Since the news of Zhang Xin burning the letters spread, the efficiency of the officials instantly skyrocketed.
Not only did they finish all the military affairs, but they also didn't delay the autumn harvest and the annual reports.
Of course, the imperial court was currently under the control of Dong Zhuo, and Zhang Xin would not send anyone to give money to Dong Zhuo.
So, the tax revenues from all the commanderies were sent to the State Prefecture.
Zhang Xin looked at the account books and found that this year's tax revenue had not decreased; on the contrary, it was even more than in previous years.
Qing Province had just experienced war, yet the tax revenue could increase, which clearly showed that the great clans had voluntarily paid more to repay Zhang Xin.
However, Zhang Xin would not thank them.
If the higher-ups wanted to collect one part of tax, what fell upon the common people became three parts.
If the higher-ups wanted to exempt taxes, the grassroots officials still collected taxes as usual.
He had seen countless similar scenarios in TV dramas.
He had even experienced them firsthand.
Hmm, don't misunderstand, it was only in the original owner's memory.
Perhaps a portion of these extra taxes truly came from the great clans' own pockets, used to thank him.
But he believed that more of it was likely from the great clans finding various pretexts to extort and plunder from the common people.
These funds and provisions might have been obtained using his, Zhang Xin's, reputation.
Since the autumn harvest was over, then...
It was time to act!
After the annual reports, it was the most leisurely time of the year for the commanderies and counties.
Acting at this time would minimize the impact on Qing Province's administrative system.
By the time winter passed, and the new officials were trained, they could seamlessly transition into spring plowing.
After spring plowing, the army should also be well-rested.
By then, with internal peace, he could send troops to conquer Ji Province!
Zhang Xin simultaneously dispatched Wang Meng to notify Xu He to act, and at the same time, hosted a banquet at the State Prefecture to celebrate the year's bountiful harvest with the officials.
The next day, Zhang Xin fell ill.
All the officials came to inquire about his condition, showing great concern.
Hua Tuo stated that for over a year, Zhang Xin had been painstakingly working, burning the midnight oil, and constantly under immense mental stress, truly too exhausted.
Now that Qing Province had a bountiful harvest, the tension in his heart relaxed, and he immediately fell ill.
And his illness was very serious.
However, Hua Tuo also said that Zhang Xin was young and had a good foundation; he would recover after two months of recuperation, with no major problems.
It was just that during these two months, he absolutely could not overexert himself.
Upon hearing Hua Tuo's diagnosis, Zhang Xin immediately entrusted all government affairs to Hua Xin, Guo Yuan, Sun Qian, and others, while he himself remained in the inner residence, recuperating in peace.
Hua Xin and the others gladly accepted the order.
Anyway, winter was coming soon, and there shouldn't be any major issues requiring Zhang Xin's direct handling during this period.
However, a few days later, a cry of 'The Heavens are dead, the Yellow Heavens shall rise! ' once again resounded across Qing Province.
The Qing Province Yellow Turbans had rebelled again.
However, compared to the one in Central Stability 5, this Yellow Turban Rebellion was completely incomparable in terms of organization.
The Qing Province Yellow Turbans rushed into the homes of the great clans in various counties; they neither killed nor raped, but merely arrested the people and plundered their wealth.
Most of the great clans were unprepared, and all their family members were swept away by the Yellow Turbans.
A small number of great clans reacted and organized resistance.
But under the numerical advantage of the Yellow Turbans, these resistances seemed so futile.
After capturing the people of the great clans, the Qing Province Yellow Turbans then attacked the government offices, arresting many officials.
The county magistrates and chiefs immediately sought aid from the commandery government.
However, most of Qing Province's military power was in Zhang Xin's hands, and each commandery only had the most basic thousand commandery soldiers.
Facing a million Yellow Turbans, what good was a thousand commandery soldiers?
Urgent dispatches from various places flew like snowflakes to the Pingyuan State Prefecture, and the commandery administrators and chancellors all requested Zhang Xin to quickly send troops to suppress the rebellion.
Hua Xin was greatly alarmed upon receiving the news and rushed to the inner residence, requesting an audience with Zhang Xin.
Dian Wei stopped him at the door.
"General Dian."
Hua Xin quickly approached, cupped his hands, "Please inform Governorou should first send dispatches to all the commanderies, telling them to hold their ground, and once Lord's health improves, I will go ask for the order."
"Sigh..."
Hua Xin sighed.
"That's the only thing we can do."