ningzhou frontlines for a more comprehensive education. Thus, Xie Jue spent his first fourteen years in the Capital City studying under the elder statesman before being brought to Ningzhou, where he was entrusted with overseeing logistics and offering strategic advice.

As for Xie Xun, when the battles in Ningzhou became intense, the marquis had no time to personally instruct his youngest son. Xie Xun simply learned what he could by following his father and brothers, without any structured guidance.

Xie Xun had overheard his father and Xie Jue discussing the reforms, particularly focusing on agriculture and taxation.

Deep down, Xie Xun still thought like a military man, so agriculture and taxation didn’t resonate strongly with him. "The direction of the new policies is similar to the ones from over a decade ago but with greater intensity. They aim to overturn the current land allocation system and implement one household, one field. Taxes will combine the poll tax and land tax into one. Classification will depend on land area, increasing production and reducing overall taxation. However, those with more land will pay higher taxes, divided into tiers. The details are rather complex."

Since the policies would disrupt the aristocrats’ interests, and with his Second Brother now blind, leaving the cabinet to take charge, there might be unexpected changes.

Fengyu’s expression shifted slightly. Such tax policies clearly sought to curb large-scale landownership and allocate more arable land to individual farming households. However, for centuries, aristocratic families had accumulated vast amounts of land, so the reforms would inevitably provoke fierce resistance.

As merchants, the Feng Family’s landholdings paled in comparison to those of the aristocratic families. Nonetheless, under the proposed tax classification, their land—being fertile and productive—was certain to fall into the highest taxation bracket.