Seeing that the chief officer was captured, the officers and soldiers on the scene reluctantly stopped their actions, because if their superior officer really had some shortcomings, let alone taking credit, they might also be implicated.
The official's whole body was trembling, except for his neck, which was straight and motionless. He was really afraid that if he moved even a little bit, his neck would come into close contact with the sword in front of him.
He tried his best to please, "My lord, please forgive me, my lord, please forgive me! This is all a misunderstanding." Zhang Ren smiled softly and moved the Xuanyang Sword closer to his neck.
The sharp sword blade cut through the official's skin with scorching heat, and a wisp of blood slowly slid down. The official was really panicked. He didn't care about his face at the moment, and immediately cried out at the top of his lungs: "It's really a misunderstanding, it's really... It's a misunderstanding!
"A misunderstanding is your explanation for disregarding human life?" Naturally, Zhang Ren could not accept such remarks. He pointed to the officers and soldiers whose swords had not yet been sheathed, and continued: "Tell me, what are those swords?" How many innocent lives have been harmed?
The official quickly denied it and said, "No, it's true. Your Excellency is aware that I just asked the Cao Gang to collect the fishing tax on my behalf. I never thought that such a misunderstanding would occur."
"Zhang Ren sneered and said, "Collect fish tax on your behalf? Whether the imperial court has any fish tax is irrelevant. If you collect it, it will be ten taels or twenty taels. How can ordinary people have so much silver to pay taxes?
"After hearing this, the official was also surprised, "Ten taels and twenty taels? Sir, you are aware of this! The lower official told Gang Leader Li that the fishing tax only charges five copper coins. Where does the saying of ten taels and twenty taels come from?
"As the official said, he couldn't help but look at Li Zhenjun. And Zhang Ren also looked at Li Zhenjun with a questioning look.
Li Zhenjun blushed, coughed twice, and then said, "I have given instructions to the people below that the fishing tax must not exceed ten copper coins.
After saying that, Li Zhenjun looked around at his subordinates. However, some of the Cao Gang's subordinates had their eyes averted, while others lowered their heads and remained silent. The facts seemed to be coming out.
Everyone who handled the fishing tax wanted to make some money. Under layers of exploitation, the fishing tax that was originally only five copper coins suddenly increased to as much as ten taels and twenty taels.
The official also breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly said: "Look, sir, the subordinates have already said that this is a misunderstanding!
"Li Zhenjun also said: "It's all because of my inability to discipline him." Zhang Ren said: "When I was in Jinling City, Zhao Kuaishou helped me a little. In Muping County, Zhao Kuaishou was also helpful to me. You are I will always give some face to his people, and I will not interfere with Caobang matters, but you must also behave yourself and strictly restrain your subordinates. If there is a next time, I will never be lenient!
"When he was in Jinling City, although Zhao Shannan did not directly help Zhang Ren, he gave Zhang Ren several pointers. Otherwise, Zhang Ren would not have met monk Wu Peng, let alone defeat the secret master Yu Zhaosen.
As for Muping County, Zhao Shannan directly fought off many Japanese pirates, which was of great help to Zhang Ren.
So this favor must be returned. But that's all. Next time someone from the Cao Gang makes a mistake, Zhang Ren will never show mercy.
Li Zhenjun cupped his hands towards Zhang Ren and said, "I will definitely be able to restrain the gang members when I go back, but I won't treat those who commit crimes lightly.
” After saying that, he didn’t care whether Li Tongyang could see it or not, he cupped his hands towards Li Tongyang, and then left with all the Cao Gang members.
The official who still had the sword on his neck was a little confused. He said, "Sir, you just heard it. I really told them to collect a fishing tax of five copper coins. This is really because those people in the Cao Gang did not abide by the rules." First, you released them all. Do you think you also released the subordinate officials?
Unexpectedly, Zhang Ren snorted coldly and said, "The fishery tax may have nothing to do with you, but you are inseparable from the fact that you can arrange crimes at will and instruct your subordinates to harm people's lives regardless of the facts."
"The official made a sad face and said subconsciously: "No, these are the things that only Jin Yiwei can do!
Zhang Ren frowned and asked, "What did you say?" The official then realized that the person in front of him was the commander of the Imperial Guards, wasn't he?
She scolded Jin Yiwei in front of him. Wasn't this because the longevity star was seeking death? The official quickly covered his mouth and shook his head desperately.
At the same time, he also scolded the Caogang countless times in his heart. If the Caogang hadn't stepped up their efforts, Li Zhenjun came to him again today, saying that some people refused to pay taxes, and he hoped that adults would bring officers and soldiers, so that people who did not pay taxes would serve as a warning to the monkeys. , if it weren't for these, how could he be in such a situation?
He cursed countless swear words in his heart, but he didn't dare to curse Zhang Ren in his heart. This was mainly because Jin Yiwei's name had been too famous in recent years, and he didn't dare to have the slightest disrespect.
