Daming: Apocalypse of Longevity

Chapter 126
Zhang Guoji and Zhu Youjian's decisive attack did play a certain role. This situation of sending minions to cause trouble was effectively curbed. However, the hostile behavior from the forces behind these grain merchants did not disappear because of this. On the contrary, it escalated.

Zhang Guoji received news from many Jinyi guards that they had caught the people who came to set fire to the granary. These people were all desperadoes. Once they were caught, they all bit out the poison hidden in their mouths and committed suicide before they could be interrogated. !

In fact, for these desperadoes who came to set fires, whether they were tried or not was the same. Although Zhang Guoji didn't know who the instigators behind them were, he could guess that they were close to each other. Although there were many officials in the court, As long as you check the hometown of these officials and compare it with the place where the incident occurred, the scope of suspects will be narrowed down to a few individuals in an instant.

Because the defense work in various places is relatively strict, and the core areas are protected by Jin Yiwei, it is difficult for those who come to cause damage to succeed.

During this period, a major incident occurred. A prefect came directly to find trouble and ordered the local grain collection point to stop collecting grains. The reason was that the behavior of the grain collection points had seriously affected the local food prices, and the food prices were related to the local people's livelihood. livelihood, etc. In short, he pretended to be dedicated to the people and said some high-sounding words.

The person in charge of the grain collection point here naturally explained to the prefect that this was the grain collection point set up by Zhang Guoji, the Marquis of Taikang. The Marquis of Taikang had the emperor's orders and changed his position to raise grain and grass for the court, and the emperor also rewarded him. He gave Taikang Hou Shangfang a sword and said that Zhang Guoji would kill anyone who dared to block or impede food collection first and then punish him later!
But these words did not scare the prefect. After all, the prefect was a fourth-grade imperial official, so he had the confidence. Although he said it politely, he meant the same thing, "Since you said this, it is too serious." If there is a grain collection point set up by Marquis Kang, then you invite Marquis Taikang over. When I see Marquis Taikang, I will let you continue collecting, otherwise, you will not be allowed to do so!"

Once the prefect speaks, it is very effective. As the saying goes, "the county magistrate is not as good as the current one." Even if the guards at the grain collection point are not afraid of him as the prefect and continue to open the door to collect grain, the local people will not dare to come and sell grain to They, after all, the prefect is watching from the side!
As soon as Zhang Guoji heard about this incident, he was furious. However, he didn't say any nonsense. Instead, he picked up Shang Fang's sword and rushed towards the prefecture where the incident occurred. He was 100% sure that the prefect's decision was made by the civil servants group. Sent out to deal with him.

These people are much more difficult to deal with than the desperadoes before. They don't make trouble directly, and their attitude towards you is very good. What they say is for the country and the people, and they are high-sounding. But as soon as he sits there, the people I dare not come to sell food.

Although the prefect said nicely that as long as he saw me, he would no longer interfere with the grain collection point, but even if he really did as he said, wouldn't the few days he rushed there have been wasted?

The other prefectures and prefectures are watching from the sidelines. If this prefect succeeds in using this trick, they will definitely follow suit. By then, I am afraid that I will break my legs and not be able to take care of so many prefectures and counties.

Therefore, Zhang Guoji didn't talk nonsense to him at all when he arrived at the place. When the prefect heard that Taikang Marquis Zhang Guoji had arrived, he was ordered to capture it by Zhang Guoji just as he was about to come over to see him. Then Zhang Guoji stepped forward and shouted loudly: "Bold traitor, do you know? Did you mistakenly think that harvesting grain for me is a capital crime?"

However, what Zhang Guoji didn't expect was that this prefect was actually quite bold. He must have been relying on someone behind him, and there must be a big shot in the court behind him. That's why he acted so confidently. He was knelt on the ground with his arms crossed by the Jin Yiwei. But still very calm.He said glibly: "I didn't mean to delay the Marquis from collecting grain. I was really worried that someone would use the name of the Marquis to do such illegal things. That's why I wanted to see the Marquis to verify the authenticity of this matter in person. I forgive you, Marquis." It’s a sin, even this low-ranking official is loyal to the imperial court!”

Zhang Guoji snorted coldly and said: "Illegal thing? When my men collect grain here, they buy it at market parity. What is illegal? Since you care about the people so much, why don't you go to those who deliberately lower the price of grain and disrupt the market?" Have all the profiteers been arrested?

My officer's collection of grain is an important task for the imperial court. The grain collected is used for disaster relief and military supplies. Do you know how many victims have starved to death in the past few days that you have delayed, and how many military affairs have been delayed because of you?
I'm too lazy to talk nonsense with a bastard like you, but since you still don't know the crime, I'll let you die clearly and save you from feeling that your death was unjust! "

After saying this, Zhang Guoji picked up Shang Fang's sword and took the sword out of its scabbard.

After listening to what Zhang Guoji said just now and seeing Zhang Guoji actually pulling out the sword, the prefect finally realized that he was afraid. When his backer asked him to come forward, he originally told him that he was a fourth-rank imperial official, and Zhang Guoji did not dare to take him. Anyway, even if Zhang Guoji dares to embarrass him, he will find a way to protect him, so he is so confident.

Who would have thought that this national discipline would not care about that at all. Not only did he dare to touch him, but instead of arresting him and punishing him, he planned to kill him on the spot. This time, he couldn't wait for his backer to protect him. !
Therefore, the magistrate was so frightened that he cried for mercy and began to plead for mercy: "Master Marquis, I have confessed my crime! I beg you, please don't remember the villain's fault and spare this little dog." Take your life!"

Zhang Guoji, however, had a stern look on his face and said in a cold voice: "If I had known this earlier, why would I admit my guilt now? It's too late!" After saying that, he threw the scabbard to the men beside him, held the hilt of the sword with both hands, and held the sword high. He raised it high, and the two Jinyi guards who were twisting the prefect's arms immediately pushed the prefect down with force, exposing his neck.

Zhang Guoji no longer hesitated and shouted loudly: "This person is obstructing me from collecting grain and has evil intentions. I will kill him with Shang Fang's sword to follow the Ming court's laws and set an example for others!"

The sword fell with the sound, and the head fell to the ground immediately!
This matter was quickly reported back to the capital, instantly shocking the government and the public. Although the emperor indeed gave Zhang Guoji the Shangfang Sword in public, he also said in public that anyone who dared to interfere with Zhang Guoji's grain collection and transportation could be given the Fang Sword. He should be beheaded first and then reported. But after all, he was a fourth-grade court official. How could he be beheaded just by saying beheaded?
Zhang Guoji's behavior indeed served the purpose of serving as a warning to others. He encountered much less trouble and resistance in purchasing grain in various places, but it also caused panic among the officials. Everyone said that now that he, Zhang Guoji, dares to kill the fourth-grade prefect, in the future he will He dared to kill the chief minister of the dynasty, so the officials in the dynasty instantly united to protest Zhang Guoji's "atrocities"!
(End of this chapter)