When Lian Zining arrived at the town guard's mansion, a large number of squires were already waiting there at the door, they had been waiting in the cold wind for more than an hour, all of them were so cold that their noses were bubbling, and their faces were blue.

Seeing Lian Zining coming, except for a few scholars who were wearing long robes, webbed heads, and scholars who were still standing in place, a large group of people with seventy or eighty children knelt down and said in unison: "The grass people participate in the adults!" ”

"That's it! There is no need for these false courtesies, get up and speak! Lian Zining jumped off the horse and said with a smile.

Everyone stood up in a hurry, all peeking at the supreme lord of the region now, and probably for a long time to come. Before everyone came, they had only heard that this Lord Lian was a famous general, who had killed thousands of white-robed soldiers under his hands, who was resolute and ruthless, and he was a young man, and he was in such a high position at the age of never being weak, it must be unkind. But he didn't expect that it would be such a handsome young man with a gentle smile on his face, who seemed to have a good temper and spoke kindly.

Lian Zining glared at the little flag guarding the door and said, "Why don't you invite guests in to talk?" ”

The little flag showed grievances, and just as he wanted to speak, an old man in his sixties came out of the squire's ranks, tall and thin, wearing a gray squirrel fur, and the old man arched his hand towards Lian Zining: "Don't blame this military master, my lord, the little old man can't wait to go in." ”

"You are?"

"Little Lao'er Meng Fanqian, is from Lijin County, there are too many of us, and it is inconvenient for you to answer with adults, and Xiao Lao'er is older, so he pushed it out." The old man, Meng Fanqian, said with a smile.

Even Zining's actions, everyone also saw it, and said a word of conscience, although there is some meaning of buying people's hearts, but it is also a good thing for the people! Everyone understands people, and they still have a spectrum in their hearts, but what worries them is that they are afraid that this uncle will call them this time to take money out of their pockets in order to buy people's hearts. This time, everyone was in a nervous mood, after all, Zhou Xingbo was scared before, if you want to come, you will have to live under the hands of others in the future, and you don't dare not come.

Everyone then launched a highly respected one, hoping to speak in front of Lian Zining and plead for mercy, everyone summed up, as long as this Lian master's heart is not too dark, and he wants less, everyone will grit their teeth and endure it!

"Oh? Old man Meng? Lian Zining's heart was naturally clear, and he smiled and said: "Shandong Meng's family, but the ancient famous family, the old man's family lineage!" ”

Meng Fanqian hurriedly said a few words of modesty, and didn't even dare to say it. Shandong Meng's family, inherited for thousands of years, is a first-class family in the local area, and it has divided into I don't know how many branches, and the Lijin Meng's family is also one of the upper branches. Hundreds of thousands of family assets are not a problem, it was the north of the Yellow River that can be comparable to the Zhang family and the eunuch family, since the white robe army plundered, they saw the opportunity quickly, and fled to the south of the Yellow River with the fine soft early, and came back at this time, although they lost some property, but their vitality was not injured.

After some greetings, Lian Zining politely invited these squires to the lobby, and gave some high-status, respectable, and meritorious people a seat and tea. Lian Zining went back to the back house to change into his regular clothes, returned to the hall, and everyone sat down.

Seeing Lian Zining so polite, everyone felt a little more relaxed.

Lian Zining glanced around, everyone's eyes were staring at him, and they all fell silent.

"This official actually has to thank you, this time the white-robed army is in turmoil, and the civil officials guarding the land in each county have been slaughtered, and no successor has been sent so far. These words, the counties can not be chaotic, but it is thanks to you that they can maintain a stable situation. Lian Zining raised the teacup in his hand and said with a smile: "There is no wine here, this official replaces wine with tea, and I salute you a cup!" ”

"Your Excellency is welcome!"

"This is what we should do, don't dare to be an adult!"

Everyone responded in a chaotic manner, and they all drank tea.

"I called everyone here this time mainly for three things." Hearing Lian Zining paused, everyone was here to play meat, and quickly straightened their ears, just for fear of hearing the word money.

"The first thing is to tell everyone what kind of person this official is." Lian Zining smiled slightly: "These words, how my Wu Yijun behaves in the six counties, everyone must also see it clearly, and you should know how this official acts." This official has already made a compromise to the imperial court and asked for exemption from this year's autumn grain. Some of you should also know the foundation of the official, the official also has some business in the capital, the rich party dare not say, always worry-free about food and clothing, it is a thing of money, it is very light, and it will not stole a penny of ill-gotten wealth from the people. This official can make it clear here that this official will not set up a name for you to donate money, let alone exploit the people, and after you go back, you can talk to the people and calm people's hearts. ”

The squires were ready to be slaughtered, but they didn't expect Lian Zining to say such a thing, and they all looked at each other in disbelief. In these years, there are still cats that don't eat fishy?

Of course they don't know that Lian Zining only eats big fish, but they don't care about these small ones.

