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

"There's a piece of land here, and another piece there. With so many people on this land, things are getting complicated." Liu Chen put down the bamboo slips, rubbed his chin, and said, "Moreover, they're all scattered and can't work together effectively. I need to appoint my officials."

"One day in the future, I will need my bureaucratic system to mobilize all my power."

Thinking of this, Liu Chen stood up, opened a box next to him, and took out a large map.

It was clearly a map of Sichuan and Chongqing.

During the Eastern Han Dynasty, there were very few administrative units called "prefectures" under Yizhou.

For example, Nanzhong originally had only four counties, but after Zhuge Liang led his troops to pacify Nanzhong, it became seven counties.

Originally, Bazhong only consisted of Ba Commandery, but Liu Zhang divided it into Badong, Baxi, and Ba Commandery, which were known as the Three Bas.

Whether it was Liu Zhang's forces or Liu Han's forces, their territory consisted only of Yizhou.

If a prefecture becomes too large, the power of the prefect will expand.

Therefore, they all began to subdivide into more and smaller prefectures. By now, the Liu Han dynasty had twenty-two prefectures.

Hanzhong, Yinping, Wudu, and other places were all very weak because Cao Cao relocated a large number of people.

The southern prefectures were impoverished because there were few Han Chinese and many southern barbarians, leading to constant warfare.

The fertile lands of Liu Han were the central Sichuan region.

"I want to set up five estate managers to oversee my royal estates. Let me think. Hmm, I've got it. One will be called Northern Shu Royal Estate, one Southern Shu Royal Estate, one Badong Royal Estate, one Baxi Royal Estate, and one Bajun Royal Estate."

"These village heads managed the smaller village heads scattered throughout the counties. This was similar to the roles of prefect and magistrate."

"It's also somewhat similar to the temporary settlements and counties established during the Eastern Jin Dynasty."

Liu Chen stroked his chin, looking at the map as ideas kept popping into his mind.

The Western Jin Dynasty was plagued by internal strife within the Sima family and the influx of ethnic minorities, leading to the chaos of the Five Barbarian Invasions. A group of northern gentry lost their homes and crossed the Yangtze River to the south.

It is said that the elites migrated south.

Because the Jin Dynasty used the Nine-Rank System. Each prefecture had its own ancestral home, and each state had its own ancestral home.

Powerful families and clans all had their own territories. So these people shamelessly established themselves in the Jiangnan region, for example, Yuzhou, and still called themselves a certain powerful clan in Yuzhou.

These newly established prefectures and counties seized many of the interests of the powerful families in Jiangnan, causing much turmoil and conflict.

What he wants to do now is to take away the population and land that originally belonged to the imperial court, and set up five royal estates in Sichuan and Chongqing to divide up the administrative power.

Of course, it's done in secret.

"I need five very capable people." Liu Chen sat cross-legged, placed his hands on his knees, and pondered with his head down.

He has two for now.

One is Sun Gui, and the other is Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei inherited his position from his mother, Consort Li. Originally a loyal and righteous man from Menghu, he was a scholar of the Han Dynasty and now the head of Wangzhuang in Guangdu. He's doing well.

Sun Gui is an excellent steward whom he obtained from the Li family, and he currently manages Wangzhuang, the core of Shu County.

That is, the place where he lives now.

Various industries have developed very well, and a large population has been supported on a very small piece of land.

"Although Huang Quan is gone, Hu Du has been found, which shows that the world is not lacking in virtuous people," Liu Chen said with a smile.

After Liu Bei's defeat at Yiling, he fled in disarray and camped at Baidi City. Hu Du, also known as Ma Zhong of the Liu Han dynasty, was ordered to lead troops to support Liu Bei. Liu Bei spoke with Ma Zhong and felt that Ma Zhong was a great talent.

In light of losing Huang Quan, Liu Bei made this remark: "As long as we keep searching, talented people will always be available."

Ma Zhong later became the Governor of Yijiang, guarding the southern region and pacifying the area. He was a major general in the mid-Liu Han dynasty.

Liu Chen understood the situation and looked up at the eunuch outside the door, saying, "Go tell Zhang Sheng that I am going to Guangdu. Have him select several dozen men to protect me."

"Yes." The eunuch bowed and left immediately.

"If it's a mess, then let's cut it clean. I'll start from scratch." Liu Chen stood up, walked out the door, stood on the porch, looked around, and revealed a happy face.

