Just when Li Ran stayed up all night because of the assassination, it was night, and in Zhengyi City, not far from Jishi Manor, there was actually another important figure who had not fallen asleep either.
"Doctor Boshi, you have to take care of this matter no matter what!"
"Yeah, what does that sound like?! The common people in our feudal town have gone to cultivate private fields, while the public fields have become deserted! Is it possible that we still rely on the meager taxes of these common people to support us?"
"Bullshit New Deal! It's obviously the overseas Chinese who want to force us to death!"
In Feng Duan Mansion, a large group of feudal governors who came from all over the country poured out their bitter experiences during this time on Feng Duan.
With the implementation of the Zichan New Deal and the Ziqian Law, because the common people have gone to cultivate their own private fields, the "landowners" in these feudal towns have no one to take care of their public fields. .
In desperation, they were able to recruit a lot of refugees to fill the vacancies, but compared to the lost common people, the number of these refugees was simply a drop in the bucket.
If things go on like this, they, the governors of the cities and the "landowners" in the feudal cities, will naturally see their harvests drop sharply.
However, although on the surface, these "landowners" do owe a harvest. But what about behind the scenes? The governors of these feudal towns did not make much profit from their subsidy alone.
It's like buying a lottery ticket. Someone won 10 million, but when he went to claim the prize, he was told that he only won 9 million, and then he stopped playing. Crying that someone else had swallowed him a million. Then the shameless person refused to leave and insisted on getting the other one million. He even got so angry that he even set fire to the entire award-winning center.
Nowadays, these city governors and the "landlords" in their feudal cities are obviously in this situation.
However, after all, the New Deal was proposed by Zichan and was promoted by Zichan. Faced with the current situation in the Zhengguo court, how could they, the governors of the city, have any say? Therefore, they could only come to ask for help from their sect master, Feng Duan.
"Don't panic, everyone, I have heard about this for a long time."
"Zi Chan went too far. He only thought about the common people and did not care about the life and death of the countrymen. It can be said that he sacrificed his roots to pursue the weak!"
"However, I am now thinking of a solution. Please wait patiently."
Although Feng Duan promised Li Ranxiang to help his son Qian Fa advance, to be honest, it was all from the perspective of interests. After all, even if he doesn't play, there are plenty of people who want to play.
However, Zi Qian belongs to Zi Qian, and New Deal belongs to New Deal. Once Zichan's new policy touches his core interests, how can he tolerate it anymore?
This time, seeing so many governors coming to him for help, he naturally wanted to express his stance.
However, due to the fact that he did give in to Zichan at the Xuntunmeng meeting before. It would obviously be unwise to confront Zichan directly in the court now.
Therefore, this matter can only be considered in the long term.
"No, Doctor Boshi! How long will it take?"
"Yes, it's already urgent!"
"The Zichan New Deal must not continue any longer! If it continues like this, are we really going to be forced to surrender to the overseas Chinese as well?"
These city governors are in a hurry.
Not only because of the loss of common people, the apparent benefits of each of them in their own fiefdoms have been sharply reduced.
Moreover, more importantly, in the interest chain of "making a feudal shirt" for the sub-property, once the income of the feudal town is directly linked to the total income of the office, then the local forces are likely to directly In favor of the public interests represented by Zichan.
What's more, since you, the leader of the conservatives, have already surrendered to Zichan, what's the problem with them, the governors, also surrendering to Zichan?
As the saying goes, once all these people defect to the government, all Zichan will need to do is to buy some more people's hearts. Then won't you, Feng Duan, become the polished commander in an instant?
"snort!"
"Everyone, please remember! You are all the governors of our Feng clan! You are not the private officials of his descendants!"
Feng Duan rarely spoke to these governors in a more serious tone, and his facial expressions were also very sharp.
There are some things, and on some occasions, it is still necessary to distinguish between public and private matters.
Hearing the sound, all the governors did not dare to talk anymore.
"I will make arrangements for the new policy of Zichan. When you go back, I will tell the people under you on your behalf that they can all be quieter and stop making endless noises!"
"When a sparrow flies into the sky, it is still just a sparrow! Even if the roc falls to the ground, it is still the roc! Do you all understand?"
People in this era are destined to be what kind of person they will be in this life from the moment they are born.
The meaning of Feng Duan's words is also very clear. Even if some people in his fiefdom really defect to Zichan, they are just sparrows after all, and it is impossible to fly to the sky just like that.
Therefore, it is better to think less about the whimsical things.
When the governors who came for help heard what Feng Duan said, they understood in their hearts and stopped talking. Immediately, taking advantage of the last bit of darkness before dawn, he hurriedly left Zhengyi by car.
After they left, a warrior came in from the door.
"how?"
Toyodan asked expressionlessly.
"Go back to the doctor... let that person get away with it..."
The warrior seemed a little scared and seemed hesitant when speaking.
When Feng Duan heard this, his expression suddenly changed, and his eyes suddenly darkened.
"Didn't the vertical cow say that this attack will definitely hit? How did you let that guy escape again?!"
