Liu Yang returned to the East Palace full of doubts. Everyone familiar with him knew that His Highness was in a very bad mood. All the way back to the palace and into the Hongde Hall in silence, Liu Yang still hadn't gotten over what he saw today. Obviously, he was greatly shocked by today's trip.
Wang Yue, the chamberlain, had been standing by the side. Seeing that His Highness the Crown Prince was deep in thought, although he was worried about his health, he did not dare to disturb him rashly. After a long time, just when Wang Yue plucked up the courage and planned to comfort him, Liu Yang had already regained his composure.
Looking at Wang Yue, Liu Yang said: "You have heard and witnessed what happened today, and you have seen all the details about him, right?"
Seeing that the prince finally spoke up, Wang Yue felt relieved. He took a step forward and said respectfully, "Go back to your highness, I'll take note of it!"
"Just make a note of it!" Liu Yang directly ordered: "Go and check what Liu Jichang said about the political affairs today to see if they are true! Also, send someone to keep an eye on Kaifeng Mansion to see what happens next!"
"yes!"
It is conceivable that the future life of Liu Jichang and Kaifeng Mansion will not be as easy as before. As an official, it is an honor to be remembered by the superiors. Jane cares about him, but if he is always being watched, there will only be pressure.
It's not that Liu Yang doesn't believe Liu Jichang's words, he may be a little skeptical, but his long career as a prince has made him develop the habit of caution, especially in governance, and he has always adopted a rigorous attitude.
The shortcomings he observed today were like a block in his mind. Naturally, he had to pay more attention to see what would happen next. If there was no reasonable solution to this matter, it would be difficult for him to feel free.
"Where's Wenji?" Liu Yang asked the second son after heaving a sigh of relief.
Wang Yue said: "It is said that the princess has already fallen asleep at her place!"
"Haha!" Liu Yang couldn't help laughing: "It seems that this kid is also tired today. Originally, I wanted to take him out for some fun, but it didn't work, but his legs suffered a lot. But it's okay, let's take a closer look. The suffering of the people is also good for him. After all, princes and grandsons cannot thrive in the palace and be raised in the hands of women..."
In the evening, Liu Yang arrived at Yuehua Courtyard and had been waiting for a long time. In the corridor, under the dim light of the palace lantern, accompanied by two maids, Xiao Chuo returned in a hurry. Upon entering, seeing Liu Yang sitting An Ran, he immediately bowed down and saluted.
"No need!" Liu Yang waved his hand, with a smile on his face: "Have you finished reading Wenji? Your son is safe and sound!"
"His Highness is joking!" Xiao Chuo came closer and sat down.
"I have some ideas about Wen Ji!" Liu Yang took Xiao Chuo's hand and said.
"Your Highness, please speak!" Upon hearing this, Xiao Chuo had a flash of surprise on his jade face.
"I think this son is well-behaved and sensible, with a gentle temperament, very much like me. But if he is too gentle, he will be weak. I intend to let him get more training and broaden his horizons. To put it bluntly, from now on, let him Have to suffer more, the palace is a comfortable place and is not conducive to its growth!"
Hearing this, Xiao Chuo thought for a while, then smiled and nodded: "Your Highness has considered it, and it should be so!"
This time it was Liu Yang's turn to be surprised: "He is not yet ten years old. As a mother, you don't feel sorry for him? When I mentioned this matter to the princess, she was very worried and concerned."
"At your age, Your Highness has already followed His Majesty in and out of the military, stepping on mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Compared to this, wouldn't Wen Ji be much more comfortable?" Xiao Chuo said.
"Haha!" Liu Yang couldn't help but laugh: "I forgot that your mother's temperament is very strong. It's a pity that her son is not like his mother, otherwise..."
Liu Yang didn't finish speaking. He sighed and looked tired. Seeing this, Xiao Chuo took the initiative and said: "Your Highness is going on a trip today, and you are tired after all. I have ordered someone to prepare a medicinal soup. Take a dip to relieve your fatigue!"
