Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 214
There are only four days left, and the distance between Yizhou City and Mengyin County is more than two hundred miles, even if it is a fast horse, it will take nearly a day and night.Hurrying back to Mengyin, the remaining two or three days of work, where is the Yimeng Mountain, which is [-] miles away, catching and kidnapping bandits?And when such a thing happened in one's own jurisdiction, a crime of dereliction of duty and negligence of supervision was inevitable.If the trouble is not good, if the hat of appeasement and adultery is buckled, it will be difficult to save his life.

This is no accident!Liang Shunzheng, the magistrate of Mengyin County, was so anxious that he almost cried, shook his body, and almost fainted, and suddenly remembered that the sky was falling, and there was a big one holding it up. Above Mengyin County, there was the magistrate of Yizhou, and above the magistrate, there was this Master Daotai, why are you panicking?Thinking about this, he immediately looked at Cao Yong with tears in his eyes, clasped his fists and said: "Master Cao, this... this... what should I do, please tell me!"

But Cao Yong heard something was wrong, "rabbits don't eat grass by the side of the nest", isn't the reason why the Yimeng mountain bandits can be banned repeatedly because the people outside exchanged news with them, allowing them to avoid the encirclement and suppression of the army?Even if you want to kidnap people for food, shouldn't you change the place?

He glanced at the reporter and asked, "How many hectares does Du Kui's property have?"

Although Cao Yong didn't wear men's clothes, he just wore ordinary clothes, but the man just saw that even the county lord respected the young man, so he didn't dare to be negligent, and thought for a while and said: "Returning to my lord, the Du family is a big family. There is not a hundred hectares of this land, but there are eighty hectares!"

If he had entered Beijing two years ago, Cao Yong wouldn't have known about these fields. Now he has several villages, and he often listens to He Maocai's accounts, so he knows more about these.If there is good fertile land and good harvests, the yield per mu can reach two stones, and for medium-sized fields, it should also be one stone and a few buckets.Land property is leased to tenants for cultivation, and the land rent ranges from [-]% to [-]%.

Even if the harvest of the crops was reduced due to the drought in the north last year, Du Kui's land rent should be at least four or five thousand shi. Why is it even a thousand shi now?Besides, kidnapping the young master of this family and only asking for a quarter of the family's annual income as ransom, isn't that cheap?
*
Jinan Prefecture, governor's office.

Governor Jiang Chenxi looked at the mansion newspaper sent from the capital, his expression was very excited, and his hands trembled slightly.In the mansion newspaper is the edict issued by Kangxi on February 29:

I have seen the number of editors and reviewers of governors and governors in various provinces, and have not reported the number of increases.Today, Haiyu has been in peace for a long time, and the household registration is increasing day by day.If it is seen that additional money and food are collected from the population, it is really impossible.Although the population has increased, the acres of land have not increased.It should be ordered that the governor of the direct province will see the number of famous people in the current money and grain book, not to increase or decrease, and it will always be a fixed amount.The people born after that do not need to collect money and food...

"'Adding children in a prosperous age, never adding gifts', Long Live Lord is wise!" Jiang Chenxi was very excited, this emperor is wise, and they, as courtiers, can make better achievements.Even if you can't leave your name in history, it shouldn't be difficult to become a prime minister and shine on your door.

But after seeing another piece of news, Jiang Chenxi's complexion couldn't help but become heavy.Due to the severe drought last year in Zhili, there was no new grain into the warehouse. The household department checked that there was surplus grain in the Shandong granary, so it reported that the grain in the Shandong granary would be added to the Zhili warehouse first.After all, Zhili is an important place in the capital, and there are many officers and soldiers of the Eight Banners and the green battalion of the Han army, so there is no room for loss in food supply.Now is not the time for grain to enter Beijing.

Jiang Chenxi pondered for a while, sighed, called several long-term followers, and sent them to report the residence to Hou Juguang, the chief envoy, and Li Fajia, the chief envoy.The remaining two copies were sent to the secretary for copying, so that the places that could be clearly issued could be sent along the prefectures and counties.

The sixth day of March was the seventh day that Du Kui's son was kidnapped in Nanshan Township, Mengyin County.Although Du Kui was sick in bed, how could he feel at ease since his son's life and death were at stake?After hearing his wife mention that someone from the county government had come to interrogate him, did he faint?It's just that he really doesn't have the strength, otherwise he would go to the ground and kick his wife a few times.If the people at the yamen are full of food and want to use the credit of "suppressing bandits" to get promoted and make a fortune, how can they care about his son's life?

Fortunately, I waited in fear for a few days. When Mengyin County Magistrate Liang Shunzheng came back from Yizhou yesterday, he didn't intend to get in the way. He even signaled to those who went to inquire about the news that everything should be done to save the life of the young master of the Du family. , let the Du family not worry.

