In the early spring of the fourth year of the reign of Emperor Xingqing of the Song Dynasty, the Northland was still in a chilly state, and the vegetation was withered. However, Quanzhou City, located on the southeast coast, was already covered with green grass and red flowers, like a lover's caress, gentle and considerate.
In the lobby of the Quanzhou magistrate's office, dozens of Quanzhou officials in black official robes gathered together. They were in small groups, whispering and having their own concerns.
"The prefect called us here. What's going on?"
Lin Shuren, a fat man with a fair face who is nearly fifty years old, asked softly, his eyes a little panicked.
Lin Shuren was a descendant of Xungui, the governor of Quanzhou, and also a local surname in Quanzhou. He was in charge of the garrison, training, weapons and service of the local Xiang army in Quanzhou, and he was a proper local power.
"Who knows? It must be nothing good!"
Tian Xiaocai, the commander of Quanzhou, had high cheekbones and dark eye circles on his tan face, as if he had been drinking too much.
"Could it be because of what happened to those people in the Anti-Corruption Department? This is a big mess. What should we do?"
Lin Shuren's heart sank, and his voice became louder unknowingly.
"Keep your voice down, what are you yelling about?"
Tian Xiaocai glared at Lin Shuren dissatisfiedly. He looked around. Everyone was far away and no one paid attention to them.
"Aren't I anxious? What should I do now?"
Lin Shuren quickly lowered his voice, feeling no less worried in his heart.
"What are you afraid of? They have no evidence!"
Tian Xiaocai smiled coldly and said slowly:
"If there is any trouble above, the pacifier will definitely inform us. If I am in a hurry, I will go to sea and become a pirate at worst. Whether it is Ryukyu or Nanyang, there are many places to go!"
The Ryukyu mentioned by Tian Xiaocai is the Ryukyu Islands of later generations, including Taiwan. As for Nanyang, it is because of the wording in newspapers, that is, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia in later generations.
"Do we have to take this step? The entire South China Sea and the East China Sea are filled with warships of the Song Dynasty. Where can we hide?"
Lin Shuren shook his head and sighed.
He had not yet thought of breaking with the Song Dynasty court. Once you leave, where can you find the gold and silver like Quanzhou Port?
"We have no choice but to do this. However, the court also has to worry about chaos in Quanzhou, so it probably won't dare to do anything to us. Just be quiet and don't scare yourself anymore!"
Tian Xiaocai advised Lin Shuren and at the same time encouraged himself.
He is the commander of Quanzhou and is responsible for the defense of Quanzhou City. Xia Zhongyu is the commander of the Fujian left-wing navy and is responsible for Fujian's coastal defense. With the two of them here, plus the Fujian surname Lin Shuren, the sky will not fall.
Just smuggling and extorting some money, but killing them all? Aren't they afraid of causing civil unrest?
"This is all we can do now, just take it one step at a time."
Lin Shuren was full of thoughts. He nodded. He looked at the lobby and frowned suddenly.
"Why didn't Yan Rong come?"
Although Yan Rong is only the superintendent of the Quanzhou government office, he is the confidant of Zhao Rushi, the governor of Quanzhou and the governor of Quanzhou City. He is also a local snake in Quanzhou, taking both black and white. Suddenly not seeing Yan Rong, Lin Shuren felt a little uneasy.
"Yan Rong is just a small custodian. He must be on official business for the court, so he was not asked to come."
Tian Xiaocai and Yan Rong had some disagreements recently. In addition, Yan Rong was a civil servant, he was a court official, and Yan Rong was appreciated by Zhao Rushi. Tian Xiaocai subconsciously looked down on Yan Rong.
"The prefect has arrived!"
Lin Shuren wanted to continue talking, but the Yamen servant's voice sounded, and all the officials waiting in the lobby stood up one after another.
Regardless of whether they are fighting openly or secretly on weekdays, everyone still abides by matters of face.
Ruling Minister Zhen Dexiu, Quanzhou Prefect Zhao Rushi, and Anti-Corruption Department Director Xu Shouchun entered the lobby one after another, surrounded by a group of armored sergeants holding guns and knives.
"Everyone, I kept you waiting for so long!"
Zhao Rushi held back his cough, stood in front of the main seat, and introduced to everyone with different thoughts.
"Everyone, let me introduce you to you. This is the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, the ruler of this dynasty, Zhende Xiuzhengong, and the imperial minister this time. This is Xu Sheng, the emperor's personal attendant and deputy commander of the front department, and also This time the Imperial Guard is in charge."
After introducing Zhen Dexiu and Xu Sheng, Zhao Rushi pointed to Xu Shouchun.
"Everyone may know this person. He is Xu Shouchun, the head of the Fujian Road Anti-Corruption Branch."
"I've met Mr. Zhen! I've met General Xu! I've met Chief Xu!"
Everyone was either shocked or confused, and then they all saluted Zhendexiu and the others.
Some people already feel bad, feeling that something big is about to happen. Some people are suspicious, what is the purpose of such a large formation?
Tian Xiaocai followed everyone and bowed, feeling secretly surprised.
