The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 447 Let's see if the world will be clear.

The leaden sky hung heavy, sparingly letting in a few pale rays of light. The snow along the official road had melted rapidly under the recent sunny weather, exposing large swaths of damp, black soil. The air was filled with the distinctive pungent smell of thawing earth, mixed with the stench of rotting grass roots.

In Liushutun, Xinchang County, Zhuozhou, under the ancient locust tree with its gnarled roots at the village entrance, nearly a hundred emaciated and ragged villagers huddled together, surrounding a slightly overweight middle-aged clerk dressed in greasy sergeant's clothes and wearing a felt hat. Their voices were low, hoarse, and filled with despair as they argued.

The clerk stood with one hand on his hip and the other waving a similarly greasy book, his spittle almost landing on the face of an old farmer who was bending over in the field in front of him.

"Tax exemption? Humph!" The clerk Zhang Wang's voice was shrill and grating, sounding particularly arrogant at the empty village entrance. "What's exempted is the regular tax. His Highness Prince Qin's great favor is for law-abiding citizens. This canal repair and dredging is a custom passed down from generation to generation, concerning the irrigation of the entire county this year and the autumn harvest. You unruly people, unaware of gratitude, dare to make excuses?"

His sallow face twitched, and his finger almost poked the old farmer's nose beneath his gray hair: "If you miss the spring planting, the seedlings will wither and die, and there will be no harvest. Can you take responsibility for that? Or do you want the whole village to starve?"

As he spoke, the man suddenly slapped the iron ruler hanging from his waist, making a crisp clang that startled several old farmers who were eager to argue. "Quickly, draw men from the register! Tomorrow at dawn, bring your shovels and baskets, assemble at the riverbank east of the village. If anyone is missing, I'll skin him alive! And if they dare utter another word..."

His gaze swept over the silent crowd, and he sneered, "Bring on the shackles, take them to the county jail for a few days of prison food, and see if you're still so tough!"

The old farmer, who had been bowing, had even more wrinkles on his face from pain and fear. He simply knelt down and grabbed Zhang Wang's trouser leg tightly, his voice trembling with sobs.

“Master Zhang…Master Zhang. Please have mercy, please have mercy! A few years ago, during the great war between the Liu family father and sons, two of my four sons died while they were away, and the harvest was less than 30% for several years in a row. Last year, the King of Qin again dispatched a large army south to fight the treacherous officials and the Shu people. Tens of thousands of people had to leave, and the higher-ups requisitioned grain, which we gritted our teeth and paid. Finally, the King of Qin won a great victory and exempted us from taxes…we were counting on the early spring to plow the ground and plant the crops, but now you've conscripted us for this campaign, and all the able-bodied men in the family have left, leaving only the elderly, weak, women, and children. We are truly…truly going to starve to death on our beds! Didn't His Highness the King of Qin issue a decree to exempt us from all corvée labor and taxes, to give us a breather? How could you…”

"Shut up!"

Zhang Wang flew into a rage and kicked the old farmer hard in the shoulder. The old farmer cried out in pain, rolled on the ground, and was covered in mud. "You old bastard! Didn't the county distribute winter grain and seeds? How many people in your family starved to death? How dare you use His Highness Prince Qin to intimidate me?"

Zhang Wang, standing high above, hands on his hips, roared, spitting as he shouted, "The emperor is far away, but in this Zhuozhou territory, the county government's official documents are the law! The Prince of Qin exempted you from taxes, but he didn't exempt you from the labor you're supposed to do. That's the rule, do you understand? It's our own rule, the rule of Hebei people!"

He straightened his back, surveyed the silent villagers, and raised his voice even higher, carrying an inexplicable sense of superiority: "Open your dog eyes and look! My uncle is Cao Sicang, the Registrar of the Youzhou Prefecture. Back when His Highness Prince Qin raised an army in Youzhou, wiped out Liu Kutou and his son, and slaughtered Li Cunxu at the Gaoliang River, causing rivers of blood to flow, and was on his expedition to the Northern Kingdom, my uncle was in the rear procuring provisions for the army. He is a true veteran who followed the emperor!"

"This territory of Youji is the birthplace of His Highness the King of Qin. We are his old brothers and subordinates who followed him in conquering the world. How dare you peasants interfere when we are doing our work? If you dare to make another sound..." He sternly rebuked the constables behind him, "Lock you up too and take you away!"

Two bailiffs pounced on the fallen farmer like wolves, intending to drag him away. The villagers' eyes were filled with grief and indignation, but no one dared to utter a sound; they simply retreated numbly, their faces etched with resignation.

Just then, a hanger-on hurriedly approached Zhang Wang and pointed towards the official road outside the village.

Zhang Wang then squinted and looked over.

A caravan of about ten men stopped on the official road not far away. The horses were strong and the guards were skilled, but they all wore worn gray cloth robes with windproof fur coats over them. Their saddles and saddlecloths were ordinary, making them seem like the guards of an average merchant caravan. The leader had an ordinary face, which obscured his striking features, but his eyes were calm as a deep pool as he indifferently watched the scene under the locust tree.

"They look unfamiliar," Zhang Wang muttered, then instructed one of the people beside him, "Go ask them what they do and tell them not to meddle."

