Li Yan only stayed in Qixian for two days, and after looking at the flowering bomb, he has not yet achieved the most ideal effect, and he will continue to experiment.

The people and gentry of Qixian County were sincerely grateful to Li Yan and thanked the army for repelling the thieves and protecting their safety. A banquet was held in the restaurant, and Li Yan and the generals were invited to express their gratitude.

At the same time, Li Yan also asked Li Dong to go to Zhuxian Town to find the merchants there to see if the merchants could move their shops to Luyi County, where there is also a vortex river that can be navigated. But first of all, you have to be able to find those merchants. Before the thieves came, the merchants all withdrew, some entered Kaifeng City, and some returned to the south. When the thieves retreated, Zhuxian Town was ransacked, and he didn't know when he would be able to resume business.

Later, Suizhou and Ningling were also welcomed with great popularity, although two villages in Suizhou were slaughtered, but it also let the people know the cruelty of the thieves, so they also knew the luck of Li Yan's protection. However, when I arrived at Shangqiu (Fucheng), there was not such a warm welcome.

The villages along the way all came out to thank them, whether the thieves came or not, they all thanked Li Yan for giving them a stable life. But after arriving in Fucheng, there were not many people who welcomed them. Except for a few residents in the city who work in Li Yan's workshop, the rest are still working in the workshops of various large families and doing their own business, and they have no close relationship with Li Yan. And they think that Li Yan's protection of the safety of the capital city is a matter of course, and there is no need to thank them in particular.

Li Yan didn't take the indifference of the people in the city to heart, anyway, he wouldn't accept these people into the army, as long as they worked hard and supported themselves.

The next day after Li Yan returned, he gathered those gentry and big families to hold talks in the guerrilla yamen.

"Ladies and gentlemen." Li Yan and all the other gentry and big families came, so they said: "I invited everyone here today because I have something to announce. ”

Everyone looked at Li Yan in silence and didn't say anything. They knew that Li Yangang had fought a few battles with the thieves, and he must have come to make a relationship with them. They are ready, as long as Li Yan doesn't want too much, they won't resist.

Li Yan continued: "Everyone also knows that the thieves are besieging Kaifeng. The fighting was fierce, and some thieves broke into the territory of Guide, slaughtering two villages and towns, and the people suffered more than 600 casualties. Li led the troops to fight fiercely with the thieves for half a month, and after several battles, the thieves were repelled. However, the strength of the thieves still exists, and they are still wandering in western Henan recently. ”

Li Yan paused for a moment, looked at everyone and listened carefully, so he continued: "You all know that the thieves have swept the entire Henan, and only my Guide Mansion has not been looted. The thieves gathered hundreds of thousands of people and consumed thousands of stones of grain a day, so those ruined states and counties could no longer support them to have enough to eat. As long as they don't leave Henan, it is inevitable that they will return to Defu. ”

Master Shen San nodded and said, "If the general has any requirements, please tell me." Defend against thieves, and we will naturally support it. ”

"Good!" Li Yan said with a smile: "Then Li will say it directly." From this year onwards, a tax of 20 percent will be levied on your acreage. Your shop and workshop also have to pay business tax, the tax amount ranges from one centimeter to three percent, cloth, cotton, oil, needles and threads are not taxed, and the tax amount of other items has a detailed amount. Of course, I won't go to your shop to check, and all taxes are collected in workshops and checkpoints, only once. You can also increase the price, but it's better not to increase it too much, because I will also open related workshops and shops, and if you sell it too expensive, then there will be no sale. ”

"General Lee!" Master Ye said loudly: "How much grain and cloth do you want, even if you open your mouth, we will naturally try our best to meet it." But if you want to collect taxes, we can't agree. Taxes are official instruments of the imperial court, and General Li has no right to collect them. If the general insists on going his own way, we can only go up to heaven to listen, and His Majesty will make a holy judgment! ”

Li Yan nodded and said with a smile: "You are free to do as you please." In order to resist the thieves and ensure the safety of the people, Li had no choice but to make this decision. I have brought you here today to inform you. I have informed you today, and I have fulfilled my responsibility. In addition, your workshop can also produce the things needed in our army, military uniforms, leather, shoes, gloves, silk, oil paper, can also raise cattle, sheep, mules and horses, chickens, ducks, geese and fish, including grain and vegetables, I will buy them at the price. However, the quality must be guaranteed, otherwise not only will there be no money to be made, but there will also be jail time. ”

Everyone was a little ignorant at first, but after hearing it, they finally understood that this was to give them a painting cake and let them cooperate with Li Yan. Let's not talk about whether there is an opportunity to make money, just that "prison disaster" makes them psychologically uncomfortable. What quality is guaranteed, it's not him Li Yan who has the final say?

"General Li is kind, I'll take it for granted." Master Shen San stood up and arched his hand: "I'll get five hundred stones of grain for the general, and I'll send it to the general in a while." Farewell. ”

"Not necessarily!" Li Yan had a cold face and refused: "As long as you pay your taxes on time and in full, you don't need to break the bank for other additional donations." Of course, you are not willing to consciously hand over the full amount, and Li can only send someone **** to collect it. Rest assured, the people I sent are experienced old officials, if someone is unruly when collecting, you can also come to me to complain, and Li will strictly investigate. ”

"I'll say goodbye!" Master Shen San said goodbye again and walked out of the lobby first. After that, the other gentry and big families also left with their farewells.

When they got out of Li Yan's guerrilla yamen, they didn't return to their homes, so they went straight to Su Jing's mansions. Their identity is special, as soon as they are notified, they will be invited into the government by Su Jing.

"Governor Su," Shen San said, "General Li has already given me an ultimatum, saying that taxes will be collected starting this year." At the beginning, you promised us that Li Yan would not do anything out of the ordinary. Now what Li Yan is doing is not only out of line, but also a big rebellion! ”

Su Jing listened to the gentry's gossip accusations, and patiently persuaded him: "The thieves are rampant, and there is no way to do it. You also know that wherever the thieves passed, the great families were slaughtered. Money is something outside the body, and as long as you keep it useful, you will have everything in the future. ”

"What does Governor Su mean?" Master Shen asked puzzled.

Su Jing took out the newspaper and said, "The imperial court has added Li Yan as a deputy general." Moreover, Li Chuang conquered Xiangcheng County, and there were signs of coming eastward. Nanzhili, Xian Thief and Ge Zuo Fifth Battalion are also attacking everywhere. You'd better save your lives first, and there are not many soldiers in the court to quell the thieves. ”

"I'm two million armor soldiers, can't I pacify a thief?!" Master Ye asked excitedly.

Su Jing said helplessly: "They are not ordinary thieves, they are known as Fengtian advocating righteousness, this is to follow the story of Taizu and replace them." Now in Henan, the only one who has won many victories against thieves and thieves is Li Yan. Think about it, for yott. ”

The gentry were silent.

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