The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 344 If your father wasn't the emperor or the prime minister, what would you have left?

With Liu Bei's support, Li Yi quickly finalized the specific procedures for issuing the new currency.

Inside the Prime Minister's residence, incense wafted from a bronze incense burner.

Li Yi was reviewing the reports from the financial and legal departments of various prefectures.

Zhen Yao held the account book and stood respectfully before the table.

"Prime Minister, the financial and legal offices in each state have been initially established."

"Once the Prime Minister gives the order, the country will be able to implement the exchange of the new currency for the old one."

Zhen Yao paused, then said, "However, I have another concern, but I don't know if I should mention it?"

Li Yi didn't even look up: "Speak."

Zhen Yao cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said in a deep voice:
“The face value of the Jingyuan coin is much higher than that of the old Wuzhu coin. Even if the court cracks down on private minting, there will probably still be unscrupulous merchants who will try to profit from it.”

He glanced up to observe Li Yi's expression, "I myself come from a merchant family and know well that where there is profit, people will flock to it."

Although the Zhen family is the richest family in Hebei, they are not heartless.

As early as when Hebei was suffering from a severe drought, Zhen Mi, who was only twelve years old, persuaded her mother to open the granaries and distribute grain to help the surrounding villages and neighbors.

An absolute conscience in the business world.

Faced with the exorbitant profits of the new currency, Zhen Yao also reminded Li Yi based on his family's many years of business experience.

Li Yi then stopped writing and asked in return:
"Does Supervisor Zhen believe that there are still corrupt officials in the world today?"

Caught off guard by Li Yi's sudden question, Zhen Yao felt a chill run down his spine and quickly replied:

"Your Majesty and the Prime Minister govern the country effectively, and the bureaucracy is clean and honest. Corrupt officials naturally... naturally..."

"Yes, or no?"

Li Yi's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, yet it made Zhen Yao's forehead bead with sweat.

"...Well, although His Majesty is a divine and mighty ruler, and all the people are devoted to him."

"However, since it is a unified territory, it is normal for there to be one or two corrupt officials in some areas."

Zhen Yao had a strong will to survive; he knew he couldn't play tricks when facing a political strongman like Li Yi.

If you say no, then you're lying through your teeth.

However, saying "yes" directly would seem too abrupt.

Therefore, Zhen Yao could only choose a relatively tactful way to express himself.

"His Majesty hates officials who are inactive and corrupt the most."

Li Yi put down his pen and solemnly said, "But why are there still officials who take the risk of execution to accept bribes and pursue profit?"

Zhen Yao answered with a forced smile:
"Greed blinds one's judgment..."

"Moreover, the imperial court monitors the entire country, but it cannot see every corner, so there will always be omissions."

"Exactly."

Li Yi suddenly stood up, "We punish corrupt officials not to eradicate corruption—"

"The point is to let them know that if they reach out, they will be cut off!"

"For example, in controlling water, it is better to dredge than to block."

“Private minting and corruption are like silt and sand; they can be stopped but not eradicated.”

"But as long as the direction of the great river remains unchanged, what are a few hidden eddies?"

Li Yi's meaning was very clear.

Our policy of cracking down on illegal minting is essentially the same as our anti-corruption policy.

Killing corrupt officials to combat corruption is not about eliminating corruption altogether.

Because it's impossible to completely eliminate this problem.

But by doing this, we can combat this phenomenon.

This will at least deter officials from openly soliciting bribes from you.

The same applies to new coins; after their issuance, despite taking strict measures to combat private minting.

However, when faced with the prospect of personal gain, some people will still exploit legal loopholes.

We are the ruling class, and we always act from the national level and from a macro perspective.

Local officials' corruption and the illegal minting of coins are all micro-level, private matters.

This phenomenon cannot be completely eradicated; our aim in cracking down on it is simply to reduce this trend in society.

Because it is harmless in the context of the overall operation of the country.

Again,
The great river flows in the same direction, so what are a few eddies?

"Zhen Shangjian".

Li Yi suddenly approached, "Do you know why you, a merchant, were given the position of Minister of Commerce?"

"Xiaguan...Xiaguan..."

"Because you understand the mind of merchants."

Li Yi laughed and said, "Thieves know thieves, officials know officials, and merchants know merchants, which is why I appointed you as the Minister of Commerce."

