Chapter 8

Liu Yu's facial muscles were twitching slightly, his eyes shining. According to the Jin Dynasty's system, the temporary envoy sent to proclaim the imperial edict was often a "Jia Jie" (a temporary envoy with limited authority), while the governor of a region was a "Shi Chijie" (an envoy with full authority), overseeing military affairs in a certain state. This level of authority meant leading troops and governing a region, and those without troops were called "Dan Che" (single carriage) governors.

In the region of Southern Yanzhou, since the founding of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, there had never been a governor with such authority. Liu Yu had seen two governors before, but this was the first time he had seen the imperial scepter.

Not only that, but a governor with the scepter held both civil and military power, able to handle state affairs in times of war, with the authority to act first and report later. For a clerk like Liu Yu, this meant life and death were in his hands.

Liu Yu's only uncertainty was about Diao Hong's current status. If he had no official position, could he really execute him just with the scepter?

Thinking about this, Liu Yu said in a deep voice, "Young Master Diao, did your brother really give you this scepter? May I ask, without an official position, how can you act as a Jia Jie?"

Diao Hong's face changed, and Liu Yu's heart stirred, suddenly feeling confident. It seemed that Diao Hong had no official position, and the scepter he held was at most a Jia Jie, which could only execute subordinates in times of war. At this moment, it was impossible for him to handle official affairs.

Diao Mao shouted, "Seeing the scepter is like seeing the emperor, don't you know? Whether Young Master Diao has an official position or not, what does it matter?"

Liu Yu sneered, "According to the laws of the Jin Dynasty, only officials appointed by the court can hold the scepter. Even in emergencies, the holder of the scepter must be temporarily granted an official position, such as a military advisor or a chief secretary, to act. If Young Master Diao has no official position, he should not be able to hold the scepter. Surely your brother, a high-ranking official of the court, knows this."

Diao Hong's eyebrows raised, "I just said that my brother is handling the transfer of duties, and I am holding the scepter to inspect the region first."

Liu Yu nodded, "So, Young Master Diao has no official position and is only holding the scepter to inspect the region for Governor Diao, correct?"

Diao Hong nodded, "Exactly. This morning, I came here, and the former Governor Xi had already left office, leaving the region without a governor. I am holding the scepter temporarily, so why not?"

He looked at Liu Yi, who understood and said, "That's right. Today, I am here to see off Governor Xi as a state official, and I also welcome Young Master Diao. Although Governor Diao cannot come immediately, Young Master Diao, holding the scepter, can act in emergencies and inspect state affairs."

Liu Yu became even more certain that although Diao Hong had the scepter, he only had the authority to inspect and not to handle official affairs. He had no power over life and death.

His confidence grew, and he said, "So, regarding the registration and land distribution for these refugees, Young Master Diao has no authority to intervene and must follow the national law, correct?"

Diao Hong's face turned ugly, and he lightly "hmm"ed, turning his head, which was a tacit acknowledgment.

Liu Yu looked at Liu Yi and said solemnly, "Liu Yi, the Jin Dynasty has its own national laws. Northern refugees should be treated as immigrants, given land, and exempted from taxes for two years. Is there any problem with this?"

Liu Yi shook his head, "You are talking about the old laws. Liu Yu, you are just a village head, so it's not surprising that you don't know the current laws. But don't you know that the Qin army is preparing to invade the south and attack our Jin Dynasty?"

Liu Yu said loudly, "Of course I know. That's why General Xie Xuan was sent to Guangling to organize the defense of the Huai River region. It is precisely because of this that these northern refugees are unwilling to be driven by the barbarians and are fleeing south."

"As local officials, we should properly settle these refugees who have barely escaped to the south. How can we take this opportunity to deprive them of their rights and make them servants and tenant farmers?"

Diao Hong sneered, "With a major war imminent and the country in peril, the emperor has just issued an edict. Since the day before yesterday, all regions north of the Yangtze River are under military control. All unclaimed land will be nationalized and will not be privately distributed to northern refugees! Liu Yu, how can you, a mere commoner, understand such important military matters?"

Liu Yu's face changed, and he said in a deep voice, "Is there an official document for this order?"

Liu Yi sighed, "Liu Yu, you are also a village head. You should know that in military matters, actions are taken first, and official documents follow. How can Young Master Diao holding the imperial scepter be fake?"

Liu Yu had no argument, gritted his teeth, and said, "Even if there is no land to distribute, do these northern refugees have to become servants? If they are servants, whose servants will they be? Also, we are all farmers from Jingkou. Your official language is hard to understand. Can you speak like a commoner?"

Diao Hong coldly pointed to the small table behind Liu Yi, which was piled high with thick and tall registers, and said, "Register first."

On the upper floor of the tavern, Liu Linzong gently waved his feather fan, watching everything happening in the state office. From their vantage point, they could see and hear everything clearly.

Yang Linzi took a sip of wine and sighed, "How did the Diao family get this governorship? They are using the old trick again. Before the main official takes office, they send their children to occupy land and then force people to become their servants. In times of national crisis, they don't even know to hold back!"

Liu Linzong shook his head, "If they knew to hold back, they wouldn't be the Diao family. They are indeed too greedy, and they are tarnishing the reputation of our noble families."

Yang Linzi's eyes flashed with a cold light, "Why did the prime minister appoint Diao Kui to such an important position? Young Master, you came to Jingkou to gather evidence to impeach the Diao family and clean up the court, right? I have long been dissatisfied with Diao Kui. If you are willing to do it, I will support you wholeheartedly."

Liu Linzong suddenly laughed, "Ah Ning, we both know what kind of people the Diao family is. Such families are not just one or two in the Jin Dynasty. Not to mention him, even my good brother-in-law is no different. These corrupt officials are interconnected, and pulling one hair can move the whole body. With a major enemy at the door, it is not the time to settle accounts."

Yang Linzi's eyes flashed with disappointment, "Alas, the state of the country is such that it leaves one with nothing but sighs. Young Master, if you cannot correct the root, then you can only perfect yourself. You have drunk the wine and seen the sights in Jingkou. It's time to go back, right?"

Liu Linzong turned to look out the window, his gaze falling on Liu Yu, "No, Ah Ning, this good show has just begun. I think the more it progresses, the more exciting it will be."

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