Chapter 31: Being in Harmony with the People

  Zhou Jian called Jiang Qin to his side after careful consideration.

  After these days of secret observation, Zhou Jian discovered that although Jiang Qin was not as brave as Xu Tian and the others, he was far superior to them in terms of wisdom and strategy.

  Chiang Chin handled matters with seriousness and caution, his thoughts were meticulous and he was a rare talent among his peers.

  Zhou Jian lacked a trusted advisor by his side. One person's energy is ultimately limited, and many things cannot be done thoroughly. Chen Fang's talent was indeed ordinary, and he could only handle some trivial matters. He could only bring Jiang Qin to his side, and when encountering things, it would be good to have someone to discuss with.

  As for the twenty attendants, although they had been trained by him since childhood, they were more focused on military training and were not good at making plans.

  Zhou Jian also wanted to find a few wise men around him to plan and strategize, but with his current identity and status, wanting to recruit those famous historical figures as his advisors was no different from a fool's dream.

  What's more important is that the foundation of the Han dynasty has not been damaged, and all the scholars in the world are loyal to the Han dynasty, so it is impossible for them to be used by others.

  Even if the times change in the future and people's ideas also change, that is also a matter for the future.

  The only one who can be found is his younger cousin Zhou Yu, but Zhou Yu is now only nine years old and still a child.

  Lujiang, Anhui Province.

  Zhou Shang stood in the inner courtyard, watching as the woman and several servants packed up their belongings, their faces expressionless, as if they had long expected what would happen after the memorial was presented to the imperial court.

  Despite this, he still decided so much.

  Zhou Shang was not very upright, but he was very dissatisfied with the current situation of the imperial court. More importantly, he cherished his reputation, and his eldest son Zhou Jian's betrayal made him feel that his reputation was not preserved. He did not want to serve in the same dynasty as that rebellious son, nor did he want to work hard in Wu County again.

  It's better to give up his official position and return to Shucheng to live a quiet life. After all, the Zhou family is a prominent clan and will not worry about making ends meet.

  Zhou Shang resigned as if he was walking on thin ice, but the women in the inner courtyard were all different, with expressions of hatred, dissatisfaction, fear, regret and unease. The first wife, Wu Shi, looked at Han Shi with an even colder gaze.

  Han's face was pale and he looked helpless.

  Zhou Jian's actions were not tolerated by Zhou Shang, and she was also implicated, suffering the resentment of all of Zhou Shang's wives and concubines.

  Zhou was still standing in the courtyard for a while, and finally, all the luggage had been packed up, filling two horse-drawn carriages to the brim.

  Zhou Liang hurried over with quick steps and bowed his head saying: "Sir, everything is ready. Shall we set off now?"

  Zhou Shang nodded and said: "The seal has been handed over, let's set off back to Shu County now!"

  Zhou Liang obeyed and retreated, summoning dozens of household guards to escort him, driving eight horse-drawn carriages slowly away from the rear courtyard of the county government office.

  Two carriages were for luggage and soft goods, while six carriages were for Zhou Shang and more than ten of his wives, concubines, sons and daughters.

  Eight horse-drawn carriages, dozens of attendants and guards, such a procession is not small in scale, naturally attracting the attention of passersby. Some curious ones asked around, while those who were well-informed quickly said: "I heard that the county magistrate has been dismissed by the imperial court and is returning to his hometown in Shu County."

  There were people who couldn't help but say: "Governor Zhou is a good official, why did the imperial court dismiss him?"

  He replied with a shrug of his shoulders, "I don't know about that, probably the county magistrate has offended someone!"

  "There are people sighing: 'In these times, it's not easy being a commoner, nor is it easy being a good official. Magistrate Zhou has done his job properly, and there's nothing to complain about regarding how he treats us ordinary people, yet he still lost his position. It's really because the imperial court has too many treacherous and evil small men!'"

  "Liu Dama Zi, you want to die ah!"

