Western Capital, Henan Prefecture, Luoyang.
Before the Qi Dynasty, thirteen dynasties had established their capitals here.
During the Liang Dynasty, Luoyang, serving as the Eastern Capital, was one of the two most important cities in the country and represented the pinnacle of civilized cities at the ti.
However, by the end of the Liang Dynasty, after years of war, Luoyang suffered devastating destruction, and its forr glory was irretrievably lost.
In the Qi Dynasty, Luoyang continually recovered, and its prosperity eventually surpassed even Chang’an. It was designated as the secondary capital by the Qi Dynasty, second only to the capital city and ranking above the major northern city of Da Ming Prefecture.
At this very mont, Luoyang had beco a gathering place for the veterans and renowned scholars of the Qi Dynasty.
Most mbers of the old faction were also gathered here, regularly holding literary etings and discussing state affairs.
Wen Jun was in Luoyang working on his writings in a private garden nad "Dule Garden," which spanned twenty acres.
During the Qi Dynasty, the gardens of Luoyang were exceptionally flourishing, considered the best in the world. As an ancient imperial capital, Luoyang inherited traditions from previous dynasties and was blessed with beautiful landscapes and climates. With the assembly of nobles and large households, the trend of having gardens was prevalent.
The sumrs in Luoyang were unbearably hot, and to continue his writing, Wen Jun often secluded himself in a small room, sweating profusely. Therefore, he had a deep pit dug inside the room to construct a cool underground chamber, where he lit oil lamps and imrsed himself in his writing.
According to historical records, Wen Jun spent over a dozen hot sumrs in this underground cool chamber.
However, at this ti in Luoyang, Wen Jun did not isolate himself from the world; he constantly kept in contact with the mbers of the old faction.
Whether it was the regular literary etings or frequent visits by others, Wen Jun was always promptly inford of news from the court or about the implentation of new laws.
"Imperial Censor Wen is really indulging in elegance,"
Although Wen Jun did not stop writing, he recognized the visitor by his voice alone and responded, "Prefect Han doesn’t focus on implenting the new laws but cos to visit the ho of an exiled old official like ti and again, what brings you here?"
Previously, Wen Jun was the Right Censor, but he had later decided to seclude himself in Luoyang to focus on his writing, abstaining from politics and serving at the Imperial Censorate in the Western Capital.
The visitor was a key figure among the new faction, the Magistrate of Henan Prefecture, Han Que.
At that mont, Han Que smiled slightly, "Imperial Censor Wen is wise and brilliant, I’ve always admired you and aspire to emulate you, and also to share so insights from the process of reforming."
Wen Jun chuckled without comnt.
But his train of thought was interrupted, making it hard to continue writing. He set his pen aside and then said, "It’s May; the Green Seed Law should be preparing for the autumn loans."
Han Que nodded, "The list of farrs who applied for the autumn loans was confird the other day. I didn’t expect Wen Jianyi to be so well-inford about the new laws."
Wen Jun shook his head slightly, "A law that harms the people, how could I not know? It’s probably because your officials, in your enthusiasm to implent the new laws, have imposed heavy burdens on the people, resulting in so many green seed loans."
Han Que smiled, "You worry too much, Imperial Censor Wen; there’s truly none of that. According to the Green Seed Law, the green seed loans are completely voluntary; how could there be any forced imposition?"
Wen Jun looked at him skeptically, his expression saying "Who are you trying to fool?"
What integrity do these officials of the Qi Dynasty have, do I not know?
Seemingly guessing what he was thinking, Han Que said, "Imperial Censor Wen, indeed there were a few prefectures and counties where the magistrates forced the green seed loans. I have already reported this to the court, and they’ve been sternly dealt with.
"After making an example of a few, the other prefectures and counties probably got the ssage."
Wen Jun smirked coldly, "Pri Minister Wang won’t agree to your morial."
Han Que laughed cheerfully, "You guessed wrong, Imperial Censor Wen. Right after my petition, Pri Minister Wang imdiately approved and implented everything as I suggested.
"The dismissed and impeached magistrates have already been replaced by others. After all, what our Qi Dynasty doesn’t lack is officials."
Wen Jun was stunned, then picked up his pen again, "Prefect Han, don’t try to deceive . Although I seclude myself to focus on my writings, I am not oblivious.
"If you have co just to amuse , please leave."
Han Que laughed out loud, "Why would you say that, Imperial Censor Wen? I have always dealt with people honestly; why would I deceive you? If you don’t believe , send soone to inquire about the reputation of the Green Seed Law among the people, and you will naturally learn whether what I say is true or not.
"Please continue with your writings, Imperial Censor Wen; I will take my leave now."
Han Que left leisurely.
Although Wen Jun held his pen as if he was about to continue his writing, after deep reconsideration, he finally put the pen down.
His mind was entirely occupied by what Han Que had said about the new laws; how could he still focus on writing?
Regarding the new laws, Wen Jun certainly had his own judgnts.
He believed that the implentation of the new laws would ultimately beco harmful to the people.
Firstly, he believed that the world’s wealth was finite; if not with the people, then it was with the officials. Increasing the national treasury revenue through the green seed loans would inevitably damage the people’s wealth.
Secondly, he was also well aware of what these officials of the Qi Dynasty were like. While Wang Wenchuan had indeed been very successful in implenting new laws locally, how many of these officials were like Wang Wenchuan? Even if Han Que was, what about the other magistrates and the county magistrates below them?
Thirdly, he was clear about what kind of person Wang Wenchuan was. The new faction at this ti simply did not have so many capable people; thus, the appointnt and removal of officials was bound to be highly arbitrary, and mostly turning a blind eye to the exploitation of people’s wealth.
But what Han Que told him completely overturned all his previous judgnts!
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