Shuhan

Amid the sounds of horse hooves and the rumbling of wheels, a month passed in a flash, and Crown Prince Liu Si's troops finally arrived in Zhuo County, Youzhou.

The pouring sunlight gave the long team a golden edge; the raised dust danced in the halo, telling of the hardship and fatigue along the way.

Zhuo County, this ancient county town engraved with a rich history, carries the glorious years of the past.

It is the place where the late Emperor Liu Bei started his career, and the vicissitudes of time have not obscured its former glory.

From afar, the ancient city walls glow with a quaint and warm yellow under the caress of the setting sun, as if an old man who has experienced many vicissitudes of life is quietly telling stories of the past.

The arrow towers on the city walls stand tall, and the mottled walls have witnessed countless baptisms of war. They are like loyal guards, silently guarding this land for thousands of years.

At the city gate, when the people heard that the prince had arrived, they stopped to watch. Their eyes were filled with awe for the royal majesty and curiosity about new things. As they whispered to each other, they were full of speculation and expectations about the young prince.

Liu Si's carriage slowly stopped, and the friction between the wheels and the ground made a dull and heavy sound, as if announcing the arrival of an important moment.

The carriage was extremely luxurious, pulled by four tall and strong horses. The horses' manes gleamed glossy in the setting sun, and every step was steady and powerful.

The body of the car is carved with exquisite dragon patterns, and the dragon whiskers and scales are lifelike. Under the setting sun, the golden lines shine brightly, highlighting the royal dignity and majesty.

The curtain of the carriage was slowly lifted, and Liu Si, dressed in gorgeous prince's attire, walked out of the carriage with steady and confident steps.

He wore a crown inlaid with colorful gems, each gem was dazzling and emitting charming brilliance; he was dressed in a robe embroidered with golden dragons, the golden dragons were baring their fangs and claws, as if they were about to take off; around his waist was a jade belt, the jade was warm and the carving was fine. He was majestic, as if he had his own light, attracting the admiration of the people around him.

At this time, the head of the Liu family in Zhuo County and the officials from Youzhou had been waiting at the city gate for a long time.

They were dressed in neat official uniforms, the patches on which sparkled with a unique luster in the sun. They were neatly lined up on both sides of the road according to the size of their official rank.

Seeing the Crown Prince getting off the carriage, everyone knelt down in unison, their movements smooth and well-trained, their voices in unison and loud, they shouted: "Long live His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

The sound seemed to have the power to penetrate the clouds and echoed for a long time at the city gate, startling the birds in the roadside trees and attracting the attention of the surrounding people. The scene was solemn and dignified.

Liu Si had a warm smile on his face, his eyes were kind and gentle, he walked forward quickly, helped everyone up one by one with his hands, and said gently: "Please stand up, no need to be polite. This time I came to Youzhou, I hope to work together with you to achieve great things, seek welfare for the people, and consolidate the foundation of the Han Dynasty."

His voice is clear and gentle, like the soft breeze in spring or the warm fire in winter, making people feel warm and at ease.

Everyone stood up slowly, looking at the prince's friendly and amiable face, they couldn't help but feel a surge of respect in their hearts, and their nerves that were originally tense due to nervousness gradually relaxed.

Afterwards, everyone entered the city together. The city was decorated with lights and was bustling with activity, as if it was celebrating a grand festival.

Red lanterns were hung on the houses on both sides of the street. The lanterns swayed gently in the wind, and the red light and shadows danced on the ground, reflecting the curious and excited faces of the people.

The people lined the streets to welcome him, their eyes filled with curiosity and expectation. Some stood on tiptoe, wanting to catch a glimpse of the prince; some held their children and whispered about the majesty and glory of the royal family.

As Liu Si walked, he waved to the people, always with a friendly smile on his face. That smile seemed to have a kind of magic that could dispel the awe and strangeness in the hearts of the people and make them feel the closeness and care of the royal family.

When we arrived at the county government office, a grand entry banquet was already prepared.

The county government office was brightly lit, and the lobby was filled with tables and chairs, which were neatly arranged, and the tables were filled with a wide variety of delicious food and wine.

The delicacies exuded an enticing aroma, and the wine in the exquisite wine glasses glowed with a crystal luster, as if telling of the grandeur and luxury of this banquet.

Liu Si sat in the main seat, scanning the entire audience with a look that revealed confidence and composure, but also hidden vigilance.

He knew very well that this banquet was not just a simple welcome ceremony. There were many temptations and competitions hidden behind it. Every look and every word might contain a mystery.

The banquet began and everyone raised their glasses to toast the prince.

Liu Si responded one by one with elegant and proper manners, showing his royal style.

His glass-raising posture was just right, his smile was sincere yet measured, and his words were full of humility and respect. For a moment, the hall was filled with laughter and the atmosphere was extremely warm, as if it was really a happy gathering.

