Chapter 146: The Mouse's Trick

"Commandery Governor Gao, can we really just let Yan Wang investigate like this? If this investigation goes through, who among us sitting here won't lose their head?"

Late at night.

The Gao Family residence.

The great Rich Clans of Shanggu Commandery sat in a circle.

The table in front of them was laden with all sorts of delicacies.

To one side, musicians played music and dancers twirled, but at this moment, they could not eat, listen, or watch a single thing.

Gao Yuan held a wine cup, savoring the liquid within.

This was Fine Wine produced by the Yan Prince Mansion, which every Rich Clan household now kept in stock.

"Truly good wine," Gao Yuan exclaimed, then said to the group, unhurriedly: "Yan Wang gave us a show of force the moment he arrived; he wants to seize our land and distribute it to those mud-legged peasants. Unless you are willing to hand over your land, don't even think about staying in Shanggu Commandery."

Hearing this, the Rich Clans became even more anxious; asking them to hand over their land was no different from killing them.

"What does Lord Yuan say? We have offered him plenty of Silver over the years; he cannot stand by and watch us die now," one Rich Clan member said.

"Yan Wang submitted a memorial slandering Lord Yuan. Now, Lord Yuan fears the rumors of the Imperial Court and can only act with caution," Gao Yuan said.

Hearing this, the group sighed again, each of them looking troubled.

"We were all fine when we were under Lord Yuan's command; it is just this damn Yan Wang who is stirring up trouble. If he pushes us too far, we should just kill him and be done with it," a Rich Clan member said angrily.

"Kill him! Didn't you see the soldiers today? Those are men who have killed Northern Di; killing us would be no different than chopping melons and vegetables," someone shook their head.

"Then what do you suggest? This won't work, that won't work, are we just waiting to die?"

"..."

The Rich Clans began to argue, one word after another.

"Quiet, quiet!" Gao Yuan slapped the table.

When everyone looked at him, he said: "Do you trust me? Do you trust Lord Yuan?"

"Of course, all these years we have followed his lead," the group clamored.

"That is good," Gao Yuan narrowed his eyes.

He and the Yuan Family were in-laws, and the Yuan Family was at odds with Yan Wang like fire and water.

He would not fare well under Yan Wang's command; sooner or later, Yan Wang would move against him.

Rather than that, it would be better to listen to Yuan Li and go all the way.

When the time came, at worst he could flee to Fanyang and still live a life of wealth and glory.

Taking a letter from his bosom, he displayed it before the group, "This is a personal letter from Lord Yuan."

After having a servant pass it around for everyone to see, he placed it over a candle to burn it to ash once it returned to his hands.

"Do you have the guts?" Gao Yuan stared intensely at the group.

In his heart, Yuan Li had made it clear: to preserve their wealth, they must eliminate Yan Wang.

He also told them to act boldly; if they failed, they could go to Fanyang and seek his protection.

"What does the Lord say? I fear the private armies of the entire commandery combined are no match for Yan Wang," one person said.

"If the hard way won't work, then we use the soft way. We shall feign submission to Yan Wang, wait for an opportunity, set an ambush, and kill him!" Gao Yuan's eyes were sinister.

The group nodded, "We follow the Lord's orders."

Shanggu Commandery,

In a detached courtyard in the West City, Zhao Xu sat with Chang Wei and Liu Fu by candlelight.

Liu Fu said: "Is Your Highness being a bit too hasty? It would be unfortunate if this forces them into rebellion."

"If they rebel, that is even better; it would allow me to cut the Gordian knot," Zhao Xu said.

Chang Wei wiped the hilt of his sword, "Heh heh, Your Highness is becoming more and more to this subordinate's liking. What is there to discuss with them?"

Liu Fu nodded lightly.

A new emperor brings new ministers; the same applies to a Prince's fief.

Currently, Shanggu Commandery was filled with the old subordinates of the Yuan Family; no one would feel comfortable staying here.

It was just that a reason was needed to remove them.

