The prince is more stable

Chapter 893: Trying to cover up the obvious
Only when your feet are firmly planted in the mud do you realize the suffering of all living beings.

Standing outside Gongjing Village, Han Zhongyan and the others could tell how much suffering people endured just by looking at the barren farmland and dilapidated thatched houses.

Most officials, accustomed to a life of luxury, are unaware of such suffering, and they don't want to know.

Only then did Han Zhongyan realize the Emperor's good intentions.

Why did the government order the Censorate to thoroughly investigate this case? Why did they send a hundred officials to the countryside to experience the hardships of the people? Why do they hate officials who exploit the people so much?

Han Zhongyan remained calm, though anger welled up inside him, he did not show it.

Turning to look at Zhen Qing, Han Zhongyan said, "Zhen Qing, please trouble the Imperial City Guard to invite the village chief of Gongjing Village to come here for a chat."

Zhen Qing nodded, then waved his hand without looking back, and several members of the Imperial City Guard immediately rushed towards the village.

Not long after, an elderly man in his fifties was invited over by the Imperial City Guard. His face showed some trepidation and fear. He walked up to Han Zhongyan and bowed down without saying a word.

Han Zhongyan smiled, helped the old man up, and said, "Brother, are you the village head of Gongjing Village?"

The village chief awkwardly rubbed the hem of his clothes with both hands and said with a forced smile, "Yes, I am the village chief."

Han Zhongyan laughed and said, "Brother, don't be alarmed. We just want to have a chat with you, to relax a bit, just like casual conversation."

The village chief's smile froze. Although he was not very knowledgeable, the group of people in front of him had an extraordinary air about them and looked noble. They were obviously important figures.

Han Zhongyan was very skilled at conversation; he held the village chief's hand and actually started chatting with him about everyday matters.

How many people are in your family? What is the harvest like in the village? How many oxen does the whole village have? How old are you, are you in good health? How many children and grandchildren do you have?

As they chatted more and more casually, the neighborhood chief gradually became less nervous and relaxed during the conversation.

Finally, Han Zhongyan pointed to the farmland in the distance and said, "It's harvest season now, why is the village land so barren? Such good farmland, could it be that we missed the spring planting?"

The village head sighed and said, "These abandoned fields belong to someone else, not our village..."

Han Zhongyan raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh? Why were the fertile fields of this village given to a landlord from another village?"

The village chief hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Most of these lands were bought by landlords in the county. After they bought them, they didn't have enough labor to cultivate them. They also heard that the late emperor passed away this year and a new emperor ascended the throne. The direction of the court is unclear, so the landlords dare not act rashly for fear of getting into trouble. As a result, the good farmland has been left uncultivated for a year."

Han Zhongyan smiled and said, "I still can't understand why the land in this village would be sold to someone with a different surname. Isn't that against the rules? What happened to the original owners of these fertile fields?"

The village chief said with a wry smile, "The original owner has long since fled, and we don't even know if he's alive or dead now."

"Could you elaborate, buddy?"

The village head sighed, "It's all because of the new policies of the imperial court. We poor people can't read a single word. The officials from the county government told us that the imperial court has issued some kind of 'Green Sprouts Law,' which basically means that we common people have to borrow money from the government..."

“Everyone is living a good life. Even if there is a disaster year, we can grit our teeth and get through it. If we are not in a situation where we cannot survive, who would want to borrow money from the government?”

“But the government won’t agree. They say it’s an imperial decree. No matter if you need money or not, you have to borrow money from the government. You’ll borrow one string of cash this year and pay back two strings next year. There’s no room for negotiation. If you dare not lend the money, the government will not only demolish your house but also throw your family members into jail.”

"What can we do? Of course, we can only borrow. One string this year, two strings next year, double the principal and interest. How can we poor people afford that? So in the second year, more and more people couldn't repay the money. The government didn't show any mercy. If you couldn't repay, they would take your land to pay off the debt."

