Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 231 The First Strike Upon Entering Xu: Liu Bei Makes an Example (Please follow and vote!)

On the 26th day of the tenth month of the first year of Zhangwu.

Liu Bei led his army to Xiaxiang City in Xiapi State, which is located at the junction of the Ju River and the Si River, more than a hundred li southeast of Xiapi City.

When Liu Bei entered Xuzhou, he did not rush. Instead, he stopped in counties and towns along the way to learn about the local conditions.

The implementation of the new policy will inevitably lead to a situation where "there are policies from above and countermeasures from below".

Some lower-level implementers believe that the new policy will affect their own interests. As Feng Ji said, "Officials who travel thousands of miles are driven by the desire for money, power, fame, or profit. Whether they are officials or clerks, they all want to be superior to others. But how can one be superior if they don't even have a servant at home?"
Some commoners, ingrained by long-standing habits of thinking and oppression, would rather serve as slaves to noble families than earn their own living. After all, being a good slave could allow them to enjoy superior treatment by taking advantage of the powerful, while earning their own living would eliminate that opportunity.

Although Liu Bei's reforms over the past few years included some ideological enlightenment, they focused more on the threat of force.

It wasn't that Liu Bei didn't want to enlighten people's minds, but rather that he didn't have the necessary conditions at the beginning. In terms of intellectual enlightenment, it was difficult to compete with Confucianism, which incorporated apocryphal and prophetic doctrines.

Take the "Baihu Tongyi" as an example. It is an official classics work compiled by Ban Gu and others based on the results of the debate on classics at the Baihu Guan Conference of Emperor Zhang of Han.

It reconciled the differences between the ancient and modern texts of Confucianism and constructed a unified system of Confucian interpretation that integrated apocryphal and prophetic theology.

He used the Yin-Yang and Five Elements theory to explain the relationship between heaven and man and social ethics, established the theoretical framework of the Three Cardinal Guides and Six Disciplines, compared the relationship between ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife to the laws of heaven, and used apocryphal books such as the Yi Wei to strengthen the concept of the divine right of kings.

Norms were established in all aspects of society, including politics, ideology, and ethics. Apart from the Three Cardinal Guides and Six Disciplines, things like marriage, funerals, and daily life phenomena were all explained using the theory of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. No matter how far-fetched or absurd the explanations were, the speakers spoke with conviction, and the listeners believed them without a doubt.

This kind of classical studies integrated the New Text Classics, the Old Text Classics, and apocryphal superstitions, attempting to unify classical studies, establish a theological classics, and regard them as truth, requiring future generations to study and recite them without questioning or criticizing them.

The *Lunheng*, which criticized this kind of Confucianism and mystical prophetic writings, became a banned book. It was described as "criticizing the false and unfounded theories of antiquity and mocking the strange books of the Han dynasty."

This explains why the sorcerer Xiang Kai was able to persuade Wang Fen to depose the emperor, Yuan Shao was able to forge a talisman to make Liu Yu declare himself emperor, and Yuan Shu was also happy to declare himself emperor after seeing Zhang Jiong's talisman.

Even a powerful figure like Que Xuan, who didn't know his own limitations, was fooled by Xiang Kai and began to believe that he was the emperor, blessed by heaven.

A few years ago, when Liu Bei used astronomy and yin-yang theory to fool Wang Fen, Cao Cao, and the high-ranking officials in Luoyang, he was very successful. This shows how deeply ingrained this Confucianism, which incorporated apocryphal and prophetic theories, was in people's minds.

Those who truly received Liu Bei's ideological enlightenment were mainly the soldiers of the Lingyan Army.

If Liu Bei only wanted to be a local emperor, he would inevitably strengthen the divine right of destiny. However, Liu Bei did not want to solidify this destiny; he wanted a brand new world.

This is also why Liu Bei was determined to become emperor, and even directly used the conspiracy between Liu Xie and Fu Wan to deliberately create the incident of Lü Bu assassinating the general on Liu Xie's orders, so as to complete the change of imperial power.

