I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 506 Journey to the East

The village head apologized, "This young man has no one to discipline him, and he is often punished by the county and township. He has been caned and jailed before, but he will become rigid in a few days."

"It is not our intention to cover up for you. Please forgive me."

Wang Can understood that the thief they caught last night was just as Wei Yan said, and he led them here just to escape.

And because the people here farmed for the Chenliu Cai family, from which the queen came, most people did not dare to vent their anger on them.

He said, "He is the one who stole my things, so I will not implicate others. I will go to the county temple to report the case later. If you see him, please tell him to turn himself in in time so that the punishment can be reduced."

Afterwards, Wang Can was taken by the village head to visit the houses and fields in various places.

The living conditions of the tenants were much better than Wang Can had imagined. Under the court's successive policies, their treatment was also much better than before.

Because tenants had other options.

But as Wang Can asked the question - the queen's clan will not lie, but what about those who lie?

The tenants lacked the means to fight back.

After noting down this incident, Wang Can traveled east again.

After walking on the official road for only half a day, he met several post horses carrying messages. On the way, while resting at an inn, Wang Can talked with someone and learned the reason.

It turned out that what they were conveying was the punishment decision for officials who failed to measure the land.

Wei Yan pretended to be an attendant and chatted with the postmen.

Coming from a powerful family, he quickly became friends with the postmen.

"In recent years, the administration has become increasingly strict."

"Yes, if you make a small mistake you will be punished."

"This year, the number of people to be killed is no less than in previous years!"

"Keep your voice down... Let me tell you something. My uncle's neighbor's uncle was the village elder. He had been living in peace for the past few years. But last year, he was beaten several times by the county magistrate because he missed a few acres of land."

"You're still lucky. My aunt's distant cousin was not whipped, but was directly exiled. It is said that he went to Bingzhou... There are Xiongnu and Xianbei there, it's not a place for people to stay..."

"I just hope that after this land reclamation is over, we can relax a little."

After hearing Wei Yan's report, Wang Can made another note - the minor official lamented the harsh administration, and after measuring the land, perhaps he could relax the policies and reassure the officials and the people.

Another day, Wang Can was walking on the road when he heard someone shout, "The Prince of Chenliu is here. If the people have grievances, please report them!"

Wang Can knew that the Prince of Chenliu was only temporarily pushed to the forefront by the emperor so that the princes could monitor local officials on his behalf.

When he was studying at Hongdu Gate, Wang Can had met Liu Xie many times. Now that he was away, he had no intention of meeting Prince Chenliu. He just watched Prince Chenliu's carriage pass by.

There were many people watching along the road.

Just when Wang Can thought that it was just a formality and nothing would happen, several people suddenly rushed out from the side of the road and stopped the carriage of Prince Chenliu.

……

In Luoyang, Liu Bian looked at the various messages sent back by Wang Can.

Even if Wang Can did not find out who was helping Xu You behind the scenes, what he saw and heard along the way was enough to make the trip worthwhile.

"Your Majesty, the people have arrived."

"Quick call."

Not long after, Dong Zhuo appeared in front of Liu Bian.

"Please sit down, Mr. Dong!" "You have been checking the results of land measurement in various places recently. It's very hard work."

Dong Zhuo did not know why the emperor had summoned him, so he sat upright and replied, "Your Majesty, the officials who have to go to various counties to conduct field surveys are the ones who are really working hard. As for me, I have a duty and I dare not slack off!"

"Yes." Liu Bian continued, "I see your hard work."

"However, I have a memorial here, you may wish to take a look at it."

After saying this, Guo Sheng handed the memorial to Dong Zhuo, who took it and read it, then immediately knelt on the ground and said, "I am guilty!"

"You are in Luoyang, and they are blinded by greed and falsely report the land area. What does it have to do with you?" Liu Bian said.

That’s right, in addition to those who concealed their land area, what Liu Bian didn’t expect was that there were also people who falsely reported their land area for the sake of political achievements!
Moreover, falsifying the amount of land is different from concealing it, and this is something that all officials from top to bottom welcome.

But the extra land rent that needs to be paid - the wealthy and powerful are lucky enough to have all the land registered, and in the end it is the common people who have to bear everything.

If Liu Bian had not sent out the princes to inspect, and if the people had not been willing to take the initiative to come to Liu Xie to complain about their grievances because of the clear political situation in recent years, Liu Bian would not have known that this incident had happened!

"I am guilty of negligence!"

Liu Bian looked at Dong Zhuo who was apologizing. He didn't know whether the latter was deceived and really didn't know or was pretending to be ignorant for the sake of political achievements. But now, Dong Zhuo had to stand firm as a banner of land measurement.

He immediately said, "Why don't you help Dong Qing up?"

Hearing this, Guo Sheng immediately helped Dong Zhuo up, and Dong Zhuo resumed his kneeling position.

With his weight, if he didn't cooperate, the two Guo Shengs wouldn't be able to lift him up.

Liu Bian said: "Concealing is a crime, and false reporting is also a crime!"

In fact, when Liu Bian heard about this for the first time, he thought of the more than 4 billion acres of farmland in the Sui Dynasty. If taxes were collected based on this standard, it would be strange if the country did not become rich.

Therefore, even though cracking down on this matter immediately might affect the officials' enthusiasm for measuring land, Liu Bian still did it without hesitation.

This mouth must never be opened.

After Dong Zhuo took the order and left, Liu Bian passed another small note to the Secretariat.

Wang Xie of Chenliu has made great contributions and should be rewarded heavily, and his achievements should be listed in the official report.

Liu Bian thought that with Liu Xie as a role model, the princes and nobles from all over the country should all know what to do...

In fact, Liu Bian, as the director, had originally planned to arrange for Liu Xie to perform, but he didn't expect that it was not necessary at all.

After dealing with these matters, Liu Bian came to Zhuolong Garden to relax, but unexpectedly he met his benefactor Yuan Xin.

Yuan Xin was the daughter of Yuan Shu, but her personality was completely different from Yuan Shu's. After they met by chance, Liu Bian, who just wanted to talk, started a conversation with Yuan Xin - "Since ancient times, people have chosen people who have both moral integrity and talent. However, in fact, there are few people who have both. You are well versed in literature and history. Which do you think is more important, moral integrity or talent?"

At the beginning of the reform, many ministers tried to persuade Liu Bian that the reform would encourage officials to be utilitarian. Now it seems that the disadvantages of utilitarianism have become apparent.

Yuan Xin declined, saying, "I live in the harem and dare not discuss state affairs."

Unlike his father, Liu Bian had this thought every time he saw Concubine Yuan. He smiled and said, "You can speak freely. I am not a person who listens to one side only. How can you influence the government?"

Seeing Liu Bian's insistence, Yuan Xin bowed and said, "I think if I were an ordinary citizen, if I could have enough food and clothing, I would hope that the officials would be generous gentlemen. But if I don't have enough food and clothing, I would naturally hope that the officials would do something."

"Your Majesty, please forgive me for my private words." After saying this, Yuan Xin lowered her head towards Liu Bian and smiled gently, revealing her white swan neck.

When Liu Bian saw that Yuan Xin had taken advantage of the situation, he didn't say anything. He just expressed his opinion with his actions and walked over.

Virtue and talent are not two opposing parties, it is best if they can be harmoniously integrated.

(End of this chapter)