Ch. 376..380: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 376-380
Chapter 376: Chapter 376: Transition from Old to New (2)_1
The soldiers in black armor obeyed Chu Suifeng’s order, and immediately brought out their weapons to arrest people.
"Your Highness, this is a misunderstanding." A family head’s face drastically changed out of fear, shouting his innocence out loud. Seeing the cold and murderous expressions on Chu Suifeng and the others, his heart fluttered even more. "It was the Zhang Family, Xia Family, and Ji Family’s idea, we were forced into this."
Upon hearing these words, Zhang Da and his companions wished they could kill the speaker on the spot.
If they had held their tongues, they might have blamed the situation on their servants and gotten away with it. The fool started confessing without being asked to. Now, there was no good way to end this.
"Yes, those three families were the ringleaders. We were forced into this situation." Once somebody started to talk, there would undoubtedly be others who would betray their friends for their own benefit.
"All family mansions shall be raided, and those who resist shall be killed without mercy." Chu Suifeng coldly ordered.
"Chu Suifeng, don’t push us too far." The head of the Ji Family boldly stepped forward and pointed at Chu Suifeng.
Chu Suifeng gave him a cold glance while Congyi unsheathed his sword and struck. The head of the Ji Family fell, a defiant expression still on his face while his so-called elite family guards were stunned into inaction.
The man is dead? He’s really dead?
Looking at the corpse on the ground, the room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Zhang Da’s legs were shaking, and so were the Family Head of the Xia Family’s. They were only merchants. Chu Suifeng was a maverick, and would never allow their families to meddle in military affairs. Although there were their people among the civil officials, what could they do at this point? Trapped here, their family’s officials were too far away to quench their immediate thirst.
"Everyone freeze." Zhang Da suddenly regained his composure and voluntarily extended his hand, "Your Highness, we will go with you."
The black armored soldiers looked at Chu Suifeng.
Chu Suifeng nodded, and only then did the soldiers move to shackle everyone with iron chains and leg cuffs.
"They are still dreaming, waiting for those civil officials to rescue them." After Zhang Da and the others were taken away, Si Jinhan sneered.
"Sima Gong should have handled it properly." Chu Suifeng blended into the darkness as he turned around.
"Take care, Your Highness, Young Master Three." The old madam of Drunken Moon Building, seeing them exiting with the black-armored soldiers, respectfully escorted them to the door. The entire Drunken Moon Building was quiet. All the guests, after seeing the black-armored soldiers, had sequestered themselves in the rooms of the girls.
Zhang Da originally pinned his hopes on the officials from their families. However, it wasn’t until he was in prison that he realized his mistake.
"Father." As soon as he entered the prison, he saw his second son, a civil official in the Inspector’s Office.
"Mingqian, why are you here too?" Zhang Da, surprised, looked at his son, ignoring others from the Zhang family to comfort them.
"The Inspector has sided with His Highness, our Zhang family is finished." Zhang Mingqian replied, crying.
"How could that be?" Zhang Da couldn’t stand this blow and he sat down hard on the ground. "Isn’t the Inspector from the Emperor?"
The current emperor did not look favorably upon his son Chu Suifeng; he even guarded against him everywhere. The official Shi from the Inspector’s Office who was sent by the emperor was not subject to Chu Suifeng’s control.
Most of the civil officials in the Northern Land were promoted by the Inspector’s Office, so the Zhang family and the other families had been confident that they could handle Chu Suifeng. What they had not expected was that now even the Inspector’s Office had fallen under Chu Suifeng’s control. Could it be that Chu Suifeng really intended to break free from the control of the Imperial Court?
The possibility filled Zhang Da’s face with despair.
Everything was his fault; he was too complacent, too careless. He thought Chu Suifeng was just an ordinary prince confined to his assigned territory, a harsh and barren Northern Land. Chu Suifeng would surely not dare to disrespect the Imperial Court. But in thinking so, he had forgotten how tough and authoritarian Chu Suifeng could be.
Chapter 377: Chapter 377: Transition from Old to New (3)_1
Such a passionate man on the battlefield, how could he willingly allow others to tie his hands and feet?
"Father." Upon seeing Zhang Da spew out a mouthful of old blood and faint, all members of the Zhang Family wailed.
Chu Suifeng acted decisively and swiftly, punishing all involved residences. As for the side branches of the residences, all those involved were persecuted, while those uninvolved were unaffected.
Such actions greatly won the approval of the public.
The defection of Inspector Shi also led to an earthquake-like personnel change in the Inspector’s Office. At the same time, the newly emerging Bai Family, Ma Family, and Chen Family, within the shortest period, took over the business of the Zhang, Ji, and Xia families. However, these families did not accept all the business. Many businesses were distributed to other businessmen by Chu Suifeng.
In this way, the original structure of Feng City was completely broken.
