Hangzhou, Zhejiang.
Ever since Lu Fang received Jiajing's order last time, asking him to send people to thoroughly investigate whether the tax reductions and exemptions for people in Zhejiang were implemented, he has been dispatching capable members of the Jinyiwei to Zhejiang to investigate.
"Sir, where should we start investigating next?"
"Don't worry, it will be time to collect the land tax in two days, and everything will come to light by then!"
"By the way, we only investigate whether the tax reductions and exemptions for people have been implemented, and we don't ask about the rest! Do you understand?"
Perhaps feeling a little uneasy, the officer warned his subordinates.
"Sir, don't worry, I understand all the rules."
"Well, it's good to understand. It's best not to create any trouble for me when the time comes!"
…
At this time, the Zhejiang Governor's Mansion was established.
Hu Zongxian called everyone together and asked about the progress of the matter.
"I asked you to go down to prepare earlier. How are you preparing?"
Hu Zongxian sat at the top and asked after looking around.
"Teacher, the government has made corresponding preparations, and the specific list has been issued to the subordinate officials responsible for taxation!"
Ma Ningyuan stood up first and responded.
"Yeah, well done."
Hu Zongxian was quite satisfied with Ma Ningyuan's current progress and nodded.
"Aren't you two very familiar with that Shen Yishi? What did he say?"
Hu Zongxian then turned his attention to Zheng Michang and He Maocai and asked.
"My Lord Governor, Shen Yishi doesn't dare to complain at all about the government's decision! He also promised to double the part of the land tax that was previously concealed in three days."
Zheng Michang stood up from his seat and reported to Hu Zongxian.
"Well, that's fine too."
After Hu Zongxian finished speaking, he picked up the teacup on the side and took a sip.
"Well, Lord Governor..."
Zheng Michang had a troubled look on his face and hesitated.
"If you have anything to say, just say it, don't dawdle!"
Hu Zongxian glanced at Zheng Michang, frowned, and said in a deep voice.
"Well, we are not familiar with Shen Yishi, and we usually only have official contacts."
Zheng Michang cowardly said to Hu Zongxian.
"Oh, is it so?"
Hu Zongxian saw the expression on Zheng Michang's face and asked a question.
"Mr. Governor, we really have no connection with that Shen Yishi, we just know each other!"
Seeing this, He Maocai stood up from his seat and explained.
"Forget it, since you said it doesn't matter, then it doesn't matter."
Hu Zongxian didn't know the little thoughts of these two people, so he immediately waved his hand and said that he would not pursue it.
"Thank you, Lord Governor! Thank you, Lord Governor!"
Seeing that Hu Zongxian planned to expose the matter, Zheng Michang and He Maocai instantly breathed a sigh of relief and responded with gratitude.
"During this period, you all should give me more thought on converting rice into mulberry. Do you understand?"
Hu Zongxian looked at the two people and continued.
"I understand, I understand, Lord Governor, don't worry!"
"Changing rice into mulberry is not your fault alone. When something goes wrong, everyone will be involved!"
When Zheng Michang saw this, he quickly flattered him.
"Well, it's good that you know."
"By the way, Ma Ningyuan, when the time comes, let those subordinate officials who collect land taxes restrain themselves. If they still dare to use the same tactics as before, I will never let you go easy! Do you understand?"
"Teacher, the students will be sent down later."
Ma Ningyuan heard Hu Zongxian's instructions and nodded repeatedly.
"Okay, that's it. I have something to do later."
After Hu Zongxian finished speaking, he looked at everyone and said slowly.
"My Lord Governor, I will take my leave now."
After everyone finished speaking, they stood up from their seats and left the meeting hall.
…
In Fujian, Tan Lun was handling official business in the government office at this time.
Ever since he last sent a letter through Hu Zongxian's channel, he had been looking forward to a reply, and in the process, Qingliu sent him several more related letters.
After thinking for a long time, Tan Lun finally chose to deal with it for the time being.
'Dong dong dong' There was a knock on the door from outside.
Seeing that the thoughts in his mind were disturbed, Tan Lun frowned slightly and said in a deep voice.
"Come in!"
With a "squeak" sound, the door was pushed open, and Tan Lun's personal bodyguard came in.
Seeing that it was his personal bodyguard, Tan Lunna's resentment due to being disturbed in his thoughts had mostly dissipated, and then he asked, "What's the matter? Is there a reply from the other side?"
After hearing this, Tan Lun's personal bodyguard knelt on the ground and lowered his voice: "Report to the Governor, here is your Majesty's reply to you."
After that, Tan Lun's personal guard took out the envelope from his arms and handed it to Tan Lun respectfully.
"Well, there's nothing for you to do here for now, so you can go down first."
Tan Lun ordered after taking the envelope from the personal guard.
"Yes, Lord Governor, I will resign now!"
Tan Lun's bodyguard bowed his hands and left the room, closing the door behind him.
After Tan Lun was alone in the room, he uneasily opened the envelope.
There is very little content above, only a short sentence.
"I am aware of what Aiqing said before! Act according to the content of the letter first. If you have any questions, you can report them directly to me."
After Tan Lun read the above content, he clutched the letter in his hand and looked excited.
There is no other reason. Ever since Tan Lun decided to stand firmly on His Majesty's side, for a long time, he fought alone without any support.
Now, this reply from the emperor is telling Tan Lun bluntly, you will be mine from now on, work hard, I will support you behind your back!
Let me ask, in the entire Ming Dynasty, who had thighs thicker than the emperor's?
After calming down, Tan Lun began to sort out the meaning conveyed by Jiajing in the letter.
"Your Majesty wants me to do what Mr. Xu Ge and the others want first! Then secretly observe their every move and report everything to Your Majesty."
Tan Lun pinched his chin, thinking so.
"By the way, why did Your Majesty give me the same privileges as Governor Hu? Does Governor Hu have the same responsibilities as me? He is responsible for monitoring Yandang's side, and I am responsible for monitoring Qingliu's side."
The more Tan Lun thought about it, the more it seemed possible, and at the same time he couldn't help but feel a little creepy.
"It turns out that all of this is under His Majesty's control! Doesn't His Majesty know everything that happened before?"
The more Tan Lun thought about it, the more frightened he became. He immediately stopped his thoughts, called the guards outside the door, and said in a deep voice: "Call them all to the government office. I have something important to announce!"
"Yes, Lord Governor, my subordinates will go immediately."
After receiving Tan Lun's order, the guards left quickly.
After a while, the officials summoned by Tan Lun arrived at the government office.
I saw Tan Lun walking out of the back hall with his hands behind his back, looking at the many officials below, and said loudly: "I have come to you today because I have something extremely important to announce!"
"Please tell me, Lord Governor, I will definitely be a mess for you if you are a low-ranking official, and I will not give up even if you die!"
"Yes, yes, the governor just gives orders."
"Governor, give me the order! Even if I have to go up a mountain of swords and go down into a sea of fire, I will never frown."
Tan Lun nodded and said with satisfaction: "Okay, the next thing I want to announce is to wipe out the bandits in Fujian Province!"
"What!"
When the officials heard this, their faces were full of surprise.
(End of chapter)
