Fujian, Zhangzhou Prefecture.
After the government's persistent propaganda, the local people in Fujian finally learned that the government was about to distribute land to the landless people.
At the beginning, the people were doubtful about this, fearing that the government had ulterior motives, so the propaganda progress was very slow. Later, it was Tan Lun, the governor of Fujian, who came on the stage in person and convinced the people to believe what the government said.
Since then, there has been an endless stream of people coming from thousands of miles to register with the government, and the officials in the local government have also been extremely busy.
In the study, Tan Lun was sitting in front of the desk, listening to reports from his subordinates.
"My Lord Governor, as of now, there are a total of 2,635 people who have registered at the government office and meet the requirements!"
"If these 15,000 acres of land are divided equally, each person can get about five acres of land."
After the subordinate finished describing what he learned about the situation, he stopped talking and quietly waited for Tan Lun's instructions.
"Can everyone get about five acres of land?"
After listening to his subordinate's report, Tan Lun immediately fell into deep thought.
After a long time, Tan Lun came back to his senses and gave the order.
"In this case, then we will suspend the registration of people's names and place of origin first, and wait for the people sent by the court to arrive, and then proceed directly to the distribution of land!"
"Yes, Lord Governor, I will definitely handle this matter well."
After receiving the specific instructions, the subordinates immediately responded in a deep voice.
"Okay, you don't have anything to do here. You can go down first!"
Then, Tan Lun waved his hand and issued an order to expel guests.
"Yes, Lord Governor!"
After the subordinate finished speaking, he turned around and left the room, closing the door behind him.
"Alas, there is still too little land. This little land is simply not enough!"
"How about I take this opportunity to suppress the bandits again?"
Tan Lun was holding his chin with one hand, thinking this.
…
At the Quanzhou government office, Yang Zongtai is handling corresponding matters.
Since the imperial court opened Quanzhou Port, he has been very busy as the prefect of Quanzhou.
Yang Zongtai not only needs to be responsible for handling affairs in Quanzhou City, but also for the time being, he is also responsible for maritime trade matters.
In the government office, while Yang Zongtai was still processing the corresponding files, he heard a knock on the door. Upon seeing this, Yang Zongtai put the brush in his hand aside and immediately gave instructions.
"Come in!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a government servant wearing soap red clothes walked in and respectfully reported to him.
"Master Prefect, there are several merchants engaged in maritime trade outside who are clamoring to see you, saying that they want you to bring justice to them!"
When Yang Zongtai heard this, he couldn't help but frown, and immediately asked the yamen officer.
"A businessman engaged in maritime trade?"
"Yes, Lord Magistrate, it is said that foreign businessmen are also involved!"
Seeing this, the government servants on the side did not dare to hide anything, and immediately told everything they knew, like pouring beans from a bamboo tube.
After Yang Zongtai roughly understood the reason for the incident, he couldn't help but look embarrassed and said slowly.
"This matter involves merchants from other countries. This is going to be very difficult!"
After Yang Zongtai hesitated for a moment, he immediately gave instructions to the government servant in front of him.
"Oh, forget it, take me there!"
"Yes, Lord Magistrate, please come with me!"
After the yamen officer finished speaking, he went to lead the way, while Yang Zongtai followed his pace unhurriedly and came to the court.
In the courtroom, the two sides argued so fiercely that they did not even notice Yang Zongtai's arrival.
"Bah, you foreign businessmen are really profiteers and dishonest!"
"It's obviously because you are not trustworthy. I...we have clearly agreed before that we will charge according to the integrity of the goods delivered."
"Bah, you didn't mention it at all!"
Seeing this situation, Yang Zongtai coughed twice, attracting both parties' attention to himself.
Upon seeing this, both parties reluctantly stopped the quarrel.
Yang Zongtai nodded when he saw both parties stopped arguing, then sat down and said slowly.
"I am Yang Zongtai, the prefect of Quanzhou. Who are you?"
Seeing this situation, those Ming businessmen seemed to have found a savior, and they quickly knelt down on the ground and said in a deep voice.