Since Emperor Zhang of Han was able to debate the "Baihu Tongyi" and transform classical studies into theological classical studies, Liu Bei was also able to debate a new "Tongyi" and transform classical studies into materialistic classical studies.

The magistrate of Xiaxiang was Qin Song, a native of Guangling, whose courtesy name was Wenbiao. He was from the same prefecture as Zhang Hong and Chen Duan, and was also appointed as the county magistrate by Gai Xun when he was the governor of Xuzhou.

Liu Bei still did not reveal his identity, but only sent Zhao Yun, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, to meet with Qin Song, while Liu Bei pretended to be Zhao Yun's bodyguard, standing with his sword.

When asked about the implementation of the new policy, Qin Song looked bitter: "Shangguan Mingjian, it's not that I don't want to implement it, but it's too difficult. Take Xiaxiang for example, those with a little wealth all keep retainers. These retainers do nothing but commit illegal acts for their masters."

"For example, there is a powerful local magnate named Zhang Chi who has thirty retainers. When a robbery occurs in the county, the thieves join Zhang Chi's gang, and the officials and servants are unable to apprehend them. Let alone implement new policies, the powerful local magnates defy the law and do not obey, and the prefecture does not send troops. I am truly in a difficult position."

Qin Song feigned pitifulness in every word, shirking all responsibility: it wasn't that he was inactive, but that the prefecture wouldn't send troops, making it impossible for him to take action.

"With such an answer, aren't you afraid that Governor Sun will confront you?" Liu Bei suddenly asked.

Qin Song glanced at Liu Bei with surprise, feeling that the guard of the Grand Master of Ceremonies before him had a rather heroic air. After a moment of contemplation, he replied, "Even if we were to confront Governor Sun, I would say the same thing. It is a fact that Governor Sun has not sent troops."

Liu Bei sneered, "Even a minor figure like Zhang Chi requires the governor of this prefecture to send troops. What use is your order, Prime Minister?"

Qin Song immediately retorted, "You've never been a county magistrate, so you don't know how tough it is. Although there are soldiers in the county, the treasury is empty, and the officials all have families. If they aren't paid enough, who would be willing to fight to the death with the powerful?"

Qin Song spouts plausible arguments that seem grounded in reality, but in reality, he is subtly shifting the focus of his arguments.

With powerful local magnates running rampant and resisting taxes, the county government naturally faced a financial crisis as it could not collect taxes.

Over time, powerful local families grew stronger while county governments weakened, eventually losing control.

This is only if the county government does not collude with powerful local magnates. If the county government were to collude with powerful local magnates again, the entire county would completely lose order.

Ultimately, the problem stems from the county magistrate's inaction.

A county magistrate was actually afraid of a powerful man who only had thirty retainers.

He was neither a retainer of thirty armored warriors, nor thirty Guan Yus and Zhang Feis.

When Wang Xiu, the Prince of Beihai, was the magistrate, he encountered some lawless powerful families who were hiding thieves. Wang Xiu simply led a group of officials and commoners, which frightened the powerful families into handing over the thieves.

It's a contest of who has more courage and who is more willing to risk their life.

Even powerful local magistrates aren't without resources; their family businesses are there for all to see. Unless they're plotting a rebellion, few powerful local magistrates would actually dare to challenge the county magistrate.

A county magistrate isn't a village head; how could he be bullied by a powerful man with only thirty retainers?

Liu Bei stopped arguing with Qin Song and gestured to Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun understood and said to Qin Song, "Take the officials and have Zhang Chi hand over the thieves now."

Qin Song's expression changed, and he said nervously, "Could you lend me a few soldiers, sir? The officials in the county really can't get Zhang Chi to hand over the thieves."

Zhao Yun snorted coldly and said sternly, "As a county magistrate, how can you be so cowardly? My army is stationed here. Even if you went alone, let alone with your clerks, Zhang Chi would not dare to disobey. If you cannot do this, you may as well resign as county magistrate! Go and do it immediately, without any mistakes!"

Qin Song was reprimanded and thrown out, his face even more bitter: If I arrest someone, how can I continue to serve as the county magistrate?

Inside the room.

