The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 377: Transition from Old to New (3)_1

Chapter 377: Chapter 377: Transition from Old to New (3)_1

Such a passionate man on the battlefield, how could he willingly allow others to tie his hands and feet?

"Father." Upon seeing Zhang Da spew out a mouthful of old blood and faint, all members of the Zhang Family wailed.

Chu Suifeng acted decisively and swiftly, punishing all involved residences. As for the side branches of the residences, all those involved were persecuted, while those uninvolved were unaffected.

Such actions greatly won the approval of the public.

The defection of Inspector Shi also led to an earthquake-like personnel change in the Inspector’s Office. At the same time, the newly emerging Bai Family, Ma Family, and Chen Family, within the shortest period, took over the business of the Zhang, Ji, and Xia families. However, these families did not accept all the business. Many businesses were distributed to other businessmen by Chu Suifeng.

In this way, the original structure of Feng City was completely broken.

Of course, aristocratic families like the Zhang Family and Ji Family have been rooted in the Northern Land for many years and are intricately present. Even though Chu Suifeng took action, some slipped through the nets. These people occasionally caused trouble, but with the presence of Si Jinhan, Sima Gong, and others, they could not cause any ripple before they were finished.

"My Lord, according to the spies, Prince Ling has eradicated many aristocratic families in the Northern Land." In the Capital City, at the morning court, the Grand Preceptor reported the recent news from the Northern Land to the Emperor.

"Prince Ling?" The Emperor at the head of the court frowned and asked, "Why did he do this?"

"Prince Ling initiated reforms in the Northern Land, encouraging people to reclaim more land. The aristocratic families disagreed with these reforms which infuriated Prince Ling, leading him to eliminate the opposition." The Grand Preceptor lowered his head and replied.

"Father, if Prince Ling encourages the reclamation of a large amount of land in the Northern Land and has a strong army in his hands, it will become more and more difficult for the imperial court to control him if he succeeds." The Crown Prince expressed his worries.

"He is my son, an official of the court, would he dare?" The Emperor was furious.

"Your Majesty, please calm down." An Imperial Academy Scholar gave a differing opinion, "The Northern Land has a cold climate, half of the year is winter. Even if Prince Ling encourages people to reclaim more land, the income will be meager. Considering that Your Majesty just issued a decree to replace the military salary and food provision with taxation, Prince Ling’s actions are justified."

"Your Majesty, the Northern Land has a cold climate. What can be farmed there are mostly beans. I can assure you that even if Prince Ling encourages people to reclaim large areas of land, the annual income will not increase much." The Minister of Agriculture also stepped forward.

"Father, in my opinion, the Northern Land is vast and sparsely populated with a cold climate and is harassed by the Tatars from the north. Prince Ling has managed the border city diligently for years and has kept the Tatars out. If the taxation cannot cover the military salary and the ration, it will definitely affect the safety of the border city." The Eighth Prince also spoke out.

The Crown Prince sneered at the Eighth Prince. "Are you blaming the Emperor’s decree, Eighth Brother?"

The Emperor’s face turned cold when he heard this. The Eighth Prince sighed internally but kept a solemn face. "Please discern, Father. I am just worried about the safety of the border city. You know better than I do how much tax the Northern Land can contribute. In recent years, due to frequent natural disasters in Jiangnan, the imperial court has taken on the burden of military salary and food provision in the Northern Land which has exerted great pressure on you. But if you want the horse to run, you must let it eat well. Prince Ling encourages the people to reclaim the land and farm, he just wants to make up enough food supply, so as to alleviate your worries."

Seeing the composed appearance of the Eighth Prince, and considering his unambitious history regarding court affairs, the Emperor weighed his thoughts and agreed with the Eighth Prince. "The Eighth Prince spoke very rationally. With Prince Ling guarding the border city, the Tatars in the North have always eyed our Daqin covetously, yet with him there, I have less worries. Since I have ordered Prince Ling to replace the military salary and food provision with taxation, let him manage his own fiefdom as he wishes."