  Someone who knew better hastily whispered: "If officials heard you say that, you'll be in trouble."

  Liu Dama Zi couldn't help but let out a couple of emotional remarks, but then he came to his senses and changed color in the face, hastily looking around in all directions. Seeing that no one was paying attention, he slightly let out a breath and shut his mouth, not daring to speak nonsense again.

  The team quickly left Beicheng Gate and drove onto the official road, heading in the direction of Shucheng.

  Zhou Shang looked through the gap in the carriage curtain and was shocked to find that the official road outside the north gate was packed with people, stretching out as far as the eye could see. There were those supporting the elderly and others holding children.

  "Governor Zhou, you'll have another chance to serve as an official in Anhui Province."

  Among the people, someone shouted and called out, and the people on both sides of the official road followed suit, shouting loudly.

  Zhou Shang was the county magistrate of Wan County for eight years, during which he treated the people with kindness, eliminated corrupt officials and bandits, opened granaries to provide relief during disasters, and gave the people opportunities to rest and recover. As a result, life was not difficult for the people of Wan County, and Zhou Shang gained their hearts.

  People in this era are very simple and know how to be grateful.

  Ordinary people are the most down-to-earth, as long as their parents' officials can give them a way out, they will be grateful to you.

  Now Zhou is about to leave, and all the people come spontaneously to see him off with gifts.

  Zhou Shang was moved in his heart, being an official for a lifetime, he could gain the support of the people, and it was worth it.

  The people are the foundation of a country, and this is a truth that everyone understands.

  But how many officials in the entire Han court truly put the people first?

  If all officials in the world could speak and act consistently with each other and be kind to the people, would this world still suffer from endless disasters and banditry?

  Zhou had not yet gotten off the carriage, but instead gave an order, and the coachman immediately whipped the horses to speed up the carriage. Under the enthusiastic sendoff of the common people lining the streets, the horses galloped rapidly and soon disappeared from view on the official road.

  Qiao's Mansion

  The housekeeper hastily rushed into the study in the inner courtyard and said to Qiao Xuan: "Master, Lord Zhou has left!"

  Qiao Xuan sighed, waved his hand, and after the steward retreated, he said to Cai Yong beside him: "It's good that he's gone. Zhou Yuanding has the talent to assist the country, but he was a county magistrate in Wan County for eight years. The emperor is muddle-headed and doesn't promote him. This is indeed an omen of disaster!"

  Cai Yong said: "Why doesn't your excellency submit a memorial to the imperial court, advising the emperor to appoint virtuous and capable officials, in order to alleviate the people's grievances?"

  Qiao Xuan said calmly, "If the emperor could accept loyal advice, I wouldn't have resigned and returned to my hometown. Now officials are appointed based on their wealth, Zhou Shang was dismissed by the imperial court and returned to Shucheng County. If a county magistrate is appointed through bribery, it's still the hundreds of thousands of people in Anhui who will suffer."

  Cai Yong also let out a sigh and fell silent.

  Qiao Xuan said, "I have been observing Zhou Jian's son for many years and thought he had some military strategy and talent, and would definitely become a great instrument in the future. I didn't expect him to be a sycophant, seeking official position by clinging to eunuchs. I've seen countless people, but this time I was blind."

  Cai Yong's face turned gloomy as he said, "This young man has quick wit and exceptional bravery, with a bright future ahead of him. Alas, he has now strayed from the right path. The only thing is that Yanyan has feelings for him, what can be done about it?"

  Qiao Xuan's face broke into a smile as he said, "Yan'er is intelligent and studious, with exceptional literary talent. She deserves to choose an excellent husband, one who would be a good match for her."

  Cai Yong hastily expressed a few polite words, but his eyes revealed his approval.

  In December, cold winds are rampant, frost falls in the Central Plains.

  Zhou Jian had just finished inspecting the resettlement of tens of thousands of refugees and was hurrying to the next rural pavilion without stopping his horse.

