Shuhan

The Pepper Room in the Han Imperial Palace is decorated in a warm and elegant style.

The soft candlelight flickered, illuminating the exquisite decorations in the hall. The murals on the walls were lifelike, as if telling the glorious past of the Han Dynasty.

The air is filled with a light scent of incense, giving people a sense of tranquility and peace.

Liu Chan was wearing a loose casual suit and sitting casually on the couch, his eyes showing thought and fatigue.

Beside him, Queen Zhang had a graceful figure and skin as white as snow, like a blooming white lotus.

She leaned gently in Liu Chan's arms, enjoying this moment of tenderness.

The two of them snuggled quietly for a while, and Liu Chan broke the silence.

He sighed slightly and said, "The land measurement in Luoyang has finally been completed, but next, which place should we decide to continue the land measurement? It is not realistic to implement it nationwide at the moment. First, there are not enough people, and second, the unrest caused may be unbearable."

As he spoke, he gently stroked Zhang's hair, his eyes full of worry.

Zhang raised her head and looked at Liu Chan, her eyes revealing intelligence and tenderness.

She said softly, "Your Majesty, everything should be easy first and difficult later. I think Qingzhou, Yanzhou, and Jizhou might be a good choice. These states are located in the Central Plains, with fertile land and a large population. If we can successfully measure the land, it will be of great benefit to the taxation and population control of our Han Dynasty."

Her voice was soft, yet firm and powerful.

Liu Chan nodded and fell into deep thought.

He recalled the scene when he was measuring the land in Luoyang. Although Luoyang had experienced a great war and was severely damaged, it still encountered many obstacles during the process of measuring the land.

Those powerful people who hid the land obstructed the land measurement in every possible way. If strong measures had not been taken, it would have been difficult to complete the task smoothly.

Now, if we want to implement land measurement in a state, the situation will inevitably be more complicated.

"Jizhou..." Liu Chan muttered to himself, "The Jizhou nobles have been plowed before, so the resistance may be smaller than that of other states."

He frowned slightly, knowing in his heart that the so-called small resistance was only relative.

The Jizhou gentry had deep roots, and even after suffering a blow, it was still difficult to thoroughly check the land and population.

"Your Majesty is wise. Although there are remnants of the aristocratic families in Jizhou, after the previous rectification, their strength is much less than before. If we implement land measurement in Jizhou at this time, the chance of success may be higher." Zhang echoed from the side.

Liu Chan looked at Zhang with a hint of relief in his eyes.

He gently held Zhang's hand and said, "Queen, I am grateful that you are by my side and give me advice. There are so many things in this world that I often feel overwhelmed."

There was a hint of fatigue and helplessness in his voice.

Zhang smiled and said, "Your Majesty is the ruler of a country and shoulders the heavy responsibility of the people of the world. It is my honor to share your worries. Your Majesty does not need to worry too much. As long as we are united, we will surely make our Han Dynasty prosperous again."

Her smile was warm and firm, giving Liu Chan great encouragement.

Liu Chan took a deep breath and said, "Okay, then choose Jizhou. I will call together the ministers to discuss this matter tomorrow and formulate a detailed land measurement plan."

Fighting spirit rekindled in his eyes.

The next morning, the sun shone on the glazed tiles of the Taiji Hall, sparkling with golden light.

Liu Chan was wearing a dragon robe, a crown on his head, and sitting upright on the dragon throne, looking majestic and solemn.

Your Highness, all the ministers lined up neatly, looking respectful.

"I have gathered all of you here today to discuss the matter of measuring the land." Liu Chan's voice echoed in the hall.

"The land measurement in Luoyang has been completed. Next, I have decided to implement the land measurement in Jizhou. What do you think, my dear ministers?"

There was a sudden buzz of discussion in the court, with ministers whispering to each other.

After a while, an old minister stepped out, clasped his hands together, and said, "Your Majesty, although the Jizhou nobles have been hit, their foundation is still there. The land measurement is related to their vital interests, and I am afraid that they will be strongly resisted. I hope Your Majesty will think twice!"

The old minister's voice sounded a little old, but full of worry.

Liu Chan nodded slightly and said, "I also know what you said. But land measurement is the key to the revitalization of our Han Dynasty. If it is not implemented, the national finances will be difficult to enrich and the burden on the people will be difficult to reduce. Although there is resistance in Jizhou, the situation may be better than in other states. I have made up my mind and this matter cannot be changed."

His voice was firm and powerful, leaving no room for doubt.