At dawn, in the courtyard of Du's mansion, the servants who got up early to clean the courtyard found the letter shot in from outside, and hurriedly handed it to the old man and wife.Du Kui read it, and it said that the Du family should transport the grain to Yelongling, twenty miles away.The Du family was waiting for the news. The mule cart had already been prepared, loaded with a thousand stones and more than one hundred thousand catties of grain, and rushed to Yelongling.

In Mengyin County Yamen, Liang Shunzheng, the magistrate of Mengyin County, woke up early, and his face was full of worry. He wondered whether the Du family could bring him back safely. Follow, so as not to cause misunderstandings by the kidnappers and endanger the life of the young master of the Du family.

Although Liang Shunzheng was a little cowardly, he had spent half his life reading sage books, and when he thought of what happened to him in the Daotai Yamen in Yizhou that day, he was really angry.Why would a son of the rich and powerful want to be sympathetic to the common people?That Daotai was good, I went into the study for a while, and when I came out, not only did I not intend to make a move, but even warned Liang Shunzheng not to be troublesome.

Liang Shunzheng, magistrate of Mengyin County, waited for most of the day, feeling as gloomy as the gray sky.

It wasn't until the evening that the sent yamen servant came back in a hurry, panting and reported that the servants of the Du family had already put on filial piety clothes, the master of the Du family was seriously ill, and the young master of the Du family was gone!
There was a thunder outside the window, the sky was getting darker and darker, and a thunderstorm was coming immediately.

*
Yizhou, Daotai Yamen, study room.

Standing in front of the window, Cao Yong looked at the spring rain outside. He went back and asked Mr. Zhuang, "If according to what Mr. said, this son of the Du family would have no way out? Maybe..."

Mr. Zhuang shook his head: "Fu Ruo, Fu Ruo, there is something strange about this matter, and you were the one who noticed it, and it was you who speculated that there was another inside story, do you think they made a fuss just to remind us and let us go Think about food! They are trying to establish their prestige, and they want to let other rich households and gentry know that this 'Yimeng Mountain Bandit' is not to be messed with, and they will prepare food for them if they want it. That is the fate of the Du family!"

Cao Yong's mind was full of fog, and he sorted out the development of the matter from the beginning.The only son of the Du family was kidnapped, and then news of the kidnapping leaked out, and someone came from the Yamen...

He looked at Mr. Zhuang and asked, "Sir, there have been people harvesting grain in Yizhou in recent years. Where did the grain go? The people we sent to investigate have not returned any useful news yet!"

Mr. Zhuang stroked his beard, and his complexion also looked very heavy. Since ancient times, most of the things associated with Tunliang are not good.But now that the world is peaceful, doesn't it seem like chaos is about to arise?
*
In the capital city, inside Chongwen Gate, Ningchun Mansion.

The main hall in the front yard is usually not the place for female relatives to stay.But today, Niu Hulu, the young lady in charge of the mansion, was sitting in the hall wearing a bright red flag dress, her chin raised high, and no joy or anger could be seen on her face.

She said coldly: "I didn't hear clearly, you slave, say it again!"

In front of her, Lin Ding, Ning Chun's confidant, knelt and kowtowed and said, "Grandma, the Ministry of Criminal Justice just got the news that our master, uncle, second master, and third master are all gone!"

Niu Hulu squeezed the handle of the chair vigorously: "The crime to be proposed is 'suicide in fear of crime'?"

Lin Ding is not only Ning Chun's long-term follower, but also Ning Chun's nanny brother.Ning Chun's biological mother passed away early, and she was not close to her half-brother. The family only had the best relationship with this nanny, and he was not treated as a servant.

Lin Ding had no choice but to nod, and was already crying and speechless.

Niu Hulu looked at the deserted hall, with a wry smile on his lips.He was also a high-ranking official, and his father-in-law and husband were accused of an unclear crime. After three days in prison, the mansion became lonely.

If it weren't for her being the head of the family, the father-in-law's house filling and the aunt would still be in trouble.Now that there are no more people, I don't know how many tears can be shed.

Lin Ding saw that Niu Hulu's face was expressionless, only cold, and he couldn't help feeling a little chilled, and said with displeasure: "Grandma, even if you are uncle... Grandpa has something to do with grandma, after all, she and grandma are married, and now People are gone..."

Niu Hulu murmured: "Yes, there are no people now? What can I do, what can I do?" As she spoke, her voice became sharper: "Of course I will collect his bones and cook for him. Aftermath!"

Her eyes were wide open, staring at Lin Ding: "He has always been close to you, but now that he is gone, what are your plans?"

