Chapter 281: and translation of title

Huh?

That person's words made the somewhat cute Gu Qingwan, who was holding a bowl of instant noodles and drinking soup, immediately put down her paper bowl, raise her eyebrows, and look at that middle-aged man.

Lu Yuan blinked, then raised an eyebrow and said:

"How should I address you, brother?"

That person hesitated a moment, then immediately clasped their hands toward Lu Yuan and said:

"Boss, I'm Wang Shouqing, a person from Liaobei."

Lu Yuan nodded slightly, then looked at Wang Shouqing curiously and said:

"What do you mean by that?"

Wang Shouqing looked left and right, then leaned close to Lu Yuan and whispered:

"Boss, in Liaobei you can't do business; there are too many specifics, but basically the officials there are utterly corrupt, and the little money we earn isn't even enough to bribe them."

"Boss, hear me out: now the whole country has railways, you say you could do business anywhere, yet you insist on coming to this place—just leave quickly."

"I'm just going back to pack up and prepare to head south."

Lu Yuan looked at Wang Shouqing, blinked, and hesitated…

The system has already been activated.

Wang Shouqing's rating is decent, three stars.

Among people just met, that's already considered a high rating.

I suppose it's because I gave him a bowl of instant noodles that he's telling me this.

As for Wang Shouqing's words, Lu Yuan actually believed them.

There's really nothing not to believe.

After all, they have no reason to specially come here to deceive me.

Mainly, Lu Yuan also feels that, with the Great Zhou Dynasty's various developments, such remote areas are indeed prone to this kind of problem.

Now the Great Zhou Dynasty really has money; the Imperial Court, to develop infrastructure, allocates various funds from the Ministry of Revenue to support local areas.

That money, as it trickles down layer by layer, is naturally going to be exploited by officials at every level.

There's no denying it; every dynasty has been like this.

This just shows how strong the Imperial Court's crackdown is.

If the Imperial Court loosens even a little, the lower levels will collapse over a wide area.

For this sort of thing, besides a strict crackdown, there's nothing else but a strict crackdown.

Originally, Lu Yuan planned to wait until after these two battles were over before starting.

But, looking at the current situation, these people down below are really fast.

How long has the Great Zhou Dynasty actually had money? I'd estimate it's only been about half a year.

These people are starting up again?

But compared to that, Lu Yuan is more curious about…

"Given how dire the situation is in Liaobei, why don't you go to the Imperial City to petition?"

"Now there are trains; taking the train to the Imperial City is just two days, so if you can't bear it, just go straight to the Imperial City."

After Lu Yuan finished speaking, Wang Shouqing wore a face of helplessness and a somewhat bitter smile, and said:

"Boss, what you're saying……"

"The Imperial City is so huge; if we go, how would we know who to look for, or where to look?"

Lu Yuan thought about it and agreed that was also true.

Not to mention that the Great Zhou Dynasty hasn't fully entered modern society yet.

Even if it were Earth, with the internet and communications, as long as the situation isn't extremely serious, local corruption is hard to transmit upward to the central authorities.

Now that there are railways, they can only guarantee that in the Great Zhou Dynasty's provincial localities, there won't be a situation where a single magistrate makes life impossible for everyone.

There won't be a situation where the people can't survive and can only rebel.

After all, if people weren't truly unable to endure it, who would risk execution to rebel?

Now that there are railways, if you can't make a living locally, you can just go elsewhere.

In short, the appearance of railways only raises the floor for the Great Zhou Dynasty, but corruption and such cannot be solved.

This sort of thing still needs the Imperial Court to investigate and resolve it themselves.

However……

Lu Yuan looked at Wang Shouqing somewhat oddly and said:

"Are they really that arrogant? In these years since the new emperor ascended the throne, they've carried out many reforms."

"It's completely unlike before; in Liaobei, they haven't restrained themselves at all."

My wife, ever since she ascended the throne five or six years ago, has been continuously reforming the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Before Lu Yuan even knew his wife, he once thought she might not be doing well and was also a transmigrator.

She handles domestic affairs with one hand and suppresses corruption with the other—not just a little bit fierce.

If placed in the Tongliao universe, this would practically be a heaven-sent mighty man for the Great Zhou Dynasty—not… a heaven-sent mighty woman.

Previously the Great Zhou Dynasty was so dark; the result is that now what they've done with it is called good.

Moreover, Lu Yuan remembers that his wife is extraordinarily harsh toward corrupt officials.

