Holding the Emperor Hostage : Chapter 47 Arrival at Ji County

The capital of Yan was Ji County in Youzhou, also the final destination of the imperial court’s relocation journey.

There were two routes from Bingzhou to Ji County.

One was from Shangdang out through Huguan Pass, east through the Taihang Mountains to reach Ji County.

The other route was from Taiyuan to Jingxing, again east through the Taihang Mountains, then passing through Changshan Commandery and Zhongshan Commandery, finally reaching Ji County in Youzhou.

Shengtu Yang had originally wanted to take the Shangdang to Huguan Pass route. However, when he saw that Yin Shuhuai was quite interested in Bingzhou’s environment, and had even sent Imperial Household Department personnel out to survey Bingzhou’s terrain and local products, he temporarily decided to have the main army change course to Taiyuan Commandery, then exit Jingxing from Jinyang, pass through Changshan Commandery and Zhongshan Commandery in Jizhou to reach Ji County. This way, the Imperial Household Department personnel could not only understand Bingzhou’s situation, but even survey part of Jizhou’s situation at the same time.

To help Yin Shuhuai quickly familiarize himself with local customs and conditions, Shengtu Yang also had various local officials such as commandery governors, provincial inspectors, and magistrates bring their local household registers, maps, and legal documents to meet with His Majesty, ordering them to actively cooperate with the Imperial Household Department’s survey activities.

Regardless of what private intentions Shengtu Yang harbored, this series of actions rather carried the flavor of a loyal minister in troubled times. Even the civil and military officials who had been constantly slandering him before the emperor felt embarrassed to say Shengtu Yang harbored treasonous intentions.

Only, with this arrangement, the already slow moving relocation army’s pace became even slower.

It wasn’t until three months later that the relocation’s main force finally arrived at Yan’s capital, Ji County in Youzhou, before the first snowfall.

The Yan officials who had long received the news stood respectfully thirty li outside the city gate, welcoming the imperial carriage. The one at the very front was precisely Yan’s current chancellor, Yao Wenruo.

Yao Wenruo had originally been Shengtu Yang’s military advisor, and was also one of the eight hundred fierce men who followed Shengtu Yang in fighting through the Xiongnu. He was deeply valued and trusted by Shengtu Yang. One year ago, Yao Wenruo followed Shengtu Yang who was marching to rescue the emperor into Luoyang. After Shengtu Yang became chancellor, he managed finances and grain in the chancellor’s residence.

Later, when Shengtu Yang discovered that the farming tools and agricultural techniques invented by the Imperial Household Department could increase grain yields, he sent Yao Wenruo to lead Imperial Household Department craftsmen and tenant farmers from the imperial estates who were skilled at cultivation back to Yan. He also gave Yao Wenruo the order to construct palace buildings in Ji County.

Yao Wenruo spent half a year promoting improved farming tools, water powered spinning wheels, and new composting techniques throughout Yan’s commanderies. He constructed new palace buildings modeled after the Luoyang imperial palace. During this period he also mobilized troops from Youzhou and Bingzhou to cooperate with Shengtu Yang’s army suppressing rebels in attacking Jizhou and Qingzhou, providing grain and logistical support for Yan’s iron cavalry. After the rebellion suppression ended, he arranged for Shengtu Yang’s trusted followers to take control of the various commanderies and counties in Jizhou and Qingzhou, expanding Yan’s strategic depth…

Just as he finally finished with these matters, Yao Wenruo received Shengtu Yang’s secret order. He was to take advantage of the army’s return to the capital to lead Yan’s main force to surround Nanyang Commandery and Henan Yin, forcibly relocate all local powerful families to Bingzhou, and use this to coerce the court into moving the capital to Youzhou.

After Yao Wenruo returned to Youzhou, he immediately dispatched heavy troops to garrison Shangdang Commandery, to receive the Yan army that had “kidnapped” the aristocratic families.

Once the hostages were in hand, Yao Wenruo personally led the main force to escort the aristocratic families (including their property) back to Ji County. While settling the aristocratic families, he also gathered Yan’s officials to welcome the imperial carriage. He also mobilized corvée labor in Ji County, having Xiongnu slaves and the servants of aristocratic families construct houses for the common people from Guanzhong and Henan Yin to live in.

