The city of Ji County has become extremely quiet at night. The lights of Zhuojun County are bright, and the courtyards are as bright as day. However, the lobby is filled with pungent blood. The blood stains the bluestone floor. Several headless corpses are mixed with the blood. , unusually bloody horror. Fang Xuanling, who looked a little pale, and the accompanying Hao Yuan, Ling Jing, Wei Zheng, Yan Shixiang, Li Xuandao, and Youzhou officials who had not been captured took the time to record confessions and compile information.
The scene in front of them was not even a small scene for the generals and soldiers of King Wei's family. However, Yang Ji's fierce methods frightened the Youzhou officials who were once tied into rice dumplings, and their faces turned pale. At this time, one and two They all sat obediently on their seats, either writing confessions or writing other people's criminal records.
Yang Ji and Pei Ju did not participate in such a trivial matter. In the spirit of not wasting anything, they first went to the place where the wind washed the dust to bathe and change clothes. Then they ate the delicious food carefully prepared by Yuan Hongli, and then wore light official robes. Return to the lobby of Zhuojun County Mansion. Seeing that everyone was busy with their own business, Yang Ji sat calmly on the main seat, sipping tea leisurely.
On the table in front of him, there were several large stacks of evidence provided by Pei Ju and Lu. Before leaving, Yang Ji said in public that it was the evidence of the criminals and all the illegal things they had done. Here, we will need to compare it with their confessions and confessions one by one. If anyone dares to make false reports or underreport, then those corpses on the ground are the best examples.
People with evil intentions are usually frightened by evidence of crime that is difficult to distinguish between true and false. If it is also a matter of life and death, a matter of life and death, and a few dead bodies, most people will reveal all the crimes they have committed.
This method has been tried repeatedly by Yang Ji!
The reason why he killed people in a rage was neither a factional dispute nor a deliberate attack on the Yuan family. It was because Yuan Hongli and others had moved Youzhou Yicang. Except for Liaodong County, which was under military control, Mozhou County and Raolezhou County, which were recently taken over, they survived. The remaining seven counties were completely wiped out. Even Zhuojun where the state capital and county capital were located were unavoidable.
The "Yi Cang" system was founded in the third year of Emperor Kaihuang's reign. Because it was located in Lishe and was managed by the local people themselves, it was also called Shecang. The method of accumulation set by the imperial court was the upper, middle and lower grades. The upper household was no more than a stone, The average person in the middle household can only have seven buckets, and the lower household can only have four buckets. Whenever there is a famine, warehouses are opened to provide relief. The people have emergency warehouses of food to provide emergency relief, so that they can survive the disaster years safely or wait for food relief from the court, and no longer starve to death like before.
Free warehouses are different from the Changping warehouses that the imperial government used to stabilize grain prices. They are more like a folk behavior. However, the imperial court is worried about managers stealing food, so managers cannot release grain without permission. Only when disasters occur, can they report to the local government on behalf of the people. Apply to open a warehouse to release grain and provide relief to the victims. After approval by the government, the manager will distribute the grain according to regulations under the supervision of officials.
Because Yicang grain can indeed save lives in disaster years, the common people support and are willing to hand over grain, but for this reason, they regard it as their lifeblood. Even if the imperial court and government wanted to borrow grain from the charity warehouse, they had to obtain permission from the managers representing the people.
For example, when there was a locust plague in the north this year, the imperial court asked Yang Wensi, the Minister of Civil Affairs and Civil Affairs, to be in charge of relief matters. However, because the official grain in the north had to be supplied to the Northern Patrol Army, the imperial court had to ask Yang Lun to buy grain from a charity warehouse in Jizhou to use as relief grain. However, even if the officials of the Jizhou Prefectural Mufu Government with excellent reputation come forward to purchase, the people have to pay and deliver the goods, otherwise it will not work. It can also be seen that after countless people have benefited from charity warehouses and saved their lives countless times from charity warehouses, they have regarded charity warehouses as a spirit, a belief, and a force of security.
The problem with the free warehouses in Youzhou is that the government and the administrators colluded with each other to deceive the people, and all the free warehouses were moved out. Their approach is tantamount to disturbing the lifeblood and spiritual support of the people.