But before he could finish giving his orders, an old man whose age was impossible to discern rode up from the cavalry with two guards dressed similarly.

The imposing manner intimidated Zhang Wang's constables, but Zhang Wang sneered and strode forward, saying, "Who goes there? Don't you know that official business is being conducted here? Do you think you can handle this?"

"Make him get up." Gongyang didn't even look at Zhang Wang, but pointed to the two bailiffs dragging the old farmer. Then he took out a dark, heavy waist token from his pocket and waved it in front of Zhang Wang.

"The Tian Ce Prefecture has issued a document prohibiting the arbitrary conscription of labor and exploitation of the people under the guise of spring plowing. Who are you under? What labor are you conscripting? Do you have any official documents from the prefecture or government? What is the duration of the labor service? What is the daily ration for each person? Where will it be paid from?"

Zhang Wang was initially startled, but after he saw the words "Ding-level Inspector, Hebei Circuit, Ministry of Revenue" and his rank on the waist tag, the fear on his face was instantly replaced by an expression that mixed contempt and anger.

He shoved aside the sycophant, looked Gongyang Zuo up and down, and sneered, "Ministry of Revenue, Bureau of Personnel? Ha, judging from where you all came from, Yizhou? How strange, officials from Bianliang, are you qualified to manage the affairs of Youzhou and Jizhou?"

He puffed out his chest: "Open your old eyes and see who I am! I am the nephew of Lord Zhang of the Prefectural Government! Who is Lord Zhang? He is Zhang Yu, the Registrar of the Household Department of the Youzhou Prefectural Government! Back when His Highness Prince Qin was rising in Youzhou, sweeping away the Yan bandits and launching expeditions to the northern deserts, my uncle was in the rear procuring provisions. Do you know the weight of that? You pedantic scholars from Bianliang, do you even know the rules? His Highness Prince Qin exempted us from taxes because he was showing compassion for the blood and sweat we, the sons of Youzhou, have shed over the years. But the effort we should have put in cannot be reduced by even a fraction! That's the rule! It's our own rule, Youzhou! Do you understand?!"

He pointed at the cowering villagers behind him, "Dredging and clearing the canal is a matter of life and death, concerning the harvest. Who are you outsiders to interfere? If you know what's good for you, get out of here! Don't delay my business! Otherwise, I'll sue you for obstructing official duties and lock you all up!"

Gongyang Zuo remained expressionless, quietly listening to Zhang Wang's clamor. His gaze swept over the old farmer curled up on the ground and the villagers with deathly pale faces, finally landing on the plain-looking young man behind him.

Zhang Wang also noticed the gaze, and looked up at the latter with his head held high. However, upon seeing the other's overly youthful face, he felt a little hesitant, so he cleared his throat again, "That young master looks unfamiliar. I wonder if he is a member of my Youji clan or..."

Xiao Yan sat upright on his horse, expressionless, as if what he saw before him was merely an insignificant farce. He merely glanced at the group of bewildered and terrified farmers behind Zhang Wang and asked, "Since this is the place where the King of Qin rose to power, Youji should be treated with the best preferential treatment. Why then are you conscripting men and adding labor service before spring plowing? And I just heard from afar about the King of Qin's troop mobilization to the south to collect grain last year. Why haven't I seen any reports about it in the Ministry of Revenue?"

Zhang Wang's expression turned somewhat suspicious, and his words became more polite as he clasped his hands and said, "May I ask who you are...?"

Facing Zhang Wang's questioning, Xiao Yan remained calm, speaking with a Bianliang accent: "My surname is Li, and my father is a senior official in the Ministry of Revenue. I was ordered to accompany the Qingli Division to inspect the preparations for spring plowing in Hebei and the implementation of the tax exemption edict."

Upon hearing the words "Director of the Revenue Department of the Ministry of Revenue," Zhang Wang finally breathed a sigh of relief. The official position was indeed not low, but it was not the person himself who had come, nor was he a direct official of the Tian Ce Prefecture. This young man was at most a young master from Bianliang who had come to gain experience.

So although the arrogance on his face had lessened slightly, his words still carried a hint of disdain: "So it's Young Master Li, my apologies. But this canal repair and dredging is a local public service, not a tax, and therefore not exempt from taxation. This is the usual practice in Youji, and it has been followed by all the governors. Your Highness, the Prince of Qin, is busy with countless affairs of state, how could you possibly concern yourself with such trivial matters?"

Xiao Yan couldn't help but chuckle: "Standard practice? The Tian Ce Prefecture issued the 'Tax Exemption and Pacification Edict,' which clearly states that 'except for regular taxes, all exorbitant levies and miscellaneous taxes shall be exempted so that the people can devote themselves to agriculture and sericulture.' Are you perhaps unfamiliar with the phrase 'non-wartime corvée labor'? Was this canal repair and dredging reported to and approved by the prefecture? Is there any clear record of the service period and rations? Why is there no record of the grain requisition from the south last year?"

Zhang Wang was taken aback by the question, then sneered: "Young master, you are probably unaware of the hardships of the local people. If this canal is not repaired, the water will not flow, the rice seedlings will wither and die, and there will be no harvest. Doesn't that count as an emergency? As for reporting... the prefecture has its own procedures. Last year's grain requisition was to supply the Prince of Qin's personal army to fight the rebels in the south. It was only right and proper. If you, young master, rely solely on your books and obstruct local affairs, delaying spring planting, then this responsibility... I'm afraid even your father cannot bear it?"

