Many things would not happen if we were blindfolded.
The trouble he had been trying to avoid barged into Li Qinzai's life one day.
Under the conscription order of the imperial court, the young farmers who could be seen around them had to leave their hometowns and use their blood, sweat and hard work to satisfy the emperor's vanity.
Li Qinzai was really disgusted this time.
Disgust turned against him, and Li Qinzai also knew very well that consecrating Mount Tai was what Li Zhi was determined to do. Ever since Empress Wu made the suggestion, there had been rumors in Chang'an for no apparent reason.
Whatever the petitions of the people, or the praise of hundreds of officials, once public opinion is created, people all over the world will unconsciously agree with it. This is actually the people's heart, which is simple and impulsive, and can be easily fooled.
The groundwork has been laid in advance and public opinion has been created, so the national treasury will not hesitate to be in debt for a few more years.
Li Zhi's determination to enshrine Zen was extremely firm, and Li Qinzai did not have the courage to openly oppose it.
The next day, the Weinan County magistrate came to Ganjingzhuang in person and stood respectfully outside the gate of the Li family courtyard, asking to see Li Qinzai.
Li Qinzai met the county magistrate in the side hall.
The county magistrate's surname is Ma, and he took office as Weinan County Magistrate less than a year ago. When he first took office last summer, Magistrate Ma even visited him at his home to ask for convenience.
Although Li Qinzai was already a county magistrate, he still had to give full respect to the local snakes, so he also hosted a banquet for Magistrate Ma last year. On that occasion, the guests and hosts had a great time and were very fond of each other.
However, this time Li Qinzai didn't look good when he saw him.
Magistrate Ma saluted as he entered the door. When he straightened up, he suddenly noticed that the Marquis of Li County had a frosty look on his face and was cold and indifferent.
Magistrate Ma's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and he immediately began to examine himself.
Is my posture of saluting just now not standard? Isn't my expression attentive enough? Have I offended this guy?
After much deliberation, Magistrate Ma really didn't know why the Marquis of Li County scorned him as soon as they met, and he became increasingly frightened and uneasy.
"I haven't seen the Marquis of Li County for a long time. I found that the Marquis of Li County has become more handsome, graceful and as beautiful as jade. I admire him greatly."
Li Qinzai raised his eyebrows: "Magistrate Ma used 'beautiful as jade' to describe me? Have you read the book?"
Magistrate Ma became more and more astonished: "Marquis Li, in ancient terms, 'beauty' refers to men. Is it wrong to be a lower-ranking official?"
This time it was Li Qinzai's turn to be stunned. He forgot to show his face and looked at him blankly with wide eyes.
Seeing Li Qinzai's expression, Magistrate Ma had no choice but to explain: "'Beauty' is a beautiful man with handsome appearance and outstanding moral ability. "Poetry" says, "His son is as beautiful as jade.", "Li Sao" also says , 'Only the scattered grass and trees fear the beauty's twilight'..."
Seeing that Li Qinzai's expression gradually became complicated, Magistrate Ma cautiously said: "The lower official called Marquis Li a 'beauty' for his handsomeness and elegance. There was absolutely no disrespect at all. It was a compliment from the bottom of his heart."
Li Qinzai was not embarrassed at all, and took advantage of the opportunity to hold up an orchid finger: "In this way, I am indeed a beauty that I have pity for. Magistrate Ma said it well... don't say it again next time."
Magistrate Ma didn't know what he meant, but he still agreed.
Then Magistrate Ma said cautiously: "I see that there is a gloomy look on Li County Marquis' eyebrows, and he seems to be in a bad mood. I wonder who offended you? If it is an internal matter under my jurisdiction, I am willing to share the worries of Li County Marquis. "
Li Qinzai did not answer, but asked: "Magistrate Ma came to visit in person today, is there anything wrong?"
