"These beasts are so unreasonable!"
Qi Jiguang was furious after listening to the young man's story. He did not expect that these wealthy gentry would take this opportunity to collude with the Japanese pirates and forcibly purchase the people's land at a low price!
"What's your name? After I tell the Governor the whole story, I will give you justice!" Qi Jiguang said in a deep voice, looking at the embarrassed young man in front of him.
"I... Sir, I was born in a lowly position. My father's surname is Zhang, and everyone calls me Zhang Er!"
"Well, Zhang Er, I'm going to wrong you tonight! I'm asking you, the general, are you willing to tell all this in court tomorrow?"
"I...I do."
Zhang Er mustered up the courage to look Qi Jiguang in the eye and said loudly.
"Okay, I, the general, will report to the Governor now!"
After Qi Jiguang finished speaking, he was about to turn around and leave. Unexpectedly, a notification came from the soldiers outside, saying that Director Li of Shouning County was asking for an audience.
"Let him in!" Qi Jiguang waved his hand, indicating to his soldiers to let him in.
Unexpectedly, as soon as Chief Secretary Li came in, he knelt on the ground with a plop, raised the file in his hand high, and cried: "General, this is Li Jie, the Chief Secretary of Shouning County Government! There is something important. Report, Shouning County Magistrate Zhao Yanchang did not die from an arrow when the city was destroyed, but was killed by them!"
"What? Tell me in detail!" Qi Jiguang was shocked when he heard this. He quickly called Li Jie to his side and said in a deep voice.
"General, the thing is like this. Long before the fall of Shouning County, the county magistrate had noticed something was wrong. First of all, there were many strange faces in the county! Secondly, the gentry and landlords seemed to have received some news in advance. , began to hoard large quantities of food."
"At that time, the county magistrate sent the government officials to investigate. Who knew that the county government officials had already been bribed by the wealthy gentry and landlords, and soon informed them of the matter. Shouning County was captured that night, and the county magistrate was missing! "
"And when I saw the county magistrate again, he was already dead. He was covered with a white cloth and no one was allowed to come near him! Those wealthy gentry and landowners claimed that he died of a bullet, and I cooperated with the morgue's widow. We have a good relationship, so I sneaked in and took a look.”
Li Jie paused for a moment and continued: "The magistrate's body is covered with bruises and various scars. He was tortured to death!"
"After that, I realized that this matter was not simple, and secretly collected evidence. I found this in the magistrate's room. It recorded the numerous crimes committed by these wealthy gentry and landowners! They must be looking for these things too. After Li Jie said that, he handed the files to Qi Jiguang.
Qi Jiguang took the file and flipped through it. It contained detailed records of the crimes committed by the gentry and landlords: "On the third day of the twelfth lunar month, Wang Cheng, the concubine of the Wang family, ordered his servants to beat the old fish seller seriously. He later died. On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, , Zhang family..."
The further Qi Jiguang turned back, the heavier his breathing became, and then an unknown fire rose in his heart, making him wish he could send the army right now to kill all these tycoons who have committed many evil deeds and preyed on the common people!
After taking a few deep breaths, Qi Jiguang calmed down. The most urgent task now was to report the matter to the Governor and let him make a decision.
As his thoughts were racing, Qi Jiguang told Li Jie: "You stay here tonight, don't go back, and go to the court with Zhang Er tomorrow to tell the whole story. "
"Thank you, General!" Li Jie's eyes lit up after hearing Qi Jiguang's words. He knew that he had made the right bet!
…
After the banquet was over, Hu Zongxian declined the gentry's attempts to stay and went straight back to his room.
'Dong-dong-dong! 'There was a knock on the door from outside the house.
"Come in!" Hu Zongxian picked up the teapot on the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and said softly.
"grown ups!"
Qi Jiguang came in with a sullen face, holding in his hand the files that Li Jie had given him previously.
"Have you found anything?" Hu Zongxian took a sip of tea and asked.
"Sir, here is what I will find out!"
Qi Jiguang said, then handed the file to Hu Zongxian, and at the same time repeated to Hu Zongxian exactly what Zhang Er and Li Jie said.
"It's really unreasonable. It seems that your Majesty is right. This group of gentry and landlords should have been dealt with long ago. They dare to collude with the Japanese pirates, annex the people's land, and even dare to murder the imperial officials!" After hearing this, Hu Zongxian clapped his hands. table, said angrily.
"You don't have to wait until tomorrow. Go down and mobilize the troops now. Take action tonight. Anyone who dares to resist will be killed without mercy!" Hu Zongxian put down the dossier recording the crimes of the wealthy gentry and ordered.
"Yes, we will do it now!" Qi Jiguang said solemnly.
…
Soon, all the soldiers who had been stationed outside the city entered the city under Qi Jiguang's order. Naturally, this movement was not hidden from the gentry and landlords in the city.
"What happened? Why are there so many troops entering the city?"
"It's bad, something happened to us! The Governor is going to send troops to deal with us."
"Quick, run now, maybe there is a glimmer of hope!"
Soon, the Ming army that entered the city took control of all the mansions of these gentry and landlords with lightning speed. The private soldiers that these gentry and landlords usually spent a lot of money and energy to train were in danger in front of the real army. They were vulnerable to a single blow and were quickly killed!
During this process, as long as the soldiers encountered a slight resistance, ruthless massacre would follow.
"Raising private soldiers, murdering court officials, collaborating with Japanese invaders, annexing people's land, squandering people's lives, bribing officials, these are all good things you have committed!"
With a smile on his face, Hu Zongxian looked at the wealthy gentry and landowner who was being escorted by soldiers and knelt down in front of him, and said.
"Mr. Governor, please spare us. We tried our best to entertain you just now, but you can't..."
"Hmph, take them all down!" Hu Zongxian ordered in a deep voice without looking at them.
"Sir Governor, the specific amount of property has been counted, 8.3 million taels of silver, and the rest, such as grain, cloth, etc., are countless." At this time, Qi Jiguang stepped forward quickly and reported to Hu Zongxian.
"Well, first take out the captured silver and give it to the soldiers. The rest, such as grain, cloth, etc., will be used to replenish the food and supplies consumed by the army first. As for the rest..."
After Hu Zongxian pondered for a moment, he gave an idea: "As for the remaining food, distribute it to the people in the city! In addition, the land that was annexed by the gentry and landlords will also be returned to the original owners. Find someone to write down the details. Post this notice in a conspicuous place in the city, stating that these gentry and landlords will be publicly tried at the Shouning County Government Office tomorrow."
"Yes, Lord Governor! I will go down and make arrangements right now." After Qi Jiguang listened to Hu Zongxian's instructions, he immediately took the order and left.
Soon, notices were posted in conspicuous places throughout Shouning County! It says that tomorrow these evil gentry and landlords will be publicly tried at the Shouning County government office. In addition, all the land that was previously annexed to the people will be returned. Not only that, but the food collected from the gentry and landlords' homes will also be distributed to the people in the city. resident.
The news spread like this, and soon, most of the people in Shouning County knew about it.
With a beautiful longing for tomorrow, countless people fell asleep.
(End of chapter)
