The Sinful Woman's Golden Branch: The Jade-Faced Yama is Actually Me (Sixteen)...
The local clans, whom they feared, never imagined that one day they would be wiped out so quickly.
Two important factors in maintaining a clan are immense wealth, vast tracts of fertile land, and numerous servants.
One is deeply entrenched, with interconnected kinship ties, obscuring all view from above.
Now both of these factors have completely collapsed.
In heaven, no one can hide Princess Yongning's status as the emperor's daughter; on earth, the tenants who were released back into the wild are green with envy.
After the Huang family's incident, every remaining major family was terrified, and some began to think of countermeasures.
There are four relatively well-known clans in Dengzhou.
There were super-powerful families like the Huang family, which controlled salt and iron, and there were also relatively mild farming and weaving clans like the Liu family of Sang County.
In recent years, the Liu family's business situation has been poor, with few offspring and few male members, leaving only a widow to support the family.
On one hand, they had to deal with the covetous eyes of their own uncles and elders, and on the other hand, they had to deal with the other three major families who, seeing the decline of the Liu family, were eager to annex it.
If it weren't for mastering the unique weaving and dyeing techniques, we would probably have been lambs to the slaughter long ago.
Upon receiving the news from Peng County, Liu Fengshi, the current head of the Liu family, immediately ordered her servants to bring out the household registration deeds of all the tenants and slaves and burn them in front of everyone.
“The Liu family will absolutely obey the princess’s orders. All tenant and labor contracts will now be burned and wiped clean.”
"But the princess will be in Sang County for some time. If we release everyone now, winter is coming and we will have no means of survival."
"Please stay with my Liu family for now. We will discuss other matters after the princess arrives. The Liu family thanks you all for your hospitality and will certainly not treat you poorly!"
Hearing her say this, the tenants and servants, who had been feeling unsettled due to previous rumors, were overjoyed and praised their master for his kindness.
Only the branch of the Liu family from Laizhou looked resentful. They had just begun to hope of inheriting the Liu family business, and now this spendthrift woman was going to squander it all!
Feng Yuzhu married into the Liu family six years ago and has been a widow for three years. Because of her diligence in serving her parents-in-law and her devout widowhood, she has won the praise of the whole family. Now that her parents-in-law are getting older, they have handed over most of the Liu family's business to her.
Seeing the rebukes from these distant relatives, Feng Yuzhu dared not say more and said in a low voice, "Now Dengzhou is the princess's domain. If the princess gives an order, how dare I disobey?"
“If you uncles and elders have such a temper, then go and confront the princess directly, and take your anger out on me. What good will that do?”
When the princess was mentioned, these people fell silent, but judging from their expressions, they still seemed resentful.
Feng Yuzhu covered her face and turned away, resentful as she pleased.
I really hope that the "Jade-Faced Yama" under the princess's command is not just a name without substance. If he can wipe out all these people, she will be happy to give him half of the Liu family's assets.
Ye Xiqing certainly wouldn't disappoint.
In ancient times, due to objective limitations, even urgent matters had to be done slowly. By the time Ye Xiqing finished pacifying the three counties and landed in Sang County, it was already freezing cold.
He instructed his men to settle the carriages and equipment, and hurried into the government office to warm up. Just as he landed, the visitors arrived.
Feng Yuzhu came to visit, bringing a large cartload of charcoal, wine, meat, and warm clothing.
The group was thrilled to see these items; they were truly a godsend!
Seeing the reluctant looks on everyone's faces, Ye Xiqing turned to Feng Yuzhu: "Thank you for your kindness, Madam Feng. It is indeed something we need. However, we will not take it for personal gain. I will have my servant write a check and collect the money when the weather thaws to exchange for it."
Feng Yuzhu was surprised and frightened that she recognized her at a glance and even knew her real name. This meant that her visit was definitely not unrelated to the Liu family.
She said cautiously, "How could I dare to ask you for funds, sir? This is just my way of expressing my gratitude for your hard work and welcoming you back. It's nothing of value, so please don't take it to heart!"
Ye Xiqing, however, showed no intention of playing along with her words, stating her position gently but firmly:
"Today you'll be greedy for a thread, tomorrow you'll be greedy for a needle. Even if it's just a matter of a thread or a needle, as long as you harbor greed, you will be condemned to eternal damnation."
