Outside the county of Ping'an, within the prefecture of Shuangyue in Shuangyue Prefecture, three carriages, five hundred Imperial Guards, and over a dozen palace maids and eunuchs came to a halt.
The most luxurious of the two carriages carried Princess Xinyue, while the slightly less opulent one held Chu Chen. The remaining carriage was for the accompanying officials.
Following the Empress's public declaration in court that Princess Xinyue was to be betrothed to Chu Chen, with an engagement ceremony to be held soon, the two could no longer share a carriage as they once did.
Both alighted from their respective carriages and exchanged a glance, smiling.
Chu Chen waved as a greeting and then called out, "Zhang Chengzhu, An Xian!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
Hearing Prime Minister Chu's call, the two quickly emerged from the crowd.
Chu Chen had brought them both along this time to teach them how to conduct themselves in the future.
After they paid their respects, Chu Chen nodded and instructed, "Well, you two shall stay by my side, observe, learn, and ask questions."
He casually checked their status panels.
[Character: Zhang Chengzhu.]
[Age: Thirty years old.]
[Realm: Martial Disciple Realm, Mid-stage.]
[Profession: Grand Historian of the Prime Minister's Office, Third Rank, Senior.]
[Talents: Golden tier - Reform and Innovation, Red tier - Iron-blooded Governance, Purple tier - Military Affairs Mastery.]
[Character: An Xian.]
[Age: Twenty-five years old.]
[Realm: Ancient Martial Realm, Late-stage.]
[Profession: Grand Marshal of the Prime Minister's Office, Third Rank, Junior.]
[Talents: Golden tier - Hundred Strikes to Break Captivity, Purple tier - Civil and Military Accomplishment, Purple tier - Command of a Region, Purple tier - Pacify and Stabilize the Nation.]
Both were talented individuals. Since Chu Chen officially became Prime Minister, he had appointed these two to serve in his office to assist him. Now, as Chu Chen was preparing to implement reforms, he intended to promote them to positions of importance based on their abilities.
"Yes, your subordinate understands."
The two spoke in unison, their hearts filled with excitement. They knew that as Prime Minister Chu was about to enact reforms, he had brought them along on this excursion, which almost certainly meant they would be heavily relied upon. They were naturally thrilled.
"Go, notify the local official in charge of land affairs in this county and have him gather all the farmers without their own land."
Chu Chen casually assigned a task to a junior officer and then said to Zhang Chengzhu, "Take four hundred Imperial Guards with tools to inventory and measure the land belonging to the Royal Merchant Guild. Mark it with flags."
"Understood!"
Zhang Chengzhu excitedly accepted the order and, with a wave, led four hundred Imperial Guards to begin their work.
Seeing him depart, Chu Chen then said, "You, take the remaining men and escort me."
An Xian cupped his fist in salute and accepted the order, his face also showing excitement.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, not only did the county's land official arrive, but so did the County Magistrate, County Lieutenant, and County Vice-Magistrate, along with other county officials, four squads of constables, and a hundred soldiers.
"Your subordinate Zhang Hun pays his respects to Prime Minister Chu!"
The County Magistrate, along with his subordinates, bowed respectfully with a ninety-degree bend.
"No need for such formality, rise." Chu Chen said, offering a supporting hand.
"Thank you, Prime Minister Chu."
After rising, the County Magistrate asked with unease, "Your subordinate was unaware of Prime Minister Chu's esteemed visit and thus did not offer a proper welcome. I beg your forgiveness!"
As he spoke, he prepared to bow again, but Chu Chen stopped him.
Chu Chen said impatiently, "Enough, I've already said there's no need for such formalities. I did not summon you here to waste time on trivial matters! If you continue like this, I will punish you!"
"Yes, yes, yes!"
The County Magistrate clasped his hands repeatedly in fear, cold sweat beading on his forehead. The other county officials also appeared visibly anxious. As a county directly under the capital, they were the first in the nation to learn of the reformist proposals Prime Minister Chu had put forth in court. With such significant matters at hand and Prime Minister Chu himself present, those with guilty consciences and past transgressions could not help but feel apprehensive and fearful.
Chu Chen glanced at the crowd behind the County Magistrate and said, "I have summoned you here today to request your cooperation in handling matters. This will take several days. You should return and make arrangements."
"Yes, your subordinate obeys."
The County Magistrate replied with a clasped fist and then beckoned to the chief clerk, instructing him to return and manage the county's daily affairs in his stead.
Following this, Chu Chen instructed the County Magistrate to send people to politely invite the laborers from the surrounding villages to gather here. Of course, Chu Chen did not trust their efficiency, so he dispatched five Imperial Guards to accompany them.
Less than an hour later, villagers from the surrounding areas, their faces etched with anxiety, arrived. At a rough estimate, there were about a thousand people. Most of these were farmers, many of whom were tenant farmers working for gentry in the county or towns; self-sufficient farmers were rare.
At this moment, familiar constables and soldiers stood guard around the perimeter, maintaining order. These farmers dared not speak out or cause a disturbance, merely looking nervously at the County Magistrate.
"Why are you all looking at me? This is Prime Minister Chu, the Prime Minister of our dynasty! Look at him!"
The County Magistrate, seeing the situation, immediately berated them loudly.
Princess Xinyue, standing beside Chu Chen, frowned at the County Magistrate's tone but remained silent, as Chu Chen had not yet spoken.
The farmers were startled, wondering why such a powerful figure as the Prime Minister had summoned them. However, they sadly assumed it could not be for any good reason. Chu Chen did not reprimand the County Magistrate's actions; he needed these people to understand who the true authority was.
As the farmers turned to look and began to murmur amongst themselves, Chu Chen called out with a strong voice, "Esteemed villagers, my name is Chu Chen, and I am the Prime Minister of Yunyue Kingdom. I have summoned you here today to inform you of a great matter and to seek your opinions."
"A great matter? How is that possible?"
The farmers were skeptical, their eyes numb and expectant as they awaited his next words. Seeing this, both Chu Chen and Princess Xinyue frowned. They had not expected these people to be so timid that they dared not even speak to officials. The County Magistrate became impatient, mentally cursing the "mud-legged" villagers and was about to scold them when Chu Chen raised his hand, and silence fell.
Chu Chen surveyed the scene and pointed to the vast expanse of farmland, saying, "You are all familiar with this land. The matter I wish to discuss today is related to this farmland."
"My lord, is the court going to impose more taxes?"
A farmer couldn't help but ask, his face pleading.
"My lord, we cannot bear any more taxes! If you increase them, we won't be able to survive!"
"Yes, my lord, please have mercy!"
The farmers erupted, immediately kneeling and begging for mercy.
"..."
Damn it, I didn't say that! Why are you all so scared?
Chu Chen took a deep breath and shouted, "I am not here to impose more taxes!"
"Really?"
The farmers stopped their kowtowing, still kneeling, their heads raised, not entirely convinced.
"I am the Prime Minister of the court, a first-rank official. If I say I am not here to impose more taxes, then I am not!"
After speaking, Chu Chen's tone softened, and he said kindly, "Esteemed villagers, please rise."