"remember."

Li Yi patted him on the shoulder.

“If the water is clear, there will be no fish.”

"What the imperial court wants is for the fish to know that if they leap out of the water, they will die."

Zhen Yao's expression flickered, but he quickly regained his composure and answered:

"I understand!"

"Alright, in accordance with the facts, let's start this new policy in Luoyang first."

"It is easiest to accomplish this under the emperor's nose."

Li Yi decided to first implement it in the capital, and then use the capital as a base to spread it throughout the country.

Ten days later, the imperial edict was officially issued.

Officials in various prefectures and counties acted swiftly upon hearing the news.

In the East Market of Luoyang, the clerks of the Ministry of Finance went door-to-door collecting old coins, their gongs banging deafeningly.

"By order of the Cabinet, the old five-zhu coins are to be banned immediately!"

"Exchange for new currency within one month; otherwise, it will not be accepted."

“After one month, the use of five-zhu coins for transactions in the market will be prohibited.”

"Those who violate this rule will be punished according to the law!"

The people clutched their worn-out copper coins, their faces filled with fear.

"Sir, these new coins are a bit light. Won't we lose money buying rice?"

An old farmer asked, his voice trembling.

The constable sneered:
"This is the price set by the imperial court; we are only responsible for implementing it."

"Take it or leave it!"

"But don't blame me for not reminding you, if you still dare to use five-zhu coins to buy rice or millet a month later."

"Don't blame your brothers for taking you back to jail in handcuffs."

Helpless, the old farmer had no choice but to pour the copper coins he had accumulated over the years into the government's wooden box.

They exchanged it for several brand-new "Jingyuan Tongbao" coins.

He stroked the clear lines on the coin and murmured:

"It's a bit light, but it's still better than those with trimmed edges."

Luoyang, after all, was under the emperor's nose, making it the place with the strongest control of the imperial court.

Officials generally act according to the law, and ordinary people have no reason to clash with officials.

Most people just followed the crowd and changed theirs.

As for the powerful and wealthy families in Luoyang, they were mostly honest.

After all, Liu Bei didn't become emperor because of them.

If we really wanted to deal with them, it would be a piece of cake.

They wouldn't be foolish enough to oppose the new emperor.

However, outside of Luoyang, there were areas where the imperial court's control was relatively weak.

There are bound to be people who try to exploit loopholes in the law.

……

Yuzhou, Yingchuan.

Han Gui, the patriarch of the Han clan, slammed the teacup heavily onto the table.

"Li Yi is trying to cut off our source of income!"

The Han family is one of the four major families in Yingchuan.

His ancestors were the Marquis of Han in the Western Zhou Dynasty, and Han Gui's grandfather, Han Shao, was one of the four famous chieftains of Yingchuan.

Therefore, the Han family is undoubtedly a top-tier aristocratic family in Yingchuan.

The butler whispered:
"Master, the imperial court is cracking down hard these days."

"Should we temporarily halt our private minting operations?"

"After all, Lord Cao is no longer here."

Yingchuan was once the core of Cao Cao's civil official group.

The two companies support and cooperate with each other.

Cao Cao tacitly allowed various powerful families to open private mints, on the condition that he also get a share of the profits.

The cooperation between the two sides was originally quite pleasant.

Later, Cao Cao failed in his struggle for supremacy against Liu Bei and fled to Xichuan.

Yingchuan naturally lost Cao Cao's protection.

In the past, the Han family, as the core of the Cao family group, was a top-tier aristocratic family in the Wei Kingdom.

Now, with the Han dynasty restored for the third time, the Liu family has regained control of the state.

As "remnants of the previous dynasty," they were naturally treated coldly by the Liu family.

Although Liu Bei did not attack Yingchuan, he did manage to politically marginalize it.

This led to a gradual decline in Yingchuan's national standing.

Of course, Cao Cao's capital was in Yingchuan at that time, so it was normal for him to focus on developing Yingchuan.

Now that Liu Bei has established his capital in Luoyang, there's no reason for him to value the scholars of Yingchuan.

"Stop?"

Do you think this is something you can stop whenever you want?

Han Gui sneered:

"Do you know how much we make in a year from illegal minting?"

"How could the profits from this private minting be solely enjoyed by the Han family?"