It was Meng Fanqian who reacted quickly, got up and said: "My lord is kind-hearted and sympathetic to the people, we represent the millions of people in the six counties, and thank you here." ”

Lian Zining waved his hand to signal him to sit down, and then said, "The second thing is to reopen Ma Zheng. ”

As soon as this matter was mentioned, everyone suddenly changed color, why did the white-robed army get into trouble? Why was the uproar so great after the uprising, and tens of thousands of horses gathered almost overnight? The superficial reason is naturally that the people of Shandong are fierce and unruly, and Zhou Xingbo is an official who is unkind and exploits the people, but when it comes to the root, there are only two words - Ma Zheng! If it weren't for Ma Zheng, no matter how Zhou Xingbo peeled his skin, he wouldn't be able to take advantage of it! Not to mention this white-robed army uprising, the white-robed army uprising of Liu Liu and Liu Qi, which swept almost the entire Central Plains decades ago, was not it also because Ma Zheng was too fierce?

This reason is known to the imperial court, Lian Zining knows, and they, the squires, naturally know it.

Lian Zining looked at everyone's expressions, and he could only smile bitterly, he twisted his eyebrows: "What is the name of this official's yamen, everyone knows it, right?" The governor of the six counties guards and manages the Ma Zheng Yamen and Ma Zheng, which is a task assigned by the imperial court to his own officials. This official knows what you are thinking, but, in a word, Ma Zheng, must be reopened! ”

"But, Ma Zheng is fierce, and this official also knows it." Lian Zining changed his words and said: "Therefore, this time, the official is in charge of himself, and he invites you here, that is, let the counselors take a look and come up with a charter, so as not to force the people to rebel again, and the official will also have to fall to the ground." ”

There was silence below, the needle could be heard, Lian Zining said this boldly, almost heartbreaking, he could say it, but they didn't dare to speak. It's just that I also feel novel, it's the first time I've heard of this when I've lived so big, and the old man doesn't act arbitrarily, but lets everyone make ideas together.

"Everyone has to take this matter to heart, this official is not just talking about it, within three days, you all have to come up with a charter." Lian Zining said again. He also has no choice, Ma Zheng is a big hot potato, but he can't lose it, although he also has an idea in his heart, but if he does so, he will inevitably violate the interests of these squires, and he will definitely be opposed by them. On the contrary, it is better to let them come up with a charter, and if they have no idea at that time, Lian Zining will put forward his idea again, and they will not say anything.

"The third thing is about political affairs, now the prime minister of the six counties of the military and political affairs, this is the emperor's high hope, the court trusts, the official naturally does not dare to slack off, so, in the future, even if those county lords are sent over, local affairs, you can also write a note, sent by the local garrison on horseback, this official will give you ideas!"

After saying this, Lian Zining picked up the teacup, lowered his eyebrows, and waited for their reaction.

The squires in the hall reacted differently, and most of them didn't think there was anything wrong, and they were there to make friends and cater to Lian Zining. And some of them are thoughtful and can see clearly, and they suddenly tremble, this master, what do you want to do?

This is the ultimate purpose of Lian Zining inviting them this time!

He did this for one purpose - to take power! Get the power that originally belonged to the civil officials of the six counties.

Power is a good thing, enough to make people die for it, but Lian Zining has always known in his heart that he will never take power that does not belong to him, but this time, he must get it! He knows better than anyone that this sudden appointment to become the town guard of the six counties is an excellent development opportunity for both him personally and Wu Yijun! Wu Yijun has already obtained the order of the imperial court to allow expansion, relying on the land of six counties, more than one million people, and the rich northern plain of Lubei, Lian Zining can build them into a strong army single-handedly!

The strength of 5,000 households, one guard, and a standard of 5,600 people is already considered a small armed force, and if it is used well, it should not be underestimated.

And there is only one premise for doing this, that is, to grasp the absolute power of the six counties, without any constraints, in order to fully mobilize all manpower and material resources to serve the growth of the Wu Yi Army! But this is unrealistic, this is not the official road Liu Town, nor is it the camp of the Wuyi Army, the land of six counties, a radius of hundreds of miles, such a large area, such a large population, how difficult it is to be self-respecting.

Therefore, Lian Zining decided to do this, since it is impossible for you civil officials to listen to me wholeheartedly, then I will escalate you by winning over the squires of the six counties!

The power of the squires in this era is terrible, the rule of the Ming Dynasty is only at the county level, below the county level, it is completely a state of no political axe, and the county lord is completely ruled by you relying on these squires. If you want to keep this official in peace, the first thing you do after taking office is to win over these local squires, without their cooperation, no one will recognize the decree of the county order when it comes out of the county office.

Emperor Taizu streamlined officials, so that in the Ming Dynasty, there were only four officials recognized by the Ministry of Officials in a county: Qipin Zhi County, Bapin County Cheng, Jiupin Main Book, and there was also a classic history that had not entered the stream. Think about how many civil servants a county must have in later generations, and you can understand why the grassroots rule of the Ming Dynasty was so weak.

Therefore, it is completely feasible to communicate with the squires and set aside the county order.