"Over time, our once thriving village has lost half its population. Everyone was unable to repay their debts and had to sell their land, becoming refugees. Now, they are nowhere to be found, and their fate is unknown."

The village chief's eyes reddened as he spoke. He raised his hand to wipe away his tears and sighed, "We were all just ordinary people living peaceful lives. Who could have predicted that the imperial court would bring such a calamity upon us..."

“Now only half the people are left in the village, and these half probably won’t last much longer. If the government still implements the ‘Green Sprouts Law’ next year, forcing us to borrow money from the government, everyone will have no choice but to sell their land and become beggars with their families.”

The village chief spoke calmly, but every word was filled with blood and tears. Han Zhongyan and the others gradually turned ashen-faced. Zhen Qing stood silently behind him, his teeth grinding together, and the veins on his neck bulging.

"Who were these lands sold to later?" Han Zhongyan asked calmly.

The village chief shook his head: "The government acted as the middleman. They said that several wealthy landlords in the county town wanted to buy the land, but before the money for the land even reached the villagers, it was immediately seized by the officials, who claimed it was to repay the principal and interest of the 'Green Sprouts Act'."

"In the end, we lost both the land and the money, leaving us with nothing. We don't know what sins we committed in our past lives to deserve such retribution."

Han Zhongyan nodded and quickly exchanged glances with Lü Huiqing and Li Qingchen.

The matter is basically clear: the government misinterpreted the new policy, imposed levies, and used this as an opportunity to make money. They even doubled the interest rates, forcing farmers to sell their land. Local landlords took the opportunity to lower the price and buy back the land, and the money from the land sales was also taken by the government.

It was indeed completely empty; they weren't even giving us a chance to survive.

Therefore, the list of only twelve officials compiled by the Censorate and the Imperial City Guard was far from sufficient. Fortunately, the Emperor had a far-sighted view of the matter and knew very well that this matter could not be accomplished by one or two officials covering up the truth.

This is a mature and well-organized chain of interests with a strict division of labor. Those involved include not only local officials, but also local businessmen and landlords. Only by colluding together can they cover up the truth in the local area.

There's nothing else to ask; the facts are already clear.

Next, it was time for the Imperial City Guard to make a move. Han Zhongyan was about to say something when a member of the Imperial City Guard rushed over and said, "Reporting to you gentlemen, Zeng Shuli, the prefect of Chenzhou, Luo Hongye, the magistrate of Shangshui, and other officials from the Chenzhou yamen, including the assistant prefect and the judge, have arrived. They are less than two miles from here."

A cold smile immediately appeared on Han Zhongyan's face: "Coming so proactively, isn't that just trying to cover up the truth, a guilty conscience?"

A moment later, a group of officials hurriedly rode up. When they were a hundred paces away from Han Zhongyan and his entourage, Zeng Shuli and the other officials quickly dismounted and jogged toward Han Zhongyan.

"Your humble servant, Zeng Shuli, the Prefect of Chenzhou, pays his respects to the Supervising Grand Master and the Left and Right Chancellors... I have failed to properly welcome you, my lords, and I deserve to die for it."

Sweating profusely, Zeng Shuli bowed deeply to Han Zhongyan and the others, and the local officials who arrived behind him also followed suit.

When the village chief saw so many officials bowing to the old man, he was immediately startled, realizing that the person he had just been chatting with must be an extraordinary figure.

Thinking about how he had just poured out his grievances and said some disrespectful things to the local officials, the village chief became even more apprehensive and uneasy. He didn't dare to look up at the officials, fearing that they would remember his appearance.

So the village chief lowered his head, not daring to say another word, and ran away as if fleeing for his life.

Han Zhongyan watched the village chief flee in panic with a smile, without stopping him.

When Han Zhongyan turned to look at the officials in front of him, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, but a friendly smile appeared on his face.

"Prefect Zeng is too kind. I was just passing through Chenzhou on official business and didn't want to disturb the local authorities, so I didn't inform them."

