The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 556 My eldest son, this reason is very compelling.

Qin Shou's face grew increasingly grim; his clenched fists turned white at the knuckles, and veins bulged. The old farmers' tearful accusations were like sharp knives piercing those hypocritical aristocratic families.

"What a Zhen family! What a Mi family!" Qin Shou laughed in fury, his voice as cold as ice from the deepest hell. "Only today have I realized that these so-called noble families are actually so ruthless in exploiting the common people!"

He turned back to the dragon throne and slammed his hand on the armrest: "Li Ru!"

“Your subject is here!” Li Ru immediately stepped forward.

"Immediately dispatch troops to seize all the properties of the Zhen and Mi families in Chang'an! Arrest all those in charge of the two families!" Qin Shou's voice was like thunder, making the entire hall reverberate.

"Your Majesty, please wait!" Grand Secretary Gu Yong hurriedly stepped forward to dissuade him. "This matter involves far-reaching implications. If we act rashly, it may cause even greater turmoil!"

Qin Shou coldly looked at Yang Biao: "Lord Gu, I remember you are related to the Zhen family by marriage, aren't you?"

Gu Yong's expression immediately changed drastically, and he hurriedly knelt down: "Your Majesty, please understand! I was only thinking of the good of the nation."

"For the sake of the nation?" Qin Shou sneered. "I think you're only thinking of yourself! Guards, escort Lord Gu to the side hall as well!"

With Gu Yong taken away, the atmosphere in the court grew even more tense. Qin Shou surveyed the assembled officials, his voice low and forceful: "I know that many of you here have intricate connections with powerful families. But I'll make this clear today—whoever violates the law, I will show no leniency!"

He paused, then continued, "Issue my decree: From this day forth, conduct a nationwide investigation of all arable land, and register all hidden persons. Establish 'grievance platforms' throughout the land, where commoners can present the laws of Qin directly to the court to report illegal activities. Local authorities must not obstruct such reports, and may even provide travel expenses for those who report them. Anyone whose report is verified will be rewarded with one hundred taels of silver!"

This series of swift and decisive actions silenced the court officials. They understood that the emperor was serious this time and intended to thoroughly settle scores with the powerful clans.

After the court session, Qin Shou returned to the imperial study and found that Crown Prince Qin Chengqian was already waiting for him.

"Father." The Crown Prince hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Qin Shou gestured for him to sit down: "Speak freely, whatever you have to say."

The Crown Prince hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I worry that such a large-scale mobilization might provoke a backlash from the powerful families. After all, they control a great deal of resources and private armies."

Qin Shou's gaze was deep: "How could I not be aware of the risks involved? But precisely because of this, it is all the more important to eliminate this cancer while I still have the strength. Otherwise, if it is handed over to you later, the situation will only become more difficult to manage."

He walked to the window, gazing at the distant palace walls: "These powerful families are like a malignant tumor; if they aren't thoroughly eradicated, they will eventually destroy the Great Qin. Today they dare to transfer land to a prince's name; tomorrow they might dare to depose and install emperors!"

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince turned deathly pale: "Father, are you saying... they intend to..."

Qin Shou did not answer directly, but instead asked, "Do you know why the Former Qin, the Former Han, and even the later Tang all perished due to land annexation?"

The crown prince pondered for a moment: "Because if the people lose their land, they will become homeless and eventually rise up in rebellion."

"Indeed," Qin Shou nodded, "but the deeper reason is that land annexation allowed powerful clans to control too many resources. They had money, grain, and private armies; even the imperial court had to defer to them. How could such a dynasty not perish?"

At this point, a ruthless glint flashed in Qin Shou's eyes: "Therefore, I would rather bear the name of a tyrant than fail to eradicate these malignant tumors!"

Just then, the leader of the Shadow Guards appeared silently in the hall: "Your Majesty, the investigation is complete. The one with close ties to the Zhen and Mi families is the Third Prince."

"Third brother?" Qin Shou's pupils contracted slightly, then he sneered, "It really is him. I noticed his recent frequent moves." The Crown Prince was shocked: "Third brother, he..."

"No need to panic." Qin Shou waved his hand and coldly snorted, "He's nothing but a pawn being used. Issue my decree: order the Third Prince to come to the palace to see me immediately!"

After the shadow guards withdrew, Qin Shou spoke earnestly to the Crown Prince: "Remember, a ruler must possess both ruthless methods and a compassionate heart. Today, I have taken such a harsh action so that the people of the land can live in peace and prosperity. You must learn to discern when to be merciful and when to be decisive."

The Crown Prince kowtowed deeply: "Your subject will remember Your Majesty's teachings."

As night fell, the palace was brightly lit. Qin Shou stood atop the city wall, gazing at the scattered lights of Chang'an, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He knew that this contest with the powerful clans had only just begun. Tomorrow, when news of the seizure of the Zhen and Mi families spread, it would surely cause a huge uproar. Powerful clans from all over the country might unite in resistance, or even launch a rebellion.

But Qin Shou was not afraid. He had already planted hidden agents within the army, and the commoner generals in various regions were all loyal to him. As long as the army remained in order, the powerful families could not cause any major trouble.

"Your Majesty, the Third Prince has arrived," the eunuch announced softly.

Qin Shou snapped out of his thoughts and said expressionlessly, "Take him to the Imperial Study to wait."

He took one last look at Chang'an in the night and murmured to himself, "This empire, in the end, must be protected by iron and blood."

His departing figure stretched long and thin in the moonlight, like a tiger poised to pounce on its prey. This life-or-death struggle, concerning the fate of the dynasty, had only just begun.

The candlelight in the imperial study flickered in the night breeze, casting Qin Shou's shadow on the wall, a long, imposing silhouette. He stood with his back to the door, his hands clasped behind his back, his knuckles slightly white. The sound of the night watchman's clapper came from outside the window; it was already past midnight.

"Your Majesty, the Third Prince has arrived," a eunuch announced quietly as he entered.

Qin Shou didn't turn around, but simply nodded slightly and said, "Let him in."

The footsteps approached without the slightest hesitation. Qin Shou recognized them as those of his third son, Chengwen, but the echoing sound made him furrow his brows even more.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty." Qin Chengwen's voice rang out from behind, showing no fear but rather a hint of joy.

Qin Shou slowly turned around, his gaze as sharp as a knife as it fell on his third son. Qin Chengwen wore an indigo brocade robe with a jade belt around his waist; his face was handsome, but slightly effeminate.

"Do you know why I summoned you to the palace in the dead of night?" Qin Shou's voice was eerily calm.

"Your subject knows," Qin Chengwen said solemnly, "Your Majesty has come for the land under my name."

"Oh, you actually knew that?"

Qin Shou looked at the other person with great curiosity, but he didn't expect the other person to answer so confidently.

"Those fields are all registered under my name. They are nominally mine, but doesn't everything I own belong to Father? If Father finds any reason to punish me and confiscates everything under my name, wouldn't all those fields then belong to Father?" Qin Chengwen said matter-of-factly.

Qin Shou's eyes widened in surprise as he looked at his son.

My dear son, that's a very strong reason!
(End of this chapter)