The prince is more stable

Chapter 585: Dividing the Land Again
Zhao Xiaoqian did have to go back to Zhending City.

This time it was not for the pleasure of love with the three girls, but for serious business.

Of course, without delaying important work, we should also take into account the pleasure of love.

Yesterday, Li Qingchen sent someone to deliver a letter that several big men had come to Zhending City.

Among them were Han Zhongyan, the Minister of the Imperial Household who came from Bian Jing, Liu Anshi, the Imperial Counselor, and Lu Huiqing, the prefect of Daming who was temporarily seconded from the local area.

These three people were directly appointed by Zhao Xu to come to Zhending Prefecture to continue the unfinished task, which was to survey the newly occupied land north of Zhending Prefecture, divide the fields, and distribute land to farmers and refugees.

Because Han Wei and others were beheaded by Zhao Xiaoqian, the survey and distribution of land was delayed, but this matter cannot be delayed, and it is a huge and long-term project.

The imperial court could not remain indifferent to the more than 400 miles of land. Distributing the land could somewhat ease the current class contradictions in the Song Dynasty.

This matter had nothing to do with Zhao Xiaoqian. After experiencing the Han Wei incident, Zhao Xiaoqian lost interest in the court sending officials to distribute land.

However, Li Qingchen sent him a letter, strongly requesting him to return to Zhending City.

First of all, Zhao Xiaoqian was the prefect of Zhending, so it was his duty to personally receive the guests, and he still had to take the social etiquette of officialdom into consideration.

Secondly, Li Qingchen was also worried that another group of corrupt officials would come and turn a good thing into a bad thing. With Zhao Xiaoqian personally watching over him, these officials would probably be more restrained.

For the sake of the people and farmers under his jurisdiction, Zhao Xiaoqian could not refuse and had to go back in person.

As for Yelu Nanxian, there is no need to take her away. His current relationship with her is clean and innocent. If he brings her to Zhending City to live with the three girls, with his contrasting personality, who knows what kind of tragedy will happen in his backyard.

Yelu Nanxian actively sought every opportunity to go out. Whether it was going out to catch rabbits or accompanying Zhao Xiaoqian back to Zhending City, she wanted to go with him.

Through two days of observation, Yelu Nanxian had a rough idea of ​​Zhao Xiaoqian's temper and personality, and was sure that he was harmless to her, so she gradually became bolder.

However, this time Zhao Xiaoqian still rejected her firmly. Yelu Nanxian did not give up. Her big eyes sparkled and she continued to beg silently with an innocent and shining look.

Zhao Xiaoqian sneered, "You can't touch me, you can't sleep with me. So I'm taking you home and worshipping you as a goddess? Isn't it nice to have three women at home who can do whatever they want?"
Ignoring Yelu Nanxian's request, the next day Zhao Xiaoqian led hundreds of imperial guards including Chen Shou and rushed towards Zhending City.

…………

After three days of travel, Zhao Xiaoqian was not in a hurry to continue.

After three major wars between the Song and Liao dynasties, the borders of the two countries became quiet. Now the Liao people no longer dared to provoke attacks on the border. Even the Liao army that confronted them on the north bank of the Juma River quietly withdrew after being defeated.

It can be seen that after the Liao Kingdom suffered heavy losses, it had to choose to adopt a strategic defensive position. They no longer had the domineering edge of the past. Facing the Song army across the river, they were even more cautious and nervous, as if walking on thin ice.

While the Song army maintained daily drills and remained vigilant on the north bank of the Juma River, the border could be said to have relaxed.

After judging that there might not be war on the border for a long time in the future, Zhao Xiaoqian was no longer in a hurry to travel. He walked leisurely along the way as if he was sightseeing. If he hadn't missed his three wives at home, his pace would have been even slower.

Three days later, Zhao Xiaoqian and his party returned to Zhending City.

After entering the city, he went to the government office first, and Li Qingchen hurried out to greet him.

The bosses had arrived in Zhending City the day before yesterday and were currently living in the backyard of the government office.

Zhao Xiaoqian stood outside the government office, straightened his clothes, put on a professional fake smile, and strode in.

In a side room in the backyard of the government office, a charcoal fire was lit, and Han Zhongyan and two other people were chatting around the fire.

Li Qingchen led the way, Zhao Xiaoqian followed behind, and after entering the door, Han Zhongyan and the other two stood up.

Li Qingchen then introduced Zhao Xiaoqian with a smile, and the three of them took the initiative to salute. Zhao Xiaoqian did not dare to be arrogant and hurriedly returned the greeting humbly.

Among the three, Han Zhongyan had the highest official position, being the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. But in terms of actual power, Zhao Xiaoqian was much higher than him. However, anyone who was sensible would not judge the size of a person by his official position, but by his age.

The three of them were obviously much older than Zhao Xiaoqian, so Zhao Xiaoqian naturally couldn't act like a prince, as it would ruin his reputation if it got out.

After Li Qingchen's enthusiastic introduction, the three of them immediately showed expressions of admiration as if they had long heard of his great name, and Zhao Xiaoqian responded with a smile.

The three of them sat down, and Han Zhongyan first explained the purpose of his visit.

During the last land distribution survey, Zhao Xiaoqian killed 42 officials in anger. This incident still shocked people all over the world.

However, the imperial court could not abandon the newly occupied 400 miles of land because of this incident. After all, there were still so many landless refugees in the world who needed to be resettled.

After careful selection, Zhao Xu and the Bianjing officials finally chose these three people and ordered them to come to Zhending to continue the work of surveying and allocating land. Zhao Xiaoqian also saw that the officials selected this time were carefully chosen, not only considering their official positions, but also their qualifications and, more importantly, their character.