As he spoke, he stroked his beard and sneered, "Let me tell you, the administration of Youzhou and Jizhou, apart from the Qin King's Tiance Mansion, is directly under the jurisdiction of Feng Gong, the Yingzhou Regional Commander. At the very least, military affairs are decided by the Commander-in-Chief, Wang (Yanzhang). Don't blame me for speaking harshly; if you were a native of Youzhou and Jizhou, I would give you face. But you are just a lowly patrol inspector from Bianliang, with a trivial post. What right do you have to interfere in the administration of Zhuozhou? And tell me, which law of the Ministry of Revenue have I violated in my duties?"

Xiao Yan remained silent for a while, seemingly speechless, but in the end he only smiled faintly, and then nodded to Zhang Wang from his horse: "What a fine young man from Youji, and what a perfectly legitimate reason. I am young and inexperienced, and I did not know how to be worthy of your praise."

He said nothing more, but simply gave the reins a slight twitch and continued driving northeast along the official road with a cold face, without looking back, as if the conflict just now was only an insignificant interlude.

Gongyang Zuo withdrew his gaze, refusing to argue with Zhang Wang any further. He merely glanced at him coldly, his eyes as if looking at a dead man. He waved for his men to step back and chased after Xiao Yan.

Zhang Wang, sleeves tucked in, squinted at the departing figures of the horse caravan, and spat out, "Pah, what a charade!"

A constable nearby asked in a low voice, "Second Master, shall we continue...?"

"Why not continue? Every one of those lowly villagers from Bianliang started out like this. Just wait and see..." Zhang Wang sneered, turned around, and shouted at the villagers, "What are you looking at! Listen up, all of you! Tomorrow at dawn, assemble at the riverbank. If even one is missing, I'll extend the service period for your entire village!"

The villagers lowered their heads in despair. Even the old farmer who had been kicked down struggled to raise his head, his cloudy eyes staring in the direction where the caravan had disappeared. The last glimmer of hope in his eyes, a hope that even he himself dared not believe, was extinguished like a candle flickering in the wind, leaving only a stagnant numbness.

------

As dusk settled in, it painted the imposing silhouette of Zhuozhou City with a somber golden-red hue.

Beside the official road on the outskirts of the city, a slightly dilapidated post station came into view. The lanterns hanging in front of the gate swayed in the cold wind, casting a dim and uneasy glow. The post station had been quietly taken over by Shangguan Yunque and his men, who had arrived ahead of time. The postmaster and his attendants stood trembling by the door, not daring to breathe loudly.

When Xiao Yan and his party arrived, the scout who had been sent to investigate was already waiting in the simple hall. Seeing Xiao Yan dismount and enter, he immediately went to greet him, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a very low voice, but in a rapid-fire manner.

"Your Majesty, it has been verified. The clerk Zhang Wang is indeed the nephew of Zhang Yu, the Revenue and Granary Officer of the Youzhou Prefecture. As for the so-called urgent spring repairs, the Youzhou Prefecture did indeed issue a document half a month ago, stating that there had been little rain this spring and there was a fear of drought, ordering all counties and townships to repair water conservancy. The document clearly stipulates that one male from each household will be conscripted for a period of five days, and the prefecture will provide two liters of rations per male per day."

"However, after Zhang Yu was ordered to supervise the Liulin River section, he secretly instructed his nephew Zhang Wang and several confidants to double the number of laborers in the villages under his jurisdiction, with at least two laborers per household. The labor period was privately extended to ten days, and the rations were reduced by more than half, with only one liter of coarse grain per laborer per day, and the rest went into his own pocket. Even worse, he extorted money, grain, chickens and ducks from more than ten villages, including Liushutun, Yushuzhuang, and Lijiawa, under the pretext of rewarding the supervisors, repairing equipment, and offering sacrifices to the river god. The people suffered greatly and complained bitterly."

The night watchman paused, his voice growing deeper.

"Further investigation reveals that Zhang Yu was originally a minor official in charge of grain supplies during Liu Rengong's reign. When the emperor raised his army in Youzhou, pacified the Yan region, and launched a distant expedition to the Northern Kingdom, he did indeed participate in the transportation of some grain supplies in the rear, thus claiming himself a meritorious official who followed the emperor. He is adept at currying favor, first serving in Zhuozhou, and later promoted to the position of granary official in Youzhou. After his promotion, he began to cultivate relationships in Zhuozhou and even Youzhou. His cronies are mostly former officials from Hebei with similar backgrounds. They collude with each other, occupy key positions, and often exclude officials appointed by the central government in Bianliang. According to preliminary intelligence reports, such behavior of relying on past merits, feigning compliance while secretly disobeying, and taking the opportunity to exploit others is not an isolated case in Youzhou and the neighboring Ji, Zhuo, Mo, and Tan areas, but has become the norm. The list is here."

He presented with both hands a secret memorial written in tiny characters and several testimonies from villagers bearing their fingerprints.

