Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 820: Chapter 3: The Ruthless Prince Han (Part 3)

Moreover, before taking action against these tribes, they had already thoroughly investigated everything inside and out about these tribes. In just a few days, they conquered these tribes and captured the chieftains alive.

Having just executed the officials of Swamp Prefecture, Zhao Yao began beheading the chieftains.

These chieftains and their families were completely uprooted, just like those officials. Not a single malicious person was spared.

Apart from the first two days of arrival, Zhao Yao spent the remaining eight days beheading people. The entire Swamp Prefecture was filled with a strong stench of blood during these days.

The common people of Swamp Prefecture hated the chieftains of these tribes and their minions. Being bullied by officials and humiliated by chieftains, they had long been filled with resentment, but they were no match for the officials and chieftains, and could only swallow their anger. Now, with the arrival of Prince Han, who executed them all, it was truly satisfying.

Having lived in Swamp Prefecture for a lifetime or decades, the people suffered greatly from these predators, and now they are finally free from the persecution of these scoundrels. Many cried out loud on the spot, not mourning these scoundrels, but lamenting for themselves and relatives who had been killed by them.

The people of Swamp Prefecture were full of gratitude toward Zhao Yao because he removed the two mountains that oppressed them and avenged them.

After lawfully disposing of these individuals, Zhao Yao told the people of Swamp Prefecture that they would no longer suffer persecution in the future. They would be able to live peacefully without constantly fearing for their own lives and those of their families. Of course, they were not allowed to break the law. If they violated the laws of Great Zhou, he would not spare them either.

Having witnessed Zhao Yao’s methods, the people of Swamp Prefecture dared not commit any crimes.

After dealing with the tumors of Swamp Prefecture, Zhao Yao decided to start building infrastructure.

In Swamp Prefecture, only the houses of officials and chieftains were grand and magnificent, while the homes of ordinary people were dilapidated. Moreover, most of the roads in Swamp Prefecture were bumpy and difficult to traverse.

A great person once said, "If you want to become rich, first build roads."

Zhao Yao decided to first fix the roads in Swamp Prefecture. As for the docks of Swamp Prefecture, there was no need for immediate construction. The previous officials had forced the people to build docks to facilitate smuggling with Annan and Lusong.

The docks in Swamp Prefecture were large and spacious, so Zhao Yao didn’t need to expand them for now.

Repairing roads could not rely solely on Zhao Yao’s men, so he enlisted the help of the people. However, he wouldn’t have them work for free. Although, according to regulations, the people of Swamp Prefecture were required to perform corvee labor, if Zhao Yao, newly arrived in Swamp Prefecture, demanded them to repair roads, there would surely be complaints, with people thinking he is no different from those corrupt officials. Therefore, Zhao Yao decided to offer benefits to the people.

First, he would pay them a wage, although small, meals would be provided. Second, some taxes and corvee labor duties would be exempted. Third, there would be rewards for the people. If they did an excellent job repairing roads, Zhao Yao would help them build houses.

The assets confiscated from previous officials and chieftains shocked Lian Fang and all of them for a hundred years. Zhao Yao had long anticipated that these individuals had substantial wealth, so he was not surprised.

The money for road repairs and for helping people build houses would naturally come from the confiscated assets. Zhao Yao had no intention of keeping this money for himself. Firstly, he didn’t lack money. Secondly, this wealth was originally extorted from the people and obtained through smuggling. Since this money was "taken" from the people, it should be returned to them.

The people of Swamp Prefecture couldn’t believe that Prince Han was going to pay them, and even help build houses for them. This... They had never received any money for government projects, and instead had suffered many beatings. Not to mention the fact that the government would help them build houses—this just seemed... like a dream, how could such good things possibly happen?

The people did not believe Zhao Yao could be so kind-hearted; they suspected that Prince Han had a bigger scheme behind this.

Zhao Yao was not surprised by the people’s doubts. He told them that he had confiscated a lot of money, which he himself would not use. However, he would putting this money to proper use, for the benefit of the people.

Before the road construction, Zhao Yao first issued a month’s wages to those who signed up.

Seeing that Prince Han actually issued money, the people of Swamp Prefecture eagerly signed up to participate in road construction.

He Lianfang, Zheng Qian, and others greatly admired Zhao Yao’s strategy of "taking from the people, using it for the people," as it not only motivated the people to actively build roads but also won their hearts.