Liu Chengyou's coronation ceremony only followed one principle: keep everything simple. In other words, due to the simplistic approach, incomplete etiquette, limited national conditions, and unstable situation, Liu Chengyou didn't have much thought at all to spend time on those tedious details. In addition, the budget was insufficient, and Liu Chengyou asked Wang Zhang to use all the funds from the treasury to prepare for Liu Zhiyuan's funeral.
When the court is in a tight situation, it can be saved if possible. But even so, Liu Chengyou's enthronement ceremony was still not too simple. At least the scene was big enough, the momentum was enough, and there were many people.
The enthronement ceremony was, after all, just a ceremony, which showed the world that the country of Han Dynasty had completely changed its owner. Even if the code system was reduced to the utmost simplicity, it still cost Liu Chengyou a lot of energy and physical strength.
Of course, the most important thing in the enthronement ceremony is naturally Liu Chengyou’s first edict on his ascension to the throne, which reads as follows:
First, the reign name remains unchanged and still follows the Qian and You. This is also mentioned in Liu Zhiyuan's legacy.
As for the name, Liu Chengyou plans to change it. Earlier, his cousin and adopted brother, the Protector Zuo Xiang, pointed out that Liu Chengyun paid homage to him, and he called him "Chen Liu Yun" as he should have done as a minister. However, the specific name has not yet been decided. After all, it is an imperial name and cannot be arbitrary. It would be difficult for Liu Chengyou to "create the characters" by himself, so it was left to the bachelors of the Hanlin Academy for discussion.
Secondly, Queen Li, who respects her mother, is the empress dowager and still lives in Renming Hall. The Fu family is the queen, the Gao family is the noble concubine, and the Geng family is the Shu concubine.
Thirdly, Yang Bin, the prime minister, is the Shanling envoy, Prime Minister Dou Zhengu is the deputy envoy, Taichang Qing Zhang Zhao is the ceremonial envoy, Lu Jie, the Minister of Punishment, is the Lubu envoy, Yushi Zhongcheng Bianwei is the ceremonial envoy, and Shi Hongzhao is the ceremonial envoy. As the guardian of the mausoleum. The others mentioned above are just foils. Yang Bin, Shi Hongzhao, and Liu Chengyou want to use the two to be mainly responsible for Liu Zhiyuan's funeral matters. Before this matter is over, military and political matters need to be less worried. Liu Zhiyuan's mausoleum is still under construction, so we have to bother him to lie in the Long Live Hall for a while longer...
Fourth, the civil and military officials and the soldiers of the Tokyo Horse and Infantry Army were given as gifts to show the favor of the new emperor. The appointment of civil and military officials to be promoted to higher ranks will be discussed later, but the rewards for the officers and soldiers of the Forbidden Army were quickly implemented. Although the money and food in the treasury was immediately reduced a lot, there was nothing to be reluctant to part with. Liu Chengyou can treat himself harshly, but he really doesn't dare to be careless when it comes to the army.
When the enthronement ceremony was successfully concluded and the edict was issued to the whole city, some dull cheers could be heard in the city...
Originally, according to convention, the new emperor Liu Chengyou should carry out a general amnesty. However, Liu Chengyou himself had doubts about the practice of pardoning criminals to show the emperor's kindness.
Since ancient times, whenever there is a flood or drought, a new emperor ascends the throne, or other important festivals, there has always been an edict to grant amnesty to the world and forgive criminals. It seems that apart from pardoning sins, there is no other way to show monarchy. The emperor's kindness needs to be used on a few criminals, but what good does it do to ordinary people who abide by the law and abide by the law? How can it be fair to those who have been wronged and victimized?
Regarding this point, cousin Li Shaoyou seemed to have seen his thoughts in advance. When Liu Chengyou went to Tokyo from north to south, the two had a simple exchange about the "amnesty".
Li Shaoyou submitted an article to Liu Chengyou called "Refutation of Amnesty". According to him, it was a memorial written by Zhang Yun, the minister of the Ministry of War, more than ten years ago. Liu Chengyou read it and liked it very much. He felt that it spoke to his heart.