Under the dim oil lamp of the post station, Xiao Yan listened quietly. He walked to the window and pushed open half of the creaking wooden window. Outside the window was the deep night and the flickering lights on the city wall of Zhuozhou in the distance. Further away, the vast and boundless land of Hebei was immersed in darkness.

The evening breeze, carrying the chill of early spring, swept in, ruffling a few stray hairs on his forehead. His face was expressionless, except for his eyes, which shone with an astonishing light in the dimness, coldly reflecting the thick stack of evidence and lists of crimes under the lamp.

Silence filled the cramped space of the post station, broken only by the occasional soft crackling of the oil lamp wick.

The usually carefree Shangguan Yunque and Wen Tao stood respectfully with their hands at their sides, while Bago leaned against the shadow of the doorframe with his arms crossed, his eyes scanning the outside with vigilance. Li Cunren's carriage was parked in the courtyard, the heavy curtains separating the inside from the outside, with only a faint smell of medicine wafting through the air.

After a long while, Xiao Yan turned around, his finger slowly tracing the list, finally stopping at the name "Zhang Yu".

"Gongyang Zuo".

“Your humble servant is here.” Gongyang Zuo immediately bowed.

"Send all night watchmen from Yanzhou, Caozhou, Qingzhou, and the Bianliang Northern Garrison Headquarters to the north immediately. Secure all evidence of Zhang Yu and his cronies' crimes, including witnesses, physical evidence, and account books. The evidence must be irrefutable and leave no room for denial."

"At the same time, taking this case as a model, we will conduct a secret investigation of all officials and military officers in all prefectures and counties of Hebei from south to north. We will not let any of those who claim to be old Hebei natives or meritorious officials who followed the emperor escape."

"If anyone abuses their power, exploits the people, defies the central government's orders, or outwardly complies but inwardly defies them, regardless of who it is, all evidence of their crimes shall be collected, a list compiled, and the severity of their crimes noted. All prefectures and counties along the route shall be dealt with accordingly."

"Those with conclusive evidence, provide me with their names first. The individuals remain untouched for now."

"The so-called prefects, pacification commissioners, and defense commissioners of various prefectures..." Xiao Yan's voice was flat and calm: "Maintain the status quo and do not alert the enemy. If they are involved in the case, include them in the list. Do not slack off on spring plowing and water conservancy."

He paused, his gaze fixed on the deep night sky to the northeast: "Tomorrow, we'll deviate from the original itinerary and head south to Yingzhou first."

Wen Tao, standing to the side, had a stern expression but remained silent.

All the night scouts dispatched were, without exception, from Henan, while the three local Hebei prefectures of Cangzhou, Yingzhou, and Youzhou remained completely untouched. As for Xiao Yan's whereabouts, no one in any region knew, and even Feng Dao only knew that Xiao Yan was inspecting Hebei.

"Your subordinate obeys." But Gongyang Zuo, who came from Yingzhou, simply responded solemnly, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.

The recent sunny days brought little warmth, and the melting snow made the official road exceptionally difficult to traverse. Xiao Yan's cavalry, like a gray stream, flowed slowly southward across the gray-white and dark brown landscape of Hebei.

Along the way, more farmers can be seen in the fields. They are hunched over, working on the still not fully thawed land, clearing ditches, repairing farm tools, and moving nimbly. Their faces are mostly filled with anticipation for the upcoming spring planting, but most of them are also inevitably covered with the fatigue that comes with the lean season and the high intensity of labor.

Xiao Yan carefully observed everything he saw along the way, without interfering. He would occasionally lead a few riders off the main road to explore the countryside, but once deep in the countryside, he would try to minimize contact with people.

Fortunately, the scenery was better after passing through Mozhou and reaching the core area of ​​Yingzhou. The ditches were clear, and the places where the government distributed grain seeds, farm tools, and cattle rental points were all in good order and very strictly managed.

In addition, one could often see officials dressed in various official robes walking around the fields with local servants, inquiring about the situation, and village chiefs emphasizing the farming season and ringing bells to urge the plowing.

Although the people's faces inevitably showed signs of aging after the winter, their eyes still held a lively spirit. They spoke excitedly about the King of Qin's tax exemption, and their words reflected their trust in the prince.

In fact, the situation is largely the same in the core areas of major state capitals, and policies are being implemented normally and strictly. Only when you go deep into counties, townships, or villages will there be some minor differences.

However, once they left Yingzhou's core sphere of influence and headed north into the Youji region, the atmosphere changed abruptly. To delve deeper into the area, Xiao Yan even deliberately detoured through several remote villages and towns.

In a place called Heishigou on the border of Jizhou, several constables were going door-to-door forcibly collecting "autumn defense fort repair fees," claiming they were acting on orders from Youzhou Prefecture. If any villager pleaded and cried about a poor harvest the previous year, the constables would kick open the wooden gate and forcibly seize chickens and sheep.

When they arrived at a large market town in Youzhou, Xiao Yan disguised himself as a merchant and stopped at a tea stall to rest. He overheard several well-dressed men at the next table, who looked like local gentry, complaining in hushed tones.

"...The county magistrate sent from Bianliang is another bookish idiot who doesn't understand practical matters. He actually wants to measure and register the number of mulberry fields in each household, saying that he wants to determine some kind of 'mulberry and silk tax,' and even goes so far as to say that after this year, the tax might not be collected per capita? It's utter nonsense!"

