The days when I ransacked the house in Jinyiwei

Chapter 150 Longyan is furious, the quality of the second company ([-]-character chapter)
Heart disease comes and goes quickly.

Huang Zhixian was able to get out of bed the next day.He first persuaded the people gathered outside the county government office to leave.Then he took the initiative to find Chang Feng for a deep talk.

Chang Feng learned another lesson through this incident: Don't judge people by their appearance.

An obese official is not necessarily a corrupt official.

A thin official is not necessarily a clean official.

In the words of Fatty Xu: "What's wrong with Fatty? Fatty didn't eat your rice."

Houya living room.Chang Feng sat and drank tea with Huang Zhixian.

Chang Feng asked with concern: "How is Huangzhi County's health?"

Huang Zhixian said: "The old man is sick, it's not a serious problem. I made fun of it. I was bitten by a dog when I was a child. I have been timid since I was a child."

After a while, Huang Zhixian realized that he had made a slip of the tongue, and quickly said, "Ah, that's not what I meant."

Chang Feng laughed it off: "It's okay. Jin Yiwei was originally a vicious dog raised by the royal family."

"Brother Huang Shi, I have something to ask you. Why are all the official warehouses everywhere?"

Huang Zhixian replied: "Officials from all over the country have already made a lot of money from buying people's grain reserves, so there is no need to use the idea of ​​official warehouses."

"For example, the imperial decree stipulates that the lower counties should stockpile five thousand shi of grain. They spent the official silver needed to buy five thousand shi of grain. The actual amount of grain collected should be around eight thousand shi."

"Anyone with a bad heart may receive [-] shi. The excess grain will naturally flow into the hands of local officials, officials, and servants."

Chang Feng was thoughtful: "In other words, the imperial decree to stockpile food has been implemented. The officials have also made a lot of money. The only people who suffer are the people."

Huang Zhixian replied: "Exactly. There may be a sentence that is not very pleasant to say. Forget it, I'd better not say it."

Chang Feng walked up to Huangzhi County and refilled the good official's tea with his own hands: "We are kind brothers. We can't say anything."

Huang Zhixian hesitated for a long time, and then he had the courage to say what was in his heart: "Dare to ask Shangcha, the emperors of all dynasties, how can they be regarded as good emperors?"

After pondering for a moment, Chang Feng replied, "Make meritorious deeds."

Huang Zhixian shook his head.

Chang Feng said again: "Expand the territory."

Huang Zhixian continued to shake his head.

Chang Feng said again: "Diligence in government and love for the people."

Huang Zhixian still shook his head.

Chang Feng asked: "I also ask Huang Shixiong to enlighten me."

Huang Zhixian's answer was deafening: "A good emperor is an emperor who doesn't struggle!"

Chang Feng was taken aback.Then asked: "Why?"

Huang Zhixian said: "Looking at the history books, a promising emperor is not necessarily a good emperor for the people."

"During the time of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the great generals Wei Qing and Huo Qubing sealed off the wolves as Xu, and drank horses in the sea. How glorious is the great man?"

"What's the price? The household registration of the Han people has been halved in decades! Ordinary people can't eat enough."

"Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty only realized it when he was old. He issued the "Luntai Edict against Oneself". But...it was too late!"

"In the early days of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, in the prosperous Kaiyuan period, a large area of ​​Western Regions and Beiting land became the territory of the Great Tang Dynasty."

"However, there is a poem from the Ministry of Industry and Engineering of Du that says: The front yard bleeds into sea water, and the Emperor Wu has no intention of opening the border. Don't you hear it, the Han family has two hundred prefectures in Shandong, and thousands of villages and thousands of villages are born with Jing Qi."

"Poor bone beside the Wuding River, still the person in the dream of a spring girl!"

"My China has been prosperous for thousands of years. For thousands of years, the common people have lived like livestock from generation to generation."

"Once there is a promising emperor on the stand, it is a luxury for the common people to live on fodder like livestock!"

"There's an old saying that goes well, it's only when you speak loudly in a muffled voice."

"The emperor doesn't bother, officials, businessmen, and landlords make a fortune. The common people can follow An An to get a bite of fodder, and don't starve to death. This is already a truly prosperous age!"

"It's like the emperor's decree to hoard food last year. The original intention was to make a difference. What happened? The people in the two capitals and 13 provinces have all suffered!"

After Huang Zhixian said this, he regretted it.What he said was from the heart and the truth.

But if this is the case, there is suspicion of treason.

Even a coward has three moments of courage.Huang Zhixian was timid and cowardly for half his life.Today, he became a warrior for a while and said everything he wanted to say.He seemed to drain his strength.Sitting on the chair in a daze.

Chang Feng was extremely surprised: "Brother Huang Shixiong's remarks are really novel. I can't say I agree with them, but I can't think of a reason to refute them at the moment."