"I have always been weak and unable to bear the weight of this task. My survival is all thanks to the grace of Heaven."
"My frail body has no joy in this world, I only wish to prove the great path of enlightenment, Madam Feng, you need not refuse."
Feng Yuzhu: ...
Desire leads to humiliation, while the absence of desire leads to strength. A greedy person can use money and goods to stifle their appetite, while a lustful person can use beauty to bewitch their heart.
How should one deal with someone who is neither greedy for money nor lustful? After thinking for a moment, Feng Yuzhu quickly praised his integrity.
A person who doesn't covet anything might covet fame.
Unexpectedly, this did not move the renowned god of death in the slightest.
Her eyes were like black glass soaked in ice and snow, and upon closer inspection, they seemed almost inhuman.
Despite her gentle smile, Feng Yuzhu felt a cold sweat break out on her back: "Madam Feng is quite the talker. Since you seem so interested, why don't you stay for a chat?"
Feng Yuzhu: ...
Perhaps it was because of the charcoal fire, but despite it being the dead of winter, Feng Yuzhu felt drenched in sweat.
Tu Si Niang excitedly took down the wine and meat that Feng Yuzhu had brought, drew a short knife from her waist, and took out a wine bottle from her bosom to sterilize it. She sliced the mutton into pieces, sprinkled it with snow-white salt, and roughly marinated it.
The newly produced "Daughter Salt" from Peng County is extremely fine and white. It quickly infuses into the meat and, when roasted on a charcoal stove, it sizzles and releases a delicious aroma under the heat of the charcoal fire.
Everyone sitting around was eagerly waiting for the roast meat to cook, but Feng Yuzhu was on pins and needles. She picked up the wine that had been simmering and took a big gulp.
Under the influence of alcohol, his complexion regained some color, and he boldly looked at Ye Xiqing.
"Lord Guan, in order to handle cases for the public good, did not hesitate to travel a long distance to Sang County. It is truly hard work."
“I do not wish for you to be too burdened, so I burned all the deeds of the tenants and servants before you arrived, and waited for you to come.”
"This humble woman admires you and the princess to the extreme, and will completely obey your orders. If there is any need for my command, I will obey your command!"
Ye Xiqing smiled slightly and raised the wine cup.
Her health condition is not well-suited for drinking alcohol.
However, Dengzhou is located by the sea and its freshwater resources are not abundant. People cherish freshwater, and in winter, much of their drinking water is obtained by directly drawing snow water from the local area, which may even be left to sit for several days.
Putting aside the strange taste, it's hard to say whether it's more harmful to the body than alcohol.
Therefore, even his personal physician would not prevent Ye Xiqing from drinking a small amount of alcohol in winter.
I wonder if Ye Xiqing, while drinking it, will recall that day when he dissected Huang Liulang's corpse, covering his mouth and nose, pointing at Huang Liulang's swollen liver, and saying with a scientific and rigorous expression:
"The liver is the largest metabolic organ in the human body. Alcohol is a killer of the liver. After alcohol enters the body through the digestive tract, it enters the liver through blood circulation for metabolism. However, the toxic substances secreted after decomposition are 100% harmful to the liver. Over time, this is how it is."
Fortunately, apart from Physician Ding, no one will recall Huang Liulang's liver now.
Ye Xiqing raised his wine cup, gave Feng Yuzhu a slight bow, and said slowly, "I heard about your noble character when I went to Ping County. I also wrote a letter to the princess, and the princess praised you highly."
"This land reform is for the benefit of the people, so that everyone in Dengzhou can have land to cultivate."
"However, the official conduct in Dengzhou was corrupt before, and the local aristocratic families colluded with officials to seize land by trickery and force, making it a common practice to encroach on farmland. As a result, the people of Dengzhou had nowhere to stand. I wonder if Madam Feng's husband's family was also involved?"
Upon hearing this, Feng Yuzhu immediately knelt down and prostrated herself on the ground, saying, "Your Honor is wise! How dare I, a lowly commoner, break the law!"
