Xu Zongwen: "To tell you the truth, the court is running out of food for disaster relief. You all know that Xu brought thousands of people from the capital to repair the dam. If these people go hungry, Xu can't guarantee it. Will they take the risk and do something unfriendly?"
Threat, this is a naked threat!
Shen Xu was the spokesperson of the twenty-four noble clans. He asked: "So how much food do you think we should pay for?"
"Let's do this! Xu will suffer a loss and contribute 20,000 dan for you. Each of you will contribute another 20,000 dan. A total of 500,000 dan will be collected in food. From this winter to summer, food for the victims will not be a problem."
This is a loser...
Exchanging 20,000 stones for 480,000 stones is really a good deal!
"Five million shi of food, that's a lot!"
"What? Every one of your families has the surname Qiantang. Which one doesn't own thousands of hectares of fertile land, and which one doesn't have a wealth of over one million? You won't give out only 20,000 shi of grain, so you give out 200 shi of grain. , you keep saying that you want to serve the court and solve problems for Xu, are you teasing Xu and fooling the court?"
"If this is really the case, then you are a little too brave!"
"Your Majesty, that's not what we mean! It's just that 20,000 shi of grain is really not a small amount. We must discuss it before making a decision!"
"Okay, then it will be limited to three days. After three days, it will be the same place as Qiantang Yamen. I hope you won't break the promise!"
The twenty-four noble families broke up unhappy, and Xu Zongwen returned to the back hall of the Yamen. Liu Yu happened to send someone over to see him.
This time Xu Zongwen came to Qiantang to investigate the case as the governor of Yangzhou. However, the position of governor of Yangzhou was only temporary and would be withdrawn immediately after the work was completed. Xu Zongwen also had the important task of rectifying the imperial army.
In order to act expediently, he appointed Xi Jian, who was affiliated with his Zhengbei General's Mansion, to temporarily replace Qian Tangling and be responsible for disaster relief matters. He appointed Liu Yu temporarily as Qiantang County Lieutenant and Guo Shang as County Magistrate.
This is also an expedient measure. After all, the most important officials in Qiantang have been sacked by him. If no one is found to replace him, the yamen will be paralyzed with so many affairs piling up!
As soon as Xu Zongwen arrived in the back hall, two Xiangjun followed him.
One of them said: "I have met the commander-in-chief!"
The other one arched towards Xu Zongwen: "I've seen the envoy!"
The two of them said something awkwardly.
Xu Zongwen smiled and said: "It's okay, you can call me whatever you want?"
"Which article were you two dismissed from?"
"It's not just that acanthus is prevalent in the army, many of our highly skilled brothers were laid off because of this!"
Xu Zongwen nodded, yes, this rule was stipulated by him. The prohibition of gambling in the army has a very good effect on maintaining military discipline. If the sergeants only know how to gamble and forget about training and improving their strength, they will not be able to fight in the event of war!
"Since you can come to Qiantang to repair the dam, it shows that you still have some conscience. After this matter is over, you go to Mr. Xi and tell him that it is what I said to stay in Qiantang as a servant. It is also considered a public job. One month There are also hundreds of catties of grain and dozens of months’ worth of money to live on.”
"Thank you so much, envoy! It's all your envoy who gave us a new way to live!" The two of them burst into tears of gratitude. They were about to kneel down when Xu Zongwen helped them up.
"Tell me, Liu County Lieutenant sent you here to look for me. What's the important thing?" Xu Zongwen entered the room and asked, holding the corner of the desk before sitting down.
The two slowly explained the reason. It turned out that Xu Zongwen ordered Liu Yu to build houses for the people on the south bank of the Qiantang Embankment. However, there was a severe shortage of wood. The locations for building houses were all in high places, which was a bit difficult. They hoped that Xu Zongwen could raise some wood. , In addition, there is not much food for disarmament, only five days left...
Regarding the grain matter, Xu Zongwen had already asked Guo Shang to take Xi Jian's documents to the granary for improvement, but the remaining wood was a bit difficult to deal with!
In Qiantang Prison, in the cell where Qiantang Ling Dingtai was imprisoned, Xu Zongwen was being interrogated.