...Restrain one's desires, work diligently and frugally, be considerate to the widowed and widowed, correct punishments, do not give up excessively to those who are guilty, and do not kill without reason, so that beautification can be carried out in the world, and holy virtues can be heard above...
This is almost a policy agenda. Although many similar words can be found in the vast volume, the last sentence of the article fully expresses Liu Chengyou's heart: How can we save his disaster by indiscriminately pardoning his sins? Huh? To show his virtue?
Although I don’t know what Zhang Yun’s practical ability is, at least in theory, he is very much in line with Liu Chengyou’s wishes, and he is already thinking of using him to perform actual duties. At the same time, Liu Chengyou also made up his mind not to conduct an amnesty.
However, if we don’t pardon criminals, how can we demonstrate virtue? Why show kindness? After discussing with the ministers, Liu Chengyou decided to do something affordable.
For Tokyo, all exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes other than regular taxes were directly abolished. Such as exit tax. In Tokyo, regardless of whether you are a farmer, farmer, or merchant, you must collect taxes when entering the city, and you must collect a tax when leaving the city.
In addition, weddings and funerals are also tax-free. It sounds absurd to say it. Under the rule of the Han Dynasty, taxes were levied on marriages, and taxes were also levied on funerals and carrying coffins.
As for the begging tax, street tax, residence tax, etc., there is no need to go into details. Just listen to the names and you will know what is going on.
These were all caused by the three secretaries at the end of the autumn of last year, when the war against Du was urgent and the finances were in dire straits. Although it has only been implemented for a few months, there is a lot of criticism and resentment. Wang Zhang is the initiator, and he is scolded in the spine. At that time, facing criticism, Wang Zhang was so rebuffed that he did not dare to go out. It was Yang Bin's suggestion that Shi Hongzhao finally sent troops to arrest those who "insulted the ministers" and imprisoned them for correction. Only then did they calm down. However, it could seal the population, but it could not seal the unreleased anger in people's hearts... ..
In this regard, when Liu Chengyou was supervising the country, he had already wanted to clamp down on it, but he tolerated it until he ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, winning a wave of popular support.
During the discussion, Wang Zhang couldn't help but remind Liu Chengyou that the imperial court spent a lot of money, and as a result, there would be a cut in finances and taxes. Liu Chengyou's determination cannot be shaken at all. These exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes are an act that destroys the foundation and defeats people's hearts. It is a drop in the bucket for the entire country's imperial government. If those in power need such means to amass wealth and wealth, they will perish.
However, Liu Chengyou subconsciously ignored the "consumption saving" and "money saving" laws that Wang Zhang had introduced. For small gains, you can be generous to reassure people and win public opinion. But when it comes to Italy, we have to be cautious. After all, the court also has to survive. For the time being, it pretends to be deaf and dumb, and makes the people suffer for a while, and then we can alleviate the difficulties and reduce the burden in the future...
On the second day, Liu Chengyou's edict had a remarkable effect. The whole city cheered, and the officials and people were happy. Although it was not to the point of praising Liu Chengyou as a wise king, these measures finally gave the people of Tokyo a little hope of good things. .
In fact, exemption from these harsh taxes that did not dare to exist was really only a small favor for the people. However, in many cases, small favors played a greater role.
On the second day, Liu Chengyou issued another edict that the envoys of military affairs, observation, defense, regiment training, etc., as well as the governor, did not have to go to mourn. Although this has been a common practice since the Tang Dynasty, it is still necessary to make a proper statement.
However, even so, the nearest ones, such as Liu Shenjiao in Zhengzhou, Wu Xingde in Heyang, and Guo Congyi in Huazhou, still came in person. In particular, Wu Xingde personally escorted him to pay part of the autumn tax to the central government before the end of last year.
Although this Wu Xingde was a hero in times and suddenly rose to prominence last year, he was really a very smart person.
PS: Can anyone help me think of a royal name for the protagonist? I subconsciously considered Min, Yu, and found that none of them fit...