The servants remained silent and could not answer.

Han Gui pondered for a long time, then narrowed his eyes and said:
"Go and give the supervisor of the casting bureau 30,000 coins."

"Let him turn a blind eye."

Just as the butler was about to accept the order, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the door.

"The Yingchuan Casting Commissioner has arrived!"

Han Gui's expression changed, and he quickly got up to greet him.

"I have failed to properly welcome Your Excellency on your visit."

"Please forgive me! Please forgive me!"

When Han Gui saw a group of soldiers barging into his home, he knew they meant no harm.

"If Your Excellency does not find my humble abode unsightly, please come in for tea and a chat, how about it?"

"No need!"

The supervising commissioner raised his hand to stop him:
"I am here on official business and will leave once I have finished my duties."

"...Uh, what kind of official business is it?"

The supervising commissioner then took out an official document from his bosom, unfolded it expressionlessly, and read it aloud:
"The evidence is conclusive that Han privately minted inferior coins."

"By order of the Cabinet, all blacksmith shops are to be sealed off, and the patriarch Han Gui is to be escorted to Luoyang for questioning!"

Upon hearing this, Han Gui flew into a rage:
"How dare you! My Han family has been distinguished for generations; how can you slander us!"

The supervising commissioner sneered: "Hairpins and tassels?"

He waved his hand, "Search!"

Upon seeing this, Han Gui's expression changed drastically, and he immediately rebuked him:
“My family has been noble families for generations; how dare you be so presumptuous?”

"You are breaking into a private house!"

"Han is determined to file a complaint with the Emperor."

"To file a complaint with the emperor? Hah."

The supervising commissioner sneered, "We are here on orders from the imperial court to investigate your Han family."

"Your Han family colluded with the traitor Cao Cao back then and committed several crimes."

"However, I am only responsible for investigating private mints. You are already extremely lucky to have fallen into my hands."

"How dare you refuse to cooperate?"

After saying this, he waved to the armored soldiers behind him, signaling them to go inside immediately.

Han Gui was unable to stop them and was rushed into the backyard by the armored soldiers like wolves and tigers.

Before long, they brought out several baskets of unmelted copper and molds for private coins.

"Han Gui, here is the evidence."

"What else do you have to say!"

Han Gui's face turned ashen; he thought to himself, "It's over, it's over."

All is lost!
Jia Xu handed the report from Yingchuan to Li Yi.

"Prime Minister, Han Gui has been imprisoned. His father, Han Rong, upon hearing the news in Xuzhou, submitted a letter of apology overnight."

Li Yi glanced at it indifferently and casually tossed it onto the table:

"I heard that Han Rong is the son of Ying Chang Han Shao, and a former minister of the dynasty."

"Looking back now, they were quite sensible."

"It saves me the trouble of dealing with the Han family."

Pang Tong laughed:

"After this incident, the local powerful families should all behave themselves."

"They just don't dare to do it openly."

Li Yi shook his head. "It's not enough."

He stood up and walked to the window.

"Order all prefectures to bring all copper mines under state control, and those who mine privately shall be punished for treason!"

Jizhou, Zhongshan.

Zhen Yao, who was then serving as the Superintendent of Commerce, returned to his hometown.

She met her mother, Zhang, and her sisters from the family, including Zhen Jiang and Zhen Tuo.

His return home this time was not only a triumphant homecoming, but also to get the Zhen family to take the lead in cooperating with the imperial court's policies.

Zhen Yao stood in front of his own business, coldly watching the constables carry away box after box of old money.

The butler whispered:
"Master, what about those clipped coins we hoarded?"

"It's melted."

Zhen Yao calmly instructed, "The court is determined this time. There's no need for us to risk offending the cabinet."

The butler, somewhat unwilling, said:

"But how much less money did we earn..."

Zhen Yao took a deep breath and sighed:
"Whether we earn a lot or a little, it won't affect the Zhen family's livelihood."

"Now that the cabinet has issued a strict order, it would be best for the Zhen family of Zhongshan to set an example."

Along the coast, the reach of the Ministry of Justice has also extended to this area.

A fisherman carried a basket of fish to the market to sell, but the fishmonger shook his head and said:

"We only accept new money today."

But these are all I have.

The fisherman pulled out a few rusty five-zhu coins and shrugged helplessly.