"Back to the doctor... when the brothers took action... they actually encountered a group of hunters who were hunting at night. They... were blocked by them..."
The Jishi Manor is not too far away from Zheng Yi. If you hurry up, the news will come back and forth very quickly.
It's just that until now, this warrior still seems to have not been able to figure out who is behind it to disrupt the situation?
"Hunter?"
"Then...have you found out? Where are those people from?"
How could Fengduan believe that those people would be ordinary hunters? Besides, Li Ran has always been cautious, and Feng Duan would rather believe that this was arranged by Li Ran himself.
However, it is obvious that according to reports from informants in the Jishi Courtyard, Li Ran left in a hurry this time and did not make detailed arrangements for defense. So much so that their number one warrior, Chu Dang, never appeared from beginning to end.
So, maybe...just like when Li Ran defected to Zheng State, someone is still secretly protecting him now?
If this is the case, how could Fengduan not find out the origins of these people?
"We haven't...yet to find out...these hunters...these people came and went without a trace. When my subordinates rushed there, there was no one left in the woods. Presumably..."
"Could it be that... people from Zhengyi City came to help?"
There are only two objects that they can suspect, one is Jishi and the other is Zichan.
But whether it's a sacrifice to the ancestor or a son-in-law, it doesn't seem to be the same.
"According to what people in the Ji Mansion said, Ji Xian didn't seem to have received any suspicious people today, let alone said anything strange..."
"As for Zichan, he is just a poor minister. He usually relies on the support of the Ji family to make ends meet. To say that he definitely does not have so many people under him that he can control..."
"Check! We have to find out no matter what!"
After Feng Duan finished speaking, he waved his hand again, and the warrior immediately retreated.
Seeing the warrior leave, Toyodan turned to look at Dawn outside the door.
"Since the hard one is not enough, then the only choice is the soft one."
"Now that things have happened, it seems there is no way out. If we don't fight again, how can we bring down Zichan?"
"Hmph, just wait and see, the fun is still to come..."
Toyodan murmured to himself while looking at the bright sky. With the dawn of cockcrow, another layer of mist was cast over the earth.
——
Chapter 202 Don’t destroy the rural school
The New Deal and the new atmosphere. After Li Ran established his trust, the New Deal and Zi Qian immediately received the response of the people of Zheng State, and a vigorous movement to reclaim wasteland began.
Such a grand occasion has never happened before, let alone in Zheng State. It is even rare among other countries.
This made Zichan, who was usually depressed, show a bit of joy.
Another month passed, and with the number of acres of private land reported from all over the country, the smile on Zichan's face became even brighter.
"Ah, yeah, okay! Look, Ming! If the current situation continues, in at least two years, our country, Zheng, will definitely become the largest granary in the Central Plains!"
"Hehe, by then I, Zheng Guofei, will no longer have to worry about food!"
Yes, in this era, food is the hardest currency.
Only with food can we have people, and only with people can we engage in various productions. Only with production capacity can we further develop our national strength.
Therefore, when the time comes, don’t say that the Jin State has little food. Even the Qi State, which has a lot of food, will only be jealous when they see the yield per mu of Zheng State!
Thinking of this, Zichan couldn't help but get a little excited.
But at this moment, the doctor he called Ran Ming showed a worried look on his face.
"But...it's not that I'm worried, it's just...I heard that the rumors about the New Deal in various places have become more and more intense recently, and they are likely to spread. If they are not controlled in the future, I'm afraid there will be some trouble. ah."
The person who was called Zuorenming by Zichan was a senior official from the state of Zheng.
This person's family name is Wei, with a disgraceful name and a clear character. He is a member of the Zichan party.
Nie Mian came to see Zichan today. Firstly, he wanted to pass on the amount of land produced per mu in various places to Zichan. Secondly, he wanted to remind Zichan that rumors about the New Deal were getting more and more intense in Zheng State.
This is by no means a good thing for the pro-industry party.
After he finished speaking, the expression on Zichan's face changed slightly.
He has also heard about recent rumors from various places.
These rumors mainly focused on the recent township school assembly. A group of self-proclaimed aristocratic children took advantage of the township school rally to express their strong dissatisfaction with the New Deal.
And the routines they are used to are still those clichés. For example, "it does not conform to the Zhou rites", "there is a difference between superiority and inferiority", "the etiquette is broken and the music collapses", or such as using "the methods of the ancestors" to explain things.
Of course, some people are based on the actual situation and say that the scale of private land should be limited. Now that all the common people in the country are cultivating private fields, who will take care of the public fields?
Yes, in their eyes, the interests of the nobility and their superiority should be preserved. And the common people should be born to work for them, and they will never be able to stand up again.
Of course, this kind of speech is indeed very inflammatory in today's era, especially in the circles of nobles like them.
Although these nobles essentially do not necessarily have much impact on their interests. After all, public fields are fields, and private fields are also fields. The taxes that these common people have to pay are actually given to them in large part.
However, these nobles just don't want their common people to be able to stand up for themselves one day.