"The Liu family has a tradition of farming and scholarship, and they are very strict in managing their household. They do not allow any of their descendants to cause trouble for the neighbors. All the land they own has a provenance, and all transactions are completed on time. They have never taken a single penny without due diligence. I beg you, sir, to investigate this matter thoroughly!"
Ye Xiqing looked at her fearful appearance, but showed no intention of softening her tone: "Ah, taking advantage of the famine and when ordinary people can't make a living, they pay money to buy land, and it's a cash-on-delivery transaction, so it can't really be considered a forced sale."
“The disaster-stricken people have received your money and survived today. Next year, they will rent land from you as tenants and thank you for saving their lives. They will do so willingly.”
"It seems that no one is guilty, and no one is unwilling, but I don't know why, the common people are getting poorer and poorer, while your family is getting richer and richer."
"I will not dwell on things I cannot understand. Therefore, I have decided that the government will redeem the land under the Liu family's name at market price and reallocate it to them."
“The Liu family can re-register their household registration with the government, and the government will re-allocate land to the Liu family in accordance with the new law.”
"But the excess parts are not allowed to be kept. I don't know if Mrs. Feng understands."
Feng Yuzhu touched the ground with her forehead and said repeatedly, "We will leave everything to Your Majesty! No matter what it is, the Liu family will not dare to disobey!"
The Liu family, though they lost their land, still had their weaving workshop to make a living. But the Huang and Qi families, who were utterly ruined, were truly finished.
As long as she's still alive, there's always hope for a comeback. Feng Yuzhu isn't someone who can't let go!
Ye Xiqing was very satisfied with her pragmatism. He went over and helped her up, a gentle expression on his face.
"Madam Feng, please get up. Today was supposed to be a private meeting with friends, why are you in such a frightened state?"
Feng Yuzhu was so exhausted from being made to get up that she looked at Ye Xiqing's face, which was even carrying a gentle smile, with tears welling up in her eyes. She was really about to cry.
You call this meeting with friends?
Ye Xiqing, however, was completely oblivious to how frightening she was, and smiled at Feng Yuzhu:
"Please forgive me, Madam. Is it because the rumors about me being a ruthless killer have been spreading lately, and you've come to believe that I'm some kind of hellish Yama who kills anyone he sees?"
"Actually, that's mostly a rumor. I have always upheld the law impartially and never kill an innocent person indiscriminately."
"Moreover, there is one thing I truly meant to say to you, Madam: the princess and I have indeed long admired your reputation and longed to meet you."
"Having met you today, I can see that you are indeed a man of great wisdom and righteousness, living up to your reputation. I will then convey the princess's decree to summon Madam Feng to serve as the Salt Commissioner of Dengzhou, and she will take up her post shortly. What do you think, Madam?"
Feng Yuzhu was taken aback: What?
Ye Xiqing smiled again, this time seeming much more genuine.
"Although the princess has just arrived in Dengzhou and has already started a great deal of fighting, she is not a bandit or robber. Everything she does is for the sake of the people's peace and stability."
“Land annexation has been a great scourge to the world since ancient times. The princess did not want the people of Dengzhou to follow this path, so she was determined to re-establish the land system.”
"From now on, neither allotted land nor permanent land shall be allowed to enter the market for merchants. If necessary, it may be leased to the people, but it shall never be allowed to be traded or changed hands."
“The Liu family has not committed any major wrongdoing, so the princess ordered me to redeem the Liu family’s land and property. Furthermore, the princess is particularly fond of Madam Feng’s talent and wisdom, and has specially ordered me to appoint her as the Salt Commissioner to supervise the salt industry in Dengzhou.”
"In this way, the lady has already become an official."
"When the Liu family re-registers, the head of the household should have been the lady's mother-in-law, but the old lady is old and may not be able to support the family. Since the Liu family is now under the actual control of Madam Feng, let's start the household directly with the lady."
"I heard that your daughter was born posthumously and is now almost three years old. She is clever, bright, and lovely."
"The Liu family still has one branch of the family still alive; how can it fall into the hands of a collateral branch?"
"I can kill all the treacherous people for you."
Feng Yuzhu: ...
What are the costs?
If you don't make me pay a price... how am I supposed to go home and explain... that I didn't betray the Liu family for personal gain?
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