Chapter 137 Establishing Authority Through Intimidation

Chen Shi (7-9 AM).

Dengzhou City, the office of the Prefectural Magistrate.

Lu Yan sat behind a table in the second hall, with a thick list in front of him.

This list is a detailed inventory of the Li family's assets, compiled by Hu Jingshui over a period of half a month.

"Master," Hu Jingshui reported in a low voice, standing to the side, "the Li family's assets have been fully inventoried. It's much more than Mr. Shen's initial estimate—we've discovered several hidden vaults belonging to the Li family, as well as some properties hidden under the names of relatives."

Tell me about it.

"153,000 taels of silver, 3,200 taels of gold, 50,000 taels of silver for jewelry, 30,000 taels of silver for silk and cloth, and 20,000 taels of silver for porcelain and antiques," Hu Jingshui said. "In addition, there are 47 shops, 23 boats, 1,200 mu of farmland, and 12 residences."

"What's the total?"

"The cash and the silver equivalent are approximately 280,000 taels," Hu Jingshui said. "The shops, boats, land, and houses are estimated at market value to be around 150,000 taels. The total is 430,000 taels."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yan raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Four hundred and thirty thousand taels?"

"Yes," Hu Jingshui said; "The Li family has been operating in Dengzhou for three generations, accumulating astonishing wealth."

Lu Yan nodded and pondered for a moment.

"According to the rules, these assets must be reported to the imperial court for a decision."

"Yes," Hu Jingshui said, "but—"

He paused, then lowered his voice.

"However, the reported numbers can be considered."

Lu Yan glanced at him.

"you mean?

"Master," Hu Jingshui said, "there has always been a 'fire loss' when confiscating property. The journey from Dengzhou to the capital is long, and losses are inevitable during transport. These losses do not need to be reported."

Lu Yan's lips curled up slightly.

"Fire loss?"

"Yes," Hu Jingshui said. "My idea is that the amount to be reported to the court can be set at around 300,000 taels."

The remaining 130,000 taels were the "fire loss".

Lu Yan remained silent for a moment.

Thirteen thousand taels.

This is a huge sum of money.

That's enough for him to make a name for himself in Dengzhou.

"Alright." Lu Yan nodded. "Do as you say. Report 300,000 taels, the rest—"

He paused.

"The rest will be deposited into our account."

"Yes," Hu Jingshui said. "I will make the arrangements immediately."

"Furthermore," Lu Yan said, "do not touch the Li family's shops, boats, fields, and residences for the time being. We will deal with them after the imperial decree is issued."

"Understood."

Hu Jingshui turned and left.

Lu Yan sat behind the desk, looking at the list, a smile appearing on his lips.

Forty-three hundred thousand taels.

The wealth accumulated by the Li family over three generations now belongs to him.

Noon.

In Dengzhou City, in front of the government office.

A wooden platform was erected in the open space in front of the government office, and three human heads were placed on the platform.

These three heads belong to the leaders of the "pirates"—Zhang Sandao, Wang Ermazi, and Liu Heihu.

They were the three leaders of Black Reef Island, who had committed atrocities at sea for many years and killed countless people.

Lu Yan ordered them to be beheaded and their heads displayed as a warning to others.

"Look, that's the pirate leader!"

"Serves him right! A life for a life, that's only fair!"

"Lord Lu is truly ridding the people of a scourge!"

The people gathered around the wooden platform, discussing the matter animatedly.

Lu Yan stood in front of the government office, watching this scene with no expression on his face.

"Master," Zhao Changying walked to his side and said in a low voice, "displaying him for three days will be enough to intimidate the entire city."

"Hmm." Lu Yan nodded. "Pass down the order: three days later, hang the head on the city gate and display it to the public for seven days."

"Yes."

Lu Yan turned and walked into the government office.

He knew that these three heads were not just for the common people to see.

It was also meant for those officials in Dengzhou who outwardly complied but inwardly defied the rules.

Shen Shi (3-5 PM).

The second hall of the magistrate's office.

Lu Yan sat behind the desk, with more than a dozen people standing in front of him.

These people were all subordinate officials and clerks of the Tongpan Yamen (prefectural magistrate's office), including chief clerks, registrars, scribes, and secretaries.

They were Lu Yan's subordinates, but in the past few months, they had been outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, hindering Lu Yan at every turn.

Because they are all members of the Li family.

Now, the Li family has fallen.

Their backer is gone.

"Everyone," Lu Yan began, his voice calm, "you are all probably aware of the Li family's situation."

Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to speak.

"The Li family has committed heinous crimes of treason and collusion with the enemy, and has already been convicted by the court," Lu Yan said. "The Li family's associates will also be severely punished."

Everyone shuddered.

They all knew that they were connected to the Li family.

If Lu Yan investigates, none of them will escape.

"However," Lu Yan changed the subject, "I am not the kind of person who would go to extremes to kill everyone."

Everyone looked up, a glimmer of hope flashing in their eyes.

"I am well aware of your relationship with the Li family," Lu Yan said. "But I also know that most of you are being coerced by the Li family and have no choice in the matter."

"Therefore, I have decided to let bygones be bygones."

Everyone's faces lit up with surprise.

"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!"

"However," Lu Yan said in a deep voice, "from now on, all of you must obey my orders and do your best. If there is any further disobedience or perfunctory work, I will not let you off lightly."

;

"Yes, yes, yes!" Everyone nodded hurriedly. "Your subordinates will certainly do their best and will never dare to have any disloyal thoughts!"

"Alright." Lu Yan nodded. "Everyone, you can go back now."

Everyone felt as if they had been granted a pardon and took their leave.

After they left, Shen Qing came out from behind the screen.

"Master," he said, "can these people be trusted?"

"Unreliable," Lu Yan said, "but we still need it for now."

"And then what?"

"Later?" Lu Yan's lips curled up slightly. "We can change it gradually later. Dengzhou has just stabilized, so it's not advisable to make any big moves now."

After a while, we'll replace these people one by one.

Shen Qing nodded.

"The boss is wise."

"It's not brilliant, it's just a stopgap measure," Lu Yan said. "Governing a region cannot rely solely on killing people. Only by combining kindness and severity can it be sustainable."

He stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window, the sun was setting, and the sky was a golden red.

"Shen Qing," Lu Yan said, "starting tomorrow, I will be inspecting all the government offices in Dengzhou City."

"Inspection?"

"Yes," Lu Yan said. "With the Li family gone, a power vacuum has emerged in Dengzhou. I need to take this opportunity to thoroughly investigate all the government offices in Dengzhou, to see who is capable and who needs to be replaced."

"My heart is clear."

Lu Yan looked at the distant sky, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

With the Li family gone, Dengzhou became his domain.

But it will take time to truly take control of Dengzhou.

Three days later.

February 6th.

Dengzhou City, East Gate.

Three human heads were hung on the city gate, exposed to the wind and sun, and had begun to rot.

But no one dared to take it down.

Because that was Judge Lu's order.

"See? That's what happens when you offend Lord Lu."

"The Li family, with such a powerful influence, collapsed just like that."

"From now on in Dengzhou, who would dare disobey Lord Lu?"

The people were talking about it, both respecting and fearing Lu Yan.

Lu Yan's authority was officially established.

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