Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 250 Nan Jiyun

Today, Kaifeng is just a county under the jurisdiction of Bianzhou, far from the grandeur of the capital city it would become in later years. However, due to its location between the Yellow River and the Bian Canal, and its flat and level terrain, it is undoubtedly a fertile land in the Central Plains.

If such geographical conditions have any drawbacks, it is that they are severely ineffective against floods. This has caused Kaifeng to suffer from floods repeatedly, to the point that the original ancient city of Kaifeng was eventually buried by silt in later generations.

Although the Yellow River's hydrology is not as severe as it was in later years, to the point of forming a suspended river above ground, the city of Kaifeng still bears the marks of the floods that occurred last year.

Shallow shoals and marshes of all sizes are everywhere, which not only damage farmland but also cause great trouble for spring planting. Moreover, after the floods pass through, they will wash away the mud layer rich in organic matter, which will cause the land to become saline and alkaline in the long run.

Why doesn't the government organize manpower to dig ditches to drain the floodwaters?

Zhang Dai observed that although there were people working in the fields, they were mostly scattered family units. This scale of labor might be sufficient for normal cultivation, but it was inadequate for restoring land damaged by floods.

In years of such disaster, the government would typically organize able-bodied men to dig ditches and establish a systematic drainage system before cultivation could begin. Without this step, even if the land was cultivated, a moderately heavy spring rain would cause flooding.

"Since the disaster last year, the imperial court has ordered that the affected people be compensated for a year's rent and goods, but the land has not been compensated. The officials are not concerned and only focus on extorting and exploiting the industry and commerce. Even when the wealthy households in the county come forward to gather their fellow villagers to build ditches, they are not allowed to do so, for fear that the people will gather and cause trouble."

Upon hearing this question, Xu Shen, who was on the stretcher, couldn't help but sigh again.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai sighed inwardly. The damage caused to a locality by an incompetent official is undoubtedly enormous, and the harm may even far exceed the length of his term.

Yuan Fu's series of actions within the state are typical of the behavior of a seasoned, cunning official.

After the disaster, instead of focusing on the real difficulties and making time to provide relief to the people and restore production, the people were strictly controlled in the countryside to reduce the number of people who fled and prevent disturbances. As for the government's main focus, it was to make a lot of money from the industries and commerce that were less affected by the natural disaster.

Despite the devastation caused by natural disasters, the treasury remained full, demonstrating the effectiveness of Yuan Fu's governance. The people, despite experiencing such a great calamity, did not flee en masse; the number of households registered under the government's control remained unchanged, indicating that the people were content with their homes and that the government's control and education were undoubtedly effective.

As for how the people trapped in the countryside were doing or whether they had resumed normal production, what did that have to do with Lord Yuan? Under his rule, the Bianzhou treasury was full, the population was sufficient, and although there were a few troublemakers who complained without cause, they did not pose a major threat. The entire prefecture was peaceful and harmonious!
Even though Zhang Dai was indignant about this, there was very little he could do at the moment. Within Bianzhou, he could not possibly confront or challenge the governor appointed by the court. All he could do was report his observations and feelings to those with personnel authority after returning to the capital.

Putting aside these chaotic thoughts, the group headed straight for the county government office after entering the city. A young county clerk was already waiting there. Upon seeing them arrive, he hurriedly stepped forward and said to Xu Shen, "Uncle, these bandits are acting suspiciously. After the bandit leader was arrested in the city, the officials haven't even started arresting him yet, but his accomplices hiding outside the city have all come to surrender. Judging from their words and actions, they don't seem like criminals. There might be something else going on..."

"This is my brother's son, Xu Yun. He failed the imperial examination and is now serving as a clerk in the county."

Xu Shen first gave Zhang Dai a brief introduction, then looked at his nephew and instructed, "Hurry up and come forward to pay your respects to Young Master Zhang!"

The county official, Xu Yun, hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, while Zhang Dai frowned and asked, "What exactly do you mean by this so-called hidden matter?"

"These bandits injured my uncle. After they were brought to justice, I conducted a thorough interrogation, but I learned some other things. The bandit leader, Nanba, claimed that he was not originally from this prefecture. He and his followers were boatmen and sailors who worked on the Juye Marsh in the lower reaches of the Yellow River. They were hired by merchants to travel upstream westward. Their employers had settled them in a hut, but they were suddenly expelled a few days ago..."

Xu Yun quickly recounted what he had learned, then whispered, "I found out that their employer is Chen Jiu, a relative of Chen Sishi of the prefecture. I suspect that the Chen brothers are trying to embezzle the cargo and deny payment, so they are using my uncle's situation as an excuse to bully these outsiders!"

"That must be right. Last year, when I was a clerk in Henan Prefecture, a man named Chen came to the prefecture to ask for a favor, but I refused. Since then, we have considered each other as enemies! Now that I have returned to my hometown with my official post, I have encountered many obstacles in everything I do. Most of the slaves in the weaving workshop were selected and sent by him. Recently, he suddenly sent another thousand people. I was in a hurry to do things and did not have time to think about it carefully. Now that I think about it, there are indeed many suspicious points!"

Xu Shen explained this dispute over hometown ties to Zhang Dai.

Zhang Dai wasn't very interested in this, but added, "Let's go to the county government first to identify these followers. Whatever their motives, it's no excuse for them to hurt people without permission!"

When the group entered the county government office, no county official came out to greet them; only Xu Yun led them directly to the county prison.

Inside the county jail cell, a group of burly soldiers sat together. In the center was a young man with clear features, who was frowning and reprimanding his followers: "I entered the city alone because I was afraid that too many people would distract me and reveal my whereabouts. It was already an accident that I was captured. Yet you all still came to surrender. You are truly foolish!"

