Soon, Tian Feng led his men to Liu Yan's residence.
Liu Zhong hurriedly found Liu Yan, "Master, Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Tian Feng, requests an audience!"
"Huh? What's he doing here?"
Liu Yan was also caught off guard by Tian Feng's sudden visit.
Liu Zhong pondered for a moment, "It must be about the refugees!"
"Alright! Let him in!"
"promise!"
Before long, Tian Feng and the others were led into the living room of the governor's mansion. Looking at Liu Yan, who was sitting in the main seat, Tian Feng stepped forward and bowed.
"I am Tian Feng, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and I greet Governor Liu!"
Liu Yan raised an eyebrow and looked at Tian Feng, "Tian Yuanhao?"
"That is indeed me!"
"Ha~ Why aren't you gathering your refugees? What brings you here?"
Liu Yan chuckled lightly, his words showing a great disdain for Tian Feng.
Because after he took office as the governor of Ji Province last year, he heard of Tian Feng's talent and sent someone to win him over. However, Tian Feng refused on the grounds that the governor had no right to recruit him. Soon after, Tian Feng accepted the recommendation of the magistrate of Julu County and went to Luoyang to be assessed.
This made Liu Yan feel very embarrassed, and he was very dissatisfied with Tian Feng.
Tian Feng, however, remained completely oblivious to Liu Yan's attitude, and said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner:
"I have been ordered by His Majesty to come to Jizhou to take charge of receiving and accepting refugees. I have heard that Governor Liu has brought a large number of refugees to the government workshops. Is this true?"
Liu Yan's expression changed, and he frowned as he looked at Tian Feng, saying in a deep voice, "That is indeed the case. I ordered them to be gathered together to work and given food, which can be considered as relief for them. Is there any problem?"
Tian Feng straightened his expression, looked up at Liu Yan, and said loudly, "Of course there's a problem!"
"Hmph~ Then please tell me, Minister Tian, what exactly is the problem?"
Liu Yan snorted coldly and looked at Tian Feng with an unfriendly expression. He couldn't believe that a mere Minister of the Imperial Secretariat would dare to speak to him like that. Even a close minister of the emperor should show due respect to a senior member of the imperial family like himself.
Are all young people these days so impetuous?
Tian Feng said, "Relief is relief, and work is work. These are two different things. I wonder if Governor Liu has paid them their wages?"
Liu Zhong, standing beside Liu Yan, spoke up: "His Majesty's decree is very clear: money will only be paid when people are hired. From the moment they become refugees, they give up their household registration. Our governor is kind enough to take them in and let them work to earn a living. What's wrong with that?"
"That's absurd! Even if they become refugees, as long as they are within the territory of the Han Dynasty, they are still His Majesty's subjects. Who dares to say they are not His Majesty's people?"
Tian Feng glared at Liu Zhong and shouted, "Besides, I am speaking with Governor Jiu. Who do you think you are to spout such nonsense here?"
"you...."
Liu Zhong's face flushed red, and he was about to retort when Liu Yan suddenly spoke up and scolded him:
"How rude! Step back!"
"promise!"
Liu Zhong glared at Tian Feng with hatred before retreating, leaving only Tian Feng and Liu Yan in the hall.
Liu Yan then put on a smiling face, "This servant spoke without thinking, please forgive me, Minister Tian!"
Tian Feng remained calm and said slowly, "Prefect Liu is too kind. It's just a servant's presumptuous words. I won't take it to heart. I just hope that what he said doesn't reflect Prefect Liu's true intentions!"
Liu Yan laughed and said, "Of course. All those within the territory of the Great Han are His Majesty's subjects, and I will naturally give them the treatment they deserve!"
"Very well! I will come tomorrow to register them as citizens and then relocate them to the Guanzhong region when the time is right!"
Upon hearing Tian Feng's words, Liu Yan's smile gradually disappeared, and his eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Tian Feng.
"Minister Tian, this is probably not a good idea. I gathered them together to promote the curved plow. If you take them away, how can I promote it? To put it bluntly, you are hindering His Majesty's national policy!"
Liu Yan frowned as he spoke, his words carrying a hint of threat.
Tian Feng didn't take it to heart and slowly said, "Prefect Liu, you've gone too far. I wouldn't dare to obstruct His Majesty's national policy. I just wanted to help Prefect Liu confirm the number of workers so that it would be easier for him to settle their wages!"
"Oh, I see."
Liu Yan put on a smiling face again, "Then, Vice Minister Tian, please come again tomorrow. I will be waiting for you anytime!"
"Then I shall take my leave!"
Tian Feng bowed slightly to Liu Yan, then took his leave.
"Master, this Tian Feng is truly hateful!"
Just after Tian Feng left, Liu Zhong came out from the back hall and came to Liu Yan's side. He said with great resentment, "Having followed Liu Yan for many years, this is the first time I have ever seen someone so presumptuous in front of Liu Yan."
"Hmph~ This Tian Feng is straightforward by nature, and he won't budge no matter what you say. He's really hard to deal with!"
Liu Yan snorted coldly, a helpless look on his face. Someone as straightforward and without weaknesses as Tian Feng was indeed a big problem.
"Then what should we do? If we really let him register those refugees as citizens, our costs will increase!" Liu Zhong said with some concern.
"It's alright, it just increases labor costs a bit, we'll still make a profit!"
Liu Yan waved his hand, not caring about increasing costs as long as it didn't result in losses.
Liu Yan chuckled and then said, "Give the order that starting tomorrow, those refugees be paid their wages. We should leave the good work to ourselves!"
"promise!"
Liu Zhonggong responded in a respectful tone, then hesitated before saying softly, "Master, this Tian Feng clearly has ill intentions. Do you think I should send someone to...?"
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