The fishmonger sighed:

"Go to the Ministry of Finance to exchange it, or it will be invalid."

The fisherman had no choice but to carry his fish basket and trek ten miles to the county government office to exchange it.

When we got back, the fish was half spoiled.

So the fisherman cursed loudly, saying that the court was making a mess of things and would only harm ordinary people like them.

Despite the scolding, the fisherman eventually obediently took the remaining half basket of fish to the market to sell.

The next day, holding the new coin in the market, I gradually forgot about what happened yesterday.

The implementation process of the new currency policy was roughly as described above.

Officials in each state collected the old five-zhu coins from the people and then handed them over to the Ministry of Finance.

Then the finance and law departments of each prefecture would send the money back to the imperial court in Luoyang.

Finally, the imperial court in Luoyang personally intervened to melt down and recast the old coins, with the furnaces burning day and night.

The craftsmen poured molten copper into the coin molds, and one by one, the Jingyuan Tongbao coins took shape.

Then these Jingyuan coins were reissued back into the market.

To form a currency circulation.

When it was first implemented, it caused inconvenience to the people and drew much resentment.

But as the currency in the market gradually became unified, the complaints gradually subsided.

The people discovered that although the new coins were light, they were of high quality and not easily worn out.

There is no longer a need to examine each item individually when buying or selling.

The merchants breathed a sigh of relief—at least they no longer had to worry about receiving a pile of scrap copper with the edges cut off.

Meanwhile, powerful and influential families faced severe crackdowns from the government.

Many people quietly melted down their privately minted bronze wares and honestly handed them over to the government.

Although there were also those who took advantage of this opportunity to privately mint coins.

However, under the high-pressure crackdown by the Ministry of Justice, it was ultimately difficult to gain any real influence.

Weiyang Palace.

Li Yi was presenting the reports from the financial and legal departments of various prefectures to Liu for record-keeping.

"Your Majesty, the implementation of the Jingyuan coin is progressing smoothly."

"More than 80% of old coins have been collected in various states, and circulation in the market is gradually stabilizing."

Liu Bei reviewed the memorial and nodded in satisfaction.

"I have always trusted Ziyu to handle things."

He suddenly looked up and said, "By the way, how is your son Li Zhi doing lately? I haven't seen him in a long time."

Because in the past, Li Yi always took his son with him wherever he went.

Therefore, court officials were accustomed to referring to him as "Big Li" or "Little Li".

Li Yi cupped his hands and explained:
"Your Majesty, my son is currently working at a paper mill in the southern suburbs of Luoyang."

Liu Bei paused, raising an eyebrow, and said:
"The Prime Minister's son, is he really being treated like this?"

"Precisely because he is the son of a subject, he needs even more experience."

Li Yi remained calm. "Born into wealth and privilege, if one does not understand the suffering of the common people, how will one govern the country in the future?"

In Li Yi's view, being born into wealth makes it easy to become detached from the masses.

Without going deep into the grassroots, it is impossible to return to further growth.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei seemed to be deep in thought.

Yes, I bought straw sandals in my early years and later became acquainted with the brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

Everyone here has worked their way up from the bottom.

They know how difficult it is for ordinary people at the bottom of society.

But Liu Shan (A Dou) was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and grew up without experiencing many setbacks in his life.

You could even say that their entire life will be smooth sailing.

When he was born, the political situation in Xuzhou was basically stable.

He was made heir apparent as soon as he was old enough to understand.

Then he went to the prosperous Hebei province to receive instruction from Li Yi.

A few years later, he was made crown prince.

His life has been far too smooth.

This child isn't a bad person, but he might be easily deceived.

After all, the imperial court was rife with deceit, intrigue, and backstabbing.

Thinking of this, Liu Bei suddenly chuckled:

“What you say makes sense, my dear minister.”

He put down his brush. "In that case, why not let A Dou go with your son for a few days of training?"

Li Yi's eyes flickered slightly, "The Crown Prince is of noble birth and wealth, I'm afraid he can't bear the suffering my son endures."

"Is my son more pampered than the Prime Minister's son?"

Liu Bei waved his hand to interrupt, "You and I both rose from humble beginnings, there's no reason why our descendants shouldn't be able to endure this hardship."

"That's settled then—tomorrow, Adou will also go to the paper mill to eat and live with your son."