Shengtu Yang’s relocation of the capital with the emperor in tow this time not only emptied out the entire city of Luoyang, but even swept clean the common people from Guannei, Henan, and other areas. The population and supplies brought back were countless. These people and goods all needed to be settled as quickly as possible. Especially the millions of common people who voluntarily followed the emperor in relocating to Youzhou. They absolutely had to build heating shelters for them before winter snow fell. They also had to distribute farmland to them according to household registration population.

“I already discussed it with His Majesty. Youzhou is bitterly cold. Since these common people voluntarily followed us to Youzhou, we can’t mistreat them. We must distribute farmland to them ten times the amount they had in Guanzhong and Luoyang. The court will also freely lend farming tools and oxen to the common people…”

Youzhou was vast with sparse population, not having that many people. However, Youzhou’s land was fertile with high grain yields, and was a natural horse pasture. Therefore the local common people not only had fierce and tough folk customs, but were also skilled with bow and horse. The young men of every household could ride and shoot on horseback. Even the young women knew how to ride horses and herd livestock.

Last year Shengtu Yang led Yan’s main force to sweep through the Xiongnu, bringing back countless cattle, sheep, and horses. These cattle, sheep, and horses after a year of careful tending had multiplied into even more livestock. Plus all the two ox straight shaft plows originally used in Yan had been changed to curved shaft plows that one ox could pull, greatly saving draft animal power. The remaining oxen were even more numerous. Taking them out to distribute to common people from the Central Plains who had no oxen could not only quickly increase Yan’s arable land and grain yield for the coming year, but also win people’s hearts.

Sure enough, when they heard the news that the court would distribute oxen, farmland, and houses to the common people, the common people who had originally complained greatly about Youzhou’s harsh environment immediately beamed with joy. They never said Youzhou was bad again.

In comparison, the court officials who had finally reunited with their clans and relatives felt even worse.

Because during the forced relocation of aristocratic families to Ji County, Yao Wenruo had actually confiscated all the stored grain and cloth of the major aristocratic families. He only left them with enough food to not starve, and gold, silver, and jewels that couldn’t be eaten or drunk. His vicious intention of weakening the powerful to enrich Yan was completely exposed.

However, the aristocratic families feared Yan’s strong soldiers and horses, and didn’t dare argue with Yao Wenruo. They could only watch helplessly as Yan’s bandits robbed them of the money, grain, and cloth they had accumulated over many years. Having finally endured until family reunions, the aristocratic families who had been swallowing their anger could no longer hold back. Hugging their husbands and sons, they began wailing and crying, complaining that Chancellor Yao was so overbearing and domineering, directing soldiers to forcibly rob the common people.

So on the second day after the court relocated to Ji County, Yin Shuhuai was blocked in the Chongde Hall of the new imperial palace by the court officials who came to file complaints.

Yin Shuhuai, “…”

Ever since suppressing the rebellions in Qing, Xu, Yan, and Ji four provinces, Shengtu Yang’s troops had already expanded to over seven hundred thousand. The grain and supplies needed by these seven hundred thousand troops were no small matter.

The aristocratic families had accumulated enormous wealth through heavy taxation and oppression of common people everywhere, yet didn’t have sufficient military force to protect their property. Being robbed of all their grain and cloth by Yao Wenruo leading Yan’s iron cavalry. This kind of the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind situation, even if brought before Yin Shuhuai, he wouldn’t care.

On one hand, it was because Yin Shuhuai had long been displeased with those profit obsessed aristocratic families who didn’t heed court edicts, and was happy to see them suffer misfortune. On the other hand, it was because the aristocratic families had managed local areas for over six hundred years, their foundation was simply too strong. Even though Shengtu Yang caught them off guard, tied everyone up and brought them to Youzhou, and cut off their roots controlling local areas, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse.

Yao Wenruo leading Yan’s army to rob the aristocratic families’ grain and cloth, on one hand wanted to divert this batch of money and grain to relieve the seven hundred thousand troops’ grain logistics and settle the common people from Guanzhong, Luoyang, and other areas who followed the emperor in relocating to Youzhou. On the other hand, it was probably also to restrict the aristocratic families’ movements by limiting their money and grain.

After all, an aristocratic family with an empty rice jar, worrying about daily rations, compared to an aristocratic family with abundant money and grain, their minds full of causing trouble, clearly the former was easier to control.