At present, the people have not discovered it. If they are discovered, or someone deliberately lets the people discover it, a turmoil that will affect the entire state is inevitable. And Yang Ji was about to go on an expedition, but something big happened in the rear area, leaving such a "time bomb" behind. How could he not be furious? Can you stop killing people?
Pei Ju looked at the trembling prisoners below, and couldn't help but sigh, and said to Yang Ji: "We have evidence of guilt in hand, and we can actually try the case based on the evidence. There is no need to wait for violence to meet violence; with this killing, aren't you doing yourself a favor?" Cause huge trouble?"
Yang Ji glanced at the corrupt officials below and said coldly: "These dog officials are either children of aristocratic families or dogs raised by someone. They have backers and have no limits in their actions. The only thing that can make them Those who have concerns are the laws, but most of the law enforcers are their people, so one or two are unscrupulous."
"They just committed crimes. The key is that after good officials saw them committing serious crimes, the court easily exposed them and let them go. So they all thought that the cost of crime was low and the law was insignificant. So they all followed suit and followed suit. A good official turned into a corrupt official and a big sinner."
"We people are so high above us that even if all the officials in the world are corrupt, we will not be affected. But what about the ordinary people who have no power and nowhere to redress their grievances? What should they do?"
"Why are there more and more corrupt officials in our Sui Dynasty? In the final analysis, the court and the law are too tolerant and too tolerant to criminals, and the court's tolerance is actually helping the tyrants do evil, and actually encouraging good people to commit corruption and accept bribes."
Pei Ju was shocked. Even if you are the emperor's unique favorite and the number one executioner, and even if no one in the Sui Dynasty has ever been convicted for his words, you can still say such treasonous words? Isn't this too arrogant?
Yang Ji didn't care about his reaction at all and continued: "The imperial court and this world have become accustomed to treating headaches and foot pain. If you imagine that this method can cure it, it is better to start over."
Pei Ju was completely dumbfounded. He subconsciously moved his butt a little further away from Yang Ji. He looked around and found that there was only a stupid Zhu Can. He breathed a long sigh of relief, but he still asked in a low voice, a little uneasy. Said: "Is this person reliable?"
"He is my personal guard commander and chief chef, how can he be unreliable?" An idea flashed in Yang Ji's mind and he asked Pei Ju, "You were scared after hearing that, so you planned to kill someone and silence him, right?"
"What a joke, I, Pei Ju, am afraid? When have I ever been afraid? You are just talking nonsense!" Pei Ju felt a little apprehensive when his thoughts were revealed, but as soon as he finished speaking, his face straightened and he continued: "You will talk nonsense in the future. Don’t say it around me, so as not to hurt me. Of course, it’s best if you don’t say it!”
"When I say abolish it and start over, I mean many systems! This is what I did in Liangzhou." Yang Ji moved his eyes from Pei Ju downwards. He looked at the corrupt officials who were writing vigorously and said in a deep voice. : "If possible, I hope to be transferred to Youzhou after the year, because this place needs to be cleaned up."
When Pei Ju heard the last words, his eyes shrank slightly, he put down the teacup in his hand, and a surge of worry filled his heart.
The fourteen supervisory states were established not long ago in the Sui Dynasty. Many state capitals had incomplete personnel allocation and unclear functions. And Youzhou borders the Turks, Xi people, Lin people, Nanshiwei, Bodu Mohe, Baishan Mohe, and Goguryeo; its situation is more complex and severe than Liangzhou, where the general situation has been determined, so the court The first to be established and supported was Youzhou Prefecture.
However, the very well-established Youzhou Prefecture caused such a major incident in such a short period of time, and the officials of the Prefecture were basically involved in this big event. With such a corrupt officialdom and highly corrupt administration, it is no wonder that Yang Ji said that Youzhou was "in need of cleaning up".
In this, what role does the governor Li Zixiong play? Was he involved, or was he indifferent and inactive?
However, compared with these, Pei Ju is more worried about the empty warehouse. If this problem cannot be properly solved, it will be an uncontrolled barrier lake hanging above his head. Once it breaks out, the earth will collapse and the world will shake. .
After a long while, Pei Ju sighed and asked, "What are you going to do?"