"good!"
The steam in the room was steaming. Liu Yang closed his eyes slightly and leaned against the tub. Xiao Chuo was waiting beside him, making the atmosphere a little more charming. However, Liu Yang suddenly asked: "You, the Xiao family, have been settled in Beijing for many years. To settle down, you must have purchased some land and property!"
After hearing this, Xiao Chuo immediately became more cautious and said, "Why does Your Highness ask this?"
"Just curious and asking casually."
Observing Liu Yang’s calm expression
, Xiao Chuo replied softly: "I live in the palace and have little involvement in the affairs of the Xiao family. However, I also know that the family has indeed purchased some land for management."
Liu Yang raised his eyebrows and said, "They are all asking who bought it? How much is it? The taxes on land transactions are quite a lot. Have you paid them all?"
There was something wrong with these words, and Xiao Chuo couldn't help but cautiously reply: "I heard my father mentioned that there are more than 500 acres of land. As for the tax money, how dare you leak it? Everything is in accordance with the laws of the imperial court."
In this regard, Xiao Chuo is still confident. The Xiao family has always maintained a style of law and order over the years, and Xiao Siwen is also very strict in running the family. He studies the court's regulations and legal provisions all year round to prevent breaking the law.
Liu Yang did not delve into the matter, but continued to ask: "You Xiao family came back from the north of the Great Wall. Although you have practiced Han family rituals, your strengths are horses after all. It is okay for you to herd horses and plow and hoe farming. Isn't it right?" It’s embarrassing. Besides, although five hundred acres is not a lot, it is still a large area. How do you manage it?”
Xiao Chuo said: "Although my servants are not good at it, they can learn farming. Every year during the busy farming season, I spend money to hire farmers. In addition, my family has also bought some Nanyang serfs over the years..."
"Oh?" Hearing this, Liu Yang frowned slightly: "Southern serfs, I heard that these southern natives are lazy and can do a lot of work!"
"That's just a lack of training! Of course, like farming, the common people are still more diligent and meticulous."
"Nanyang slave..." Liu Yang's thoughts seemed to be drifting away again, and he murmured.
"Nanyang slaves" is a term that has become popular in the Han Dynasty in the past ten years. It originally referred to the conquered indigenous people on the Indochina Peninsula. Later, the Han people went south to Nanyang in a large scale, and more and more Nanyang indigenous people in a wider range were also raped. Take advantage of.
As the name suggests, these Nanyang slaves came to the Han Dynasty just to be slaves. They had no status at all. At first, they mostly served as official slaves and worked hard for some large-scale projects. Later, some people among the people also began to try to buy and use Nanyang slaves.
The imperial court has never had a clear explanation for these foreign aborigines, and there have always been some restrictions on their use. However, over the years, there are now hundreds of thousands of Nanyang slaves in the Han Dynasty, scattered throughout the country.
They are active in factories, workshops, mines and even the homes of some wealthy businessmen everywhere. Of course, it is rare to see the homes of the powerful. For the powerful, Nanyang slaves are not even qualified to serve them.
Finally opening his eyes, Liu Yang looked at Xiao Chuo, who was looking thoughtful and even hesitant, and smiled softly to comfort him: "You don't have to worry, I just thought of something and asked casually. I didn't mean to target the Xiao family. You Xiao There are always rules in the family, I know that."
Hearing this, Xiao Chuo responded in a low voice: "Your Highness is wise!"
"But, how many families like yours, the Xiao family, are there? How many of the other powerful families can live in peace and abide by themselves?" Liu Yang sighed leisurely again, with indescribable helplessness in his tone.
What did His Highness discover during his trip today? Seeing Liu Yang's emotion, Xiao Chuo thought to himself, obviously, there is definitely a reason for such a sentiment.
I just mentioned the land transaction. Could it be a merger issue? Xiao Chuo started thinking and made some guesses, but he didn't ask rashly. In this regard, Liu Yang always took the initiative to say it. If he didn't say it, Xiao Chuo never asked.
