“Executing the magistrate of Yan County and rescuing the innocent girl from Liujia Village would be a job that anyone would take credit for, but there is a better way to handle this matter. Your Highness may take this opportunity to establish laws on human trafficking.”
The crown prince put down the vermilion brush in his hand.
"How can this possibly earn my father's respect?"
"Does Your Highness know the number of slaves in the court? They account for nearly one-tenth of our population, and the number continues to increase every year. This is not a good sign for the court. On average, there is one slave for every person. Who will farm the land in the future? Where will the court's taxes come from? His Majesty thought about these things a few years ago, otherwise he would not have closed down many brokerage firms in various places."
"However, sometimes the buying and selling of people does not go through brokers; most of the transactions are conducted privately. Therefore, the issue of slavery has always been a headache for His Majesty."
The crown prince fell into deep thought.
This problem has indeed always existed.
The imperial court had tried to resolve this issue before, but to no avail.
Father Emperor did consider establishing such laws, but with people like Gao Wancheng blocking his way, everything Father Emperor did was fraught with difficulty.
"How do you think this should be resolved?"
"The solution lies in Liujiazhai, Yan County."
The Crown Prince leaned back in his chair, frowning as he looked at Zhao Shi'an.
"You want me to target the abducted girls in Liu Family Village?"
Zhao Shi'an nodded.
"The sale of children from good families is prohibited, as is the private sale. Anyone found doing so will be severely punished. Over time, the human and slave trade among the people will naturally be curbed. This will solve the problem of the government's slave trade and also protect the safety of the people."
The crown prince listened and fell into deep thought.
What Zhao Shi'an said does make some sense.
But he always felt that Zhao Shi'an was telling him these things with some ulterior motive.
"what you up to?"
The crown prince asked directly.
"Just like I just told the Crown Prince, I also want to do something for the people."
The crown prince almost couldn't help but sneer.
Would Zhao Shi'an do things for the people?
He thought for a moment, then uttered a name.
"Fang Qing?"
"Doing these things will not benefit Fang Qing in any way, Your Highness. Rest assured, since I serve Your Highness, I will naturally not do anything that is detrimental to Your Highness."
The crown prince gave him a deep look.
"I will discuss this matter with my father. If there is nothing else, you may leave."
Knowing that he had some reservations, Zhao Shi'an got up to take his leave.
Just as he was about to walk out, Zhao Shi'an stopped.
"There is one more matter that Your Highness needs to resolve."
The Crown Prince looked at Zhao Shi'an.
"Regarding the matter of General Fang Zhu."
Fang Zhu came to the capital to ask for grain supplies, but instead of getting them, he was punished for helping Fang Qing and was forced to guard the city gate. Now, Fang Zhu has been in the capital for two months, and even the grain supplies from An County have been transported to the Northwest. If Fang Zhu continues to stay in the capital, it will not be good for the situation in the Northwest.
The Crown Prince naturally knew these things.
"I will find an opportunity to plead with my father."
Zhao Shi'an had nothing else to say, so he left the palace.
*
Fang Qing later learned that Chen's second brother was a member of the Dali Temple. With him there and the evidence conclusive, the magistrate of Yan County had to be escorted back to the capital immediately.
He also had a list in his hand, which contained the backgrounds of girls trafficked from various places.
Having this list could help those girls go home, but some of them are already mothers of several children, have adapted to their current lives, and refuse to look for their families.
All the male members of Liujiazhai involved in the case have been punished.
With Chen's three older brothers still around, Er Mazi, who had treated tea tasting that way, probably has no way out, and he deserves it.
Pinming returned to Beijing with her parents, and before leaving, she specifically met with Fang Qing.
After leaving the tea shop, Fang Qing continued with her life.
The grain stations in Xichangfu are now very well-established, and stations have also been set up in several nearby counties, with effective publicity efforts.
There are several managers here, so Fang Qing can leave.
That day, Fang Qing went to see Zhao Fen, intending to report on the sales of grain seeds over the past period and to help Zhao Fen prepare for this year's seed harvest.
I just happened to run into Lord Zhao as he was about to leave.
"Where is Lord Zhao heading?"
Zhao Fen was dressed neatly, and a carriage had already been prepared outside the mansion.
"Miss Fang, your timing is really bad. I have to go to the capital right away."
"But what happened?"
"It's about what happened at Liu Family Village last time. The imperial court is taking this matter very seriously and asked me to go and explain some details. I also heard that the imperial court has revised some laws and regulations in response to this incident."
As he spoke, Zhao Fen's smile widened.
"Miss Fang, the good thing you told me about last time is coming!"
Fang Qing's smile widened.
Laws protecting the population?
"Really?"
Zhao Fen nodded vigorously.
"Moreover, it was His Highness the Crown Prince who proposed it. It is said that His Highness the Crown Prince summoned many people to discuss this matter."
Fang Qing was really happy.
As long as the people are protected, why worry about not having a good life?
"So Lord Zhao is returning to the capital? Congratulations on your return to your post, Lord Zhao."
Zhao Fen shook his head.
"No, I'm just going to the capital. I've only been in Xichang Prefecture for less than two years, and I haven't even led the people of Xichang Prefecture to a good life yet. How can I have the face to go back to the capital so soon?"
"Xichang Prefecture will surely have the magnificent scene that Lord Zhao envisions."
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