Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 481 Side Story: The Southern Expedition (Part 5)
Emperor Zhaoyuan led a large army to begin a southern expedition.

Wherever the army went, civil and military officials bowed their heads, and prominent families were especially respectful and submissive.

Those who voluntarily contributed 50% of their money and grain were spared. Those who were disrespectful and disobedient were not exterminated or had their property confiscated; they were simply ordered to relocate their entire clan.

For these wealthy families, money and grain were mere disposable assets; what truly mattered were their fixed assets such as land, estates, and shops. The wealthy families of Xin'an County had all been driven out and were soon destined for ruin. The entire clan's relocation was tantamount to exile. As long as they could remain safely in their ancestral homeland, any expenditure of money and grain would be worthwhile.

“The wealthy families in Xuancheng have occupied half of the city’s land,” Pei Wan, who had been visiting the area for several days on the emperor’s orders, found out the reason why the wealthy families were so eager to donate money and grain without much effort. She was furious: “Now, as long as you pay a large amount of money and grain, you can keep your land. No wonder they are all so proactive.”

Pei Yu, young and hot-blooded, was filled with rage and said, "Letting these rich dogs go like this is too lenient on them!"

"Otherwise, we could just kill all the wealthy landowners," Pei Lang suggested, actively brainstorming ideas. "Then we could distribute their land to ordinary people."

Pei Wan and Pei Yu's eyes lit up at the same time, and then they both looked at Pei Qinghe.

All three of them were the most outstanding young men of the Pei family, and they were all personally taught by Pei Qinghe.

Pei Qinghe patiently said to the three of them, "When we conquered Xin'an County, I could use strong measures to purge the Jiangnan Army's influence. The upcoming southern tour is to intimidate officials and win over the hearts of the people. Although I am the emperor, I cannot kill people and distribute land indiscriminately without reason."

"The methods are too drastic, which will force these wealthy households to rebel, and uprisings will break out everywhere, leading to constant warfare. In the end, it will be the common people who will truly suffer."

"I will first make them contribute money and grain, then give them a warning and make these wealthy households behave themselves. Once the country is at peace and the people are loyal, and once the people of the south only recognize me as their emperor, then I will slowly implement the new policies."

Pei Wan, who had the best understanding, said: "This is like cutting flesh with a soft knife."

Pei Qinghe's eyes flashed with a smile, and he nodded: "That's right. Wherever I go, I'll be under everyone's watchful eye. The three of you will be my eyes and ears, scouting everywhere. Keep the wealthy families with good reputations and see how they behave in the future. If they've done evil in the village, report to me. Then I'll take action and kill them."

During his southern tour, he will definitely have to execute a number of people to establish his authority. Corrupt officials and powerful clans who dominate the region can be killed without consequence.

Pei Wan and the other two bowed and accepted the order.

Xuancheng was relatively peaceful, but when they arrived in Danyang County, a few bold families colluded with bandits to launch a midnight attack on the Pei family army who were camping in the wilderness.

That night, Sun Cheng was in charge of the guard patrol. Leading a thousand patrolling soldiers, Sun Cheng slaughtered the bandits, leaving a bloodbath.

Pei Qinghe, who was sleeping in the central command tent, was awakened by the sounds of fighting and sat up. With tens of thousands of elite soldiers by her side and a group of generals accompanying her, killing bandits was a trivial matter that she did not need to do herself.

At daybreak, Sun Cheng, covered in blood, arrived with several pages of paper: "This humble general has captured several leaders of the bandits and questioned the wealthy families who are connected with them. Please review this, Your Majesty."

Pei Qinghe took the list, glanced through it, and then said calmly, "According to this list, kill all four of these powerful families. Let everyone see how sharp my sword is."

Sun Cheng bowed and accepted the order.

Pei Qinghe led his army to stay in Danyang County for a month, "sorting out" most of the wealthy families in Danyang County. The wealthy families in Danyang County were killed in droves, and all the officials were dismissed from their posts.

The reasons are readily available. If traitors and bandits emerge under your jurisdiction, it's considered negligence. Failure to report such information is an even greater crime. They're all fired.

Pei Wan, nicknamed "Little Green Seedling," was left behind to serve as the prefect of Danyang. Unlike Pei Yue, who cried and shed tears, Pei Wan confidently accepted the important task.

Pei Qinghe called Pei Wan over and instructed her one by one: "Danyang County and Xin'an County are not too far apart. You can discuss anything with Pei Yue."

"The term of office for the prefect is five years. You should govern Danyang Prefecture with care and distribute the confiscated land to the people. Some land can be kept as government land, and the rent collected each year can be used to open schools. Eight-year-old children, regardless of gender, can attend school to learn to read and write. I want to see results in five years."

Pei Wan's eyes shone brightly, and she responded loudly.

Emperor Zhaoyuan's iron-fisted methods in Danyang County instilled fear in the officials of the southern regions who were observing the situation, and the powerful and influential families were especially terrified. The subsequent Huainan and Guangling counties were remarkably docile and respectful. Wherever the army passed, not only were there no bandits, but not even a beggar could be seen. Those qualified to meet the emperor bowed deeply, one after another.

The new policy was thus successfully implemented. At least publicly, no one dared to oppose it.

Pei Qinghe was in no hurry. Changing dynasties, implementing new policies, and reforming customs—each and every one of these was a major undertaking. Results wouldn't be readily apparent in the short term. It was best to proceed gradually, step by step.

As she said before, she is still so young and has plenty of time to move forward step by step at her own pace.

Upon arriving in Pengcheng, Pei Qinghe encountered another unexpected event. After entering the city, many people came to petition the emperor.

The prefect of Pengcheng collects land taxes three times a year, constantly finding new ways to exploit the people. The people have suffered for too long.

Pei Qinghe received the petition from the people and ordered Pei Yu to send someone to investigate the case.

Pei Yu spent nearly half a month uncovering a long list of evidence and witnesses. For one thing, in the private treasury of the Pengcheng Prefect, over a hundred boxes of gold and silver were found, the amount embezzled being staggering.

Pei Qinghe opened the courtroom and publicly interrogated the case. The evidence was irrefutable, and the Prefect of Pengcheng had no way to refute it. His face turned pale, and he repeatedly kowtowed and begged for mercy.

Pei Qinghe didn't waste any more words and directly ordered the execution of the Pengcheng Prefect.

This was the highest-ranking civil official she had executed since her southern tour. The previous governors of Xin'an and Xuancheng were both dismissed from their posts and sent back to their hometowns. This greedy and insatiable governor of Pengcheng became the perfect candidate to make an example of him.

Pei Qinghe left Pei Yu in Pengcheng: "Pengcheng is a mess from top to bottom. The Pengcheng Prefect has already been executed, and I will not touch the other officials for the time being. I'll leave them all to you. You can either discipline them or kill them to establish your authority."

Pei Yu raised his head and agreed, displaying the fearlessness of a newborn calf: "Auntie, just wait and see! I will also spend five years governing Pengcheng well and winning the hearts of the people of Pengcheng."

Pei Qinghe felt pleased and smiled.

In October, the southern tour army finally returned to Luoyang.

Pei Yun led civil and military officials in a grand procession to welcome the emperor: "Congratulations to the emperor for annihilating the rebel army in Jiangnan and for inspecting the southern lands. The people have returned to your side."

Pei Qinghe raised an eyebrow and smiled: "It's been more than a year since we set out. We've done what we needed to do, and it's time to return to Yan County."

(End of this chapter)