  Today's winter is exceptionally cold, and a heavy snowfall occurred in the past few days. Many poor people and displaced refugees' homes are drafty, lacking clothes and necessities, and some have already frozen to death in the biting wind.

  What's more serious is that autumn crops in the Central Plains were severely damaged, and many places had no harvest of autumn grains, leading to a severe shortage of food.

  Many ordinary people don't even have enough food for their own families, yet they still have to pay heavy taxes to the imperial court, and it's almost impossible for them to survive.

  The imperial court's taxation is not heavy, the Han dynasty's official system was corrupt, and the people's burden was heavy because of the unlimited exploitation by the landlords and the powerful in between. The taxes actually submitted to the imperial court were not many.

  Fortunately, Zhou Jian had made preparations early on and had arranged for people to purchase tens of thousands of dan of wheat from surrounding counties as early as late spring.

  Zhou Jian was compassionate towards the poor and miserable common people, and for half a month he rushed east and west, arranging for government relief to be provided to the refugees.

  However, tens of thousands of bushels of wheat are not enough to help hundreds of thousands of refugees and poor people get through this cold winter.

  Xitun Township, Yang'anting

  Zhou Jian brought with him Dian Wei, Chen Fang, Jiang Qin and seven or eight county officials including County Lieutenant Cheng Kang and County Captain Wang Quan. They rushed to the pavilion in a hurry. The pavilion master heard the report and hastily came out to greet them, making a deep bow, "Junior officials pay their respects to your lordship."

  Zhou Jian jumped off his horse and handed the reins to a nearby attendant, striding into the pavilion and asking: "How many households of people in need are there in the pavilion, how many mouths to feed, and how much grain and clothing do they require?"

  "Replying to the official, there are sixty households in the pavilion that lack grain, totaling 256 people."

  Zhou Jian asked Cheng Kang, "How much grain is needed to get through this winter?"

  "At least twenty-five bushels of wheat are needed."

  "Then arrange for the grain to be distributed as soon as possible."

  Cheng Kang hastily accepted the order, "Your subordinate obeys."

  Zhou Jian glanced at Ting Chang again, his eyes extremely stern. "If you dare to embezzle even a single grain of food, I will not forgive you lightly."

  The head of the pavilion was already sweating, ten days ago several heads of the pavilion had been beaten into prison for taking advantage of the people when distributing food, now they dare not joke about their future, and hurriedly said: "Don't worry, sir, we will distribute all the grain to the hungry people."

  Zhou Jian didn't waste words, gave a few orders, turned around and mounted his horse, then left.

  Just as he came out of the pavilion, a horse rushed towards him, and it was a follower.

  Wrapped in a cloak, with wind and frost on his face, he rode up to the front, reined in his warhorse, glanced at Cheng Kang and Wang Quan following Zhou Jian, moved his lips, but didn't say anything.

  Zhou Jianli understood and ordered Cheng Kang and other officials, "You go first, this official will catch up later."

  Cheng Kang and others did not dare ask more questions, and hastily rode their horses away.

  After the attendants and others like Kang had walked far away, he hastily reported: "Young master, the new army has already been fully assembled."

  Zhou Jian's spirit was immediately lifted, and he said, "Go take a look."

  As early as half a year ago, one thousand new soldiers had already been recruited, all of whom were under the age of thirty. They were divided into twenty groups of fifty men each and underwent special training led by their respective commanders. This time, however, the fifty teams of new recruits were gathered together to undergo combat formation training.

  The specific time when the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out is no longer remembered, but it can't be far from now.

  In the next few months, the focus will be on intensively training a thousand new soldiers in combat formation drills to make them truly battle-ready.

  The army is the root of power, and the training of new recruits is Zhou Jian's top priority. For this reason, he even spared no expense, repeatedly ordering Hu San to speed up the grinding of weapons and armor, and must equip all 1,000 new troops with iron armor.