Chapter 46: The Suzhou Tax Resistance (Part Two)

Everyone began speaking at once. Some suggested refusing to pay the taxes outright—these were the bold ones. Others proposed filing a formal complaint about the tax bureau’s arbitrary collections—these had experience dealing with the tax inspectors before. Still others declared that if they were taxed, they would simply cease doing business—these were the well-connected, unafraid of causing a scene. Of course, nearly half of those present remained silent; these were mostly people who had received a personal summons from Third Master Shen and dared not ignore it.

Shen Cuili cast a sidelong glance at the silent ones, then gave a sly smile. “Wang Limin, what do you say?”

Wang Limin was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a ruddy face. He replied in a measured tone, “Whatever Third Master Shen decides, do you think the Wang family would dare go against it?”

Shen Cuili’s face darkened. “Disputes among us are our own affair, but now we’re all facing real losses. I’m sure, brother Wang, that you don’t want to pay more than your share, either.”

Wang Limin replied, “A five percent tax—the Wang family can afford it. Third Master, surely you’ve heard the saying, ‘A man with many lice stops itching.’ But of course the Wang family knows Suzhou does not belong to us. So, whatever you propose, just say it plainly.”

Shen Cuili scrutinized Wang Limin, ensuring he wouldn’t make trouble at such a time, then turned confidently to the crowd. “Fellow townsmen,” he began, “I, Shen Cuili, have thought of a solution. Tomorrow, let us all go together to the magistrate’s office and petition for the abolition of the commercial tax. If the authorities refuse, we’ll strike and close up shop. As you know, the law cannot punish us all—I do not believe the officials would dare act against us.”

Wang Limin muttered under his breath, “I don’t believe they’d dare act against you, at least.”

The others all agreed, “Just as Third Master says—we’ll go to the magistrate together tomorrow.” Laughter rippled through the room.

Shen Cuili joined in the laughter, then warned, “Everyone must go tomorrow. If you don’t, don’t blame me for being ruthless afterward.”

They all promised to attend and took their leave one by one, each bidding Shen Cuili farewell. As Wang Limin passed, Shen Cuili fixed him with a steady gaze. “Tomorrow, I’ll be waiting for you at the magistrate’s gate, brother.”

Wang Limin made a respectful gesture. “See you then.”

When all had departed, Shen Cuili left the building and boarded his sedan chair, which carried him straight to the Suzhou prefecture office. At the side entrance, a servant came out and said, “Master has been waiting for you, Third Master. He told me to watch for you. Go straight to the study.”

Shen Cuili entered the prefect’s study and bowed. “Elder brother, everything is arranged. All the major merchants, except for the Wang family who have always opposed us, have been persuaded in private. Even Wang Limin agreed today to come tomorrow.”

Prefect Shen Cuizhen smiled. “I knew success was certain with you handling things. After the petition tomorrow, I’ll say I need a day to respond, then I’ll go to the tax bureau and relay your demands. Of course, they have no authority to decide on taxation. The day after, I’ll have you all punished, and then you can go on strike. Have you arranged with those who will take the beating?”

Shen Cuili replied, “It’s settled—a thousand taels of silver for each life. Only we could afford such a price.”

“Absurd!” Shen Cuizhen rebuked him sharply. “A thousand taels does nothing. This isn’t about taking the life of some peasant, it’s a tax bureau clerk’s life. Raise it to five thousand, and afterward, the scapegoat gets two thousand. Little brother, you’ve been in business too long—your vision is still too narrow. Now is not the time to be stingy.”

Shen Cuili bowed his head. “Your lesson is well taken, brother. I’ll renegotiate the price tonight. By the way, brother, with such a commotion, will the authorities really abolish this commercial tax?”

“The only reason the court could levy the tax this time was because the Donglin faction was caught off guard. If trouble breaks out below, the higher-ups will have an excuse to intervene. Understand? Don’t fear escalation—the bigger the better.”

Leaving the prefecture, Shen Cuili sat in his sedan chair, pondering his elder brother’s words: the bigger the trouble, the better. A daring idea sprang to mind. The more he considered it, the more convinced he became, and so, in high spirits, he headed for the Hall of Righteousness.

The chair was carried deep inside, stopping only before a hidden wall. Its master, Li Youyi, greeted him respectfully and ushered Shen Cuili into the sitting room, dismissing the attendants.

Shen Cuili got straight to the point. “The price we agreed upon yesterday—I’ll double it. Three thousand taels for a tax bureau official’s life, and the scapegoat afterward gets two thousand. That’s fair enough, isn’t it?”

Li Youyi bowed repeatedly. “Only Third Master Shen would show such compassion for us poor souls. I thank you on behalf of my men.”

Shen Cuili waved him off. “The money’s increased, but there’s another favor I’d like. You know Wang Limin of the Wang family has always opposed me. I want to use this opportunity to get rid of him. I’ll pay four thousand taels for his life. What do you say?”

Seeing Li Youyi hesitate, Shen Cuili grew impatient. “Five thousand. If you miss this chance, it won’t come again. Make your decision.”

Li Youyi gritted his teeth. “Thank you, Third Master, for your generosity.”

The next day, more than a hundred merchants gathered before the Suzhou prefecture, kneeling and tearfully petitioning the magistrate to spare them from the commercial tax. Prefect Shen received them, then replied that he would consult his superiors and asked them to return the following day for an answer.

He then reported the matter upward and paid a visit to the Suzhou tax bureau, seeking out Director Liu Ligong.

Liu Ligong welcomed him into his office; after the formalities and tea were served, Prefect Shen explained the merchants’ petition, then said angrily, “They just need a good beating to settle them down.”

Liu Ligong pondered this, then replied, “We are here on orders from the tax office, and they in turn act on imperial command. Our rank is too low to make such decisions; we must await instructions from above. Please, have some tea, Prefect Shen.”

Shen Cuizhen left the tax bureau in a fury, spitting on the ground and cursing, “What are you so smug about? Just because I can’t control you, you put on airs. You’ll come begging to me soon enough.” He boarded his sedan and returned to the prefecture.

Cao Huazhun had already received a detailed report of the events at the prefecture by mid-morning. Sensing there was more to the matter, he immediately sent for agents from the Eastern Depot to come to Suzhou, then went with Fang Zhenghua to find Liu Ligong.

By chance, they saw Shen Cuizhen leaving the tax bureau. Though they could not make out his words, Fang Zhenghua commented, “What are you so smug about? Just because I can’t control you, you put on airs. You’ll come begging to me soon enough. Senior brother, I suspect Prefect Shen is involved in this as well.”

Cao Huazhun ignored him. The two showed their credentials and entered the tax bureau. After exchanging greetings with Liu Ligong, Cao said, “I know you’re not fond of us, Director Liu, but I fear the situation in Suzhou isn’t so simple. Now is the time for sincere cooperation.”

Liu Ligong’s expression was cold. “We are collecting taxes by imperial decree. What, do they mean to rebel?”