"Right or wrong. Leave it to future generations to judge."

The two chatted for a while.Chang Feng suddenly remembered something: "By the way, the price of grain in Beizhili plummeted this spring. Is it related to the imperial decree of the emperor to hoard grain?"

Huang Zhixian nodded: "It is closely related. The official only has one mouth, and he only has three meals a day. How much can he eat?"

"With so much grain harvested through the grain hoarding policy, it is natural to find a way to exchange it for money, and then use the money to buy land and real estate, and buy singing and dancing girls."

"I heard that there is a man with great powers in the capital. He can turn a large amount of grain into silver. Local officials always ask him to sell the grain obtained by squeezing the people."

"It's no wonder that food prices don't fall when so much grain is rushed to the market."

Chang Feng thought of a major case that Jin Yiwei solved during the Hongwu period—the Guo Huan case.

Guo Huan was the servant of the household department at that time. He colluded with thousands of officials, big and small, and corrupted a total of 400 million shi in Motian Fu.

After the incident, Taizu executed all officials including the ministers of the six departments and below.

From the assistant minister to the food chief, a total of more than [-] officials and family members were killed!

Could it be that Guo Huan also appeared in the Hongzhi Dynasty?
Chang Feng asked Huang Zhixian: "Brother Huang Shi, do you know who is that man with great powers in the capital?"

Huang Zhixian shook his head slightly: "The lower officials have never been greedy for people's food, nor have they sold dirty food. So I don't know."

Chang Feng asked: "Magistrate Huang, how long is your term?"

Huang Zhixian replied: "There is still more than one month. At that time, I will go to the Ministry of Officials to report on my work and candidate for a new position."

Chang Feng said: "Let's do this. You will hand over the affairs of the county to the county magistrate first. Wait for me to return to Beijing at any time. I will ask the emperor to summon you."

"You are a good official. You have served in Rongcheng County for six years, and you have benefited the hometown. You should let the emperor know that there is such a clean and honest official like you in Beizhili under the foot of the emperor."

"At the same time, you have to tell the emperor about the shortcomings of the grain hoarding policy."

Huang Zhixian said: "Okay! In fact, the lower official received the imperial decree to stockpile grain last year, so he planned to write a booklet to remind the emperor."

"However, the lower official is just a county magistrate, and has no direct power to submit the documents. The documents must be passed on through the magistrate's office, the chief envoy's office, the governor's office, and the General Secretary's office."

"I'm afraid that as soon as I arrive at the prefect's yamen, the papers will be seized and burned! The lower officials will also be caught in unpredictable situations."

"Because such an excerpt is cutting off the wealth of local officials in the world, and cutting off a person's wealth is like killing one's parents!"

"That's why the lower officials didn't dare to write this scripture."

After chatting with Huangzhi County, Chang Feng summoned Fatty Xu, Qian Ning and others to discuss matters.

He told everyone the secret of hoarding food.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Qian Ning was very excited: "Master Chang, it's time for us to make great contributions! If it's true what Huang Boren said, all state and county officials in the world will fall into the hands of our Jin Yiwei!"

"Killing one or two thousand officials, our Jin Yiwei's prestige can be shaken enough!"

Last time, Qian Ning punished the speech officials of the two capitals and stole the limelight.He has tasted the sweetness.Is there anything more convenient than a whole person to build up one's prestige?

From an unknown little flag in Weili, he has become a well-known and registered figure in the capital, all by tricking him.

Fatty Xu echoed: "Damn it. Those local officials eat the people's flesh and extract their oil. They should be punished and punished."

Chang Feng believes that simply concocting a major case and killing people cannot solve the problem.

The four major cases of Guo Huan, Kong Yin, Hu Weiyong, and Lan Yu during the Hongwu Dynasty killed officials all over the world several times.Is it hard enough?
In the end?Officials should be greedy or greedy.The problem of official corruption has not been solved at all.

Chang Feng said: "That's it. Let's pick a county. Well, let's take Xiong County. Find out how much grain is in Xiong County's [-] shi, and how much food is actually collected from the people."

"How many stones have been corrupted by officials from top to bottom of the county government?"

"Find out what happened in Xiong County, and use it as an example for the emperor to weigh and consider."

In the words of later generations, Chang Feng's mission when he left Beijing was to inspect and accept, but now the mission has become research.

Jin Yiwei does research, but he doesn't have heart-to-heart talks with local officials.The memory recovery technique is not covered.

After discussing with everyone, they left Rongcheng County and went straight to Xiong County.

Ten days later, the county government of Xiong County.

The thin Cheng Zhixian was eating wine with two Yangzhou skinny horses in his arms.

His butler stood in front of him, with a large wooden box beside him, and there were neat stacks of silver ingots in the box.

