The Three Kingdoms: The Oath of the Peach Garden, the Rise of the Han Dynasty

"You five have all remembered, right? From now on, follow this!"

Jia Xu and the others cupped their hands in greeting: "Yes, sir!"

They were relieved, and most of the powerful families in Ji and Qing provinces were also relieved!

The powerful families in Hanoi, Youzhou, Sili, and even Liangzhou who had already pledged allegiance to the government were now even more at ease!

The wealthy families of Ji and Qing provinces are truly powerful! They have ample funds and resources; they are incredibly generous!

Li Chang didn't stop, and spoke again and again:

"Resettling retired soldiers!"

Over the years of fighting, wounded veterans and senior sergeants have been discharged in batches.

They were to be assigned to groups of at least three people, and distributed to various counties and villages across the land!

They were in charge of providing technical guidance on land reclamation, daily training of local militia, conveying government orders to lower levels, and reporting public sentiment to higher levels.

The imperial court provided land, houses, and farming tools, allowing people to settle in the countryside.

It not only provided resettlement for meritorious soldiers, but also ensured that those who shed blood on the battlefield would not be left destitute in their old age;

This also ensures that government orders reach the villages directly, preventing them from being manipulated by local officials or lawless individuals!

This seemingly mild measure is actually a fatal blow to the lifeblood of aristocratic families!

Local villages were dominated by powerful families, and government orders did not extend beyond the county seat. The villagers only knew about the local magnates and were unaware of the imperial court.

The current practice of settling retired veterans in rural areas is tantamount to driving a nail into every village and hamlet of the government.

The imperial court could effectively control everything from land ownership and household registration to taxes and public security, and powerful families could no longer dominate the system.

Of course, it's unknown how long this system can last.

Li Chang couldn't see that future either, so he left it to future generations.

The faces of all the officials from prominent families turned even paler.

This isn't about resettling veterans; it's about planting spies under their noses and seizing power!

Before anyone in the hall could speak, Sima Fang stepped forward.

"What the Grand Commander said is, in my opinion, entirely reasonable." Sima Fang spoke with great vigor, not at all like an old man who had been worn down by political affairs.

He glanced at the restless surrendered officials from Ji Province.

Our Hanoi aristocratic family has experienced several unexpected Yellow Turban Rebellions and has long since implemented these policies. Do you still think you can escape?

Under Yuan Shao's rule, your Ji Province aristocratic families are living a truly prosperous life! You Ji Province aristocratic families are going to occupy all the land in Ji Province!

"In the past, the world was in chaos, and powerful clans seized land, leaving the common people with nowhere to stand. How did the Yellow Turban Rebellion come about? It was forced out by these powerful clans who refused to pay taxes and occupied thousands of acres of land."

Sima Fang's words were righteous and awe-inspiring, but they had no impact on his Sima family whatsoever!

"Now that the King of Jin... has pacified Hebei, he intends to return the land and its benefits to the people. Your subject, Sima Fang, is willing to take the lead in paying taxes and clearing the land."

Before he finished speaking, Yang Biao stepped forward.

The head of the Hongnong Yang clan, who had been wearing a dark expression since returning from Jizhou, surprisingly showed a slight smile at this moment.

He stayed in Jizhou for several months, where he was bullied by the local powerful families to the point that he couldn't even enjoy a cup of tea. He had been holding back his anger for a long time.

"Your subject, Yang Biao, seconded the motion. The abolition and reinstatement of these measures, taxation based on land area, unified grain payment, and the relocation of demobilized soldiers to the countryside are all policies to strengthen the foundation and stabilize the people. Your subject is willing to lead the Yang clan of Hongnong in taking the lead in supporting these measures!"

As soon as Sima Fang and Yang Biao stepped forward, the atmosphere in the hall shifted.

The powerful families of Hanoi followed Sima Fang, and the powerful families of Sili followed Yang Biao, all echoing his sentiments!

The former subordinates of Bingzhou were even more supportive!

Youzhou and Liangzhou were no exception!

