Chapter 184

Chapter 184

Han Zhang wasn't some saint, but anyone who'd lived through later generations knew the importance of manpower and the people's loyalty.

So whether out of conscience or self-interest, he had to put a stop to the bigwigs of Yunyang grabbing common folks' land.

He'd let Tongpan Yang and the others squabble among themselves long enough—it was time to tighten the noose.

Once his mind was made up, Han Zhang didn't waste a moment.

The next day, he sent men out to dig up dirt—proof of the Yunyang big shots grabbing land and bullying the commoners, along with how many folks had been forced into becoming tenant farmers or even serfs over the years because of land seizures.

Of course, when it came to land grabbing, just about every big shot in that circle had their fingers in the pie.

So Han Zhang's targets were carefully picked—either guys who rubbed him the wrong way or ones blocking his path.

He hadn't known what he'd find until he dug in, and even he was taken aback.

Though he'd long figured these local bigwigs so far from the emperor's reach would act bold, the truth staring him in the face still blew past what he'd figured.

This crew of local bigwigs, headed up by Tongpan Yang, Tongzhi Zhou, and Secretary Xu, had taken "officials in bed with merchants" and "officials and nobles as one family" to a whole new level.

These guys acted like tin-pot emperors of Yunyang, banking on being far from the capital.

It wasn't a stretch to say every copper they spent was soaked in blood and lives.

But just having this dirt on them wasn't enough.

What Han Zhang wanted wasn't just to topple Tongpan Yang and a few others—he wanted to wipe out the whole powerful clans that were tied to them.

And to do that, he'd have to wipe out their entire families, all three and nine clans of them!

Couldn't blame him for being ruthless—these powerful families' roots ran deep and tangled. If he didn't take them all out in one sweep, they'd definitely cause him headaches once he was in charge.

And finding grounds to wipe out their nine clans wasn't hard either. In ancient times, smuggling grain, salt, iron, and other strategic goods was pretty standard for local big families. With greed like theirs, how could they ever pass up a money-making racket like that?

So the hard part wasn't coming up with a charge—it was digging up the proof.

This had Han Zhang losing sleep for days, racking his brains day and night for a way out.

Shen Qinglan came over with a bowl of nourishing soup, looking worried: "Husband, sure, you've got that amazing power so you don't need sleep, but staying wound up tight for so long still wears you out. No matter how important the work is, it can't beat your health."

"Besides, we're stuck in Yunyang for at least a decade or more anyway. Just take it slow and steady—why drive yourself like this?"

It was good that his husband was ambitious, but seeing him worn to the bone like this, he was genuinely worried.

Han Zhang knew his husband was just worried about him, but he had no choice. If he wanted to snatch the old emperor's dragon throne, he had to push hard these next few years.

He downed the soup, grabbed his husband's hand, and smiled reassuringly:

"It's fine, just a busy stretch for now. Once I really get a grip on the prefectural office and get things squared away, it'll be a lot easier. Besides, with you by my side to brighten my study, forget losing a bit of sleep—I'd happily move mountains and dig rocks for you."

"You're such a smooth talker, always knowing how to sweet-talk me." Shen Qinglan couldn't help the smile tugging at his lips as he came over to knead his husband's shoulders, asking with concern, "What's got you so worked up at the office, husband? Tell me about it."

Sure, he didn't know much about politics, but his dad was an official, so he'd picked up a thing or two growing up around it. Maybe he could even give his husband a tip or two?

Three nobodies can outthink a genius, as the saying went. Even if he couldn't come up with a brilliant plan, he could at least comfort his husband and cheer him on from the sidelines like a hype man.

Except for the rebellion stuff, which he couldn't spill yet without making his husband worry himself sick, there was nothing to hide about these matters.

Han Zhang just laid out his problem in simple terms.

"The only way to root out these big families for good is to get my hands on their smuggling ledgers for salt and grain. But... from the moment we got to Yunyang, I've been using my power to control plants and keep tabs on them, and after all this watching, I've still got nothing."

"I don't know where the ledgers are stashed. Even if I can slip into their places without a sound, it's pointless if I don't know where to look."

