Father can be an enemy to the country

The so-called private accounts are relative to the public accounts of the yamen.

In the previous dynasty, the official administration was in vain and the yamen management was chaotic. The subordinate officials colluded with the local tycoons and tried to hide or even edit the original fish scale albums and accounting books. Make it impossible for officials to collect taxes from large households.

But subordinate officials have to master these data themselves, which is their source of gray income. Sometimes, when the official is in a hurry, he has to use this method to make the big family bleed to eliminate the disaster. Therefore, they will rebuild the account books privately at the same time, and as the guys who eat, they will pass it down from father to son.

The "Regardless of the Account Book" that Hu Weiyong asked Shen Liben to build is exactly this kind of thing. It's just that here, officials have become subordinates, and the emperor has become an official.

"This gentleman is right. This account is not only a treasure trove for us, but also a talisman." Shen Liben nodded.

"That's the collective corruption invented by Hu Xiang. It is more efficient and easier to negotiate with big households." Zhu Zhen teased angrily: "Otherwise, who would dare to knock Zheng Yiyi on the head? Zhang Tianshi pinched an official to death. , it’s just too easy.”

"His Highness is really knowledgeable, but this is not the case." Shen Liben praised: "With the "Regardless of Account Book", it is clear at a glance how much benefits should be received every year. Zhengyi and those big households will not be harassed by the government. It is a two-way street. .”

"You are in trouble, but what about the court?! Where are the people?!" Zhu Zhen slapped the table and cursed angrily: "You are all eating so much, but you are so damn poor for the court and the people!"

"Yes, it's just that this is not original to us, it's just the way it's always been..." Shen Liben carefully explained.

"Is this the right thing to do?!" Zhu Zhen said even more angrily:

"If it were right, the Yuan Dynasty would not have destroyed the world! The reason why they destroyed the world so quickly is because there was no one to take care of the corrupt officials in the Yuan Dynasty! That's why my father must take strict control of you, who are causing harm to the country and the people. Corrupt officials!"

As he spoke, he waved his hand suddenly and ordered: "Take him down, don't give him food, and let him taste what it is like for ordinary people to suffer from hunger!"

"Your Highness, the guilty minister said everything..." Shen Liben wailed and was dragged out of the main hall.

~~

At this time, it was getting dark, and Zhu Zhen finally remembered that Shu Laibao was still waiting outside, so he asked someone to call him in.

When he was in the Beggar Clan before, Shu Laibao was still very comfortable with him. Now that he came to the magnificent palace and faced Zhu Zhen who had restored the majesty of the prince, the former gang leader couldn't help but become cautious.

After kowtowing to His Highness, Zhu Zhen asked him to get up and reply.

"Tell me, why do you want to save Zhao Zheng?" King Chu asked warmly.

"He is His Highness's bodyguard. Your Highness is the son of the Patriarch, so he can be considered one of our own." Shu Laibao smiled and said, "Isn't it natural for our own people to help our own people?"

"Nonsense." King Chu rolled his eyes and said calmly: "With me, you'd better tell the truth."

I said in my heart that because I don’t tell the truth, my father is full of lies. If no one tells the truth, wouldn’t Ming Dynasty become a country of lies?

"Well, it's actually because of Liu's participation in politics." Shu Laibao said sternly:

"Although I, Shu Laibao, am a beggar, I am not a beggar since I was born. When our family was in the Yuan Dynasty, corrupt officials and landlords colluded and forced us to go bankrupt. Except for the villain, the whole family starved to death. .”

"That's really similar to my family." Lao Liu said softly.

Shu Laibaoxin said that I am not as capable as your father. On his face, he said respectfully: "Master Hongwu also came from a poor background. Like us, he hates corrupt officials and local tyrants and evil gentry the most, so we believe that he is sincerely doing good for us poor people.

"So I also asked someone to read the notices posted by Liu Shenzheng and the leaflets distributed to me. They are all in vernacular that ordinary people can understand, and the rationale is very clear. It is for the sake of 'having more fields and paying more attention to them'." Taxes, Mr. Tian’s should pay less taxes, isn’t that right?” Shu Laibao said with tears in his eyes:

"My family only had five acres of thin farmland back then, but it took twenty years to collect taxes. Why? It's because the landlords didn't pay taxes, so the government had no choice but to pay taxes on us!"

"Now Emperor Hongwu sent Liu Shenzheng to make changes, but the people tried their best to stop it. I know that they just let the big dogs deceive them. The big dogs are definitely not willing to change like this, so they incited the common people to heckle Liu Shenzheng. Shu Laibao sighed and said:

"I can't make people understand what's good and what's wrong even if I speak softly, but I know who is right and who is wrong."

"On the first day of the first lunar month, we disciples of the Beggar Clan accidentally rescued Brother Zhao, and the next day I heard that Liu Shenzheng had disappeared. I suspected that there was a relationship between the two of them. After asking, he was indeed Liu Shenzheng's Guard, I am determined to save him and let him avenge Liu Shenzheng..."

After saying this, Shu Laibao smiled bitterly and said: "Your Highness may not believe it. How can a beggar think that these things are available?"

"What's wrong with the beggar? I think among all the officials in Jiangxi, none of you, the beggar, can figure it out." But Zhu Zhen waved to him and asked him to sit down at the table and said:

"Besides, there is no shame in being a beggar! My father used to be a beggar, and so did I. I am still your gang leader."

"Your Highness, do you still admit this?" Shu Laibao couldn't help but said ecstatically.

"This is what I said, can I still keep my words?" Zhu Zhen said with a stinking look on his face:

"You guys are really discerning. You don't want Xiong Qitai's 100,000 gu bounty, but you want to be the gang leader. Let me tell you, if you follow my gang leader, you will have a bright future, which is much more valuable than 100,000 gu."

"Yes, my subordinate is so lucky. From now on, I will follow the gang leader through fire and water without hesitation!" Shu Laibao quickly climbed up the pole.

The two of them were talking animatedly when Liu Li came in with a tray to serve the dishes.

She had changed back into a green dress and a plain skirt. Although she had not put on any makeup, she could not hide her stunning beauty, which made Shu Laibao unable to help but stare at her. But he had been a gang leader and knew what to look at and what not to look at, so he quickly lowered his head.

"Don't be so formal, these are brothers in our gang too." Lao Liu laughed.

"Huang Rong pays homage to the deputy gang leader." Because the murderer had been arrested, Liu Li was in a good mood and cooperated with Lao Liu to give Shu Laibao a blessing.

"I can't do it, I can't do it." Shu Laibao quickly stood up to kowtow in return. He was very smart and knew that this little beauty who was following the King of Chu must have a close relationship with him.

"Stand up, you deserve this gift." Zhu Zhen said seriously. As he spoke, he held the letter in his hand and showed it to Liu Li. At the same time, it tells the story of Shu Lai Baoyi's rescue of Zhao Zheng.

At the end, Zhu Zhen said softly: "If it hadn't been for Shu Laibao's heroic rescue, Brother Zhao would definitely have died. Although Xiong Qitai would definitely not be able to escape, he would not be able to find out the people behind him, let alone the tragic stories of the senior brother. Experience of struggle…”

After reading the letter and listening to her junior uncle's statement, Liu Li had already burst into tears. She was completely unaware of why Lao Liu wanted to hold down the last line to prevent her from reading it.

She bowed deeply to Shu Laibao again and expressed her sincere thanks.

Shu Laibao was so panicked that he didn't know how to return the favor.