Traveling through the Ming Dynasty, as soon as you open your eyes, you will die

Chapter 43 Almost left on Kan’s side
  Facing the apologies of these gentry, Lu Mou hated the rogue bandits deeply in his heart. Why didn't he kill them all with one knife? If you keep them, aren't they causing trouble for me?

It seems that the coordination of the gangster family is still poor. Do I have to station a consul in the bandits' den to facilitate coordination and communication?

He was thinking so darkly in his heart, but he had to express sympathy on his lips: "The trouble caused by rogue bandits is very abhorrent, and I deeply sympathize with your situation at that time. This time, you will be spared the labor force."

Upon hearing this, the gentry and merchants breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems that this prince understands justice well, is considerate of the people, and is tolerant and generous.

"This time I will leave troops to garrison here. But don't worry, I only need the local government to guarantee the supply of food and firewood for my army. The rest, such as military expenses, etc., will be provided by the capital."

Upon hearing this, all the officials were extremely happy and expressed their hope that the army would have enough food and firewood.

Then Lu Jian once again summoned local officials for a meeting alone: ​​"What about the casualties and casualties among the people when the rogue bandits invaded this time?"

Wang Yizhe covered his face and cried bitterly: "This time when the rogues entered the country, all the states south of Zhili were devastated by the military. Especially the wealthy families in each prefecture were left with almost nine empty houses and countless families were wiped out. Even the children of the lower officials who were hiding in the countryside were not spared. .”

The other officials sighed and looked at Li Yan with hatred. You're the most ruthless guy. You're just sweeping up people all the way. How many do you think you've killed? How much did you transport back to your hometown in Henan?

When Li Yan faced the hostile gazes of everyone, not only did he not feel ashamed or repentant, but he actually felt proud of himself. I snorted coldly in my heart, this is my failure too quickly, otherwise, you will all be dead. Also, don't be grateful to that little guy named Ding Wang. His heart is darker than mine. He wishes I could kill you all and take away all the land in your hands.

Lu Jian arranged: "Spring sowing is approaching, and we must not miss the farming season. For this reason, I have stipulated that all unowned land should be nationalized, but the government's policy of selling it off again will no longer be implemented, but will be directly distributed." Farming for those landless people. Two qian of land rent per acre per year, two qian of labor payment, and all other taxes and corvees shall be cancelled. I have ordered that the collection of three taxes be stopped immediately, and all exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes be stopped immediately.”

Upon hearing this, all the officials wailed in their hearts, expecting heavy losses.

Confiscating unowned land and selling it is a revenue. Three rates and various taxes are levied, and a commission can be retained here. As a result, if you do this, we will all have to drink from the northwest wind.

Wang Yizhe still wanted to cry for poverty, but Lu Mou waved his hand: "Don't talk to me about any difficulties. But don't worry, everyone, I will also tell the emperor that your salary will be increased for you, at least double it, and it will be a full amount of silver dollars. It should be It’s enough for you to have enough food and clothing.”

If it were twice as much as it is now, without using moldy rice curtains, especially the useless paper Jiaozi instead, I would really be able to have enough food and clothing, but I can no longer spend extravagantly.

"The land contract must be implemented as soon as possible. No piece of land must be abandoned before the end of spring sowing. If this happens, I will punish you severely. In order to take care of your shortage of manpower, I will leave two Jinyiwei Baihu Gang you."

Everyone grinned, why are you helping us? You are spying on us.

Wang Yizhe gritted his teeth: "We respect the prince's arrangement, but can't we save the money and food of the people who suffered from the war?"

"The debts accumulated in the past can be forgiven, but the new year's debts cannot be forgiven."

Wang Yizhe's heart began to bleed again. According to regulations, if the debt is accumulated for one year, the local government will collect it, and 30% of the debt can be retained. If the debt is accumulated for two years, 50%, and for three years, 80% will be retained. This is also one of the ways for local officials to get money. This time it's gone again.

