I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 481 The Beginning of Farming
Liu Bian initially considered whether he should try it out in a few places to see the results.

But in the end this idea was rejected. As Lu Zhi said, the land measurement should be done in one go.

If there is any hesitation, those vested interests will rush in like flies smelling blood, once they see an opportunity.

If Liu Bian had to be cautious when changing the tax system in the beginning to avoid the news spreading too quickly and people being prepared, then now that he has remeasured the land, after testing the new tax system, Liu Bian can openly announce to the world - I will be consistent!
Since the land needs to be measured, all the prefectures and counties in the country need to measure the land again. The specific work will naturally be done by the local officials. In addition to relying on the supervision of the prefects, prime ministers, county magistrates and county heads, someone is also needed to preside over the supervision, inquire about the progress, and review the results of the land measurement afterwards.

Dong Zhuo, who proposed this matter, had been a general of the frontier army and had served as one of the Nine Ministers for several years, so he had sufficient qualifications.

As early as the day of the court meeting, Liu Bian appointed Dong Zhuo as the ambassador of land measurement to supervise the re-measurement of land in all prefectures and counties across the country.

Before the city of Luoyang could digest this news, another piece of news came out - Yang Xiu, the son of the then Prime Minister Yang Biao, recommended himself to Dong Zhuo to be his official and help him to successfully re-measure the land.

In the Sikong Mansion, Yang Biao was still laughing: "I heard that there is a young man from a powerful family, relying on his good family background, who dares to go to Dong Zhongying just to get attention at this time..."

But after he finished speaking, he saw that none of his subordinates laughed at all.

Yang Biao reacted quickly and guessed the truth from the hesitant expressions of his subordinates - "Yang Dezu!"

Yang Biao cursed in his heart, however, he no longer dared to use the ruler to punish Yang Xiu, because Dong Zhuo agreed to Yang Xiu's request on the spot.

Thinking about how he had sent Yang Xiu to Dong Zhuo for discipline, Yang Biao wanted to slap himself. He was really sending a sheep to register.

When night came, Yang Biao was waiting anxiously at home, but he did not expect that Yang Xiu would come home in such a swagger.

After hearing this, Yang Biao immediately found Yang Xiu, grabbed his shoulders with both hands and shook him wildly, while asking: "Tell me, you were forced!"

"If Dong Zhuo dares to force you, I will resign from my post and seek justice for you in front of His Majesty!"

"No, Father." Yang Xiu was so panicked by Yang Biao that he felt dizzy. He stretched out his hands to resist and tried to push Yang Biao away, while explaining, "I volunteered."

"Father doesn't understand Mr. Dong and misunderstands him..."

Hearing this, Yang Biao's heart trembled and his grip loosened - the child he had raised with great difficulty, was kidnapped just in such a short time?
How could he not understand who Dong Zhuo was?
However, Yang Biao loosened his hold, but Yang Xiu was still pushing hard. After pushing Yang Biao down, he himself fell to the ground due to his unstable footing.

His mother, Yuan, had just come in from outside. Seeing this, she immediately rushed over, helped Yang Xiu up from the ground, hugged him, and then shouted to Yang Biao, "My husband, just obey Dezu!"

"I just received a message from Brother Benchu, saying that he will also be involved in this matter, and he will take care of Dezu."

Yuan Benchu?
Yang Biao was stunned. He suddenly thought of all the things that happened when he accompanied the emperor on his tours - it turned out that all the planning started from that time.

He suddenly felt a little scared.

Compared to the chaos in Sikong's mansion, Yuan Shao's place is very harmonious.

At this moment he was drinking at the residence of former general He Jin!

He Jin, who had received the emperor's message, understood the role he played very well, and his acting skills have improved in recent years. Moreover, the most important thing is that although He Jin really did something to let Yuan Shao down, he also felt sorry for Yuan Shao deep in his heart, and he was also really happy to see Yuan Shao's comeback.

With nine truths and one lie, Yuan Shao looked at He Jin, who was still expressing his true feelings after drinking. He still looked at He Jin with the same old eyes and could not tell that there was anything false.

The grudge he once had in his heart also disappeared because of the efforts He Jin made to help him make a comeback.

The two drank and talked about old times.

After not seeing each other for many years, the two met again, but everything had changed and they felt quite emotional. Soon, they both got drunk.

Because the curfew had not yet begun, Yuan Shao returned to his residence and was about to go to sleep, but was told by the servant that someone was waiting for him in the study.

And the only person who was allowed into his study without his consent was Pang Ji.

Thinking of this, Yuan Shao washed his face with clean water, drank a few sips of sobering soup, and then went to meet the guests.

The smell of alcohol on his body was hard to conceal.

