The next day.
The decree to increase taxes and levy Dingjin money was sent from Tokyo City and passed to the 24th Road through the inn.
The exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes over the years have already been heavy, but now there are two more taxes, and the people are overwhelmed.
However, corrupt officials in some states and counties have taken advantage of this opportunity to make money, adding fuel to the fire.
In order to help Song Huizong make money, Wang Fu was ruthless enough. He ordered all walks of life across the country to collect 3,500 yuan of Ding Shen money for a period of two months. If the people did not pay in full, they would be punished by military orders.
But the officials in the lower prefectures and counties were even more ruthless. In some places, the price directly increased to 5,000 yuan, a full increase of 1,500 yuan.
For a time, public dissatisfaction boiled.
Countless people abandoned their fields and fled into the mountains with their families as fugitives.
…
…
The only shortcoming of Xiaowang Village is that the information is somewhat limited.
Han Zhen didn't know about Song Huizong's tricks and was leading the villagers to carry out construction in full swing.
The seventy-two newly recruited soldiers were sent to the stronghold. After Han Zhen finished his training, he handed them over to Nie Dong for training.
Blacksmith Yuan is in charge of the blacksmith shop, and professional matters are left to professionals.
If he gives random directions as an amateur, he will definitely cause trouble.
There is An Niang watching over at the market, so there is no need to worry.
Han Zhen returned to the village and directed the villagers to burn red bricks.
With red bricks, it is countless times more convenient to build a house or build a military camp.
In ancient times, there were red bricks and blue bricks.
However, red bricks are rare, and the ancients preferred to use blue bricks.
Because green bricks are stronger and more durable, some green bricks can even maintain their strength after thousands of years.
Red bricks are not good, as they are prone to powdering over time.
Of course, green bricks also have shortcomings. The firing process is complicated and extremely time-consuming.
Moreover, burning green bricks requires sealing the kiln to create an oxygen-free environment, so green brick kilns generally have a kiln roof and are difficult to build.
In comparison, red brick brick kilns are much simpler. They only need to pile mud and stones into a large barrel-shaped open kiln. The bricks are stacked in the kiln and fired with coal below.
When the firing is complete, just remove the coal underneath and let the red bricks cool naturally.
Generally, a batch of red bricks can be produced within a few days.
Making bricks does not require any skills. Under Han Zhen's command, the villagers quickly got started and became more and more proficient.
The monkey reminded: "Brother Han, if this continues, there won't be enough coal."
Earlier, Han Zhen purchased a batch of coal to burn lime, and now it is evenly used to burn red bricks. There is not enough coal in the lime kiln.
"It's okay, I'll ask someone to buy more later."
While he was talking, he saw a deserter galloping over on a war horse.
After approaching, the fleeing army pulled the reins, and the horse immediately slowed down and stopped steadily in front of Han Zhen.
Jumping off the horse, the fugitive soldier bowed and said, "Village chief, a group of caravans came from outside the village. The leader is Zhu Yuanwai. He said he was taking over the delivery job from some Shang Jin. Nie Dutou was undecided and asked me to report it. .”
finally come!
A smile flashed in Han Zhen's eyes and he ordered: "Let them in after a routine inspection."
"Got the order!"
The fleeing soldiers responded, mounted their horses and ran towards the stronghold.
Not long after, a caravan entered Xiaowang Village.
More than twenty bullock carts were piled with goods.
Zhu Ji was riding on his horse, looking around.
Changzhi County had already explained the situation of Xiaowang Village to him, so he was full of curiosity about Xiaowang Village.
"Xiao Chong, I'll leave the brick kiln to you. Keep an eye on it."
After giving an explanation, Han Zhen stepped forward to meet the caravan.
Zhu Ji spotted Han Zhen from a distance. Although he was wearing coarse linen clothes and his legs and feet were stained with yellow mud, he had a handsome face and extraordinary temperament.
Especially the looming tiger descending from the mountain under the skirt of his clothes gives him an even more breathtaking aura.
