This wide alleyway is already crowded with people.

Hundreds of soldiers were stopped by a large group of trappers and soldiers, and young men in Sanpin official uniforms stepped on a square stone used to press pickles, and the scene here was eerily quiet.

Lin Haoran's jaw grew a sparse beard, bathed in the cold wind blowing in his face, the whole person stood still like a stone statue, and the hundreds of scholars in front of him were silent.

Facing the eager eyes of the scholars, he explained in a serious manner: "I, Lin someone, am less than thirty years old and have been in the office for less than six years, but the emperor promoted me to the post of the left attendant of the Ministry of Rites. I, Lin someone, think that I have some talents, and I have done some practical things for the court and the people, but I am very worried in my heart. After returning to the capital, he hurriedly entered the palace to face the saint, wanting to politely decline. The emperor made it clear: the reason why this official was able to promote the left attendant of the Ministry of Rites was because the Shengtian Son had clear rewards and punishments. Because of Lin's meritorious service in salt control, this promotion is not only a reward for my meritorious service, but also an example set for the people. After a pause, he arched his hand in the direction of Xiyuan and said: "In this way, Lin someone made an exception to serve as the left attendant of the Ministry of Rites this time, it is not rumored that the imperial court wants me Lin to clean up the shortcomings of the sect Lu Mi, but because of the Son of Heaven Shengming!" ”

Although he knew what the scholar wanted at the moment, and he wanted him to say something, he had to make some things clear. This Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Rites was obtained by his meritorious work in salt control, and the rumors that the imperial court commissioned him to clean up the rice of the clan are false.

Faced with this conspiracy, he decided to deal with it in a dignified manner and put everything on the table.

Hearing Lin Haoran's explanation, it was simply a basin of cold water on these hundreds of enthusiastic scholars, which made many scholars stunned. Especially those scholars who are bent on offering advice to "save the community" or "gain fame", this is simply a heart-piercing statement.

At this moment, many scholars hoped that this was not true, that this was not the answer they were hoping for.

Tang San, who was kneeling on the ground, was the first to quit, and when he stood up and asked, "Dare to ask Lord Lin, now that the clan needs to spend eight million stone rice a year, and the imperial court only earns four million stone a year, how can this imperial court afford to support the clan?" Will the imperial court have to levy additional taxes on the people next year? You are now the left attendant of the Ministry of Rites, and now you are at the time of the life and death of the Ming Dynasty, so you should shoulder this heavy responsibility of saving the common people! ”

The words are reasonable, and the whole person seems to be full of emotion, giving people a strong appeal, and he is undoubtedly a natural orator.

When many scholars heard Tang San's remarks, they also responded one after another, feeling that now was a critical juncture. Even if the rumors in the capital are not true, Lin Haoran should take over the burden of cleaning up the rice of the sect.

Lin Haoran was quite helpless in his heart, he was just a small left waiter of the Ministry of Rites, with the elder of the Pavilion and the six Shangshu on it, even if there was a Li Chunfang in the Ministry of Rites who held the seal of the Ministry of Rites, as a result, these scholars came to besiege him.

He knew that it was useless to talk about these things at this time, so he responded to Tang San: "Life and death? If the matter is really so urgent, then where did the 8 million stone of rice come from every year in the past few years? Has the imperial court ever given it to the people? ”

"This ......"

The scholars were speechless for a while, and they couldn't help but look at each other, obviously many people did not delve into this issue.

It's just that Lin Haoran's question undoubtedly hit his heart. Since the imperial court taxes four million stone every year, where did the eight million stone sect Mulu rice come from in the past few years, and why is the world not in chaos?

"Naturally, it is corrupt officials who exploit the people!" There was a scholar who was already angry, and even when he found an answer.

It's just that as soon as the words fell, an elderly scholar next to him responded: "Even if a corrupt official is exploiting the people, it is also in the pocket of a corrupt official, how can he take it out to support the clan for the imperial court!" ”

A few more whimsical scholars thought of other possibilities, but they were immediately rejected by others.

Lin Haoran knew that these scholars did have a patriotic heart, but too much study of the Four Books and Five Classics made them look at the problem narrowly, so he explained to the scholars: "This Cao has transported four million stones, grain is rice, and our annual income tax grain in the Ming Dynasty is more than 20 million stones, in addition, there are also income from salt tax and miscellaneous bills. Although the problem of the clan Lumi is very serious, and the imperial court is now trying to find a way to solve it, it is not as rumored in the capital, it has reached the point of life and death! ”

This can't all be blamed on the ignorance of these scholars, but Lin Run skillfully used a comparative way to take out the grain escorted into Beijing as a reference. Many scholars' main focus is on the Four Books and Five Classics, and they are not clear about the numbers and the actual grain tax revenue of the imperial court, plus they are led by people with hearts, and the gods are enthusiastically involved, and they really think that the Ming Dynasty is already in danger of life and death.