When the imperial minister came, why didn't the pacifying envoy Xianggong not inform him in advance?
Also, why is there no sign of Mr. Xianggong, the pacifier?
"Everyone, I'm sorry!"
Zhen Dexiu and Xu Sheng were serious in speech, and they all slightly bowed their hands, and it was hard to tell whether they were friendly or unkind.
Zhao Rushi turned slightly and Zhen Dexiu walked behind the desk and sat down on the chair.
"Ms. Zhao, have all the officials summoned arrived?"
Zhen Dexiu's words were not loud, but everyone below heard them clearly, and many people's expressions changed.
Summons?
Everyone's eyes turned to the long sword held in Xu Sheng's hand.
This is probably the legendary "Sword of the Song Dynasty".
It is said that this sword was worn by the emperor when he went to court for the first time. It symbolizes the monarchy of the Emperor of Song Dynasty and represents the Emperor of Song Dynasty himself. The "Sword of the King of Song" has been brought. Does this mean that Queen Qiu will be held accountable, or will Queen Qiu be punished?
Many people suddenly became frightened. Some people's faces turned pale and there was already fear in their eyes.
"Go back to your errand. All summoned officials should be present."
Zhao Rushi, with a face like gold paper, answered respectfully. Although it was due to illness, he also knew that the emperor was dissatisfied with his poor performance in his post as Quanzhou Shipping Secretary, so he sent imperial ministers like Zhen Dexiu here.
Tian Xiaocai and Lin Shuren looked at each other, secretly shocked.
There are many good and bad officials in the hall, but it seems that there are not many who are not greedy, and I am afraid Zhao Rushi is no exception. But Xu Shouchun suddenly appeared again and became the anti-corruption chief of Fujian Road. Will they still have a good life in the future?
Zhen Dexiu nodded slightly, glanced at the people in the hall, and coughed lightly.
"Colleagues, I am summoning you today because of the smuggling, tax evasion and extortion of merchants at Quanzhou Port. Chief Xu of the Fujian Road Anti-Corruption Department was investigating the matter and was attacked, killing and injuring dozens of people. His Majesty Long Yan was furious and ordered This officer is here to investigate this matter thoroughly. Everyone, who did it, please come forward as soon as possible to avoid implicate innocent people and harm your family."
Zhen Dexiu's words made many officials in the hall uneasy. Everyone was silent, but no one stood up.
"Shangqiu, you said that some people attacked Chief Xu. Please provide evidence so that everyone can be convinced! You said that there is smuggling, tax evasion, and extortion of merchants in Quanzhou Port. Who are they? Please make it clear to the boss!"
After a while, an official in green robe spoke loudly, breaking the silence.
"What a sharp tongue!"
Zhen Dexiu looked at the green-robed official and sneered.
"Official who is speaking, what is your name? What is your official position?"
"Back on duty, I will serve as Wei Anmin, the chief clerk of Quanzhou Prefecture, and also the director of the Municipal Shipping Department."
Wei Anmin bowed his hand to Zhen Dexiu, his expression unchanged and extremely calm.
"Wei Anmin, the chief clerk of Quanzhou Prefecture, is in charge of all affairs of the Municipal Shipping Department."
Zhen Dexiu nodded, then opened the paper in front of him and read it carefully.
"What a Wei Anmin! You are corrupt, perverting the law, colluding with officials and businessmen, and devouring the court's taxes. Do you know your crime?"
Zhen Dexiu said coldly, Wei Anmin was surprised for a moment, and immediately asked back.
"What crime did the superior officer and the inferior officer commit? Please tell the superior officer, don't believe the rumors and give justice to the inferior officer!"
"Shangchai, Chief Wei is an upright and honest person. He is the head of Quanzhou Prefecture and everyone knows it. I'm afraid Shangchai's words are a bit misleading and exaggerated."
Wei Anmin was impassioned, and Tian Xiaocai immediately followed up Wei Anmin's words.
"Commander Tian, don't be rash in front of the superior. The superior has his own reason for saying so."
Zhao Rushi said softly to Tian Xiaocai, unable to help but cough repeatedly.
This Tian Xiaocai was so used to being domineering that he even ignored the emperor's imperial envoys.
Zhen Dexiu looked at Zhao Rushi with concern, and Zhao Rushi shook his head gently, indicating that he was fine.
"Xiangong Zhao, justice lies in the heart of the people. The imperial envoy is unfair to Xianggong Wei. As colleagues, how can we sit back and ignore it? How is this behavior different from animals? Where is the justice?"
Tian Xiaocai replied calmly and calmly, with a very calm air.
"What Commander Tian said is absolutely true! Please don't listen to rumors and wrongly accuse a good person!"
Lin Shuren followed Tian Xiaocai and spoke, which aroused the echo of a group of officials in the hall.
"Sir, please investigate carefully and don't accuse a good person unjustly!"
"You talk nonsense and confuse right and wrong. Is there any justice in this world?"
Everyone was booing, and Zhen Dexiu saw it, his face turned solemn, and his eyes became cold.
