Chapter 501

"Everyone, the future stability and prosperity of Yizhou will depend on you all!"

Everyone hurriedly raised their glasses, secretly pleased; Liu Bei still intended to reuse them.

Liu Bei appointed Zhang Song as the Inspector of Yizhou, Xu Jing as the Chief Clerk, Fei Guan as the Prefect of Shu Commandery, Pang Xi as the General of Shaking Might, and Yan Yan as the Prefect of Ba Commandery on the spot.

Li Hui as the Prefect of Jianning, Lü Kai as the Prefect of Yongchang, and so on,

Basically achieving Ba people governing Ba, Shu people governing Shu, and Nanzhong people governing Nanzhong.

He also ordered Zhang Yi to be the Prefect of Yuexi Commandery to govern the Qingqi and train elite troops, Dong He to be the Prefect of Zangke, Wu Yi to be the Prefect of Guanghan to govern Baishui Pass, and so on.

Everyone was overjoyed, and the host and guests enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

Early the next morning,

Zhang Song cupped his hands,

"My lord, the letters have been sent to all places. Zhang Ren has returned home and closed his doors, and the previously demoted Magistrate of Guanghan, Huang Quan, who was defending his city, has now opened the gates, returned to Chengdu, and is refusing visitors!"

"My lord, I fear these two want you to recruit them personally."

Liu Bei nodded,

"No matter, they are both great talents; I should indeed make a trip."

Zhang Song admired him,

"My lord is courteous to the wise; I admire you greatly."

Liu Bei added,

"Yongnian, I intend to halve the land tax in Yizhou, consistent with Guanzhong; what do you think?"

Zhang Song was overjoyed,

"My lord is benevolent and righteous, storing wealth among the people; the people of Yizhou will surely be moved to tears!"

Xu Jing also cupped his hands,

"My lord, valuing talents, caring for the people, and resting the troops—Yizhou is truly fortunate!"

Liu Bei nodded and ordered Wu Yi to organize laborers to repair the roads leading to Hanzhong, promoting economic and personnel exchanges between Guanzhong and Yizhou.

Goods from Nanzhong and Bashu could be sold to Guanzhong and even to the Western Regions without obstruction!

After arranging these matters,

Liu Bei took Zhang Song, Pang Tong, and others to visit Huang Quan's house first.

Huang Quan was drinking alone at home,

Hearing that Liu Bei had come to visit personally, he opened the gates to let them in.

Liu Bei looked at the wine pot on the table,

"Gongheng, you have such elegant interests; why not drink together?"

Huang Quan snorted,

"Liu Bei, my lord didn't listen to my advice and welcomed you into Shu; you have truly ruined our great mountains and rivers of Shu!"

Pang Tong didn't like hearing that,

"Huang Gongheng, are you being reasonable? How has my lord ruined the mountains and rivers of Shu? My lord has not committed the slightest offense along the way, pacified the rebellion of the Nanzhong barbarians, and gained the defection of numerous scholars and famous generals without a bloodless battle. Everyone is satisfied; how did it become like that in your eyes!"

Zhang Song also said,

"Gongheng, my lord just announced that the land tax in Yizhou will be halved, and the people of Yizhou are cheering; you are here with a long face, which is a bit..."

Huang Quan was stunned,

"Halving the land tax? Then the lives of the people of Yizhou will be much better."

Halving the land tax is not easy; the people are wealthier, but the government's revenue is reduced.

Huang Quan bowed,

"Lord Xuande is benevolent and righteous, benefiting the people; I admire you deeply."

Liu Bei was fine; although the grain collected had decreased, the connection between Guanzhong and Yizhou had strengthened, and commerce was more prosperous, so the commercial tax he harvested could fully cover it, and there was even more!

Moreover, the people of Yizhou knew how to enjoy life, and with more money and grain in their hands, it would also promote domestic demand and consumption.

Zhang Song added,

"My lord has formulated a series of projects for water conservancy, bridge building, road paving, and establishing schools; in the next few years, Yizhou will surely be prosperous."

Huang Quan also sighed deeply,

"Lord Xuande, my lord is not as good as you."

Liu Bei smiled,

"Gongheng, Liu Zhang didn't recognize your talent. If he had listened to your words back then and not let me into Shu, I might only have taken Hanzhong by now."

Huang Quan wept with gratitude; Lord Xuande understood him best after all!

Liu Bei held his hands,

"Yizhou is flourishing; how can such a grand event be without you, Huang Gongheng? I intend to appoint you as the Assistant Governor of Yizhou to benefit the people of Yizhou together with Yongnian; what do you think?"

Huang Quan hurriedly bowed,

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"My lord, your subordinate is willing to serve you until death!"

Liu Bei helped him up,

"Good, good."

Having settled Huang Quan.

Liu Bei took Zhang Fei, Yan Yan, and Huang Zhong to visit Zhang Ren's residence.

Zhang Ren was brave and resourceful; not only was his martial art superb, but he was also extremely courageous. He could be said to be both wise and brave, and was known as the Spear King of Western Shu.

Historically, he refused to surrender to Liu Bei and was killed. Although he achieved a name for loyalty, his talent was not displayed, which was a pity.

Zhang Ren was practicing archery at home to relieve his boredom and was somewhat surprised to hear the cheers outside,

The steward explained the reason,

Zhang Ren muttered,

"Halving the land tax; then many people's lives will be much better."

He sighed deeply; Liu Bei was brave, skilled in battle, and unparalleled in benevolence and righteousness. Liu Zhang simply couldn't compare to Liu Bei.

However, Zhang Ren had a stubborn personality and was not convinced in his heart; he hadn't fought a single battle, yet he had been defeated so thoroughly...

"Forget it, if Liu Bei wants to behead me, let him!"

Just then,

The steward came to report,

"Master, the General of the Flying Cavalry, Lord Xuande, is here to visit."

Zhang Ren?

"Liu Bei actually came to visit personally?"

"Invite them in."

Although Zhang Ren didn't want to defect to Liu Bei, the etiquette of treating guests could not be neglected.

Liu Bei and the others entered,

Zhang Ren remained silent and kept shooting arrows there.

Zhang Fei was furious,

"Zhang Ren, my eldest brother came to find you personally, yet you are so arrogant!"

Zhang Ren shot another arrow, his expression clearly saying, I didn't ask you to come find me.

Yan Yan came to persuade him,

"General Zhang, Lord Xuande implements benevolent policies, benefits the people of Bashu, and is also brave and skilled in battle, shaking the nine provinces. Why don't you surrender and follow Lord Xuande to conquer the world and establish unparalleled merit!"

Zhang Ren shook his head,

"Old General, a loyal official does not serve two masters; my heart is already dead."

Yan Yan sighed deeply,

"Why be like this? You are still young and can leave your name in history and be famous throughout the world."

Liu Bei looked at Zhang Ren,

"General Zhang, you are a man of Shu Commandery and a famous general of Yizhou; are you protecting the people of Yizhou, or Liu Yan and his son?"

Zhang Ren was instantly stumped by the question,

"This, this, there is no difference between the two."