They've been paying taxes for several years now! Otherwise, how could they have withstood the drain of the Duke of Jin's repeated battles?

At this time.

Everyone looked at Li Chang, then at Liu Bei sitting calmly in the main seat, and immediately understood.

This official system and the three new policies were jointly determined by the future Prince of Jin and the Grand Commander.

Those who don't support it are going against the Prince of Jin.

Guan Yu stood on the side of the steps, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, his hand resting on his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, without uttering a word.

Zhang Fei stood on the other side, his leopard eyes wide open, scanning the whispering surrendered officials, a grin on his lips, as if watching to see who would jump out first.

Lu Bu leaned against a pillar, and he was actually holding a halberd!

No one came out.

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances. The several powerful families from Ji Province, whose faces had been ashen just moments before, now quietly shrank back and shifted their gaze elsewhere.

Li Chang did not press his advantage. He simply cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Liu Bei and said, "Brother, I believe that these three points should be implemented uniformly starting this year."

Liu Bei nodded, making the final decision: "Approved."

Having a fourth brother is great! The mess in Ji Province and Qing Province, as well as the new official system, were all resolved in one go!

He doesn't need to think; he just needs to say "accurate"!

After the court session ended, the prominent families of Jizhou walked out of the mansion, their steps unsteady, and were supported by their stewards.

He glanced back at the vermilion gate and let out a long sigh:

"Sigh... When Yuan Benchu ​​was in power, we didn't have to pay taxes on a single acre of land. Now... sigh."

They even demand several qing (a unit of weight) in payment, and they've even extended their reach into the villages!

The steward asked in a low voice, "Master, what should we do? Really pay?"

The patriarch remained silent for a long time, gazing at the lingering dust and smoke in the direction of Ye City, before slowly uttering:

"Hand it over. If you don't, you'll end up like Yuan Shao. But who knows, things might change once Ji Province and Qing Province are settled!"

Quickly, send a message to the powerful families of Ji and Qing provinces; we need to discuss important matters!

Also, what about the branch we sent to Duke Jin's command?

Why haven't you come to see me yet?

The manager dared not ask any more questions and simply agreed.

On the other side, Sima Fang and Yang Biao walked side by side on the road, exchanged a glance, and smiled at each other.

Yang Biao: "Brother Sima, you have quite the spirit today."

"Not at all, not at all, I can't compare to Brother Yang." Sima Fang waved his hand. "I heard that Brother Yang suffered some injustice in Ji Province?"

"I wouldn't call it feeling wronged," Yang Biao said casually, gazing at the sky.

"It was just that I was unhappy to see some powerful families in Ji Province not paying a single acre of tax or a single shi of grain. Now that it's been abolished and reinstated, everyone is happy!"

Right now, they might still think it's the Grand Commander who's setting the rules!

Sima Fang smiled but said nothing more. They both knew in their hearts that the world had, after all, changed!

But they became even faster!

Yang Biao laughed again, "They've been spoiled rotten by that Yuan Benchu!"

Unlike their aristocratic families in Guanzhong, who suffered terribly under Dong Zhuo's rule!

……

On the other side, there's the much-anticipated secret room.

A trio.

Jia Xu: "I never expected the Grand Commander to actually take the blame!"

Cheng Yu: "What I didn't expect was that, besides the two of us, Brother Sima and Brother Yang were also dragged into this!"

Jia Xu shook his head: "The Grand Commander keeps calling us 'sir,' but the tasks he orders us to do are increasingly ruthless!"

Cheng Yu continued, "I've already thought about my posthumous reputation!"

Li Chang finally spoke:

"I'm already preparing to have the Jixia Academy start a Jixia Journal! By the way, based on some kind of Eight Gentlemen of the Han Dynasty, I, Li Chang, will reluctantly become the head of the Eight Gentlemen."

Jia Xu stroked his beard: "Then am I, Jia Wenhe, also a great Confucian scholar of upright character?"

Cheng Yu doesn't care about his reputation as much as the other two do; of course, it would be better if it could improve!

……

(Thank you for your support. I rested all night yesterday, so this chapter is a little late.)