The scholars listened to Lin Haoran's explanation, and slowly calmed down. Even if they don't trust Lin Haoran, at least they clearly know that the world is not chaotic now, so the problem is not as bad as they imagined.

Lin Fu saw the reaction of the scholars, and looked at Lin Haoran quietly, and admired it in his heart.

Lin Haoran saw the reaction of the scholars, and immediately struck while the iron was hot and said: "I have been familiar with the Four Books and Five Classics since I was a child, and I understand your heart to serve the country with your fists. It's just that the sect is a big trouble, and it can't be decided by me, a servant of the Ministry of Rites, and this matter has to be postponed before it can be decided! ”

"Lord Lin, I don't know when the discussion will be postponed?" A scholar immediately asked cooperatively.

Lin Haoran smiled slightly, and said in the officialdom of Tai Chi: "Now that it is almost a year, the imperial court is about to convene all the ministers to hold next year's financial meeting, and I am afraid that this matter cannot be avoided!" Ladies and gentlemen, it's freezing and it's not too late, beware of the wind chill, and please disperse now! ”

If he can successfully send these scholars away, although he may still not be able to avoid the minefield of Zongfan Lumi, the short-term pressure can undoubtedly be reduced a lot.

The scholars exchanged glances, but nodded silently, and no longer wanted to continue to besiege Lin Haoran.

Tang San was disappointed to crumple the national policy of saving the world, but asked loudly at Lin Haoran: "Dare to ask Lord Lin, since ancient times, the emperor's heart is unpredictable, and many important ministers in this dynasty are afraid to do anything. If the emperor asks you to clean up the evils of the clan, do you dare to take on this great responsibility? ”

As soon as these words came out, the scholar who was about to leave also stopped, looking at Lin Haoran with curiosity and hope.

Zhang Hu's eyes rolled, and he immediately stepped forward and accused loudly: "Bold, the emperor and your lords are also what you can talk about as a scholar!" ”

"I just want to know if Lord Lin is a responsible husband or a villain who is different from the outside, so I want to know what Lord Lin will do!" Tang San responded very hard in the face of Zhang Hu's accusation.

These words seemed quite rude, so angry that Lin Fu and Zhang Hu wanted to step forward and beat this person.

Lin Haoran wanted to clean up a scholar, but he just nodded, but he was now facing hundreds of scholars, and this Tang San had already borrowed the momentum of the scholars.

After all, he had to take care of his reputation, and in the face of the eyes of the scholars present, he directly made a promise: "If the imperial court wants someone Lin to clean up the shortcomings of the sect's Lu rice, Lin is naturally duty-bound!" ”

Although he knew that saying this promise would bring him some trouble. It's just that some things have to be done, and some things have to be taken on, after all, he really wants to change this decaying dynasty.

Of course, he has always regarded himself as a reformist, but he can't blink and say nonsense, thinking that the imperial court should not reduce the rice of the sect, let alone give people a handle that they dare not do anything.

"Everyone here has to hear clearly! Lord Lin, what you said today, don't deny it in the future! Tang San reminded the scholars, and said to Lin Haoran with a straight face.

Zhang Hu's hand immediately rested on the hilt of the knife, not only feeling Tang San's disrespect, but also obviously carrying a deep malice.

Lin Haoran knew that this scholar must have been instructed by someone, so he immediately responded with a cold snort: "I, Lin Haoran, act above board, so why do I need to be supervised by people like you!" As he spoke, he said aloud to the scholars: "Those who want to be virtuous in the world will rule the country first; Those who want to rule their country must first gather their families; Those who want to gather their families, first cultivate their bodies, and today I am here to encourage your brothers! ”

Except for a small number of ill-intentioned scholars, the vast majority of scholars were extremely respectful to Lin Haoran. Now that he knows that the rumors in the capital are untrue, and he has received a clear statement from Lin Haoran, he has returned the favor.

Lin Haoran followed the scholars to say goodbye, and the scholars returned the salute politely, and immediately gave way to an aisle.

Although Tang San was unwilling, he had already felt Lin Haoran's majesty, and he seemed to retreat to the side.

Lin Fu gave Zhang Hu a look and motioned for him to look at Tang San over there, while Zhang Hu nodded understandingly.

Lin Haoran got into the sedan chair again, and sat in the sedan chair with his eyes closed.

