Chapter 155: Discussion

Xiao Chiye had not only been scolded but also beaten. However, he had already expected this and did not intend to hide it from his family. As he stood in the military tent to receive his demotion, the commanders stole glances at Xiao Fangxu before they left and discovered that the prince was even angrier.

Zuo Qianqiu examined the arm restraint repeatedly before giving Xiao Fangxu a slight thumbs up. "I can't tell anything."

Xiao Fangxu stood on the other side with his back turned. "Don't I know what kind of arm restraint he uses? At most, it's just a piece of cured dogskin. He relies on his thick skin and flesh; he wouldn't bother putting effort into something like this."

Zuo Qianqiu was also stumped. He looked at Xiao Chiye and hesitantly said, "…Why didn't you mention it to the family when you were in Qudu? Now, if you tell your master about it, we can… be somewhat prepared."

"Prepared for what?" Xiao Fangxu turned around. "He had everything planned out and was just waiting for me to fall into his trap!"

"It was bound to happen sooner or later," Xiao Chiye replied while standing with his hands behind his back as he took the scolding. "Everything needs to be done. I'm still bringing him home to meet Mother this year."

"You've got everything sorted out, haven't you?" Xiao Fangxu ridiculed. "Why don't I just call you Father?"

Xiao Chiye did not dare to respond to that.

"Where's he from?" Zuo Qianqiu put down the arm restraint. "Qudu?"

Xiao Chiye answered earnestly, "He's from Central Plains."

Zuo Qianqiu then said to Xiao Fangxu, "That's not bad, at least he's close by." He continued with his questions, "How old is he?"

Xiao Chiye replied, "Twenty-one, quite young."

Zuo Qianqiu felt a strange sense of familiarity with these conditions, but he couldn't place it. He asked, "You're quite skilled in arm wrestling. Are you in that line of work?"

Xiao Chiye answered, "…No."

Xiao Fangxu sneered. "Do you dare repeat what you said outside to your master?"

Xiao Chiye coughed softly.

Xiao Fangxu said, "I demote you, and you stab me in the heart!"

Xiao Chiye recognized this line, so he didn't fall for it. "I didn't, I wouldn't dare."

Still curious about the man's identity, Zuo Qianqiu asked, "What's his name? Is it a surname we're familiar with?"

"Familiar," Xiao Chiye paused before he said, "His name is Shen Zechuan."

* * *

Several days later, Kong Ling and Yu Xiaozai arrived at Sunset Pass. Cizhou sought to establish long-term cooperation with Sunset Pass. Both parties had already negotiated the terms through letters, and this time, they intended to finalize the deal and reach Huaizhou by the end of August.

In early August, Fanzhou's garrison commander raised his flag in rebellion, declaring himself king. He even marched his troops to seize Dengzhou first, hoping to intimidate Cizhou. He issued a proclamation demanding that Cizhou redirect the grain it had sold to Chazhou to him, calling it a "loan."

Of course, Shen Zechuan ignored this and instructed Zhou Gui to draft a proclamation, which was sent to Chazhou, proposing a joint effort to suppress the rebels. He labeled every armed group in Zhongbo other than his own as "rebels." The "Wing King" of Fanzhou naturally refused to accept this, and both sides began a war of words. Their respective advisors exchanged letters cursing each other's ancestors and portrayed their opponents as traitors while portraying themselves as reluctantly rising up for the sake of the people.

Not idling, Shen Zechuan, aware of the value of time, instructed the government of Chizhou to commence repairs on the horse trails and relay stations connecting to other provinces. It was a substantial undertaking that wouldn't be completed until the end of the year. In the meantime, the garrison forces of Chizhou continued their training, and the region was expanding at an astonishing pace.

"The proceeds from this sale of grain, after covering the necessities for Huai Prefecture, will just be sufficient for the repair of our horse paths. However, it inevitably means that the grain distributed by the yamen will have to be reduced. As winter sets in and the number of vagrants increases, I find it difficult to bear turning them away," said Zhou Gui as he presented Shen Zechuan with the ledger. "With the weather growing colder, we are seeing a steady influx of migrants from Dan City."