At this time, a young official stood up. It was Yunlu. He said, "Your Majesty, I think we can first select capable officials to go to Jizhou to find out the local situation and formulate a detailed land measurement strategy. At the same time, we should increase publicity efforts to let the people understand the benefits of land measurement and win their support. In this way, we may be able to reduce resistance."

Yunlu's eyes were bright and his words were sincere.

Liu Chan's eyes flashed with approval, and he said, "This plan is feasible. Do you have any other suggestions?"

Another minister stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, land measurement requires a large number of manpower. I suggest that experienced officials be drawn from various counties to form a land measurement team. At the same time, the training of land measurement officials should be strengthened to ensure that they enforce the law impartially and without favoritism."

Liu Chan listened carefully to the ministers' suggestions and nodded from time to time to show his approval.

He knew very well that the road to farming was full of hardships, but for the future of the Han Dynasty, he had to move forward firmly.

After some discussion, everyone finally developed a detailed land management plan.

A few days later, a land measurement team selected by the imperial court set off for Jizhou in a mighty procession.

The leader of the team was an experienced and upright official who shouldered the emperor's heavy trust and was full of a sense of mission.

Behind him is a group of passionate young officials who set foot on this challenging land with their vision for the future of the Han Dynasty.

When the people of Jizhou heard that the imperial court was going to measure the land locally, they were filled with anticipation, but also a little worried.

They expected that land measurement would make taxation more fair and improve their lives; but they were also worried that injustice would occur in the process and their own interests would be harmed.

When the nobles in Jizhou heard the news, their faces turned gloomy and they secretly pondered how to deal with the coming storm.

In the long history of the Han Dynasty, the wheels of land measurement slowly turned and rolled towards Jizhou.

July of the first year of Yanxing.

Jizhou, this ancient and vast land, has experienced the baptism of wind and rain during the Han Dynasty's conquests. The once prosperous aristocratic forces have suffered severe losses, and it looks barren like a plowed field.

However, this special group of gentry is like tenacious weeds. Even if the old ones disappear, new ones will quietly grow.

In Jizhou today, new aristocratic forces have risen, and they have intricate and complex ties with the Han military and officials.

In this land, a large amount of fertile land was quietly occupied by these emerging nobles.

Their estates are spread all over Jizhou, with continuous houses intertwined with vast farmlands.

Each manor is like a small independent kingdom, hiding a large population, like a mysterious fortress hidden in the dark.

These nobles enjoyed the honor brought by wealth and power and lived a wealthy life, completely ignoring the court's policies and the suffering of the people.

Yecheng, as an important city in Jizhou, is prosperous and bustling.

At the city gate, soldiers stood guard in neat rows, holding spears in their hands, watching the passers-by with vigilant eyes.

Zhao Ming, a general under Liu Feng, now serves as the captain of the east gate of Yecheng. He is dressed in black armor and has a sharp sword on his waist, looking very majestic.

However, at this moment his heart was filled with anxiety and uneasiness.

He owned tens of thousands of acres of fertile land outside Yecheng, and there were countless woodlands and gardens around it.

His manor was huge, with high walls and deep courtyards, hiding hundreds of people inside. These people were either tenants working for him or refugees avoiding taxes.

On weekdays, Zhao Ming relied on his power and military background to enjoy everything brought by these wealth. However, when the imperial court's decree to measure the land and register the people was like a thunderclap that exploded in the land of Jizhou, Zhao Ming was instantly panicked.

His face turned pale and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He knew very well that once this decree was strictly enforced, the benefits he had painstakingly built up over the years would vanish in an instant.

"What should I do?" Zhao Ming paced back and forth in the room, muttering to himself.

His eyes were bloodshot, and there was fear and unwillingness in his eyes.

He stopped and looked at the vast land outside the window, feeling a strong reluctance in his heart.

"These lands are what I have worked hard to accumulate over the years. How can they be taken away by the imperial court just like that?"

He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white from the force.

"No, I can't just sit there and wait to die." Zhao Ming gritted his teeth and secretly thought of a countermeasure in his mind.

He knew very well that in order to protect his own interests, he must first find out who the people were who came to Yecheng to survey the land.

So he immediately called his confidant and ordered him, "Go and find out who the person in charge of the land survey in Yecheng is, and make sure you give me a reply as soon as possible."

The confidant took the order and left in a hurry.

Zhao Ming was waiting anxiously in the room, and time seemed to be taking an extremely long time.

Sometimes he paced around the room, sometimes he sat in a chair in a daze, and every moment seemed like torture.

