As soon as the notice was posted, the captured bandits rushed to sign up.
They were originally poor people who were forced into rebellion by the black bear.
Now that I have the opportunity to start over, I naturally can't ask for anything better.
Li Kui looked at these bandits and sneered inwardly:
"Hmph, trying to take advantage of an adult? Not so easy!"
"Get to work properly first, and we'll settle accounts with you after the city wall is repaired!"
The destruction of Black Wind Stronghold shocked the surrounding hilltops, who all sent people to express their allegiance.
They offered gold and silver treasures in exchange for Lu Yan's protection.
Lu Yan accepted all comers without hesitation.
But in his heart, he was planning to swallow up these small hills as well when the time was right!
News of the destruction of Black Wind Stronghold spread like wildfire throughout Shannan Prefecture and even further afield.
The once infamous bandit stronghold, perched atop treacherous mountain peaks and striking fear into the hearts of all, is now nothing but ruins.
The charred beams, leaning precariously in the collapsed house, became a paradise for wild animals in the mountains.
Several wolves roamed through the ruins, occasionally letting out a few mournful howls.
Merchants no longer lived in fear, their pockets bulging, humming tunes all the way.
They drove a mule cart loaded with goods straight to Shannan Prefecture.
A short, stout merchant, holding a string of sandalwood beads in his hand, cheerfully said to his companion:
"That's great! With Black Wind Stronghold gone, we can save a lot of toll money when we travel this route in the future!"
His companion beside him also laughed and echoed:
"Indeed, it's all thanks to Lord Lu's effective governance!"
"I've heard that Shannan Prefecture is now a place where no one picks up lost items on the road, doors are left unlocked at night, merchants flock here, and business is booming!"
"We're sure to make a fortune this time!"
Taking this opportunity, Lu Yan began to implement 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 reduced the burden on merchants.
This also greatly increased their enthusiasm and promoted the prosperity and development of commerce.
At the same time, Lu Yan also reduced the burden on farmers.
He reduced the land tax by 10% and exempted people from the exorbitant taxes and levies imposed on corvée labor.
In the past, farmers had to pay various miscellaneous taxes, such as for repairing bridges and roads, and maintaining city walls.
Now all of these responsibilities are borne by the government.
This allows farmers to devote more time and energy to agricultural production, thereby increasing grain yields.
In addition, Lu Yan also used a portion of the tax revenue for water conservancy projects.
He organized the people to build irrigation canals and dikes, dredge waterways, and improve agricultural production conditions.
In the fields of Sanam Prefecture, newly built irrigation canals meander and flow, irrigating the parched land.
One after another, sturdy dikes stand tall, protecting the people's fertile fields and homes.
Under Lu Yan's governance, agricultural production in Shannan Prefecture improved significantly.
Grain production has increased year by year, and people's lives have become increasingly prosperous.
However, Lu Yan's reforms threatened the interests of some local powerful families.
These powerful families have long enjoyed the privilege of low tax burdens.
Now that Lu Yan is trying to take away their share, they naturally won't let it go.
Qian Baiwan, the big boss of Qingshui County.
This idiot just came back from the capital and obviously doesn't know what kind of personality Lu Yan has.
They're definitely the leaders of this group of "people who have nothing better to do than eat and be bored"!
That guy's gold and jade belt around his waist could strangle ten pigs.
Her ten fingers were covered in jeweled rings; she was even more nouveau riche than a typical nouveau riche!
When he walks, his fat jiggles, making him look like a walking mountain of flesh.
Upon hearing that Lu Yan wanted to collect taxes, this guy immediately jumped up in anger.
Like a cat whose tail has been stepped on, it howled and cried.
He encouraged several other wealthy landowners to follow his lead and slack off, refusing to spend any money.
He even threatened to teach Lu Yan a lesson.
Tsk tsk, his breath is even louder than athlete's foot!
"That corrupt official doesn't even know his own limitations, daring to touch my money!"
In his ornately decorated mansion, Qian Baiwan roared at several equally furious local tyrants.
"The silver I've given him over the years, if piled up, would be taller than him! Who does he think he is!"
"Bullshit! Those barbarians are brave and skilled in battle; countless famous generals have suffered defeats and returned home empty-handed."
"If it weren't for Lord Lu personally leading the troops and using ingenious strategies, could that bunch of good-for-nothings have won?"
"And then there's Zhao Xuan, known as the 'Tiger of Beixiang,' who 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, thin, powerful man couldn't help but retort.
His name was Liu Changgui, and he was also a powerful figure.
But having been in Qingshui County for so long, he must know about Lu Yan's great achievements.
"Liu Changgui, you traitorous dog! How much bribe did you take from that corrupt official to speak up for him here!"
"That is clearly the achievement of our Great Tong Empress."
On Qian Baiwan's thick face, a pair of narrow eyes shot out a fierce light.
"I think you just need a good beating!"
"Qian Baiwan, stop making baseless accusations! I'm just telling the truth!"
Liu Changgui retorted, sticking his neck out.
"Don't you even consider how much the security in Shannan Prefecture has improved since Lord Lu arrived?"
"There used to be bandits every few days, but now?"
"The caravans can now travel at night with complete peace of mind! This is all thanks to Lord Lu!"
"That's because Lord Lu accepted our tribute!"
Qian Baiwan snorted coldly.
"If he dares to touch our interests, I'll make him regret it!"
When Lu Yan learned of this, he simply sneered.
"A bunch of chickens and dogs, how dare you bark and howl in front of me?"
"It seems we need to teach them a lesson, or they'll really have no idea how many eyes Master Ma has!"
Instead of sending troops to suppress the rebellion, he sent someone to deliver an invitation to Qian Baiwan and others, inviting them to a banquet at the county government office.
When Qian Baiwan and the others received the invitations, they were all somewhat puzzled.
"What is Lu Yan up to?"
"Does this mean they want to back down to us?"
Qian Baiwan sneered.
"Who cares! We'll just have to go and see! If he really wants to back down, we'll squeeze him dry again!"
So, the powerful figures dressed up in their finest attire.
Full of wicked intentions, they arrived at the county government office in a grand procession.
At the banquet, Lu Yan laid out delicacies from land and sea, fine wines and dishes, and treated Qian Baiwan and his entourage to the utmost hospitality.
He spoke eloquently and persuasively, explaining the benefits of the new policies one by one, appealing to both reason and emotion.
They also pledged to protect their legitimate rights and interests.
"You are all pillars of Shannan Prefecture, and I am well aware of your contributions to Shannan Prefecture."
Lu Yan raised his glass, his face beaming with smiles.
"The implementation of the new policy is to make Shannan Prefecture more prosperous and the people more affluent."
"This wouldn't have been possible without everyone's strong support!"
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