"Kill!" Although Yang Ji's tone was calm, a sky-high murderous aura came out as if it were real: "Anyway, the world lacks everything except people who want to be officials. If killing one is not enough, then Kill ten, if ten is not enough, kill hundreds, thousands, ten thousand, or one hundred thousand!”
"You know shit, you don't understand shit, you just know how to kill, kill, kill. No wonder that unfilial daughter Pei Shuying wants to marry you, because you are just as stupid." Instead of being infected, Pei Ju was furious and gritted his teeth. He whispered in a low voice: "I also know that various laws and regulations are full of loopholes, but do you think that the people who formulate laws and systems do not understand or know about it? No. First, they all take the business of practicing law and self-destruction as a lesson, They worry that one day they or their descendants will make mistakes and be killed by the laws they have formulated, so they deliberately leave room for them; the second is to create opportunities for officials below to make money. It is these two thoughts that make them tacitly understand, So many laws and systems were passed without loopholes."
"No matter how perfect the laws and systems are, they still have to be enforced. If the enforcement is not effective, it means that the board is raised high but put down gently. Some people even ignore this so-called law at all. Legal system, what can you do about this? What can you do? So, it's better to be diplomatic."
Pei Ju was furious, but there were so many people that he didn't dare to speak too loudly. His lowered voice made the atmosphere seem gloomy.
"What else can I do besides killing?" Yang Ji said without hesitation: "If killing one is not enough, then kill ten. If ten is not enough, kill hundreds, thousands, ten thousand, or one hundred thousand! Anyway, this There is a shortage of everything in the world, except those who want to be officials.”
"..." Pei Ju was stunned. He had said so much sincerely, just hoping that Yang Ji would be more mature and stop hitting and killing all the time. He hoped that he would understand that hitting and killing was wrong.
Unexpectedly, a repeated sentence directly ruined his efforts. But Pei Ju couldn't deny that killing was indeed a simple, direct and effective method.
However, only Yang Ji could do this kind of thing at that time, and he could do it boldly and confidently; not even the prince or the king of Qi could do it, let alone Pei Ju, the leader of the faction.
"You came several ways, I only went one way. This method can solve the problem without being sad and troublesome. Wouldn't it be happy?" Yang Ji said: "I think you can do it too. You can be a cunning person. No. Are you tired?"
"Haha..." Pei Ju was too lazy to speak. Not to mention that the plan to save Yang Ji ended in failure, Pei Ju himself was led astray. He thought it was better and more enjoyable to go straight and fight. But the problem is that no one can do it except Yang Ji!
What made Pei Ju even more puzzled was that Yang Ji regarded officials like this, and there were endless conspiracies and intrigues. However, Yang Guang, who was the emperor, not only did not have the slightest suspicion, but thought that Yang Ji was the least greedy and the least lover of power. , the most reliable and the purest.
Facing this strange but novel pair of monarchs and ministers, Pei Ju felt that none of the emperor's ideas in his head seemed to be correct, and at the same time he could not analyze a convincing reason.
If we can analyze it and let a smart disciple imitate it, we can at least make the Pei family prosperous for several generations.
Unfortunately, he just couldn't analyze it.
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Pei!" At this moment, Ling Jing came forward with a book in his hand and said: "Min Cao Liu Wu, Fa Cao Wen Rui, Lord Bo Ji Yan, and Cang Cao Yuan Hu have been recruited. The number of free warehouses they reported very close."
Yang Ji frowned and asked, "You mean, besides Yicang Liang, is there anything else?"
Hearing this, Pei Ju also looked at Ling Jing.
"Exactly!" Ling Jing replied: "The group of criminals in front of me were either officials in various parts of Youzhou before, or they had inextricable connections with other people. They had resold military and official rations before, and the food in the Yicang was just It’s just one aspect.”
Yang Ji glanced at the people below who were already standing, then turned to Ling Jing and asked, "How much is the total?"
Ling Jing said solemnly: "The reselling of grain from the charity warehouse involved dozens of county officials in Youzhou. If the previous reselling of grain is added in, the total would be no less than 3.6 million shi. However, they also confessed that this It’s just a rough number, there are many more that I can’t remember clearly, if I investigate it carefully, I’m afraid there are four to five hundred stones.”
