Jiajing Mansion.
city gate.
The soldier on duty was leaning against the wall and dozing off. Suddenly, there was a rumble in his ears, and the ground beneath his feet felt shaking.
Suddenly he woke up and looked up to see hundreds of black riders approaching from a distance.
The leader wears black gauze on his head and a purple-red cloak, embroidered with pictures of dragons and soaring clouds.
"People from Dongchang!"
The team was screaming in terror, and hurriedly rushed the people who entered the city, leaving the city gate completely empty, and scolded the lazy soldiers to stand still. They must stand guard with all their strength as they went to Yihong Tower.
The original responsibility of Dongchang was to supervise and survey land. After the clique case, it also had the power to supervise officials.
If you look at a soldier you don't like, label him as derelict in duty, and then check for charges such as blackmailing the people, at least it will be like confiscating his home and banishing him.
After a while.
Hei rode to the outside of the city gate. Zhou Yi glanced at the captain and rushed into the city without paying attention.
Hundreds of black knights followed closely behind, all of them filled with evil spirits.
Especially Eunuch Wen and several other old eunuchs who had not been out of the capital for many years. After traveling through mountains and rivers, they felt that the accumulated depression in their hearts had dissipated a lot.
"My family entered the imperial palace at the age of twelve and has not left the palace for thirty years. I thought that one day I would die of old age without a trace."
Wen Tongzhi said with a smile: "Thanks to the Governor, after joining the Supervision Department, I also went to various interesting places in Beijing. Now I have seen the scenery of Jiangnan again. Even if I die, I will have no regrets!"
Zhou Yi asked: "Where is your home, sir, so that your descendants can be on duty in the Supervision Department?"
Wen Tongzhi took a deep look at Zhou Yi, and he must have investigated our family secretly: "Our ancestors came from the northwest, and we were the only one left among the nine tribes when they were overthrown by the Earth Dragon!"
"It's actually like this."
Zhou Yi was half-convinced, but the Supervision Department did not find anyone from the Wen Gonggong clan, and he pondered for a moment and said.
"Sir, I'm looking for a job. I'll provide you with a job in the future. Our family will arrange a good future for him. If he likes to study, he can be a civil servant, and if he likes to practice martial arts, he can be a general."
"If you can't do anything with your skills, you can't do it with military skills. We have a lot of positions in the East Factory. From now on, Mr. Wen will be on the first page of the family tree!"
Wen Tongzhi showed his intention. He had several cadres under his command, but they were all servants in the palace. They could only serve and call around on weekdays, but could not carry on the family line.
"The Governor has been so kind to us, and our family is torn to pieces in return!"
No one can refuse to start a genealogy from oneself. How many generations of clan members will be passed down in the future? When worshiping ancestors during festivals and festivals, they must offer incense and recite the kindness of the ancestors. People are destined to die, but names that can be passed down can provide alternative survival.
while speaking.
Hei Qi walked through several streets and arrived outside the government office.
Zeng Fuyin, leading the government officials and subordinate county officials, had been waiting at the gate of the government office for a long time. The dignified second-rank official was bowing with a flattering smile on his face.
"Your Majesty, Zeng Zhiyuan, pays homage to the Governor!"
Xilulu!
Zhou Yi tightened the reins, and the horse's front hooves were raised high, almost stepping on Zeng Fuyin's head.
Zeng Fuyin's expression changed slightly, but his smile soon returned, and he patted the horse and said, "Your Majesty, your riding skills are really superb!"
"Master Zeng, there is no need to be like this. Our family and yours are not in the same system."
Zhou Yi looked down at Zeng Fu Yin on his horse: "Your Majesty said that if officials are not corrupt or break the law, there is no need to fear the Supervision Department. Is there something wrong with Mr. Zeng?"
Isn’t it the Supervision Department that has the final say if something goes wrong!
Zeng Fuyin murmured in his heart that being an official could never have problems. Even though he was a famous upright official all over the world, he strictly followed the law and often violated the rules.