"If I can't track down those ledgers soon, I'll just have to take out Tongpan Yang and the rest first, then slowly deal with the clans attached to them."

But that'll just pile on more headaches later.

Shen Qinglan thought for a moment, then said:

"Husband, I can't guess where they'd hide the ledgers either. But I do know a few of my dad's favorite secret compartments and mechanisms. Why not try searching based on his habits?"

"After all, there are only so many places to hide things—just a handful of clever tricks. Maybe they thought the same way as my dad, and we'll get lucky."

Han Zhang was surprised: "Beloved, your father told you things like that?"

His father-in-law didn't seem like the type to discuss such matters with his son.

Shen Qinglan nodded matter-of-factly: "My dad certainly wouldn't have told me. But my mom doted on me the most."

"Back when my engagements kept falling through, my mom was afraid my dad might send me to the family temple when she wasn't watching, so she told me all these secrets—so I'd always have something to hold over him."

Han Zhang: "..."

No wonder his beloved was resented at home—his mother-in-law was indeed quite partial.

But since the partiality favored his beloved, that was perfectly fine.

Father Shen: ...Spoiling a son ruins him!

Still, Han Zhang couldn't help clapping his hands and laughing: "That makes sense. My father-in-law has been an official for years and is shrewd and experienced. Whatever hiding spot he'd come up with would definitely be one of the most secretive options."

"Beloved, you're getting smarter and smarter."

Shen Qinglan rolled his eyes: "Husband, are you saying I wasn't smart before?"

"No! My beloved is the smartest—I misspoke, I deserve a beating."

Han Zhang wouldn't dare agree. He immediately admitted his mistake, reached out to pull his lover into his arms, planted two kisses on him, and laughed apologetically, "Please, my beloved, be magnanimous and forgive me this once. Alright?"

Only then did Shen Qinglan's annoyance turn to delight. He tilted his other cheek forward and said, "...This side too."

"Beloved, you know you're rewarding me, right?"

Han Zhang scooped him up and carried him toward the nearby daybed.

Shen Qinglan was no longer naive. Seeing this, he immediately buried his face in his husband's shoulder, blushing:

"Husband! Th-this is the study! And... and it's broad daylight—what would people think!"

If word got out that they'd been intimate here, what would become of his dignity as the principal consort?

"No worries—it's our own home, no one would dare gossip..."

Han Zhang smiled as he leaned over, and though he said that, he still used his power to seal off the sounds from the study.

He was a modern man with open views, but ancient society valued propriety and demanded decorum from a principal wife. Better to be cautious.

Han Zhang kissed Shen Qinglan's ear and whispered, "I've sealed this room with my power, so Qiao Dong and the others can't hear us."

"Really?"

"Really, if I'm lying, I'm a dog."

"Then... alright then."

Once he heard there was nothing to worry about, Shen Qinglan blushed and nodded.

His husband was a fast learner, and he'd never had a bad experience in that department, only pleasure, so he still looked forward to it every time.

The young couple was full of energy, and soon the room was filled with intimate sounds.

Another wonderful, loving day!

...

Following Shen Qinglan's advice, Han Zhang started spending his nights sneaking onto the rooftops of Tongpan Yang and others' homes. After several days of searching, he finally found the hidden ledger.

Overjoyed, he came home, pulled Shen Qinglan into his arms, and nuzzled him affectionately.

This woke Xiao Tao'er, who had been dozing in his father's arms. Seeing Han Zhang hogging his father again, he burst into indignant wails that only stopped when Han Zhang backed off.

"You little brat, your dad is my husband—can't I even kiss him?"

Han Zhang angrily swatted the little boy's butt twice for fighting him over his husband.

Xiao Tao'er, not backing down, let out "ah, ah, ah..." and flailed his little arms and legs with surprising strength, playfully wrestling with Han Zhang.

Shen Qinglan watched the father-son duo from the side, laughing so hard he doubled over, and said, "Husband, please spare him. Our Xiao Tao'er isn't even a hundred days old yet. Aren't you embarrassed to be arguing with a baby?"

"With his clever, bossy nature, how can we treat him like a regular baby? If I don't start teaching him properly now, won't he end up walking all over me in the future..."

