Reform... the land system?
Ju Shou was suddenly startled, thinking he had misheard.
Being well-versed in political affairs, he naturally knew this matter was no small thing. If it could truly be implemented as Lord County Magistrate said, within two years, Guangping County would surely have abundant granaries, and the common people would no longer suffer from hunger and hardship.
This Lord County Magistrate actually possesses such foresight!
Ju Shou couldn't help but deeply sigh.
He was within the County Government, so he was naturally crystal clear about the events that had occurred in recent days.
Since Lord County Magistrate took office, all his actions could be called beneficial to the people and accumulating good deeds.
But upon careful reflection, it was nothing more than four words: winning the hearts of the people.
First, he used thunderous methods to eliminate Zhao Xiong's faction, completely abolishing all taxes they had levied under false pretenses.
Afterward, he opened the granaries and distributed food, organized displaced people to reclaim wasteland, and absorbed passing displaced people.
Furthermore, forming the "Trap Camp" and pacifying the bandits in the four strongholds fully demonstrated his military talent.
Such a person who can fight on horseback and govern dismounted is truly rare in the world.
And today's words show even more extraordinary insight, something a mediocre person could never say.
This person's ambition is comparable to a swan; he will surely soar to the sky in the future!
Could it be that he is the person I can rely on?
Ju Shou was secretly shocked and couldn't help but stare blankly at the person before him.
"Gongyu, Gongyu?" Zhang Chen, seeing Ju Shou was a bit distracted, gently called out twice.
"Ah! Lo... Lord, this subordinate has lost composure..." Ju Shou snapped back to reality and hurriedly bowed, speaking.
"What's wrong, Gongyu?" Zhang Chen, seeing Ju Shou was a bit dazed, said, "Could it be that this matter is rather tricky? It's alright, there's no rush on this matter. You can think about it for a few days. Everything must be fully considered; it cannot be rushed."
Ju Shou quickly bowed and said, "Lord's foresight is exceptional; this subordinate truly falls short. Regarding this matter, please allow this subordinate to consider it for a day or two. I will surely plan it properly for Lord."
"Mm, you may go," Zhang Chen nodded.
"This subordinate takes his leave," Ju Shou acknowledged and slowly withdrew.
Zhang Chen looked at Ju Shou's retreating back, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but curl slightly upwards.
Judging by his appearance just now, the idea of the new land system must have made him see me in a new light.
Zhang Chen knew that to win over talented individuals like him, one must display even deeper foresight and insight, and then bestow kindness and righteousness, only then can they be subdued.
Insight, Zhang Chen had just displayed. As for kindness and righteousness...
Recalling the history of the Three Kingdoms, it seems Yuan Shao didn't show much kindness or righteousness towards Ju Shou either. He merely treated worthy scholars with respect, saying something like, "Duke Huan of Qi could not have achieved hegemony without Guan Zhong, and King Goujian could not have preserved his state without Fan Li," praising him highly, which led Ju Shou to follow him faithfully until death.
Putting this kind of person in modern terms, frankly speaking, you need to use emotional value to motivate them. As long as you give them plenty of recognition and make them feel valued, they will naturally be loyal.
Hehe, 'drawing a big picture'? He was best at this kind of thing!
For several days afterward, Ju Shou diligently handled official duties in the County Government every day but did not mention the matter again.
Zhang Chen did not press the issue. After all, the matter of the land system was, firstly, complicated in detail and could not be decided overnight, and secondly, there was no immediate rush. The decree had already been issued, and it was not advisable to change policies frequently. If the new system were to be implemented, it would have to be after the spring of next year at the earliest.
However, perhaps it was just a feeling, but since Ju Shou took office, the atmosphere in Guangping County seemed to have improved significantly.
In the past, there were often disputes in the market, but in recent days, they have decreased significantly, and public order also seems to have improved. There have been no people beating the drum to appeal for justice in the past few days.
Zhang Chen guessed that this was the effect of Ju Shou's 【Oversee Internal and External Affairs】 trait.
It seems he really did find a treasure!
There was nothing urgent in the county these past few days, so Zhang Chen simply went on a discreet inspection tour. The lives of the common people in the city were peaceful and orderly, with vendors and porters each going about their business. The newly settled displaced people in the eastern suburbs had also begun to build villages.
Zhang Chen inspected the area and found that they had selected sites for five villages and were systematically cutting wood and quarrying stone for construction.
At this rate, these displaced people would have their own homes in one or two months.
Thinking of this, Zhang Chen felt quite relieved.
On this day, as the sun rose high, Zhang Chen arrived at the County Government when suddenly a messenger reported that an imperial decree had arrived from the prefecture.
Zhang Chen was startled and quickly ordered the messenger to present it. Opening it, he saw that the decree conveyed an imperial mandate from the court.
The general meaning was that a large number of people with military merits were rewarded for suppressing the Yellow Turbans last year, but some of them had falsely reported or exaggerated their achievements. The court had issued a decree to send officials down to the various prefectures and counties for inspection, to dismiss a group of people who had falsely reported or exaggerated their military merits, and that all prefectures and counties must actively cooperate.
Looking at this decree, Zhang Chen couldn't help but show a wry smile.
The "important person" he was waiting for had finally arrived.
Zhang Chen knew that the famous scene in the history of the Three Kingdoms, the drama of "Angrily Whipping the Inspector," was about to unfold.
At this time, Liu Bei was serving as a minor County Commandant in Anxi County, Zhongshan Prefecture. Before long, that inspector would come to his territory for inspection.
When the inspector failed to extort a bribe from Liu Bei, he instructed county officials to fabricate charges, intending to falsely accuse Liu Bei of harming the people. Unfortunately, the plan failed in the end, and the inspector was tied to a tree and severely beaten by the enraged Zhang Fei!
According to Zhang Chen's original plan, he had intended to use this opportunity to bribe the inspecting official in order to secure the position of County Magistrate.
Zhang Chen was not without confidence. He knew that this decree from the court was most likely the idea of the Ten Attendants. Behind this inspector were those ten powerful eunuchs. If they were served well, wouldn't a mere position of County Magistrate be within easy reach?
But now, he had already forcibly taken office with thunderous methods and received the official appointment from Lord Prefect. This "important person" was no longer of much use to him. Zhang Chen did not want to play along with him anymore.
However, if he was merely greedy for wealth, giving him some and befriending him wouldn't hurt, and it would also avoid offending the Ten Attendants.
These Ten Attendants could still cause trouble for a few years. Offending them now and attracting unnecessary trouble would not be a wise move.
Thinking of this, Zhang Chen asked the messenger, "Where is the inspecting official sent by the court currently?"
"According to the brother who delivered the message, he first went to Zhongshan Prefecture, so he should arrive here in a few days."
Zhongshan Prefecture?
Zhang Chen pondered to himself. Anxi County, where Liu Bei served, was there. Could it be such a coincidence that this inspecting official was the very inspector who was severely beaten by Third Master Zhang?
Zhang Chen couldn't help but ponder secretly.
In the history of the Three Kingdoms, after this inspector was beaten, he disappeared without a trace, and there was no further mention of him in any writing. However, one thing was certain: Third Master Zhang did not beat him to death.
If this person was indeed the inspector from the history of the Three Kingdoms, then after being beaten, he should have become somewhat more restrained in his actions.
Well, if he is polite, I will engage in Wealth Through Harmony with him, each getting what we need. But if he hasn't changed his stubborn ways and dares to provoke me... Hmph! I won't be as soft-hearted as Big-Eared Liu!