Pang Ji naturally smelled it as well.

Seeing Yuan Shao's confused look, he could not help but ask, "I saw that Benchu ​​seemed to be enjoying it today. Have you forgotten to endure humiliation and bear heavy burdens?"

After hearing this, Yuan Shao finally came to his senses.

He replied: "I will not forget it, but I am in this situation now. I have no choice."

"If I withdraw now, not only will all my previous patience and humiliation be wasted, but the emperor will never allow me to resign like I did last time."

Pang Ji continued to ask: "Will Benchu ​​also participate in the re-cultivation of the land?"

"The emperor has given an order and I cannot refuse." Yuan Shao said helplessly.

"What is Benchu ​​planning to do?"

As they talked, Yuan Shao sobered up a little. He replied, "Dong Zhuo and his ilk are reckless men, not to be feared. However, they are only in the open. People like Jia Xu who are in the dark are the real enemy. We cannot be partial to anyone when it comes to re-measuring the land."

"Can't, or don't want to?" Pang Ji continued to ask.

"I can't, and I don't want to!" Yuan Shao was annoyed by the question - can't you consider it for me?

Drunk, he asked back, "You were the one who suggested that I join the imperial court as an official. Didn't Yuan Tu think of the current situation at that time?"

"However, this is indeed a good opportunity! Yuantu might as well join in and make great contributions. With merits, there will always be a way to deal with a little bad reputation. As for other plans, we can slowly work on them later."

Seeing that Yuan Shao seemed a little angry, Pang Ji was somewhat certain of Yuan Shao's true thoughts, so he replied: "This is a big matter, I can't decide for the time being, Benchu, give me some time, let me think about it carefully."

"Okay, but Yuantu needs to think about it quickly. If the land is successfully transferred, although it will be a great achievement, it cannot be shared by too many people... Today, the former general has entrusted his eldest son to me. If it's too late, I'm afraid I won't have any extra positions."

Pang Ji replied: "I will give Benchu ​​an answer in three days at most."

"Can!"

"That's a farewell. No need to see you off."

After Pang Ji left, Yuan Shao looked at his back with a gloomy look.

Pang Ji knew many of his secrets, and he shared the same fate with him. But now, if Pang Ji continued to be stubborn, he could not be blamed for not cherishing their friendship.

His life goals change with the times.

How can you go down this path till the end?
……

Henan Yinfu.

When Yuan Shu heard that Yuan Shao was going to get involved, he could no longer sit still.

Yuan Shu felt that being the governor of Henan alone was not enough to demonstrate his ability. In his opinion, re-measuring the land was a good opportunity to accumulate merits, so how could he let Yuan Shao get it for nothing?

As for offending people?
What a joke! Who is he? Yuan Gonglu, is he afraid of offending others? It is obviously those who secretly hoarded land and people who offended him!
What? Yuan did it too?
It doesn't matter, he can sacrifice his relatives for the sake of justice! Of course, the clan must not reduce the money they provide him with every year, otherwise he will have to be more righteous.

However, he would be unwilling to let Yuan Shu be under Dong Zhuo.

So, Yuan Shu found his emperor son-in-law.

In fact, if the emperor had not announced the restoration of military farming just a few days after his return, he would have long been prepared to find his emperor son-in-law to talk to him about what kind of person Yuan Benchu ​​was.

How can such a person be reused?

However, if Yuan Benchu ​​was sent to work under him, he could still use him for a while.

"Are you really not joking?"

To be honest, it was somewhat beyond Liu Bian's expectations that Yuan Shu would come forward and volunteer.

But if you think about it carefully, it makes sense. Yuan Shu wanted to seek advancement a long time ago. Liu Bian also promised Yuan Shu that he would be the governor of Henan for ten years, the nine ministers for three years, and then the three officials. Now there are still more than two and a half years left in the post of Henan governor, but Yuan Shu seems to have been unable to bear it.

But unfortunately, Liu Bian had not originally intended to let Yuan Shu take the lead in this matter.

After all, Yuan Shao is already here. If both of them were here...

It doesn't seem to be impossible. At worst, there can be two Yuans coexisting in the north and south.

As one of the top families today, it seems quite reasonable for the Yuan family to send out two people.

Thinking about this, Liu Bian looked embarrassed.

Yuan Shu saw this and thought that he was a step late and fell behind Dong Zhuo, so he said to Liu Bian: "If your Majesty is embarrassed, forget it. In fact, my original intention is not to replace Dong Zhongying. As long as I can serve the country and relieve your majesty's worries, I will not feel wronged even if I am only Dong Zhongying's deputy."

After listening to this, Liu Bian felt that Yuan Shu's strategy of retreating to advance was really clumsy.

