Early the next morning, everyone, led by Hu Zongxian, went to greet the imperial envoy Zhao Zhenji.
Soon, the boat Zhao Zhenji was on docked smoothly. Hu Zongxian stood at the front and had a panoramic view of everything.
Behind the ship Zhao Zhenji was on, there were more than a dozen warships of various sizes, which were full of soldiers. According to Hu Zongxian's estimate, there were at least two thousand people!
Zhao Zhenji got off the boat under the escort of his guards. Upon seeing this, Hu Zongxian saluted respectfully and said: "Your Majesty, Hu Zongxian, Governor of Zhejiang Province and Governor of Zhejiang Province, has met the Imperial Envoy!"
After Hu Zongxian finished speaking, all the officials behind him also saluted.
Seeing this, Zhao Zhenji smiled, cupped her hands towards Hu Zongxian, and responded: "Next, I will rely on Governor Hu!"
"Wherever, please, your Majesty the Imperial Envoy!"
Hu Zongxian smiled and then made a gesture of invitation.
Then the two people walked at the front of the team, followed by officials from all over Zhejiang, large and small, as well as officials accompanying Zhao Zhenji.
Within a few kilometers of the surrounding area, there were soldiers patrolling everywhere! In addition, all places where people might be hiding were turned upside down by officers and soldiers.
"Governor Hu should know the purpose of my trip, right?"
Zhao Zhenji did not exchange too many pleasantries, but chose to go straight to the point.
"The imperial envoy is here to investigate the taxation of people in Zhejiang. The official has already prepared the corresponding files in the Governor's Mansion. Please go with the imperial envoy!"
Hu Zongxian stroked his beard and responded.
"Well, that's very good. If we resolve this matter as soon as possible, I can report to His Majesty!"
After Zhao Zhenji finished speaking, he followed Hu Zongxian's footsteps, got on the sedan, and embarked on the road to the Governor's Mansion.
Both sides of the road to the Governor's Palace were lined with soldiers on guard, and the people were asked to stay at home and not come out! At the same time, the officials in the city were also searching everywhere to see if there were any suspicious persons.
Soon, the group arrived at the Governor's Mansion.
"Please, your Majesty the Imperial Envoy!"
Hu Zongxian got off the sedan first and led the way.
"Um."
Zhao Zhenji nodded, and then followed Hu Zongxian's footsteps and entered the Governor's Mansion.
After walking through a long corridor, Zhao Zhenji came to the meeting hall of the Governor's Mansion. At this moment, many subordinate officials were busy sorting out the files of Zhejiang over the years.
"I have met the Imperial Envoy!"
Seeing Zhao Zhenji appear, these subordinate officials quickly stopped what they were doing and saluted Zhao Zhenji in a hurry.
"It doesn't matter, you just continue what you are doing! I have some things I want to confirm with Governor Hu next."
Zhao Zhenji just waved his hand and said calmly.
"In that case, please invite your Majesty the Imperial Envoy to go to the lower official's study to have a talk."
Hu Zongxian was a little confused about Zhao Zhenji's attitude at this time, and then said respectfully.
Soon, under the leadership of Hu Zongxian, Zhao Zhenji came to Hu Zongxian's study. After the two entered the study, the study was protected by three floors inside and three outside, and no one was allowed to enter!
"Your Majesty, please have some tea."
After Hu Zongxian finished speaking, he made the tea himself and handed it to Zhao Zhenji.
"Well, Governor Laohu is here! When there is no one around, please call me Mr. Zhao."
After entering the study, Zhao Zhenji quickly relaxed and said to Hu Zongxian.
As the imperial envoy, Zhao Zhenji represents the emperor's will! Every move he makes is watched by countless pairs of eyes.
Therefore, on previous occasions, Zhao Zhenji had always behaved extremely seriously. At this moment, in the study room with only two people, Zhao Zhenji relaxed and showed goodwill to Hu Zongxian.
"Master Zhao, did His Majesty send you here to investigate the case that the tax reductions and exemptions provided by the imperial court to the people have not been implemented?"
In the end, Hu Zongxian couldn't restrain his curiosity and asked Zhao Zhenji instead.
"Yes, and no! Your Majesty sent me here this time, firstly to investigate the case, and secondly to deliver this letter to you."
"Your Majesty asked someone to deliver this to the ship before I left, and it was pressed under my pillow!"
After Zhao Zhenji finished speaking, he took out the letter from his arms and handed it to Hu Zongxian.
Hu Zongxian took the letter from Zhao Zhenji and opened it with great reverence, but the content above surprised him.
"Your Majesty asked me to collect information on salt merchants in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Your Majesty is going to take action against this group of salt merchants!"
Zhao Zhenji naturally noticed the look of shock on Hu Zongxian's face, but he didn't ask any more questions. After all, this was a letter written by the emperor himself to the feudal officials, and it was delivered through him, the imperial envoy!
From this, we can know how important the content is.
Hu Zongxian put the letter away carefully, then turned his eyes to Zhao Zhenji and said.
"Thank you, Mr. Zhao!"
"Everywhere, everyone is just doing things for His Majesty."
Zhao Zhenji saw this and refused.
"Now that the letter has been delivered, we should officially get down to business! As the governor of Zhejiang Province and the governor of Zhejiang Province, do you know that the taxes exempted and exempted by the imperial court have not been implemented?"
Zhao Zhenji turned his gaze to Hu Zongxian and asked in a deep voice.
"Informed, I have been aware of this matter from beginning to end."
Hu Zongxian sighed helplessly and had no intention of defending himself too much.
"Alas, I also know Governor Hu's difficulties! Since the Zhengde period, the taxes that the court can collect have become less and less. If we don't increase taxes on the people, who should we increase them on?"
"It's impossible. Let's add it from the landowners, gentry and gentry officials!"
"In order to maintain the daily operations of the court, we have to collect more taxes from the people! Moreover, this situation is not limited to Zhejiang, but officials across the country are doing this."
"However, these officials put all the extra taxes into their own pockets. This is why His Majesty is so angry!"
After hearing what Hu Zongxian said, Zhao Zhenji also sighed helplessly to express his understanding.
Then, Zhao Zhenji picked up the teacup on the side, took a sip, and continued.
"Your Majesty sent me here this time not to investigate the truth, but to give some warning to those officials."
"Let those officials understand the consequences of angering His Majesty!"
"So, Governor Hu, if you have a list of officials you want to deal with, just give it to me!"
"To tell you the truth, before this, Mr. Yan Ge and Mr. Xu Ge had already sent someone to hand me a lengthy list. Those people on it should be enough to appease His Majesty's anger."
Seeing that there was still some hesitation on Hu Zongxian's face, Zhao Zhenji immediately chose to tell everything.
After Zhao Zhenji chose to tell everything, the hesitation on Hu Zongxian's face quickly disappeared. He pulled out a list and handed it to Zhao Zhenji.
"Master Zhao, please watch and deal with the people on the list!"
Zhao Zhenji took the list and after carefully confirming the names recorded on it, he breathed a sigh of relief.
In his opinion, after all the people on the list are dealt with, not only will Zhejiang not be plunged into turmoil, but he will also be able to report to the emperor!
Without him, most of the people on the list are officials who are insignificant but closely related to the imperial taxation.
(End of chapter)