"The Governor is joking. I am not afraid of you, but I admire you very much! The Mao family in Fucheng is claiming to be a relative of the emperor, and they wantonly occupy acres of land, and I don't dare to take care of it."
"Fortunately, the Supervision Department reported this to His Majesty, and the whole family was exiled to Lingnan. This action saved countless people!"
"This is a matter of duty."
Zhou Yi stood up and dismounted: "Our family is here to investigate the Tianjianmen rebels this time. As a parent official, Mr. Zeng needs to know a few things."
"Please, Governor!"
Zeng Fuyin bowed in front
Leading the way, his appearance and posture are the same as those of a palace servant.
Eunuchs serve nobles, and subordinates serve their superiors. There is no difference between the two.
Those scholars scold the eunuchs every day for flattering others, but compared to the ways of flattering the literati and officialdom, there are so many different styles that the chamberlains can't catch up even if they try their best.
The back hall of the government office.
Zeng Fuyin heard the news half a month ago and immediately hired craftsmen to renovate it specifically to entertain people from the East Factory.
When Zhou Yi entered the door, he saw the maid serving food.
There is no need to describe the delicacies of the mountains and seas. What is rare is that in this inland city, all kinds of seafood ingredients can remain fresh.
"Master Zeng is interested!"
Dongchang traveled from the capital for more than a month and was not sure when he would arrive here, so he had to bring fresh ingredients every day and sit back and wait.
If Zhou Yi doesn't come for one day, a banquet will be wasted.
"This is a matter within the lower official's duties."
Zengfu Yin led Zhou Yi to the top, and two beautiful women on the left and right were serving wine and serving dishes. He then stepped back to serve Wen Tongzhi, Yu Qianshi and other chamberlains.
Once the internal servants were ready, the officials waiting outside were allowed to come in and take their seats under the Supervision Department.
Fortunately, the back hall of the government office was extremely spacious. After the craftsmen worked overtime, it was converted into a banquet hall, which could accommodate more than a hundred people at the same time.
Zhou Yi sat at the top, sipped a century-old wine, and glanced at all the officials.
"When the Supervision Department raided the Mao family, they obtained a lot of account books and letters and sent them to our family for review. You should know what is written in them."
After the words fell, most of the officials in the hall looked pale.
Zeng Fuyin was the most frightened. No one in the court knew that the governor of Dongchang liked arresting Fuyin and county magistrates the most, but many of his subordinates, such as general judges and magistrates, were spared.
According to the governor's original words, arrest the top leader, and don't let a subordinate official take the blame!
"But our family is the most kind-hearted and covered up the matter and reported to His Majesty that you were under pressure from the concubine and had no choice but to indulge the Mao family!"
"Thank you, Lord Governor."
Zeng Fuyin reacted the fastest and went straight out of the queue and knelt down in the lobby, not caring about the weird looks from his colleagues.
Other people related to the Mao family's land encirclement case had to come out and kneel on the ground to thank them. At this time, 80% of the officials knelt down, and only six were still sitting in their original positions.
Zhou Yi nodded slightly and looked at the remaining officials.
No need to say anything, they were immediately frightened and sweating profusely. There was no choice in this situation.
If you dare not kneel down today, your colleagues in Jiajing Mansion will squeeze them to death without the help of the Supervision Department, not to mention that Zeng Fuyin is your immediate boss.
"Thank you, Lord Commander!"
After all, the six of them couldn't bear to part with Wu Sha Mao, so they left their seats and knelt on the ground.
Zhou Yi waved his hand with satisfaction, and all the officials returned to their seats.
"Master Zeng, how many soldiers are there in Jiajing Mansion now? Don't give us imaginary numbers. Our family needs soldiers who can fight!"
It is a well-known fact that the local government soldiers have long been corrupted, and the reasons are quite complicated.
According to the regulations of the country, a government should have five thousand soldiers. However, excluding those who live on empty wages and the old, weak, sick and disabled, it is considered good to have three thousand capable warriors.
