Chapter 157: Wind from Bian Liang

The days in Luo Chuan County.

Under Chen Wen's iron-fisted implementation of 'Deep Roots and Firm Foundation' and the silent catalysis of the Heaven-given Power,

It was like a well-oiled precision machine, operating swiftly and in order.

The wheat seedlings in the fields grew greener each day, and the clanging of the artisans' workshop never ceased through the night.

The Secretariat handled documents ever more swiftly, and the new recruits on the drill field gradually shed their initial confusion and clumsiness.

They had acquired a somewhat hardened military bearing.

However, this thriving land,

was ultimately not an isolated utopia.

The wind from outside, especially from the power center of Bian Liang, eventually blew here.

Bringing a hint of spring chill.

That afternoon.

Chen Wen was inside the field headquarters discussing with Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru the further refinement of the details for settler placement and household registration.

A personal guard strode in, knelt on one knee, and spoke with a hint of tension.

"Report, my lord, a heavenly envoy has arrived from Bian Liang and is already at the pavilion ten li outside the city!"

He has arrived.

Chen Wen exchanged a glance with Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru; both saw the gravity in the other's eyes. What was coming could not be avoided.

"Set up the incense table, open the middle gate, and follow me to welcome them."

Chen Wen set down the document in his hand and rose with a calm expression.

Not a shred of the proper etiquette could be omitted.

The south gate of Luo Chuan County stood wide open.

Chen Wen, dressed in ordinary robes without armor, led his civil and military subordinates to stand solemnly by the roadside.

Not long after, a procession came into view.

At the forefront was a eunuch with a clean-shaven, pale face, wearing a scarlet official robe, holding a ceremonial baton, his expression arrogant.

Behind him followed dozens of Imperial Guard soldiers, their armor bright, forming a stark contrast with the earth-yellow uniforms of the Jing'an Army.

They exuded an air of arrogance from the central authority.

"Chen Wenzhong, Defense Commissioner of Chen Prefecture and Commander of the Jing'an Army, respectfully greets the heavenly envoy!"

Chen Wen stepped forward and bowed according to ritual.

The eunuch reined in his horse, looked down from above, and sized up Chen Wen.

His gaze lingered on Chen Wen's youthful face for a moment before he slowly dismounted.

He spoke in a piercing voice.

"Defense Commissioner Chen needs no excessive courtesy. We, acting on His Majesty's orders, have come specially to proclaim the edict."

"Your servant, Chen Wenzhong, receives the edict." Chen Wen led the crowd in kneeling.

The eunuch cleared his throat, unfurled a scroll of bright yellow silk, and began to read aloud in a loud voice.

The preceding content was nothing but standard official prose, lavishly praising His Majesty's sagacity and expressing gratitude to Heaven and Earth and the ancestors.

Then came the commendation of the meritorious officers and soldiers of the Battle of Gaoping.

Chen Wen's name naturally headed the list, with his deeds of saving the sovereign and defeating the enemy further elaborated.

He was granted some gold, silver, and silk as material rewards.

However, in the latter part,

the tone remained unchanged, but the wording subtly shifted.

"……Now, the four seas are not at peace, the treasury is not abundant; we must prioritize rest and recuperation."

"You, who guard the frontier, bear a great responsibility; you must especially fulfill your duties and pacify the locality."

"Do not rashly provoke border conflicts, nor exhaust the people and wealth through reckless construction, lest the region become exhausted and disappoint Our expectations……"

"……Furthermore, to fill the national treasury for state use, this year's summer tax in the Hebei prefectures must be increased by three tenths according to precedent."

"All prefectural defense commissioners and military commissioners must exert themselves to collect the taxes, allowing no mistake."

"Your jurisdiction over the three counties, with many newly attached populace, should all the more sympathize with the court's difficulties and remit the taxes in full……"

"……We hope you will deeply understand Our intentions and act accordingly; such is the imperial command."

"Your servant receives the edict and offers thanks."

Chen Wen kowtowed, his voice steady, betraying no ripple.

Behind him, Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, and the others also lowered their heads, their expressions varied.

The eunuch folded the imperial edict and handed it to Chen Wen, saying with a smile that did not reach his eyes,

"Defense Commissioner Chen, young and accomplished, His Majesty places great hopes in you."

"Rest and recuperation, as well as paying taxes in full, are His Majesty's earnest admonitions; do not let Him down."

Chen Wen received the imperial edict with both hands, rose, and squeezed out an expression of just the right respect and difficulty.

"The heavenly envoy has worked hard on the way; please enter the city to rest. His Majesty's teachings, Wenzhong will keep in mind."

"But these three counties have only recently been settled, with refugees everywhere and all affairs awaiting revival; this tax increase……"

"Alas, Wenzhong will surely strive to raise the funds and not disappoint the imperial grace."

The eunuch seemed quite satisfied with Chen Wen's 'difficulty' and gave a hum of approval.

Under Chen Wen's personal guidance, they entered the city to the guesthouse that had long been prepared.

After settling the heavenly envoy's party, they returned to the field headquarters' Secretariat, where the atmosphere instantly grew oppressive.

"Bang!"

Shi Dun was the first to lose restraint, punching the pillar beside him, his face full of anger.

Damn it! What bullshit imperial edict is this!