No special treatment allowed!

Li Yi then said, "Actually, the paper mill workers did not know that he was my son."

"Oh? You're so at ease, my dear minister?" Liu Bei asked, raising an eyebrow.

The experience was tough, but living with a bunch of roughnecks every day was a different story.

They will inevitably be bullied, and if something really happens to them.

That would indeed be a losing proposition.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I have spies planted in the paper mill."

“They will take care of my son.”

"Of course, I have given instructions."

"Unless absolutely necessary, you must not reveal my son's identity."

Liu Bei was overjoyed upon hearing this and repeatedly said:
"Excellent! Excellent! Very excellent!"

"Your Excellency is always reliable in your work. With this assurance, I have no worries."

Therefore, he immediately ordered someone to summon Liu Shan to Weiyang Palace.

Shortly afterward, Crown Prince Liu Shan arrived.

Liu Bei sat upright at his desk, holding the Spring and Autumn Annals, his gaze fixed on Liu Shan, and asked:

"A Dou, what is the meaning of 'Zheng Bo Ke Duan Yu Yan'?"

Liu Shan thought to himself that his father had summoned him here specifically to test his studies.

So he scratched his head and stammered, "..."
"That is... Duke Zhuang of Zheng defeated his younger brother Gongshu Duan."

Seeing his father's brow furrow slightly, he hurriedly added, "Because Gongshu Duan is arrogant and lawless, therefore... therefore he deserves to be beaten!"

"You barely pass."

Liu Bei put down the bamboo slips, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.

Compared to before when I couldn't even memorize the entire Analects, I've made some progress.

"Then may I go play Cuju?" Liu Shan's eyes lit up as he asked.

"All you do all day is play!"

Liu Bei slammed his hand on the table, then softened his tone, "Tomorrow, your father has arranged a new place for you."

"Go to the paper mill in the southern suburbs of Luoyang and work as a craftsman for half a month."

Liu Shan blinked. "A paper mill? Is it to watch the artisans make paper? Is it fun?"

Seeing the expectant look on his face, Liu Bei couldn't help but chuckle.

"It's fun, of course it's fun."

He then turned serious and said, "But remember—you must not reveal the Crown Prince's identity."

"And once you get there, you are not allowed to say that you are the son of the current emperor."

"Just do whatever the supervisor tells you to do."

“There, nobody will control you.”

"You are not allowed to return to see me in less than half a month!"

"Wow! That's great!"

Liu Shan cheered, "Those people in the palace are always calling me 'Your Highness' this and 'Your Highness' that, I'm so annoyed."

"Now that Father has given his approval and permitted me to leave the palace..."

"Since no one has yet taken charge, I am naturally overjoyed."

Liu Bei nodded, relieved to see that his son had no objections.

Because he initially thought Liu Shan would be very resistant to this, and that he would have to go through a lot of trouble to persuade him to go.

Seeing that Liu Shan was overjoyed, he no longer had any reservations and could confidently send him "to the countryside".

"By the way, Father."

Liu Shan suddenly remembered something to write, "Oh right, is my cousin there too?"

"Exactly," Liu Bei said meaningfully, "You two can keep each other company."

The next morning, Liu Shan changed into a coarse linen short coat.

Before he left, Liu Bei personally tied his straw sandals tight.

"Remember, if you can't endure hardship, it's not too late to back out now."

"Father, rest assured!"

Liu Shan patted his chest and assured him, "Your subject will definitely be able to pound the best pulp in all of Luoyang!"

Liu Bei watched his son's skipping figure disappear into the distance, shook his head, and chuckled softly.

"This kid... probably thinks he's going sightseeing."

Li Yi, with his hands behind his back, said:

"In my opinion, Your Majesty has done the right thing."

"Instead of keeping A Dou in the deep palace, it would be better to let him go out and experience life among the common people."

A dynasty will decline in its middle and later stages.

This is inextricably linked to the disconnect between the monarch and the common people.

Because becoming an emperor is not something that can be taught, but rather something that can be learned through personal experience.

Both were rulers who sought to maintain the status quo, but Sun Quan carved out a bloody path through factional struggles.

And through a series of appointments, dismissals, and assassinations, a new system of balance was established.

This made Sun Quan's political philosophy very mature.