Quanzhou Shipping Division has lagged far behind Mingzhou Shipping Division and Guangzhou Shipping Division in terms of taxation. How can we recover without getting rid of these moths?
Zhao Rushi was in charge of the Quanzhou Shipping Department and was not doing things well, and his in-laws could not escape his involvement.
"You, you, are so arrogant in front of the imperial envoy, aren't you afraid that your head will be in danger?"
Xu Sheng came out, pointed at Tian Xiaocai, and yelled angrily.
The clamoring civil and military officials in the hall suddenly fell silent.
The emperor's personal attendant personally took action with great style, which was no small matter.
"Sir, what crime did you commit that you want to take my life for? I want to see how you cut off my head?"
Tian Xiaocai looked at Xu Sheng without flinching, tit for tat.
"That's right, framed and framed, yet no one can speak. If you dare, kill us all!"
Some officials were aggressive and shouted loudly to encourage Tian Xiaocai.
"You can't kill someone without a nod, you have to let someone defend you! Kill when you say it, what a great official authority!"
Lin Shuren felt a little guilty, but he still yelled bravely.
At this time, you must not have stage fright, otherwise you will not be able to control yourself in the future. Moreover, he has realized that Zhen Dexiu and others have bad intentions and are definitely not here to eat, drink and have fun.
"General Xu, please be patient and retreat."
Xu Sheng retreated with a dark face, and then Zhen Dexiu slowly spoke to the crowd.
"Master Wei, your beautiful concubine Chunmei should have a lot of things hidden there, right?"
Wei Anmin was shocked and speechless for a moment, but Zhen Dexiu's eyes had moved away and stayed on Tian Xiaocai.
"May I ask this colleague, who are you and what is your official position?"
"Go back to the superior officer, and I'll lower you to Tian Xiaocai, the commander-in-chief of Quanzhou Prefecture. I offended you a lot just now, so please don't be offended!"
Tian Xiaocai also realized that the situation was not good, and his tone softened a bit.
"You are Tian Xiaocai, a name I have admired for a long time!"
Zhen Dexiu nodded, turned over the paper on the table and looked at it for a moment, then raised his head.
"Tian Xiaocai, you and Xia Zhongyu were the instigators of the attack on Anti-Corruption Chief Xu and others. You must have swallowed a lot of smuggling, extortion, and collusion between officials and businessmen. The houses you have in Quanzhou are not yours. Will I buy it with my salary?"
"Up...up..."
Tian Xiaocai blushed and immediately retorted.
"Sir, you are talking nonsense! I will not accompany you!"
After Tian Xiao finished speaking, he turned around and walked out of the lobby without saluting.
"Sir, I have something to do, so I won't accompany you!"
Wei Anmin hurriedly bowed his hands and followed Tian Xiaocai to turn outward.
Zhen Dexiu is not a good person. He even knows his secrets. I am afraid that all his crimes and scandals are under Zhen Dexiu's control.
"Farewell!"
"Farewell!"
"Farewell!"
There was a "hu-la-la" sound in the lobby, and more than a dozen officials walked away and went straight out of the hall.
"The superior has not spoken, so who dares to leave?"
Zhao Rushi's face turned livid, he was out of breath and coughed violently.
At the entrance of the lobby, the Imperial Guards appeared one after another. They stood in the back row and squatted in the front row. They drew their bows and arrows at the front and back, aiming at Tian Xiaocai and others.
"Who dares to make a mistake?"
Tian Xiaocai took two steps back, pulled out the knife with a "clang" sound, and held it in front of him.
Many other civil and military officials drew their swords one after another and confronted the imperial guards tit for tat.
"Do it!"
Xu Sheng looked ugly and shouted angrily.
Crossbow arrows were flying, and the sound of "puff" arrows entering the body was endless. Tian Xiaocai and others were shot over one after another, and the whole hall was filled with wails and screams.
"Sir, please spare my life!"
"Spare my life!"
"Spare us!"
The ground was covered with dead, wounded and blood. The remaining officials who did not dare to leave knelt on the floor, begging for mercy. Some officials wet their pants and the stench hit their nostrils.
"Ms. Zhao, are you okay?"
Zhen Dexiu asked Zhao Rushi with concern and helped him sit down on the chair.
"Tian Xiaocai, don't think that you can cover the sky with just one hand. Your best friend Xia Zhongyu is being arrested by the Coastal Rearrangement Department, and your other best friend Yan Rong has surrendered and confessed everything. All of your gang members will be arrested one by one. Arrest and punish in accordance with the law. You culprits will have your homes confiscated and exiled, or even be sentenced to death."
Zhen Dexiu walked down, looked at Tian Xiaocai and others who were groaning in pain, and said coldly.
The imperial army fired arrows in unison, seeming to have avoided the critical point, only injuring the officials. He also wanted to kill chickens and scare monkeys, setting an example for others such as Tian Xiaocai and others.
"Zhen Gong, the sky in Quanzhou...has finally dawned!"
Zhao Rushi was exhausted and said with emotion.
Quanzhou City's shipping department was cleared of debris and filth, and returned to the rule of the Song Dynasty. This was the greatest comfort for him, a dying man.
