Great Qing Xiangguo

Chapter 78

When Liu Chuanji returned to Hunan, he didn't dare to talk about his private engraving of the governor's seal first, and he didn't even rush to talk about the tax exemption, so he hurriedly handed Mingzhu's letter to Zhang Qian.Zhang Jian was thinking about tax exemption, but when he opened Mingzhu's letter, he couldn't help being overjoyed.It turns out that the governor of Huguang is vacant, and Mingzhu intends to make Zhang Qian his successor.Zhang Qian was so happy that he kept pacing around the room, saying: "It's old, Ming Xiangguo always thinks of me when he has good errands! Chuanji, do you know? Ming Xiangguo wants to protect me as the governor of Huguang!"

Liu Chuanji hurriedly said congratulations, but his heart became more and more heavy.Seeing Zhang Qian like this, it was even more inconvenient for him to tell about the tax exemption right away.He only lamented that Mingzhu was greedy, with honey and swords in his mouth, but no one saw through it!No wonder the emperor told him to be blinded!
Zhang Qian was proud of the spring breeze, and after being happy for a long time, he remembered the matter of tax exemption.Liu Chuanji said everything in detail, but he still didn't dare to talk about his private engraving of official seals.

Zhang Jian listened, his expression became more and more ugly, and he asked, "30 taels?"

Liu Chuanji nodded and said, "Exactly!"

Zhang Qian sighed and was speechless for half a day.It was obvious that he wanted him to buy a governor with 30 taels of silver, and the pearl was too dark.But which governor in the world was not bought with money?He was appointed governor by the emperor's special Jane back then, and he had to spend money in private, but not so much!

Liu Chuanji said: "Yongshu found out in the capital that this has been the rule for many years in Ming Xiangguo."

Zhang Jian said: "Of course I know the rules, but 30 taels is too much."

Liu Chuanji said again: "The so-called Hou's family is as deep as the sea. In the past, I only read it in books. This time I went to the capital to know how difficult it is to enter the government's house!"

Zhang Ban still sighed, and said: "Money must be given, so let's give less. 10 taels, is it enough?"

Liu Chuanji said: "Master Futai, I'm afraid it won't work if I don't give 30."

Zhang Bao said: "I understand the meaning of passing on the foundation. It is better to count the silver, and my governor will not be able to do it. In the officialdom, people cannot help themselves, and the rules must be followed. But I am too ignorant of conscience, and I can't do it. Hunan There have been disasters in recent years, how can we spread money to the people again?"

Liu Chuanji said: "Lord Futai, Chuanji admires your official status, but you have to give the 30 taels of silver."

Zhang Jian shook his head and said, "I understand your painstaking efforts. If I, the governor, can't do it, I won't do it. I will only give you 10 taels!"

Liu Chuanji suddenly knelt down and said in tears, "Lord Futai, Chuanji has harmed you!"

Zhang Jian was confused by Monk Zhang Er, so he hurriedly asked, "Chuanji, why are you doing this?"

Only then did Liu Chuanji say: "I asked Master Mingzhu to change every word of the booklet. I had to re-transcribe it, but I didn't have the official seal. I was afraid that there would be delays going back and forth. If I missed the timing, I would inevitably pay taxes, so I privately engraved the governor's seal. Let Ming Xiangguo know about this."

Zhang Qian stood up in shock and shouted repeatedly: "Chuanji mistaken me! Chuanji mistaken me!"

Liu Chuanji was both ashamed and remorseful, and said: "I originally thought that just to enter the door of Ming Xiangguo, I gave tens of thousands of taels of silver. Ming Xiangguo asked for 20 taels of silver. Even if he knew that I engraved the official seal privately, he would not It will be fine. Who would have thought that he would ask for an extra 10 taels to become 30 taels!"

Zhang Qian stomped his feet, sighed again and again, and said nothing.After a long while, Zhang Qian said: "Get up, Chuanji, what's the use of you kneeling! In this way, the 30 taels of silver is one tael. I just received the official letter from the court. Hunan needs 19 taels of co-payment. There is another 30 taels of money from the Ministry of the Ming Dynasty, where does the money come from!"

Liu Chuanji said: "I heard in the capital that someone in the Northwest has rebelled. Maybe the payment is for this."

At this moment, Zhang Ban only thought about money, and didn't care about the Northwest War that Liu Chuanji said, and asked, "How much money does the treasury have?"

Liu Chuanji replied: "80 taels. Ku Yin cannot move."

Zhang Qian said: "There are 23 rich counties in Hunan that need to hand over money and grain, so let's still collect from them. There is no other way!"

Liu Chuanji said: "In the past few years, there have been disasters almost everywhere in Hunan!"

Zhang Qian said: "In a normal year, these 23 rich counties need to pay 15 taels of grain and 90 taels of land tax and silver. Considering the disasters in the past two years, this year only 19 taels of co-payment and 30 taels of ministry fees are collected, totaling 49 taels , is still much less than in previous years. Chuanji, there is no other way, so it’s settled.”

Liu Chuanji said: "Master Futai, you have been in charge of Hunan for several years, and you are deeply loved by the people. Now that the people are in trouble, you should be sympathetic. If you stretch out your hand to the people again, you will ruin your reputation! The trouble is caused by me, and I will bear it." Alright, Mr. Futai, I am willing to bear the crime of privately engraving the official seal, and if I want to beheaded, I will beheaded, and I will not harm you!"

Zhang Qian was silent for a long time, then shook his head and said, "Chuanji, can you afford it? Even if you cut off your head, I, the governor, will not escape the guilt!"

Liu Chuanji wept bitterly, full of remorse, and only said that he had read for nothing for decades.Zhang Qian didn't feel weeping, and said: "Even if I want to be a good official from now on, I can't do it!"

(End of this chapter)