Finally, the confidant came back panting.

"General, I found out! The one who came to Yecheng to survey the land was actually General Liu Feng!" the confidant said nervously.

After hearing this, Zhao Ming's tense nerves instantly relaxed and a smile of relief appeared on his face.

"So it's Enshang, that's good, that's good."

He murmured to himself, secretly rejoicing in his heart.

In his mind, Liu Feng was his old superior who had helped him a lot over the years. He and Liu Feng had a deep friendship, and perhaps he could rely on this relationship to get away with it.

"Come here, prepare some generous gifts. I want to visit General Liu Feng." Zhao Ming ordered immediately.

There was a glimmer of cunning in his eyes, as if he had seen hope of preserving his own interests.

Soon, the gifts were ready.

They were boxes of precious gold, silver, jewelry, and some rare treasures from exotic places.

Zhao Ming personally carried these gifts and drove towards Liu Feng's residence in a luxuriously decorated carriage.

Along the way, Zhao Ming felt particularly relaxed.

He imagined the scene after meeting Liu Feng, and how he would use gifts and past friendship to make Liu Feng show leniency to him.

The carriage was driving on the streets of Yecheng, and people on both sides cast envious glances at it.

Zhao Ming sat in the carriage, raised his head slightly, a smug smile on his face.

Soon, the carriage arrived at Liu Feng's residence.

Zhao Ming got out of the car, straightened his clothes, and then strode into the base with the gift.

The soldier at the door stopped him and asked, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Zhao Ming smiled and said, "I am Zhao Ming, the lieutenant of the East Gate of Ye City. I have come to pay my respects to General Liu Feng. This is my name card."

As he spoke, he handed over his business card.

The soldier took the name card and went in to report.

After a while, the soldier came out and said, "The general wants to see you."

Zhao Ming was delighted and quickly followed the soldiers into the camp.

Walking into the hall, Zhao Ming saw Liu Feng sitting in the main seat, dressed in military uniform, looking majestic.

He immediately stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said respectfully: "I am Zhao Ming, the last general, and I pay my respects to the general."

Liu Feng looked at Zhao Ming, nodded slightly, and said, "Get up. What are you doing here today?"

His voice was steady and powerful, and his eyes were full of majesty.

Zhao Ming stood up, with a smile on his face, and said, "General, it's been a long time since we last met. I missed you very much. I came to visit you today and brought you a small gift as a token of my respect."

As he spoke, he motioned to the followers behind him to bring up the gifts.

Liu Feng's eyes fell on the gifts and his expression changed slightly.

A hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes, and he said, "Zhao Ming, what do you mean? Do you think that with these gifts, I can let you off the hook in the matter of land transfer?"

There was a hint of anger in his voice.

Zhao Ming was shocked and said quickly, "General, you misunderstood. I have no such intention. I just came to visit you because of our friendship in the past."

There was a hint of panic in his voice and his eyes were filled with anxiety.

Liu Feng looked at Zhao Ming and said coldly, "Zhao Ming, you and I have known each other for many years, and I have always thought that you are a reasonable person. This land survey is the will of His Majesty, which concerns the fate of our Han Dynasty and the well-being of the people. As a court official, you should set an example and support the land survey. But now, you have done such a foolish thing. Are you worthy of His Majesty's trust and this armor?"

Liu Feng's voice became louder and louder, full of majesty.

Zhao Ming lowered his head, not daring to look Liu Feng in the eye.

His heart was filled with regret and fear, and he knew that his wishful thinking had completely failed.

"General, I know I was wrong. I was confused for a moment, I hope you will forgive me."

He fell to his knees with a thud and spoke in a trembling voice.

Liu Feng looked at Zhao Ming kneeling on the ground and sighed in his heart.

He said, "Zhao Ming, please stand up. I will not let you off the hook this time just because you are my old subordinate. But considering your past contributions, as long as you actively cooperate with the land survey and report the land and population truthfully, I will plead for you in front of His Majesty. Otherwise, you will face severe punishment."

There was both majesty and a hint of regret in Liu Feng's voice.

Zhao Ming raised his head and looked at Liu Feng, his eyes filled with tears of gratitude.

"General, I will definitely cooperate with you in measuring the land and will never make mistakes again," he said firmly.

After coming out of Liu Feng's mansion, Zhao Ming felt particularly heavy-hearted.

It's really too unwilling!

PS:

The new book has been published. There is a link below. You can save it and read it later. (End of this chapter)