Time entered September. While most eyes under the heavens were focused on the battle already underway between Liu Guangshi and Zou Xu north of the Yangtze River, and the Hero Conference held by the Fairness Party in Jiangning, a complex storm was brewing silently in the southwest.

This was the second session of the First National People's Congress. Compared to the grand gathering of representatives from all directions, the magnificent scene, and the attention of the world at the first session last year, this session seemed relatively ordinary.

Because many truly representative and ceremonial political frameworks had already been established with great fanfare at last year's meeting. Only a year had passed, and this year's meeting, at first glance, seemed more like a supplement to some of the continuing work from last year, or even a refinement of the details of various frameworks. Such a meeting naturally did not arouse the interest of most onlookers.

Last year, the first session was held in early August. For some reason, this year's session was scheduled for late August and early September, similar to the Fairness Party in Jiangnan. As a result, aside from the trivial and difficult-to-understand proposals at the congress, the more interesting gossip in the southwest market became news of the shameless Fairness Party stealing the limelight from the Huaxia Army.

In this regard, we know that since He Wen announced the news of the Jiangning Hero Conference, within the Huaxia Army in the southwest, there had been constant complaints such as "He Wen, the ingrate," "蹭热度 (ceng re du - riding the wave of popularity)," "借鸡生蛋 (jie ji sheng dan - using someone else's resources to one's own advantage)," and "the Fairness Party is really龌龊 (wo chuo - despicable)," but such complaints became even more obvious in August.

Amidst this atmosphere, seemingly realizing the value of this wave of news, various major newspapers in Chengdu used a certain amount of space to introduce the affairs of the Fairness Party three thousand miles away. These introductions were certainly not detailed firsthand accounts. They were more of a framework-style description of theories, outlines, and general practices. Some bolder newspapers even published articles comparing the similarities and differences in the practices and theoretical differences between the Huaxia Army and the Fairness Party. Although it seemed to be describing the advanced nature of the Huaxia Army's framework, in Chengdu, where there were still many "dissenters," such conclusions were naturally not convincing...

All of this public opinion seemed like a logical and free discussion. Some improper tabloids, under such circumstances, also published some scandalous news and even fabricated stories derived from the Fairness Party's news. For example, the five Fairness Party kings fighting in the Huashan Sword Competition, King of Reincarnation bullying men and women, Zhou Shang killing people like flies, and so on.

This ordinary public opinion atmosphere continued until the convocation of the second congress in late August and early September. As the congress convened in a seemingly calm manner, the insiders saw the subtleties, and several sensitive topics appeared on the congress's proposal list. An inexplicable oppressive atmosphere began to gather in Chengdu.

Several proposals on "land reform" were put forward by several representatives with merchant backgrounds, and subsequently, they were gradually listed as key discussion topics at the congress. At the same time, some authoritative newspapers in Chengdu continued the discussion of the Fairness Party's methods and began to focus on the Huaxia Army's so-called "four people's livelihood" theory.

This was an elephant in the room.

For onlookers, such discussions were not very interesting. They could not compare to the bloody fighting between the traitor Zou Xu and Liu Guangshi north of the Yangtze River, nor could they compare to the Jiangning Conference that would determine the future of the entire Jiangnan. But in the southwest, the nerves of certain specific groups were suddenly tightened.

On September 3, the sixth day of the congress, some trivial matters began to occur in the city. That morning, more than twenty village elders and chiefs from various places gathered in front of the conference building in Chengdu, kneeling and appealing for justice. They accused several retired Huaxia Army veterans who had been assigned to villages of acting like overlords and bullying men and women. The accusations were supported by detailed witnesses and testimonies.

That same evening, a representative who had proposed "land reform" was assassinated by thugs on the shaded road next to Yingbin Road after the meeting, splattering blood everywhere.

A large number of lobbyists and inquirers had already begun to act in secret.

After the agenda on the fourth day, Ning Yi held a small family banquet in the courtyard next to Mohe Pond, entertaining a few relatives and friends including Su Wending and Su Wenyu. After dinner, he kept Wending and Wenyu, who were representatives, behind, and the three of them sat by the lake for a while.

In late autumn in Chengdu, the climate was pleasant, and the evening breeze blew from the side of Mohe Pond. Ning Yi spoke to the two of them, getting straight to the point.

"...The Su family has finally produced a few talents. Even if you want to choose someone who can speak up, one of you is enough. Now you're both here. What, trying to stop the Earth from rotating?"

Hearing his words so directly, Su Wending and Su Wenyu, who now both had a lot of affairs to manage, smiled bitterly at each other. Then Su Wending said, "How dare we? Brother-in-law, originally, Wenyu was supposed to be the conscript, but I happened to be nearby, so I was pulled in. To be honest, the family members are nervous, and they told both of us to come and relay whatever we find out back, so we wouldn't be able to lie."

"Always acting so petty..." Ning Yi shook his head and smiled.

