Chapter Fifty-Five: The Meeting

Sun Chuanting was actually somewhat puzzled. The emperor had ordered the promotion of three crops; maize was understandable, but sweet potatoes and potatoes, judging by their names, seemed to be vegetables. Even if they could serve as staples, the habits of the people had to be considered. He had questioned the emperor about this, but Zhu Youxiao was unconcerned about whether these foods would find a market. As long as he promoted them on a large scale and purchased them in bulk after harvest, there would be no issue.

Now that Yang Yi raised the question, Sun Chuanting could only answer as the emperor had instructed: "Rest assured, gentlemen, the emperor has already discussed this matter with me. However much we produce, the emperor will purchase it all. We need not concern ourselves with prices or sales. All we need to do is promote these crops."

Since the issue of sales was settled, everyone felt much more at ease. As for how to promote the crops, it wasn't particularly difficult. Yan'an Prefecture directly governed nine counties, and beneath it were the six counties of Sui De, Jia, and Fu, making fifteen counties in all. Though their lands were not very fertile, their numbers were considerable, and the three crops were not picky about soil. Yan'an itself had vast areas of uncultivated wasteland because yields of millet and wheat had been so low. If these three crops were truly as good as claimed, there would be motivation to reclaim the wastelands.

Thus, responsibilities were divided. Sun Chuanting toured the region to oversee the clearing of military farms, assisted by Deputy Magistrate Lu Xuan. Yang Yi remained at the prefectural office to coordinate affairs. Magistrate Yang Siqi and Clerk Liu Sanping were dispatched to supervise and inspect the three subprefectures of Sui De, Jia, and Fu. The actual work, of course, relied on the local magistrates and county officials.

Three days later, in the prefectural office, all the magistrates and county officials of Yan'an Prefecture gathered for the meeting to promote the new crops as ordered by the Prefect.

Sun Chuanting began by presenting the Imperial Sword. After the officials knelt and took their seats, he spoke first: "I have come to Yan'an Prefecture under a military commission. The emperor has commanded me to make Yan'an the most prosperous prefecture in Shaanxi within three years. I am not a superhuman; I must rely on the cooperation of my colleagues. I thank you all in advance."

The officials inwardly scoffed. Such talk risked biting one's own tongue. Yan'an had always been the poorest prefecture in Shaanxi, often unable to guarantee self-sufficiency. To overturn its fortunes in three years—was the Prefect dreaming?

Sun Chuanting continued, "You may not believe me, and truthfully, I did not believe it myself at first. But the emperor is wise and has given me two powerful tools: one, new high-yield crops; two, the authority to clear and reorganize the military farms."

A buzz of agitation swept the assembly. Few cared about the new crops, but the clearing of military farms was a matter that had been attempted repeatedly since the founding of the Ming dynasty, with policies constantly changing and often contradicting one another. The result: the military farms were in shambles—soldiers occupying civilian fields, civilians taking military land, fraudulent claims, idle plots, abandonment, desertion. It was a mess beyond repair. To clear the military farms in Yan'an would touch the interests of many.

Yang Yi frowned and said, "What are you all making a fuss about? The Prefect is only proposing to clear the military farms. Listen carefully—if you must argue, do so outside."

Yan'an had long lacked a permanent Prefect; Yang Yi had acted as Prefect in the meantime and was respected. His words brought immediate order.

Sun Chuanting nodded gratefully at Yang Yi and then said, "The emperor has given us a strategy for clearing the military farms: private ownership of farm land, unified taxation, and exemption from military service for farm soldiers."

The commotion grew louder. Private ownership meant the military farm lands could be held and traded like regular fields; unified taxation meant military and civilian fields would pay the same taxes. These two had been tried in some places before and caused little concern. The real debate was over the exemption from military service.

Zhu Yuanzhang had established the military farm system to support the army with its own production. Though the system had decayed, it was considered ancestral law. Even where recruitment had replaced conscription, the farm soldiers were never exempted from service. To implement such a change would be to alter the very foundations of Ming governance.

The most common phrase in the ensuing debate was "contrary to ancestral law." In history, even at the fall of the Ming, the system remained nominally intact. Now, even the name would disappear, so it was no wonder everyone was so agitated.

Sun Chuanting slammed the gavel on the table. The officials were startled. He said angrily, "If anyone speaks out before I finish, do not blame me for showing no courtesy." The hall finally quieted.

He continued, "I know you believe this contravenes ancestral law. I told the emperor as much when he instructed me. He replied that it would be tried only in Yan'an Prefecture, and if successful, even ancestral law might be changed."

Some officials cursed him inwardly for heresy, though none dared voice it. Others were secretly delighted. Most who had passed the imperial exams were clever men, not mere bookworms; they understood the essence of the matter. The phrase "ancestral law must not be violated" was mere rhetoric. Circumstances had changed greatly since the founder's time, and clinging blindly to ancestral law was futile. Yet, being clever, they preferred to achieve their aims through expedient means rather than openly propose violating tradition; but if someone else—say, the emperor—made the suggestion, there was no problem.

"The emperor has given me three years; I give you two. If all goes well, I will gladly continue working with you in Shaanxi. But should anyone feign compliance and obstruct my efforts, let me say this: I may remember you, but the Imperial Sword will not recognize you. My speech is done; if you have questions, speak now."

The officials all spoke at once. Sun Chuanting struck the gavel again. "Speak one at a time. Raise your hand if you wish to speak; I will listen carefully to your opinions."

The officials all raised their hands. Sun Chuanting chose one at random. He stood and bowed, saying, "Liu Chengchun, County Magistrate of Bao'an, begs to ask: Must the seeds of the new crops be purchased? The villagers have never cultivated them; I fear the harvest may be uncertain."

Sun Chuanting replied, "There is no need to worry. The emperor has already ordered the imperial estates to plant the new crops and has harvested enough seeds. All will be entrusted to me for distribution. Yesterday, I received word that they have passed through Pingyang Prefecture. Each county will receive enough seeds to plant twenty percent of its fields. The seeds will be distributed free of charge, and I have brought experienced farmers from the Imperial Gardens, as well as planting instructions compiled by the Imperial Gardens, which will be distributed to each region. There is no need to worry about the harvest; the imperial estates have already yielded fifteen bushels of sweet potatoes per acre, ten bushels of potatoes per acre, and maize, though less, still yields two bushels per acre."