Han Ji

"Our ancestors have lived there for generations, and we've never sold the land! This land deed is fake!"

The steward sneered, "You think it's fake just because you say so? Captain, the land deed bears the official seal; it can't be forged. These troublemakers are trying to extort money!"

Liu Bei handed the land deed to Li Gongcao: "Check who handled this land deed."

Li Gongcao took the document, his expression changing slightly. He whispered, "Commander, the person who handled this... is Wang Kui. His brother-in-law works in the county government's household registration department. This matter..."

Liu Bei understood.

The land deed was fake, but the official seal was genuine. Wang Kui's brother-in-law abused his power to forge the land deed.

"There are still doubts in this case." Liu Bei put down his gavel. "The land deed will be temporarily withheld until I ascertain its authenticity before making a judgment!"

The steward grew anxious: "Captain! What's there to investigate? The land deeds and official seals are all there..."

"Get them out!" Liu Bei emphasized.

The bailiffs escorted the man out.

Behind the hall, Li Gongcao wiped his sweat: "Commander, are you determined to get to the bottom of this?"

"Of course we must investigate." Liu Bei stood up. "Forged land deeds, forcibly seizing farmland. If this isn't dealt with, how will the people of the north survive?"

"But Wang Kui's brother-in-law..."

"Investigate together." Liu Bei looked at him. "Li Gongcao, go to the county yamen's household registration office and get all the land transaction records for the past three months. I need to compare the handwriting and the seals."

"Well... the county government might not be willing to give it to us."

"Go and ask for it in the name of the Northern Commandery," Liu Bei said calmly. "If they refuse, I will write to the Commandant of the Capital Region, saying that the county clerks are suspected of forging documents and requesting a thorough investigation."

Li Gongcao gasped.

This is going to be a head-on confrontation.

That afternoon, Li Gongcao returned empty-handed.

"The county government said the records are archived and can't be retrieved immediately." He smiled bitterly. "The captain, they're clearly not going to give them to us."

Liu Bei didn't speak, but picked up his pen and wrote an official document, then stamped it with the seal of the Northern Commandant.

"Zhang Wu, you personally deliver this to the Sili Commandant's office."

"yes!"

The official document was sent out, and a response was received that very evening.

The Sili Commandant's Office dispatched two clerks with a warrant to retrieve the records directly from the county government office. The county officials turned green with anger but dared not stop them.

Bring the records over, and sure enough, there's a problem.

The numbers on those three land deeds didn't correspond to the land in Yongpingli at all. Although the seal was genuine, it was clearly stolen; Wang Kui's brother-in-law had abused his position to steal the official seal.

unambiguous evidence.

Liu Bei wrote a report overnight, attached evidence, and sent it directly to the Sili Commandant's office.

Three days later, the verdict was delivered:

A Zheng merchant forcibly seized farmland, was fined 100,000 yuan, and ordered to compensate the plaintiff for losses; Wang Kui's brother-in-law was dismissed from his post and investigated; Wang Kui himself was imprisoned pending trial for forgery.

The vegetable garden in Yongpingli has been returned to its rightful owner.

The news sent shockwaves through the north.

The people gathered outside the Commandant's mansion, shouting "Commander Liu!" The old farmers knelt in front of the mansion, kowtowing until their foreheads bled.

Seeing this, Li Gongcao's expression was complicated: "Commander, you've... stirred up a hornet's nest."

"I know," Liu Bei said, standing in front of the hall and looking at the people outside. "But if it's time to stab someone, then stab them."

That night, he received an anonymous letter.

The letter contained only one sentence: "Young man, know when to stop. The waters of Luoyang are deep; be careful not to drown."

The handwriting is neat and the silk used is of the finest quality.

Liu Bei burned the letter.

Enraged, Zhang Wu drew his sword: "Which bastard dares to threaten a doctor! I'm going to investigate!"

"Investigate what?" Liu Bei pressed him down. "What good will it do if we find out? We still have to do what needs to be done."

He looked out at the night sky and said slowly, "However, we need to speed things up. Once Xianhe and Zijing arrive, we'll begin the reorganization."

At the end of October, Jian Yong arrived first.

He arrived alone on horseback, covered in dust from his journey. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he exclaimed, "Xuande! Xuande! This place is quite nice!"

Liu Bei came out to greet them, and the two hugged tightly.

Four years had passed, and Jian Yong had gained some weight and his face had become more worldly, but his eyes were still as lively as ever, darting around as he surveyed his surroundings.

"Great job!" Jian Yong patted Liu Bei on the shoulder. "You've become a captain now! You still remember your brothers. You really are a man of honor!"

"Stop joking around." Liu Bei pulled him into the house. "Was the journey smooth?"

"Successfully!" Jian Yong took a sip of water. "It's just that Luoyang is a really big city. It took me ages to find your place."

The two sat down and reminisced. Jian Yong talked about the changes in Zhuojun over the years, who had become rich, who had become poor, and how Liu Deran was now a minor official in the prefectural government, living a stable life.

"Your aunt is in good health, but she always talks about you," Jian Yong said. "When I came this time, she asked me to tell you to take care of yourself and not to overwork yourself."

Liu Bei nodded: "Is everything alright at home?"

"Everything is fine." Jian Yong paused, "It's just that Uncle Yuanqi... his illness hasn't fully recovered, and his cough has worsened since autumn. We've consulted several doctors, and they all say he needs to rest."

Liu Bei's heart sank.

Just then, Zhang Wu led Qian Zhao in.

Qian Zhao remained the same as ever: silent, upright, like a pine tree in the north. Upon seeing Liu Bei, his eyes lit up, and he stepped forward, clasping his hands in greeting: "Xuande."

"Zijing!" Liu Bei stood up and patted him heavily on the shoulder. "You must have had a long journey."

"It's not hard work," Qian Zhao said succinctly. "I came as soon as I received the letter."

The four sat around a table, and Liu Bei recounted the situation in the north.

After listening, Jian Yong stroked his chin and said, "So, you're in a predicament right now. You've offended the eunuchs, made enemies with the county government, and your men aren't even reliable."

"So I need your help." Liu Bei looked at them. "Xianhe, you're good at dealing with people, so I want you to be in charge of civil mediation, and also... gathering information. You need to help me find out the details about all sorts of people in the north."

"Leave it to me!" Jian Yong patted his chest confidently.

"Zijing," Liu Bei turned to Qian Zhao, "you are highly skilled in martial arts and upright in character. I want you to be in charge of arresting criminals and maintaining order, and training constables. These people are used to being lax and need some serious training."

Qian Zhao nodded: "Okay."

"Zhang Wu will stay with me and handle urgent matters." Liu Bei looked at the three men. "The four of us brothers will stick together and get this north properly organized."

"Okay!" the three said in unison.

That night, the four of them had a welcome dinner.

In early November, Qian Zhao began to reorganize the corvée system.

Every day before dawn, they would drag people to the drill ground for training. They would stand in formation, practice swordsmanship, and learn grappling techniques. The lazy bailiffs complained endlessly, but seeing Qian Zhao's skill, they dared not disobey.

Jian Yong changed into civilian clothes and spent his days wandering around the various neighborhoods of the north. Teahouses, taverns, gambling dens, brothels... he went wherever there were crowds, chatting with people and gathering information. In less than half a month, he had a general understanding of the prostitutes in the north. No, he had a general understanding of the various factions in the north.

Liu Bei began to deal with the backlog of cases.

He held court daily, hearing and judging cases. There were land disputes, debt disputes, and cases of fighting and injury. He judged fairly and impartially, and gradually gained a reputation.

But trouble followed.