Pei Ju's heart beat violently. Before Yang Ji could say anything, he stood up in shock and asked loudly, "How much did you say?"
"Report to Prime Minister Pei!" Ling Jing said solemnly: "This criminal gang has resold no less than four to five million dan of grain. And the time started when Yuan Hongsi became the general manager of Youzhou."
Pei Ju calculated silently and then said, "That means it started in the second half of the 20th year of Emperor Kaihuang's reign?"
In the first half of the 20th year of the founding of the Emperor, the general manager of Youzhou (Dazhou) was still Yan Rong. This man was a cruel official. The ministers reported Yan Rong's brutal behavior and corruption and perversion of the law. Yan Rong was sent back to the capital and sentenced to death, and then Yuan Hongsi was appointed to take over the post of governor of Youzhou. But he is even more cruel than Yan Rong.
After being reported, Yuan Hongsi was taken down again, and it was Dou Kang's turn to be the general manager of Youzhou.
"Exactly!" Ling Jing said with a solemn expression: "So they sold all these grains to Goguryeo..."
"Things like dogs have really eaten the heart of a bear and the courage of a leopard. Kill, you must kill!" Pei Ju slammed the table and said bitterly: "If killing one is not enough, then kill ten. If ten is not enough, kill Hundreds, thousands, ten thousand, one hundred thousand! Anyway, everything is in short supply in this world, except people who want to be officials."
Yang Ji saw that his father-in-law was shaking with anger and even spoke his own words. He quickly stood up and comforted him: "As a human being, you should leave a thin line in everything so that we can meet each other in the future. Therefore, you should be more tactful when doing things and don't always hit him. Kill! What do you think?"
Looking at Pei Ju, whose eyes were spitting fire, Yang Ji calmly said: "Aying is a girl as beautiful as a fairy, but she screams and kills all day long. This has always been difficult for me to understand. Now I finally understand. It turns out that she has inherited your fine tradition.”
Pei Ju almost died of anger.
After all this, this little bastard still makes sarcastic remarks!
Is there anyone like you?
But Pei Ju was Pei Ju after all. He quickly calmed down and asked coldly: "You can slowly deal with the traitors and traitors from foreign countries, and you can catch them all in one go, but why does Goguryeo buy grain? It is obvious that Goguryeo's land is barren and its production is poor. They don’t have much, so they seize the time to accumulate military rations and plan to use the right time and location to hold on to the end. What do you do? Tell me, what do you do?”
"I don't care!" Yang Ji said with a smile: "I knew from the beginning that the weather, location, and people were not as good as others, and I took these factors into consideration in the battle. Now let alone four or five million stones, even if Goguryeo has an extra 40 to 50 million dan, so what? What impact will it have on me? Do you think I need to be anxious?"
Pei Ju was stunned and speechless when he heard this!
This is also true. A person's belly is only that big. No matter how much food Goguryeo has, the soldiers can only eat so much. If Goguryeo's mountains and seas of food are all on the front line, it will become their most deadly burden. But it is The best fighter of the Sui army. After a while, he asked Ling Jing with a wry smile: "Your Majesty, are you always so simple and direct in everything you do?"
Ling Jing nodded: "Yes, we have always been like this!"
"Hey, but having said that, it really suits your style. After all, you have always been simple and rude." Pei Ju felt a deep sense of frustration and a feeling that time is not forgiving.
I think back then, Pei Ju was also a commander who was good at fighting and made great achievements. However, looking at it now, he found that his combat thinking and ideas had not kept up with the times, and Yang Ji's ideas of fighting style also made him It felt very strange.
With that said, he asked Yang Ji again: "What do you decide to do here in Youzhou?"
"Wait for the army and then search the house!" Yang Ji showed a meaningful smile.
——————
[You may not believe it when I tell you: Until the late 1980s, each village in my hometown still had "good warehouses" and handed over charity grain. The people who registered and managed it were the village elders and team leaders. At that time, the payment was based on the head, but the specific amount was determined. I can’t remember clearly, but not much. There were five people in our family at the time. When my mother and I went to deliver the goods, we only carried a small basket. Later, hybrid rice became popular and every household had a surplus of grain, so the warehouse was demolished. 】