Actually Yin Shuhuai was also quite worried that the aristocratic families forcibly relocated to Ji County would seize opportunities to make trouble. Now that Yao Wenruo had taken action to rob the aristocratic families’ money and grain, it happened to suit Yin Shuhuai’s thinking. How could he force Shengtu Yang to return the money and grain for this group of aristocratic families who weren’t of one mind with him?

Having received Yin Shuhuai’s tacit support, Shengtu Yang’s attitude toward the aristocratic families became even more forceful. “So what if we eat some of your grain? Nowadays the world is in chaos with war and famine everywhere, bandits and rebels causing trouble all over. My Yan army escorted your clans and relatives safely from Henan commanderies to Youzhou. The people eat and the horses chew along this road. Doesn’t that need money? Even if you hired armed escorts, you would have to pay them, right?”

“Duke of Yan, don’t twist words and force logic.” Commandant of the Palace Guards Wang Su said indignantly. “My Wang clan has lived peacefully in Nanyang Commandery since the founding of the Yin dynasty, for over six hundred years now. If you hadn’t secretly dispatched Yan’s army to forcibly abduct my clansmen to Youzhou…”

Shengtu Yang impatiently interrupted Wang Su’s words. “Then count yourselves unlucky. But compared to being unlucky, you’re still much luckier than the powerful families of Qing, Xu, Yan, and Ji four provinces.” As soon as these words came out, all the court officials showed expressions of resentment. Who didn’t know that the aristocratic families of Qing, Xu, Yan, and Ji four provinces had all been wiped out by Shengtu Yang in one go. Not only were most of the people killed, but their family wealth was also entirely confiscated. Shengtu Yang saying these words at this time was undoubtedly using the fate of the four provinces’ aristocratic families to threaten the major aristocratic families.

The major aristocratic families deeply understood the principle that under someone else’s roof, one must bow one’s head. Seeing Shengtu Yang’s attitude was so overbearing, they no longer haggled over Yao Wenruo returning the money and grain. They changed the subject, beginning to discuss how the court would settle the major aristocratic families. They had heard that Shengtu Yang offered extremely generous settlement conditions to the common people from Guanzhong, Luoyang, and other areas. Not only were houses and oxen given for free, but farmland was given tenfold.

Yin Shuhuai, “…” This Yan map is rather too short!

Shengtu Yang was even more speechless. He knew this bunch wasn’t holding anything good, but he also truly needed to win over the aristocratic families to serve him.

There’s a saying that fits well. A melon forcibly twisted may not be sweet, but it quenches thirst. Their Yan was vast with sparse population. What they lacked least was land. Not to mention that since Shengtu Yang succeeded to power, he struck north against the Xiongnu, marched south into the Central Plains, and under the banner of suppressing rebellion for the court, successively took Qing, Xu, Yan, and Ji four provinces. Now even Guanzhong, Henan, and Longxi commanderies were all under Yan iron cavalry’s control. The actual controlled territory was so vast that for at least a hundred years there would be no worry of land consolidation.

What Shengtu Yang worried about most right now wasn’t the aristocratic families consolidating land, but fearing they wouldn’t be willing to invest financial and material resources in reclaiming wasteland and farming. As long as the aristocratic families were willing to cooperate, Shengtu Yang would also return the favor. At least no taxes on aristocratic families and nobles for five years.

The aristocratic nobles dismissed this with contempt. Since they dared to open their mouths, what they wanted was certainly not just this bit of land.

Their thinking was actually quite easy to understand. Since their entire clans had been packed up and brought to Youzhou by Shengtu Yang, they couldn’t run away either. They might as well recommend their clan’s young men to serve in office in Youzhou. Under the name of assisting the Son of Heaven, first seize the important positions in Ji County and even the various commanderies and counties of Youzhou and Bingzhou, then gradually scheme for more.

The major aristocratic families were secretly harboring intentions of the cuckoo occupying the magpie’s nest. Shengtu Yang was fully aware but didn’t take it seriously. He was confident in his strong soldiers and horses, and Yan was originally his old nest. Now the officials serving as local administrators in various places were all his trusted followers. If those aristocratic officials worked honestly and steadily, that would be fine. If they dared to cause trouble under his nose, the blades of Yan’s young men were also quite sharp!

