The Great Tang General

"Replying to Your Majesty, although Linhuai and Huaiyin are close neighbors, according to the system, non-county officials cannot have private interactions. I dare not make rash judgments on the right and wrong of Huaiyin County."

Chang Hyun replied to Lee Seon.

Without evidence, he must not make irresponsible remarks about other counties based on hearsay, especially if they were from the same province, as this was a taboo in the officialdom.

Even though he had many doubts about Lin Huai!
"In the past two years, people from Huaiyin have been fleeing here. What's the reason?"

Li Xuan could see that Chang Hyun didn't know much about this. He couldn't say anything in this situation.

"Your Majesty, the refugees said that there was no land to be distributed in Huaiyin, and there were floods and fires, so they could not get enough food, so they had to flee here."

Chang Hyun reported the information he had heard truthfully.

For Linhuai County, after eliminating the lowly and turning them into good people, the government still controlled a large amount of land, which the people could not cultivate.

When refugees entered the country, Chang Hyun settled them on land and allocated public land, which could increase the population and promote prosperity, and also increase taxes.

"Huaiyin not only has the Huai River running through it, but is also close to Hongze Lake. The area is fertile with thousands of miles of plains and few mountains. The swamp area is gradually shrinking. Can't we reclaim the wasteland?"

There are many puzzling events here.

It simply doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

In this era, with the current population, it is absolutely impossible for the Tang Dynasty to displace its people because of land.

Unless there is a problem with the distribution, it is extremely unfair.

"There is something strange. Those refugees seem to have something to hide, but they are unwilling to say more."

Chang Hyun could only tell Li Xuan this.

"Governor of Huainan, can you verify local government affairs?"

Li Xuan asked Chang Xuan again.

The current governor of Huainan is the former prefect of Guangling, Xiao Xin.

He was Li Xuan's close confidant who followed him during the Tianbao period when he carried out political reforms.

Xiao Xin was well versed in historical classics and a straightforward person, and was highly regarded by Li Xuan.

He also recommended virtuous people and worked diligently, and cooperated fully when it came to removing the inferior and promoting the good.

Therefore, when the governor was evaluated last year, Xiao Xin was undisputedly appointed as the first governor of Huainan Province.

However, the capital of Huainan Province is in Xuzhou City, in the northeast area of ​​Linhuai.

Xiao Xin knew Li Xuan's character very well, so he did not travel hundreds of miles to meet him just because Li Xuan came to Linhuai.

"The governor sent his subordinates to Linhuai to check, and I also went to Xuzhou to report the county affairs to the governor."

Chang Hyun replied.

The province began to be established in January last year.

It takes a lot of time from selection to appointment, and finally to returning to Beijing to report and take office.

Moreover, merging counties into a province is a complex project that requires a certain process.

Xiao Xin only took office in Xuzhou in September last year.

All aspects need to be verified, a province is not like a county.

"So Huaiyin has also been checked?"

Li Xuan frowned.

"This minister is not sure."

Chang Hyun said truthfully.

"I am not inspecting the localities for the sake of enjoying life, but to see the real side of the people. I hope that local officials will have sustainable policies to improve the quality of life of the people. During the time I was in Linhuai, the city was clean and tidy; the market was in good order; the constables patrolled at night, and the county magistrate and county lieutenant were out all day. If I leave Linhuai, will it be the same?"

Li Xuan had already made a decision in his mind.

He knew many things well.

"Even if the Supreme leaves, Linhuai will still look like it does today."

Chang Hyun quickly assured Lee Xuan.

"That's good."

He didn't want to say more. We can't force every official to be like a saint.

Complying with the imperial court's orders and completing the agricultural revolution is the top priority at present.

"I have changed my mind. I do not want to go to Huaiyin via the Huai River today. Governor Chang comforted the people and persuaded them to go home. My troops will temporarily camp by the Tongji Canal."

Li Xuan instructed Chang Xuan, "Go and use the carriage to secretly bring the people who have fled from Huaiyin here. I have something to ask them."

Ever since Li Xuan came into this world, he has had a spirit of "never giving up".

Everyone knows that the Supreme Lord is a man of few words and never shows mercy when dealing with corrupt officials.

In the "Tang Monthly", Li Xuan's articles criticizing corrupt officials continued to appear.

Corrupt people are actually the stupidest people.

Whether it is the military or the civilian officials.

Anyone who changes color when seeing a hundred gold pieces is not qualified to command the three armies.

They are extremely short-sighted and there is no way they can govern the place well.

Li Xuan has repeatedly criticized a fallacy, namely, "We want capable officials but not honest officials."

There are corrupt officials who appear to be excellent in local governance, but in fact they cause endless harm.

If one person is greedy, it means that there is a group of interest groups behind him that are sucking the blood and sweat of the people.

Peace is just an appearance, something bad will happen sooner or later.

Corrupt officials don't know what it means to cherish their property.

For example, the current prefect has an annual salary that is already quite high, and even if he accepts bribes, it would only be tens of thousands. Once it is exposed, he will be dismissed and investigated, and his salary will be gone. This is "a small gain and a big loss". Does this mean he cherishes his property?