Of course, aristocratic families like the Zhang Family and Ji Family have been rooted in the Northern Land for many years and are intricately present. Even though Chu Suifeng took action, some slipped through the nets. These people occasionally caused trouble, but with the presence of Si Jinhan, Sima Gong, and others, they could not cause any ripple before they were finished.
"My Lord, according to the spies, Prince Ling has eradicated many aristocratic families in the Northern Land." In the Capital City, at the morning court, the Grand Preceptor reported the recent news from the Northern Land to the Emperor.
"Prince Ling?" The Emperor at the head of the court frowned and asked, "Why did he do this?"
"Prince Ling initiated reforms in the Northern Land, encouraging people to reclaim more land. The aristocratic families disagreed with these reforms which infuriated Prince Ling, leading him to eliminate the opposition." The Grand Preceptor lowered his head and replied.
"Father, if Prince Ling encourages the reclamation of a large amount of land in the Northern Land and has a strong army in his hands, it will become more and more difficult for the imperial court to control him if he succeeds." The Crown Prince expressed his worries.
"He is my son, an official of the court, would he dare?" The Emperor was furious.
"Your Majesty, please calm down." An Imperial Academy Scholar gave a differing opinion, "The Northern Land has a cold climate, half of the year is winter. Even if Prince Ling encourages people to reclaim more land, the income will be meager. Considering that Your Majesty just issued a decree to replace the military salary and food provision with taxation, Prince Ling’s actions are justified."
"Your Majesty, the Northern Land has a cold climate. What can be farmed there are mostly beans. I can assure you that even if Prince Ling encourages people to reclaim large areas of land, the annual income will not increase much." The Minister of Agriculture also stepped forward.
"Father, in my opinion, the Northern Land is vast and sparsely populated with a cold climate and is harassed by the Tatars from the north. Prince Ling has managed the border city diligently for years and has kept the Tatars out. If the taxation cannot cover the military salary and the ration, it will definitely affect the safety of the border city." The Eighth Prince also spoke out.
The Crown Prince sneered at the Eighth Prince. "Are you blaming the Emperor’s decree, Eighth Brother?"
The Emperor’s face turned cold when he heard this. The Eighth Prince sighed internally but kept a solemn face. "Please discern, Father. I am just worried about the safety of the border city. You know better than I do how much tax the Northern Land can contribute. In recent years, due to frequent natural disasters in Jiangnan, the imperial court has taken on the burden of military salary and food provision in the Northern Land which has exerted great pressure on you. But if you want the horse to run, you must let it eat well. Prince Ling encourages the people to reclaim the land and farm, he just wants to make up enough food supply, so as to alleviate your worries."
Seeing the composed appearance of the Eighth Prince, and considering his unambitious history regarding court affairs, the Emperor weighed his thoughts and agreed with the Eighth Prince. "The Eighth Prince spoke very rationally. With Prince Ling guarding the border city, the Tatars in the North have always eyed our Daqin covetously, yet with him there, I have less worries. Since I have ordered Prince Ling to replace the military salary and food provision with taxation, let him manage his own fiefdom as he wishes."
Chapter 378: Chapter 378: Transition from Old to New (4)_1
With a single statement from the Emperor, the Crown Prince and the Grand Master were left speechless.
"The Emperor is wise." A chorus of ministers called out in agreement.
"Your Majesty, I believe the Grand Master is also considering the interests of the Imperial Court. Although the Northern Land is the Prince’s fief, it would be better to send officials from within the court to supervise. The former top scholar of the kingdom, Yuan Yanzhao, stepped forward to report."
Upon hearing this, all the court officials nodded in agreement. Though the Northern Land was barren and had harsh climates, it played an important role. It was the rear guard of Daqin. If control was fully handed over to the Prince and his family, it would seem somewhat inappropriate.
Hearing Yuan Yanzhao’s suggestion, the Emperor frowned slightly. "What do my loyal ministers make of what Minister Yuan has said?" he asked.
"Father, I believe Minister Yuan has a valid point." The Crown Prince glanced at Yuan Yanzhao in agreement.
"Who do my loyal ministers believe would be best to send?" enquired the Emperor.
At these words, the hall immediately fell silent.
The Northern Land was a harsh, frigid region. Each year, anyone who was sent there had either committed a serious crime or were recruited troops sent by the inner court. How could any of these officials who were accustomed to revel in extravagance wish to head to such hardships?
For a moment, the whole court was quiet, with no previous debate or discussion to be heard.
The Eighth Prince could not help but force a wry smile. Such were the officers of Daqin. The Emperor, indulging in pleasure, had countless beautiful women in his palace and the national treasury’s silver all spent on pleasures. The officers below him, following his example, were all entrenched in corruption with the Emperor turning a blind eye. Even if he wasn’t interested in state affairs, he was aware of the emptiness of the national treasury.