Zhao Yun frowned and said, "Since we entered Xiapi, the magistrates and officials in all the counties along the way have been terrified of powerful local bullies. Brother, what should we do next?"

A cold glint flashed in Liu Bei's eyes: "Fourth brother is on an inspection tour by imperial decree and should enforce the law impartially. Lawless local bullies should be punished, and corrupt county magistrates who hold their positions without doing their jobs should also be punished. We can issue this order first to make an example of them."

We must not be lenient with powerful and influential people.

We must not be lenient with county magistrates who fail to perform their duties.

Reasoning is one thing, but if the other party tries to argue with fallacies and heresies, then there's no need to reason anymore; just pick up the chessboard and smash it at them.

Qin Song didn't go to catch Zhang Chi; he just made a detour and came back.

When questioned by the officials, Qin Song simply replied: "If anyone should be arrested, it should be the Grand Master of Ceremonies. If we are to arrest them, aren't you afraid of retaliation from Zhang Chi's retainers after the Grand Master of Ceremonies leaves? Cutting off someone's money is like killing their parents. Those retainers are all idle and desperate scoundrels."

If it were any ordinary inspector, Qin Song would probably have gotten away with it.

However, Qin Song did not expect that it would be Liu Bei who came to Xiaxiang this time. Liu Bei had often used this tactic when he was the county magistrate of Anxi County to deal with his superiors.

In recent years, I have seen all sorts of tricks and schemes in my official career.

fool?

Liu Bei was not easily fooled.

Therefore, when Qin Song returned and said that Zhang Chi was strong and refused to be arrested, Zhao Yun immediately ordered Qin Song, one of the soldiers on his left and right, to tie him up.

Qin Song was shocked: "Shangguan, why are you arresting me?"

Zhao Yun sneered and did not answer. He only ordered Commandant Cui Wu to temporarily issue the order and lead the officials and servants who were with Qin Song to arrest Zhang Chi.

As one of the eighty brave warriors who first followed Liu Bei, and who served under Zhao Yun for many years, Cui Wu rose from an ordinary soldier to a captain.

Over the course of four years, Cui Wu persevered in studying literature and martial arts, becoming capable of both commanding troops in the army and governing the people in the county.

Cui Wu accepted the order and led Qin Song's former subordinates and servants to the home of the powerful Zhang Chi.

Zhang Chi, relying on his martial prowess and wealth, had been employing outlaws to guard his home for many years, and no official in the county dared to defy him.

Although Cui Wu took the lead, none of the officials dared to approach Zhang Chi's residence; instead, they were ridiculed by Zhang Chi's retainers.

Cui Wu glanced at the frightened officials behind him, then beckoned to the two gatekeepers of Zhang Chi's residence with a mocking smile.

This enraged Zhang Chi's retainers, who shouted, "Even if you were to become the magistrate, let alone just temporarily, you would still have to keep a low profile in Xiaxiang City."

Another retainer was even more arrogant. He ran to a distance and deliberately shouted, "I am Liang Jiu from the East Sea. Today I am avenging my former master, Tao Qian."

The reason for his words and actions was to distance himself from Zhang Chi.

Liang then directly raised his stick and struck Cui Wu.

If it were a county magistrate who was afraid to kill, he would have been intimidated by Liang.

However, Cui Wu was a veteran who rose through the ranks on the battlefield, earning his position from a lowly soldier to a captain through military merit. He was not comparable to a mere retainer.

Before Liang Jiu's club could fall, Cui Wu drew his sword and swiftly killed Liang Jiu.

The other arrogant retainer was instantly dumbfounded: They're really going to cut him down?
To put it nicely, they are desperate criminals; to put it bluntly, these people only dare to bully the weak, but they cower the moment they encounter someone tough.

After killing Liang Jiu, Cui Wu coldly glanced at the officials standing in the distance and shouted, "Anyone who dares not to catch the thief will be punished along with the thief."

Seeing the blood dripping from Cui Wu's ring-pommel sword and Liang Jiu lying on the ground, not quite dead yet, the officials and servants were filled with even more fear.

