Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

Liu Tingsong's expression remained unchanged, and his tone was still gentle: "What you said makes sense. But the purpose of counting the land is not to embarrass anyone, but to ensure that the tax is fair and let the people farm with peace of mind. If there is anything inappropriate, please forgive me."

Another squire frowned and said, "Master Liu, this sounds nice, but in practice it will inevitably cause public resentment. Have you considered this?"

Liu Tingsong smiled slightly and took out a document from his sleeve: "I have certainly considered this. Therefore, I have specially formulated detailed steps for the land inventory to minimize disturbance to the people. This document is the preliminary plan, please take a look."

The gentry circulated the document skeptically, and gradually some of them showed expressions of approval.

A few days later, Liu Tingsong personally led the team to the fields and counted the acres of land one by one. He personally talked with the farmers to understand their actual situation.

An old farmer with a frosted face saw him and couldn't help but sigh: "Sir, what's the point of counting the land? The taxes are still on us, who will support us?"

Liu Tingsong squatted down and looked at the old farmer seriously: "Old man, the court sent me to count the land just to reduce unjust taxes. If you feel there is any injustice, you can tell me directly and I will definitely do justice for you."

The old farmer was stunned for a moment, then his eyes showed gratitude: "Sir, I believe what you said. If you can really do it, we people will be willing to do it no matter how hard it is!"

He compiled the results of the inventory into a book and handed it to the gentry representative for review. After reading it, the previously picky gentry sighed and said, "Master Liu, you really have a way. The results of the inventory are clear and organized. We have nothing to say."

Liu Tingsong bowed and said, "Thank you for your trust, sir. I have achieved this result today thanks to the cooperation of all the gentry."

Zhu Biao looked at the victory report on the table and breathed a sigh of relief: "Uncle, Chen Qing and Liu Tingsong really lived up to our expectations. Not only did they complete the task, they also received support from the local gentry."

Zhu Han nodded, his tone revealing some relief: "Biao'er, you have to remember that this success is not only due to their ability, but also to the trust and support you gave them. This is a good start."

At the Prince of Yan's Mansion in the capital, as night fell, Zhu Di, dressed in black, sat in the main hall of the mansion with a stern expression.

He was playing with a jade pendant engraved with a unicorn pattern, but his eyes were fixed on a map, his gaze full of deep thought. Several trusted aides stood in front of the desk, and the atmosphere was so oppressive that it made people breathless.

"Your Highness, I have already found out the news about Tongzhou and Nanjiao." Li Ying said respectfully in a low voice, "The two people sent by the prince, Chen Qing and Liu Tingsong, not only completed the task, but also won the support of local gentry and people. The reputation of the prince among the people has also improved."

Zhu Di sneered upon hearing this, and placed the jade pendant heavily on the table. His voice was low but chilling: "It seems that Zhu Biao played well this time, but the more he does so, the more weaknesses he will expose. Tell me, do the gentry in Tongzhou and the southern suburbs really support them wholeheartedly?"

Li Ying hesitated for a moment and said cautiously, "I have investigated and found that these gentry seem to be obedient to Chen Qing and Liu Tingsong, but some of them have complaints about the inventory of land and the rectification of granaries, believing that the prince's move is intended to suppress local power."

Zhu Di's eyes lit up, and a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Sure enough, this is the real breakthrough. Since some people are dissatisfied, I will give them the opportunity to add fuel to the flames."

He slowly stood up, walked to the window with his hands behind his back, and stared at the dim sky. His tone was full of meaning: "Li Ying, you immediately arrange for people to secretly contact those gentry who are dissatisfied with the prince, and tell them that I can fight for more benefits for them, so that they will feel that the prince's reforms are a threat to them."

Li Ying bowed his head and accepted the order: "I understand."

Zhu Di narrowed his eyes slightly, and his voice was like an icy blade: "At the same time, spread some rumors, saying that the prince's move is just a superficial effort, and the people he sent are just trying to take the opportunity to accumulate merit. Once the mission is completed, the real benefits will still be taken away by the court. I want the local gentry and people to begin to doubt him."

A few days later, Zhu Biao received an urgent letter, which mentioned that sporadic rumors had appeared in Tongzhou and the southern suburbs. Someone was secretly inciting the people, claiming that the inventory of land and the reorganization of granaries were just a means for the court to make money, and the ultimate benefits had nothing to do with the people.