Now, asking these people to endure hardships in the North, how could it be easy?
"Just now, weren’t my loyal ministers eager in debate? Why the silence now?" The Emperor’s face darkened.
The ministers all uniformly lowered their heads and remained silent.
"Your humble servant is willing to share the Emperor’s concerns." At the height of tension, finally, someone was willing to step forward.
The ministers turned to look, and it turned out to be the newly appointed top scholar, Shao Liufeng.
"This humble servant is also willing to share the Emperor’s worries." Yuan Yanzhao stepped forward.
"This humble servant is willing to share the Emperor’s concerns." This time, it was the top martial arts scholar Wa Jie stepping forward.
The Crown Prince frowned slightly. Both current and former top scholars were bold enough to step forward. Why did he have a bad feeling about this?
"Your Majesty," The scholar of Hanlin Academy, Mei Hanqing also stood up. "I am willing to share your troubles."
"Father, we should not send too many officials to the North. I think it would be best to send just one person." The Crown Prince stood up in opposition. Mei Hanqing was a minister of the Hanlin Academy and held a significant influence among the nobles. If he went to the Northern Land, it would inevitably affect the young students who came after him.
"Your Majesty." Mei Hanqing bowed, "As the Northern Land is vast and the Prince has a wide jurisdiction, how would just one or two officials be able to manage it? Only by sending several people close to the Emperor to support each other could they pose a threat to the Prince. I am willing to take my family over and settle in the Northern Land to alleviate the Emperor’s worries."
Although the Emperor was somewhat incompetent, he was aware of Mei Hanqing’s character. This minister was very upright and had offended many officials in the court. However, among the younger scholars, he wielded significant influence.
Such a person could indeed be trusted. Looking down at Yuan Yanzhao and Shao Liufeng, along with the top martial scholar, they were all glaring at each other as if no one respected the other. He remembered reports from his spies that these three did not seem to respect each other. The Emperor immediately made up his mind.
"Minister Mei, your loyalty and courage are commendable. I approve of your decision." The Emperor said.
Chapter 379: Chapter 379: Transition from Old to New (5)_1
"Your Majesty, I am much obliged. After I arrive in the Northern Land, I will certainly not let you down." Mei Hanqing thanked the Emperor as he knelt.
Yuan Yanzhao and the others followed suit by bowing their heads in gratitude.
"Dismissed." The Emperor spoke while yawning, having been worn out after a rigorous night spent with his consort, Xiao Meiren.
The officials left the court in pairs and alone. The Prime Minister quickly caught up with the Crown Prince, "How does Your Highness perceive today’s events?"
"The climate is cold in the Northern Land. Even though the land is vast, let Chu Suifeng stir whatever he desires. Now we should guard against King Chu. However, Chu Suifeng’s elimination of dissenters is something we also need to defend against, as well as trying to find opportunities to win over Mei Hanqing and the others."
To the Crown Prince, the entire Daqin is all within his grasp for the future. With the Emperor’s inconstancies, he cannot let others disrupt his domain. Thus, his stance towards Chu Suifeng was both defensive and appeasing, above all towards to court officials even more so.
Upon returning, Mei Hanqing and the others did not cross paths, each busying themselves instructing their families to pack up their households. What could be sold was sold; what could be brought along was taken.
What reassured the Emperor and the Crown Prince was that it was said Mei Hanqing’s wife and children had caused a scene, seemingly unwilling to accompany him to the harsh Northern Land. However, Mei Hanqing had remained steadfast. After a dispute and persuasion from numerous parties, only then did his wife agree.
In fact, Yuan Yanzhao and the others, coming from humble families, had simpler backgrounds and eventually set off lightly equipped.
A few inconsequential minor officials leaving the court was not of much importance to the Emperor. The Crown Prince knew how to win people’s favor, so when those families left, he not only personally saw them off but also presented them with numerous gifts.
Both Yuan Yanzhao and Shao Liufeng were extremely grateful towards the Crown Prince, and after repeatedly expressing their thanks, only then did they leave with their families. Wa Jie, a rather crude man, was someone the Crown Prince couldn’t have a conversation with. Mei Hanqing, on the other hand, was quite aloof. If it weren’t for his wife holding onto the gifts from the Crown Prince, he would not have accepted them. Let alone feeling grateful towards the Crown Prince.
Seeing Mei Hanqing still with his proud attitude, the Crown Prince felt secretly relieved.
The Crown Prince was indeed worried. The Northern Land was dominated by the martial, and Chu Suifeng, the regional lord of this fiefdom himself was a War God. He was surrounded by many competent people, and was followed by military generals from Luo, Si, and Wu families. If Chu Suifeng had the guidance of scholar officials like Mei Hanqing and Yuan Yanzhao, the thought of it alone sent a shiver down the Crown Prince’s spine.
