I Want to Be Emperor.

Summary

Liu Che instructed Ji An to distribute the 'Ping Law' to court officials, which was a comprehensive guideline for merchants, primarily aimed at regulating their conduct rather than just tax collection. The law included a preface explaining its significance, emphasizing the emperor's concern for the common people and the need to control wealthy merchants. Key decrees imposed heavy penalties on merchants for land purchases and increased taxes based on their wealth and property. The law aimed to bind merchants to commerce, preventing them from pursuing land ownership, thereby fostering a bourgeoisie within the Han dynasty. This marked a significant shift in the state's approach to merchant regulation.

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