After the latest court session, numerous light cavalry units scurried throughout Twin Moon City, relaying various orders from the Empress and Chu Chen.
Such a grand spectacle was rarely seen, drawing the frequent attention of the populace.
The next morning, early risers were astonished to find hundreds of carriages slowly moving along the main thoroughfares.
"What's going on? Yesterday, horsemen were everywhere, and now hundreds of different carriages are moving out together. Something big must have happened!"
"I don't know. We have no power or influence, and no sources of information. Let's wait for the official notice. Perhaps it will explain."
Two scholars from humble backgrounds, walking together, murmured their thoughts in low voices.
Among the hundreds of carriages, one hundred were carrying officials and personnel. The remainder were loaded with goods and necessary tools. Outside the city, beyond the military camp, even more carriages, donkey carts, and ox carts had departed in advance.
This time, Chu Chen wasn't just making a show; he was serious about truly commencing the land survey. The officials in these carriages were responsible for this task.
The hundred carriages would be divided into ten routes. Each route would consist of ten carriages carrying personnel, supplemented by twenty carriages or donkey carts for supplies. They would be accompanied by three thousand imperial soldiers and one hundred Embroidered Uniform Guards, secretly following ten covert operatives, to reach various locations and conduct the land survey.
Any local government officials who obstructed the land survey for any reason, or who, despite repeated warnings, attempted to conceal land ownership, or engaged in acts of resistance, rebellion, or ambush, would be directly suppressed by the accompanying three thousand troops.
The ministers, completely caught off guard by Chu Chen's swift action, were shocked by such decisive and brutal measures. They quickly used their connections to notify their stewards outside the capital, praying that they would be smart enough not to confront the court directly. Otherwise, those in the capital might be implicated.
Several days later, in Lone Moon Prefecture of Twin Moon Province, a contingent of over three thousand people entered Lone Moon Prefecture and set up camp about six miles outside its administrative seat, Lone Moon City.
Without paying respects to the city's inhabitants, they disregarded all protocol and began the land survey with their tools.
Fields without enclosures were easy to survey. Anyone nearby who saw so many officials and soldiers dared not step forward to obstruct them.
Areas close to the prefectural city had little defense. However, further away from the city, the fields were surrounded by fences of manors.
"Is anyone there? Open the gate!"
"Who are you? What are you doing here?"
"We are imperial officials, ordered to conduct a land survey. Open up quickly and don't bring trouble upon yourselves!"
"...A land survey? How can this be?"
The steward inside the manor turned ashen. With a few household guards, he refused to open the gate, no matter what.
The officials outside grew impatient and directly summoned a military captain to explain the situation.
The captain nodded, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Interesting. They dare to stop us from entering? They have quite the nerve!"
"Brothers, smash this rotten wooden door for me!"
"Yes, sir!"
Over a dozen soldiers quickly advanced, swinging their weapons and kicking at the wooden door.
"You, you!"
The steward was terrified. He hadn't expected these officials to bring soldiers with them when conducting official business, and so many at that. The tax officials and other officials in the past were not like this!
"Quick, quick, go inform the master!"
Hearing the steward's shout, the household guards behind him scattered like smoke. Meanwhile, the steward, unaware of the situation, was still anxiously watching to see how long the wooden door would hold.
In reality, it only took a few breaths after he spoke for the wooden door to be destroyed.
Over a dozen fully armored soldiers rushed in. As soon as they entered, they grabbed him by the arms. The captain then slowly approached him.
He contemptuously patted the steward's face. "You scoundrel, you dare to obstruct imperial officials? You're asking for it!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he landed a heavy punch on the steward's abdomen, causing him to double over in pain, tears streaming down his face, his mouth opening silently.
"Pah~ What a pathetic creature. Let him go."
The captain spat disdainfully and waved his hand.
The group of officials walked in, passing the steward without even glancing at him.
The leading official said calmly, "Captain Qin, be a little careful with your actions. Don't kill anyone, it will be difficult to explain."
"Heh heh, Master Zhang, rest assured. I'm very familiar with this job. No one will die."
"Good, then I am relieved. If anyone else dares to obstruct us later, I will have to trouble Captain Qin again."
"No problem, it's my duty."
While the two were talking, they arrived at the entrance of the manor's house. The local gentry inside, his fat body trembling, scurried to greet them. "Oh my, what wind has blown your excellencies and generals here? Please, come inside and tell me your business. We have prepared fragrant tea and generous gifts."
"Heh heh~"
Special Envoy Zhang sneered and waved his hand. "There's no need to come inside. It's unnecessary. I've brought people here to survey the land. You should quickly retrieve your household land records and hand them over to me."
"A land survey? No, this is for real?"
"The court issued an imperial decree and public notice to the entire country some time ago. How could it be fake? Don't tell me you, a local gentry, know nothing about it."
"This, this, please wait a moment, sir. Come in and have a seat. I'll go get the land records immediately."
The gentry's expression shifted uncertainly. He glanced at the nearly a hundred soldiers standing behind the special envoy and could only reply in a low, submissive tone.
"No need. Be quick and return."
"Yes, yes, yes."
Special Envoy Zhang watched the gentry's retreating back and let out two cold laughs.
"Master Zhang, look at his cowardly demeanor. He's probably going to try and bribe you. Even if you don't accept the generous gifts, you could still enjoy some good wine and food. Why are you so unwilling?" asked Captain Qin, a little curious. It was rare to see an official who wouldn't even enter a house these days.
What other officials would do was enter, extort bribes, and then leave after enjoying food and gifts.
"Captain Qin, the Prime Minister specifically instructed us before we left that we cannot eat or drink indiscriminately when we are out. Otherwise, with the kind of thankless task we are doing, who knows if someone might take desperate measures and poison our food or drink. If that happens, even if the Prime Minister avenges us, we won't live to see it, will we?"
"Poison? Oh my heavens, you scholars are shameless. You don't dare to fight with swords and spears, but you resort to all sorts of dark and underhanded tricks. Uh, I'm not talking about you."
"I understand. In short, Captain Qin, you should also be careful."
Special Envoy Zhang said with a false smile, implying something.
Captain Qin nodded as if he understood.
After much dawdling, the gentry finally produced the land records, but it was certainly not the genuine copy, but the one they usually used to deceive the court.
Special Envoy Zhang paid no mind, took it, and led his men to work.