However, he still responded: "I understand your intention. After listening to what Yuan said, I also think that Ambassador Dutian should have a Deputy Ambassador Dutian beside him... However, if you take up this position, with your ability, you will naturally have to take charge of it alone."

Yuan Shu was overjoyed when he heard this and quickly thanked him, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Liu Bian said: "Don't worry, the specific details of how to take charge of the matter still need to be discussed by the officials... After all, we have never thought of appointing a deputy envoy before."

Yuan Shu immediately responded: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, these ministers understand!"

Yuan Shu became even happier when he realized that the emperor's son-in-law had made the impromptu decision to establish the deputy envoy only after listening to his self-recommendation.

In his opinion, adding a deputy envoy and entrusting the officials to discuss the deputy envoy's powers and responsibilities was quite reasonable - this was a manifestation of the emperor's son-in-law's attention to him!
Moreover - Yuan Shu thought, he was the deputy envoy, so Yuan Shao was his subordinate no matter what.

Thinking of this, he couldn't wait to show off in front of Yuan Shao.

Hejian country.

In the Hejian Palace, Liu Xi continued the task entrusted to him by the emperor - to strengthen his body every day.

But August had already arrived, but there was still no news from the emperor.

Liu Xi even once suspected that the emperor regretted his decision.

However, he did not regret it much when he thought that his wives and concubines thought he was more powerful after his daily wielding of swords and guns.

Just after Liu Xi had worked out again, he suddenly heard an angel coming.

Liu Xi was delighted - the opportunity he had been waiting for had finally arrived.

Over the years, he has enjoyed all the wealth and glory that could be enjoyed, and now, he can finally leave Hejian State!

……

Right now, it was not the time for the ambassadors to measure the land to play a role. In fact, during the period of recruiting personnel, the imperial edict to re-measure the land had already been officially issued on August 1, the day Dong Zhuo submitted the letter, and was distributed to all directions.

The court reports also described in a timely manner the crimes of those who concealed the amount of land and population, and concluded with one sentence at the end - if the hidden land and population were found out, everyone's taxes could be reduced.

In addition, the court gazette also published the rewards that the people could receive for reporting hidden households and fields.

Correspondingly, large quantities of bamboo paper were transported to various counties, temples and villages to record the population and land areas in the villages.

None of the petty officials dared to be negligent, because a few years ago, the imperial court had already proved with facts the consequences of going against the imperial court.

However, Ambassador Dutian did not have enough strength on the surface, but secretly, the School Affairs Department had already planted spies among the local officials.

Zhao Yan is such a member.

Of course, his official rank was much higher than that of a township official. After joining the school affairs department, he immediately became the county magistrate.

For him, of course, all hidden households and hidden fields must be thoroughly investigated.

In order to make the village officials more motivated in their work, Zhao Yan considerately set up different responsibility areas according to the differences in the villages.

Every five days, the hidden population and acres of land discovered by the local officials were compared.

Those who found more would naturally be rewarded. Those who found less - Zhao Yan was a student of sages, so he always had a legitimate reason for everything. He would personally go to the village under the last person's jurisdiction and compare the people and fields on the official list one by one - if there was a mismatch, wouldn't it be a crime?
Under Zhao Yan's governance, the village officials were so moved that they cried bitterly, and they all looked forward to completing the land measurement as soon as possible.

After Zhao Yan learned that the land measurement progress under his jurisdiction was far ahead, he was deeply moved by the selfless dedication of the local officials.

During this process, as the land measurement team led by Dong Zhuo and including the Yuan and Yang families as well as the royal relatives gradually took shape, its deterrent effect on the powerful families and wealthy people in the world was no less than that of the School Affairs Department.

……

In the blink of an eye, it is already the end of October.

During these two months, except for areas with inconvenient transportation, the farmland in most areas has been coordinated, and the rough data has been gathered to Dong Zhuo in advance.

"How is it? What's the total? Is it 700 million acres?"

Dong Zhuo was in a hurry. He did not seek to reach the peak of 730 million acres, but he felt that as long as he could get 700 million acres, it would be considered a perfect achievement.

This way, everyone is spared the trouble.

He could easily become one of the Three Dukes with his merits.

However... "Mr. Dong, even if we estimate the land that has not been fully checked based on the previous maximum, it is only about 650 million acres at most. Even compared with the third year of Emperor Xiaohuan's Yongshou reign, there is still a shortfall of 40 million acres! Not to mention that there have been many military farms in Sanfu, Liangzhou and other places in recent years."

Dong Zhuo heard this and realized that the investigation was only halfway done. He slammed the table and shouted angrily, "You bastards! If I don't live well, neither will you!"

(End of this chapter)