Eighth year of Chongzhen

Chapter 288

In the third hall of the Yangzhou Government Yamen's Houzhai, Liu Xingwen, who had returned from Huai'an Pass, was telling Liu Zuo, the prefect of Yangzhou, what happened yesterday.

Liu Zuo, who was over forty years old, was dressed in a large Taoist robe and sat on the top chair, sipping tea while listening to Liu Xingwen's narration. Hands by his side, carefully observing Liu Xingwen's words and deeds.

After Liu Xingwen finished speaking, Liu Zuo slowly put down the teacup in his hand and said, "Jiayue, what do you think about this matter? Cousin, sit down for a while, you have been wronged these two days, and this matter must not stop here. I will definitely try my best to get justice for you. Under the blue sky and bright sky, under the blue sky and the bright sky, the serious sales and marketing activities are openly accused by some people of smuggling and smuggling. Is there any justice? Is there any law?!"

At the end of the talk, Liu Zuo had a serious expression on his face, suddenly showing a solemn look, as if he was making decisions for the people.

"Don't get angry, Dong Weng. The students think that the first thing to do is to see whether it is aimed at Dong Weng, and then try to understand the matter, otherwise it is easy to fall into the trap of others without knowing it; according to what Liu Gong said just now It can be seen from the above that this incident was most likely done by Chaoguan Jinyiwei on a temporary basis, not that someone disclosed the news of the official ship and was deliberately intercepted by him. Therefore, the first judgment of the students can be eliminated. As for how to understand this matter, it all depends on the East. What does Weng intend to do!"

Li Junshan stroked his beard and spoke.

Li Junshan and Liu Zuo, who were born in Juren, belonged to Kunshan. Because they failed in the two examinations after winning the examination, they were hired by Liu Zuo to Yangzhou Prefecture three years ago. trust.

"Jiayue, please sit down. There is no outsider here. This matter needs to be carefully discussed by Jiayue. My cousin and I are all ears!"

Li Junshan Shi Shi ran to the chair opposite Liu Xingwen, bowed his hands to Liu Zuo and sat down.

"Jiayue just said that if you want to solve this matter, it all depends on my heart. What do you mean by this? Could it be that this matter is under my control? But now the cargo is being detained by Jinyi. Unless the tax is paid in full, otherwise It may not be easy to get back the official ships and supplies. Everyone knows that the factory guards are not on good terms with civil servants. Although I am a fourth rank, I have nothing to do with the emperor's pro-army in daily life. I am afraid that I will easily refuse to sell my face !"

Since Jinyiwei set up a thousand households in Yangzhou, Liu Zuo and Liang Qi have never met each other for nearly a year. If they go to make friends now, I am afraid that they will be humiliating themselves. bow your head.

Although up to now, Jin Yiwei has not captured any officials of the Yangzhou government, and there are rumors that Qianhu surnamed Liang is greedy for money, but Liu Zuo has always felt that the current situation does not mean that Yangzhou Qianhu is weak and easy to bully. Maybe this seemingly gentle tiger is hiding in the dark and quietly waiting for the appearance of its prey.

"The students know what Dong Weng said, and the students don't intend to ask Dong Weng to come forward in person. In fact, if Dong Weng's face is not considered in this matter, Brother Liu can quietly return to Huai'an, and then make up the tax according to the law. At most, give him a little more money to avoid unnecessary trouble. But if it spreads, it may affect Dong Weng's reputation among scholars in the Jiangnan area!"

The so-called Jiangnan Shilin is actually a group of officials and gentry behind the merchants.With the gradual prosperity of commerce in the south of the Yangtze River for more than a hundred years, civil servants and businessmen have merged into one. Almost all civil officials from Jiangnan have the support of businessmen behind them, and even most of the officials themselves come from businessmen.

Everyone knows who the owner behind the Liu's firm is. It's not a secret that Liu Xingwen used the official ship to sell private goods this time. Many people are watching this matter, wanting to see if they can use various means to evade business taxes. .If Liu's Commercial Bank obediently pays the tax back, it will take a big blow to Liu Zuo's reputation and influence.

Hearing Li Junshan's analysis, Liu Zuo came to his senses after thinking about it for a while. Up to now, this matter is not as simple as he thought.

"It seems that this matter can't be resolved. According to Jiayue, how should we deal with it? It's about my reputation, and I can't allow me to take half a step back!"

Liu Zuo said in a deep voice, the expression on his face also became serious.

