Chapter 172: Huo Guang's Inspection and Study

After Liu Ju implemented the equal-field system, the land of Yanjing seemed to be infused with a vigorous vitality.

Once barren fields are now lush with greenery; vast stretches of crops sway gently in the breeze, whispering the hope of a bountiful harvest.

In the newly built villages, houses are arranged in an orderly yet varied manner, with cooking smoke curling from chimneys everywhere, filling the air with the breath of life.

On the people's faces, the former sorrow and fatigue are gone, replaced by full anticipation and hope for the future.

In the fields, a farmer works diligently, wiping sweat from his brow while gazing at his own fertile land, his eyes full of joy.

Before, working others' land year-round exhausted him to the bone, yet he could barely make a living.

Now that he has his own land, working it feels incredibly energetic!

"The Son of Heaven is wise; this equal-field system has allocated the land to us, and our days will surely improve—we must thank His Majesty."

The neighboring farmer expressed the same sentiment, just as the farmer had thought.

Children ran between the field ridges, singing the newly learned ballad: "White-Haired Girl, exchange for a new sky; the Son of Heaven distributes the land, and all families rejoice."

Whether in bustling markets or quiet village lanes, people's conversations invariably revolve around the equal-field system, and their admiration for this policy overflows in words.

As for the construction and institutional reforms in Yanjing, the one who felt the deepest impact and underwent the greatest change was the current Vice Minister of Household, Jin Fu.

His life, in this regard, has encountered a major turning point.

Once, as the son of a condemned official, he endured cold stares and humiliation in Chang'an.

Walking the streets, people pointed at him and whispered, their eyes full of contempt and disdain.

The offspring of nobles and officials frequently hurled abusive words at him, and sometimes even deliberately made things difficult for him.

Even the once flourishing Jin clan in Chang'an had no foothold left; they could only follow the Son of Heaven to Yanjing, leaving their homeland behind.

Yet, turns of fate always arrive unexpectedly.

Upon arriving in Yanjing, Jin Fu, whose original aspiration remained unchanged after enduring hardships, was finally seen by Liu Ju for his loyalty and talent, and entrusted with an important post.

During his time in Yanjing, Jin Fu felt an unprecedented trust and respect.

Relying on his wisdom and effort, he played an important role in land reform and related affairs, gradually becoming a capable aide close to Liu Ju.

Those who had once bullied Jin Fu in Chang'an were shocked to hear of his achievements in Yanjing.

A wealthy young man who had once mocked Jin Fu now looked remorseful, muttering: "I never imagined that the son of a condemned official could achieve what he has today; I truly underestimated him back then."

Those officials who had once looked down on Jin Fu also changed their attitudes, their hearts filled with envy and reluctance, yet they could not help but acknowledge his current status and ability, and

Jin Fu had long since left the past behind, devoting himself wholeheartedly to serving Yanjing and the Great Han.

His past ups and downs he now meets with equanimity.

At the same time, the brand-new imperial palace is about to be completed, and the magnificent halls shine brightly in the sunlight.

Yanjing's once dilapidated streets have been renewed, with broad, flat roads lined on both sides by neatly arranged newly built houses.

The people have received their own homes, and they joyfully busy themselves moving in.

An elderly man with white hair stood before his new home, tears streaming down his face: "I have lived most of my life without a fixed dwelling, drifting about. Now I have this stable home and a plot of land to farm—something I never dared dream of before. Your Majesty is a great benefactor of us commoners, letting us live a good life!"

Young couples, meanwhile, excitedly furnish their new homes, looking forward to their future life.

The husband laughed and said to his wife: "With a house and land, our days will surely keep getting better—this is all thanks to the Emperor's good policies."

Those nobles who had once surrendered their land were initially filled with worry and resistance, fearing the loss of their economic base.

But the Imperial Court, keeping its promise, distributed dividends to them.

A nobleman holding the dividends exclaimed emotionally:

"I thought that after surrendering our land, we would have no security. I never expected the court to be so generous—not only giving us dividends but also letting us see the nation's new hope. After the equal-field system was implemented, the people gained prospects and worked with greater vigor, which benefits the whole Great Han and us as well. Looking back, cooperating with the court was the right choice; the Emperor is indeed wise!"

Other landowners also nodded, expressing approval and gratitude for the court's policies.

For a time, the streets and alleys of Yanjing echoed with the people's praise of Liu Ju.

Everyone's support for the equal-field system grew ever stronger.

Meanwhile, at the construction site of the southern section of the Grand Canal…

At this moment, Huo Guang, who serves as Vice Minister of Personnel, stands before the planning drawings, his brow furrowed and his face full of worry.

Although the Grand Canal project proceeds smoothly, the work of demolishing and resettling the populace weighs on him like a massive stone.

His subordinates in charge of demolition reported with grim faces: "Lord Huo, the people are reluctant to leave their ancestral homes; they flatly refuse to move. Some say their family estates cannot be abandoned, others worry the resettlement sites are unsuitable, and no amount of persuasion can convince them."

Huo Guang was anxious as fire.

If the demolition work stalls, the Grand Canal's construction will be indefinitely delayed.

At the same time, Chancellor Tian Qianqiu's attitude added further pressure on Huo Guang.

Huo Guang proposed a plan to speed up the demolition and resettlement, but Chancellor Tian Qianqiu shook his head in opposition.

"Lord Huo, this must not be rushed. The people are the foundation of the state; forcible demolition would provoke public anger and shake the foundations of the realm."

Huo Guang argued earnestly: "Chancellor, the Grand Canal concerns the future transportation and economic development of our Great Han; if we do not seize the time, how can we proceed?"

The two each held their own view, neither yielding.

Returning to work, the officials on the Chancellor's side outwardly obeyed Huo Guang's orders but secretly undermined them.

At the meeting discussing the resettlement plan, a close aide of Chancellor Tian Qianqiu spoke in a sarcastic tone:

"Lord Huo, your plan is far too hasty, completely disregarding the people's feelings."

Everyone chatted back and forth, pointing fingers at Huo Guang, and the work progressed extremely slowly.

Huo Guang looked at the pile of unresolved matters as high as a mountain, feeling helpless yet with no recourse.

One day, Huo Guang happened to hear that Yanjing's reforms had achieved great success, especially in land reform and construction, which not only properly resettled the populace but also drove local development.

His eyes lit up, and a fire of hope ignited in his heart.

After careful consideration, Huo Guang decided to go to Yanjing himself to learn from its advanced experience.

He immediately submitted a request to the Imperial Court; upon receiving approval, he promptly set out for Yanjing.

Along the way, Huo Guang traveled with anticipation, hoping to find in Yanjing a solution to the difficulties of the Grand Canal project, so that this undertaking vital to the future of the Great Han could proceed smoothly.