"Hmph, what do they know? The affairs of Hebei should be handled by the elders of Hebei. His Highness Prince Qin was supported by the sons of Hebei, and his foundation lies in Youyan! What do those from Bianliang know about local customs and traditions? They're nothing but here to reap the benefits and skim the profits!"

“That’s right! Look at Zhang Sicang’s side. Although the higher-ups issued an edict to exempt taxes and reassure the people, the duties that should be performed and the ‘regular’ collections that should be collected were not delayed at all. That’s what you call a wise person. His Highness’s exemption of regular taxes is out of compassion, but we must keep in mind the effort that should be put in and the good intentions that should be shown.”

"That's right. Without us old brothers procuring supplies from the rear back then, could His Highness Prince Qin have so quickly pacified Yan and defeated Li Cunxu? Could he have launched a distant expedition to the northern deserts? We must remember our roots! His Highness definitely still sides with us..."

Xiao Yan held the rough porcelain bowl and slowly drank the murky tea. The rim of the bowl obscured half of his face, leaving only his eyes, which calmly and silently took in the whispers.

Shangguan Yunque was furious, but Xiao Yan didn't say anything, so he couldn't retaliate and could only drink his tea silently.

Xiao Yan put down the bowl, her fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on the rough wooden table, tap, tap, tap…

The rhythm was steady, yet it carried an invisible chill.

As night fell, the scattered groups sought lodging in a larger village.

Under the oil lamp, Gongyang Zuo and Wen Tao presented the latest secret reports on time. The stacked reports were getting thicker and thicker, filled with information from scouts in various places.

Wang Biao, the county magistrate of Anci County, Youzhou: Originally a cavalry soldier in the Youzhou army, he was transferred to this post after being wounded in battle. Relying on his military merits, he allowed his relatives to forcibly seize more than 300 mu of farmland and extorted money from merchants under the guise of protecting the territory and ensuring the safety of the people.

Li Gui, the granary official of Yutian in Jizhou, was originally a local official. He colluded with local rice merchants to sell grain at the government's fixed price, passing off inferior grain as superior grain, shortchanging customers, and enriching himself. He also falsely reported expenses for granary repairs and embezzled winter relief grain intended for the area.

Qian Tong, the registrar of Gu'an County in Zhuozhou, boasted of being an old man from Hebei and ostracized the county magistrate sent from Bianliang. Under the guise of water conservancy projects, he levied far more taxes and levies than the government had set, pocketed the difference, and implied to villagers that they could be exempted from corvée labor by paying tribute.

Cangzhou...

The list of officials like Zhang Wang and their specific misdeeds in various prefectures and counties along the way is presented in a shocking manner.

A list of names, official titles, places of origin, specific crimes, and evidence gradually took shape on Xiao Yan's desk, which he carefully reviewed every night under the lamp. Occasionally, he would pick up a vermilion brush and circle a name heavily, as he did tonight. "Was Wang Yanzhang and the main generals of Youzhou Prefecture involved?" Xiao Yan put down the vermilion brush, his voice low and unreadable.

Before the case, Xiao Yan only learned of the news when he arrived near Youzhou. Even then, he was passively informed. Fu An, the scout commander of Youzhou, lay on the ground, sweating profusely under the watchful eyes of Gongyang Zuo, Wen Tao, and Shangguan Yunque.

"Your Highness, according to my investigation, the commanders and key officers of the capital are all relatively innocent. Your Highness has a great cause ahead of you, and they are well aware of your way of governing. How could they knowingly break the law? As for me... the oversight in Youji is indeed my fault, but if you ask me if I was involved in such a sordid matter, I dare to vouch for it with my head before Your Highness!"

"Rise. I trust your character." Xiao Yan said expressionlessly, his tone still calm. "It was my strict order that you keep the focus of the night watch on the grasslands. With the overall situation in mind, it is understandable that you may have been negligent in this matter. And it's not just you..." He paused, a hint of weariness in his voice, "I had not given this matter much thought either."

Fu An stood up and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. As one of the earliest members of the Yanzhou Bad People who followed Xiao Yan, he knew all too well what Xiao Yan's calm demeanor meant.

Shangguan Yunque and the others standing nearby were also stern-faced.

Xiao Yan rose and strolled to the window, gazing out into the evening breeze. Despite being in a village near the heart of Youzhou, no one dared to make a move. The village where he was staying was densely populated and had a large population. Although it was night, the neighborhood was still bustling with activity; the sounds of chickens and dogs filled the air, and children played—truly a place where dragons were rising.

After a long pause, Xiao Yan gazed at the lights outside the window and inexplicably chuckled: "Do you think I've been too stingy with the officials under my jurisdiction?"

The group exchanged bewildered glances as they watched Xiao Yan's retreating figure. Shangguan Yunque, clutching the hem of his robe, was about to offer some words of comfort when Wen Tao tugged at his sleeve. Wen Tao then clasped his hands in a deep voice and said, "Under Your Highness's rule, all soldiers are generously supported and paid lavishly; all officials in prefectures and counties are treated with preferential treatment according to their rank. With such benevolence, how can you say he is stingy?"

"Then... am I being too harsh on this 'land of the dragon's rise'?"