"Dong Weng, ever since the imperial court decided to levy business taxes at the Chaoguan Pass on the Canal, the people in the south of the Yangtze River have been full of dissatisfaction. Dong Weng must have heard of the public opinion here. When the prosperous Ming emperors of all dynasties were in power, they all took hiding wealth from the people as the cornerstone of their governance. , there are very few people who compete with the people for such an evil government today. At the time when the sea is being established and the people are living in peace, I never thought that the imperial court would openly risk the world's dissatisfaction and do this in the place where the foundation of the Ming Dynasty existed. Such an act of going against the grain and being an enemy of the people is really deceiving people too much! Is it tolerable or unbearable? Students think that since Dong Weng is in power, he should follow the public opinion, contact like-minded people and put pressure on the court. Please abolish the policy of increasing business taxes to maintain the prosperity of the south of the Yangtze River. Please also point out that if the imperial court continues to insist on its own way, the land of the Ming Dynasty may be in danger of turmoil, and this is not a blessing for the country!"

When Li Junshan talked about the emotional part, he stood up involuntarily, raised his hands and raised his eyes, showing the demeanor of a sage who is concerned about the country and the people.

"Jiayue's words are very close to my heart. When I exchanged letters with some old schoolmates, I also talked about the topic of taxation. Almost all the people from Jiangnan who became officials were aggrieved, and some of them spoke fiercely. The instigator said that a certain person seemed to be following his brother's path, and said that he feared his brother's disaster! Of course, this official does not agree with such words, but this official understands that his heart is for the people wholeheartedly. However, the words are a little too harsh. Since Jiayue mentioned the matter of the court today, the official will do his part, and will write a letter to contact with like-minded people later, and report the people's opinions in the south of the Yangtze River to the court, so as to urge them to follow suit Repent, take back these policies that harm the people, so as to ensure the safety of the Jiangnan! I read the sages' books, and I should plead for the people, and for the sake of the people in the Jiangnan, what a pity it is to give up this black hat!"

Liu Zuo had an impassioned and righteous look on his face, and those who didn't know thought it was true.

If Zhu Youjian knew what he said just now, even though he came from a later generation who attaches great importance to life, Zhu Youjian would order to cut off his head without hesitation.

Isn't this just cursing himself as short-lived as Zhu Youxiao?

"Dong Weng's pleading for the people made the students admire! But this alone is far from enough! Some people are afraid that they will not cry when they see the coffin! If there is no deep pain, the righteous deeds of Dong Weng and other court officials may not be able to change their course. Now that countless merchants in the south of the Yangtze River hate the business tax, they should express their wishes with words and deeds! The capital and the important towns in the north all rely on the supply of materials from the south of the Yangtze River. Suddenly interrupted, Dong Weng and other court officials' memorabilia arrived at the court hall, and the students dare to assert that the business and tax policy will be abolished immediately! This is the so-called two-pronged approach!"

"This strategy is very good! Jiayue is really my son's house! Hahaha!"

Liu Zuo clapped his hands and laughed, and Li Junshan bowed his hands to Liu Zuo with a proud smile on his face, just like Zhuge was alive.

Liu Xingwen was terrified while listening, he is also a scholar who has studied, if Liu Zuo praised Li Junshan just now, it would be enough to lose his head if it got out.

You compare Li Junshan to Zhang Liang, then who are you?Your surname is Liu, do you want to imitate the pavilion chief who overthrew Xiang Yu?

"Sixth brother, Mr. Li's strategy is good, but isn't it a bit over the top? What if the imperial court decides to send soldiers here? I don't think it's going to work, so let's bear with it. I heard that the surname of Jin Yiwei Liang’s thousands of households are greedy for money and lustful, why don’t we give him 5000 taels of silver and let him let our cargo go, and let’s just let this matter go, if there is a big trouble, I’m afraid it won’t end well!”

Liu Xingwen, who had been silent all this time, couldn't help but persuade him.

Although Liu Zuo was the backer and Liu's business went smoothly, Liu Xingwen was not the kind of person with such a broad mind after all. Liu Zuo and Li Junshan's unscrupulous words and deeds just now made him feel scared for no reason.

"Brother, don't worry, as far as I know, there are countless incidents of righteous people in the south of the Yangtze River resisting taxes, and every time there is almost nothing wrong. The court has never used strong measures to suppress it. Moreover, this strike is the most extensive in history. , as time goes by, the price of various items in the capital and other places will skyrocket. Once public dissatisfaction boils over, what good solution does the imperial court have to deal with it other than compromise?! Today's plan is still useful to the elder brother, the elder brother can secretly Contact and chat with wealthy businessmen and tycoons who are usually friends, and discuss this grand event together!"

Li Junshan rolled his eyes, smoothed his beard and said with a smile.

(End of this chapter)