Fourth, cultivate the fields

However, in my view, the land distribution decree, which has numerous benefits and no drawbacks, encountered tremendous resistance as soon as it was implemented, and the magnitude of this resistance far exceeded the expectations of both Liu Xiu and myself

"That is why I say you are confused!" He bluntly accused, "What Your Majesty has done thus far is still insufficient to shake the fundamental interests of the gentry. The Emperor desires power, and as long as he does not encroach upon their profits, those below will naturally be able to settle for less. However, the matter of land distribution is of great importance, and there is no precedent to follow. Do you really think Your Majesty will definitely succeed?"

Holding these blood-stained bamboo slips, my hands trembled violently, and a voice in my heart repeatedly asked myself, have I truly made a mistake

"Mother, I have something to tell you." Liu Yang could not hide his joy, as the corners of his eyes and brows were tinged with this sense of pride. "While reviewing the memorials from various prefectures, Father Emperor happened upon a document from Chenliu Prefecture that stated, 'Yingchuan and Hongnong may be inquired about, but Henan and Nanyang may not be inquired about.' This morning during the court assembly, Father Emperor questioned the relevant official, but he foolishly claimed that he found it on Changshou Street. Don't you think that's ridiculous?"

A buzzing sound echoed in my cochlea; in the moment I collapsed, I could clearly hear Liu Yang's call, followed by the chaotic sound of footsteps.

I clapped my hands and sneered: "I casually mentioned that I was pregnant, and you actually believed it? Don't you think for yourself? How long has it been since I gave birth to little Eleven? How could I possibly be pregnant again so soon?"

My eyelids are twitching incessantly, and I anxiously ask: "What happens next?"

Yin Xing suddenly stopped talking, staring at me blankly. After a while, he let out a laugh and sarcastically said, "So you never understood!" After saying this, he turned around and left

In simple terms, this is a nationwide survey of land resources. When Liu Xiu first presented his insights to me, I did not realize the monumental implications behind this decision until the decree on land allocation was announced and faced criticism from the ministers... even Yin Xing, who had not entered the palace for a long time, rushed in front of me in a fit of anger

Do not tell me that this imperial decree involves the noble as well

On April 17, Liu Xiu posthumously honored his elder brother Liu Yan as Duke Wu of Qi and his second brother Liu Zhong as Duke Ai of Lu

Indeed, someone in the palace is pregnant again, but that person is not me! I grit my teeth in anger, my eyes filled with fierce light. I have listened to your words and waited for six more years, watching as the number of princes in the palace continues to grow. By the end of the year at the latest, there will be another twelfth prince added to the palace. How much longer do you want me to wait? My patience has reached its limit...

I drew the crossbow from the corner of the case, nocked an arrow, and with a buzzing sound, the bolt pierced through the air, grazing Yin Xing's shoulder and embedding itself in the door before him

Such a severe reprimand surprisingly did not awaken my thick-headedness; it turns out I truly never understood...

"What kind of place is this? You come and go as you please?" I threw the crossbow onto the table with a bang, jumped up, and stepped forward to place my hand on his shoulder

"Do you mean to blame His Majesty for making a mistake?" I raised my voice, pressing my hand on the corner of the writing desk, my gaze icy, exuding an aura of authority without anger

I have never understood!

Yin Xing let out a groan, covering his chin as he rolled into the corner: "You..."

As I lifted off the ground, I whispered something into his ear. He paused for a moment, surprisingly easing his grip, and supported my waist to gently set me down again. The moment my feet touched solid ground, I immediately launched a kick, mercilessly striking his jaw.

On that day, Yin Xing and I parted ways in a disagreement, and in the end, I could not comprehend the reasoning behind his words. Since the previous cessation of military power and the enfeoffment of princes had proceeded smoothly, there was no reason to believe that the land distribution would not succeed. Moreover, from any perspective, I believe that implementing the land distribution decree would only bring benefits to the country and the people, with no drawbacks.

