Chapter 156: Land Reform

In the mansion in Chang'an City, Wei Qing heard the news, his brows furrowed, his face solemn.

Early in the morning he summoned Tian Qiuqiu and others to discuss this matter.

He paced back and forth, muttering to himself: "Ji City's move, though radical, shows the emperor's intent to reform officialdom. However, such a large-scale official reshuffle may impact local administration and must be handled cautiously."

As a famed general with illustrious military achievements, Wei Qing understood the importance of stability for the Great Han; he grasped Liu Ju's resolve but worried about how the situation would develop.

Tian Qiuqiu stroked his beard, pondered a moment, then said: "The emperor's zeal for reform is good in itself. However, this collective resignation of Ji City's officials will surely cause many troubles. Yet if this opportunity is used to select true talent, it could also be a chance to revitalize the court."

After hearing the news, Su Wu's eyes firmed, and he said: "The emperor is wise; officials who resign out of self-interest ought not to remain in the court. Now is a good time for the emperor to widely recruit talent and renew the court's atmosphere."

Su Wu is upright and impartial, wholly devoted to the state; he firmly supports Liu Ju's initiative to reform officialdom.

Zhang Qian shook his head slightly and sighed: "This turmoil in officialdom, I know not what effect it will have on our Great Han. I only hope the emperor can swiftly stabilize the situation and not let this affair impede his grand ambitions."

In the court, other officials also discussed heatedly, with opinions varying between praise and criticism.

Meanwhile, the common folk all expressed their approval.

"Never mind how those officials behave; as long as we commoners can live decently. If the emperor can pick some good officials, that would be best."

"The emperor's decisiveness is indeed a blessing for our Great Han. However, the subsequent selection of officials must be handled carefully; we must absolutely prevent corrupt officials from finding loopholes."

As for the clans in various regions, each harbored its own thoughts.

Some clans closely tied to Ji City's officials were filled with worry.

Meanwhile, clans that had long hoped for court reform secretly rejoiced, and some even envied the great clans that had earlier followed the emperor to the secondary capital to participate in construction.

Faced with the mass dismissal and resignations of Ji City's officials, Liu Ju confronted the looming crisis of the soon-to-be-stalled Yan Jing government; after pondering, he decided to boldly employ graduates who had just finished university.

He had previously established many schools in Xianyang and trained students precisely to cope with such a situation; when he earlier decided to launch the southern grand development, he did the same.

Moreover, those newly examined scholars, after completing the imperial examinations and then studying practice at university, were also preparing for this day.

Though these scholars were newly fledged, they had read widely, harbored a fervent desire to serve the nation, possessed active minds, and were not bound by the old officialdom's bad habits.

Liu Ju believed they would surely bring new vitality to Ji City's administration.

Thus, Liu Ju immediately ordered a notice posted in Ji City to recruit scholars.

As soon as the news spread, many scholars responded enthusiastically.

They harbored hopes for the future and eagerly signed up.

Liu Ju personally participated in the selection, picking from the many applicants a batch of scholars excelling in both virtue and talent, with outstanding ability.

During the formation of the various departments, Liu Ju assigned them to suitable posts according to their specialties and abilities.

These scholars quickly dove into work, humbly seeking advice from experienced veteran officials while actively applying their learned knowledge to propose many innovative ideas and suggestions.

In the Finance Department, the scholars used their economic knowledge to meticulously sort out Ji City's fiscal revenue and expenditure, optimized tax policies, and increased fiscal income.

In the Engineering Construction Department, relying on solid professional expertise, they devised a more reasonable plan for the secondary capital's construction, greatly boosting project progress.

And in the Civil Affairs Department, the scholars went deep among the populace, understood the people's needs, formulated a series of people‑benefiting policies, and earned the populace's praise.

Soon, the Yan Jing government, which had once stalled because most officials collectively resigned, quickly resumed normal operation.

As the scholars worked diligently, the efficiency of all departments continually improved.

Affairs that had stalled due to official shortages gradually got back on track.

The once chaotic court also became orderly. Ji City's government soon resumed normal operations, with all tasks proceeding in an organized manner.

"These new officials may look young, but they're really reliable! Before, when we reported an issue, those old gentlemen would either shirk or delay; now it's great—these youngsters, upon hearing our difficulties, immediately think of ways to solve them, truly remarkable!"

"Yes, speaking of taxes, before it was all confusing and we couldn't make sense of it; now the new officials explain it clearly and even help us lighten the burden—our days are looking hopeful!"

The people also genuinely felt the benefits brought by the new government and all expressed praise.

And within Li Wan's faction's secret hideout, several officials who had been closely allied with Li Wan had faces dark as storm clouds.

