Wanli Emperor, Son of the Most High:
I have received and respectfully considered the topic set before me by the Lord Grand Secretary regarding the issue of government revenue.
How shall the government increase its income? It is known that in 1582 your deceased Grand Preceptor’s attempt to increase revenue by conducting a land survey was both ineffective and corrupt, causing provincial and local officials to over-report the cultivated acreages in their districts (Huang, 32). Now you are looking for a less corrupt and more effective means of gaining income. But how can there be such a thing when you yourself act in an immoral way – giving your officials no reason to act in a benevolent manner. Your hesitation to appoint Changluo as your heir does not give way to the Decree of Heaven, and the Master says: “The Gentleman stands in awe of the Decree of Heaven. He is in awe of great men. He is in awe of the words of the sages. The small man, being ignorant of the Decree of Heaven, does not stand in awe of it. He treats great men with insolence and the words of sages with derision.” (XVI.8) Your people will see no reason to give you funds if they do not hold you, o worthy emperor,
in awe.
One suggestion put forth to gain revenue is to maintain the monopoly on salt. This system in itself breeds corruption. As was said in the past by the Literati in the sixth year of the shiyuan era [81 BCE], this monopoly corners goods, causing prices to soar and allowing merchants to reap the profit of their own dealings. Thus, profit does not go to the government and certainly not to the people, but to small men with shortsighted lust for profit. As we all know, “the occasions on which the Master talked about profit, Destiny, and benevolence are rare” (IX.1). When corruption runs rampant in the system, it seems to me, fool that I am, that there are no “advantages” at all.
How might we increase revenue then, if our current method is ineffective? We must start at the top. Tzu-kung said, “the gentleman’s errors are like an eclipse of the sun and the moon in that when he errs the whole world sees him doing so and when he reforms the whole world looks up to him.” Show the people that your error is fleeting and temporary and fix it. Name your son Changluo as your heir. This will give your people reason to respect you. If you do not, the Master clearly states “not to mend one’s ways when one has erred is to err indeed.” You are the Son of the Most High. If you err, no amount of money can save our kingdom.
I have received and respectfully considered the topic set before me by the Lord Grand Secretary regarding the issue of government revenue.
How shall the government increase its income? It is known that in 1582 your deceased Grand Preceptor’s attempt to increase revenue by conducting a land survey was both ineffective and corrupt, causing provincial and local officials to over-report the cultivated acreages in their districts (Huang, 32). Now you are looking for a less corrupt and more effective means of gaining income. But how can there be such a thing when you yourself act in an immoral way – giving your officials no reason to act in a benevolent manner. Your hesitation to appoint Changluo as your heir does not give way to the Decree of Heaven, and the Master says: “The Gentleman stands in awe of the Decree of Heaven. He is in awe of great men. He is in awe of the words of the sages. The small man, being ignorant of the Decree of Heaven, does not stand in awe of it. He treats great men with insolence and the words of sages with derision.” (XVI.8) Your people will see no reason to give you funds if they do not hold you, o worthy emperor,
in awe.
One suggestion put forth to gain revenue is to maintain the monopoly on salt. This system in itself breeds corruption. As was said in the past by the Literati in the sixth year of the shiyuan era [81 BCE], this monopoly corners goods, causing prices to soar and allowing merchants to reap the profit of their own dealings. Thus, profit does not go to the government and certainly not to the people, but to small men with shortsighted lust for profit. As we all know, “the occasions on which the Master talked about profit, Destiny, and benevolence are rare” (IX.1). When corruption runs rampant in the system, it seems to me, fool that I am, that there are no “advantages” at all.
How might we increase revenue then, if our current method is ineffective? We must start at the top. Tzu-kung said, “the gentleman’s errors are like an eclipse of the sun and the moon in that when he errs the whole world sees him doing so and when he reforms the whole world looks up to him.” Show the people that your error is fleeting and temporary and fix it. Name your son Changluo as your heir. This will give your people reason to respect you. If you do not, the Master clearly states “not to mend one’s ways when one has erred is to err indeed.” You are the Son of the Most High. If you err, no amount of money can save our kingdom.
posted by Lucius Cornelius Cinna (Emily) | 11:27 AM
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