As long as he is there, this country will not change.

Its surname is Liu.

Three more years.

Guangdu is just south of Chengdu; a round trip by fast horse could be completed in a day. But for Liu Chen, leaving was not so easy.

Liu Chen first sent someone to report Consort Li, and then went to find Chen Mingzhen himself.

It's currently the off-season for farming, so Chen Mingzhen has fenced off a piece of land near the palace to raise silkworms.

Surrounded by his attendants, Liu Chen left the palace by carriage and arrived at the silkworm rearing room.

Now is the crucial time for silkworm rearing. When Liu Chen arrived at the silkworm rearing room, he saw Queen Chen Mingzhen leading five concubines, many palace maids, and common women busy at work.

Chen Mingzhen and his five concubines all wore simple clothes made of coarse linen.

"Why is the King here?" Chen Mingzhen took out a handkerchief to wipe the fine sweat from her forehead, turned around after hearing the noise, and asked in surprise.

"Your Majesty," the others bowed.

Liu Chen waved his hand, then smiled at Chen Mingzhen and said, "Firstly, I am greedy for money. Silkworm farming is extremely profitable, so of course I'm interested. Secondly, I have something to say to you later."

"Your Majesty, I will introduce you," Chen Mingzhen said with a smile.

"Good." Liu Chen nodded with a smile.

Chen Mingzhen walked ahead and explained the steps of silkworm rearing to Liu Chen in great detail, which showed that she really knew how to raise silkworms.

"It was these plump silkworms that sustained the Shu brocade business and also supported my father's family business," Chen Mingzhen said with emotion.

"The most important affairs of the world lie in agriculture and sericulture," Liu Chen nodded, thinking to himself, "and they also supported Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions."

After Chen Mingzhen finished explaining his silkworm rearing techniques, he led Liu Chen to a room and they sat down.

Liu Chen told Chen Mingzhen that he was going to Guangdu. Chen Mingzhen happily acknowledged his arrival, but reminded Liu Chen to keep warm to avoid catching a cold.

Liu Chen is growing to like her more and more; she's such a virtuous wife.

That night, Liu Chen stayed in Liu Zhaoning's room. Early the next morning, Liu Chen, disguised as a merchant, boarded an ordinary carriage and, under the protection of Zhang Sheng and others, left the palace gates, intending to travel to Guangdu County.

Just then, Liu Chen saw a dozen or so men walking towards them.

Zhang Sheng and his men immediately became alert, and the soldiers dispersed to protect Liu Chen's carriage.

Zhang Sheng reined in his horse in front of Liu Chen, staring coldly at the newcomer.

It's a misunderstanding.

The dozen or so men were allowed to pass and came before Liu Chen. They bowed deeply, and the burly man at the head said, "Your Majesty, we are fifty households who request to serve you."

"Please, Your Majesty, have mercy and take us in."

A dozen or so men said in unison.

Liu Chen smiled as he looked at them; they were all familiar faces. Last year, when he led a hunting party, he encountered two starving mountain villagers.

They sent a lot of food to help them through their crisis.

The land on the mountain is barren, and with over a hundred households, it's simply impossible to support them all. Now, fifty households have set aside to seek refuge with him.

Liu Chen asked, "My estate in Shu already has enough people. I'm planning to establish an estate in Ba. I'd like to relocate you to Ba to cultivate the land. Are you willing?"

Without hesitation, the leading man said with a beaming smile, "How dare I disobey?"

They didn't come seeking refuge just anyone. Firstly, Liu Chen provided them with supplies, for which they were grateful and felt he was trustworthy. Secondly, they had secretly investigated and found that although Liu Chen had a bad reputation, he treated the Meng people well.

That's why he brought fifty households to seek refuge with Liu Chen.

Both the fields of Ba and Shu are more fertile than the fields of Shantian and can support a population. Furthermore, joining Liu Chen's forces exempts one from corvée labor and military service.

become!!!

Liu Chen smiled and nodded, instructing the officials to make a record and send the men back, relocating the population down the mountain.

After they come down the mountain, they will go to open up a village in Batu.

After arranging this matter, Liu Chen waved his hand and ordered the team to set off.

The dozen or so men looked at each other, then knelt down together and paid their respects to Liu Chen's carriage.

This is truly a life-saving grace.