Zhang Ren removed the Xuanyang Sword from the official's neck. He sighed helplessly. He knew that the official was right. He arranged for people to be charged with crimes and harmed people's lives. These have become the label of Jinyiwei and have become The people's inherent view of Jin Yiwei.
The Jin Yiwei seems to be intimidating and powerful enough, but in fact, it is more or less out of the control of the imperial court.
The main reason is that Jinyiwei has too much power. It not only has the power of arrest, but also the power of torture, and even the power of executing officials below the fourth rank.
To put it simply, whoever Jin Yiwei says is guilty is guilty, and whoever he says is killed can be killed at will.
This kind of excessive power often distorts human nature. There are few people in the world who do not use it after gaining such great power.
This has also resulted in a large number of unjust, false and wrongful convictions. Zhang Ren knew that if he wanted to change this situation, he would not only have to change Jin Yiwei, but also have everyone in the world change their view of Jin Yiwei.
Therefore, even though he knew that the official in front of him was not a good person, Zhang Ren did not kill him. He could not overstep his authority.
He sighed softly and said: "Take your people and get out!" The official was so excited that he knelt on the ground and said gratefully: "I thank you sir for your life, sir! Thank you so much for your life!"
Zhang Ren sheathed the Xuanyang Sword and then said, "Although I will spare you what happened today, I will report the whole matter to the court. As for whether you should die or not, it all depends on the court's decision."
"The official's heart suddenly fell back to the bottom. Since he became an official, not only has he done nothing, he has even embezzled a lot of tax money and food. If the court really sends someone to investigate, then he can't bear the investigation. Can his life be saved? It's hard to say, but the black gauze hat on his head is definitely difficult to preserve.
But now that the matter has come to this, what else can be done? You can only block the holes as much as possible before the court comes, and then use the little time to do some political achievements, so as to reduce your guilt as much as possible.
The official also knew that the remaining time was Zhang Ren's last chance for him. He bowed his hands towards Zhang Ren, said a lot of words of gratitude, and left with his officers and soldiers.
It was only then that Old Man Yin stepped forward and said, "I didn't expect that your status as a kid is not simple, but you just let those people leave like this?
Zhang Ren nodded slightly and reiterated: "Uncle, I have said before, I really don't like killing people."
But Old Man Yin pointed to his house and said angrily: "Old man, I just want to ask, if this house has collapsed, who will accompany it?"
" Old Man Yin's daughter-in-law slapped Old Man Yin from behind and said, "When I was young, I was always serious. How come I become less serious as I get older?
How much is this house worth? Once it collapses, just build it up. Go look for it quickly to see if there is anything valuable buried underneath.
Old man Yin seemed to be very henpecked. As he walked towards the collapsed house, he muttered in a low voice: "Do I care about those houses?"
It's just that my good mood was interrupted. I was still thinking about stretching my muscles. Zhang Ren couldn't figure out where Old Man Yin got the interest in stretching his muscles, but he still said, "Don't worry, uncle, I'll pay for the house."
"He already has a lot of money, and he just came down from the mountain to mediate the war between the north and the south and take charge of the Imperial Guard. This way, his salary will not be short, so naturally he doesn't care about the money to repair the house.
Yin Tongyi's grandfather shook his head at Zhang Ren again and said, "You kid, you really spoil people's mood. It's not easy for me to encounter this. I also wanted to stretch my muscles, but you disturbed everything." .
After saying that, his grandfather also walked away with his hands behind his back. Zhang Ren didn't understand at all, what exactly were these two old guys trying to do?
Could it be that he is too old and his brain is too funny? At your age, do you still dare to fight against the officers and soldiers?
Just as he was thinking about it, Li Tongyang also walked up to Zhang Ren and asked directly: "Are you from the imperial court?
How come you have Xuanyang Sword? "Although Li Tongyang is blind, he can still feel the breath of his master's Xuanyang Sword. The moment Zhang Ren drew the sword, Li Tongyang had already sensed the Xuanyang Sword.
Zhang Ren took half a step back and did not answer Li Tongyang's words. Instead, he bowed solemnly and said, "Zhang Ren pays homage to Senior Brother.
"Senior Brother?" Li Tongyang was a little surprised. It was true that he had three junior brothers, but he was very familiar with the voices of the three junior brothers. He could be sure that the person in front of him was not one of his three junior brothers at all.
Zhang Ren said: "I joined Wudang three years ago and am Master's fifth disciple. I should call you Senior Brother.
I often heard the stories of several senior brothers told by the fourth senior brother on the mountain. When I met them today, I realized that the senior brother’s martial arts was even more powerful than what the fourth senior brother told.
Li Tongyang then nodded and said: "I see, since the master accepts you as his disciple, he must have his own considerations, so I won't ask about your identity. It's just that when you travel around the world, the identity of the court should be hidden." as well.
"Night Rivers and Lakes. (After reading this, remember to bookmark it for next time reading!)