"On the road here, you saw the situation in Shanggu Commandery. The people's livelihood here is in urgent need of recovery. If we let these Rich Clans continue to wreak havoc, the commoners outside the Rich Clan Fortress will all die out. Besides, without land, how can we settle the refugees coming from Jinzhou?" Zhao Xu said.

The reason he was so tough was simply that he did not want to waste any more time playing tai chi with these Rich Clans.

There was no need to, and his strength did not require him to accommodate the Rich Clans.

The Shanggu Commandery Government Office only needed to execute his political decrees.

If they did not comply, he would deal with them.

Zhao Xu continued: "Tomorrow, I will return. You stay here for a while; I leave five thousand troops for you to command. Take control of this place as soon as possible. Remember, you represent me; show some majesty."

Hearing this, Liu Fu straightened his body, "This subordinate will certainly make them spit out what they have swallowed."

Zhao Xu nodded.

The night passed without incident; the next day, Zhao Xu arrived at the Government Office.

Gao Yuan had already brought a group of officials to wait there.

Seeing Zhao Xu, he immediately knelt down, "Your Highness, this subordinate failed to strictly discipline his clansmen; I hope Your Highness will punish me."

The other officials also knelt down.

"What is this, Lord Gao?" Zhao Xu was stunned for a moment; he suddenly had a familiar feeling.

When Zhang Kang feigned surrender, he seemed to have knelt like this as well.

"If Your Highness had not ordered an investigation into the land, this subordinate would not have known that the younger generation of the clan had occupied so much land after the Northern Di Autumn Hunt. This subordinate has now organized the occupied land and thrown the clansmen who occupied it into prison. I hope Your Highness will see the truth," Gao Yuan held up an account book.

The other officials also raised their account books one after another.

Zhao Xu took it and glanced over it; it was written with the locations and quantities of the landholdings.

Exchanging a look with Liu Fu, Zhao Xu said, "Commandery Governor Gao, please rise. Since the Commandery Governor has already dealt with your clansmen, this matter shall be passed over. In the future, I only hope the Commandery Governor can sincerely cooperate with Tutor Liu to restore the prosperity of Shanggu Commandery."

"Yes, Your Highness." Gao Yuan stood up, snot and tears streaming down his face.

Zhao Xu then had Liu Fu collect the account books of the other officials.

These landholdings were enough to settle quite a few commoners.

"Since that is the case, this Prince is relieved." Zhao Xu sneered inwardly.

The lesson Zhang Kang had given him was still fresh.

It was impossible for him to just believe they were harmless.

Upon returning to Yan Commandery, he would have the Flame Guard infiltrate this place; he wanted to see exactly what kind of tricks Gao Yuan was playing.

His current mindset was somewhat like a cat playing with a mouse.

He had fought the Northern Di, and he had also clashed with the Yuan Family; would he be afraid of these people?

He was not afraid of them causing trouble; he was only afraid they would not.

During the morning, he learned more about the situation in Shanggu Commandery at the Government Office.

According to the household registration documents.

Shanggu Commandery originally had 380,000 households, but that was already from ten years ago.

After these years of war, it would be good if even half of Shanggu Commandery remained.

The household registration documents of Yan Commandery at that time recorded roughly the same number.

But after a preliminary count, the actual number of households was also missing quite a lot.

It would be good if the two commanderies could have 400,000 households combined.

At noon.

Zhao Xu left Shanggu Commandery according to his plan.

Chang Wei led 4,000 troops to Feihu Pass to take charge of that place.

And he returned to Yancheng under the protection of 1,000 soldiers.

His main purpose for coming this time was to declare his sovereignty over Shanggu Commandery.

But what was more important to him was military equipment; returning this time, he would focus on this aspect.

As the saying goes, in the face of absolute strength, all schemes and plots are merely futile.

This statement is effective against the Rich Clans of Shanggu Commandery, effective against the Yuan Family, and equally effective against the Northern Di.