With a million soldiers, the empress begged me not to rebel

As soon as the notice came out, the captured bandits rushed to sign up.

They were originally poor people, and were forced to take up arms by the black bear.

Now that I have the opportunity to start a new life, I naturally want it more than ever.

Li Kui looked at these bandits and sneered in his heart:

"Humph, you want to take advantage of me? It won't be that easy!"

"Work hard for me first. I'll settle accounts with you after the city wall is repaired!"

The fall of Black Wind Village shocked the surrounding small hilltops, and they all sent people to express their submission.

He offered gold, silver and treasures in order to seek Lu Yan's protection.

Lu Yan accepted everything that came his way.

But I was thinking in my heart that when the time is right, I will annex these small hills as well!

The news of the destruction of Heifeng Village spread quickly throughout Shannan Prefecture and even further.

The bandit den that once occupied the steep mountain peaks and was feared by everyone is now only a pile of ruins.

The charred beams leaned against the crumbling houses, which had become a haven for wild beasts of the mountains.

Several wild wolves were running around in the ruins, occasionally letting out a few shrill howls.

Business travelers no longer have to worry, their pockets are full, and they hum little tunes all the way.

Driving a mule cart loaded with goods, they headed straight for Shannan Prefecture.

A short and fat merchant, holding a string of agarwood beads in his hand, said cheerfully to his companion:

"That's great now. Black Wind Village is gone. We can save a lot of tolls by taking this route in the future!"

His companion beside him also echoed with a smile:

"That's right, thanks to Lord Lu's good governance!"

"I heard that Shannan Prefecture is now a place where people don't pick up things on the streets, and doors are left unlocked at night. Merchants gather here, and business is booming!"

"We're sure to make a killing this time!"

Lu Yan took this opportunity to begin implementing new tax policies.

He simplified the previously cumbersome tax system and lowered tax rates.

In the past, merchants had to pay a variety of complicated taxes and fees.

It has now been merged into a simple commercial tax, and the tax rate has been reduced by 20%.

This not only reduces the burden on merchants.

It also greatly increased their enthusiasm and promoted the prosperous development of business.

At the same time, Lu Yan also reduced the burden on farmers.

He reduced the land tax by 10% and abolished corvée and other taxes.

In the past, farmers had to bear various miscellaneous taxes, such as building bridges and roads, maintaining city walls, etc.

Now all of this is borne by the government.

In this way, farmers can devote more time and energy to agricultural production and increase food production.

In addition, Lu Yan also used part of the tax revenue to develop water conservancy projects.

He organized the people to build canals and dams, dredge rivers, and improve agricultural production conditions.

In the fields of Shannan Prefecture, newly built canals meander, irrigating the thirsty land.

The sturdy dams stand tall, protecting the people's fertile fields and homes.

Under Lu Yan's governance, agricultural production in Shannan Prefecture has improved significantly.

Grain production has increased year by year, and people's lives have become more and more affluent.

However, Lu Yan's reforms touched the interests of some local tyrants.

These powerful people have long enjoyed the privilege of low taxes.

Now that Lu Yan wants to touch their cake, they naturally won't let it go.

Qian Baiwan, the leader of Qingshui County.

This idiot just came back from the capital and obviously doesn't know what Lu Yan's personality is like.

He is definitely the leader of this group of people who have nothing to do because they have nothing to do!

The gold and jade belt around that guy's waist can strangle ten pigs.

All ten fingers are covered with jewel rings, he is even richer than a nouveau riche!

When he walked, the fat on his body trembled, like a walking mountain of meat.

When he heard that Lu Yan wanted to collect taxes, he immediately jumped up and down.

Like a cat whose tail was stepped on, it howled.

He instigated several other local rich men to follow his lead and refuse to pay any money.

He also threatened to teach Lu Yan a lesson.

Tsk tsk, your breath is worse than athlete's foot!

"This bastard official doesn't even consider his own worth. He actually dares to touch my money!"

Qian Baiwan was roaring at several equally furious tyrants in his own house with carved beams and painted rafters.

"The silver I've given you as filial piety over the years piled up higher than him! Who the hell is he?"

"Bullshit! The barbarians are brave and good at fighting, but many famous generals have returned in defeat."

"If Lord Lu hadn't led the troops himself and used brilliant strategies, how could that bunch of losers have won?"

"And Zhao Xuan, known as the 'Tiger of Beixiang', was beaten to a pulp by Lord Lu!"

"If it weren't for Lord Lu, the border would have been razed to the ground by Zhao Xuan long ago!"

A tall and thin tyrant couldn't help but retort.

His name is Liu Changgui, although he is also a powerful man.

But he has been in Qingshui County for so long and must know about Lu Yan's great achievements.

"Liu Changgui, you're a traitor! How many benefits have you received from that corrupt official, and you're speaking for him here?"

"That's clearly the credit of our Queen Datong."

On Qian Baiwan's fat face, a pair of squinting eyes emitted a fierce light.

"I think you deserve to be punished!"

"Qian Baiwan, stop slandering me! I'm just telling the truth!"

Liu Changgui retorted with his neck stiff.

"Don't you think about how much the security in Shannan Prefecture has improved since Lord Lu came?"

"There used to be bandits every few days, but what about now?"

"The caravan can now travel at night with confidence! This is all thanks to Lord Lu!"

"That's because Master Lu accepted our tribute!"

Qian Baiwan snorted coldly.

"If he dares to touch our interests, I will make him pay for it!"

When Lu Yan learned about this, he just sneered.

"A bunch of chickens and dogs dare to bark in front of me?"

"It seems that if we don't teach them a lesson, they really won't know how many eyes the Horse King has!"

He did not send troops to suppress the rebellion directly, but instead sent someone to deliver an invitation to Qian Baiwan and others, inviting them to a banquet at the county government office.

Qian Baiwan and others were a little confused when they received the invitation.

"What's Lu Yan up to?"

"Do you want to give in to us?"

Qian Baiwan sneered.

"Who cares? Let's go and see for ourselves! If he really wants to give in, we'll just give him a good payout!"

So, several powerful men dressed up beautifully.

With a lot of evil intentions in mind, he came to the county government office in a mighty manner.

At the banquet, Lu Yan served delicacies from land and sea, fine wines and delicious food, and treated Qian Baiwan and others with the utmost hospitality.

He talked and laughed, explained the benefits of the new policy one by one by using reason and emotion.

And promised to protect their legitimate rights and interests.

"You are all pillars of Shannan Prefecture. I am well aware of your contributions to Shannan Prefecture."

Lu Yan raised his glass with a smile on his face.

"The implementation of the new policy is to make Shannan Prefecture more prosperous and the people richer."

"This is also inseparable from your strong support!"