"Replying to your lord, Jiajing Mansion is located in the mainland, and it is a time of peace. The government cannot afford to support so many soldiers..."
Zeng Fuyin found three plausible reasons: "Today, there are about two thousand people who can fight, including the soldiers at the city gates, warehouses, etc.?"
Uncertain of the true number, I turned my head and looked down at Xie Guerzhi.
Xie Youji said: "Governor, it is the busy farming season now. Many soldiers have gone home to farm, so we can only raise one thousand."
"Humph, this is really nonsense!",
Zhou Yi did not investigate why it was already nine months and he was still busy with farming. He ordered: "In half a month, our family will see five thousand young soldiers. Can Lord Zeng do it?"
"Yes, it must be possible!"
Zeng Fuyin issued a military order: "It doesn't take half a month, and the official can get it together in five days."
As long as the yamen is willing to spend money, five thousand young people can easily
It's easy to gather together, not to mention the need for large-scale recruitment. Just call the servants and guardians raised by the major families in Jiajing Mansion, and the number will be enough for most of them.
These nursing homes spend their days dancing with guns and sticks, and their physiques are much better than those of the government soldiers. With a little training, they can become elite soldiers!
"Master Zeng, you are very good."
Zhou Yi came to the government office and finally showed a smile: "Next year's official assessment, he will definitely be the top one. If there is a vacancy in the capital, we can be an official in the same court as you!"
Zeng Fuyin said gratefully: "The kindness of the Governor will be unforgettable by my subordinates. If I have any orders in the future, I will do my best."
Zhou Yi took the wine from the maid, raised the cup high and said.
"Gentlemen, have a drink!"
...
Tianjian Mountain.
Located in the south of Jiajing Mansion.
A solitary peak rises from the plain, shaped like a sword and more than three hundred feet high.
It's late autumn.
The maple leaves all over the mountain are red, and they look like blood and fire under the setting sun.
This day.
The disciples on duty at the mountain gate saw a large crowd of people rushing in from the north.
More than five thousand people gathered together, and it was so dark that no one could see the edges.
Most of the visitors were wearing uniforms of the imperial army, and a few were wearing black attire. There were more than five hundred cavalry among them, and the sound of horse hooves was like thunder.
"The gelded dog is here!"
The disciple recognized Tiqi in black, screamed immediately, and went to the door in a panic to report the news.
The soldiers stopped at the foot of the mountain and were divided into five military formations, surrounding Tianjianmen like a semicircle.
"Our family doesn't understand military formations, so we leave everything to Xie Guerrilla's command."
Zhou Yi said, "The annihilation of Tianjian Sect this time is a major event to quell the rebellion. If Xie Guoji can do his best, we will ask your Majesty for your credit." "Don't worry, Lord Governor."
Xie Youyi was full of confidence: "There are only three hundred people in Tianjian Sect, and five thousand soldiers are encircling and suppressing them. Even a martial arts master can only run for his life."
A martial arts master can easily kill ten soldiers, but the soldiers forming a military formation can easily kill eleven martial arts masters.
After Xie Guerzhi finished speaking, he reined in his horse and entered the military formation.
More than a month has passed since Zhou Yi entered the government office. After simple training, the five thousand soldiers already knew the flag orders.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
With three consecutive shouts, the five-party military formation charged towards Tianjianmen.
The pace is a little chaotic, but he can maintain the formation and looks quite impressive.
Zhou Yi was riding on his horse, watching the army charging and killing, and couldn't help but feel a little excited.
"These are only 5,000 soldiers. How powerful is the one in the north who is said to have 300,000 soldiers? That one really raised the banner of rebellion. Even if Daqing does not fall, it will damage its foundation!"
With his mind spinning, Zhou Yi thought about how to use Zhenbei King to achieve his own goals.
There are no eternal enemies in the world. Zhou Yi's current targeting of the north is all out of the needs of the orthodox emperor. If it is no longer needed or someone changes on the throne, he can join forces with the King of Zhenbei.