"Speaking of the drifters from Dan City," Shen Zechuan said, holding the booklet and turning his gaze to Yao Wenyu, "Yuan Zhuo hails from there. He should have a better understanding than us about the current situation. How did the number of refugees suddenly increase so drastically?"

Yao Wenyu, draped in an overcoat, responded solemnly, "After the previous emperor passed away, Han Cheng attempted to persuade the Empress Dowager to create more official positions for the aristocratic offspring and use the national treasury to support their families. He presented a list of tens of thousands of names, but the Empress Dowager refused. To preserve their strength, the aristocracy, led by Han Cheng, intensified their seizure of civilian lands. They reported falsely on the size of their fields, concealing thousands of acres of fertile land. As a result, common folk had no land to cultivate and were still burdened with head taxes, causing many to flee their homes."

"According to the law, once one's household registration is established, traveling abroad without official documents from the local government can result in conscription at best, and execution at worst," Shen Zechuan pondered for a moment. "To evade the authorities, it makes sense for them to flee to Zhongbo. However, Cizhou's capabilities are limited. Relying solely on the government's provision of grain is not a sustainable solution. We cannot afford to support such a large number of people."

Moreover, some of the refugees who arrived in Cizhou had grown accustomed to living off others' charity. Using the pretext of avoiding registration, they lingered at the government office gates, relying on handouts and waiting for their fate.

"I made a special inquiry with the officials in charge of registering commoners, and among these individuals are many young, strong men who roam the streets causing trouble wherever they go. Our city's peace and order were excellent up until July, but since August, incidents of theft have been on the rise. The constables from the yamen have been apprehending these troublemakers and incarcerating them, yet they respond by rolling on the ground and throwing tantrums," said Zhou Gui, his voice tinged with concern. "It has since come to light that being imprisoned guarantees them at least a full stomach, which only emboldens their audacity. Alas!"

Shen Zechuan had made up his mind about this matter. He stated, "Their audacity stems from the fact that Chizhou has shown tolerance towards drifters and has no specific laws punishing them. Instead, they are treated as local residents. However, times have changed. I request all of you gentlemen to draft a decree today, strictly forbidding drifters from evading registration. By mid-August, anyone who has not registered with the local authorities will be expelled. In addition, Chizhou will post notices across the city tomorrow, and we will dispatch officials to explain the contents to those who cannot read, making sure they understand the consequences of breaking the law. After tomorrow, any lawbreakers will face severe punishment; there will be no leniency."

Upon arriving in Cizhou, Shen Zechuan presented himself as a mild-mannered and approachable figure, never showing any inclination to assert his authority. In the matter of Chazhou, he didn't reveal much of his strength or ambitions. However, this time, he has taken a dramatically different approach, demonstrating a swift and decisive style of governance.

Zhou Gui hesitated, saying, "But would instituting severe punishments risk losing the people's hearts? After all, it was only a few months ago that Ci Prefecture welcomed the displaced migrants with an attitude of inclusiveness."

"It concerns two separate matters," Yao Wenyu elaborated with perfect propriety. "Zizhou's act of harboring refugees is rooted in compassion, but if it loses its rightful authority in the process, it would be a case of losing sight of the bigger picture. The saying goes, 'one must put one's house in order before attending to external affairs.' Zizhou must promptly address its internal threats; otherwise, it will eventually suffer the consequences."

"Fanzhou now has its own 'Wing King'," Shen Zechuan put down the booklet. "This Wing King intends to establish a minor court in the southeast of Cizhou, gathering forces from Fanzhou and Dengzhou to confront Cizhou. He wishes for us to serve as his granary. The situation will become even more chaotic after next spring; we can no longer retreat due to the mere principle of 'benevolence and righteousness.'"

"Moreover, this is for the better," Yao Wenyu explained to Zhou Gui. "The repair work on the horse relay station requires laborers. The displaced people can fill the gap in Ci State. The authorities can provide them with food according to the amount of work they do. With their strength employed and bellies filled, they won't cause trouble elsewhere."

Zhou Gui nodded in agreement and said, "Once the registration is finalized, the authorities will have an exact count of the people in Jizhou. Land measurements will commence at the end of August, allowing us to complete the allocation before next spring. If there are no natural disasters next year, Jizhou's granaries will remain well-stocked."

