The Later Three Kingdoms: Slaying Deng Ai, and Reviving the Han Dynasty

Liu Chen opened a window, his eyes lighting up. But he didn't immediately agree; instead, he hesitated.

"Chen. Aren't you greedy? Why don't you want the money I'm offering you?" Liu Zan asked, quite surprised and puzzled.

"Brother, do you have land in Guangdu?" Liu Chen rubbed his chin and looked up to ask.

It's not good that he was picky about the land his fourth brother gave him. But he felt that having too much land in Chengdu might not be a good thing.

Guangdu is located about 100 li south of Chengdu. Acquiring large tracts of farmland and supporting a large population there might not be too sensitive.

Of course, if his plan were to be followed and tens of thousands of people were to be raised, they certainly couldn't all be placed in Guangdu.

It may be necessary to disperse them across the country.

There's a manor here, and another manor there, both claiming to be "King Manor of the North".

It's best not to let others know exactly how many estates and people he owns.

Ok.

"Land in Chengdu is valuable, but it's cheap in Guangdu. Why are you..." Liu Zan understood Liu Chen's implication and was quite puzzled. But then he thought, oh well, as long as Liu Chen is happy. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I'm not sure if there's any land in Guangdu, but there probably is. I'll have someone check."

He put down his wine glass and called a trusted aide to come and check. The aide returned shortly afterward to report.

It is said that the Prince of Xinping had two thousand mu of good land and five hundred mu of medium-quality land in Guangdu. He also had eighty households, which meant four or five hundred people.

They weren't all farmers; some were fishermen and weavers.

They would regularly send dried fish, wild game, Shu brocade, silk, and other items.

Liu Zan didn't take it seriously. He said generously, "The fields in Guangdu aren't worth much, so they're all yours. However, I've recalled the person in charge; you'll have to find someone else yourself."

There's another reason. These fields and households weren't bought with his own money. They were all donated voluntarily by the people, so he didn't feel bad about it.

"Thank you, brother." Liu Chen took a deep breath, clasped his hands in a respectful bow, and said earnestly. He truly lives up to his reputation as the fourth brother; we've been close since childhood.

The other brothers just chuckled.

"We're all brothers, no need for thanks," Liu Zan said with a laugh. He then teased, "Want me to send you a few more beauties? You're already sixteen, yet you have neither wife nor concubine. Not only is there no one to care for you in your daily life, but you can't even have children on your own. You'd better work hard and give me a few nephews to play with next year."

Liu Chen rolled his eyes at him and said, "Brother, you're being ridiculous. Do you think I gave birth to a son for you to play with?"

"If this isn't absurd, would he still be a feudal lord?" Liu Zan retorted.

"That's true," Liu Chen said, speechless.

However, Liu Chen did not accept the beauty's advances. The two brothers then drank and talked for a long time. Afterwards, they sat together under the eaves to bask in the sun and ate a hangover soup together.

After resting for a long time and waiting for the effects of the alcohol to dissipate, Liu Zan arranged for his queen and son to come out. He then interacted with his brothers for a while.

Let the son recognize his uncle.

Let the uncle recognize his nephew.

Liu Chen felt very comfortable in the Xinping Palace, just like at home. However, he couldn't stay out overnight. When it was almost time, he left the palace, boarded his carriage, and prepared to return to Chengdu.

Liu Zan did not go out to see him off.

"Young master, this is a gift from the King." A minor official of the King of Xinping walked out carrying a large plate in both hands.

The large plate was covered in gold.

Liu Chen glanced at it and estimated it to be about three hundred gold coins.

With a sigh, Liu Chen smiled and said to those around him, "My brother has treated me so well."

He didn't stand on ceremony and had the eunuch accept it.

The imperial guards on either side couldn't help but nod in agreement. Prince Xinping was very kind; those who came to protect Liu Chen were also given small gifts as rewards.

The coachman steered the carriage, which moved slowly forward.

By this time, it was already late, and the number of pedestrians and caravans on the main road had decreased. When Liu Chen entered Chengdu, the bustling traffic had vanished. However, the clattering sound of the looms continued incessantly.

Chengdu's brocade production continues unabated.

Liu Chen's entourage stopped outside the Li residence. Li Qiu had already finished get off work by then, and although he was the uncle, he still brought his eldest son, Li Ding, to greet the young master.

Li Qiu had a square face, a beautiful beard, wore a short cap, and a wide-sleeved robe made of Shu brocade. He was robust and had the air of a military general.

Nephews resemble their uncles. Liu Chen's appearance bears some resemblance to Li Qiu.

"Young Master Chen." Upon seeing Liu Chen's carriage, Li Qiu immediately bowed respectfully and dared not be negligent.

"Uncle, no need for formalities." Liu Chen quickly stopped the carriage, got out, and helped Li Qiu up.

The uncle and nephew exchanged pleasantries before entering the Li residence together. Midway through, Li Ding left, and Li Qiu and Liu Chen sat down in the study.

Liu Chen invited his uncle to take the seat of honor, while he himself sat in the guest seat.

After kneeling down, Liu Chen told Li Qiu about how he had killed Li Chen that day and how he had received sponsorship from his fourth brother, the Prince of Xinping.

Li Qiu was surprised to hear this. He looked up and carefully examined his nephew's face. Then, recalling the recent rumors circulating in the palace, he thought to himself, "My nephew's personality has changed quite a bit since he fell from his horse."

After thinking for a moment, he said to Liu Chen, "Young Master, logically speaking, it's not innocent for someone like Li Chen to end up like this. But to govern subordinates, killing alone won't suffice. You also need to show kindness. As the saying goes, only by combining kindness and severity can you last."

"Especially many of the 'cute households' weren't originally servants. They came to us for various reasons. If you treat them too harshly, they'll run away."

"Uncle is right." Liu Chen gladly accepted the instruction, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, and said, "I will never mistreat Menghu again."

"Hmm." Li Qiu nodded happily, his nature unchanged. His nephew still listened to advice.

After thinking for a moment, he added, "The feudal lords' acquisition of land and houses by collecting taxes from the peasants is actually detrimental to the country." He sighed and then stopped midway. There are too many demons now; everyone is doing it. Even his Li family owns vast tracts of land and houses. He has no right, no standing to say anything.

After a pause, he continued, "Besides using both kindness and severity to govern subordinates, one must also employ some subtle methods. One-sided listening leads to ignorance, while listening to all sides leads to clarity. Even as a head of a household, if your servants unite to deceive you, you are in danger. How much more so a prince? The Prince of Xinping has given you two or three thousand acres of land and dozens of households. If these households unite, it will be disastrous. I propose to offer you ten households of households to live among them. If you then regularly send people to inspect the estates, you can be absolutely certain of success."

Liu Chen seemed to be deep in thought: listening to only one side leads to ignorance, while listening to both sides leads to enlightenment.

This is a political maneuver.

It means that if you listen to one person, you will be easily deceived. But if you listen to a hundred people, you will not be easily deceived.

The "Ming" in "Mingjun" (wise ruler).

A wise ruler is not easily fooled.

If servants of different backgrounds were to monitor each other, a situation like Li Chen's would be less likely to occur.

Because these servants were located in very far places in Guangzhou, it was safer to send people down to inspect the area frequently.

Managing a family and governing a country are very similar.

"Thank you very much, Uncle." Liu Chen clasped his hands in gratitude.

"You flatter me, sir," Li Qiu said, bowing respectfully.