"Ding Tai, you have already confessed to Zhu Zhen's destruction of embankments and flooded fields. It seems that your conscience is still intact. Why don't you tell all the secrets in your belly? When the case is concluded, we will all be better off. Your official position must be If I can’t save your life, I will do my best to appeal to His Majesty on your behalf.”
"Think about it carefully. If you have already taken one step and then take two steps forward, isn't it the right road? Even if you don't think about yourself, don't you want to think about your wife, children, and the entire Ding family? "
Xu Zongwen brought a jug of wine, set up a pear blossom table opposite Ding Tai, prepared a few dishes of side dishes, and started eating by himself without paying any attention to Ding Tai.
Since arriving in Qiantang, he has been busy investigating cases every day, and has no time to even have a good meal. When he thinks that the second batch of disaster relief food from the court has not arrived yet, and the food for the twenty-four noble families has not yet been secured, he becomes anxious!
"Thanks to you, I have captured all the Zhu family members. They are in Qiantang Prison. What will happen if they find out that it was you who betrayed them?" Xu Zongwen smacked his lips, chewed the food, and began to use Strategies to attack the heart.
The corner of Ding Tai's mouth twitched. He looked at Xu Zongwen secretly. How could this young man be so scheming?
"Okay! I say whatever I say!" To Xu Zongwen's surprise, Ding Tai quickly compromised.
According to what Ding Tai said, Zhu and he were both instructed by Gu Yuezhi, the governor of Wu County. He also had a secret letter written by Gu Yuezhi to him. It was the secret letter that asked Zhu Zhen to dig up the flooded fields on the south bank!
"Quick! Sign and stamp!" Xu Zongwen stood up excitedly and asked Zhang San to put the confession on the case and Ding Tai to sign and fingerprint it.
Xu Zongwen patted his butt and left the prison. Before leaving, he left the table of food and wine to Ding Tai. The latter was not polite and immediately wolfed down the food!
The entire Qiantang, except for the nobles, was in urgent need of food, and the food in the prison was even more unpalatable...
Xu Zongwen came out of the prison and smiled as he looked at the obscured sun in the misty sky. He hurriedly ordered: "Quick, let Zhang Si take my Jie Zhan and all the Zuo Yu Lin Guards to Wu County. Capture Wu Commandery Governor Gu Yuezhi for me!"
"No!" Zhang San clasped his hands and left quickly after receiving the order.
In the early morning of the next day, in front of the Wu County Prefect's Mansion, Zhang Si led two hundred left-wing forest guards who traveled day and night and finally arrived at the Wu County Prefect's Mansion.
"What are you going to do? Do you know where this place is? This is Mr. Gu's residence. How dare you break in? Besieging the government in broad daylight. Is this a rebellion?" The soldiers guarding the gate took out their weapons and tried to stop Zhang Si. Take Zuo Yulin Wei into the prefect's mansion.
Zhang San jumped down from the horse and took out the battle sword given to Xu Zongwen by the emperor from behind. The Zuoyu forest guards in front of him all moved out of the way for him.
Zhang San coughed and shouted loudly: "The emperor ordered Xu Xiao, General Zhengbei, Lieutenant of Sili, and Commander-in-Chief of the Forbidden Army, to be the governor of Yangzhou. He was fully responsible for the relief work in Qiantang. He gave the envoys the authority to handle the situation. Quan! If you encounter any obstruction, you will be punished for treason and will not be killed!"
After listening to Zhang Si's words, the soldiers in front of the prefect's mansion saw the Zuoyu Linwei with neat armor and clear banners, and saw the mighty battle. They all knelt there, trembling, and did not dare to move at all!
Soon, Zhang Si, armed with a sword in hand, successfully captured Gu Yuezhi, the prefect of Wu County, without encountering any obstruction.
"I have a grievance, and I want to report it!" Gu Yuezhi's hair was messy and his eyes were ferocious!
Zhang Si shook his head helplessly, "If you have any grievances, let Qian Tang see my general!" Zhang Si then ordered Zuo Yu and Lin Wei to stop Gu Yuezhi's mouth...
