The Frontier Prince: Starting From Scratch - Chapter 36 - The People's Choice

“That man on horseback is Prince Yan. I’ve seen him before.”

“He’s quite the charming figure. The lives of Yan Prefecture’s people are in his hands now.”

“A hero indeed, so young yet able to topple both the Huang and Du families. Truly remarkable.”

“…”

At the Eastern Market, the execution ground was so crowded with people that not even a fly could squeeze through.

After members of the Huang and Du families were brought to the execution ground, Liu Fu reported to Zhao Xu, suggesting that he should make an appearance. After all, it was a great opportunity to elevate the status of Prince Yan’s Mansion in the hearts of Yan Prefecture’s people.

However, Xu Lie opposed the idea. The execution ground was chaotic, and he feared that someone with ill intentions might be hiding among the crowd, posing a threat to Prince Yan.

The two argued over the matter. But in the end, Zhao Xu decided to show up. In times of turmoil, hiding away would only invite contempt from others.

“Your Highness, please sit here.”

Upon Zhao Xu’s arrival, Liu Fu guided him to the main seat, while Xu Lie led the guards to maintain vigilance.

Zhao Xu didn’t sit down immediately. Standing before the main seat, he addressed the crowd, “People of Yan Prefecture, the Huang and Du families have been a scourge here for many years. Today, they have even dared to rebel, committing unforgivable crimes. I now hand them over to you for judgment, to denounce their sins.”

An elder spoke up, and the crowd outside the execution ground felt a surge of warmth in their hearts. The regional magnates had never treated them as human beings before. How could a prince be so approachable?

Some among the crowd were moved to tears. In the past, they faced only despair and suffering, knowing that no one in Yan Prefecture would stand up for justice. But now, things were different. Prince Yan had arrived.

Now, they had the chance to judge the regional magnates, something they never dreamed possible. In this unbelievable atmosphere, the execution ground fell silent. Every eye was fixed on Zhao Xu.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you believe me?” The sudden silence surprised Zhao Xu.

“Your Highness, let me speak first.”

As Zhao Xu finished speaking, an elderly man, dressed in rags and with white hair, supported by a cane, shakily stepped forward.

“I am but a worthless old man, unafraid of the magnates’ revenge.” The old man smiled brightly, pointing at a member of the Huang family on the execution platform.

“Huang Ren, do you remember taking my daughter as a concubine six years ago? My poor wife went to the government office to seek justice, but you bribed the officials, falsely accusing her of extortion, and had her beaten to death.” The old man cried out in sorrow.

The crowd was moved by his words. Those who knew the old man shouted in agreement, “It’s true!”

Zhao Xu looked towards the accused, a plump member of the Huang family, trembling in fear.

“Bring the old man’s daughter here,” Liu Fu ordered a soldier. The wives and concubines of the non-Huang and Du families were detained elsewhere. The soldier returned shortly with a woman.

Upon seeing the old man, the woman rushed into his arms, sobbing. The crowd watched intently.

“Bring Huang Ren forward for execution!” Zhao Xu commanded.

This was the first case; he needed to set a strong precedent so the people would have the courage to speak up.

“Spare me, spare me…” Huang Ren pleaded weakly, his voice barely audible.

An executioner stepped up behind him, and with a flash of the blade, a head rolled to the ground.

“Bravo!” Someone in the crowd shouted.

Then, the cheers spread like boiling water among the people.

The atmosphere grew intense as a villager stepped forward, pointing at a member of the Du Family. “Do you recognize me? My brother was beaten to death by you.”

Following him, a group of villagers surged forward, pointing fingers at the members of the Huang and Du Families standing on the execution platform, their eyes burning with hatred, and their voices raised in curses.

The crowd was instantly incensed.

Zhao Xu nodded in satisfaction and said to Liu Fu, “I’ll leave the rest to you.”

Liu Fu bowed, descended from the platform, and began recording the grievances of the villagers one by one.

Punishments were meted out immediately according to the accusations.

