Chapter 505

What happened to you, husband? How did you suddenly get involved with the Zhang family? Qin Zhanhong pressed.

Chen Wuji thought for a moment, then told her what Zhang Xiuer had done at Taohua Yuan.

For his sake, she has almost given up her position at the Imperial City Department.

There's no need to hide this from her; knowing it, she can actually help him sort it out.

That girl you were flirting with back then—is she now at Taohua Yuan? Did she become a madam?! Qin Zhanhong was so surprised she stopped trying to show off her figure for Chen Wuji.

Chen Wuji nodded, "She seems to have some organization behind her, but I don't understand what kind of organization could get her out of the Imperial City Department, and once they reached Hezhou, what could they possibly want?"

Zhang Xiuer had previously shown me kindness, and looking at her now, she seems not to have changed much, but this matter makes me feel somewhat uneasy. I suspect this is the doing of His Majesty the Emperor.

Qin Zhanhong's expression turned grave, "This matter really sounds somewhat off."

"But why do you, my husband, suspect it is the Emperor's doing? The Zhang family has even closer ties with Ruan Xiang, and Ruan Xiang also has the ability to pull people from the Imperial City Department. The Imperial City Department is indeed the Emperor's personal guard, but it has long been infiltrated into a sieve, with several factions inside."

Chen Wuji said, "Because of that letter from His Majesty the Emperor."

"He knows me too well; if you didn't report to him, how did he find out?"

Qin Zhanhong nodded thoughtfully, "Put that way, it does seem to have some merit, but it's also possible that a few of my subordinates did this. If they noticed my abnormality, they would very likely bypass me and report to the Emperor."

"Then do you trust your subordinates?" Chen Wuji asked.

"Trust!"

"So this possibility exists, but it's actually not high. And do you know why I ruled it out?" Chen Wuji said, "If those few of your subordinates bypassed you to report those matters to the Emperor, then either you or one of your subordinates would be punished."

"What if the Emperor simply says, 'Pay no heed'?" Qin Zhanhong asked.

Chen Wuji said, "Then that brother who informed on you—do you think he'd still dare to stay under your command? He tried to gain merit by informing on you, but the Emperor ended up favoring you; do you think he fears your retaliation?"

Qin Zhanhong tilted his head, thinking, "Put that way, I somewhat understand; indeed, this possibility could be ruled out. But I still find it hard to believe this is the doing of His Majesty the Emperor—he leaves us unused and instead arranges another group to watch us; what is he after?"

"To eliminate traces!" Chen Wuji said.

"Eliminate traces?"

"If this is the Emperor's doing, then this brand-new office must be completely secret and answer only to the Emperor; this is how the Emperor seeks to free himself from the infiltration of aristocratic clans and powerful ministers."

Qin Zhanhong's delicate brows knitted, "That does sound reasonable, but if this truly is the Emperor's arrangement, why wouldn't he move against those powerful ministers instead, and why send people to the chaotic Lingnan?"

"That's also what I can't figure out." Chen Wuji said.

"It's precisely because of this that I harbor some doubt about my own judgment."

Qin Zhanhong suddenly raised his voice, "I'll go investigate Taohua Yuan; no matter how deeply it's hidden, there will surely be some clues—speculation is useless, we must check."

"I feel the same." Chen Wuji said, "But try not to startle the snake; Zhang Xiuer once looked after me a great deal, and to let her fall into mortal danger again would weigh on my conscience."

Qin Zhanhong teased, "My lord, it's probably not just that she looked after you; perhaps old feelings linger."

"Rest assured, I know my limits; back then I also had her escorted to the capital, and though I felt uneasy inside, the imperial decree was hard to defy, so I had to do it. But this time I will certainly keep this lovely lady of my lord for myself—just watch my abilities."

Chen Wuji did not deny this, merely cautioning, "Be sure not to invite trouble."

"I know, I know, I know my limits." Qin Zhanhong smoothed the somewhat wrinkled skirt she herself had been playing with, her soft body twisted backward, and she floated out the window.

Chen Wuji shouted, "You're just going now?"

"Yeah, I have nothing else to do right now."

……

The people of Hezhou woke up one morning to suddenly find that Hezhou had changed.

Notices were posted everywhere on the streets and alleys, not just one or two, but a long dense row, as many as seven or eight.

"What is the government up to again?"

"With the leadership gone, why are these notices being posted even more frequently than before? Which literate brother can help us read what's written here?"

"Sir, if you can't speak, keep your mouth shut—where in Hezhou is there a lack of leadership? Deputy Commander Chen has done so many great deeds, yet you dare say there's no leadership."

"... After all, he's just a deputy commander!"

"You damn bastard, get lost!"

"Stop arguing, stop arguing—there's a young gentleman ahead reading the notice."

"Encourage the people to reclaim wasteland; the land they reclaim shall belong to them, and the court will not levy taxes on these fields. Abolish the remaining taxes, and the people will bear only the most basic rent, labor, and tribute. Moreover, the original annual allotment per person of two dan of millet, two zhang of silk, and three liang of cotton is adjusted to one dan of millet, one zhang of silk, and two liang of cotton per person per year."

"Is this for real? Would the government really be this kind? Taxes cut in half all at once? This couldn't be the drunken ravings of some big shot, could it? Someone hot-headed decided this, and we'll wait a few days to see if they change it back."

"The notices are already posted—how could they be lying? I've noticed some people are not just bad but stupid; when corrupt officials held sway, they'd clamp their buttocks and dare not even fart, yet Deputy Commander Chen has done us so many good deeds, and still someone there speaks in sarcastic tones."

"My neighbor opened a mountain path; over the past two days of leave he brought back well over one tael, and after working half a month, the government gave him over one tael in wages. When the notices were first posted, many also muttered there that the government was likely trying to corral labor again; now, even if they regret it, they have no chance."

"I also want to leave the city, but I don't know whether the government still allocates land now."

……

On this day, all the townspeople in the city were discussing the notice newly posted today.

Almost everyone on the streets and alleys was speaking Chen Wuji's name.

As the news spread quickly, the clerks in the Government Office were busy again, running around nonstop.

A large number of merchants flocked to the Government Office to learn the specifics of renting or selling shops, as well as the paper trade.

As Chen Wuji had previously said, these merchants' noses are always the keenest.

While most of the townspeople were still watching and waiting, those who had sensed the opportunity had already begun to act, and they acted with extraordinary decisiveness—almost as soon as they finished learning, they signed the contracts.