The farmer was Chen Guoting. He dropped his rake and hurried over to pay his respects: "Your Majesty."
Zhao Huan asked with a smile: "How is it? This kind of land is not easy to find."
Chen Guoting wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "If you don't go to the fields, you won't understand the suffering of the people. I have never worked so hard in my life."
Meng Gurao looked at him as if he had seen a ghost: "Old stubborn donkey, aren't you dead?"
Chen Guoting stared: "Why, Meng Kangtou, I won't die even if you die."
Cao Dongsheng beside him smiled and said, "Lord Meng wouldn't think so. I see him often talking about you when he leaves court."
Chen Guoting rolled his eyes: "You old thing, I'm afraid you just want me to die soon."
Chen Guoting said this, but in fact he was deeply moved. Meng Gu was a solitary person who did not like to be sociable. It was really not easy for him to be so concerned about his death.
Li Gang was still a little confused: "What on earth is going on?"
Zhao Huan smiled and said, "The imperial physician, Hua Tuo, has developed a drug that can cause someone to feign death. When I went to the Heavenly Prison to give Chen Guoting poisoned wine, I mixed that drug in the wine for him to drink."
Everyone suddenly realized what was happening. Chen Guoting bowed and said, "I thank Your Majesty for not killing me."
"What are you thanking me for? I'm a tyrant, but I don't want to be one." Zhao Huan put his hands behind his back and said, "Show me your doghouse."
Li Gang and others were overjoyed. Chen Guoting was still alive, which was a blessing from heaven for them.
Chen Guoting was very proud. He pointed to the land he had just turned over and said, "Your Majesty, please look here. The mountains and rivers are beautiful. It can be said that this place is a paradise on earth. It is close to the mountains and rivers, and the land is fertile. I plan to plant a tea garden here."
Zhao Huan became interested and turned to look at him: "The tea garden is great. I must taste the tea you grow myself."
"Of course, Your Majesty, my house is humble and humble. Please make do with me." Chen Guoting led everyone into the house.
The furnishings in the house were simple but well-organized, with all kinds of farm tools, including plows, rakes, pickaxes, and shovels.
Zhao Huan entered the room and sat down in the main seat. Chen Guoting brought over a pot of tea and poured it for everyone.
Zhao Huan looked around and said, "Chen Guoting, I am sorry for wronging you by leaving you in this deep mountain forest."
"Your Majesty, what are you talking about? I am grateful for your kindness in sparing my life. Besides, the mountains and rivers here are beautiful, and the people here are simple and honest. It's a bit hard, but it's not an injustice. Your Majesty, please have some tea." Chen Guoting brought the teacup.
Zhao Huan took a sip and said, "Mmm, good tea! My dear Minister Chen, the Tiger Yasi and the Imperial Dragon Guard have become my right-hand men, and the court's tax revenue has increased greatly. I came here this time to invite you to return and continue to serve as an official and benefit the people."
Chen Guoting bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty, I have no way to repay your kindness, but I really do not want to serve as an official anymore."
Zhao Huan was surprised: "Why, are you still blaming me?"
Chen Guoting knelt hurriedly and said, "Your Majesty, I have absolutely no such intention. I am truly tired of being an official and wish to spend my remaining years here."
Zhao Huan didn't expect that Chen Guoting would actually refuse, and it seemed that this guy even liked this place. This stubborn old donkey really couldn't be led away and kept moving backwards.
"The court is in need of people right now, so Lord Chen should stop refusing." Li Gang also said.
"Yes, Lord Chen, His Majesty has already issued an edict to reduce the number of corrupt officials. There are few truly talented and knowledgeable people in the court. The Song Dynasty is now at peace, and it's a great opportunity to show your talents." He Li also said.
Meng Gu Rao also tried to persuade him: "You old stubborn donkey, if you're not around, I have no one to argue with, and I'm really not used to it. Since His Majesty has come personally to ask you to go back, you should go back."
Chen Guoting said solemnly, "It is precisely because the world is at peace and Your Majesty is so powerful and wise that I want to retire to the mountains and become a hermit. If disputes arise again, I will be willing to serve Your Majesty in troubled times. The Song Dynasty is full of talented people, and there is no shortage of people like me. Besides, everyone in the world knows that I am dead. If they knew that Your Majesty had released me, I am afraid that some officials would become disloyal again."
He was right. Zhao Huan's decision to execute Chen Guoting had frightened the entire court. If they knew Chen Guoting was not dead, they would probably stir up trouble again.
Chen Guoting turned to Zhao Huan and said, "Your Majesty, it is not that I harbor any resentment. I am only grateful to Your Majesty, and I do not harbor any resentment. I have simply fallen in love with this place, and I beg Your Majesty to grant me the right to live in seclusion here."
Seeing that he had made up his mind, Zhao Huan did not want to force him any further: "Well, if you really don't want to be an official, I will agree to your request. If you need anything, please write to Li Gang and ask him to come to me. I will do my best to help you."
Chen Guoting bowed deeply and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I do have a favor to ask of you."
Zhao Huan really wanted him to beg him. He would feel at ease only if he did something for him: "Tell me, as long as I can do it."
Chen Guoting knelt down with a thud and said: "Your Majesty, on behalf of the people of the world, I implore Your Majesty to distribute the land tax and not increase taxes so as to allow the people to live in peace." After saying this, he kowtowed again.
Zhao Huan thought it was a difficult task, and what Chen Guoting proposed was exactly what he wanted to do, so he slapped his thigh and said, "Okay! I promise you. Do you have any other requests?"
Chen Guoting shook his head: "This one is enough for me."
"I will add one more thing. This Jiuxian Mountain is the place I grant you for your retirement. However, for the rest of your life, there will be no taxes or forced labor within a hundred miles of Jiuxian Mountain."
Chen Guoting was overjoyed: "Your Majesty, I thank you on behalf of the people of Jiuxian Mountain."
This imperial decree greatly benefited the people living around Jiuxian Mountain. No taxes, no corvée, meaning that the people within a radius of 100 miles no longer had to pay any taxes or perform any corvée.
Of course, this only applies during Chen Guoting's lifetime. After Chen Guoting passed away, the taxes here were restored.
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