There was chaos in the hall, Meng Fanqian was hesitating, and suddenly saw Lian Zining's cold and lightning eyes looking at him, and his heart suddenly sank. Xindao, whatever, the county master, let's not take it to heart, can this master be easily offended? He can do whatever he wants, as long as he doesn't rebel, why do we care so much?

I made a decision in my heart, and immediately went out of the queue and said loudly: "My lord is willing to work hard for the people of the six counties, that is our blessing, please rest assured, the grass people, etc., will do their best to do the things that the adults have explained!" ”

A group of squires also expressed their attitudes, but Lian Zining was the first to look forward.

Seeing that everyone expressed their attitudes, Lian Zining smiled with satisfaction: "Okay, since everyone agreed, then this matter is decided." ”

His tone became calm: "You are all people with status, and if you say it, you will definitely not change your hexagram, right?" ”

Where do people dare to say nothing? Naturally, it was another gambling curse and oath, and at this time it was cold in my heart, this even the adult was ruthless, fighting for power openly and secretly, but he had to pull us up. This one doesn't want money, but if he disobeys him, I'm afraid it will kill him!

The big event was set, and Lian Zining was also comfortable in his heart, and said: "Everyone, just now I have been waiting for you for a long time, and this official is also unhappy in his heart, and now he has set up a banquet in the side hall, please come over, let's have a good drink, and it can be regarded as making amends to you!" ”

Everyone was applauded by him with a big stick and a sweet date, and played with the seven meat and eight vegetables that he had remediated, but at this time, they were very grateful in their hearts, and they were polite.

In the side hall, dozens of maids walked back and forth like butterflies dressed in flowers, holding red lacquer trays with plates of exquisite dishes on them. Most of these maids were the servants of the original Zhou Mansion, and they were scattered in the white-robed army at the beginning, but now they are all back, and these old families are very familiar with this mansion, and they are also very easy to do. Lian Zining left them all behind, and for them, everything didn't seem to have changed, just a change of owner.

In the side hall, seven or eight tables of banquets have been held, and everyone sits down according to their status, Lian Zining and Meng Fanqian and other five or six people have made a table, these squires are quite restrained, after all, in this era, the status of officials is really higher than that of ordinary people, I don't know how many times! Being able to share a table with a court member from the fourth rank is a great honor for them.

The banquet was staggered, but it was also lively, Lian Zining spoke funny, and soon, these squires were timid, and they talked and laughed. In the meantime, all the interesting things in Shandong and Lubei are also unknown to Lian Zining.

After three rounds of drinking, Meng Fanqian pondered for a moment, and still said: "My lord, the old man has a reluctant request, I don't know whether to talk about it or not." ”

Lian Zining said: "Say." ”

"You also know that the seventy or eighty people in the hall now are all from some land in the family, and to put it mildly, the land of our people together accounts for more than 30% of the six counties! This year, the white-robed army is in turmoil, and the people are suffering! After some discussion, we are ready to waive this year's rent. He glanced at Lian Zining and said with a smile: "My lord, you are now the No. 1 landlord in the six counties, don't you think?" ”

Otherwise, why do you say that Lian Zining's position is a big fat difference, it has only been a few days since he took office, and he has already reaped the benefits. Not to mention anything else, the land alone is enough to support Lian Zining to death. The large landlords in the six counties were all killed by the white-robed army, and they could not even find a distant descendant, and these lands became ownerless land, and it should be said that after the war, these lands should be recounted by the household department, and then assigned to the state. But in these years, how can there be any reason for those who are officials to take advantage of the country and spit it out again? So everyone just didn't report it at all, and after they were stationed in the six counties, these fields became the private property of the generals of various ministries. And when they each returned to their stations, Lian Zining bought them at a super low price.

Now under Lian Zining's name, there are more than 500,000 acres of fertile land! In the land of the six counties, large tracts of land belong to him, and some even stretch for dozens of miles, and there are tens of thousands of tenants under his command alone! Of course, even Zining didn't dare to swallow it alone, 50,000 mu of it belonged to Zhang Yanchang, but he was in charge temporarily. On the title deed of 50,000 acres of land, Dai Qinglan's name is written, and someone has sent it to Dai's mansion.

Reducing or exempting tenants' land rent is also a proper meaning, as in film and television dramas, it is extremely rare to treat tenants harshly and slowly, and even to beat and scold landlords wantonly. In the Ming season, the relationship between tenants and landlords was more of a contractual relationship than a slave relationship. Just like the employees of large companies now, not only the boss can fire the employee, but the employee can also fire the boss. If the owner is too harsh, they won't do it for you! In these years, he served the crops well, but he was very favored by the landlords. Therefore, the landlords and squires in the countryside do not collect a lot of rent, and they will be reduced or reduced in disaster years, and they are also very surnamed.

Lian Zining nodded and said: "This is natural, you can all have this awareness, of course this official must set an example." ”

At the end of the banquet, Lian Zining personally sent these relieved squires to the door.

(To be continued)