Wenyu, who was beside him, said, "This matter sounds big, brother-in-law. We certainly have no objections to what you want to do, but we're also curious and want to find out if you really want to do it, and to what extent you want to do it."

"What do you think?" Ning Yi asked in return.

"Wasn't it just that we weren't mentally prepared?" Wenyu said with a wry smile. "This land reform thing, you mentioned it a couple of times before, but this time, there really wasn't any sign of it from the outside. Look at those people outside, how caught off guard they are? Before the congress, they originally thought that this matter wouldn't come to the surface, but who knew it would suddenly come up, and the private means simply couldn't suppress it, so they're all clueless. Now there are all kinds of speculations inside and outside the city. Some say that you suddenly want to take action, while others say that it's just the way this congress works, and they're not familiar enough with it..."

"...Caught off guard. I think their actions are fast enough." Ning Yi smiled. "You're right about the second sentence. They're not familiar enough with how the congress works, so their sensitivity is lacking. But in such a situation, yesterday someone reacted quickly enough to organize more than twenty people to file complaints, and they even prepared the evidence. They even killed someone at night. I didn't expect them to be so fast... Did any of the uncles who came today participate?"

Wending shook his head: "How would they dare?"

"Killing a representative will kill a group of people. No one who gets involved can escape... The people outside really aren't familiar with our methods, or rather, after being friends for two years, they're starting to take things for granted."

Sitting in the pavilion by the lake, Ning Yi looked at the water and murmured these words. Wending and Wenyu beside him felt their scalps tingle and were silent for a moment.

Wending said, "Then... brother-in-law, how should we cooperate with this matter? To what extent will it go? Is it to test their ideas, or... is it already decided?"

Ning Yi looked at him: "...What do you think?"

The two looked at each other. Su Wenyu pondered for a moment: "...Land reform, it looks like four words, but in reality, it will determine the roots of everyone in the southwest. This matter is really too big. You suddenly threw it out, and the general view from the outside is that you want to test everyone's reaction, so there are so many private inquiries and lobbying attempts, wanting to know to what extent you plan to go..."

He paused slightly: "In addition, the details of land reform are the real big problem. The newspapers introduced the Fairness Party two months ago, which has already paved the way for collecting land. But if it's like the Fairness Party, killing people and seizing property, the opposition will definitely be the greatest. Apart from that, everyone is concerned about whether there will be compensation, whether the compensation can be negotiated, whether it's a straightforward land grab, or whether there can be changes and loopholes to exploit..."

Ning Yi smiled: "I'm asking for your opinion."

Su Wenyu thought for a while and gritted his teeth: "Although everyone outside says that you suddenly proposed a proposal to test everyone's opinion, and there may be room for maneuver, I think you are definitely going to do something. There is a signal in the middle. In July, you began to thoroughly investigate the military's problems, and then in August, you transferred the Seventh Army and the Second and Fifth Divisions of the Fifth Army. It seems to be dealing with the corruption problems of the Seventh Army and the Fifth Army stationed in one place for a long time, but in fact, the Seventh Army has never performed garrison missions within the southwest. It is still a complete outsider here."

"...On the other hand, each item of the four people's livelihoods looks too big and impractical. When you say you want to implement it, everyone thinks it's extremely difficult, but brother-in-law, you are not a person who just talks. In the past, in Xiaocang River and Liangshan, the place was not big, and later we were just borrowing, and there was no basis for this kind of reform. After coming out of Liangshan, we have been preparing for the Southwest War... But now that the Southwest War is over, we have been recuperating for more than a year, and as we move forward, you said that the vested interests are about to take root in the southwest. Now is probably the last time we can still tear our faces..."

"I think... you are unwilling to wait any longer."

As Su Wenyu said this, Su Wending, who claimed to have been conscripted, nodded: "Actually, I also have such an idea vaguely, but there are also some doubts, so I want to ask you when Wenyu comes."

"What doubts?"

"You mentioned the issue of capital before." Su Wending said solemnly, "You said that the development of the Huaxia Army, physics and capital will be a main line, and the development of these capitals may sooner or later cause most people to lose their land. On the one hand, you said that you want to promote this matter, but on the other hand, if you really want to promote its development, is it somewhat contrary to land reform at this time, so that tillers have their land? After all, if everyone is divided into fields, will fewer people run out?"

He said: "On the way I came, I talked to Wenyu about the redeployment in August and the propaganda in the newspapers for more than two months, and I also felt that you were going to implement this link of people's livelihood. But you also said that capital is a strong rule, and we must promote and use it well. Then the risk of land reform at this time... is it a bit too great..."

Back then, after Su Tan'er formally took charge of the family, and after Ning Yi made plans to go to the capital to help Qin Si Yuan, he began to bring Su Wenfang, Su Wending, Su Wenyu, and Su Yanping, who were relatively close to the Su family's second room, to his side for training. In the early days, there were in-depth teachings and a lot of conversations. Over the years, the four people had their own responsibilities, and there was less communication, but when Wending and Wenyu finished saying these words, Ning Yi nodded with a smile.

