My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 511 Jiangdong County
Sure enough, Jiao Zhengqiang gave Liu Feng quite a surprise.

As mentioned earlier, Haiyan County ranks last in the entire Wu County. Not only are its area, population, economy, arable land, and output all quite low, but it also suffers greatly from the salinity caused by seawater intrusion.

Although there is a tradition of salt production along the coast, the work is not only arduous but also requires a large amount of firewood and equipment. In addition, there are heavy taxes, so the profits are actually quite meager.

Jiao Jiao saw an opportunity in this and prepared a memorial, which he presented to Liu Feng.

Liu Feng wasn't particularly interested at first, but when he saw the words "salt drying" in the memorial, he was greatly surprised and immediately inquired about it with Jiao Jiao.

"Where did you obtain this method of salt production, Mr. Jiao?"

Upon hearing Liu Feng's question, Jiao Jiao, with a fawning expression and meek eyes, replied, "It came from Xuzhou in the north. I don't know the specific method, but I've heard some rumors that this method of salt production is not only highly efficient, but also requires far less firewood compared to boiling salt. Most importantly, this method can utilize tidal flats and saline-alkali land. Sea salt suffers greatly from salinity, and if this method can be combined with salt production, it will surely greatly benefit the coastal people."

Jiao Jiao wore a fawning smile, his beady eyes constantly glancing at Liu Feng's face, secretly observing his expression and reaction. He was clearly a scoundrel.

But this very guy actually managed to find out a few details about the salt-making method, and even dared to present his ideas based on this information to Liu Feng, which earned him a lot of goodwill.

"I will not hide it from you, this method of salt production is my own creation, and I have already opened up a large number of salt fields on Yuzhou Island in Donghai County, Xuzhou."

After pondering for a moment, Liu Feng suddenly spoke frankly: "This method is currently a secret technique, strictly forbidden to be passed on to outsiders. How did you learn of it?"

With a thud, Jiao Jiao knelt down, his face filled with fear and panic. He stammered, "General Zuo, please understand. I really knew nothing about this matter. It was only the boatmen from the north who mentioned it occasionally, saying that someone was drying seawater on the mudflats. I thought that Haiyan also has many saline-alkali mudflats, so I rashly submitted this memorial. I deserve death! I deserve death!"

Liu Feng then realized how Jiao Jiao had learned about the salt production.

Actually, the matter is quite simple. Salt production requires a large number of salt fields, and it is very difficult to keep it completely secret, especially since the sea is a wide-ranging waterway with countless ships passing by. Unlike on land, where you can use the terrain to set up roadblocks, the news will inevitably leak out.

However, these reports were fragmented and even contradictory. Even if outsiders guessed that Liu Feng was using some new technology to produce salt, they did not know how to implement the whole method.

Although the salt-making method is simple, it's not as simple as just diverting brine to the mudflats to extract salt. There are many techniques and tricks involved in how to create salt fields.

Therefore, Jiao Jiao had only heard about this matter but did not know the process and techniques of salt production. The reason the other party sought his help was because they guessed that the salt production method was most likely mastered by Liu Feng and his son Liu Bei.

After this misunderstanding, Liu Feng's impression of Jiao Jiao improved somewhat, especially since Jiao Jiao's documents did not completely favor the powerful and wealthy clans. Instead, the quota was divided in half, taking into account the interests of ordinary people and salt workers. It can only be said that Jiao Jiao was truly a snob, but in handling government affairs, he was relatively fair, which was quite paradoxical.

"Never mind, you've only heard it from others, what crime could you possibly have committed?"

Liu Feng waved his hand and said leniently, "However, your plan is not acceptable."

Upon hearing that Liu Feng had truly pardoned him, Jiao Jiao was secretly delighted, thinking that the Left General truly loved the people like his own children.

Jiao Jiao had also studied Liu Feng carefully and found that the other party was very good at caring for the people. He was especially wary of the powerful clans and wealthy families oppressing the common people. After crossing the river, he repeatedly attacked the landlords and wealthy families, forcing them to return the land to the state and then redistribute it to the landless poor.

After reaching this conclusion, Jiao Jiao immediately reorganized his retainers and troops, strictly ordering them not to harass or oppress the people.

Meanwhile, based on hearsay about salt production, Jiao Jiao devised this plan, taking into account Liu Feng's preferences, and boldly submitted it to Liu Feng.

Although Jiao Jiao's character is rather poor, his ability to speculate is quite strong. He is not only bold and meticulous, but also decisive and willing to make heavy bets.

If Liu Feng knew Jiao Jiao's thoughts, he would definitely lose a lot of goodwill towards him, but he would not discriminate against him. As long as Jiao Jiao sincerely works for the people, Liu Feng, who is currently lacking in talent, would not mind giving him a chance. However, if Jiao Jiao makes a mistake, Liu Feng would not be polite to him.