Yin Shuhuai watched everyone’s performance, then said calmly, “Now that the court has relocated to Ji County, the most important matter is settling millions of common people. Since all you gentlemen wish to recommend the worthy without avoiding relatives, then let your family’s young men work together with Yan officials to take charge of settling common people, registering households, distributing farming tools and farmland, and other matters.”

The court officials still wanted to say something more, but Yin Shuhuai waved his hand. “Start from the grassroots level. Only after the most basic matters are done well can the court dare to entrust them with more important tasks.”

Shengtu Yang added coolly, “This matter involves the livelihood of millions of people. It’s no small matter. His Majesty trusts you. You must not betray His Majesty’s trust. Don’t repeat the four provinces’ downfall.”

Shengtu Yang’s words carried thick warning and killing intent. The court officials hearing this felt a chill, and couldn’t help but begin calculating inwardly.

Having finally pacified the aristocratic families, Yin Shuhuai also began to settle the Imperial Household Department and imperial estate personnel.

As everyone knew, Youzhou had abundant coal and iron resources. And according to later generation research reports, the higher the sulfur content in coal, the lower the coke quality. Using this kind of coke to smelt steel would directly affect steel quality and increase blast furnace slag output. And most of Youzhou’s coal mines were low sulfur and ultra low sulfur coal with particularly little sulfur content. Weapons forged using this kind of coal would be even tougher and sharper. This was also an important reason why Youzhou had strong soldiers and horses since ancient times.

Yin Shuhuai brought all the Imperial Household Department and imperial estate personnel to Youzhou, planning to reopen coal mines and textile workshops in Youzhou. Besides this, he would also build breeding farms in large quantities according to local climate and geographical conditions. The main animals raised in the breeding farms would be pigs, cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks, and geese. Surrounding the breeding farm livestock, the Imperial Household Department and imperial estates could also build various handicraft workshops.

For example, pig pancreas could be used to make the pig pancreas soap that later generation transmigrators absolutely must have. Actually soap wasn’t a modern person’s invention. In the Ming dynasty, Hu Wenhuan recorded a “fragrant soap recipe” in his book “Fragrant Cases and Moist Colors,” and would add spices like patchouli and nardostachys powder during production. These medicinal materials could not only make the soap more fragrant, but also had the effects of dispelling wind and moistening skin. Yin Shuhuai should be thankful that he transmigrated to a time ancient enough. If he had arrived after the Tang and Song dynasties, he probably wouldn’t have much room to show his abilities.

Besides this, wool could be spun into felt and yarn, used to make winter warming sweaters, wool pants, and blankets. Tanned leather could be used to make leather armor. Chicken, duck, and goose feathers could also be used to sew warm bedding…

As for what else these things could be used for, Yin Shuhuai didn’t ask much. He believed in the wisdom of working people, that they would thoroughly dig out every item’s usage through life and practice.

Yin Shuhuai was busy and bustling every day, living quite a fulfilling life. His performance instead left the Yan officials who were inclined toward Shengtu Yang at a loss.

Unlike what the Yan officials had imagined, the Yin Son of Heaven forcibly brought to Ji County by Shengtu Yang didn’t show too obvious resistance after arriving in Ji County. He just quietly stayed in the palace Shengtu Yang built for him, steadily farming and building infrastructure. He neither privately summoned Yan officials, nor held court sessions with civil and military officials every day. At most during daily leisure time, he would go to the coal mines and imperial estates outside the city to take a look. Urging Imperial Household Department and imperial estate personnel to quickly open coal mines and breeding farms.

Directly leaving the Yan officials who had been fully prepared and waiting, hanging on the sidelines!

Yin Shuhuai didn’t know the Yan officials’ little thoughts. He had been living quite well recently.

Probably because Shengtu Yang had given advance instructions, the Imperial Household Department didn’t encounter any encirclement or suppression from local officials and local powerful families during the process of rebuilding coal mines and textile workshops. During the construction of breeding farms, they even received vigorous assistance from officials in various Youzhou commanderies.

Yin Shuhuai had been a puppet emperor for over two years. This was his first time experiencing how great it felt to have no one holding him back, no one paying lip service while doing the opposite, everyone pulling toward one goal!

This was probably what the books called millions of hearts as one, everyone united as a city!

Yin Shuhuai was so happy that he immediately wanted to reward Shengtu Yang.

Hearing the news, Shengtu Yang cast aside matters at hand and hurried back to the palace.