Given Cui Wu's martial prowess just now, he could have finished Liang Jiu off with a single blow, but instead, he left Liang Jiu lying on the ground trembling, awaiting death.

That's a truly ruthless tactic!
Before Zhang Chi could figure out what was going on inside the house, Cui Wu led his clerks to drag him out, and the robbers were also dragged out along with him.

They were then brought before Zhao Yun.

The whole process took less than half an hour.

Zhang Chi originally wanted to argue his case, but when he saw Qin Song kneeling on the ground, his face turned pale instantly.

Even Qin Song, the county magistrate, could only kneel and tremble. What could a small local tyrant like him do?

"Shangguan, spare my life!"

Zhang Chi dared not say anything more and could only bow his head and beg for mercy.

In this era, private feuds were rampant, and many of these feuds were not settled overnight, but rather stemmed from grudges accumulated over generations. Even upright officials found it difficult to determine right from wrong.

Many people harbor criminals, including Liu Bei himself, who hid Guan Yu, who had committed murder in Hedong. Dian Wei and Xu Shu were also chivalrous men.

Therefore, Liu Bei's new policies involved proactively disbanding his private armies, retainers, and knights-errant, rather than directly punishing them.

What Liu Bei wanted was stability and the new rules of the future world.

If the powerful figures are willing to listen, then we will work together to uphold the new rules of the new world; if they are unwilling to listen, Liu Bei will not show them any mercy.

Whether in Yongzhou, Sili, Yanzhou, or Yuzhou, Liu Bei executed the leaders of the rebellious powerful clans, and he didn't mind doing the same in Xuzhou.

Zhao Yun understood Liu Bei's intentions, and then said to Zhang Chi, "Qin Song said that he went to your house just now to arrest the thieves in the robbery case, but you resisted arrest with great force. Is this true?"

Zhang Chi was taken aback, then looked at Qin Song, whose face was pale, and immediately understood what was going on. He hurriedly said, "Shangguan Mingjian, Magistrate Qin has not come to my house today."

Seeing Zhang Chi turn the tables, Qin Song hurriedly said, "Although you didn't go today, you resisted arrest when we went to get you before."

Seeing the two tearing at each other, Zhao Yun coldly shouted, "I have no intention of concerning myself with what happened between you in the past. Qin Song neglected his duties, so his money, grain, land and houses were confiscated, and he was punished with a year of military farming; Zhang Chi resisted the new policies, so his money, grain, land and houses were confiscated, and he was punished with a year of military farming."

Qin Song and Zhang Chi's expressions both changed drastically.

Not only were their money, grain, land, and houses confiscated, but they were also forced to work in the military farms for a year. Although they survived, their future was uncertain.

However, neither of them dared to resist.

They only dare to bully the weak in ordinary times, and when they really encounter a strong person, they dare not think of anything else but to admit defeat.

After dealing with Qin Song and Zhang Chi, Liu Bei was also satisfied with Cui Wu's performance, so he officially appointed Cui Wu as the Junior Chancellor to supervise the implementation of the new policies.

With the precedents set by Qin Song and Zhang Chi, the powerful families of Xiaxiang were all in a panic.

If one simply complies with the new policy, although one's money, grain, land, and houses will be reduced, they will not all be confiscated. However, if one does not comply with the new policy, not only will all of it be confiscated, but one will also be forced to cultivate land.

Buddhist temples and monasteries that encroached on land and houses were also considered powerful and wealthy, and were dissolved and the land was returned to its rightful owner. No special treatment was given to them because of this.

In an instant, some people responded proactively to the new policy, while others frantically sought help from relatives and friends.

While Zhao Yun was suppressing local tyrants and distributing land and houses in Xiaxiang County, Zhang Kai, who had received a secret order, also brought five hundred Yellow Turbans. They lied that the common people who had been bullied by local tyrants had been forced to become Yellow Turbans. Now that they heard that Zhao Yun, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, was dealing with local tyrants in Xiaxiang County, they came to join him.

To make it appear realistic, Zhang Kai's five hundred Yellow Turbans were mostly accompanied by their families.

(End of this chapter)