Upon hearing this, Zeng Shuli and the others felt a sense of relief.

So they were just passing by. That makes things easier. We'll treat them to good food and drink, and send these plague-ridden people away as soon as possible. With them in Chenzhou, Zeng Shuli is extremely nervous.

Zeng Shuli wiped the sweat from his face and said with a smile, "Since Doctor Han has come to my Chenzhou, I, as a local official, should treat him with great hospitality. If you and the other officials do not mind, you may stay in my Chenzhou city for a few days. I will be able to serve you personally, listen to your teachings, and do my best to be a good host."

Han Zhongyan shook his head, but suddenly pointed to the half-abandoned farmland of Gongjing Village in the distance, and frowned in confusion, saying, "Prefect Zeng, I happened to pass by this place and found that these excellent fields are not being cultivated. As the governor of this area, does Prefect Zeng know the reason for this?"

Zeng Shuli was taken aback, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes.

An official behind him suddenly stepped forward and said, “Reporting to Doctor Han, Chenzhou has vast plains and simple folk customs. However, most of the local farmers are lazy and do not work. They would rather let the fertile fields lie fallow than cultivate them. As a result, they missed the spring planting and had no harvest.”

Han Zhongyan suddenly realized: "So it's because the local farmers are too lazy. No wonder, no wonder!"

As he spoke, Han Zhongyan narrowed his eyes slightly, sizing up the official who had spoken, and said, "May I ask who you are...?"

The official hurriedly bowed and said, "This humble official, Luo Hongye, the magistrate of Shangshui County, pays his respects to Doctor Han."

Han Zhongyan smiled and said, "So you are the local official. My apologies for not recognizing you."

Luo Hongye repeatedly said he dared not.

Zeng Shuli smiled and said, "This place is only about forty miles from Chenzhou City. Doctor Han and all the gentlemen, why don't you come into the city for a chat? I would like to invite you all to a welcome dinner. Please do me the honor of joining us."

Han Zhongyan nodded and said, "No need. We are just passing through Chenzhou and are heading to Gongzhou and Yingchang next, so we won't bother you any longer."

Zeng Shuli immediately breathed a sigh of relief, and his pale face immediately regained its color.

Oh, so you were just passing by. Alright, you've passed this hurdle, everything's fine now, and there are no more taboos!
“In that case, please give me a chance. We will escort you and the other officials out of Chenzhou.” Zeng Shuli said politely.

Han Zhongyan gave him a deep look and said meaningfully, "No need. We will meet again soon, so why be so reluctant to part?"

Zeng Shuli's heart skipped a beat, and then he carefully pondered the meaning of Han Zhongyan's words.

What does "See you soon" mean?
Zeng Shuli insisted on sending them off, while Han Zhongyan insisted on not letting them. After a long period of polite refusals, Han Zhongyan finally persuaded them to give in.

So, with Zeng Shuli and the others watching him go, Han Zhongyan mounted his horse and continued eastward.

Once Han Zhongyan and the others had disappeared from sight, Zeng Shuli, who had been all smiles, stopped smiling and his expression turned cold.

"Call over that old man who just spoke, and ask him carefully what Han Zhongyan talked about with him," Zeng Shuli said coldly.

…………

After leaving Gongjing Village, Han Zhongyan and his group rode their horses for several miles before gradually slowing down.

Looking at Zhen Qing, who remained silent to the side, Han Zhongyan said, "The matter is almost clear. The next step is to collect evidence of the officials' crimes. I'll trouble you, Zhen, to make the arrangements."

Zhen Qing nodded vigorously: "Don't worry, this time the Imperial City Guard will definitely uproot this scumbag!"

After saying that, Zhen Qing suddenly turned around and looked at the Imperial City Guard behind him.

Without a word being spoken, the people behind him immediately understood, turned their horses around, and went off in different directions, disappearing from sight in a moment.

(End of this chapter)