Chaos of Ming 1628

On the way to Hejian Prefecture.

The world was still covered in silver, and not a blade of grass could be seen along the way.

Yang Qingqing and Shen Junru sat together in the large carriage at the back, while Sun Qing sat alone in the small carriage at the front.

Not to mention Sun Chengzong's worries, Sun Qing was just as worried at this moment.

A county implementing benevolent governance is merely a small act of kindness in protecting its local territory; it is easy to cover up and causes very little harm.

The reform and distribution of grain in one prefecture would shake the entire prefecture's tax and grain regulations, drawing the attention of all officials and the imperial court. Emperor Chongzhen was already suspicious, and one step he took would lead to the extermination of his entire family.

In Jiahe County, Song Xian, Su Jiuda, and Meng Zhaoxiang were still there to help.

However, once they went to Hejian Prefecture, the scope of control and the complexity of the forces involved were vastly different.

Hejian Prefecture governed several counties, spanning a vast area, where powerful families, large landowners, military households, and salt merchants were deeply entrenched.

With complex and intertwined interest groups, if an equal distribution is implemented in one place, powerful local figures in other counties will band together to resist, making it impossible to implement uniformly.

Moreover, the plan for Jiaohe County was launched just before the snow and ice began.

This terrible weather is truly maddening; many plans cannot be carried out, and it's difficult to find people to start work in this freezing cold.

In November, the north wind howled and the northern lands were covered in frost.

The ancient trees in front of the Hejian Prefectural Government Office are sparse and desolate, and the entire government office is solemn and cold, adding a sense of oppressive official authority compared to ordinary times.

Sun Qing got off the carriage first and looked back. Yang Qingqing and Shen Junru were sitting steadily in the carriage behind them, knowing they had arrived but not getting off.

It's snowing heavily outside, so it'll be warmer inside the carriage.

Thin ice formed on the long bluestone steps, and the yamen runners on both sides stood in their coats, their postures stiff, and no one dared to move.

Two black lacquered official plaques, "Silence" and "Avoidance," stood under the eaves. The cold wind blew through the corridor, causing the corners of the flags to flutter, and the entire hall was silent.

The male protagonist, dressed in a simple scholar's robe with a thin cotton cloak over it, climbed the ice steps.

Despite the bone-chilling cold, his expression remained calm, and his steps were neither hurried nor slow, showing no sign of youthful fear of the cold.

Sun Qing adjusted his emotions. Now, bearing the name of a descendant of the Gaoyang Sun family, even when facing the main hall of the prefecture, he still had to remain neither humble nor arrogant, and maintain a dignified demeanor.

In the prefectural hall, Prefect Wang Fengyuan sat upright behind his desk, his official hat neatly fastened and his robes imposing.

At the beginning of Chongzhen's reign, the court and the country were in turmoil. The eunuch faction had just been eliminated and the political situation was still unstable. He held an important position in Hejian Prefecture and felt like he was walking on thin ice every day.

Now I hear that someone has come from the capital, and it turns out to be a descendant of the Sun family.

He looked up and saw the young yet composed man in the hall, and instantly understood his significance.

The fact that such a small county can be governed so well, and that he has personally visited the government office, is certainly not a casual stroll by a young man.

A cold wind howled through the rafters outside the hall, and all the officials stood at attention, holding their breath, not daring to utter a sound.

Wang Fengyuan scrutinized the young man in the hall with a deep gaze, and asked in a solemn tone, "Who are you?"

The imperial edict from the capital had not yet been issued, and the Emperor Chongzhen's handwritten decree was still in Sun Qing's hands. Having arrived in Hejian Prefecture so abruptly, the native of Hejian Prefecture was naturally unaware of this.

Sun Qing replied neither servilely nor arrogantly: "I am Sun Qing of Gaoyang Sun Clan."

"A member of the Sun family of Gaoyang?" Upon hearing the name, Wang Fengyuan immediately perked up, his tone suddenly rising: "You are Sun Qing? Your achievements in governing Jiaohe are renowned, and I have long heard of you."

"What brings you here today?"

"Of course I've come to serve the people of Hejian Prefecture." Sun Qing smiled and bowed slightly, his manners simple yet upright, showing neither obsequiousness nor servility.

It seems Wang Fengyuan had heard of Sun Qing's name long ago. Upon hearing that he had come to help, his face lit up with joy: "As expected of a member of Elder Sun's clan, I have heard about your affairs long ago."

"To achieve such political accomplishments at such a young age is truly remarkable..."