Mother

Yin Xingben was stunned by the crossbow bolt, at that moment I pulled his shoulder, and he took the opportunity to grab my hand, unexpectedly executing a shoulder throw and tossing me out on my back

Look at his face, pale as iron, with veins bulging on his forehead, his whole body exuding a menacing aura. Out of kindness, I offered Chen Min to serve him tea to quench his thirst. Yet, he showed no gratitude and actually knocked over the bowl of soup with a single palm strike

On June 25, the Emperor Jianwu issued a decree to the entire realm regarding land distribution

He got up from the ground, his face alternating between blue and red: "Who knows about your women's..."

The so-called land measurement refers to an economic census primarily focused on surveying the land across the nation and verifying the ages of household members. After settling down, the common people report the actual amount of land they possess at home, and the court acknowledges the legitimacy of their land ownership through household registration. Every year, during the mid-autumn month, a regular verification of household registration and ages is conducted, establishing a system of "household to population ratio" as the foundation for the taxation system

"So you have never understood!"

It turns out you have never understood...

"Henan... Nanyang... Henan... Nanyang... Nanyang..." A feeling of suffocation weighed heavily on my chest, and the world before me flickered in and out of focus. Finally, I could no longer endure the dizziness that made my head feel heavy and my feet light, and I fell straight back.

Why... why didn't I understand it clearly before

The soup splashed over, and the wooden bowl fell onto the mat, rolling around clumsily.

Then? Then, hiding behind the curtain, I overheard the Crown Prince, my elder brother, who was also confused and asked me if I knew the reason. I replied that the wooden tablet was clearly an instruction from the officials of Chenliu Commandery to their subordinates, asking them to investigate the results of land measurements in other counties. I deliberately spoke a bit louder, and as a result, my father and all the court officials heard me. My father then asked me, 'If that is the case, why is it said that Henan and Nanyang cannot be inquired about?' I answered, 'Henan is the imperial capital, with many close ministers; Nanyang is the birthplace of the emperor, with many close relatives; the land and property exceed regulations, making it impossible to approve.' Consequently, my father ordered the Tiger Ben generals to step forward and interrogate that official, who, frightened, immediately told the truth, which was no different from my inference. Mother, am I not very impressive this time? My father praised me greatly...

"Why can't we win?" I dare not admit that I am also fearful inside. I am an expert in fighting and brawling, but when it comes to playing politics, I can only be considered a novice. The only one I can rely on is Liu Xiu! I believe in Liu Xiu, in the timing and decisions he chooses.

Due to the intensification of land consolidation during the war and the deliberate concealment by local powerful families, the registered number of cultivated fields and households was far less than the actual figures, which adversely affected the national fiscal revenue. In order to quickly restore the rural economy after the war and address the practical issues faced by landless farmers, Liu Xiu issued an edict for local officials to conduct a nationwide land survey and household registration census.

However, the arrow has already been shot, and it is difficult to retrieve it now

After Yin Xing, there was no further entry into the palace, yet the messages relayed back to the palace by the shadow officials became increasingly frequent and alarming. Following the implementation of the land measurement decree, the governors of various states and the magistrates of various counties, fearing to offend the local gentry and powerful families, shifted the burden of measuring land onto the common people. Under the pretext of land measurement, they drove the common people from their homes, counting their houses and villages as part of the cultivated land, thereby inflating the measurement figures, which led to widespread grievances among the populace

"You are truly mad; it is no wonder that the ruler has such thoughts. What he cares about is the stability of the realm, and naturally, he will not concern himself with these minor gains and losses. However, you should not be so foolish. Where His Majesty has not given due consideration, you should point it out in a timely manner, rather than encouraging..."

Yin Xing sneered coldly: "It seems you have completely lost your judgment. If I cannot persuade you, how can I persuade His Majesty? Very well, since reason does not prevail, you may just wait for the outcome. I fear that by then, all your previous efforts will be in vain, and it will be too late for you to regret it"