Entry

Huang Fu, minister in charge of the affairs of the Jiao-zhi Provincial Administration Commission, advised that when Jiao-zhi was first pacified, the land taxes were not uniform. He requested that consideration be given to fixing a system by which the taxes could be set. The Emperor said: "When appointing prefectural and county officials in Jiao-zhi, I have repeatedly instructed them that administrative measures should be liberal and simple, so as to comfort the newly-dependent people. There should not be heavy taxes. Heavy taxes are a whip which drives people away. Fu's proposal is a good one and accords with my will." Accordingly, the officials of the Ministry of Revenue were ordered to deliberate on and fix a system which was light in its demands.