In contrast, Liu Shan, who did not need to fight for the throne and relinquished power, was a different story.

Cao Pi, after successfully seizing the throne, became arrogant and excessively expanded the power of the aristocratic clans after becoming emperor.

Sun Quan was undoubtedly much more capable of controlling the situation than Liu Shan and Cao Pi.

This is why Li Yi advocated reducing imperial power on the one hand, while encouraging princes to gain experience among the common people on the other.

Only by personally experiencing the hardships at the grassroots level can one truly understand...
Only then can they realize that once they shed their aristocratic aura, they are nothing.

Liu Bei then suddenly realized what was happening and laughed, scolding:

"Yesterday, my dear minister said that A Dou was too pampered and couldn't adapt to working in the paper mill."

"So it was a strategy of feigning indifference to lure the enemy into a trap."

Li Yi returned the smile and replied:
"I have never suggested that the Crown Prince work in the paper mill."

"It was Your Majesty who made the suggestion, and I dare not disobey the imperial decree."

Ha ha.

Liu Bei smiled slightly and said:
"It's alright, this was my original intention."

"I am usually busy with state affairs and have neglected to care for and spend time with my children."

“Sending him to experience life in the countryside might not be a bad thing for him.”

……

Zhifang, in the southern suburbs of Luoyang.

Because Li Yi had spies planted in the paper mill, they gave prior notice.

In addition, it was common for paper mills to employ child laborers because the work was easier than other jobs.

Therefore, Liu Shan's joining did not cause much of a reaction.

Before the morning mist had dissipated, the sound of the wooden clapper had already echoed three times in the paper mill.

Liu Shan rubbed his sleepy eyes and was dragged into the steaming room by Li Zhi, who pulled him by the sleeve.

The humid heat mixed with the smell of rotting wood hit him in the face, and he sneezed suddenly.

"Take it."

Li Zhi handed him a patina-covered wooden pestle and pointed to a stone mortar ahead, saying, "Today we must finish pounding this basket of paper mulberry bark."

Liu Shan peeked out and saw that the tree bark soaking in the stone mortar was still covered with moss.

He curled his lip:

"Why take it so seriously, cousin? Father sent us here to experience the lives of ordinary people, but he didn't say we were actually going to do any work."

As he spoke, he pulled out an oil paper package from his sleeve, "Try this, the East Kitchen has some newly made candied plums."

Li Zhi continued to pound the paper mulberry bark without looking up, ignoring him.

If you don't finish pounding the grain before 9 AM, you can forget about having lunch.

"you!"

Liu Shan, seeing that Li Zhi had rejected his good intentions, was about to lash out when he suddenly heard a loud shout from behind him:
"What are those two little brats whispering about!"

Turning around, he saw a burly man with a fierce face striding towards him, his leather whip cracking with each step.

Liu Shan didn't take it to heart, instead raising his chin:
"Book"

He suddenly remembered his father's instructions and changed his words abruptly, "We are working."

The overseer squinted at the two men, then suddenly snatched the oil paper package from Liu Shan's hand.

"Sneaking in snacks?"

After saying that, he poured all the plums into his mouth, chewing them until the juice splashed everywhere.

"Add five more catties of feed today!"

"You dare!" Liu Shan's face flushed red.

In the palace, he would eat half a piece of pastry from the East Kitchen and throw the other half away. He had never been treated like this before.

It was forcibly taken away from us.

People in the palace usually treated him with utmost deference and caution, afraid of saying the wrong thing.

When have I ever been bossed around like this before?
"Snapped!"

The whip lashed the bluestone slab, and sparks flew to Liu Shan's feet.

Silence speaks louder than words; the crack of the whip was the overseer's warning.

Li Zhi quickly pressed down on his shoulder and whispered:

"Just bear with it."

Liu Shan suppressed his anger and obediently returned to his post.

Throughout the morning, Liu Shan's tiger's mouth gradually developed blisters.

The fibers of the paper mulberry bark mixed with alkaline water stung the wound painfully.

He glanced at Li Zhi and noticed that his cousin's palms were already covered with thick calluses.

Liu Shan was shocked to see this, wondering what his cousin had gone through during this time to make his hands look like this!
This is even worse than the lives of his servants.

"Cousin, what's going on...?"

Shh, just focus on your work.