It was difficult to discern the truthfulness of these words, and Sun Qing politely replied, "You flatter me, Prefect."

"This year, the northern regions are experiencing early and cold weather. Flooded people are fleeing from place to place in various prefectures and counties of Hejian, grain prices are fluctuating, and defenses are lax. The stability of Jiaohe County alone is not enough to accomplish anything; the stability of the entire prefecture is the true guarantee of guarding the gateway to the capital region."

Wang Fengyuan's eyes narrowed slightly; these words sounded more like expressions of concern.

In the end, Sun Qing was nothing more than a county magistrate.

If Sun Chengzong had come in person, that would have been fine; after all, he was Grand Secretary Sun, and Wang Fengyuan would have been willing to give in.

But the other party was just a teenager.

Wang Fengyuan's expression showed slight displeasure as he slowly spoke: "The prefectural government has its own rules and regulations, and the imperial court has its own procedures. There is no need for us to overstep our bounds and interfere in the affairs of a county."

This statement clearly defines authority and warns against overstepping boundaries in officialdom.

Sun Qing's expression remained unchanged: "For the system to be stable, the stability of the people must come first."

"Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, the court is in turmoil, and the remnants of the eunuch faction have not been eliminated, the court has no time to attend to the northern regions."

"If Hejian falls into chaos, the surrounding areas will be thrown into turmoil first, then the capital will be disturbed. The prefectural governor upholds official regulations, while the younger generation upholds their hometowns. We arrive at the same destination by different paths, so there is no need to distinguish between us."

Wang Fengyuan's face was terribly cold.

He was a cautious official and most afraid of taking responsibility. If chaos broke out in Hejian, the suspicious Emperor Chongzhen would place all the blame on him, the prefect.

It would be best to get rid of this hot potato at this moment.

Sun Qing was just a minor county magistrate, yet he was expected to be above him from the start. Who would be willing to do that?

Sun Qing knew that this day would come sooner or later.

If one wants to control Beizhili, taking over Hejian Prefecture is the wisest choice.

It wasn't that Sun Qing couldn't see Wang Fengyuan's unwillingness; it was just that he was too lazy to put in the effort.

Sun Qing's tone remained calm, yet every word was authoritative: "This junior has no intention of interfering with the prefect's official duties. I only request that the prefectural government relax its control over the allocation of funds and provisions, the coordination of local militia, and the joint defense of prefectures and counties."

"This junior helped the prefectural governor to settle the local area, pacify the displaced people, and stabilize the hearts of the people."

"Sun Qing, do you know what you're saying?" Wang Fengyuan finally couldn't control his anger.

Seeing how matter-of-factly Sun Qing spoke, and how he immediately set his sights on her position, she was both angry and anxious: "Your behavior is truly despicable."

"You are not welcome in Hejian Prefecture. Please leave immediately!"

After Wang Fengyuan finished speaking, he tried to shoo the people away.

Sun Qing sneered inwardly. The historical Wang Fengyuan was never a hero.

At the end of the Tianqi era, the eunuch faction held power. When Chongzhen first ascended the throne, he purged the eunuch faction. Wang Fengyuan was a neutral ordinary civil official.

Without a strong backer and fearing political turmoil, he is an extremely easy person to manipulate.

"Lord Wang," Sun Qing smiled, neither advancing nor retreating, but instead stepped forward: "I'm taking office, why should I ask for your opinion?"

"What do you mean?" Wang Fengyuan was already feeling uneasy.

Sun Qing knew the situation was cruel, but he still told the truth: "His Majesty has ordered me to take over Hejian Prefecture."

"We are determined to develop this place into Chenghe County."

Wang Fengyuan was already flustered, and upon hearing this, sweat began to drip down his face.

Her voice trembled as she asked, "What if I disagree?"

He spoke with obvious lack of confidence: "Young Master Sun, please don't be joking with me."

"I've known Hejian Prefecture inside and out for many years," Wang Fengyuan's tone softened. "Young Master Sun, why bother?"

"You are already outstanding; what difficulty could there be in becoming a local official?"

"Miss Yang," Sun Qing ignored the man and shouted towards the carriage outside, "Someone is disobeying His Majesty's decree. Quickly bring the imperial edict."

The carriage curtain was lifted.

Yang Qingqing slowly stepped off the carriage.

Wang Fengyuan, who was arguing his case, turned pale as soon as he saw Yang Qingqing.

"You..." Wang Fengyuan began to doubt his eyes, stammering for a long time before finally saying, "You're actually with Miss Yang?!"