Chapter 165 Persuading Divorce

The remaining people were already dizzy with the temptation, so happy that they lost their minds. They were only afraid of being late to express their opinions. They said one after another: "If the city lord is willing to give us land, then we are willing to open up the wasteland. We are all honest farmers with plenty of strength!"

"City Lord, what are you still standing there for? Hurry up and get some work done. It's spring now, and it's the perfect time to compost and sow seeds!"

"City Lord, I have four to five thousand men under my command, all of them skilled farmers! As long as you give us a place to stay, we will fight in battles or cultivate the land without even a frown!"

"City Lord, can you please tell me more about the land division? How will it be divided? Will it be shared by everyone or something else?"

Xu Yin looked at the crowd with eager expressions, not knowing what to feel in her heart.

She couldn't help but whisper, "People always ask for simple things. They toil their whole lives just for a piece of land, a house to shelter them from the wind and rain, a home. But why is this simple wish so extravagant? Who robbed them of the wealth they possess?"

Fang Ningmo sighed upon hearing this. Her family owned tens of thousands of acres of fertile land, and sometimes even a maid would be given dozens of acres. She could never have imagined that ordinary people at the bottom of society would even risk their lives for a single acre of land...

She suddenly felt very painful.

The life of extravagance in the past seemed like a gorgeous dream, but now this cruel, cold and ruthless world is the true face of the world.

Jiang Yongkang said coldly, "The City Lord once said in economics that 80% of the world's wealth is controlled by 20% of the people. This is the 80/20 rule. But I think the City Lord is wrong. The remaining 80% of people are not human. Only those who can be noticed, cared for, and cannot be ignored are human. In the eyes of those in power, they are nothing more than a group of ants, a group of ants that cannot feel pain, cannot scream, and have no seven emotions and six desires. Their only purpose in this world is to provide wealth to the 20% of people and drain their own essence and blood to feed those locusts!"

Sun Qingchen's face turned pale instantly!

Fang Xun's words were even more harsh: "Grandfather was wrong too. He always said that one should be loyal to the emperor when receiving his salary. But whose salary was he receiving? The salary came from taxes, and taxes came from the people. Grandfather should be loyal to the people of the world, not to some emperor!"

Sun Qingchen felt as if someone was pinching his neck hard, making him unable to speak!

What outrageous words!

He also said that Xu Zhenying had no intention of objecting!

Listen to the evil words of her subordinates!

This is clearly an attempt to replace the Zhou family!

His wolfish ambition is obvious!

Xu Zhenying nodded, but he also knew that these refugees might not be interested in who would become emperor. They were definitely more concerned about the issue of land distribution, so he said, "As for the land distribution that you are most concerned about, we are currently preparing to survey and measure the mountains between Ye County and Lan County to determine the location and size of the fields. At that time, we will distribute the land according to the number of people. The first group to receive land will definitely be the previous wave of refugees, and of course you will also be able to get land. There is so much land in these mountains and fields, it is definitely enough to accommodate all of you. So, go back and make a rough count of your population and divide them into small groups that are easier to manage. Each group will have a team leader. You will be responsible for all matters for the time being. I will go back tonight and discuss the details of the land distribution with you after I have thought it through."

"Oh, can you read?" Xu Zhenying was very concerned about this issue.

Wang Xingye immediately said, "I'm not proficient in learning, but I have no problem writing."

"Okay. When you go back, not only do you have to count the population of each group and appoint group leaders, but you also have to count everyone's willingness to divide the land. How many people are willing to stay in Lan County? How many people are in each family? How many young and middle-aged laborers are there? How many elderly and children are there? Make the data more detailed so it will be easier for the land distribution later. Also, please tell everyone that you will definitely be the second batch to be allocated land, but the work of clearing the land, composting, and building houses requires everyone to work together. Those who are unwilling to contribute, or unwilling to trust me, Xu Zhenying, are welcome to do as they please."

Wang Xingye hurriedly bowed, this time sincerely convinced. "Thank you, City Lord. I will provide you with all the data you need within today."

Xu Zhenying smiled with satisfaction.

She likes active leeks the most.

Ma Qiang, on the other hand, looked like he was worried about something.

