After not seeing him for a long time, Li Geng's face showed signs of vicissitude, and his whole body was much darker.
"Your subordinate pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
"No need!"
"I see you've lost a lot of weight, my dear minister! You've really had a tough time these past few days!"
"Serving the Emperor is not hard work!"
After Qin Yu helped him up, he asked him many questions with concern before finally inquiring about the disaster relief efforts.
"What is Zhang Zhuguo's current situation in the Southwest? Is there any progress on the disaster relief efforts?"
Li Geng gave a well-organized report.
"The disaster victims and displaced people in the southwest have settled down, and many have rebuilt their homes. Zhang Zhuguo has also found some ways for them to make a living, and the chaos is showing signs of turning around..."
Overall, the situation there is good, and the disaster relief efforts have made good progress.
Qin Yu stroked his smooth chin with great satisfaction, praising it repeatedly.
"Not bad! Zhang Zhuguo's abilities are unquestionable. Of course, you also deserve some credit for this, and I will remember it!"
It should be noted that the situation in the southwest at that time was extremely precarious, almost on the verge of a popular uprising. Zhang Tangcai was only there for a short time, but his achievements were remarkable.
Li Geng, however, did not seem pleased with the emperor's praise. He frowned and continued his report.
"However, there is a very thorny problem right now, and it is very difficult to deal with Zhang Zhuguo."
Qin Yu's heart tightened, and he quickly pressed, "Speak!"
"Those are the ten great families of the Southwest!"
It turns out that the southwest is far from the central plains, and there are many local chieftains who are deeply rooted in the region. The interests of all parties are deeply intertwined and interdependent, making it very difficult to move against them.
Zhang Tang's status as an imperial envoy allowed him to subtly suppress his true intentions and carry out his actions.
But now, they have quietly ingratiated themselves with high-ranking officials in the court. It is said that the Zhao and Liu families, who are the leaders among them, are Ma Shangtao's protégés and are responsible for providing him with funds for his activities.
Zhang Tang was ruthless and had a strong hand, but even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake, and for the time being, he couldn't do anything to them!
Zhang Tang suffered a heavy loss in the face of these ten colluding families and is now helpless against them!
"Sigh... Zhang Zhuguo has been so worried lately, his hair has turned quite a bit white!"
Li Geng sighed and began to speak.
Qin Yu listened to the situation, frowned deeply and pondered, tapping his knuckles on the table repeatedly.
Thump thump thump...
After a good half-incense stick's time, a glint suddenly flashed in Qin Yu's eyes.
"I've got it! I have a great plan. You should tell Zhang Zhuguo that it should work!"
"Isn't Zhang Zhuguo out there all alone, facing a situation where he has no one to rely on? Of course, he can't fight against those deeply rooted aristocratic families."
"However, Zhang Zhuguo is working for the people, so why not use the people's power to eliminate those local powerful families?"
Upon hearing Qin Yu's so-called plan, Li Geng immediately looked troubled.
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid this is somewhat inappropriate. Of course, there are many common people, but how can they contend with the powerful clans who can control everything?"
These local clans have been established in the area for over a hundred years, which is longer than the founding time of the Great Xia Dynasty.
The words of the government and the imperial court are useless; the local aristocratic families still have more say!
This plan is simply not feasible. The people have no resources and cannot unite, so how could they possibly contend with the local powerful families?
"That's not quite right!" Qin Yu smiled and continued.
"You're just thinking that the people's strength is insufficient, but this time we've stood with the people. Why not secretly support them and send someone to take the lead in uniting them?"
"The southwest is still in chaos. If Zhang Zhuguo were to propose using land as the guiding principle, and they were to overthrow those big landlords and then distribute the land, who wouldn't want to give in?"
This method is certainly outdated in later generations, but it was astonishingly ingenious in this era.
Because no one would think of distributing the best land to the poor!
His method was land revolution, directly seizing the wealth of the largest households!
In this way, the crisis of the ten great families was resolved, and even the common people had a place to settle down, which helped to restore stability!
Li Geng was very smart. After listening to Qin Yu's method, he understood it after only a moment's thought!
"Your Majesty, this is truly a brilliant plan that kills two birds with one stone!"
Qin Yu smiled faintly again, though it carried a hint of arrogance.
"It was just something I came up with on the spur of the moment, nothing to mention."
"Oh, right, you've come at the perfect time. I have an important task for you to carry out!"
Li Geng's expression hardened, and he responded solemnly.
"Your Majesty, please speak!"
"I want you to kill someone!"
at the same time.
In the Empress's bedroom.
After a comforting hug, Zhao Lan reluctantly saw Zhao Yan off.
The former was still feeling sorry for his younger sister, while also deep in thought and worry.
After a long while, Zhao Lan finally let out a long sigh.
"well……"
I heard that the Xiongnu people attached great importance to peace talks and even sent their prince as an envoy.
If Sima Lie had actually sought peace on this matter, resulting in a major defeat for the Xiongnu and a truce, what would have happened if the foolish emperor had agreed without thinking things through?
Both sides are extremely willing to negotiate peace. If they manage to appease the emperor, things could really get very bad!
With two matters piling up at once, Zhao Lan covered her forehead with worry, her pretty face filled with sorrow.
Just then.
Zi Yan suddenly rushed in excitedly.
"Your Majesty, there is some very joyous news."
"Sigh, I just want some peace and quiet, this is so annoying."
Zi Yan smiled gently, "What I wanted to tell you is exactly what's troubling you."
"Your Majesty, have you heard that Prime Minister Sima brought that Xiongnu prince to court today? But the prince was extremely arrogant and even made a lot of noise."
"This time, the tyrant didn't hold back at all. He became even more arrogant than the prince, first angrily cursing him, and then actually sending men to tie the prince up so that he fainted on the spot!"
"After the prince woke up, he left in a rage, saying that he would lead his troops to raze Youzhou to the ground!"
Upon hearing this news, Zhao Lan was stunned at first, and even checked it several times before finally believing it in disbelief.
His previously worried expression immediately relaxed, and he beamed with joy.
I never expected this.
This foolish emperor has stumbled upon a great success by accident!
After a moment of joy, Zhao Lan calmed down, but suddenly tightened her grip on the teacup, and her gaze gradually became sharp.
The murderous aura emanating from her startled Zi Yan; she knew the Empress was about to make a big move!
"Your Majesty, whatever your orders are, this servant will listen!"
"Yan'er, go and send the signal now so that Zhao Jian and the others can take action. They must strike a fatal blow and kill that Xiongnu prince!"
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