She leaves no room for mercy.

For example, Yulan's father—later Lu Yuan also found out—was killed by his wife.

Including Lin Fusheng—back then he was also a major corrupt official, and later he surrendered all his ill-gotten gains, which is how he managed to save his life.

Now he's thriving, enjoying a second spring, and has become the director of the Agriculture Bureau, right?

One's wife doesn't go easy on corruption—she comes down hard.

Liaobei really shows no restraint at all, does it?

And when Lu Yuan finished speaking, Wang Shouqing laughed and shook his head, saying:

"Landlord, what are you saying? You rarely came out before, and now the emperor is formidable—that's true—but some things aren't automatically followed just because the emperor is formidable."

I've also been around south and north; before the railway came out, one could say that only the area around the imperial capital was good, and under the emperor's feet everyone changed.

But that's not the case elsewhere.

That is, now that we have the railway and are stronger; otherwise, one could say that before, when the new emperor ascended, things stayed the same, with not much change—maybe just improved for a few months.

Having said that, Wang Shouqing smiled and then continued:

"Especially, Liaobei is not quite like the Great Zhou Dynasty—Liaobei is a Duhufu."

Oh……

Lu Yuan, upon hearing this, understood—everything became clear.

What does Duhufu mean? Anyone with a little historical knowledge should understand; simply put, it's actually an autonomous region.

Because in ancient times, transportation wasn't developed.

For the borders far from the imperial capital, the Imperial Court wanting to manage them was truly difficult.

So they simply set up a Duhufu locally, a military organ established to oversee the border ethnic groups.

The Duhu of a Duhufu is somewhat like a regional governor.

Take the Ming Dynasty on Earth as an example—there were quite a few Duhufus; don't be fooled by the Ming's vast territory at its peak, but many of those were Duhufus.

Of course, the places under a Duhufu certainly count as part of the dynasty's territory.

However, the connection between a Duhufu's territory and the Imperial Court isn't particularly strong.

Of course, these things will change as transportation becomes more developed in the future.

Just like the southern tusi, they'll become useless because of the railway.

As the railway develops further, the Duhufu will no longer be needed, since the Imperial Court can manage the frontiers more quickly.

However, whether it's the southern tusi or the border Duhufu,

if the Imperial Court really tries to abolish them, both sides will certainly be unwilling.

They might even cause trouble.

Who can accept losing their authority?

But having said that, if these two sides cause trouble, someone will have to follow them.

Now the Great Zhou Dynasty is thriving, with people from all provinces running about, accelerating the blending of ethnic groups.

Who would follow a rebellion? Probably very few.

So, while the time is limited, why not make a few more profits?

Lu Yuan pondered, then looked at Wang Shouqing and grinned, saying:

"Got it, thanks brother—this time we'll just go have some fun, treat it as a trip."

But I hear you mean you're going elsewhere to do business?

And you're coming back again?

Wang Shouqing gave a somewhat helpless laugh and said:

"I'm coming back this time to tidy up my things; if it weren't for this bunch of beasts forcing me, I really wouldn't want to leave."

Lu Yuan nodded.

Indeed, if there were no other choice, who would willingly leave home?

Then Lu Yuan grinned and said:

"But you don't need to rush—rest assured, the Imperial Court will soon send people to investigate."

As soon as Lu Yuan finished speaking, Wang Shouqing was startled, then looked at Lu Yuan and said excitedly:

"Really? You… landlord…"

Having said that, Wang Shouqing swallowed, then looked at Lu Yuan and said:

"Landlord, are you actually leaders or not…"

Lu Yuan looked at Wang Shouqing before him and grinned, saying:

"We really aren't leaders, but I live in the imperial capital, and I know how formidable the emperor is and how much he despises these corrupt officials; I'm waiting for the matter with the Gilded Dynasty to be settled."

Once the emperor frees up his hands, he will certainly continue dealing with these corrupt officials—how can you not believe that?

No wonder Wang Shouqing asked earlier—he's just too eager to see himself as a leader of the Imperial Court.

To be honest, ordinary people who have been harmed by local officials really don't tend to trust the Imperial Court much.

However… Wang Shouqing's eyes lit up, and he nodded firmly, saying:

"Of course I believe it—who doesn't know how formidable the current emperor is!!"