"General Zuo, I wonder what's wrong with this plan?"

Jiao Jiao said cautiously, "The people of Haiyan are suffering too much. If we could improve the salt-making method, Haiyan would not only generate more tax revenue, but the people would also be able to live a more comfortable life."

Upon hearing this, Liu Feng fell silent. In fact, Liu Feng had long planned to establish a salt field in Jiangdong.

Historically, the largest salt-producing area was the Jianghuai region, which not only produced high-quality salt but also had a huge salt production volume, enough to supply the entire Chinese empire on its own.

The reason Liu Feng is hesitant now is mainly because he doesn't want to hand over this task to Jiao Jiao.

After thinking for a while, Liu Feng spoke again: "I am well aware of your love for the people. Since that is the case, I have something to entrust to Lord Jiao."

Jiao Jiao was overjoyed and immediately replied respectfully, "Please give your instructions, my lord, and I will do my utmost to live up to your trust."

"good."

Liu Feng nodded in praise, then said, "Over the next three months, I would like to trouble you, Jiao Jun, to requisition all the mudflats along the Haiyan coast for state ownership. As for compensation... let's tentatively set it at the amount for one year. You can give money and grain, or you can give salt and cloth. There's no need to expel the salt workers on these lands; let them continue to boil salt. We'll discuss that later. Can you do that?"

Haiyan not only has a long coastline, but it is almost entirely alluvial mudflats. Further north, Wuxian, Wuxi, and neighboring areas also have coastlines, but their coastlines are no longer mudflats, and seawater does not flow back into the inland areas.

Therefore, the beaches in these areas are not suitable for salt pan development.

Liu Feng had previously conducted a simple survey. Within Yangzhou, the most suitable area for developing salt fields was the line from Qiantang to Haiyan, with the coastal mudflats of Haiyan County accounting for more than 70% of the mudflats suitable for developing salt fields.

However, he was too busy with other things, and if he hadn't met Jiao Jiao, Liu Feng probably wouldn't have remembered these things for a while.

However, since he had decided to do this, given Liu Feng's temperament, he wouldn't let the lucrative opportunity fall into the hands of the local gentry and powerful families of Haiyan. He was taking precautions now, first securing ownership of these mudflats, to prevent some unscrupulous gentry and powerful families from being blinded by huge profits and coming to their doom.

After all, while these fools certainly deserved to die, in the Eastern Han Dynasty, killing them too harshly could easily provoke resentment from powerful clans and gentry.

As for the compensation for that year's output, it was just bait. If Jiao Jiao dared to make a move on this, Liu Feng wouldn't mind making an example of him.

Jiao Jiao was completely unaware of this, only overjoyed by Liu Feng's approval, repeatedly promising to do his best and willing to accept punishment if anything went wrong. Upon entering Haiyan City, Liu Feng's entourage naturally began inventorying the county's treasury and accounts, including literary attendants such as Lu Ji, Chen Tai, Zhong Yu, and Sun Quan. A new batch of military attendants, including Zhou Jun, Zhou Shao, Zhou Cheng, Sun Yi, and Sun Jiao, were responsible for their protection.

For a time, Liu Feng seemed to be surrounded by the two major surnames, Zhou and Sun, especially the Sun family, who were genuine relatives.

Therefore, from Sun Quan to Sun Yi, Sun Jiao and others, they were all grateful to Liu Feng and loyal to him.

As time went by, the Sun faction as a warlord had completely disintegrated. Sun Ce himself devoted himself to Liu Feng's cause and achieved great military exploits. Even Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, Lü Fan, and Chen Wu, who were originally loyal followers of the Sun family, no longer had unrealistic dreams and instead found their place in Liu Feng's system.

Liu Feng even began to reinstate Sun Xiang, Sun Ben, Sun Jing, and others.

This is due to the fact that the Sun family was not united. Apart from the generals from other clans, the Sun family alone was divided into four major factions, led by Sun Ce, Sun Ben, Sun Jing, and Sun Xiang respectively. There were even some conflicts between these factions, so naturally they could not unite.

The use of the Sun, Xu, and Wu families not only greatly filled the shortage of mid- and low-ranking officers caused by Liu Feng's rapid expansion of the army, but also played a significant role in stabilizing Jiangdong.

Soon, the accounts and inventory data were presented, showing that they matched.

Subsequently, Liu Feng personally investigated the lawsuits and found no wrongful convictions. This shows that Jiao Jiao's governance was not only above average, but even excellent.

So, after offering him a few kind words of comfort, Liu Feng left Haiyan and took the route through Youquan.

The county magistrate of Youquan was Xie Cheng, a member of the Xie family of Shanyin.

To Liu Feng's surprise, Xie Cheng and Sun Quan were not familiar with each other at all, and did not seem to be related by marriage.

Originally, in the original timeline, Xie Cheng's sister was Sun Quan's first wife, a noblewoman carefully selected by the Wu Kingdom for Sun Quan.

