Perhaps everything that could be burned was burned out, and the fire gradually came under control. After everyone worked together to put out the fire, the bodies of Shen Yishi and Yun Niang were carried out.
Zheng Michang just glanced at it, then hurriedly looked away, and then ordered: "Find a good place and bury them together!"
"Yes, sir!"
After accepting the order, the subordinate quickly left.
"Sir, how should we write the next report?"
At this moment, a petty official came forward, mustered up his courage, and asked.
"Idiot, do you still need me to teach you about this kind of thing? Just say that Shen Yishi should commit suicide in fear of crime!"
"Thank you for your advice, sir. I will write it according to your instructions."
Seeing that Zheng Michang had given specific instructions, the petty official left with great gratitude.
"Hey, have you calculated the specific property?"
Zheng Michang sighed helplessly, and then asked the accompanying officials.
"Lord Qizhen, the statistics have been calculated!"
"The cash in the warehouse, as well as silk, etc., total 7.36 million taels, and according to the numbers recorded on the land deed, there are almost 30,000 acres of land! In addition, Shen Yishi also took out A large sum of money was spent to open up the joints of private salt sellers and obtain salt leads. Here are the detailed account books."
When the clerk saw Zheng Michang asking questions, he quickly reported the numbers he had already compiled truthfully.
"What? Show me the account books!"
After listening to the clerk's report, Zheng Michang couldn't help but be shocked. He immediately took the account book from the clerk's hand and began to carefully compare every payment on it.
"Damn it! I wish I had come earlier."
After checking the account books, Zheng Michang couldn't help but gritted his teeth.
"But this can be regarded as a handle, keep it, maybe you can use it sometime."
After comforting himself in this way, Zheng Michang immediately embarked on the road to the Governor's Mansion.
…
"Your Excellency Governor, here are the properties confiscated by the official from Shen Yishi's home!"
In the Governor's Mansion, Zheng Michang was handing the account book to Hu Zongxian with great respect.
Seeing this, Hu Zongxian put the tea cup aside and took the account book from Zheng Michang's hand.
After a long time, Hu Zongxian put down the account book and said slowly: "This Shen Yishi is really ungrateful and has to get involved in the business of selling illegal salt!"
"Yes, Lord Governor, I think so too."
Seeing this, Zheng Michang hurriedly responded.
"Okay, I know about this matter! Since it is the order issued by Mr. Ge and others, it is not easy for me to interfere. You can handle it yourself."
After Hu Zongxian finished speaking, he waved his hand and gave the order.
"My Lord Governor, I would like to take part of it and send it to you..."
Before Zheng Michang finished speaking, he was impatiently interrupted by Hu Zongxian.
"Zheng Michang, put away your tricks in front of me!"
Seeing Hu Zongxian's sudden anger, Zheng Michang had a look of panic on his face, and he quickly apologized and said: "I offended the governor by not paying attention for a moment, please calm down."
"Okay, just go back and do your work. I still have things to deal with."
"Yes, Lord Governor, I will resign now."
…
Recently, Yang Zongtai has often felt depressed. Ever since he made great contributions and was transferred from Quanzhou to Nanzhili to serve as Taipu Sicheng on the recommendation of Qi Jiguang, he has become increasingly aware of the dangers of officialdom.
Whenever it was my turn to be on duty, I would be trembling with fear, walking on thin ice, and not daring to relax at all!
There is no other reason. Yang Zongtai’s boss is a very harsh person and cannot tolerate any mistakes made by his subordinates at work! Once something goes wrong, the punishment can range from a reprimand to a penalty.
Yang Zongtai was new to the country and did not understand the rules. For this reason, he suffered a lot of reprimands and was also fined a lot of salary.
If His Majesty hadn't shown mercy and increased the officials' salaries out of consideration for the hard work of the officials, Yang Zongtai might not have even been able to lift the blame.
And just when Yang Zongtai was about to adapt to this kind of life, something big happened again in Nanzhili!
Some officials gathered together and burned the inn, almost burning Yan Maoqing, who was sent by the imperial court to collect the salt tax!
After Yan Maoqing got His Majesty's order, he mobilized all the soldiers from the nearby guard station and massacred them! The killing made the entire southern Zhili officials tremble with fear and panic all day long.
However, Yang Zongtai was lucky enough to escape because of his low rank, low status and low power.
"Master Yang, I'm here to pick up your shift!"
At this moment, a voice pulled Yang Zongtai out of his memories.
"Oh, it's Mr. Li!"
Seeing this, Yang Zongtai quickly returned the greeting and then spoke.
"The tasks I have completed are all placed on the table. Mr. Li, you can check them yourself."
"Where are you, Master Yang is doing something, am I still worried?"
The visitor had a smile on his face and said pleasantly.
"How is the situation in the city recently?"
When Yang Zongtai saw this, he immediately picked up the topic.
"Alas, it's still the same as before, and the soldiers in the guard station are either killing people or on the way to kill people!"
"I really don't know what the adults above are thinking. They dare to touch the officials sent by the court to collect the salt tax! Now it will be better, everyone's life will be difficult."
When the visitor saw Yang Zongtai asking, he immediately complained.
"Hush, Mr. Li, don't say this nonsense!"
After hearing the complaints from his colleagues, Yang Zongtai quickly looked around and felt relieved when he saw that no one was paying attention.
"Oh, thank you, Mr. Yang, for reminding me."
Seeing Yang Zongtai's reminder, the visitor quickly realized that he had made a mistake, and his face was filled with gratitude.
"It's getting late, Mr. Li, I'll take my leave first!"
"Master Yang, walk slowly."
After Yang Zongtai finished speaking, he left the government office where the affairs were handled without looking back.
…
When Yang Zongtai returned to his residence in the city, his wife immediately came up to him with a look of concern on his face.
"Husband, how are you? Nothing happened today?"
Seeing the concern on his wife's face, Yang Zongtai couldn't help but feel wrapped in a deep warmth. He hugged his wife into his arms and comforted her softly: "The situation is relatively stable at the moment, and it should be over soon."
"But husband, I am still very worried about you! I heard from the well-informed women that the situation in the city has become increasingly serious recently."
"The officials sent by the imperial court to collect the salt tax are being implicated. I heard that many high-ranking officials have been beheaded!"
"Why don't we go back to Quanzhou? We won't be high officials anymore. You can go back and continue to be your county magistrate!"
After Yang Zongtai's wife finished speaking, she threw herself into Yang Zongtai's arms and said with a trembling voice.
Yang Zongtai was keenly aware that his wife in his arms was not feeling quite right, and her body could not help but tremble slightly.
Seeing this, Yang Zongtai hugged his wife tighter and said silently to himself: "It would be great if the imperial court could issue a decree and let me return to Quanzhou to serve!"
"It's okay, it's okay, this matter will be over soon."
Yang Zongtai looked at his wife's crying face, patted her back gently with his hand, and comforted her softly.
After a long time, Yang Zongtai's wife gradually stabilized her mood. She realized what she had done before, and her face was full of shyness.
Perhaps infected by the previous atmosphere, the distance between the couple became closer and closer.
"Dad, Mom, what are you doing?"
At this moment, a childish voice sounded.
In an instant, the previously ambiguous atmosphere disappeared, and Yang Zongtai's wife immediately covered her face and ran away.
"You brat, have you finished your homework for today?"
Yang Zongtai was quite angry about this. He looked at his son and asked immediately.
(End of chapter)