The butler smiled and said, "Master, the Runde grain store is really simple to do business with. The young one went to Beijing and went to the grain store. I delivered the five thousand shi grains from our county to them that day."

"A total of 2000 taels of silver. Have you counted?"

Nowadays, the price of the best quality wheat in the capital is five yuan and one stone.Since the officials sold the stolen goods, they naturally couldn't sell them at the listed price.It is equal to four qian silver to deal with the stolen food.

Cheng Zhixian snorted: "My lord, I am a person who has read a lot of poetry and books. I hate these copper-stinky things the most. Let me count them. Do you want me to get my hands dirty?"

"Leave 1000 taels. The remaining 1000 taels will be distributed to the subordinates according to the county government roster."

The housekeeper said: "Yes."

At this moment, Lu Dianli came in: "The county lord, Jin Yiwei has come to our Xiong County again."

Cheng Zhixian's complexion changed: "The plague gods just sent away, why are they here again? Where are they?"

Lu Dianli replied: "It's in the lobby of the county government."

Cheng Zhixian pushed the two scrawny horses away: "Quick, let's go to the lobby to greet them."

Cheng Zhixian came to the lobby and bowed to Chang Feng and others.

Chang Feng sat on the chair: "Chengzhi County, last year Xiong County purchased [-] shi from the common people to stockpile grain, how much money did it cost?"

The county magistrate replied: "Last autumn, the price of high-quality wheat was six renminbi and one stone. The county government office consumed a total of [-] taels of silver. There are detailed accounts to check. Can I bring you the accounts?"

Chang Feng nodded: "Well, let me have a look."

Cheng Zhixian presented the account book with both hands.

Chang Feng took a closer look and found that there was nothing wrong with the accounts.

Chang Feng changed the subject: "Spent 300 taels of silver, what is the actual amount of grain purchased?"

Cheng Zhixian was taken aback for a moment.Then he said: "On the job, the real number is the five thousand five hundred stone grain in the official warehouse!"

Chang Feng sneered: "Oh, a county magistrate dares to lie in front of Jin Yiwei, he is quite courageous. Do you think I just arrived in your Xiong County?"

Chang Feng clapped his hands after speaking.

Fatty Xu led more than two dozen people whose hands and feet were bound into the lobby.There is also a group of warriors holding the official dendrobium and official lifts used to collect grain in Xiong County.

These twenty or so people are the food chiefs of the townships in Xiong County.

Cheng Zhixian was dumbfounded, and thought to himself: Not good!It turned out to be prepared!

Chang Feng took out a piece of paper from his pocket, and read: "Last year, your Xiong County purchased food from the common people. It cost a total of 300 taels of official silver, which is true."

"But the food price set by the county government is not six yuan and one stone at all. It is three yuan and one stone! Some people caused troubles because of the low price, and your county government arrested more than 300 people. It's easy to beat."

"Xiong County 27 Township, last year bought a total of [-] shi of high-quality new wheat from the hands of the people!"

"The extra five thousand stones were all put into the pocket of your county magistrate! There are 27 confessions from the head of grain to prove it!"

Fatty Xu pointed to Guan Hu and Guan Lifting Scales, and added to Chang Feng, "These equipment for weighing grain harvests have also been tampered with by you!"

Beads of sweat appeared on Cheng Zhixian's head.

Chang Feng pointed at Qian Ning: "Chengzhi County, you remember, this is Qianhu Qianhu, Deputy Qianhu of Beizhen Fusi. He hates evil all his life, and hates you corrupt officials who eat people's flesh and drink people's blood the most!"

"Now, Deputy Qianhu is going to give you a severe punishment!"

According to the law of the Ming Dynasty, an official document jointly signed by the officials of the three courts is required to punish the seventh-rank official.

Even the governor can't punish the seventh-rank official without authorization.

The only exceptions are Dongchang and Jinyiwei.Factory guards are beyond the law.

Qian Ning sneered: "Come on, Mr. Chang, just look at it!"

Cheng Zhixian yelled: "I'll recruit, I'll recruit all of them, please forgive me!"

Chengzhi County's Taoism is still shallow.He didn't know that Jin Yiwei had the habit of being sentenced first and then questioning the case.

Not long after, nails were driven into Cheng Zhixian's feet and salt was sprinkled on them.

How could Cheng Zhixian, who was as thin as a hemp stick, endure such a crime?He screamed in pain.

Qian Ning put a stick on Cheng Zhixian again, pinching Cheng Zhixian's ten fingers.

After struggling for two moments, Cheng Zhixian was dying.

Chang Feng took a sip of tea: "Officer, last year hoarded food, how much food did you forcefully buy from the common people? How much did you corrupt?"

The magistrate of Cheng replied truthfully: "The real number is as the above said, it is [-] shi. I have been greedy for five thousand shi."