In the past, Gong Yixiu loved fish, but he would not accept fish from people, so his fish lived forever. Moreover, if a ruler is greedy, he will lose his country, and if a minister is greedy, he will lose himself.

Li Xuan often used such examples to warn his ministers.

The Tang Dynasty is now undoubtedly a "fortress", and no country can break into it from the outside.

Therefore, Li Xuan paid more attention to internal struggles.

From just a few words, the perceptive Li Xuan realized that there might be something wrong in Huaiyin.

"I obey your order..."

Chang Hyun didn't dare to question.

At the same time, he sent people to bring the Huaiyin people who fled to Linhuai to the Tongji Canal.

At the same time, he personally persuaded the people to return home.

After Li Xuan gave Liao Zhengrong a few instructions, Liao Zhengrong nodded and left, stopping the ship's sailing first.

In addition, 200 internal guards were selected to go to Huaiyin first as merchants.

He also sent a group of experienced Jinyiwei to investigate in Huaiyin.

In the afternoon, dozens of Huaiyin people who fled to Linhuai were taken here by car.

Li Xuan came out of the tent to meet these Huaiyin people.

There were old and young people among them, and judging from their clothes, they were not poorly dressed.

They just lack the same self-confidence as the people of Linhuai, and are a little reserved and confused.

"Quick, meet the Supreme..."

Chang Xuan ordered the people to quickly pay their respects to the Supreme.

"I have met the Supreme..."

Seeing Li Xuan's wisdom and bravery, they did not react. When Chang Xuan reminded them, they knelt down and bowed.

"No need to be polite, fellow villagers. Just treat it as if you are at home. There is no need to be restrained."

Li Xuan helped these kneeling people up one by one.

In the Tang Dynasty, kneeling was not common among common people.

Moreover, Li Xuan had already issued an express order prohibiting the phenomenon of bowing down to the emperor when seeing him.

In the government hall and various government offices, chairs began to replace kneeling mats.

The people were flattered to see that the Supreme was so approachable.

All along, they felt that the emperor was as far away from them as the end of the world.

"I heard that you guys are from Huaiyin, which is a good place. The famous Huaiyin Marquis Han Xin came from Huaiyin. When did you guys go from Huaiyin to Linhuai?"

Li Xuan asked someone to watch their seats. He sat in the middle and asked them questions as if he was chatting with them.

The Minister of Justice Zhang Xun and the Prefect of Linhuai stood on Li Xuan's left and right respectively.

This will relieve the pressure on the people.

"We arrived in Huaiyin two years ago."

When the people dared not speak, an experienced old man answered Li Xuan, "Why did you leave Huaiyin? Do the villagers have any difficulties?"

Li Xuan asked the old man again.

"No... no problem. Linhuai is better..."

The old man spoke hesitantly, not daring to tell the truth.

"Since I ascended the throne, I have taken it as my responsibility to keep the people safe. Virtue lies in good governance, and governance lies in nurturing the people. Although I am in Chang'an, I am always concerned about whether the people have enough food and clothing. We Chinese people have an inseparable affection for our hometown. We were born here, grew up here, and died here. If there were no difficulties, how could we leave our hometown?"

Li Xuan could tell at a glance that the old man was not telling the truth, but he did not blame him. He just expressed his kindness to them.

Since ancient times, in order to make people willing to leave their hometowns, one had to promise them huge benefits, just like Li Xuan’s immigration policy.

Give cattle, sheep and other livestock to the people, so that they can have a better vision for the future.

If there is land to farm in your hometown, why would you flee from it?

"Aunt, you shouldn't deceive the emperor..."

Just then, a young man couldn't bear it anymore and spoke up.

He knelt on the ground and asked Li Xuan to forgive the old man for his slip of the tongue.

Even common people understand that deceiving the emperor is a great crime.

The emperor in front of him was different from what he had expected. He kept calling everyone "fellow countryman" in a very approachable manner.

Only then did they remember that the Supreme was the greatest in the world.

When faced with injustice, the people cannot see the Supreme Being and can only pray to God.

Perhaps the Supreme Being can redress their grievances.

"The common people deserve to die..."

The old man realized the seriousness of the matter and wanted to kneel down and confess his guilt, but he was too anxious and fell off the stool and crawled on the ground.

"No need to do that, please get up quickly."

Li Xuan quickly helped the old man up and comforted him, "There is no crime of deceiving the emperor here. If the people are scolding the emperor, it means that the emperor has lost his moral integrity."

Hearing Li Xuan's words, all the people burst into tears.

As if waking up from a dream, they realized that the kind man in front of them was the emperor, a god-like figure.

"Now you can tell the truth. If anyone forces you to leave your homeland, I will never forgive you."

Li Xuan spoke to the people in a tactful but stern manner.

"Replying to the Supreme, we are from Xuanze Township, Huaiyin County. Because the powerful occupied our land, we had to work day and night and could not get enough food. Some of our brothers starved to death in the fields. We had no choice but to flee overnight."

"Because the tyrants blocked our way and did not allow us to leave our hometown, some of us were killed while fleeing."

The young man who knelt down first revealed his identity and cried to Li Xuan.

