Chapter 1099 Guantian
Captain Hao of the garrison left without taking a piece of soil with him.
While saying goodbye to Sun Shan, he arranged for his men to transport the bodies out of the city.
Sun Shan was confused. Why were they leaving in such a hurry? Weren't they going to have lunch before leaving?
There is still half an hour before lunch, and we are in a hurry.
Sun Shan pretended to be polite and tried to persuade Captain Hao to have dinner with him.
Captain Hao waved his hand and said, "No, Magistrate Sun, we have been in Yuanlu County for several days and we have to go back to report. I will have dinner with Magistrate Sun again when I have the chance."
After saying this, he hurriedly led his men out of the city.
Although Sun Shan didn't understand why the guards left so quickly, he thought it would be better not to stay for dinner as it would save money.
As for the matter of suppressing bandits, Sun Shan always felt that there were some things he didn't know.
Alas, it’s a pity that Chenzhou Prefecture has no one of its own, so it’s difficult to find someone to spy on the information.
I can only blame myself for being new here and not having made full use of the land.
If I had been here long enough, I would have heard about it to some extent, and I wouldn't have to be so passive now.
Sun Shan recalled how Captain Hao left and felt very happy. It seemed that there should be no problem for him to do this.
I just don't know if it will be like this: the pigs weigh themselves, and help count the money after being sold.
After seeing the guards leave, Master Zhang immediately walked in and asked, "Master, what did the guards say?"
As a legal advisor, he should help his master solve his problems. Seeing Sun Shan frowning, the legal advisor felt that this matter was not simple.
As the saying goes, three cobblers are better than one Zhuge Liang. Sun Shan told the whole story of his meeting with Captain Hao.
He asked doubtfully, "Do you think there are any problems with the bandits we caught? The guards came here in person this time, and they seem to take these bandits very seriously."
Master Zhang also frowned like Sun Shan, shook his head and said, "Master, I don't know either."
Then he caught the point and asked, "Master, Captain Hao said he would not forget you. Does that mean he wants to give you a benefit?"
Usually when people say this, it is either a threat or an offer of benefit.
Obviously Captain Hao meant the latter.
Sun Shan nodded and said, "I don't know either. But Captain Hao was very happy when he left. But I don't know if this is the benefit we want."
The so-called benefits are either fame or profit, and I don’t know what Captain Hao is referring to.
Hey, why can't we be more clear-headed when dealing with people and doing things?
It’s really hard to guess in this way.
Sun Shan shook his head and said, "Forget it. I won't bother with it. Let's just leave this matter of the bandits alone."
Then he whispered, "Master Zhang, the guards are here, County Magistrate Wang will definitely be paying attention. He must want to know what happened. County Magistrate Wang has connections in Chenzhou Prefecture, so it's much easier for him to get accurate information than us. When you have time, talk to County Magistrate Wang more and find out more so that we can have a better idea."
It would be great if County Magistrate Wang was one of our own. Just write to Chenzhou Prefecture and ask. I believe we will know soon.
Sun Shan sighed again. Being an official in a strange place was like floating on the water, with no place to settle down.
It would be much easier to be an official in Guangnan. Or to be an official in the capital, you would have connections.
Master Zhang immediately accepted the order: "Yes, Master, I will get along well with County Magistrate Wang."
Try to find out the truth carefully.
Master Zhang took out another land deed and said, "Master, this is the land deed for the mountain behind Da Niao Village. That piece of mountain has no owner. It currently belongs to the government office."
After a pause, he added, "Master, these mountains can be bought and sold. Fortunately, we took them here. If someone gets the news, they might actually buy them back."
The main reason is that mountain land is cheap and the land tax is also cheap. Buying a large mountain is not as much as buying a few acres of land.
Master Zhang didn't know why Sun Shan wanted this piece of hill behind, but he knew it must be very important.
So I went to find the household registration office early in the morning and got the title deed.
I believe that the news of him getting the land deed will soon spread throughout the government office and will be known by those who are interested. But with the land deed in hand, it is difficult to buy or sell it.
Sun Shan looked at a large area of mountains behind the mountain and directly took over the uninhabited forest in the area and turned it into "government farmland."
The so-called official fields are not limited to plain areas, but also include different types of land such as mountains.
Including official land, returned official land, confiscated official land, cut off official land, school land, imperial farms, etc.
According to Daqian law, official land belongs to the state and buying and selling is strictly prohibited.
The ownership of these lands belongs to the state, and the farmers only have the right to use them but not the ownership.
Sun Shan was worried that the bird droppings in the mountain behind would attract prying eyes, so he directly designated the entire mountain as government property, which meant that no one was allowed to buy or sell it.
Of course, doing so only adds a small barrier. After all, if the right path is blocked, there are still many crooked ways.
It is impossible to completely prevent the powerful from snooping.
Those with a conscience would use the government land for permanent use through leasing.
The unscrupulous people directly use various methods to turn government land into private land, and then put it into their pockets with white gloves.
All Sun Shan can do now is to turn this piece of forest into government farmland, making it more difficult to turn it into private farmland.
Sun Shan said to Master Zhang, "Go to the household registration office and have the clerk immediately designate the entire area of forest as government farmland."
Master Zhang nodded quickly: "Yes, Master."
Then he asked, "Master, is it related to bird droppings?"
There were a few sacks of bird droppings in the backyard of the yamen. Fortunately, the backyard was big enough, so they were placed far away and the stench was not noticeable.
Master Zhang took a hasty look last night and had no idea what the bird droppings were used for. Now that he saw that Sun Shan had designated this piece of forest as government land and also marked it as prohibited to buy or sell, it was clear that the bird droppings were unusual.
Sun Shan said with a hint of joy: "Yes, these bird droppings are very useful."
With these bird droppings, we have primitive fertilizers, and with fertilizers, the grain yield in the fields can be increased.
Of all things, eating is the most important thing. Bandits are no match for the common people in terms of eating.
When Master Zhang saw Sun Shan smile, his tone was very cheerful, which shows that bird droppings are really important.
After looking around and finding no one around, he said with relief: "Master, why did you assign this piece of forest to the government land instead of..."
These words are indeed difficult to say, but as Lord Sun's advisor, his interests are the same as Lord Sun's. If Lord Sun is well, then he will be well too.
I suggested, "Master, why don't we buy this piece of forest?"
If Sun Shan can't buy it, he can find a white glove to buy it. If it is of great use, it will be better for Sun Shan to buy it.
Sun Shan had naturally thought about this question.
Firstly, he was an official from another place. If he bought it, it would be very conspicuous. Even with white gloves, people with ulterior motives would know it was him.
Secondly, the world is bustling with people, all for profit; the world is bustling with people, all for profit. Sun Shan's profit will inevitably lead to "group attacks".
Third, Sun Shan really had a spirit of "selflessness", thinking that the benefits to him and a few local gentry were not as good as the benefits to the common people. They were already living better than the common people, so why did they keep competing with the common people for benefits?
Fourthly, if the people of Yuanlu County live a good life, it will also help his official career. He should not only focus on this little benefit, but also climb higher. Otherwise, why would he be an official?