"Uncle, my fourth brother has indeed taken action." Zhu Biao held the letter, his brows furrowed, and there was a hint of helplessness in his tone.

Zhu Han stood in front of the desk, picked up the teacup and took a sip, then said calmly: "Biao'er, Fourth Brother has always been good at stirring up people's minds, and his method this time is not surprising. You have to remember that the most fearful thing about rumors is not refutation, but breaking it with facts."

Zhu Biao raised his head, his tone a little anxious: "But the rumor has spread. If it is not stopped immediately, it may affect the local trust in the court."

Zhu Han put down the teacup and said slowly, "This is exactly what you should learn. To resolve rumors, it is not about making the people believe your explanation, but about letting them see the truth with their own eyes. You can arrange for Chen Qing and Liu Tingsong to hold a public briefing, let them show the results of the rectification to the people, and invite local gentry to participate."

Zhu Biao's eyes lit up, and he suddenly realized: "Uncle Huang means to take this opportunity to directly show our sincerity and practical results to the people and gentry?"

Zhu Han nodded: "That's right. Moreover, you have to let the gentry know that they can also benefit from it. Only when their interests are aligned can their resistance be resolved."

In front of the county government office in Tongzhou, hundreds of people gathered in the square, and the scene was extremely lively.

Chen Qing stood on the high platform, holding an account book, with a calm expression. Behind him were several yamen runners and local gentry, and next to him was a row of neatly arranged grain bags, with words such as "new grain" and "old grain" clearly marked on the bags.

"My fellow villagers!" Chen Qing said in a clear voice, "I am here on the orders of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to rectify the granary in Tongzhou. After a month of hard work, the accounts in the granary have been completely cleared. Today, I am here to announce the results to everyone, and please supervise together."

The people in the audience were talking to each other, discussing: "Is what he said true? Has the granary really been renovated?"

"Who knows? But looking at these grain bags, they do seem to be much neater than before."

Chen Qing waved his hand, signaling the yamen runner to open a bag of grain. He walked to the bag, personally grabbed a handful of golden rice from it, and held it in front of the people: "This is the new grain after the rectification. You can check the quality yourself!"

Several people were invited to come forward and take a look. They touched the rice carefully with their hands, smelled it, and nodded repeatedly: "This grain is indeed good! Much better than what we have seen before." Chen Qing continued: "In addition to the quality of the grain, I have also formulated a detailed distribution plan. Every season, the granary will distribute relief grain on time, and any villagers who need help can register to receive it. These records will be posted publicly and anyone can supervise them."

The people in the audience cheered immediately, saying one after another: "Your Highness the Crown Prince really cares about us ordinary people! This way, we have hope for the future!"

The expressions of several gentry standing nearby were complicated. One of the older gentry sighed and whispered to the person next to him: "Lord Chen is indeed capable. I'm afraid we can't find any fault with his actions."

In a field in the southern suburbs, Liu Tingsong, along with several officials and gentry, was explaining the results of the land inventory to the people. On the ridges of the fields, the rice ears shone golden in the sun, adding a satisfied smile to the faces of the people.

"Fellow villagers, after this inventory, we found some hidden fields, and now these fields have been re-registered." Liu Tingsong stood at the head of the field and said firmly, "From now on, the field records of every citizen will be transparent, and no one can use this to deduct taxes."

A young farmer couldn't help but ask, "Master Liu, does this land inventory only apply to us poor people? What about the land of the rich families?"

Liu Tingsong walked up, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile: "You asked a good question. In fact, this time when we counted the land, we were not only responsible for the common people, but also checked the land of the gentry. No matter who they are, as long as they have land, they will be treated equally."

As soon as these words came out, the people began to discuss: "Lord Liu is indeed fair. This way we don't have to worry about being exploited!"

A squire standing nearby bowed and said, "Sir Liu, I did have some doubts at first, but now it seems that what you are doing is really for the benefit of the people. We squires are also willing to fully support you."

Liu Tingsong returned the greeting with a sincere tone: "Thank you all for your support. This land inventory is not only for fair taxation, but also for everyone to farm with peace of mind. I have only done my little bit, and the real credit goes to the cooperation of all the villagers and gentry."

The good news from Tongzhou and Nanjiao was once again transmitted back to the capital. Zhu Biao flipped through the documents and a gratified smile appeared on his face.