When Han Zhen walked in, Zhu Ji held up his hands and said with a smile, "But in front of the second son of the Han family?"
"Exactly."
Han Zhen smiled slightly: "The sun is strong. Member Zhu came to his home to drink a cup of herbal tea."
"Then I will be disrespectful."
Zhu Ji said, got off his horse, held the reins and walked side by side with Han Zhen.
Along the way, construction was happening everywhere, children were playing and laughing, villagers had no sorrow on their faces, and the whole village looked prosperous.
This made him secretly frightened.
It seems that as my brother-in-law said, this boy should not be underestimated. He is far beyond the ordinary rogues in the market.
Arriving all the way to the house halfway up the mountain, Zhu Ji asked the helpers to rest under the shade of the trees, and then followed Han Zhen into the house.
In the study room in the backyard, after the two exchanged a few words, Zhu Ji took out the account book from his arms and handed it over: "This is the account book for this purchase. Please take a look at it, young man."
After taking the account book, Han Zhen opened it.
In addition to the quota of sugar and pig iron, Zhu Ji actually helped him purchase a full five hundred kilograms of saltpeter and three hundred kilograms of sulfur, which made him very happy.
The rest was coarse salt, which amounted to eighteen thousand kilograms.
After all, although sugar is hugely profitable, production must be controlled, otherwise the price will plummet once it becomes rampant.
Because except for the color, the taste of this stuff is the same as granulated sugar and rock sugar.
On the contrary, refined salt is the long-term pillar industry.
While he was looking through the account books, Zhu Ji was drinking herbal tea and looking at the study decoration.
"The accounts are very detailed, and Mr. Zhu is very thoughtful."
Han Zhen closed the account book with a look of satisfaction on his face.
Zhu Ji put down the tea cup and asked, "I wonder when I can get the goods?"
After some rough calculations in his mind, Han Zhen mused: "I'll be here to pick up the goods in half a month. In addition, I have a small matter to trouble Mr. Zhu."
Zhu Ji asked calmly: "Oh, I wonder what it is?"
"The village plans to burn bricks and there is a shortage of coal. Can Yuanwai Zhu help me buy a few thousand kilograms for me?"
"For some small matters, I will ask someone to help the young man buy it when I get back."
When Zhu Ji heard that he was helping to buy coal, he immediately agreed.
There are many coal mines in Shandong. Qingzhou alone has three mining areas with an annual output of tens of millions of kilograms.
Not to mention the major coal producers such as Shanxi and Hebei.
Moreover, coal is not under government control. As long as you have money, you can buy as much as you want.
After the two chatted for a while, Han Zhen, led by Zhu Ji, briefly looked at the goods and then ordered the helpers to start unloading the goods.
…
When Zhu Ji returned to the county government, Changzhi County happened to receive a tax increase document from the state government.
Seeing the indignation on Chang Zhixian's face, Zhu Ji couldn't help but ask: "Brother-in-law, what happened?"
"Wang Fu, this traitor, ignored the plight of the people and deceived the officials into collecting sex money from all over the country!"
Changzhi County has served as county magistrate in many places, so he naturally knows the lives of the people at the bottom.
Although he is timid and greedy for money, he still has some conscience in his heart.
Even if he is greedy, he still reaches out to the wealthy gentry and wealthy households.
How much money can poor people have?
If he had been in Changzhi County for two years when he was a Jinshi in high school, his blood had not yet cooled down, he would have jointly signed a memorial and read Wang Fu's book.
It's a pity that after so many years in the officialdom, he has already smoothed his edges.
Cultivate oneself, manage one's family, govern the country and bring peace to the world?
Oh, just think about it.
Now he just wants to make money honestly, and when his term is over, he can spend some money and transfer to Tokyo to enjoy a prosperous life!
He still had to collect his money, but he didn't need to worry about it. He could just leave it to the clerks and tax collectors in the county government.
Otherwise, why would the county government support them?
If they can't collect it, they will be found to hold them accountable.