"It's a conscience. Of the [-] stone grains, only half of them are subordinate officials. According to the rules, the rest should be distributed to the county magistrate, master secretary, pawns, the chief and deputy heads of the third class, and more than [-] grain chiefs."

Chang Feng asked again: "Where is the stolen food?"

The magistrate of Cheng County replied: "The subordinate officials sent people to transport them to Tongzhou to sell them. We got 2000 taels of silver in total. The silver was just transported back to the county today."

Chang Feng asked: "Who did you sell it to?"

The county magistrate replied: "Sold to Runde Grain Company in Tongzhou."

Chang Feng frowned: Runde grain business?Why does it sound so familiar.

He continued to ask: "Those local officials in your neighboring county, where did they sell the dirty grain they obtained from squeezing the people?"

The magistrate of Cheng replied: "It was also sold to the Runde Grain Company. The Runde Grain Company has great powers. I am afraid that more than half of the magistrates in the world have taken grain that should not be taken and sold it to them!"

Chang Feng asked: "What's the background of this Runde Grain Company? Who is the boss?"

The county magistrate Cheng kowtowed: "I don't know! I really don't know!"

The behind-the-scenes boss of Runde Grain Company is extremely mysterious.The county magistrate Cheng did not know.

Chang Feng said: "Take him back to the capital."

Fatty Xu said: "Master Chang, should we go back to Beijing?"

Chang Feng nodded: "It's been two months since I came out. It's time to give the emperor an explanation."

On the first day of May in the third year of Hongzhi, Chang Feng, who went out to inspect, returned to the capital.

He brought back two magistrates, one honest and one greedy.

Chang Feng arranged for Huangzhi County, who had not stocked up enough food to resist the decree, to live in his own home.Waiting for the emperor to summon.

Cheng Zhixian, who stocked up enough food according to the order, was assigned to a cell in the Imperial Prison.

The third day of May.Emperor Hongzhi summoned Chang Feng and Huang Zhixian in Qianqing Palace.

After hearing the report from the two, Emperor Hongzhi's face turned pale, and his heart felt like a knife was twisted!
He thought hard, and the grain hoarding policy that benefited the country and the people that he came up with turned out to be an evil policy that harmed the people!
Emperor Hongzhi didn't know whether he should be mad at himself or the magistrates all over the world!

In a fit of rage, his qualities doubled.He threw the copper coin next to the dragon case to the ground fiercely.Then he roared angrily: "You bully the sky!"

Chang Feng hurriedly said: "The emperor calm down."

Emperor Hongzhi said: "Calm down your anger? How can I calm down? Those grains are the rations that the common people depend on for survival!"

"Because of one of my imperial decrees, the people's rations fell into the mouths of corrupt officials!"

"There are 130 magistrates in the whole world, 190 three prefectures, and 140 magistrates! According to what you said, corrupt officials are probably nine out of ten!"

"Few of the remaining [-]% of honest officials dare to report the truth to me!"

"Since I ascended the throne, I have treated criminal officials by killing them if I could. That's my benevolence! But they regard my benevolence as weakness!"

"Chang Feng, kill! I'm going to kill you this time!"

Emperor Hongzhi was really angry this time.The veins on the neck popped up!

But Chang Feng kowtowed heavily: "Your Majesty, I can't kill you!"

Emperor Hongzhi glared at Chang Feng: "Can't be killed? Why? If you don't tell a reason, you are defending corrupt officials all over the world!"

Chang Feng kowtowed: "Your Majesty, the lessons learned from the Guo Huan case are still there! Killing people will not solve the problem! It will only destabilize the court."

What Chang Feng said was the truth.Governing corruption is an eternal problem.Just killing people is useless.

Emperor Hongzhi was taken aback.He read history books.Naturally know the Guo Huan case.

Chang Feng said again: "The magistrate Huang has been staying at the minister's house for the past few days. He had a good talk with the minister. He said something to the minister last night, which is quite reasonable."

Emperor Hongzhi turned his head to look at Huangzhi County: "Oh? What are you talking about? Huang Boren, tell me."

Huang Zhixian said: "Report to the emperor. A humble minister dares to speak out. Corrupt officials are like leeks. Once you cut a crop, another crop will emerge."

"If a corrupt official is full, you kill him. If a new Jinshi who is hungry and has not had enough to eat comes up, he will eat the flesh and blood of the common people even more recklessly. It is better to keep the corrupt official who is full!"

Emperor Hongzhi was full of poetry and books since he was a child.Huang Zhixian's pragmatic remarks subverted his three views.

Emperor Hongzhi was furious: "Huang Boren, you fart!"

Huang Zhixian was timid.After being scolded by Emperor Hongzhi, his neck was sweating.

Chang Feng was really afraid that he would suffer from chest pain in the main hall of Qianqing Palace.

(End of this chapter)