Xie Jiong, the father of Xie, was a member of the Xie family of Kuaiji. He was recommended as a filial and incorruptible official. After entering Luoyang, he stood out again because of his talent and quick thinking and was appointed as a court official. Later, he went out to serve as the magistrate of Xu County in Xiapi State. He could be considered a famous family in Jiangdong.

Wu Guotai and Sun Ce clearly had political motives in arranging for Sun Quan to marry his daughter in order to appease and stabilize Kuaiji.

Xie Cheng himself was quite famous. He was a renowned historian, and the Book of the Later Han was his work. He lived to the middle and late stages of the Three Kingdoms period, with only twenty-four years left before the end of the Three Kingdoms, which can be described as long-lived.

Unfortunately, her sister's marriage to Sun Quan was not happy. It lasted only a few years before a huge uproar occurred due to Sun Ce's sudden death.

In order to balance the power, Sun Quan had no choice but to marry his cousin, Xie, but she firmly refused and died young.

Whether he truly died of anger or was manipulated by Sun Quan is a matter of opinion.

Out of curiosity, Liu Feng quietly inquired and discovered that the butterfly wings were actually his own.

Because of her unstoppable advance in Jiangdong, Wu Guotai had no time to carefully select candidates for Sun Quan.

After she captured the entire Sun family and forced Sun Ce to surrender, Lady Wu dared not easily arrange marriages with the powerful figures of Jiangdong.

Later, Liu Feng accepted Sun Ce's surrender and treated the Sun family well. However, the two sides had fought each other on the battlefield before, and Sun Ce was also a regional warlord. In other words, the political ecology at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty still continued some of the unspoken rules since the Qin and Han Dynasties. In addition, Liu Feng's magnanimity was far beyond that of the era. Otherwise, no matter how obedient the Sun family was, adult men like Sun Ce, Sun Quan, and Sun Yi would not have survived.

Of course, Liu Feng was magnanimous, but Wu Guotai was very vigilant. After the situation eased, she quickly found a daughter from an ordinary aristocratic family for Sun Quan to marry. The wedding was very low-key, obviously because she was worried that Liu Feng would suspect the Sun family.

Upon learning the result, Liu Feng chuckled, but quickly put it out of his mind.

Now that the Sun family are subjects of the Liu family, Sun Quan's choice may not be a bad thing.

The situation in Youquan under Xie Cheng's rule was also quite good. Xie Cheng and Jiao Jiao were both from Kuaiji. Because the Kuaiji gentry had suffered a heavy blow, Liu Feng ordered the promotion of several capable people to serve in the surrounding counties of Kuaiji Commandery in order to appease them.

Xie Cheng and Jiao Jiao were products of this order, but looking back now, the two of them actually did a pretty good job.

Liu Feng was closer to Xie Cheng, after all, Xie Cheng was a man of great virtue and talent, especially skilled in writing history books, making him a rare and exceptional talent, and Liu Feng naturally wanted to pay more attention to him.

You wouldn't know unless you asked, and what you found out was astonishing: Xie Cheng already had the idea of ​​writing history and was paying attention to collecting information in his spare time.

Upon learning this, Liu Feng laughed and declared that he would allow him to borrow local gazetteers from various places and to read historical records under the supervision of the prefectures and counties.

Xie Cheng was overjoyed and deeply grateful to Liu Feng, regarding him as a wise ruler.

Next, Liu Feng continued to inspect the counties and towns. Overall, the situation was quite good. With the strict management of the higher authorities, most counties and towns performed above average, and more than one-third of the counties and towns performed well, which far exceeded Liu Feng's original expectations.

However, there are inevitably some criminals among them.

For example, during the major epidemic in Yixian County, the local county magistrate did not think about disaster relief and epidemic control. Instead, he took the opportunity to collude with local powerful shamans to make and sell talisman water, making a fortune and engaging in rampant corruption.

Before Liu Feng arrived, he tried to conceal the situation, which eventually enraged Liu Feng. He immediately beheaded the county magistrate of Yi County, exterminated the clans of the powerful families and sorcerers involved, and then personally directed the disaster relief efforts.

Fortunately, although the disaster in Yixian County was severe, the mortality rate of the epidemic was very low. Although it was highly contagious, it was eventually overcome with reasonable prevention and control measures.

Liu Feng inspected more than half of the more than seventy counties in the four commanderies of Jiangdong (there were sixty-eight counties at the beginning of Jian'an, but Liu Feng split and built many new counties). The remaining counties were too far away, not on the way, and not important cities, so he skipped them for the time being.

Overall, Liu Feng was very satisfied with the results. He announced the names of the county magistrates and county heads who had performed well in the assessment and bestowed upon them a silk robe, two cloth robes, a thousand coins, two bushels of grain, one pound of sugar, five pounds of salt, and five liters of sesame oil.

(End of this chapter)