Chapter 719: Tuntian and land reform, setting off for Yingyin! 【3】

In Zao Zhi's mansion.

Under Zao Zhi's guidance, Duan Yu walked all the way to the main hall.

At this time, Zao Zhi's wife, Chu, was still tidying up the room with the maid, removing the dinner that hadn't been finished.

The two children who hadn't eaten their fill were standing in the corner of the hall, their eyes lingering on the food being taken away.

"Lord Marquis, this..." Zao Zhi said somewhat embarrassedly: "The place at home is small, and I haven't had time to tidy it up."

Duan Yu scanned the hall.

Zao Zhi's wife, Chu, stepped forward immediately.

Zao Zhi pulled his wife over and introduced: "Lord Marquis, this is my humble wife."

After speaking, he winked at his wife.

Although Zao Zhi's wife was not a noble lady from a powerful family, she was also from the Chu clan of Yangdi, a well-known family.

So she naturally did not lack etiquette.

With the appearance of a simple and virtuous woman, she stepped forward in simple clothes and bowed.

"Take the children and tidy up here, you all go down." Zao Zhi said to his wife.

Duan Yu looked at the unfinished food and the unhappy appearance of the two children, so he smiled and said: "To tell you the truth, Daoyan, I haven't eaten yet either."

Zao Zhi was stunned.

Zao Zhi's wife reacted faster, saying: "General, please wait a moment, this commoner woman will go to the kitchen to prepare some food."

Duan Yu waved his hand with a smile: "No need to trouble yourself, Madam, just eat whatever there is; I'm not picky."

"This..." Chu hesitated.

"Lord Marquis... this is somewhat impolite." Zao Zhi said.

"Daoyan, you are too polite; didn't I say, there is no General of the Van here today, nor any Governor of Liangzhou, just treat me as your friend."

Duan Yu looked back at Tie Shitou behind him and said: "Shitou, go and bring in the things prepared before coming."

Zao Zhi invited Duan Yu to sit directly in the main seat.

Duan Yu did not let Zao Zhi's wife and children leave, but sat together in the hall.

It was as if it were an ordinary family dinner.

A moment later, Tie Shitou brought in the gifts prepared before coming with several of Duan Yu's personal guards.

"Daoyan, don't mind it; before coming, I inquired about the situation of Daoyan's family."

Duan Yu said while taking out the gifts prepared in advance one by one.

There were jewelry, jade, silk, and satin prepared for Zao Zhi's wife.

There were also personal accessories and cloth prepared for the two children.

Watching Duan Yu personally take out the gifts one by one.

And then hand them to his wife and children, Zao Zhi, who was standing on the side, would be lying if he said he wasn't moved.

With Duan Yu's status and current position, inviting a small county official.

Even if he were pretending, he couldn't pretend to this extent.

After distributing the gifts, Duan Yu sat down again.

There was nothing special to eat, just the evening's food.

Zao Zhi's two children and wife, after receiving the gifts, no longer had their previous restraint.

During the meal, Duan Yu talked about family matters from when he was in Jinyang.

After the meal was finished, Zao Zhi's wife took the two children to the back courtyard.

Only Zao Zhi and Duan Yu were left in the hall.

"Lord Marquis, regarding the important matters of Tuntian, I gave a general idea at the county office today."

"I haven't clarified the key points yet."

Zao Zhi, having put down his bowl and chopsticks, raised his head to look at Duan Yu.

Duan Yu treated him with the courtesy of a scholar, so he must repay it with the loyalty of a scholar.

Since he wanted to repay, he must naturally show his talent.

Duan Yu put down the bowl and chopsticks in his hand and listened seriously: "Daoyan, please speak."

Zao Zhi nodded and said: "Lord Marquis, this subordinate has not yet been to Liangzhou, and I am not clear about the situation in Liangzhou."

"But this subordinate believes that Tuntian, whether it is the military Tuntian I mentioned earlier or the civilian Tuntian, the first problem is land reform."

"Although Liangzhou is vast and sparsely populated, apart from the cold regions, there is not much land left for cultivation."

"Even if there is, it might be some barren land; if the Lord Marquis wants to use military Tuntian, the first priority is to need land."

Duan Yu nodded.

That's right.

Although Liangzhou is vast, it is mostly mountainous and sandy, and there is not much good land that can be cultivated.

And this land is generally in the hands of scholar-clans and powerful families.

How to take this land back from the hands of scholar-clans and powerful families is the key.

If things go wrong, I am afraid I will face the consequences of my subordinates falling apart and the loss of popular support.

"The Lord Marquis should be able to understand what this subordinate means." Zao Zhi said.

Duan Yu nodded and said: "I understand what Daoyan means."

"However, Daoyan doesn't need to worry about these problems for the time being; at the very least, within the scope of these three commanderies—Hanyang, Jincheng, and Longxi—Daoyan can do as you please."

Jincheng Commandery was already crippled last year and is now facing a reshuffle.

And the scholar-clans and powerful families of Hanyang Commandery have mostly submitted, or are completely standing on his side.

There is no big problem in Longxi either.

As for the remaining few commanderies, it can only be done little by little.

"To tell you the truth, Daoyan, after I fought against the Western Qiang in Liangzhou last year, I have currently started to promote sericulture in Western Qiang, but I can't explain these things to Daoyan all at once."

"After Daoyan arrives in Liangzhou, you will naturally understand the situation there."

"When is Daoyan planning to set off? I will send people to escort Daoyan to Liangzhou."

"Or will Daoyan wait until I return to Liangzhou to go back together?"

Zao Zhi shook his head and said: "The Lord Marquis is suppressing the rebellion, which will likely take a year or half a year."

"This time cannot be wasted; since I have received the Lord Marquis's grace, I should naturally strive to repay it."

"I will tidy up my home in these two days, and then I will go to Liangzhou first."

Hearing Zao Zhi's words, Duan Yu smiled happily.

"Good, good, good, I really didn't misjudge Daoyan."

Saying this, Duan Yu called Tie Shitou.

Tie Shitou, who was guarding outside the hall, walked into the room.

"Shitou, tomorrow you take two hundred personal guards and stay behind; when Daoyan is ready, escort him to Hanyang."

"Remember, you must safely escort Daoyan and his whole family to Hanyang; if there is any problem on the road, I will hold you responsible."

"Understood!"

Tie Shitou said with a serious expression, nodding earnestly.

Having recruited Zao Zhi, the problem of Tuntian in Liangzhou was basically solved.

Duan Yu no longer worried about the strategy of migrating millions of people to Liangzhou.

With grain and land, the migration of population to Liangzhou can be completed smoothly.

This is one of the biggest decisions and directions for Liangzhou in the future.

After taking his leave from Zao Zhi's mansion, Duan Yu left the city and returned to the military camp. ===== CHAPTER 721 =====