In a single day, over six hundred members of the Huang and Du Families were executed, more than a thousand were imprisoned, and two to three thousand were reduced to servitude.

As the sunset cast its glow, the villagers outside the execution ground were reluctant to leave.

They were ecstatic.

Not only because their grievances were avenged, but because Prince Yan was like a beacon in the night, showing them the dawn.

“From now on, if the people of Yan Prefecture have grievances, they may come to the Prince’s Mansion to beat the grievance drum. I will set up a grievance drum at the mansion’s entrance.”

In the hopeful eyes of the villagers, Zhao Xu offered them a reassuring promise.

“Your Highness is truly divine.”

“With Your Highness, the people of Yan Prefecture have hope.”

“Sob… Your Highness…”

“…”

As if orchestrated, the villagers knelt en masse.

They had no silver, no treasures, only their knees to express their gratitude.

“Please, rise.”

With so many kneeling before him, he dared not accept their homage.

Clearing his throat, he continued, “The lands of the Du and Huang Families have been confiscated. The servitude contracts of their tenant farmers are now void, and will be reissued under the Prince’s Mansion’s contract.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” The farmers who had tilled the lands of the Du and Huang Families trembled with excitement.

Zhao Xu continued, “The surplus land will be leased by the Prince’s Mansion on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, starting today, the people of Yan Prefecture may cultivate land at designated government locations, limited to six mu per household. The cultivated land will be exempt from taxes for three years, after which the Prince’s Mansion contract will apply.”

Though he had acquired the lands of two families, land in Yan Prefecture was still scarce.

He needed to find ways to increase the land available in Yan Prefecture.

Moreover, to prevent these lands from falling into the hands of regional magnates.

He maintained that the land would remain under the ownership of the Prince’s Mansion.

As for the three-year tax exemption, it was both a reward for those cultivating new land and a means to enrich the populace.

“Three years tax-free.” The villagers were instantly thrilled.

While the regional magnates wished to strip them of their last grain, Prince Yan was genuinely improving their lives.

The contrast made Prince Yan’s standing in their hearts unshakable.

Night gradually descended.

Xu Lie’s expression grew increasingly serious, and he said, “Your Highness, it’s time to return. Nighttime arrows are hard to guard against.”

Zhao Xu nodded and addressed the villagers, “Everyone, please return home. In a few days, the government office will issue decrees, and I hope you will follow them.”

“Farewell, Your Highness.”

“Your Highness, please return.”

“…”

The villagers began to shout enthusiastically.

Zhao Xu bowed to them and, under Xu Lie’s protection, headed back to the Prince’s Mansion.

Tonight.

Yan Prefecture was destined to be sleepless.

The villagers dispersed, those in the city returning home, those outside the city heading back as well.

At home, they would recount the day’s events and the words of Prince Yan to their neighbors.

Those who hadn’t witnessed the executions regretted missing out, but they could still feel the hope from the storytellers.

For the first time, they felt that the night wasn’t so terrifying.

Because dawn would eventually come.

Unlike the villagers’ enthusiasm, the regional magnates of Yan Prefecture were deeply frightened.

The plight of the Huang and Du Families was a nightmare for them.

They understood clearly that the days of the Zhang, Huang, and Du Families running rampant in Yan Prefecture were over.

Under Prince Yan’s rule, they had to tread carefully.

Even the Dong, Yang, and Lv families were apprehensive.

That night, they informed their clansmen not to violate the laws of the Dasong Dynasty.

Otherwise, they would be immediately handed over to the government.

At the Zhang Family.

Zhang Kang listened to Zhang Yue’s account, his expression growing increasingly grim.

“Remarkable, truly remarkable. To come up with such a plan, he might indeed become a major force in Yan Province.”

Gazing out at the night, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Zhang Yue nodded, recalling something, and respectfully said, “By the way, Lord Prefect, we have discovered how the night raid on the Prince’s Mansion was leaked…”

After hearing Zhang Yue’s explanation, Zhang Kang was shocked.