Therefore, the verbal and written criticism of the Zichan New Deal was particularly sharp. Under the instigation and criticism of these scholars, the bad reputation of "Zi Chan's harsh government" immediately spread throughout the streets and alleys of Zhengyi.
And this is where the worry of Nie Mian comes from.
After all, the butts of these nobles directly determine their heads.
For them, this is no longer a matter of profit or loss. But just to maintain their innate sense of "superiority".
Obviously, this was something Ling Zichan had not expected. He did not expect that even if he did not touch the interests of these nobles at all, this group of people still refused to give up.
What's even more troublesome about these "noble circles" and "scholars" is that they serve as a mirror of whether the country is properly governed, but you really can't ignore their existence.
"Therefore, I think that if the township school assemblies are not temporarily suspended, it will be difficult to stop such remarks."
He Mian also gave his opinion at the same time.
In this case, it would be better to temporarily close the rural school gatherings and completely cut off the places and channels for them to spread rumors.
But the disadvantages of this method are also obvious. Preventing people from talking is better than guarding against rivers. How can it be so simple to really block the mouths of these people?
After hearing this, Zichan couldn't help but fell into deep thought. Of course, he knew the impact of such rumors on him, but if he really shut down the township school assembly, it would undoubtedly tell the world that he, Zichan, was indeed scared. .
But if you don't close it, let the rumors continue to spread. By then, the nobles across the country will unite to stage another "riot like overthrowing King Zhou Li". Wouldn't Zichan have to sit back and wait for death?
When civil strife breaks out again in Zheng, how can there be any peace?
Thinking of this, Zichan suddenly felt that he was in a dilemma.
"Come here, go and fetch Li Ziming quickly."
After thinking for a long time, he finally decided to call Li Ran to come for discussion.
"Li Ziming?"
"What's the use of discussing this matter with him? What ideas can he come up with?"
After all, Nie Mian is also a low-level doctor, and Li Ran is just a layman. Is it possible that Li Ran can come up with a better method than Nie Mian?
"Ziming has always been very wise. It is always right to ask him to come to discuss things."
Zichan didn't pay attention to Nie Mian's subtle reaction, and only motioned to the servant to quickly invite Li Ran.
Not long after, Li Ran arrived.
When Zichan saw Li Ran coming, he was not polite and quickly explained the cause and effect to him.
Li Ran is no stranger to this rural school assembly. After all, his "first pot of gold in life" was dug out at the rural school assembly in Lu State.
The so-called rural school assembly was originally just a place for many students to have arguments and exchanges. At the same time, it also provides students with a step towards a higher level.
However, I never expected that criticizing the government would become a trend. The township school assembly will also become a complaint meeting.
"Even so, Ran thought that we must not close the township school assembly!"
Li Ran also expressed his opinion very firmly.
"But...has Zi Ming also heard the recent rumors about the New Deal?"
"Now everyone is using the convenience of this place to criticize current affairs! The impact has been very bad!"
"If we don't shut it down, this matter will definitely be detrimental. For us, the gains will outweigh the losses!"
He Mian's attitude is also very resolute. In his opinion, shutting down the township school assembly is the best choice at the moment, bar none.
After all, officials can never go out in person and compete with these people. For the current plan, only the closure of rural schools can prevent the rumors from further fermenting.
"The gain is not worth the loss? Is it possible that in Dr. Ranming's eyes, the impact of the township school assembly is only harmful but not beneficial?"
"The doctor knows that as a gentleman, he should have family and country in his heart, and benefit the world with justice in his heart! What does it mean to benefit the world? Taking the people's hearts as your heart can be said to be a great benefit! Now that Dr. Zichan is implementing the new policy, it will benefit the people. A good thing. But why do we turn such good deeds into bad things?"
Li Ran corrected him by the way on what exactly "gains and losses of interests" meant.
Yes, in an incorrect way, to implement something that was originally justifiable. The results of this approach are often counterproductive.
"So, why are the rural school gatherings closed? Whether they are nobles or people, they are gathering together to talk and criticize the current ills. Isn't this a good thing for the entire country? Is it possible? Does it have to evolve into 'the country is not responsible for the survival of the country'? Only then will the doctor think this is a good thing?"
"What's more, has the doctor forgotten the story of 'King Zhou Li looked at passers-by'?"
Let me explain a little here. The so-called "passers-by look at each other" refers to the period of King Zhou Li. In order to forcefully promote the New Deal, it was slandered by the people. In order to suppress public opinion, King Zhou Li strictly prohibited passers-by from talking to each other. Therefore, when people walked on the road at that time, they could only communicate with each other through their eyes. This is what is called "passers-by's eyes".
This may be the earliest "public opinion control" in Chinese history. However, in the end, King Zhou Li himself paid the price with his life for this.
"So, since it is good for the country and the people, and can gain their approval, we will continue to implement it. If it is really not good for the country and the people, we will actively correct it. Those who participated in the township school assembly People, no matter what they are, can be our teachers, so why should we shut it down?”
Yes, whether it is a person or a country, only when it is "open-minded" can the country have vitality, vitality and vitality.