"However, some money from the commission money will be left to the local government for various miscellaneous local expenses and for the local hiring of manpower."

In this way, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief. It was okay, and there was still some left. Otherwise, instead of giving us double our salary for the sake of being an official, we might as well give up our jobs.

With so many promises, Lu Mou traveled to the state capitals that were under Zhili (Hebei) after returning to the Ming Dynasty, and implemented his policies with sincerity.

During this period, Lu Mou and Li Yan had a deep conversation: "There are no outsiders here, just you and me. Do you think the policy I am pursuing now is feasible?"

Li Yan said sincerely: "If the imperial court can agree with your policy and implement it, why worry about the people no longer being attached to the Ming Dynasty. If the people's hearts are attached, there is hope that the Ming Dynasty will come back to life."

"It's a pity that I only have so much unowned land in my hands. In general, these states and counties that were devastated by bandits have only released less than one million acres, and the total tax revenue is less than 300,000. The land The merger still cannot alleviate the problem.”

Li Yan also felt the same and could only smile bitterly: "Now, you can't do anything drastic. If you use force, you will win over the people's hearts, but it will arouse the opposition of the powerful gentry. At that time, the foundation of your rule will be weakened by the gentry. Even if a powerful person opposes you, he will overthrow you."

"Yes. So, I want you to do two things." "Which two things?"

"The news of your surrender to me has been released, and Li Chuang already knows about it. Then, our Henan base is in danger, and this must be resolved."

Li Yan smiled indifferently.

"Aren't you worried?"

Li Yan said confidently: "Why am I worried? Because I have quietly met the lady who wants to save me, and I have already made arrangements for our foundation."

Lu Mou was surprised: "What? Why didn't I know when it happened? Why didn't you go back with her?"

Li Yan was proud: "On March 19, my wife was about to assassinate you. It was because I stopped her that you could still sit in front of me and talk to me. Otherwise, you would have died that day." ”

Lu Mou broke into a cold sweat immediately. According to the novel, the Red Lady was highly skilled in martial arts and could assassinate one person cleanly. No one could escape.

Emotions are still the same as those on March 19th. If Li Yan hadn't stopped him, Ming Dynasty would have crossed that threshold, but would have stayed in the same history.

Lucky, lucky.

"Then why did you stop your wife from killing me, and why didn't you flee with your wife? Don't say that you are a man who promises nothing, and a loyal minister who will not serve two masters. I don't believe this reason."

"The reason why I stopped my wife from killing you, and the reason why I didn't leave, is because I spent this time with you. I thought that you might be the only one who can finally realize my ideal of saving people. So I chose to stay and help you. .”

"Then how did you arrange for your foundation to be safe?"

"I asked my trusted general to directly rebel against me and submit to Li Chuang."

Lu Mou almost jumped up when he heard this: "What? You sold our foundation? You are a prodigal."

Li Yan smiled lightly: "I just carried out a plan to stay in Cao's camp and stay in the Han Dynasty. My confidant betrayed me in name and expelled my wife, but in fact, the base is still mine. But it's just in this name , Li Chuang didn’t dare to base the animals, because it was almost half of Henan.”

"They are all so big, but remember, they are ours."

"Yes, it's ours. So what's the second thing you asked me to do?"

"Hehehe, I'm a little embarrassed to say it."

Li Yan smiled: "I understand. Do you want me to inform our brothers at the base to eliminate the remaining powerful landlords in Henan in the name of rogue bandits?"

"Yes - it's best to kill the remaining three princes in Henan."

Li Yan gave him a thumbs up: "You are cruel, you are so cruel. I really wonder if you are a descendant of the old Zhu family."

Lu Mou laughed awkwardly. What could he say? "When will that lady come over? I really want to see her face."

"Do you really want to meet my wife?"

"Really." I really want to meet a legendary figure in the late Ming Dynasty. Some people say it is the fictional heroine Red Lady.

"Okay then, I'll let her meet you." Then he seemed to say to the void: "Madam, please come out and see King Ding."

(End of this chapter)