However, Liu Si knew in his heart that beneath this lively appearance, there were actually undercurrents.

Sure enough, after three rounds of drinking, a fat official stood up, holding a wine glass in his hand, with a seemingly enthusiastic smile on his face, but the smile did not reach his eyes. He said: "Your Highness, I guess you came to Youzhou this time for the land survey? I wonder what your Highness thinks about this?"

His voice suddenly rang out in the hall, and the originally lively atmosphere suddenly became quiet. Everyone's eyes were focused on Liu Si like spotlights. The air in the hall seemed to freeze, waiting for the prince's answer.

Liu Si's heart tightened, but he still kept a gentle smile on his face. He gently put down the wine glass, his movements were graceful and slow, and he slowly said: "The land measurement is related to the national plan. It affects the whole body. Naturally, it must be treated with caution and cannot be sloppy. I have just arrived and I don't know much about the situation in Youzhou. As the saying goes, only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you win a hundred battles. I need to listen to your opinions and brainstorm to find the best strategy."

His answer was clever and tactful. He neither avoided the question nor revealed his true thoughts, making it difficult to understand.

The official seemed unwilling to accept the result and continued, "Your Highness, this land survey may not be easy to handle in Youzhou. There are many powerful people here, the land situation is complicated, and the interests are intertwined. If we are not careful, it will cause unrest and endanger the peace of the place."

There was a hint of worry in his tone, but also a hidden threat, trying to make the prince back down.

Liu Si nodded slightly, looking serious, and said: "Sir, you are right. That is why I need your support and help. Many hands make light work. As long as we work together and unite as one, I believe we can overcome the difficulties and find a solution."

His voice was firm and powerful, and his eyes revealed unquestionable determination, as if announcing to everyone that no matter how many difficulties and obstacles lay ahead, he would not back down.

At this time, a young tyrant also stood up, revealing a cunning look in his eyes, and said: "Your Highness, the matter of measuring the land is related to our vital interests. We naturally hope to get a fair and reasonable solution that can both meet the needs of the court and protect our rights and interests."

His words seemed reasonable, but in fact he was testing the prince's bottom line and trying to gain more benefits for himself.

Liu Si looked at him, still smiling, and said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "Of course. I will uphold the principles of justice and fairness, and take the people of the world into consideration to ensure that the land measurement can not only meet the needs of the country and promote the prosperity of the Han Dynasty, but also protect the interests of the people, so that everyone can benefit from it."

His answer was clear and sincere, leaving the tyrant unable to find any reason to refute and he could only sit down in dismay.

During the following banquet, several officials and powerful people came forward to test the waters, but they were all dealt with skillfully by Liu Si.

He always kept smiling, his words were gentle yet dignified, and every sentence was carefully considered. He did not offend anyone, but also stuck to his own position, leaving those who tried to pry into his thoughts helpless. It was as if he was waging a war without gunpowder with everyone, and he was always in control of the situation.

After the banquet, everyone said goodbye and went to rest and wash off the dust on their bodies.

Liu Si returned to his room, sat on a chair and fell into deep thought.

He knew that this was just the beginning. In the days to come, he would face more challenges and tests. He had to be careful in every step. If he was not careful, he might lose everything. After a while, a servant came to report that the powerful people and officials of Youzhou had sent many gifts.

Liu Si frowned slightly, knowing in his heart that this was another test from them.

But after a little thought, he decided to accept the gifts in full.

This can not only lower their vigilance and make them relax their defense against you, but also further understand their intentions. As the saying goes, "If you want to take it, you must give it first."

So Liu Si asked his servants to accept the gifts one by one and express his sincere gratitude to the people who gave them the gifts.

Looking at the mountains of gifts, a barely perceptible determination flashed in Liu Si's eyes.

In this game with the powerful people and officials in Youzhou, he has taken the first step, and this step will determine the direction of future land measurement matters. He must take this crucial step well.

It was late at night, and the moonlight shone through the window onto Liu Si's face, like a layer of gauze, adding a touch of soft color to his face.

He lay in bed, but couldn't sleep at all.

The scenes of the day kept appearing in his mind, like a film playing in a loop. He carefully thought about everyone's words and actions, trying to find loopholes and opportunities in them.

He shoulders the heavy trust of his father, the emperor; he also carries the well-being of the people of the Han Dynasty, and countless eyes are watching him from behind.

In this battle of Dutian, he can only win and not lose. This is his mission and also his chance to prove himself.

He secretly swore in his heart that he must achieve some results in Youzhou, let everyone see his ability and determination, live up to his father's trust, and live up to the expectations of the people.

The moonlight was like water, quietly sprinkling in the room, as if cheering for the young prince and accompanying him through this sleepless night.

The next morning, sunlight shone through the window onto Liu Si's bed, and the golden light gently woke him up.

He got up early, washed up quickly, and began to think about today's plans.