"The Xu and Chen families are both prominent clans in Kaifeng. If we offend them, what good will it do us? If they want to harm us in prison, you are all alone, so they will have even less scruples. We are a whole prison of prisoners. Even if they want to kill and bury us, it will be a huge hassle!"

"Yes, we're already here, so there's no use in Hachiro complaining! There are still companions outside running around seeking help. If they survive, they'll still be heroes who roam the rivers and lakes. If they don't, they'll probably end up drowning and feeding the fish and crabs. We used to live off this, so let's fatten them up for a few days. At least we won't be in any debt!"

The group was offering each other words of comfort and encouragement, but they didn't notice that a young nobleman in brocade robes had already entered the cell and was listening to their conversation. After a while, someone accidentally noticed him and quickly nudged his companion with his elbow. Only then did they all stop talking and look warily at the outside of the cell.

"Who are you waiting for, Nanba?"

Zhang Dai looked at the prison filled with strong soldiers; at least forty or fifty men were crammed into one cell, making it incredibly crowded. Juye Marsh was the precursor to Liangshan Marsh, so this single cell practically held half of the Liangshan heroes. And if this Nan Ba ​​was the one he knew, then that one person alone was enough to completely overwhelm the entire Liangshan Marsh!
The young man, who was surrounded by the crowd, stood up, pushed aside his companions, and walked to the outermost part of the cell. Through the wooden fence, he clasped his hands and said to Zhang Dai, "I am Nan Jiyun of the Southern Eighth Division. May I ask who you are and what brings you here?"

Sure enough it is!
Zhang Dai was secretly delighted. He carefully looked Nan Jiyun up and down before putting on a stern face and saying in a deep voice, "So it was you who led your followers in the night raid on Pengchi? Xu Shen, who was injured by you, is my subordinate. What hatred could have led to such an atrocity?"

Upon hearing the question, Nan Jiyun's expression stiffened slightly. He then looked directly at Zhang Dai and said in a deep voice, "So you are a powerful young master. My apologies for my rudeness. Since you have brought Xu Shen under your wing, are you unaware of his true nature?"

These scoundrels searched the villages, abducted women and children, and imprisoned them in their private residences, subjecting them to their enslavement! We were merely passing through this area and temporarily lodging at Pengchi, when they took advantage of our absence while we were out searching for food to forcibly abduct several of our family members. Such acts deserve not only injury, but also death!

If Zhang Dai were unaware of Xu Shen's actions and simply listened to Nan Jiyun's righteous and stern accusations, he might have believed them too. Therefore, he immediately asked again, "Who told you this? Do you have any evidence to support your claim?"

"Many villagers in Kaifeng say that Xu Shen instructed his servants to search for women and children, and then disappeared without a trace. This matter is known throughout the village. If you do not believe me, you can go into the village to investigate. If what Nan Ba ​​said is false, I am willing to suffer the punishment of having my tongue pulled out! In addition, several of my family members were attacked and robbed before, and have not been seen since. They must also be imprisoned and hidden by him!"

Nan Jiyun immediately glared and shouted.

"You kidnapped his family?"

Zhang Dai shouted out to the outside of the cell.

Xu Shen's stretcher was placed outside, making it inconvenient for him to enter, but he could still hear Nan Jiyun's accusations against him. Upon hearing this, he immediately replied, "The Pengchi area is the responsibility of the prefecture government to clean up. When I went to inspect it, I only saw empty land and no one in sight. Furthermore, when I visited the women and children in the village a few days ago, I explained the purpose of disaster relief in detail. I never expected it to be misinterpreted like this. It seems that some treacherous person is behind this. It is truly hateful!"

The rumors circulating in the village weren't a big deal; after all, none of the villagers were impartial judges who could clearly distinguish right from wrong. As long as the women and children from the weaving workshop were released back to the village, the rumors would dissipate on their own. But the person behind these slanders and instigation was truly despicable.

In addition, Nan Jiyun also said that their family members had been kidnapped, and Zhang Dai couldn't help but think that it was probably the person who was secretly slandering them who had committed these acts against others.

"Besides this matter, have you committed any other crimes within our territory?"

After a moment's thought, Zhang Dai looked at Nan Jiyun and asked.

"Who do you think we are? Since the time of the Southern Eight Tribes, we have never eaten stolen goods or done anything evil. All our food and clothing have been obtained through our own skills. If it weren't for the fact that our companions have been harmed and we were so eager to save them, we wouldn't even bother with a night raid!"

Upon hearing this question, Nan Jiyun replied with a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance.

If anyone else had said this, Zhang Dai would have suspected they were bragging, but since it was Nan Jiyun, he believed it completely.

After leaving the cell, he said to Xu Shen, "Take these people to the weaving workshop for processing first, don't leave them for the prefecture and county to handle. Investigate carefully whoever is involved in the treachery!"

"Does the Lord recognize this Nan Ba?"

Xu Shen nodded first, then looked at Zhang Dai with some curiosity. He could sense that the master's attitude towards him was different from that towards others.

Before Zhang Dai could answer, a county official led a man hurriedly to the scene; it was none other than Wang Yuanbao.

"Why has the young master come to this place?"

When Wang Yuanbao saw Zhang Dai, and then looked at Xu Shen lying on the stretcher, he was stunned for a moment, and then quickly said, "I have an old acquaintance who is imprisoned here because of some matter, so I have come to see him."

"Your old acquaintance isn't Nanba, is he?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai's heart stirred, and he immediately inquired.

"Young master, you also know Nanba?"

Wang Yuanbao was taken aback when he heard this, then quickly nodded and asked.

(End of this chapter)