After hearing this, Lin Ding's expression grew a bit more hateful, and he clenched his fists tightly and said, "My master was wronged, even if this servant risked his life, he still has to ask for an explanation from his master!"

Niu Hulu pulled the corner of his mouth, and said mercilessly: "You are a lowly slave, how can you ask for an explanation, and who can you ask for an explanation, but you will lose your life in vain!"

Lin Ding hammered the ground vigorously: "Could it be that the Lord has gone for nothing?"

Niu Hulu looked at Lin Ding and said, "You slave is right. Since I am his married wife, I should do something for him! If there is no grievance, I will take care of it. If you still miss him For your kindness, then I have something important to entrust to you!"

Lin Ding knew that Niu Hulu's relationship with Ning Chun was not harmonious, but because she was the hostess, she was always respectful. Seeing her being so indifferent now, her husband's eyes were not red when her husband died, and she had to arrange other errands for herself. Is there anything more important than collecting the funeral for the uncle?
Niu Hulu has always been arrogant, although he saw Lin Ding's dissatisfaction, he didn't bother to explain, and said: "Two nights before I went to prison, Ru Qiu was waiting in his room. The flesh and blood of the Lord. Since you have got the news, the other houses will not last long, this family will be broken up! At that time, you will take advantage of the chaos to send Ruqiu out of the house and leave the capital! If Ruqiu is not pregnant, God South China Sea North, everything is up to you, 'Lin Ding' will die suddenly tomorrow, from now on you will be Chen Liu released from our mansion, I have already ordered the identity documents to be completed today!" Speaking of this, there was a pause: "If God is so pitiful, let Ruqiu have the flesh and blood of the master, and give birth smoothly, then you will send the child to Uncle Cao in Shandong."

The more Lin Ding listened, the more puzzled he became: "Grandma, why didn't you let Ru Qiu stay in the house? There is really a man and a half woman, so Grandma has something to look forward to!"

Niu Hulu heard that Lin Ding was full of concern, and his heart was slightly moved, but he didn't show it on the face, he just said: "This matter, we must always be on guard against it, and if we stay in the capital in such a bright way, if something goes wrong, then what happens? How about it?"

Lin Ding had undergone great changes in the past few days, and after hearing what Niu Hulu said, he also quite agreed with her arrangement, so he solemnly kowtowed three times to her as a farewell.

As expected by Niu Hulu, everyone in the mansion knew the news of the Ministry of Punishment after half a day, and everyone was panicked.

Ning Chun's stepmother has never been able to speak since her daughter-in-law came in, but this time she was invited to the hall by Niu Hulu.Although a few housekeepers have gathered together, the filial piety clothes of the servants can't be put together for a while, and they are in a mess.

Ning Chun's stepmother lost her husband and two sons, her face was sallow and her eyes were red and swollen.Seeing Niu Hulu sitting in the hall in red, he didn't bother to criticize her for a moment.

Niu Hulu waited for her to be seated before pushing the account books and keys to Ningchun's stepmother.

Ning Chun's stepmother is no stranger to these things, because she was in charge of the Niu Hulu family before entering the door.If it was different from the past, she would be overjoyed, now that her son is gone, there is nothing to argue about.

What is the hope for a woman in the world without her husband and son?Now there are only a few widows left in this family, and there is no one to support the family. What else can they do except cry?
When Niu Hulu saw that Ningchun's stepmother had worked hard for a few days, her hair was mostly gray and her expression was dull, she didn't even look at the account books and keys, so she sighed in her heart and called out in a low voice, "Er Niang!"

It was more than two years since she entered the house, and it was the first time she called this step-mother-in-law whom she had always looked down upon.Ning Chun's stepmother was very surprised, thinking she had heard it wrong, she turned her head to look at Niu Hulu.

Niu Hulu pointed to the servant girl in the yard, and said, "Emiang, it's already like this, so let's send those who want to leave! The daughter-in-law has already been sent to the prison of the Ministry of Criminal Justice to pick up the bodies of the father-in-law and the others!"

Ning Chun's stepmother nodded with tears streaming down her face, and asked someone to take the family roster, except for a few who had always been loyal and didn't want to leave at this time. .

Niu Hulu called the two remaining domestic servants to burn Lin Ding, the loyal servant who "martyred" himself, in the open space of the East Courtyard.

The bodies of Ning Chun and his father and brother were retrieved from the Hubu Prison that night, and they were left in the main hall of the front yard.

Early the next morning, when Ning Chun's stepmother got the news, she rushed to the mourning hall. Next to Ning Chun's body, the woman in the red flag had been gone for a long time! ——
(End of this chapter)