"When Your Highness took over the court, half of the officials under the Tiance Prefecture came from Hebei; those who were promoted beyond their rank in the court were also mostly former officials; the Dingba and Guide armies of the Palace Guard were both personal guards from Hebei, and their status was the highest among all the armies. With such honors, how can it be considered harsh?"

Xiao Yan nodded slightly.

"In that case, it is indeed not my fault." He turned around, the dim light illuminating his sharply defined profile. "But if it is not my fault, why has this so-called 'land of dragon's rise' become a lawless zone in just two years?"

Wen Tao lowered his eyes and remained silent. Perhaps he already had the answer in his heart, but ultimately he couldn't bring himself to say it.

Silence filled the small room, with only the sounds of wind, noise, and peace coming from outside.

Just then, Bago strode in, his gaze sweeping over Shangguan Yunque and the others, and reported directly, "Your Majesty, Privy Councilor Li has arrived."

Xiao Yan nodded slightly but did not say anything.

Immediately, Li Ting, covered in dust from his journey, strode in. Although he had traveled day and night under the protection of others, there was no sign of fatigue on his face, only his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. Upon entering, he immediately flicked his sleeve and bowed deeply to Xiao Yan.

"Your subject Li Ting greets Your Highness."

Gongyang crossed his arms and exchanged a meaningful glance with Shangguan Yunque, Wen Tao, and Fu An. Li Ting was not only the leader of the Henan faction in the central government besides Jing Xiang, but also one of the most radical hawks in the court. His presence here made his intentions clear.

“Gongdu, you’ve come at just the right time.” Xiao Yan’s gaze fell on Li Ting, his voice calm. “I have a question that has been lingering in my mind lately, and I still can’t figure it out. I need your help to clear up my doubts.”

Li Ting rose, his expression respectful and solemn: "Your Highness, please ask. Though I am dull-witted, I will answer all your questions without reservation."

Xiao Yan nodded slightly, and in front of the others, he pondered and asked the question.

"The world has been in turmoil for nearly a century. The central government has lost all authority, numerous warlords have risen and fallen, and regional military governors have risen and fallen in quick succession. At that time, it was understandable that the regime had no hope of long-term stability and the government had no long-term plans, so officials resorted to short-term extortion. However, I, the King, believe that my foundation is still solid and the system is clear, and that there is a prospect of long-term stability. Why then do these people who have been treated so kindly by me still haggle over such petty gains with the people?"

Li Ting did not hesitate. Meeting Xiao Yan's gaze, he answered clearly, "Your Highness, this is not a matter of stinginess or lack of favor, nor is it a matter of mistreating the land where the dragon rose."

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over the thick stack of files on the desk.

"The crux of the problem is simply twofold:"
"Firstly, it's due to the inertia of power. After a century of turmoil, regional military governors have become autocratic, and local officials have excessive power, with corruption at all levels becoming a chronic problem. They have long been accustomed to this practice, regarding exploitation as the norm and the people's wealth as their own. Although Your Highness has established new regulations and issued a clear edict, they have long been accustomed to the convenience of 'the emperor being far away,' regarding central laws and decrees as easily manipulated documents. Furthermore, they rely on the empty title of their former subordinates who followed the emperor, believing that Your Highness will be considerate and will not dare to investigate further. This is a deeply ingrained habit that is difficult to break, and a lingering sense of侥幸 (a sense of getting away with it).

"Secondly, intelligence barriers and oversight are inadequate. In Youji and even Hebei, those who consider themselves the very foundation of Your Highness's rise to power are particularly prone to forming cliques and being xenophobic. The capable officials appointed by the central government are often hampered and find it difficult to understand the situation on the ground. Meanwhile, Your Highness's trusted former subordinates and followers, either out of local sentiment or due to vested interests, intentionally or unintentionally condone and protect such behavior, even forming an invisible network. The corruption in local officialdom is protected at every level, and Your Highness's intelligence network is limited by his focus on the northern grasslands, allowing these people to thrive and act recklessly, seeing Your Highness's benevolent rule as an opportunity to exploit."

Finally, without hesitation, he declared decisively: "This is not a dispute over petty gains; it is the erosion of Your Highness's legal system by the old habits of regional warlords, and the challenge of central authority to local protectionism. What they are fighting for is not a few bushels of rice or a few strings of copper coins, but the maintenance of their unrestrained 'old rules' that allow them to profit at will! If this trend is not swiftly and decisively rectified, it will spread like a plague, shaking the very foundation of Your Highness's future rule!"

"What an old rule..."

Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then nodded with a smile, repeating those words over and over as he slowly paced back and forth.

Li Ting, having finished speaking, showed no sign of backing down and continued, "As for this problem, I also have a solution to offer Your Highness. It is nothing more than 'eliminating warlords in the chaos and establishing a clean government for powerful officials'—just ten words!"

Upon hearing this, Wen Tao, who was standing to the side, suddenly flashed a sharp light in his eyes. It should be known that Li Ting himself was one of the most prominent and powerful figures within Xiao Yan's group.

Ignoring the stares of those around him, Li Ting stared intently at Xiao Yan, clearly stating his position.

