Shansang County.
In the county seat, there is a mansion that is quite eye-catching - in terms of floor space and the spaciousness and height of the portal, even the City Lord's Mansion in Shansang County is slightly inferior.
On the door of this mansion, there are two simple characters: 'Guo Mansion'!
There are densely engraved small characters on the stone tablet beside it. Although it has been severely eroded by the wind, the content can still be vaguely discerned - it is probably a certain ancestor of the Chu Kingdom, commending a certain ancestor of the Guo family for his loyalty and outstanding achievements in the country...
Guo Xiu hurriedly walked into the mansion and went straight to Guo Huai, the head of the Guo clan: "Father, something happened."
"Qu Yanghou sent someone to post a notice, saying that corruption would be investigated and officials would be eliminated."
"Who doesn't know that in the entire north of the Huai River, we have the most officials from the Guo family? This decree of Marquis Quyang, in my opinion - is aimed at my Guo family!"
Guo Huai is not very old. He looks about forty years old. He has a Chinese character face, sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, and looks like a positive character. Hearing Guo Xiu's story, he couldn't help but frown: "Don't panic, tell me in detail."
Guo Xiu then explained in detail the notice at the city gate and the commotion of the onlookers.
Guo Huai thought for a moment and couldn't help but smile: "It seems that our Lord is not a man of great magnanimity."
"How do you say this?"
"Does my son still remember the story of Zi Ping?"
"Of course I remember."
When Xiong Wuliang went to Ping'a County for an inspection, he encountered a clerk from the Ziping family who extorted money from merchants, and the extortion happened to be on Xiong Wuliang's head.
He even took out his serial crossbow and pointed it at Xiong Wuliang's car.
After that, the Ziping family paid a heavy price. The long-standing clan was destroyed by Xiong Wuliang, and many people are still digging sand.
Guo Xiu suddenly understood: "What does father mean - is this because Qu Yanghou has a grudge, so he wants to attack the rich clan like us?"
Guo Huai smiled, and there was no trace of panic on his face: "I have told the people below to pay attention to their hands and feet and not to go too far, but they just didn't listen."
"The three counties' fiefdoms are developing rapidly, with countless merchants coming and going. How much benefit have they derived from it?"
"No wonder Xiong Liang couldn't hold himself back."
"Now that Marquis Quyang's 'inspection order' has come out, it would be good to scare them."
Guo Xiu said anxiously: "But if Marquis Quyang goes to war and removes all the officials in my family... won't the strength of my Guo family be seriously damaged?"
Guo Huai laughed twice and said comfortingly: "The officials of my Guo family account for 40% of the county. If they are all dismissed, how will the government operate?"
"Although Xiong Wuliang's posture is quite grand, in my opinion, the thunder is loud and the raindrops are light."
"Mostly it's just to scare the lower-level officials."
"If you shout the slogan 'Abolish official corruption', there is really nothing to be afraid of."
"Just keep everything as usual..."
…
Quyanghou Mansion.
Qu Yuan was sitting in front of Xiong Wuliang, reporting on the progress after the implementation of the 'Fraud Check Order'.
As expected by Qu Yuan, no farmers or merchants from other places dared to report it.
Although there was great joy everywhere, there was no substantial progress.
Qu Yuan was also troubled and couldn't help complaining: "It's all because life in the fiefdom is so good now. The common people can survive even if they accept some exploitation, and they even live well."
"A few years ago, there would have been poor people who were too poor to survive and would have dared to expose corrupt officials!"
"It has been nearly ten days since the 'fraud investigation order' was issued, but there has been no response."
"If you continue like this, won't you be ridiculed by those big clans? It will also greatly damage the Lord's popularity in the fief!"
When Qu Yuan said this, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
Things went beyond his expectations.
I had anticipated such a situation at the time. At that time, the Lord had said that he would be the one to handle all the deeds and supporting evidence of corrupt officials.
Now it seems like there is no way to make a breakthrough?
Even if my master is really smart and has talents that ordinary people can't match, I'm afraid...it will be difficult to start an investigation.
Thinking of this, Qu Yuan couldn't help but sigh.
Since ancient times, successful reforms have all occurred in impoverished areas.
The reason is that the poorer the place, the more people’s thoughts change!
Everyone is extremely rich, who is willing to accompany you to carry out reforms?
At present, the reform in the fiefdom has suffered a sudden setback because the people are too rich and there are no people who can't survive being exploited by corrupt officials... so no one is willing to take the lead in exposing those worms.
Damn it!
In this situation, even Shang Yang's reincarnation would find it difficult.
It is estimated that his master has nothing to do... Qu Yuan let out a long sigh!
Xiong Wuliang couldn't help but feel funny when he saw the change in Qu Yuan's expression. He patted Qu Yuan's shoulder, took out a thick booklet from his arms, and stuffed it into Qu Yuan's hand.
"What is this?" Qu Yuan was startled.
"Open it and you'll find out." Xiong Wuliang smiled cunningly.
Qu Yuan opened the booklet and immediately opened his mouth in shock!
Here are records of officials at all levels accepting bribes and blackmailing businessmen!
The records are quite detailed!
"This, this, this..." Qu Yuan did not know the existence of Qingyu Wei, he only knew that everything in front of him was beyond his understanding.
Xiong Wuliang pointed at the pamphlet and was filled with indignation: "This group of bastards, in just ten days, they found out that they had embezzled money and demanded bribes, amounting to nearly five or six hundred gold!"
"This is all my money!"
"I'm furious!"
Qu Yuan looked closely and saw that Xiong Wuliang's face turned slightly pale. He was obviously really angry and not faking it.
Xiong Wu has a bad conscience! He is really anxious!
This is all the hard-earned money of labor and management.
Is it easy for me to make some money?
It took so much investment in the early stage to achieve the current prosperity.
It means earning back the money, then expanding the army, forging armor, leading the people of the entire fief to conquer the Qin Dynasty, and living a happy and well-off life from then on.
As a result, he was exploited by these damn officials!
I’m so angry! I’m so angry!
In just ten days, five to six hundred gold were found.
In an ordinary agricultural county, this is equivalent to half a year's fiscal revenue!
This has been found out, is there anything else that has not been found out?
After the promulgation of the fraud investigation order, these officials may have restrained themselves a little - but what if they had not restrained themselves before?
Blanch!
Think about it, labor and capital have been fighting outside for more than half a year, and they have come back with a narrow escape.
When you are at home, you just deal with passing merchants, right?
How much money have we lost in the past six months?
Xiong Wuliang rolled his eyes and pinched his lover tightly without letting go: "Qu Yuan, you are right!"
"These corrupt officials need to be rectified!"
"Reform! We must continue to reform!"
"I want to centralize power!"
"Anyone who wants to touch the money bag of labor and management will have to die for labor and management!"
When Qu Yuan heard this, he almost cried with joy——
Oh my God, my earth! What a blessing it is to have a master who loves money as much as his life!
…