"Sir, the younger one's name is Qiao Er. He comes from the Qiao family in Shanxi. This time he wants to sue these foreign businessmen!"
"These foreign businessmen were dishonest and blatantly tore up the agreement signed by both parties, causing us great losses."
When the foreign businessmen heard this, their expressions immediately changed.
After whispering for a long time, someone finally stood up and explained to Yang Zongtai in half-baked Ming Dynasty Mandarin.
"Sir...sir, my name is Luis, from the Kingdom of Spain!"
"That's not what happened. They obviously sent bad goods!"
"We are justified in refusing to accept the goods."
Seeing that both sides were arguing, Yang Zongtai immediately picked up the gavel on the table, patted it hard, and then spoke.
"one by one!"
After Yang Zongtai finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Qiao Er and said slowly.
"It's up to you to go first and tell me what happened."
Upon seeing this, Qiao Er immediately looked stern and responded respectfully.
"Yes, sir, this is what happened..."
After Qiao Er's narration, Yang Zongtai finally figured out the reason behind this.
It turns out that the Qiao family received a large order from the foreign merchants in front of them, transporting silk, porcelain, tea and other goods to them. However, during the transportation process, the ship encountered wind and waves, which caused the goods on the ship to be damaged. varying degrees of loss.
After the goods arrived at their destination, these foreign merchants saw that the quality and quantity of the goods were wrong, so they refused to accept the goods, and the two parties started a dispute. This back and forth ended with Yang Zongtai.
After listening to Qiao Er's story, Yang Zongtai turned his attention to the foreign businessmen and confirmed to them.
"Is what they said true?"
"My lord, what they said is exactly what happened."
Lewis took a step forward, put his hand on his chest, and bowed slightly to Yang Zongtai.
Afterwards, Yang Zongtai glanced at these foreign businessmen and asked.
"Did the agreement between you two include this situation before this?"
Seeing this situation, Louis couldn't help but show a trace of panic on his face, and immediately chose to ignore him.
"Smart and wise sir, these guys are raising prices indiscriminately because they are locals. Before that..."
Seeing this, Yang Zongtai showed a look of impatience on his face and interrupted.
"I want to ask you, does the agreement between the two of you include this situation? Don't let me ask you a third time!"
Sensing the threat in Yang Zongtai's words, Louis could only nod in agreement.
"This situation was anticipated in the agreement we signed before, but... just..."
When Yang Zongtai saw this, he immediately picked up the gavel and slammed the table, saying in a deep voice.
"In that case, I will declare that Qiao Er wins the case!"
After Yang Zongtai finished speaking, he turned his attention to the foreign businessmen represented by Louis and ordered.
"You must pay within three days according to the terms stipulated in the original agreement, otherwise, I will put you in prison in accordance with the laws of the Ming Dynasty!"
After receiving this verdict, Lewis looked quite unhappy and said in a deep voice immediately.
"It's not fair. You obviously think they are from the Ming Dynasty..."
When Louis raised his head, what he saw was Yang Zongtai's cold face. He quickly reacted and stopped talking.
Yang Zongtai saw the dissatisfied look on Louis' face, raised his eyebrows, and immediately spoke.
"This is how I always judge cases. Why, aren't you convinced?"
"If you have any objections to my decision on the case, you can appeal to the higher-level government office!"
When Yang Zongtai said this, he paused and continued.
"But whether the Yamen will accept it or not is another matter."
"If you haven't paid your wages on time after three days, then wait to be put in jail!"
At this moment, Lewis was already irritated by the contemptuous look on Yang Zongtai's face, and immediately threatened.
"The Kingdom of Spain where I live has a huge armada. I hope you can take responsibility for what you say!"
When Yang Zongtai heard this, he couldn't help but sneered and said mockingly.
"How dare the Spanish Kingdom, a mere barbarian country, dare to dominate in front of our heavenly kingdom?"
"While you are saying this, you might as well go out and take a look. All the warships of the Ming Dynasty are moored in the port outside!"
"What you just said, I will return it to you intact. I hope you can take responsibility for what you said!"
"Or is the country called Spain where you are really prepared to go to war with the Ming Dynasty?"
(End of chapter)