Then, in the future, Prince Ling of the Northern Land would be his hardest opponent.
As he watched the carriages of Mei Hanqing and the others departing, a wave of worry washed over the Crown Prince.
Chu Suifeng performed his work fiercely and resolutely. In Feng City, all criminals were executed without distinction of gender or age. Those present at the execution site reportedly could not eat or drink for several days afterwards, they were so horrified by what they witnessed. It was said that the plot of land used for executions in the Feng City market was dyed a dark red. Describing it as a river of blood would not be an exaggeration.
"Good news, good news." The villagers of Shili Village were busy in the workshop when suddenly they heard the booming sound of drums and gongs from outside.
"What’s happening?" asked Granny Bai.
"I don’t know."
"Why do I hear the sound of drums and gongs?"
...
The bearer of good news who had arrived at the village, after beating his drum and gong for quite a while and not seeing anyone coming out, wondered what made this village so peculiar. The man, standing at the village entrance with his beaten gong, scratched his head, not knowing what else to do.
"Could it be that my Zhicai has passed the examination?" Madam Yan joyously ran out to meet the news bearer. Early in the morning, Ma Zhicai had gone to the market to hear the news because the results were to be announced today.
Chapter 380: Chapter 380: Transition from Old to New (6)_1
In June, during the village examination, several Tongshengs emerged from the village. Lin Changting from the Lin Family was the youngest one, along with Lou Zheng’s grandson, Wu Xin, and a child from the Zhou Family who also passed the Tongsheng examination.
This angered Yan Family’s matriarch so much that she couldn’t eat properly for several days. After all, her son, Ma Zhicai, had been the village’s only Tongsheng, which made many people envious. As a mother of a Tongsheng, she always walked around with a sense of pride.
Learning that both Lin Changting and Wu Xin were intending to sit for the Scholar examination, Yan Family’s matriarch did not shy away from mocking their families in the village.
It wasn’t so unusual for Lou Zheng’s grandson, Wu Xin, who had read at the private academy in the market for two years. Lin Changting, however, was merely a young child who had not been studying for a very long time, and yet he dared to sit the Scholar examination. This was enough to provoke laughter among the townsfolk.
"Where do Lin Changting and Wu Xin live?" The bearer of good news asked excitedly.
"Find them at the big courtyard." Some elders had already gathered at the entrance of the village. They kindly pointed the way to the joyous messenger, "What is the news, young sir?"
"Lin Changting and Wu Xin have passed the Scholar examination. I came to spread the joy." The messenger replied with a smile.
"Really? Two Scholars in our village?" Upon hearing this, the elders dropped what they were doing and eagerly volunteered to guide him. Anyone who became a Scholar in the village was a source of village pride. Besides, the two new Scholars were from Lou Zheng’s and Lin Family’s households!
"How can this be?" Upon hearing that her son’s name was not mentioned, Yan Family’s matriarch incredulously stared at the messenger. "How can Ma Zhicai’s name be missing? Are you sure you didn’t make a mistake?"
"Ma Zhicai’s name is not on the list." The messenger pushed past Yan’s matriarch and cheerfully followed the village elders towards the Lin Family’s residence.
"No, they must have made a mistake." Yan’s matriarch absolutely refused to believe that Ma Zhicai had failed in his examination. "Old man, where on earth are you? Go check the placard at the market!"
Upon hearing the messenger’s news, the Lin Family’s servant immediately informed his master.
"Reward him, immediately reward him." The old master said excitedly with his voice trembling. Lin Changshu was the first to have someone send a reward to the messenger.
The generosity was unexpected, amounting to two taels.
In the countryside, a reward of two taels is quite substantial. The news bearer never expected to receive such a reward in the countryside and expressed his gratitude profusely.
"It’s really Wu Xin." Lou Zheng looked at the large red announcement card with Wu Xin’s name on it and immediately had his son, Wu Dali, reward the messenger with another two taels.
The pleased messenger had nothing but good words to say.
"Now we have two Scholars in our village, and they’re both so young too. We must encourage our children to study harder." Some villagers were excited and expressed their congratulations.
"Yes, next time we need to make sure our children try their best to take the examination."
...
Lin Ziyin was overjoyed and sent a message to the private academy. The two young Scholars, Wu Xin and Changting, found themselves surrounded by admiring children, their faces turning bashfully red.
"Thank you, teacher." Changting and Wu Xin thanked the seated Qian Xuan.
"Learning is a lifelong journey." Qian Xuan was equally pleased. Initially, he believed his life was over when he was exiled to the Northern Land, but after more than a year, he ended up meeting several promising students. He reflected on the old saying, the reversal of fortune by an old man who lost his horse, perhaps it was fate that led him to the Northern Land. "Keep studying hard in the future."
"Yes, teacher." All the children answered solemnly.
Lin Ziyin was busy, very busy!