He pondered for a moment.

"Capital and landlords will fight each other anyway." Ning Yi said with a smile, "After the victory of the Southwest War, large-scale development began around Chengdu. By this year, every inch of land is worth its weight in gold, and some merchants began to consider developing to the surrounding areas. Some landlords joined in, some cooperated well, and some were raising prices... Before the meeting, I did some instigation, so some merchants felt that the Huaxia military government was going to vigorously support the construction of factories, but many people with land stubbornly refused to let the land be approved, so... they instigated representatives to directly start from the agenda of land reform..."

"Of course, they mainly want to test the waters. The four words land reform are too big, they can't carry it, but it can be used as a bargaining chip to make a few landlords compromise... But when the proposal is submitted, how can they still suppress it? On my side, it's a matter of following the trend, so things have come to the surface..."

Su Wenyu blinked: "So brother-in-law really made a decision from the beginning."

"Things have just begun, shift everyone's attention, although it's not very meaningful, sooner or later we will draw our swords." Ning Yi smiled, "Land reform is something that only a few founding dynasties in history can push down. The impact it brings may not all be good. Just like what Wending said, everyone is about to starve to death, and suddenly we give everyone a piece of land, how can I recruit people for my factory? But in the long run, if it can be successful, most of it will definitely be a good impact, because the essence of land reform is not actually in people's livelihood..."

He paused: "...it's in夺权 (duo quan - seizing power)."

The night wind wailed and stirred up ripples on the lake. There were not many people in the pavilion. Ning Yi's words were low and gentle, but Wending and Wenyu suddenly felt their scalps tingle, and there seemed to be a fire burning around them.

"From ancient times to the present, the central government ruled the localities. It is said that imperial power does not reach the county. Officials go down, and the largest area, the countryside, is stabilized by the local gentry. This is actually handing over a large part of the national power. Of course, the political resources of past dynasties were insufficient, so doing this makes a lot of sense... But when we get to the step of enlightening the people, we can consider creating a new situation."

"Wenyu is right, in the past, in Xiaocang River and Da Xiaoliangshan, although we had already shouted slogans, we did not have the basis to do so. When we began to rule the southwest, we were always preparing for the war, and we did not begin to implement these policies... In fact, no matter how beautiful the policies are shouted, whether there are preconditions for implementation is the real thing..."

"After winning the Southwest War, we demobilized thousands of soldiers and sent them to the countryside, and successively sent teachers, doctors, and circuit courts to the rural areas below, and began to form militia teams. The essence of these things is to prepare for abolishing the power base of the local gentry, and now, this preparation... is a bit勉强 (mian qiang - forced), but it can indeed be launched..."

"Continuing to maintain private land ownership and maintain its free flow can indeed provide a breeding ground for the development of capital and factories in the short term, but such development will kill many people... And once we can destroy the ruling foundation of the local gentry and grasp the power at the lowest end of society, we will be able to do things much more smoothly in the future, and we will have more choices, including those farmers who have been divided into fields. They will stand on our side. In the future, when we fight out, more people will welcome us. For the development of all places, we can plan uniformly, without having to look at the faces of private land ownership..."

He smiled slightly: "After we took the southwest, we did not divide the land and property on a large scale, mainly because it is not meaningful to hastily divide the land in places that cannot be managed. This is itself a part of training troops and seizing power. Some people in the southwest see my attitude as gentle, and they are also very kind to some landlords who stood on our side in the beginning, thinking they can bargain. In fact, if it's just a little economic benefit, it can be compensated, but anyone who still wants to be a local gentry, or has the potential to be a local gentry... will die."

"As for Wending saying that capital is a strong rule." Ning Yi paused slightly, seeming to feel some emotion, "Capital is indeed a strong rule. We still can't see all of its power, but sooner or later, its high efficiency will sweep away everything else and go to the most extreme places. It will also precipitate its own problems, and then become uncontrollable, but it is impossible to abandon it before we can find a better rule to replace it, so what should we do..."

"In addition to constantly patching it and developing vaccines for it every generation, we can only do something that is not a way out..."

"Take the land back, and when some people can't stand it, at least... go back to farming..."

Ning Yi has been promoting the development of physics and capital for these years. Although he occasionally talks about some future problems, he does not go into depth. When he said the last few sentences at this time, Wending and Wenyu were not very able to understand them, but they were already used to their brother-in-law occasionally saying some strange remarks. At this time, they looked at each other and did not say much.

In the pavilion where the cool breeze was blowing, Ning Yi took a sip of tea.

"...This matter is very big, and I'm not sure if it can be successful, but we must do it while the Huaxia Army can still kill people on the Chengdu Plain. If land reform is successful, it proves that our seizure of power is successful... Tell a few uncles, no matter what the final charter is, be conscious and don't do... anything that makes our loved ones grieve and our enemies rejoice..."

He waved his hand slightly.