Dividing the land was certainly a good idea, but Xu Zhenying had been discussing it with Wang Xingye the entire time, leaving Ma Qiang aside. If Wang Xingye went back and told Ma Qiang about the land division, wouldn't Ma Qiang be left without anyone to support him and unable to be a happy emperor?

A farce came to a temporary end.

As Xu Zhenying walked down the wall, he instructed Jiang Yongkang, "Go and capture all the young men in the city. Organize three shifts and keep everyone alert. If anyone tries to break in without knowing better, you know what to do."

It was naturally impossible for Xu Zhenying to completely trust this group of refugees. Before they were educated, they were more like bandits.

She had to be on guard.

She then said to Miao, "Mother, go to the warehouse right away and count the remaining food. This afternoon, go to the refugees and pick some helpers to help us distribute the porridge."

Miao, however, didn't trust them. "We have enough manpower on our own. I don't want them to come into the city and cause trouble!"

Xu Zhenying laughed, "Mom, if you don't let some of them in, they won't see the prosperity of our Lan County, and won't hear from their own eyes what the people of Lan County are doing. How will they believe we are really distributing the land? Letting some of them in every day to undergo our ideological transformation and let them bring back good news from our city will also make them more obedient."

Xu Degui said, "It's said that wealth should not be revealed. What if they become ambitious and want to seize the city?"

Xu Zhenying stared blankly at Xu Degui and said word by word, "Father, we need a lot of people to grow. Next time, maybe more than 30,000 or 40,000, maybe 100,000. As long as we can find their weak spots, we don't have to worry about them disobeying us."

"So what is their weakness now?"

Xu Zhenying smiled, "Of course it's food and farmland. Giving them both is equivalent to giving them a glimmer of hope. And sieges are bound to result in casualties. Even if Ma Qiang wants to attack, who would be willing to join him? It's human nature to seek benefits and avoid harm, and they will soon understand that joining me, Xu Zhenying, is the best choice."

Xu Degui was a little frightened when he saw Xu Zhenying, whose eyes were even sharper.

Even someone as slow-witted as Miao began to feel uneasy.

After Xu Zhenying left, Miao tugged at Xu Degui's robe, her face filled with worry. "His father, are we...really bandits? What's the difference between us and the bandits now?"

Xu Degui was also feeling uneasy, but he could only comfort her perfunctorily, "Don't worry, our Ying'er knows her limits. She's smarter than anyone here, and she must have her reasons for doing this. Let's just... follow her."

Is this really the case?

If this is true, why did Xu Huiming and Feng'er go to open up new trade routes more than a month ago?

Are you really going to be a bandit in the future?

Ever since Xu Zhenying announced the death of the little emperor to everyone, the Xu family has obviously become more cautious.

Xu Zhenying's purpose is already very clear.

The Xu family members are honest people at heart. They are hardworking and have never done anything bad in their lives. They have been good citizens all their lives. If they were suddenly asked to become bandits, they would be more or less afraid.

Even though Xu Zhenying said that it was to protect himself in troubled times, this kind of power still frightened them.

This looks... so much like a rebellion?

No one in the Xu family dared to ask or say anything. Some even speculated whether Xu Zhenying was exaggerating too much. Even if the little emperor died, what if the next emperor took office soon? Wouldn't the first thing he did after taking office be to wipe out the bandits here?

Wouldn't they all be arrested and beheaded?

Some people can only comfort themselves that even if they were bandits, they did not do anything bad after entering the city. At most, they killed a family of Chen. The rest were engaged in education, agriculture, etc. They also took in so many refugees, which can be considered a merit, right?

Besides, if they leave Lan County, where can they go?

Lan County is like a paradise on earth. There is no hunger, no war, and no bandits. They have finally lived such a stable life, and they can't bear to let them be displaced again.

Thinking of this, the Xu family felt a little relieved.

However, some people who are more sensitive to political struggles, such as the younger generation who followed Xu Zhenying the earliest, obviously do not think so.

In the evening, everyone in the county government office finally got off work early, which was a rare opportunity.

Even though it was an early shift, it was already dark.

Lan County now has no curfew. Despite the shortage of supplies, the people's enthusiasm for life cannot be suppressed. With the arrival of spring, the willow trees along the river are budding, a vibrant green. Lanterns are hung in every household along the road, and the reflections of the lights in the river create a dreamlike feeling.