It is said that in finding out the emperor's thoughts, this matter of Fan Lu rice is absolutely untouchable. It's just that he knew that there was someone behind him, but he had to take it.

This is indeed not a good errand, or even an errand destined to offend the emperor, but he is also asking himself. If the clan Lumi continues to evolve like this, how much burden will the people of the Ming Dynasty bear, and how long can this decadent dynasty last?

The annual grain tax revenue of the imperial court is 20 million stones, which not only has to maintain the daily operation and expenses of the imperial court, but also bears the salary of the Ming army, but also has to take out a large sum of money to support the brocade clothes and food of the children of the Zhu family.

Although the destruction of the Ming Dynasty was caused by many factors, the clan was undoubtedly an important aspect. It is extremely difficult to raise 600,000 troops, not to mention that it is necessary to afford the brocade clothes and food of 600,000 children of the Zhu family, which has become a major drawback that has brought down the finances of the Ming Dynasty.

If we don't find a way to solve this problem now, or just alleviate the pain, this dynasty will definitely perish, and the descendants of China will suffer major changes.

Sometimes he is also thinking about a question very seriously in his heart: can he really save this dynasty by pushing the Ming Dynasty to open the sea and eliminate the salt evils? Can the people of China stand on top of the world?

When he returned home, he changed into a scholar's costume and took his wife Wu Qiuyu to Wu's mansion in Huaishu Hutong. When evening fell, Wu Shan returned home from the yamen of the ministry.

Wu Shan is a fourteen-year Tanhua of Jiajing, but he is actually three years older than Xu Jie. After nearly a year of career as a secretary, there is not much spring breeze on his face, but his hair is half white.

Lin Haoran saw Wu Shan like this, and sighed secretly in his heart, so he stepped forward and saluted: "Son-in-law to meet Lord Taishan!" ”

"You are already the left attendant of the Ministry of Rites now, so come here less in the future!" When Wu Shan saw Lin Haoran, he said with a straight face.

Mother Wu and Wu Qiuyu also came to the front yard to greet Wu Shan, but when they heard this, the two thought that their ears had heard it wrong, and they looked at each other incredulously.

Lin Haoran was slightly stunned, but then said with a wry smile: "Son-in-law takes orders!" ”

People are different from people after all, like Yang Bo who controls the military department, and he can't wait for the entire military department to be his people. And after Yan Shifan took power, he longed for the whole world to be a strict party.

It's just that this father-in-law doesn't like to engage in this set, and he already believes in the sage teachings of "gentlemen but not party".

It's just that this cheap father-in-law didn't take the opportunity to cultivate party henchmen in the ministry, and even his son-in-law had to avoid it, which was really helpless, because he and Yang Futian's gang were still thinking about how to push their father-in-law out of the throne of Shoufu.

In the blink of an eye, the winter moon passed quietly, and the wax moon had arrived.

A heavy snow fell on the land of Suncheonfu again, and the plain was covered in thick silver, and the suburbs presented endless snow. The majestic imperial capital was also dyed in silver, with white snow on the roofs and roadsides.

As the New Year is approaching, Beijing gradually has more New Year's flavor. In particular, the heavy snow blocked the canal, and many traders and people who relied on transportation for their livelihood returned to the city one after another, adding a bit of excitement to the city of Beijing.

The six yamen in the inner city are also facing the test of this wind and snow, and the charcoal fire has been lit in the signing room of those bigwigs, and the most comfortable is the fire room of the main hall official, and many officials are hiding in the greenhouse.

Lin Haoran was more afraid of the cold than many court bigwigs, and he also hid in the signing room of the left waiter of the Ministry of Rites.

After half a month's suitability period, he had already handled the affairs of the Ministry of Rites properly, and even those old officials who had been here for decades privately praised Lin Haoran's ability.

The door opened suddenly, and a cold wind with snowflakes accompanied a figure in, but the door quickly shut.

The ceremonial secretary Wailang Longchi first patted off the snowflakes on his body, and then entered the signing room, and said respectfully: "Xiaguan Longchi to meet Lin Butang!"

Lin Haoran had a good relationship with Long Chizhong, so he continued to deal with the affairs at hand, and said without raising his head: "Brother Fang Zheng, you are here, do you have anything important?" ”。

"Lin Butang, please look!" Long Chizhong came to the desk and handed over a piece of music with a strange face.

Lin Haoran put down the work in his hand, stretched out his hand to take over this note, and when he opened it, he saw the ugly words that were incompatible with the officialdom of this era, and he faintly guessed something in his heart, but he saw that the beginning was written: "Weichen Nanyang Patrol according to Lin Ping's ......"