"Warlords are regional military governors who control their own armies and act independently, rebellious regional warlords. Powerful officials are like your subjects, and even the princes, dukes, generals, and ministers under the rule of Qi, Shu, and other vassal states. If Your Highness wishes to restore order to the realm, and these people resist with their armies, they should be treated as warlords and executed. However, if they submit and submit, they will remain as Your Highness has witnessed in Hebei, retaining their powerful status while pursuing personal gain. If you desire a peaceful and prosperous realm with clean governance, these parasites who occupy local areas, erode the law, and undermine the foundation of the nation, regardless of their origins (old or new), should all be treated as powerful officials and must be eliminated!"

Xiao Yan stopped pacing.

He did not immediately respond to Li Ting's shocking theory of "purging the powerful and wealthy."

The dim candlelight cast flickering shadows on his face, and his deep, pool-like eyes gazed at Li Ting with scrutiny, inquiry, and undisguised admiration.

The smile on his face seemed to deepen, but it didn't spread; instead, it solidified into an extreme tranquility.

"Gongdu, you are indeed a man to be entrusted with important matters."

Upon hearing this, Li Gongdu himself did not make any further grand promises, but instead bowed deeply and solemnly to Xiao Yan once more.

------

Half a month later, the walls of Cangzhou came into view.

Cangzhou, located in southeastern Hebei, controls the vital passage of the Yongji Canal, making it a crucial node for northward water transport and a key town guarding the coastal frontier. Outside the city, the canal wharves are bustling with boats, denser than elsewhere. Although it is early spring and the chill of winter lingers, this confluence of land and water is already brimming with the vibrant energy and activity of a city striving to recover from the desolation of winter.

Xiao Yan and his party did not enter the city and alert the local authorities. Instead, they stayed at a post station of the Grand Canal Inspection Office on the outskirts of the city, which was under the advance control of the night scouts. The post station was built by the river, and by opening the back window, one could see the wide river surface and the scene of laborers being organized to clear silt and repair the dike on the riverbank.

Wen Tao approached silently and placed the two documents on the desk.

The thicker document was a heavy, hardcover bound volume. Only five characters were printed on the cover: "List of Corrupt Officials in Hebei." The thinner document, however, was a secret report sent from the Yuan Dynasty's Xingqin tribe in the northern deserts.

Xiao Yan first picked up the list and turned the pages one by one.

The pages turned, making a rustling sound.

Youzhou, Jizhou, Zhuozhou, Mozhou, Cangzhou… one prefecture, one county, one township, one village. Names written in ink, charges annotated in vermilion, irrefutable evidence… densely packed, nearly a thousand names, among which the main culprits circled in vermilion reached a staggering three hundred and seventy-one.

He flipped through the pages slowly, his gaze sweeping over the names as if looking at cold tombstones. Zhang Yu, Wang Biao, Li Gui, Qian Tong… and many more unfamiliar names. Behind each name lay countless desperate eyes like those of the old farmer from Liushutun, the corrupted hearts of the people, and a mockery of Xiao Yan's so-called efforts to save the world.

He turned to the last page, his finger pausing heavily on the name "Zhang Yu." Then, he closed the directory. The soft click of the lid closing was remarkably clear in the quiet inn room.

Without uttering a word, he strolled to the open window. The biting river wind of early spring, carrying moisture, rushed towards him. In the distance, the desolate chants of the canal workers could be faintly heard, and the figures of the laborers working on the bank were as small as mustard seeds; whether there was any real expectation on their faces was no longer clear.

Further away lies the vast land of Hebei, the foundation upon which he has built up over the past four years, and now, the most unbearable sight to behold.

"Send a message to Gongyang Zuo, Fu An, and Shangguan Yunque."

Wen Tao stiffened, clasped his hands in acceptance, turned and strode away, his footsteps quickly fading into the empty corridor.

The following day, an imperial edict from the Tian Ce Prefecture arrived simultaneously in various prefectures and military commands in Hebei at an urgent speed of eight hundred li. Li Ting, the Deputy Privy Councilor, was appointed as the Inspector of Hebei Circuit, assisting Wang Yanzhang in his governorship of Youzhou and Jizhou.

the same day.

As if a sleeping behemoth had been awakened in an instant, the elite troops stationed in each prefecture of Hebei Province from north to south—You, Ji, Zhuo, Mo, Ying, Cang, and so on—came out in unison, in coordination with the mysteriously ubiquitous night scouts who had spread throughout Hebei, and pounced on their already locked-on targets with lightning speed.

Terrified screams, desperate wails, and futile struggles erupted suddenly in government offices, mansions, taverns, and even on the road to escape, only to come to an abrupt end.

The list of 371 ringleaders, marked in red ink, included officials from the prefecture and county government, as well as local clerks and powerful figures. They were all apprehended simultaneously.

Without interrogation or explanation, they were bound hand and foot, their mouths gagged, and under the complex gazes of countless people—a gaze that was both astonished and secretly pleased—they were taken to the prefectures, counties, villages, and markets where they had once wielded power. Their crimes were publicly displayed, their identities verified, and 371 gleaming blades of light crashed down from different corners of the same land under the same sky.

Immediately afterwards, the 371 heads were displayed in prominent places in villages, towns, and markets for three days.