Magistrate Ma said with a smile: "Yes, in the past two days, the county government officials have gathered the number of young men in every village and village under their jurisdiction. There are more than 200 young villagers in Ganjing Village. The Marquis of County Li must know that His Majesty wants to grant Zen to Mount Tai." , the imperial court issued an order to sign off the strong men for corvée service, and your village will dispatch one hundred and twenty two strong men."
"Xiaguan came here today to report to the Marquis of Li County that after the spring sowing, the strong men in your village will be on the road and may be sent to Puzhou two hundred miles away. Someone from the Ministry of Works said , His Majesty will probably build a palace near Puzhou during his tour of Zen."
Although he knew the purpose of Magistrate Ma's visit today, Li Qinzai's expression turned gloomy after he spoke his words. It was not directed at Magistrate Ma. He knew that Magistrate Ma had done nothing wrong.
"My banker can't transfer the bankers." Li Qinzai said flatly.
Magistrate Ma was stunned and asked, "Why, why?"
Li Qinzai said slowly: "Do you know about the new grain seeds? Your Majesty has sent thousands of guards to station around my village. Not only that, more than two hundred farmers in my village also have to take care of the new grains day and night. Hundreds of people serve it as their ancestor, no matter who is transferred away."
Magistrate Ma was shocked and said: "This, this... the lower-level officials really have no say in the decision-making process. The number of corvees in each village was sent by the governor's office. Officials from the Ministry of Works were reunified. No one in each prefecture or county can be left behind. Otherwise, I will ask the chief official."
"Your Majesty does not dare to embarrass the Marquis of Li County, but you should consider it for your sake. One hundred and twenty-two farmers in your village have been registered in the governor's office and cannot be changed. Otherwise, if the higher-ups are responsible for the crime, I will not be able to do anything." A good ending will inevitably involve the Marquis of Li County."
Li Qinzai snorted and said, "I said I can't be transferred, but I can't be transferred. How about you let the guards take me to the county jail to scare the monkeys?"
Magistrate Ma was sweating coldly and said with a smile: "Homo Mo of Li County insulted himself, how could you be a chicken..."
Li Qinzai's expression was stagnant. Damn it, he couldn't tell that this guy also had a mean mouth.
Patting Magistrate Ma on the shoulder, Li Qinzai said earnestly and sincerely: "Rules are made by people and changed by people. Magistrate Ma, don't be too rigid as an official. You can be flexible when you need to be flexible. What do you think?" ?”
Magistrate Ma shook his head decisively: "I can't change my mind. The governor's office has come to ask for people. If I hand over one less person, I will be severely punished. I ask Marquis Li to understand my difficulties."
Li Qinzai was silent for a moment, and then said: "How about giving me money in exchange? You give me a price, how much is the labor of each farmer in my family worth, I give you the money, and you exempt them from the corvee."
Magistrate Ma's face became even more ugly: "Marquis Li, please stop making trouble. This is not about money at all. Your Majesty has granted you the honorary title. Who in the world dares to use money for labor? If this happens, both you and me will be A great sin.”
Magistrate Ma paused and then said: "Marquis Li, I'd like to ask you a question. Why are you so unwilling to remove the villagers?"
"The imperial court is recruiting civilian men. They are just working hard to build palaces. They are not going to go to the battlefield. There will be no casualties at all. Why do you have to quarrel with the imperial court over this matter?"
Li Qinzai leaned back and showed a domineering expression: "No reason, I just feel unhappy and want to cause some trouble, can't you?"
Magistrate Ma smiled bitterly and said, "Okay, but I'm just a poor magistrate. If you want to cause trouble, can you please stop involving me? I can't bear it."
Just as Li Qinzai was about to continue bargaining with him, Manager Song hurriedly entered the side hall and saluted: "Fifth Young Master, His Royal Highness Prince Teng is coming outside."
Li Qinzai was stunned for a moment, then stood up and said in surprise: "The big wretch...ah, no, His Royal Highness Prince Teng is here? Welcome him quickly, and greet him with high standards!"
(End of chapter)