In order to successfully implement the land measurement policy, we must first have a deep understanding of the actual situation in Youzhou, find those forces that support the land measurement, and at the same time divide and disintegrate the opposing forces. This is like a complicated chess game, and every step is crucial.

He decided to visit some local wise men today to listen to their opinions and suggestions. They were like key pieces in a chess game and perhaps could point him in the right direction.

Liu Si walked out of the room and saw the servants in the yard busy sorting out the gifts received yesterday.

He walked forward and examined each gift carefully, his eyes focused and sharp, trying to find some useful information from them.

Suddenly, he noticed an exquisite box with an unfamiliar pattern engraved on it. The lines of the pattern were smooth, yet it exuded a mysterious atmosphere.

He opened the box and found a jade pendant inside. The same pattern was engraved on the jade pendant. The jade was warm and cool to the touch, and the carving craftsmanship was exquisite.

He had a thought in his mind, thinking that this pattern might be related to a certain force, like a clue hidden in the darkness, waiting for him to dig out.

He called the servant and asked who sent the gift. The servant replied that it was sent by a powerful man named Yu Bing. Liu Si silently memorized the name and decided to find an opportunity to investigate Yu Bing. He believed that this seemingly ordinary powerful man might be the key to solving the mystery.

Afterwards, Liu Si left the county government office with a few guards and walked towards a mansion in the city.

This mansion was the residence of Mr. Zhang, the patriarch of the Zhang family in Zhuo County, a famous local wise man.

Mr. Zhang is over 70 years old, with a head full of white hair like the first snow in winter. The years have carved deep wrinkles on his face, but they cannot conceal the wisdom and light in his eyes.

He was knowledgeable and well-versed in both ancient and modern times. He was quite famous in Youzhou and was highly respected by the people.

Liu Si hoped to get some valuable advice from him about the situation in Youzhou. He was like a living history book, and perhaps could reveal the secrets hidden behind Youzhou to Liu Si.

When they arrived at Mr. Zhang's residence, Liu Si asked the guards to come forward and report.

After a while, an old butler came out. He was wearing a gray robe, his hair was neatly tied behind his head, and he welcomed them into the mansion with a kind smile on his face. Mr. Zhang had been waiting in the living room. He was wearing a plain robe and had an upright posture. Although he was old, he was energetic and had an extraordinary temperament. When he saw Liu Si coming in, he quickly stood up to greet him. Although his movements were a little slow, they were still solemn.

"I am deeply honored to have your presence, Your Highness." Mr. Zhang said with a bow. Although his voice was a little hoarse, it was full of power.

"Mr. Zhang, you are too polite. I came here this time because I would like to ask you some questions about Youzhou." Liu Si said with a smile that was full of humility and expectation.

"Your Highness, please take a seat. I wonder what you would like to ask?" Mr. Zhang said, his eyes revealing concern and curiosity.

After Liu Si sat down, he told Mr. Zhang in detail about his ideas on farming in Youzhou and the difficulties he was currently facing.

He spoke sincerely and without reservation, hoping to get the most honest advice from the old gentleman.

After hearing this, Mr. Zhang pondered for a moment, frowned slightly, tapped the table with his fingers, and said, "Your Highness, this land measurement is indeed difficult. The powerful forces in Youzhou are huge, they collude with each other, and their interests are intertwined, like a tight net. If you want to implement the land measurement, you must first break their alliance and tear open a corner of this big net."

"What the old gentleman said is absolutely right. But I wonder if you have any good ideas?" Liu Si asked anxiously, leaning forward slightly, his eyes full of anticipation.

"Your Highness can start with the small powerful people and give them some benefits, such as reducing some taxes or granting them some honorary positions, so that they will support the land measurement. Then gradually divide the big powerful forces and use the conflicts between them to defeat them one by one. At the same time, you must also win the support of the people and let them understand the benefits of the land measurement for them, such as reducing corvée and increasing land distribution. Only in this way can you win the hearts of the people and consolidate your foundation."

Mr. Zhang spoke slowly and clearly, and every sentence seemed to contain endless wisdom, like a beacon in the darkness, illuminating the way forward for Liu Si.

After hearing this, Liu Si's mind suddenly became clear, as if the fog was blown away by a breeze.

He felt that what Mr. Zhang said made sense and decided to follow his advice.

Afterwards, Liu Si chatted with Mr. Zhang about the history and customs of Youzhou, ranging from ancient legends to current people's livelihood, from geographical features to cultural customs. He gained a lot and gained a deeper understanding of Youzhou.

After coming out of Mr. Zhang's mansion, Liu Si felt much better and his steps became lighter.

I have found some ideas for promoting the land use, just like finally seeing a ray of light after groping in the dark for a long time.

He decided to continue visiting some local knowledgeable people in the next few days to further improve his plan.

At the same time, he also began to secretly investigate the powerful forces that opposed Dutian, looking for their weaknesses and flaws, and making full preparations for the upcoming battle. (End of this chapter)