As for the remaining accomplices and those less involved in the case, they were all arrested and imprisoned, severely punished according to the law, dismissed from their posts and exiled, and all their property was confiscated. The confiscated money, grain, and land were used first to compensate the victims for their losses, and the remainder was put into the local treasury for spring planting relief and water conservancy construction.

At the same time, Li Ting, stationed in Youzhou, issued an edict from the Tiance Prefecture, proclaiming to all regions that all prefecture governors and officials at all levels involved in the case in Youzhou, Jizhou, Yingzhou, Cangzhou, and other prefectures must acknowledge their negligence and ineffective management, be fined one year's salary, remain in their posts to atone for their crimes, and immediately oversee spring plowing and the people's well-being, rectify official conduct within their jurisdictions, and strive for integrity. If they dare to be negligent again, or if such corrupt officials reappear in their jurisdictions, they will be punished for both crimes, executed without exception, and there will be absolutely no leniency.

This upheaval began almost inexplicably and instantly, starting in Youzhou, passing through Jizhou, Zhuozhou, Mozhou, Yingzhou, and ending in Cangzhou. In just one day, the entire Hebei officialdom, the so-called place where the Qin King rose to power, was completely wiped out from top to bottom in a bloodbath.

Around this time, those who lobbied and colluded, those who abandoned their posts and fled, those who joined forces with those who wanted to resist, those who pleaded for mercy and rescue, and those who relied on their merits to protect themselves... were either killed or imprisoned. Hundreds of heads bearing the title of "meritorious official" rolled down the mountain.

The entire court, including the Qin King's former subordinates, meritorious officials, and confidants, remained completely silent, regardless of their location. The once bustling group of meritorious officials had fallen into a deathly, suffocating silence.

Even those from Henan who seemed unaffected by the purge and even appeared to be gaining power dared not show the slightest joy. They kept their gates tightly shut, restrained their children, and gazed at the northern sky, feeling the heavy stench of blood and chilling killing intent emanating from across the Yellow River. They were all terrified and remained silent.

Dragons have scales that cannot be touched; those who touch them will die.

The stench of blood, lingering for three days across several states, enveloped the land. The severed heads hanging in village markets were a silent yet most horrifying declaration.

At first, the people were terrified. The market was mostly empty, every household had its doors and windows tightly shut, and even the chickens and dogs seemed to fall silent. This was a deep-seated fear of officials and bureaucrats, an instinctive tremor at the sight of such cruel methods.

However, beneath the fear, an undercurrent that had been suppressed for too long and almost forgotten was quietly surging.

The news spread like wildfire, behind closed doors, in deep alleys, and on the heated brick bed late at night.

"Have you heard? Zhang Erye from the county... that Zhang Wang, was hacked to pieces at the entrance of Liushutun Village, in front of the entire village, young and old!"

"It's not just Zhang Wang! That Zhang Sicang from Youzhou Prefecture, and his formidable uncle, his head is hanging on the city gate tower too!"

"And that County Lieutenant Wang from Anci County, the one who seized land. And Li Cangcao from Yutian Granary who embezzled grain... they're all dead! Completely dead!"

"It's true. Old Zhao from the next village saw the notice with his own eyes and read it to him. It clearly states all the despicable things they did: the forced labor, the extorted money, the embezzled grain... Every single one of them, it turns out the King of Qin knew about it all. It was His Highness the King of Qin who sent people to kill them!"

"The King of Qin went to the Central Plains, yet he didn't forget us?"

The initial fear began to melt away little by little after confirming that the names of those who had once sworn sway over them, like a leech, had truly become rotting objects hanging on the city walls. An incredible, cautious joy welled up within them.

I don't know which day it was, or which village it started in.

An old farmer with white hair and beard, who had been kicked by Zhang Wang in Liushutun, knelt down in his own yard, pulling his two sons who had been relieved of their corvée labor and brought back compensation grain. Facing south, he trembled and kowtowed three times, tears streaming down his face, but he could not utter a sound.

A middle-aged woman whose youngest daughter starved to death last winter due to the forced collection of "peace money" sat on the doorstep, clutching a newly issued bag of coarse rice meant to compensate for the loss, and wept silently, her tears washing away years of bitterness.

Then, it was as if the accumulated power finally broke through the dam.

In the fields, the farmers who had been working hard straightened up, looked at the wooden pole hanging in the distance, spat out a mouthful of phlegm, and swung their hoes down hard, as if to smash all their pent-up resentment into the soil.

In the teahouses and taverns, people no longer tried to lower their voices, their voices carrying the excitement of surviving a disaster and an irrepressible sense of joy.
"Hey! Those bastards who relied on their achievements to eat people alive have finally met their match!"

"His Highness the King of Qin is wise! So wise!"

"His Highness the King of Qin still cares about us common folk after all..."

In the midst of this long-suppressed emotional release, someone, while working in the fields, perhaps out of relief, perhaps out of anticipation, perhaps out of unbelievable gratitude, unconsciously hummed that old tune, passed down for many years since the late Tang Dynasty, filled with helplessness and despair:

"Never ask when the world will be at peace, never ask when the world will be at peace..."

But this time, the humming was no longer mournful; instead, it carried a refreshing quality, like the sun breaking through the clouds.

"Never ask whether the Qing Dynasty will rise or fall—"

"—Let's see the world will surely be at peace!"

(End of this chapter)