They had always believed that the officials protected each other, so even after arriving in Linhuai and settling down, they dared not reveal their origins. They only said that they came from Huaiyin County.

He was afraid of being caught again and taken back to Huaiyin County and Xuanze Township.

"Why didn't you report this humiliation to the police?"

Li Xuan already had the answer in his mind, but he still asked the young man.

Although Huaiyin County is called "Huaiyin", it is not the county seat of Huaiyin County. Shanyang is the county seat of Huaiyin County.

Now it depends on whether the officials of Huaiyin Prefecture know about this.

"We also wanted to appeal for justice, but the villagers who appealed for justice entered the Huaiyin County Government Office and never came out again."

The young man said with tears in his eyes.

"Where is the governor of Huaiyin?"

He had encountered similar stories before.

Crying to the sky and the earth for help is useless, the most hopeless thing is for a grass to fight against a sword.

"I don't know there is a governor..."

The young man said helplessly.

This sentence made Li Xuan sad and angry.

Then they don’t even know there is an emperor!
Perhaps the young man's words had two meanings. One was that the Huaiyin governor was completely unaware of the situation, and that the Huaiyin magistrate was colluding with the local tyrants.

Second, the prefect of Huaiyin turned a blind eye, or at least turned a blind eye.

There is also an issue involved here, the Jinyiwei!
After the Jinyiwei system was clarified, the Jinlongsi managed the border counties.

The Luanfengsi manages the inland areas.

Almost every county has a captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard who is responsible for local supervision.

Although the Jinyiwei did not have the power to enforce the law, they had the right to report.

The fact that no Jinyiwei reported the incident to their superiors suggests that there might be problems with the Jinyiwei as well.

Li Xuan asked some more questions, but he mostly didn't know the answers.

Ordinary people have a poor ability to receive information. They only know that their hometowns are being bullied by bullies and have to flee.

When Li Xuan asked about the movement to eliminate low status and promote virtue that began in the early years of the Qianyuan period, the people said that at the beginning every household was indeed allocated a lot of land.

But they were happy for only a few days before the land was confiscated again. They were told that the land was in short supply and had to be offered as tribute to the emperor, which had nothing to do with them.

Doing such a thing under Li Xuan's reputation made Li Xuan very angry.

If he found out the truth, he would kill the culprit.

"Home is where the heart is. I will make the decision for you. You can settle down in Linhuai in the future, after all, we drink the Huai River. You can also return to your hometown, to Xuanze Township in Huaiyin."

Finally, Li Xuan made a promise to the people.

He keeps his word and once he says something, he will do his best to do it.

In the eyes of the emperor, there are no trivial matters.

What's more, Li Xuan believed that this had threatened the foundation of the country.

His tour to the south was not just to take a look at Jiangnan, but to punish a group of officials who neglected their duties and to make the officials and gentry in Jiangnan understand that this was not a place far away from the emperor, but was always under the watchful eyes of the court and the emperor.

I just didn’t expect to encounter such a serious thing as soon as I arrived at Huaishui.

"We, the common people, are grateful for the grace of the Supreme Being..."

All the people bowed again and cried bitterly.

If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they wouldn't have believed that this was the real emperor.

Those officials were high and mighty, but the emperor was very approachable.

Li Xuan's words were like a spring breeze, giving them a feeling of conviction.

They are doing well in Linhuai now. Even if they don't want to migrate back, they hope that their fellow villagers in their hometown can be liberated.

Good and evil will be rewarded in the end, and they hope that those powerful people will eventually be brought to justice.

As dusk approached, Li Xuan ordered the guards to bring some beef jerky, candies, nuts, and preserved fruits from the boat, and gave them some money to take back.

The people felt warm in their hearts and had no more complaints.

The sun is always bright, but there are places it cannot reach.

They are unfortunate, but also very lucky.

The fact that we can gain a stable foothold in Linhuai also shows the wisdom of the emperor!
These escaped Huaiyin people established a village in the northwest of Linhuai County.

Maybe from now on, I can feel at ease there.

"I failed in my duty and I apologize to the Supreme."

Chang Hyun watched Li Xuan handle the whole process and felt ashamed.

If he were as humble and patient as the Supreme, he would be able to find some clues and impeach the Huaiyin County Magistrate.

He has always been very friendly, but compared with Li Xuan, it is far from enough.

"Don't meddle in other people's affairs if you are not in their position. It is not your responsibility if Linjun fails to behave morally, so don't worry about it."

Li Xuan did not blame Chang Hyun.

It's normal not to interfere in Linjun's affairs.

"Your Majesty, the country has been stable for many years, and the first five-year plan has been completed, but there are still some people who have escaped the net and turned lowly into good people. I will go to Huaiyin and punish the local officials."

Zhang Xun, standing aside, asked Li Xuan for permission.

After the rise of the lowly and the virtuous, the word "powerful" has become an unfamiliar word and few people mention it.

Because so many powerful people were eliminated, people thought that they had all been wiped out.

Zhang Xun was characterized by not discriminating personal relations with his subjects. He could not tolerate such lawless tyrants.

We must find out who gave the powerful people such courage.

(End of this chapter)