Li Zhi gestured for Liu Shan to shut up and focus on his work.

At first, Li Zhi couldn't handle the workload and even considered returning to the Prime Minister's residence.

But Li Yi firmly refused to allow him to go back.

Li Zhi could only force himself to endure it as time went on.

I gradually adapted to working here.

At noon, the gong sounded, and Liu Shan, exhausted, slumped onto a haystack, gasping for breath while holding his trembling hands.

Li Zhi silently handed him half a coarse flatbread. As soon as he took it, he frowned:
"This cake is so coarse and inedible, how can anyone eat it?"

Li Zhi, without thinking twice, began to eat heartily, saying as he ate:
"If they don't eat, they will starve to death."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shan frowned deeply.

I glanced at the flatbread again, and my stomach immediately started growling.

In the end, he couldn't resist and put the coarse bread in his mouth and started chewing.

Before they had finished eating the bread, they suddenly heard the overseer shouting and cursing from the other side of the drying ground:

"Hey! You newbie!"

"Who gave you permission to rest? Go and move the pulp buckets."

Liu Shan pretended not to hear and continued to eat his coarse flatbread.

Suddenly everything went black, and he was grabbed by the collar and lifted up.

"It's against you!"

The foreman, reeking of alcohol, yelled in his face, "If I don't teach you a lesson today, I'll change my surname to yours!"

"Insolence! I am..."

"What do you mean, 'you'?"

The foreman swung his arm and shouted, "You're just a greenhorn, how dare you call yourself a man!"

After saying that, a whip lashed across his back.

His brown clothes ripped open, revealing a blood-red whip mark.

Liu Shan was in so much pain that his vision went black and his ears were ringing.

In a daze, he saw Li Zhi rush over and stand in front of him, and the second whip struck his cousin squarely on the back.

"Please calm down!"

Li Zhi endured the pain with a forced smile, "My brother here is new and doesn't know the rules."

"Humph!"

The foreman kicked over the bucket of slurry, splashing the two men with white slurry.

"Remember, there won't be a next time!"

Liu Shan was in a sorry state, while Li Zhi closed his eyes and quietly wiped the white paste off his face.

As dusk settled, Liu Shan huddled in a corner of the shared sleeping area.

The whip marks on my back burned with pain, and all I could hear were the snores of the other child laborers.

Moonlight streamed through the broken window, illuminating the paper mulberry bark fibers embedded in the bloodstains on his palm.

Li Zhi quietly moved over and handed over half a bowl of medicine for his injuries:

"Apply it, the paper will need to be dried tomorrow."

Liu Shan suddenly grabbed his wrist:

"The calluses on my cousin's hands."

Three months ago, I was just like you.

Li Zhi said softly, "He cried and wanted to go back to the manor on the first day."

"and after?"

"My father said, either stay or go to Lingnan to guard the border."

"Ugh! Your father is really cruel to you."

Liu Shan's legs trembled with fright. "If my father treated me like this, I really don't know what I would do."

"Alright, there's no point in saying anything more, go to sleep."

"I have to get up early to work tomorrow."

After Li Zhi uttered those words, he himself did not go to sleep.

Instead, he sat cross-legged in the corner, repairing the bamboo curtain he would need for the next day by the light of an oil lamp.

Liu Shan didn't have Li Zhi's energy; he went to sleep as soon as he lay down.

But the beds in the palace are all the finest.

On this thatched bed, Liu Shan tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

The whip marks on my back burned with pain, and even the slightest movement caused me to gasp for breath.

Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating Li Zhi's silhouette.

He also had a whip mark on his back, but it was from the whipping he had inflicted himself.

"Cousin..." Liu Chan's voice was hoarse, "Don't you feel any pain?"

Li Zhi did not turn around, but simply said:
“It hurts, but if the curtain is torn and not repaired, the paper will leak out when it's dried tomorrow.”

"That foreman..."

Liu Shan couldn't help but ask, "Why do you dare to humiliate us like this?"

"Because he was in charge of the work record book."

Li Zhi bit off the thread, saying, "Whoever is lazy will not receive their salary."

Liu Shan gripped the straw mat tightly. "Does having power mean you can act recklessly?"

The oil lamp crackled and popped, producing a burst of flame.

Li Zhi finally looked up, the shadow cast by his brow bone obscuring his eyes.