Even as he scolded, Han Zhang had already scooped the crying little one into his arms, bouncing him with practiced ease, then lowered his head to kiss the chubby, tear-stained cheeks, his eyes full of tender affection.

The child his husband had given him—how could he ever really bring himself to discipline him?

After sorting, transcribing, and mulling over the evidence for days to make sure everything was airtight, Han Zhang changed into plain clothes and went to see Jiang Liu, who was still recovering from his injuries.

He dismissed his attendants and, without any beating around the bush, got straight to the point:

"Do me a favor, and I'll help your branch of the family break away from the main household, so your grandparents can't use their seniority to control who you marry. How about it?"

"What would you have this humble one do, my lord?"

The offer was too tempting to refuse, but Jiang Liu figured whatever Han Zhang wanted wouldn't be easy, so he cautiously tested the waters.

He knew it was pointless to ask—the man was the Lord Prefect, and he was just a common lad with no room to refuse—but he still wanted to try.

"Not bad, you've got guts..."

Han Zhang nodded in praise, then said gently, "It's nothing big. I want you to publicly accuse Secretary Xu, Tongpan Yang, and the rest of corruption, seizing farmland, forcing people into slavery, and secretly selling salt and grain to the enemy."

"W-what?!"

Jiang Liu's face went white, his lips trembling as he instinctively took a half-step back, his eyes full of terror and inner turmoil.

Even though he was just an illiterate farm boy who knew little about the law, he knew that secretly trading salt and grain with the enemy was treason!

Getting mixed up in something like that, and accusing those local bigwigs... He didn't know if he'd survive, but his family would definitely face retaliation.

If that wasn't a big deal, what was?

He really hadn't expected this Lord Han, with his handsome face and gentle demeanor, to be such a barefaced liar!

"L-Lord..." Jiang Liu's knees gave out, and he hit the ground with a thud, his voice shaking uncontrollably. "This humble one is as worthless as a blade of grass—how could I dare to speak of such grave crimes... I'm afraid I wouldn't even make it to the yamen steps before I..."

Han Zhang sat upright in his chair, calm as ever, as if he'd expected this reaction.

"Scared?"

Jiang Liu bit his lip and shook his head desperately, but his trembling body gave him away.

"Since I'm bold enough to have you file the accusation, I'm confident I can protect your whole family."

"As they say, two tigers can't share one mountain. I'm the Prefect of Yunyang, so what happens in Yunyang Prefecture is mine to decide. Secretary Xu and his bunch have overstepped their bounds, and I don't like it one bit."

Han Zhang's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a bone-chilling coldness: "I have a peculiar temper. Anyone who rubs me the wrong way, I like to send their entire clan—all nine generations—to meet their maker."

"I get that you're afraid of Secretary Xu's revenge, but why don't you get that I could send your whole family to meet the King of Hell this very moment?"

"My lord..." Jiang Liu's face was ashen; he had no choice.

Because being weak was the original sin.

He was like that, and Han Zhang had been too, once.

Seeing that he was frightened, Han Zhang resumed a gentle demeanor and comforted him:

"I know empty promises don't mean much to you. But I'm not the type to burn bridges. If you do great things and I turn around and throw you under the bus, who'd ever want to work for me in the future?"

"Once this is done, you won't just escape your current mess—good fortune will follow."

"But if your disloyalty ruins my plans, I can't say whether Secretary Xu and his crew will spare your family out of gratitude for your 'redemption.'"

With that, Han Zhang paused and added:

"Oh, by the way, the reason your cousin got into a dispute in the brothel and owed over three hundred taels was because Secretary Xu's relatives had their eyes on your family's thirty mu of fertile land."

"As long as Secretary Xu remains standing, your family will never know peace, until you become tenant slaves of the Xu family... There should be plenty of such examples in your village, right?"

Whether to take a gamble or to offend the enemy now and get his whole family killed on the spot—anyone would know which to pick.

Jiang Liu's face paled as he quickly weighed the pros and cons, and finally gritted his teeth and nodded:

"This humble one obeys, and I hope the lord will keep his promise in the future."

"Of course. Come closer, and I'll tell you what to do..."

Han Zhang nodded with satisfaction, then gave detailed instructions.