He said to Zhu Han: "Uncle, I finally understand your intention. This public statement not only resolved the provocation of my fourth brother, but also won the hearts of the people."

Zhu Han nodded, his eyes far-reaching: "Biao'er, this is just the beginning. Fourth brother will not give up easily."

Zhu Di sat in his study, holding a secret letter from Tongzhou in his hand, his face gloomy. As the candlelight flickered, his expression became even more gloomy, his eyes fixed on the contents of the letter.

Li Ying stood aside cautiously. Seeing that Zhu Di remained silent for a long time, he whispered tentatively, "Your Highness, Chen Qing and Liu Tingsong not only completed the task, but also helped the prince's reputation rise to a higher level. Should I put further pressure on them?"

Zhu Di placed the letter heavily on the table and said in a cold voice, "No need for that. Chen Qing and Liu Tingsong are just two pawns, but they should not be underestimated. I underestimated the ability of the people around Zhu Biao and overestimated the stubbornness of the local gentry."

Li Ying nodded, with a little more trepidation in his tone: "Your Highness, in my humble opinion, the Crown Prince used Chen Qing and Liu Tingsong to win the support of the local people this time, which may make more poor scholars support him."

Zhu Di sneered: "Poor scholars? Humph, they are just taking advantage of the prince's momentum to gain temporary power. The ones who can really influence the overall situation are the aristocratic families and the forces in the court. As long as these people stand on my side, no matter how much support Zhu Biao has, it will be nothing but castles in the air."

Li Ying asked in confusion: "Then how will Your Highness deal with this? Will you seek a breakthrough in the court?"

Zhu Di's eyes flashed with coldness: "The court is just a battlefield in public. What I want to do is to make Zhu Biao taste the taste of failure when he is most proud. Doesn't he like to do things in public? Then let him reveal his flaws in front of the people."

In the Prince's Mansion in the capital, Zhu Biao and Zhu Han were discussing in front of a detailed map. The map marked the distribution of granaries, land records, and the dispatch of scholars in various places.

"Uncle, I have indeed learned a lot from the reports of Chen Qing and Liu Tingsong. Although this operation was successful, it also exposed many problems." Zhu Biao pointed to a red area on the map with a serious look, "Things in Nanjiao and Tongzhou seem to be going smoothly, but in fact there are still many places that have not been completely settled."

Zhu Han looked up at him, his tone more thoughtful: "Biao'er, where do you think the problem lies?"

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and said, "First, although some gentry verbally support it, they still have doubts in their hearts; second, many local officials are taking a wait-and-see attitude towards the implementation of the scholars' policies and lack substantive cooperation; third, and most importantly, my fourth brother will never give up."

Zhu Han nodded and smiled, "Your analysis is quite thorough. However, these three issues are also your opportunities. The doubts of the gentry can be resolved through interests; the wait-and-see attitude of local officials can be resolved through clear instructions; as for your fourth brother, every step he takes is an opportunity for you to exercise yourself."

Zhu Biao thought for a moment, "What the emperor's uncle meant is that I should constantly improve my strategy in the process of dealing with the problem?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly: "That's right. The world is created by polishing, not avoiding. If you always worry about your fourth brother, you will be passive. On the contrary, if you take the initiative, you may catch him off guard."

In a teahouse, people were sitting in groups of three or five, whispering about recent rumors. At a table near the window, several farmers in simple clothes were gathered together.

"Old Li, have you heard? His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is going to send more scholars to count the land, and he will also expand it to our side!" A middle-aged man put down his tea bowl and lowered his voice.

Old Li, who was sitting opposite him, was a shrewd and capable man. He frowned when he heard this and said, "I've heard about that, too. This land inventory is a good thing, but think about it, what will those officials and gentry think? I'm afraid that poor people like us will suffer again!"

A young man next to him interrupted and said, "Brother Li, what do you mean? I heard that last time Tongzhou and Nanjiao counted the land, the people applauded and said that the land that the gentry had concealed had been found out."

"Humph, that's because His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has personally sent people to keep an eye on us. If someone else comes here, will we be in any good situation?" Old Li sneered, "I'm just afraid that those gentry will be desperate and start with us poor people!"

The young man scratched his head, apparently confused: "But if His Royal Highness really wants to do good for the people, shouldn't we trust him for once?" (End of this chapter)