My lord just secured this foundation, yet the refugees aren't even settled, and you want to raise taxes?

And they say 'Do not rashly provoke border conflicts,' 'Do not burden the people and waste wealth'? When the Khitan dogs came attacking, where was their fart then?

Stone General, watch your words!

Zhang Cheng furrowed his brows, shouted in a low voice to stop, but his face was just as grim.

The imperial edict has been issued; complaining is useless. The key is how we should respond.

Wang Ru calmly analyzed.

The praise is empty; the warning and tax increase that follow are real.

The Imperial Court both wants to appease my lord, fears he will grow too powerful, and wants to bleed us dry to fill their empty treasury.

'Do not rashly provoke border conflicts' binds our hands and feet; 'increase tax levies' weakens our foundation.

Chen Wen sat in the chief seat, his fingers lightly tapping the tabletop.

That scroll of bright yellow imperial edict lay beside him, appearing especially glaring.

He was no longer the lowly soldier who had just left his thatched hut and held boundless awe for the Imperial Court.

The Battle of Gaoping let him see too much. The Imperial Court's weakness, the regional commands' arrogance?

And... the nature of power.

This imperial edict, in his interpretation, could not be clearer:

First, the Imperial Court acknowledged his merits and status, a reluctant recognition of his current strength.

Second, the Imperial Court is full of apprehension and suspicion toward him and the Chan Prefecture Chai Rong Group.

This 'Do not rashly provoke border conflicts' is less an admonition and more a warning.

Warning them not to rely on the residual prestige of the Battle of Gaoping to continue expanding their power.

Third, and most importantly, the Imperial Court needs money.

Using increased levies to test his loyalty.

At the same time, they truly want to take a bite from this newly risen 'flesh' of his to ease their own financial pressure.

If they obediently comply, the increased taxes will inevitably deal a heavy blow to the livelihoods of the three counties just getting started.

The refugees might lose control again, and the people's hearts will scatter.

His 'deep roots, solid foundation' plan will suffer a severe blow.

But if they defy the edict...

That is openly challenging the Imperial Court's authority, perfectly giving Bian Liang a reason to draw swords.

Although the Imperial Court may not dare to act lightly against the thriving Chan Prefecture Group.

But this label of 'arrogant, lawless, and contemptuous of superiors' will be pinned on them.

Politically they will be extremely passive, and it will also give other regional commands a pretext to attack.

This is a blatant scheme.

Using righteousness and rules to bind your hands and feet, exploiting your flesh and blood.

My lord, we...

Zhang Cheng looked at Chen Wen, awaiting his decision.

Chen Wen's fingers stopped tapping the table; he raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below.

Shi Dun's anger, Zhang Cheng's worry, Wang Ru's calmness—all were fully in his sight.

He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, yet carrying an indisputable resolve:

The Emperor's edict must naturally be obeyed.

Everyone was stunned, even Wang Ru showing a look of surprise.

Chen Wen continued speaking.

Before the emissary, our attitude must be respectful, our grievances sincere, so that the emissary, the Imperial Court, sees our 'difficulties' and 'loyalty'.

He shifted his tone.

However, the three counties have just been settled, livelihoods are fraught with difficulty, which is also a fact. Raising taxes is like killing the hen for its eggs; this matter needs long-term planning.

Wen Ruo...

He looked at Zhang Cheng.

You are personally responsible for receiving the emissary; you must make them feel welcome, and spare no effort in making the necessary arrangements.

At the same time, prepare a detailed document stating the difficulties of settling refugees and restoring production in our three counties.

And also, regarding the risk of popular uprising if taxes are forcibly increased, the wording should be earnest and the data detailed.

Subordinate understands.

Zhang Cheng immediately understood, this is to build a plank road in the open while hiding the real intent.

Qingyu... he then looked at Wang Ru.

Strengthen supervision of all officials, especially regarding grain and finances; in these critical times, absolutely no embezzlement or withholding is allowed, and internally we must first stabilize.

Yes. Wang Ru nodded solemnly.

Shi Dun!

Chen Wen finally looked at Shi Dun, who was still huffing and puffing.

Make sure the troops, especially the new recruits, have no clashes with the Bian Liang imperial guards that come; if they provoke, endure the momentary anger.

... Yes!

Shi Dun replied in a deep, gruff voice.

After arranging these, Chen Wen stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the lights gradually lighting up outside Luochuan City.

"As for the taxes……"

He had his back to the crowd, his voice calm yet with a hint of chill.

"The Imperial Court wants money and grain; we want time and foundation."

"Tell those below: spring plowing, summer weeding, everything as usual, and even more diligently."

"Only when the output from the fields increases, the artisans' workshop produces finer goods, and market trade thrives, will we have more leverage in our hands."

"On the surface, we must be that loyal subject who serves the king yet is in dire straits."

"In secret, we cannot halt even a single step of our development!"

He turned around, his gaze burning.

"Not only must we respond, we must also seize this opportunity to make the land of these three counties richer and stronger!"

Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, and the others were invigorated, and in unison replied: "We will obey the envoy's order!"

The wind from Bian Liang has already blown in, carrying chill and probing.

But whether this wind can shake the foundation that Chen Wen has deeply rooted in these three counties remains unknown.

A smokeless yet equally perilous game has already begun.