Only if you have all three will you be noticed by Zhao Xu.

After the last case, the court was also afraid that another major incident would occur, which would be a real scandal that would be infamous for eternity.

The three people in front of Zhao Xiaoqian were obviously much stronger than Han Wei's criminal officials.

He spoke very kindly and pragmatically. From the time we met until now, there was basically no small talk. After a few words, he got straight to the point.

Zhao Xiaoqian listened patiently to their plans for surveying and allocating land, while also secretly observing the three of them.

Han Zhongyan is the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, an official position equivalent to the deputy prime minister. He is undoubtedly the boss among the three, and this work will be mainly carried out by him.

Liu Anshi also came from Bian Jing and was a Counselor. This official position was for censors and could only be held by people with integrity.

Zhao Xiaoqian had heard of Liu Anshi when he was in Bian Jing. He had a rather bumpy career in officialdom. He had been struggling for most of his life and had only just become a Counselor. This was due to his upright character.

Liu Anshi was a typical censor and was well-known in the court for his loyalty, honesty and boldness. He was really not afraid of anyone, and he would defy anyone, no matter who it was.

It is said that Zhao Xu was severely impeached by him several times for trivial matters. He also impeached other officials such as the prime minister, envoys, and provincial governors without mercy, without any emotional intelligence, and made himself hated by everyone.

Zhao Xu sent Liu Anshi to take charge of this work, obviously because he was impressed by Liu Anshi's integrity. He wanted to plant a thorn in the side of these officials. Under Liu Anshi's watchful eye, no one would dare to hide any bad intentions.

Zhao Xiaoqian could understand why the first two people were appointed, but what puzzled him was that the last of the three, Lu Huiqing, was the prefect of Daming.

Daming Prefecture was the capital of the Song Dynasty. During the last war between the Song and Liao dynasties, Zhao Xiaoqian sent Zong Ze and Di Zi to lead troops to intercept the Liao army, and they almost fell into a trap set by the Liao army.

Zhao Xiaoqian was puzzled. It was really confusing that Lu Huiqing, the famous prefect, came to Zhending Prefecture to preside over the investigation and distribution of land. He abandoned his own subordinates and ran to other people's territory to help them divide the land... What was Zhao Xu thinking?

No matter what their official positions are, since they were sent by Bian Jing to preside over this matter, Zhao Xiaoqian cannot let his guard down.

Although they were carefully selected by Zhao Xu, the court is not short of people who only know the surface but not the heart. If these three people are the same as Han Wei and others, it will inevitably bring disaster to the farmers and people of Zhending Prefecture.

Everyone chatted around the charcoal fire in the house for a while. Han Zhongyan was very sensible and told Zhao Xiaoqian every detail of the plan, itinerary, etc.

Zhao Xiaoqian listened very carefully, and at the end of the conversation, Zhao Xiaoqian finally felt a little relieved.

From the surface, it seems that Han Zhongyan and the other two have no bad intentions and they are really here to do business.

Besides, the story of Zhao Xiaoqian killing 42 criminal officials is still spreading in the Song Dynasty, and his influence is still there. If Han Zhongyan and the other two still dare to commit crimes against the wind, and in the same territory and under the jurisdiction of the same killer, then we can only admire Han Zhongyan's courage.

After listening carefully to the arrangements and plans of the three people, Zhao Xiaoqian didn't say anything, nor did he make any suggestions.

After all, they were commissioners from the imperial court, and Zhao Xiaoqian had no right to interfere in their work. Doing so was a taboo in official circles.

After chatting for a while, Zhao Xiaoqian asked Li Qingchen to host a banquet tonight, and then said goodbye to the three of them.

After leaving the office, Zhao Xiaoqian instructed Chen Shou to ask Zhao Xin from the Imperial City Office to come to see him quietly.

Although he was relieved, he could not let his guard down. Zhao Xiaoqian decided to mobilize the Imperial City Bureau to secretly monitor Han Zhongyan and the other two as well as a group of officials, keeping an eye on their every move. If Han Zhongyan and the other two showed any signs of trouble, they would report to him immediately.

Faced with huge interests, it is difficult for Zhao Xiaoqian to believe in human nature. This is undoubtedly a naive gamble. He would rather believe his own eyes and is more inclined to cage their power and desires.

After everything was arranged, Zhao Xiaoqian went straight back home. He still had to take a shower, change his clothes, and in the evening he had to go out to welcome Han Zhongyan and the other two. There was no other way. No matter how powerful his official rank was, he had to abide by the rules and be worldly-wise in the officialdom.

This time he came back in a hurry. When Zhao Xiaoqian was about to enter his own door, the three girls, Nianiao, heard the report from the maid and rushed out to greet him.

Seeing the familiar face and eyes that they had been dreaming about, the three girls were stunned for a moment, looking quite surprised. Then they were overjoyed and rushed into his arms like a young swallow flying into the forest.

As they had not been separated for long, the couple did not feel too excited or tearful when they reunited, but their joy came from within.

"Why did you come back suddenly, sir? Did something happen?" Niao Niao asked immediately after calming down from the excitement.

"Oh, nothing. I just suddenly remembered in the camp that the night before I left, when we performed the Zhougong ceremony, one of our postures seemed a little off. So I rushed back a thousand miles away, intending to discuss it with my wife and strive for perfection..."

The three girls were stunned, and after a while they realized that they had been tricked. Their coquettish little fists rained down on him.

Zhao Xiaoqian explained with a smile: "Well, as for striving for excellence, the important thing is 'striving for excellence'. Ladies, it's boring in the broad daylight, why not do something happy?"

(End of this chapter)