Three days ago, a child laborer was scalded by a steamer.

"The foreman allowed him to rest and gave him medicine for his injuries."

"This……"

"Power is like a knife."

Li Zhi stroked the rough edge of the bamboo curtain, saying, "It can be used to chop people, and it can also be used to carve a handy plowshare."

Power can be used to bully others at will, or it can be used to protect others from being bullied.

It all depends on how you use it.

The night breeze swept through the hall, carrying the sour smell of fermenting paper mulberry bark.

Liu Shan suddenly remembered that last winter solstice, he had casually complained that "the fish roe soup was too bland," and the next day the kitchen staff had been replaced by more than thirty people.

“So I’ve been abusing my power all along…” he murmured.

Li Zhi suddenly lifted his shirt, revealing bruises on his waist.

"This is the punishment I received for slacking off when I first arrived."

He then pointed to the water vat in the corner, saying, "That day I knocked over the pulp bucket, and Old Wang secretly helped me pound it again."

His voice lowered, “Father is right, there is no such thing as absolute justice in this world.”

The moonlight shifted, illuminating the tears welling in Li Zhi's eyes.

Liu Shan then realized that the youthful arrogance of his cousin had disappeared, replaced by a kind of calm strength.

"If only I could return to the Prime Minister's residence..."

Li Zhi suddenly said, "I must kowtow to my father and admit my mistake."

“I used to laugh at him for being too smooth and not honest enough.”

"But little did they know how many lives he carried on his shoulders."

The sound of a wooden clapper could be heard in the distance.

Liu Shan stared at his cousin's silhouette projected on the wall, and vaguely saw a person who was both strange and familiar.

The boy who once stood up for Aruo and the patrol captain has now learned to navigate the rules.

That hothead who dared to debate justice and right and wrong with Li Yi finally understood that power is a double-edged sword.

"Cousin, after you return to the Prime Minister's residence, don't you want to seek revenge on that overseer?"

Liu Shan's voice carried a hint of resentment.

Even someone as kind as him cannot forget the humiliation he suffered today.

Li Zhi's fingers, which were mending the bamboo curtain, paused slightly.

Under the dim light, his profile appeared exceptionally deep.

"Whom do you seek revenge against?" he asked softly.

"Of course it's the foreman who whipped us during the day!"

Liu Shan propped himself up, his eyes burning with rage.

"When I return to the Eastern Palace, I will make sure he tastes the whip too."

Li Zhi put down the bamboo curtain in his hand and turned to look at Liu Shan.

Moonlight streamed through the broken windowpanes, casting dappled shadows on his face.

Do you think there's only one overseer in the world?

His voice was eerily calm.

Liu Shan was stunned.

“Because my father is the prime minister and you are the crown prince, we can naturally seek revenge on that overseer.”

Li Zhi's fingers gently traced the whip marks on his back.

"But what if we aren't? Are you going to kill all the overseers in the world?"

The sound of the night watchman's footsteps came from outside the thatched hut, approaching from afar and then gradually fading away.

Liu Shan's fists clenched and unclenched unconsciously.

"Then... are we just going to let it go like this?"

Li Zhi picked up the bamboo curtain again, and the needle and thread moved nimbly between his fingers.

"What we really need to do is to use the power we have effectively."

His voice was soft, yet every word carried immense weight.

"Let there be fewer bullying foremen in this world, and more old men like Wang Weng who are willing to help others pound materials."

Liu Shan stared blankly at his cousin.

Under the moonlight, Li Zhi's silhouette seemed to be edged with silver.

That once spirited young man now possesses a maturity beyond his years in his eyes.

For a fleeting moment, Liu Shan seemed to see the shadow of his father, the regent, in his cousin's face.

It's at least somewhat similar...

The sound of the night watchman's clapper could be heard in the distance, exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

Li Zhi blew out the oil lamp and said softly:
"Go to sleep, we have to get up early tomorrow to air the paper."

The night breeze swept through the hall, carrying the sour smell of fermenting paper mulberry bark.

Looking at the waning moon outside the window, Liu Shan suddenly remembered that yesterday in the palace, he had smashed a bowl because the apricot milk made by the kitchen did not suit his taste.

A tear fell onto the straw mat and was quickly absorbed.

……

(End of this chapter)