One of them gritted his teeth and said: "Liu Ju actually has such methods! We thought he'd be stumped by the official vacancies, but we never expected him to employ these greenhorns and make the administration vibrant—truly beyond our expectations!"

Another also looked worried and said: "If this trend continues, our previous schemes will likely come to nothing; we must find a way to stop them."

Liu Ju, gazing at Ji City gradually regaining vitality, felt deep relief.

Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.

Yet after the incident in which Li Wan and the Yan Jing officials collectively resigned, a thought suddenly arose in Liu Ju's mind and grew increasingly uncontrollable.

Since most of Yan Jing's officials have been dismissed, those now serving here are all young people nurtured by new ideas and a new education system.

They are more receptive to novelties and possess a stronger spirit of pioneering innovation.

If so, why not, in order to once and for all eradicate the problems of land concentration and farmers' fields lying fallow, conduct a brand‑new, epoch‑making land reform in Yan Jing?

The next day, Liu Ju convened the officials to discuss matters.

Yet after the incident in which Li Wan and the Yan Jing officials collectively resigned, a thought suddenly arose in Liu Ju's mind and grew increasingly uncontrollable.

Since most of Yan Jing's officials have been dismissed, those now serving here are all young people nurtured by new ideas and a new education system.

They are more receptive to novelties and possess a stronger spirit of pioneering innovation.

If so, why not, in order to once and for all eradicate the problems of land concentration and farmers' fields lying fallow, conduct a brand‑new, epoch‑making land reform in Yan Jing?

The next day, Liu Ju convened the officials to discuss matters.

Liu Ju looked around and spoke slowly: "Your Majesties, today our Great Han faces many troubles; land concentration has caused vast numbers of farmers to lose their land, fields lie fallow, and livelihoods are difficult. Having reflected deeply, I resolve to implement a land reform in Yan Jing to relieve the people's distress and strengthen the foundation of our Great Han."

The attendants all stared at Liu Ju with bewildered expressions, unaware what new scheme the emperor was cooking up.

Liu Ju paused briefly, then continued: "I wish to institute the public field system. First, we will survey all land in Yan Jing, whether official or private, and register it. The land seized by powerful clans through concentration will be wholly taken into state ownership."

"Then, the confiscated land will be distributed to landless or land‑poor peasants according to population, labor force, etc. Every male and female aged fifteen or older will be granted twenty mu of exposed field. These lands give peasants only usage rights, no sale, aiming to ensure they have fields to till and can live in peace and prosperity. Meanwhile, to encourage farming, those who reclaim wasteland will be given a limited tax exemption."

"Furthermore, we will establish dedicated Field Officials responsible for land allocation, registration, and supervision. Field Officials must conduct regular patrols to prevent recurrence of land concentration. Those who illegally buy or sell land or encroach on others' fields will be severely punished without leniency."

Zhang Tang stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said: "Your Majesty, although this reform is good, the powerful clans will likely strongly oppose it."

Liu Ju's expression turned stern, and he said in a low voice: "My resolve is firm; for the people of the Great Han and for the state, I will not retreat. Against forces that dare to obstruct the reform, I will strike decisively. At the same time, I will explain the rationale, so they understand that the reform is not to strip them of all they have, but to make the Great Han more prosperous, from which they too can benefit."

Wei Xiang pondered a moment and advised: "Your Majesty, I believe this land reform also accords with the present condition of the Great Han; it would be better to first pilot it in Yan Jing, summarize the experience, then gradually roll it out nationwide."

Liu Ju nodded slightly and said: "Minister Wei's words are quite right. This reform concerns the future of the Great Han; all of you ministers must unite and cooperate to ensure the reform proceeds smoothly."

The officials all knelt on the ground and, in unison, said, "We subjects respectfully obey the Emperor's edict!"

As soon as Liu Ju's land reform edict was issued, the city of Yanjing was like a drop of water falling into hot oil, instantly exploding.

The powerful clans that had amassed great wealth and land through land annexation were the first to stand up and resist.

They gathered together to discuss how to respond to this reform that might cause them to lose great benefits.

At the same time, some conservative officials also held objections to the reform.

As for the peasants, their long-standing fear of the powerful clans and lack of understanding of the new policy also made them hesitant in the face of reform.

Some peasants worried that even if they obtained land, they would later suffer retaliation for offending the powerful clans; others were accustomed to renting landlords' fields, lacked confidence in independent farming, and feared they could not bear the responsibility of managing land.

Land reform trudged forward amid a chorus of opposition and numerous difficulties, with Liu Ju and the officials pushing the reform facing enormous challenges.

Liu Ju sank into prolonged contemplation; it seemed that a method must be found to fundamentally change people's ideology.