Hyper-Dimensional Player

Chapter 774 - 59: Feed the People! Rise of the Farming Clan (Part 2)

"Young master."

"Ahead lies Langzhou." (modern-day Changde, Hunan)

Sangmu's voluptuous and enchanting figure was veiled, appearing more seductive compared to the past, much like a ripe peach. She was now dressed as a native of the Central Plains, and with a touch of disguise, she seemed like the wife of a Hu merchant from the prosperous Tang era. Beside her were the youthful and vibrant Shui Chanu and Huo Chanu, also dressed as women, resembling concubines serving a primary wife.

"Hmm."

Duncan, clad in black, rode majestically, exuding a noble aura, accompanied by Mingjiao experts in disguise who protected him. He observed the crops and vegetables sown along the way with a hint of appreciation in his expression. Looking towards Sangmu, he softly asked, "Tell me, who governs this place?"

Duncan had been traveling in this world for almost a year, and it was his first time seeing such a stable and prosperous place.

Every face by the roadside radiated the joy of a bountiful harvest, the pure joy of the lower-class populace, which unexpectedly moved his heart, slightly easing his bottleneck in reaching the Dao Entrance Realm.

After a moment of recollection, Sangmu softly responded, "This place is under the rule of the Wuping Army."

"The current Military Governor is Zhou Xingfeng."

"He is a native of Wuling in Langzhou. In his youth, he was a rogue, often breaking the law, and was exiled as a soldier of the Jingjiang Army. Later, he fought bravely and was promoted to deputy general."

Sangmu, in charge of missionary affairs for the Da Ming Zun Jiao, was knowledgeable about the warlords across the nation.

Since the Late Tang Dynasty, the Central Plains have given rise to some compassionate figures, among whom Zhou Xingfeng was quite representative during the end of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.

However, his strength was far inferior to other warlords, and thus his historical presence wasn't as prominent.

Zhou Xingfeng came from a lower social class, understood the sufferings of the common people, and thus diligently aimed towards good governance, acting selflessly, even refusing to grant his relatives any official positions.

All the people he employed were clean and efficient, making governance simple and serving both officials and citizens well.

He led a frugal life, reducing expenses and savings, with his wife, Madam Yan, personally overseeing family agricultural production and regularly paying taxes.

Within four to five years, society stabilized, production developed, and the granaries were well-stocked.

It proved that as long as the rulers governed wisely, the people could lead good lives within three to five years, as their demands were minimal—just enough to fill their bellies without starvation, and there would be no uprisings or rebellions.

Zhou Xingfeng was born as a rogue and served as a local head during his early years in the countryside.

There are many anecdotes about him.

There's also a folk saying related to him that goes, "A virtuous wife keeps calamities away."

In his early years, Zhou Xingfeng committed crimes and suffered a facial tattoo as punishment.

After taking control of Hunan, his subordinates suggested that he use medicine to erase the tattoos to avoid ridicule from imperial messengers.

But Zhou Xingfeng dismissed it, saying, "During the Han Dynasty, the great general Ying Bu had facial tattoos and was called 'Tattooed Bu,' yet remained a hero in the eyes of the world. Why should I care about this?"

Yet, he wasn't perfect, often granting officials titles indiscriminately, leading to an overflow of high-tier empty titles like Sikun and Taibao.

Even more significantly, in the villages and marketplaces of Langzhou, numerous local tyrants held titles of Sikun and Taibao.

However, the wealth he gained from indiscriminately granting titles was never used for personal enjoyment; instead, he efficiently governed Hunan and surrounding areas.

Zhou Xingfeng's wife, Madam Yan, was quite renowned, known for her virtues throughout Jingnan.

She once advised him against wanton killing.

In response, Zhou Xingfeng angrily said, "This deals with external affairs, not something a woman of the inner house can meddle with."

Madam Yan was displeased by this, telling him, "Our tenant farmers have become complacent in agriculture due to your prominence. I need to return and supervise them."

She moved back to the countryside and stayed there, only returning to the city to deliver annual rents, stating, "Taxes belong to the state. If the commander exempts his own, how can he set an example for others?"

Zhou Xingfeng went to the countryside to visit Madam Yan, persuading her not to suffer so much.

She replied, "Have you forgotten the hardships we faced before you rose to prominence?"

Later, Zhou Xingfeng forcibly brought Madam Yan back to the residence.

Yet, Madam Yan insisted on leaving, saying, "Let me be frank. Your laws are too harsh, and you'll surely lose the people's trust. If disaster comes, it'll be easier for me to escape from the countryside."

Only then did Zhou Xingfeng restrain himself and stop wanton killings.

Ouyang Xiu once recorded: Xingfeng hailed from a farming family in Wuling, grew up poor and unscrupulous, often engaging in high-flown rhetoric. Upon settling in Wuling, he was frugal and self-disciplined but also bold and ruthless.

The local proverb says: A household with a virtuous wife does not encounter calamities.

As Zhou Xingfeng's wife, Madam Yan, could be deemed virtuous. Xingfeng conducted himself with thrift, treated the people with kindness, yet was never non-Hunan's outstanding scholar, though his laws were too severe, leaving no room for error, harboring crises at close quarters.

Madam Yan, while living comfortably, could foresee potential dangers, returning home to instruct farmers, managing humble responsibilities as a noble woman, recalling the past while living in luxury, was enough to admonish her husband, necessarily influencing society positively, achieving twofold goodness in one act.

Madam Yan's reputation resembled that of a beggar-empress of Jingzhou, only she could persuade Zhou Xingfeng against killing.

Such talent!

Just by hearing Sangmu recount some of Zhou Xingfeng's deeds, Duncan immediately classified him as top talent.

Differing from the demons and imps around him, Zhou Xingfeng was indeed someone capable of being a frontier official.

Noticing Duncan's admiration for Zhou Xingfeng, Sangmu softly said, "Your Majesty."

"If we could recruit Zhou Xingfeng."

"With the support of the Wuping Army, in the future, when we rise, we could quickly seize areas like Jingzhou."

"However."

At this, Sangmu's tone changed, cautiously saying, "He is not favored by the Daoist sects, having offended many of their powers."

Oh?

Hearing Sangmu's words, Duncan displayed a hint of curiosity and asked, "What happened?"