Xu Yinxi walked out of the county government office.

The weather was a little chilly, so she wrapped her outer robe tightly around her. The soldier at the gate handed her a lantern, and when she turned around, she met Lian.

Xu Yinxi's face rarely showed a trace of girlish innocence. She trotted over, took Lian's arm affectionately, and said half-angrily, half-angrily, "Mom, didn't I tell you not to pick me up from get off work tonight?"

The mother and daughter smiled and held hands. Lian said, "I've finished my logistics work and just thought I'd stop by to see you. Let's go home together."

"Have you finished taking inventory of today's food?"

"Your Third Aunt is meticulous in everything she does. She led the team to count the food twice, sighing and lamenting the lack of food as she went along. Do you know how many refugees there are today? Over 38,000! At this rate, our food supply will only last for 20 days at most. Once 20 days are up, there won't be a grain of food left in the entire Lan County. What will we do then?"

Xu Yinxi knew that Lian Shi disagreed with providing aid to the refugees, so she patiently explained to her mother, "Mom, the City Lord always thinks three steps ahead before doing anything. We're not as smart as her and only see the second step. But you should also know that the City Lord never does business at a loss. Since she dared to accept so many refugees, it proves that she knows her limits. Don't worry about the food issue; the City Lord will find a way. Let's just do what the City Lord tells us to do now, and leave the rest to the smart people."

Lian agreed with this and said, "I understand the logic...but I feel very uneasy."

"Mom, I know what you're worried about. It's nothing more than that we used to be a family of officials, but now we've become bandits. After all, my grandfather is still an official in the court. The risk for us is much greater than for others."

Lian nodded but said nothing. She thought about it over and over again but really couldn't find a solution.

You can't leave with your three daughters, right?

She couldn't leave, what else could she do?

"But don't worry, mother. As the saying goes, if an enemy comes, we'll fight him. If a flood comes, we'll block it with earth. We didn't choose this path on our own initiative. Fate plays tricks on us. Rather than freezing or starving to death, I'd rather fight! Who can predict what the future holds?"

Lian sighed and said nothing.

After a while, he said, "I found a secluded courtyard a few days ago, not far from the county government office. Yinxi, should we move out?"

Xu Yinxi pursed her lips, the light shining on her face, the girl's face seemed to have a bit more determination than before.

"Mother, if you really don't want to live with Dad, then you should just get a divorce."

Lian was a little undecided.

The relationship between her and Xu Deyuan had long been worn away during their exile. It would be better to say that they were enemies rather than husband and wife.

Since Xu Deyuan's right hand was crippled, he has become taciturn and his temper has become even more erratic. He spends his days hiding in his room drinking and having fun, or else throwing tantrums.

Last time, because Xu Huizheng's policy paper was not well written, he whipped Xu Huizheng so hard that her skin was torn and she couldn't get out of bed for several days.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Xu Deyuan was jealous of the third branch of the family.

The more powerful the third branch became, the more jealous Xu Deyuan became.

He didn't dare tell his resentment to the third wife, and only took it out on the concubines and children of the second wife. Now, when the children of the second wife saw Xu Deyuan, they wanted to curl up into a ball and walk on tiptoe.

This also caused the temperaments of the children in the second house to change, especially Xu Huizheng, who now couldn't speak clearly in front of others and became more and more timid and cowardly.

"Mother, you don't have to compromise for me and my sisters, and you don't have to worry about the rumors after the divorce. I'm no longer the Xu Yinxi of the past. From now on, I'll be the son of the family. I'll take care of you and see you to the end of your life. I can support you. I hope you'll be happy and live for yourself for once in this life."

Lian's eyes suddenly turned red. Her daughter was sensible and said that they should not care about the rumors, but how could she bear to let her daughters fall into the quagmire?

There is a divorced mother, and the daughters are afraid that it will hinder their marriage.

Even if we want to divorce, we have to wait until all the daughters are married.

And there is still a long way to go.

Lian had no choice but to harden her heart and say, "I've been married to your father for over a decade. How can we divorce so easily? Don't say such things again. In this world, what child longs for their parents to divorce? If others hear this, they'll probably accuse you of being unfilial."