Chapter 10 of 10

Chapter 10

13 min read3,335 words

Diao Hong smiled slightly and said, "Very well, that's exactly it. You understand now, don't you? Liu Lizheng, with the country in peril, we still need to conscript labor and increase taxes in Jingkou. You'll have plenty to do then!"

Liu Yu laughed heartily and said, "Not necessarily. Even if the public fields in Jingkou are now under your Diao family, they can still go elsewhere. The world is vast, and it's impossible for your Diao family to control everything within the Great Jin. They could go to the Three Wu regions or Jiangzhou."

Diao Hong smacked his lips and looked at Liu Yu, "Unfortunately, our Diao family's money won't be wasted. His Majesty has decreed that from now on, all Northern refugees must gather in the Jingkou region and are not allowed to move freely. Those who violate this will be considered rebels and will be exterminated!"

A cold light flashed in Liu Yu's eyes, "What you mean, Diao Gongzi, is that the public fields and official lands in Jingkou are now all yours. And these Northern refugees can't go anywhere else; they can only work as servants or tenants on your Diao family's land, right?"

Diao Hong smiled slightly, "Exactly. This time, to obtain the public fields in Jingkou, our Diao family sold our properties elsewhere. This transaction is recognized by His Majesty and the court. Of course, you can choose not to farm. Perhaps in Jingkou, you can earn a living by performing tricks."

As he said this, Diao Hong burst into a triumphant laugh, and the servants and retainers around him also laughed loudly. The Northern refugees clenched their teeth and fists, their eyes almost spitting fire, but they were helpless.

On the second floor of Linjiangxian, Yang Linzi slammed his wine bowl on the small table in front of him, glaring, "This is outrageous. The Diao family is trying to cut off Jingkou's roots. Diao Kui guaranteed in court that with the land in Jingkou, he could control the Northern refugees and create a formidable army. But he actually wants to use them as more servants and tenants for his family! Where can't he find people to farm? Why must it be in Jingkou?"

Liu Linzong's expression remained calm, and he shook his head, "Jingkou is different from other places. It is the first stop for Northern refugees crossing the river and the most convenient place to intercept them."

"He not only took the land but also had the court issue an order that all Northern refugees must gather here. This means they can only farm on the Diao family's land. This way, the Diao family will control Jingkou's military resources. They can advance by making deals with the Wang and Xie families to gain more power, or they can dominate Jingkou like the Huan family in Jingzhou, ruling for generations!"

Yang Linzi's face changed, "Since you saw the Diao family's intentions early on, why didn't you stop them?"

Liu Linzong suddenly laughed and pulled out a jade ruyi from his sleeve, scratching his back, "An Ning, don't worry. Jingkou is a place full of miracles. I believe that the Lizheng Liu Yu won't disappoint me!"

Liu Yu watched Diao Hong's loud laughter and said slowly, "This is Jingkou. It's not necessarily true that they can only survive by farming your Diao family's land. Diao Gongzi, I think you're being too smug."

Diao Hong's laughter abruptly stopped. He glared at Liu Yu and said in a deep voice, "What do you mean by that? Do you think you can feed these Northern refugees with the grain from the official granaries? Hmph, let me tell you, His Majesty has decreed that all grain in the official granaries must be reserved for the military. Not a single grain will be released!"

Liu Yu shook his head, "I didn't say I would open the official granaries. However, besides the fields of our registered households and the former public fields you bought, there are still large areas of wasteland and hills in Jingkou. As long as these Northern refugees are willing to work hard, they can cultivate these lands!"

Meng Chang's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, "Can, can this really be done?"

Liu Yu smiled, "Meng Brother, don't worry. Jingkou has vast, sparsely populated areas with a lot of uncultivated land. You coming here is the best. It's already May, and if you hurry with slash-and-burn farming, you can still plant a season of rice in time. By August, you can harvest it!"

Tan Pingzhi's eyes widened, "Slash-and-burn farming? What does that mean? Can you really have a harvest in three months? In the North, it takes at least half a year to harvest millet."

Liu Yu smiled slightly, "In the North, you grow millet, but in the South, we mainly grow rice. The uncultivated fields are full of weeds. Before turning them into good farmland, you need to set a fire to burn all the weeds."

"The ash from the burned plants is excellent fertilizer, enough to grow a season of rice. After half a month, you can irrigate the fields to form paddy fields, then sow the rice seeds. With three months, you can harvest a season of late rice. Although the yield is only about two shi per mu, which is less than in the North, it's enough for your family to eat."

Liu Yu looked at the furious Diao Hong, whose eyes were wide open, and smiled, "Even if Diao Gongzi takes all the public fields in Jingkou, they can still safely get through the first year using this method. The court has decreed that Northern refugees, if settled, will not have to pay taxes or rent for two years as immigrants. Diao Gongzi, this decree hasn't changed, has it?"

Diao Hong gritted his teeth, "Liu Yu, what do you mean? Are you deliberately opposing me and our Diao family? What do you have to do with these Northern refugees? What benefits can they give you to make you stand up for them?"

A cold light flashed in Liu Yu's eyes, "There are three reasons why I must do this. First, as the local Lizheng, I have the duty to settle refugees and encourage farming. Your Diao family is taking advantage of the country's difficulties to seize the position of governor and swallow up the state's land, trying to make these Northern refugees your private property. This, I, Liu Yu, and the people of Jingkou, will not accept! If you can do this to these Northern refugees today, you can do it to us tomorrow!"

"Second, almost every family in Jingkou was once like them, coming from the North. I can empathize with them. Seeing these people, I can imagine the perilous journey our ancestors took when the North was in chaos and the barbarian cavalry rampaged. For this reason, I must settle them well and ensure they don't escape one wolf's den only to fall into another! They barely escaped the barbarians' clutches, only to become your Diao family's lifelong slaves!"

Meng Longfu suddenly clapped his hands, "Brother Liu, well said!" The many refugees standing in the courtyard, with tears in their eyes, also cheered. Diao Mao, furious, shouted, "What are you cheering for? Shut up, shut up!" But his voice was quickly drowned out by the thunderous cheers of the refugees, and he could no longer be heard.

---