I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 487 Doubt

"There's something strange about these thieves that are everywhere in the county..."

"What do you think is strange?"

"I can't explain it, it just feels a little weird."

Liu Bian laughed when he heard this. The fifteen-year-old Zhuge Liang was already considered a junior adviser in terms of intelligence and knowledge. In the local area, a son of a wealthy family of this age could already be a minor official in the county government. Liu Bian let Zhuge Liang be a minor official by his side and let Zhuge Liang get involved in some political affairs. It would not be considered as forcing things.

"You're right to feel weird. Do you know why?"

Without waiting for Zhuge Liang to answer, Liu Bian explained, "Logically speaking, these people are gathering to cause chaos in order to hinder the land measurement. Then, they should stick together like Jizhou and Xuzhou did when the tax system was changed last year. At the very least, they should unite with people from the same county. After all, fellow villagers are more trustworthy. Right now, they are scattered in remote areas of various counties, which is not a big deal..."

"They have no influence on the countryside, have cut themselves off from the people, and are willing to become thieves. When the land measurement is completed and the counties are free to take action, these people will be doomed."

Zhuge Liang stared with a pair of bright eyes, wondering how come the emperor was so familiar with how to make chaos?

"So, Kong Ming thinks, why do they do this?"

Hearing the emperor's question, Zhuge Liang put aside the other messy thoughts in his mind, thought for a while, and then tentatively asked: "Could it be that they are refugees without household registration and have been bewitched by someone?"

Liu Bian replied: "This time the land is re-measured, even refugees can be re-introduced. Even if these people don't know about it for a while, they won't be ignorant forever, right?"

"Since they are not dead..." Zhuge Liang frowned and thought hard. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. "Your Majesty, are these people lying in wait? They seem to have no purpose, but they are actually waiting for the opportunity."

Liu Bian nodded and said, "There are people who think similarly to Kong Ming."

Zhuge Liang continued to think: "But what are these people waiting for? They can't be waiting for the scattered bandits to gather together one day? These people are located in different counties and towns. Is there anyone who can really unite them together?"

Seeing that Zhuge Liang had almost guessed the truth but was not confident enough, Liu Bian did not hide it anymore and reminded him: "Kong Ming should know that before, Taiwei Huangfu Gong led troops to sit in Yanzhou and cleared out the troops raised by various powerful families and was effective."

Zhuge Liang finally understood that these thieves were the retainers of the big families, and they were released because they were afraid of being discovered by the officials during the population census. He also remembered that there were indeed fewer thieves in Yanzhou, and he originally thought it was because Yanzhou was close to Luoyang.

Zhuge Liang continued to think - these thieves may lack connections with each other, but it is different between the big families that support them.

Once these big clans become disloyal...

Thinking of this, Zhuge Liang's face changed.

"Don't worry, few people really have the courage to do this. We just need to prevent some people from jumping off the wall in desperation."

Zhuge Liang was indeed relieved after hearing this. The emperor was wise, and since he had already discovered the evil ambitions of some people, their conspiracy would be exposed.

After enjoying teaching Zhuge Liang for a while, Liu Bian waited for Zhuge Liang to digest what he had just said, and then he continued, "By the way, the Ministry of Rites has already given you an auspicious date. You and Shou'er will get married in September next year. All matters will be handled by the relevant officials."

Zhuge Liang blushed again when he heard this, and bowed to Liu Bian, saying, "It's all up to your majesty!"

Liu Bian smiled and said, "I remember that my Han family hasn't married a princess for many years. By then, the land survey will be completed and it must be a lively occasion."

……

After meeting Zhuge Liang and relaxing, Liu Bian turned around and summoned Jia Xu.

"Wenhe, have you learned anything today?" Jia Xu replied, "Your Majesty, there are indeed correspondences between some of the great families, and we cannot rule out the possibility that they are connected to each other."

"What about collusion between inside and outside?"

Jia Xu knew what Liu Bian was asking and answered, "Yesterday, the Chief Censor Yuan Ji went to see Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao respectively. He had a secret conversation with Yuan Shu, but I don't know what it was about. Yuan Shao refused to meet with him."

"Other than that, there were no unusual movements among the nobles and high officials."

Liu Bian understood that Jia Xu had set his suspicion on Yuan Ji.

Indeed, the Yuan family still has great influence in official circles, especially above the Hongnong Yang family.

"Go on!" Liu Bian nodded.

At the moment, these thieves who are actually local bullies have learned their old tricks again. If the counties and states send troops to suppress them, they will scatter after getting the news in advance. But now the energy of the counties and towns is all involved in the matter of land measurement, so it is good enough to ensure that the people under their rule are not robbed by the thieves.

"Yuan..."

After Jia Xu left, Liu Bian felt that he had not threatened the Yuan family for a long time.

He immediately summoned the attendant Yuan Wei to see him.

Over the past few years, Yuan Wei has aged a lot.

When Liu Bian ascended the throne, Yuan Wei was still thinking about doing something big, but now, he just wants to spend his old age in peace.

"I heard that the Chief Censor went to see the Deputy Commissioner of Land Measurement yesterday in order to seek personal gain in the next land measurement. I don't know if it is true or not."

Yuan Wei sighed in his heart, knowing that the emperor had summoned him for no good reason, and he immediately complained: "Your Majesty, I guarantee with my life that this is absolutely not the case. Since the land survey, I have sent letters to the Runan people many times, requiring them to cooperate with the officials to check the land, household registration, slaves and servants..."

"I knew it, someone must have framed me!"

"Your Majesty, please understand!" Yuan Wei said with grievance, "These two are brothers. Although they have different political views, they are not so close that they will never see each other again. As for why they met, I just found out about it. I don't know anything else."

"Please don't think too much, I have no intention of doubting you. I called you here for another matter... How should I deal with these thieves who are suspected to be members of the local big clans? Please teach me."

Yuan Wei didn't know whether the emperor's request for advice was sincere or false. In recent years, he had almost started. After all, although the reputation of the Yuan family among former officials was a little worse under his leadership, the foundation was still there, and they could still be regarded as the best among the families. For him, who was already old, this was enough.

He still had experience, and after careful consideration, he replied: "I am old, and I only have a few foolish opinions. I will tell Your Majesty for the time being... Now the most important thing is to measure the land. We just need to prevent them from gathering and causing chaos. After the land is measured, we can take drastic measures! Or we can ask the counties and states to send people to promise them benefits and appease them, and the rebellion will be quelled..."

When Yuan Kui finished speaking, Liu Bian praised him, saying, "You are so wise and wise in your advice to the state!"

……

In fact, Yuan Wei was not lying when he said he didn't know about the meeting between the two Yuans. When he returned home, he did not go to find Yuan Ji, but sent a servant to call his son Yuan Yin.

He also wanted to know why Yuan Ji was looking for Yuan Shu.

(End of this chapter)