While he was deep in thought, Zeng Fuyin asked.
"Governor, why did your Majesty ask you to destroy the Tianjian Sect?"
This time when the Supervision Department went south, it was naturally under the banner of the Orthodox Emperor, and it must be ordered by His Majesty, otherwise the movement of troops would be suspected of treason.
"Master Zeng, what you said is wrong. Your Majesty did not want our family to destroy Tianjian Sect..."
Zhou Yi pointed at Tianjian Mountain and said, "Have you paid taxes on this mountain occupied by Tianjian Sect?"
Zeng Fuyin said doubtfully: "Of course not. After all, people in the Jianghu established a sect and there has never been any talk of paying taxes."
"According to the laws of the country, you must pay taxes!"
Zhou Yi said coldly: "Our family destroyed Tianjian Sect to give other sects a choice, either to pay the money or the court to take back the land." "I see."
Zeng Fuyin frowned and said, "Duke, it's not easy to collect taxes from this sect."
The martial arts of the Jianghu Sect were so powerful that the tax collectors would not dare to go up the mountain to ask for money, for fear of accidentally falling into the cliff or feeding the wolves and leopards in the mountains.
"Jiejiejie..."
Zhou Yi laughed strangely: "Our family and Your Majesty have made a request. If any sect reports which family resists the tax, the tax on the same amount of land will be exempted."
The Jianghu sects are not united, and there are many murders in each sect, not to mention the feud between good and evil.
Once this rule is promulgated, everyone must report on each other's enemy sects.
Even if someone calls for joining forces, it doesn't matter. Human nature is selfish and greedy, and they will report each other no matter what.
"The Governor is wise!"
Zeng Fuyin thought about it carefully and felt more and more that this method was wonderful: "I wonder if my subordinates can learn something from it?"
Zhou Yi asked: "How can we learn from it?"
"Mr. Governor, it is very difficult to measure the acres of land at the moment. Those wealthy families are trying their best to hide it. The number of local officials is limited, and it is extremely troublesome to investigate and handle it, so many people have concealed it."
Zeng Fuyin said: "I will write a memorial to Your Majesty, just like the governor, who reports that the land is hidden will be exempted from the corresponding amount of taxes."
Zhou Yi shook his head and said: "This method is absolutely impossible!"
Zeng Fuyin asked in confusion: "Why is this?"
"There are no taxes on the mountainous areas occupied by the sect. The imperial court collects more or less taxes, which are all additional income. Moreover, the people in the world are fierce, so we cannot push too hard."
Zhou Yi said: "If you report that acres of land are exempt from taxation, someone will definitely take advantage of it. Eventually, many acres of land will be exempted from taxation, and the original intention of measuring the land will be lost!"
Zeng Fuyin scratched his ears and cheeks and said, "The lower official is stupid, please give me some advice from the governor."
Zhou Yi glanced at this guy. He was indeed a scholar and could speak better than the eunuchs in the internal chamberlain. With Zeng Fuyin's mind, how could he not have a perfect method?
"Sir Zeng, you can change the tax exemption for reporting to the one who owns the hidden land!
In this way, the whistleblower will be very motivated, and the court will not collect less taxes.
"The governor is wise, and the subordinate officials are not as good as the last chance."
Zeng Fu Yin repeatedly slapped his horse: "When I returned to the government office, my subordinates immediately submitted a report, and decided to sign the name of the governor at the end to explain the origin of this good policy of the country."
"No need."
Zhou Yi shook his head and said, "It is not convenient for our family to interact with court officials. Mr. Zeng will take note of this matter. When he goes to the capital next year to take up a post, he must remember our family's kindness."
The Zhengtong Emperor was determined to measure the acres of land, and Zengfu Yin's memorial would definitely speed up the process.
He has also been able to uncover many hidden acres, which can be said to be in the heart of the emperor. Next year, Zengfu Yin will definitely be promoted, and he will probably be on duty in the Ministry of Household Affairs.
The governor has taken this critical step and may join the cabinet in the future!