"It's the first year," Shen Zechuan said, his mood quite pleasant. "Next year, Tea State should be on the agenda as well. Apart from that, preparations should commence for establishing new horse routes along the Northwest, stretching from Sunset Pass to Huai State."

Zhou Gui was taken aback and said, "Aren't we borrowing a passage from the Northern Reaches?"

"Indeed, but for the long term, we still need to give Lixia Pass its due reward," Shen Zechuan replied. "Lixia Pass is located above Quancheng, making it an ally we must cultivate. Once the commercial routes along the way flourish, the current roads won't be enough. Moreover, with the Northern Plain Hunting Grounds turning into a camp for the Imperial Guards, new horse tracks will be necessary."

"There's also the issue of military provisions in various places next spring," Yao Wenyu said, his expression unperturbed despite the pain in his legs due to the bad weather. "Firstly, Qidong is the biggest threat to Zhongbo in the south. This year, the assassination of the former emperor and Lu Guangbai's defection prevented them from attacking Zhongbo. But now that Hua Qi and Xieli have formed an alliance, if they have sufficient provisions come next spring, they might invade us. Secondly, with the Northern Reaches now detached from the control of Qidu, the Northeastern Grain and Horse Route loses its direct access to Juexi's granaries. Our relationship with the Northern Reaches is one of mutual dependence; they shoulder all the border cavalry in the north. The military provisions issue must be resolved before spring."

The advisors were discussing matters in a study separated by screens. Due to spending most of their time indoors, many of them smoked pipes, filling the room with smoke and making it stuffy.

Shen Zechuan called for Qiao Tianya and said, "Take Yuanzhuo out for some fresh air."

Yao Wenyu slightly leaned forward on his wheelchair towards Shen Zechuan, and Qiao Tianya wheeled him out. Shen Zechuan instructed Zhou Gui to open the windows, allowing the advisors in the partitioned space to take a break as well. The air inside the room was too polluted, so Shen Zechuan went out to feel the cold wind.

Recently, Cizhou had been experiencing its rainy season with few sunny days, making it quite chilly. Ji Gang was worried that Shen Zechuan would fall ill again, so he monitored his dressing daily and made sure that Fei Sheng accompanied him on outings, being extra cautious.

Upon seeing Shen Zechuan come out, Fei Sheng promptly presented him with a cloak. Shen Zechuan put it on and strolled along the corridor for a while. The locust flowers in this courtyard had long wilted, and the leaves had fallen off the branches, leaving them bare against the gloomy sky, evoking a sense of desolation.

Thinking of a way to lighten the mood, Fei Sheng said, "Master, there's also a copper basin in this Zhou residence that's identical to the one in our mansion. It's filled with a few colorful koi, making your cat circle around it in envy."

Shen Zechuan glanced over and said, "The one in our residence was a housewarming gift from Madam Zhou."

Shen Zechuan stood in the cool air, feeling significantly more lucid. Noticing that the time was right, he stepped back under the eaves of the study. Seeing that Qiao Tianya and Yao Wenyu had yet to return, he waited a little longer. Zhou Gui hurried over from the other side, gesturing for Shen Zechuan to come inside.

It was almost sunset, and if they continued for another hour and a half, it would be time for them to disperse. The advisors would have to work through the night drafting new documents. Shen Zechuan would rise at dawn the following morning to scrutinize the details in his study, then discuss further specifics with the team, all to ensure the documents were posted by noon the day after tomorrow.

"As winter arrives, it is time to make use of the inter-regional market at Li Bei," Shen Zechuan said to Zhou Gui as he stood by the door. "Negotiate with the Yan family if possible; if not, let it be. In that case, we can detour through Huaizhou to Jueshi. Though it will be a longer journey, we can manage to navigate the waterways belonging to the Hua Clan of Dike City, and thereby—also secure our military provisions."

Ding Tao entered from the courtyard gate, leaping over the railings in a few strides. Shen Zechuan paused in his conversation, gesturing for Ding Tao to speak first.

Ding Tao's cheeks flushed slightly as he exclaimed eagerly, "My Lord, the Prince's Consort has arrived!"