"Look at the railway now, the automobiles, and all those novel gadgets—these are all thanks to the present sovereign……"

Before Wang Shouqing could finish, Gu Qingwan, who lived beside Lu Yuan, suddenly said:

"These weren't done by the emperor, but by a certain count; that count is called……"

Before Gu Qingwan could finish, Wang Shouqing laughed and waved his hand, saying:

"That's not important; what matters is that the present sovereign is formidable—how could those previous emperors not manage to do this?"

"Anyway, we believe the sovereign can keep making the Great Zhou Dynasty better; we just hope it happens sooner."

Gu Qingwan opened her mouth, wanting to add that these things have nothing to do with her, that it's all because of her husband's prowess.

But before Gu Qingwan could say anything, Lu Yuan's hand reached over and pinched her, meaning she didn't need to explain this to others.

At that moment, Lu Yuan laughed and looked at Wang Shouqing, saying:

Don't worry, it will definitely be soon.

Even……

You don't even have to wait for the war with the Liujin Dynasty to end.

Two weeks later, a lot of people will come by then.

When the prince goes on an inspection tour, how could the ministers not follow?

Could the Imperial Guard not come?

By then it will definitely be settled.

However, Lu Yuan will not take part in this.

Just as Lu Yuan previously told Gu Lie, everyone has their own duty.

The commander-in-chief handles planning and strategy; if the strategy is right and wins big, you're qualified; otherwise, no matter how people‑friendly or how well you share weal and woe with the soldiers, it's failure.

As for Lu Yuan, his task is to produce all kinds of things.

Then strengthen Gu Lie's Wan Sui Army.

Punishing corruption and graft is his wife's forte; he'll let her handle it, and Lu Yuan will absolutely not interfere.

He also chatted with Wang Shouqing for a while.

This time he didn't bring up those unpleasant topics; Lu Yuan instead asked what fun places and good food there are in Liaobei.

Their conversation was fairly congenial.

As they chatted, it became two or three in the afternoon, and they arrived at the stop.

Wang Shouqing, carrying a big sack of things, looked at Lu Yuan and the three of them curiously and said:

"Master, since you plan to stay in Liaobei for ten days or half a month, why not stay a few days at my place? We have a spare wing."

Lu Yuan thought it over, then smiled and waved his hand to refuse:

"No need; we'll just rent a separate compound when the time comes."

How could a young master from a wealthy family share a courtyard with others?

Besides, it wouldn't be convenient, would it?

This isn't the Chonghua Palace; here, even a slight commotion at night can be heard clearly in the west and east rooms.

Wang Shouqing blinked at Lu Yuan, understood, and immediately said to him:

"Master, do you have a place in mind to stay? If not, a few households in our community have moved out, leaving their houses and courtyards empty; shall I get you in touch?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan immediately nodded and said:

"That works."

"Let's go."

Afterwards, everyone got into a rickshaw and followed Wang Shouqing to his home.

On the way, Wang Shouqing curiously asked Lu Yuan and Gu Qingwan:

"Master, madam, I don't see you carrying any luggage."

Lu Yuan was taken aback, then laughed and said:

"Our belongings are being sent later."

Hearing that, Wang Shouqing had no doubts; looking at their attire, he knew they were not ordinary people.

They certainly look wealthy.

Wang Shouqing immediately laughed and said:

"Then tell them they don't need to move yet; they can wait until Liaobei improves before moving—it won't be late."

Lu Yuan smiled but said nothing.

Soon, they followed Wang Shouqing into the urban area.

Liaobei here is nothing like Huangcheng with its siheyuan; basically it's all separate compounds.

It's just a normal community; called a community in the city, but it's hardly different from a village.

First, they went to Wang Shouqing's home to drop off their things, then he took Lu Yuan to view houses.

Along the way, Wang Shouqing told Lu Yuan that in this neighborhood, basically anyone who could leave had done so.

They had been heavily exploited by the local officials.

Besides that, Wang Shouqing told Lu Yuan that Liaobei's troubles aren't just due to corrupt officials.

For the common folk, those corrupt officials aren't even the worst of it.

The hardest part is…… there are several gangs in Liaobei that run rampant.

Rumor has it they have powerful connections.

Not only are they linked to the Duhufu, but also said to have ties with the field army.

Lu Yuan, listening to Wang Shougui's words, couldn't help but blink.

What?

Liaobei even has a Strong Brother selling fish??

(You might not believe this, but at three in the morning while playing games I got a weapon drop, sold it for forty thousand yuan, hahaha, and then got overexcited and overplayed.)

(End of chapter)