But said that Ma Teng and his people returned to Luoyang Mansion, this time to Luoyang to collect taxes and no result, Ma Teng was really a little angry, he was anxious, at this time his subordinates presented the gift sent by Chen Xin, Ma Teng did not take this matter seriously at all, when his subordinates took those bags up, Ma Teng did not go to his heart, his subordinates put those bags in front of Ma Teng's eyes, Ma Teng looked at these bags, a curiosity spontaneously arose, Ma Teng wanted to see what was in the bag, he walked down the stairs to open the bag, it doesn't matter, I was really taken aback, but I saw a golden light shoot out of the bag at once, and the person who shot this light shook his eyes, and it was full of gold! Ma Teng was really thundered, although he had also served as a feudal official, to be precise, he was also called the king, but he was still a little surprised in the face of so much gold at once, these bags of gold are full of thousands of taels, and thousands of taels of gold are 50,000 taels of silver!

Ma Teng was stunned, how could a mere Luoyang County Commander send himself so much gold, what was the purpose of this, and how did he have so much money? Ma Teng was surprised to see a letter leaking out of the bag at this time, Ma Teng picked up the letter and read it carefully, the letter to the effect that these money is a little heart of the big families in Luoyang, the big families welcomed Ma Teng's arrival, and offered these gifts as a tribute, hoping that Ma Teng could raise his noble hand in the matter of tax collection and be able to give convenience!

Ma Teng understood all at once, it seems that these people want to use this gold to buy me! Hum! Looking at this golden gold, Ma Teng couldn't help but wonder, 50,000 taels of silver is honestly a lot when he was king in Xiliang, but if it is called to eat for officials in the imperial court. Just like him, the position of a deputy first-class product is just a wanton stone every year, which is equivalent to 50,000 taels of silver. Ma Teng was really taken aback by such a calculation, these people gave him a whole year's salary! In other words, he is now earning so much from a year of hard work as an official in the imperial court. It is true that there are so many things that can be paid for a year of hard work for an official, and the gifts he Ma Teng received this time alone have reached this amount, how difficult it is to get, but how easy it is, all in an instant, Ma Teng couldn't help but sigh!

In the face of this year's fortune, Ma Teng thought about it, and now he was regarded as a guest by Guan Yu as an official in the imperial court, and he was justifiably an official in the imperial court, and he took on a big role in the reform. Guan Yu is so important and trusting of himself, does he bend his waist for this mere year? It's a joke, these people also underestimate him Ma Teng, Ma Teng ordered his subordinates to put away the gold, he wants to use these silver taels as part of the tax collection as part of the treasury, even if it is some progress in his current work, Ma Teng can't help but turn his worries into joy when he thinks of this, and walks around the mansion, thinking about the future work in his heart. At this moment, he saw that his subordinates reported that some royal relatives and nobles had asked to see him, Ma Teng was stunned and wondered in his heart: What are these people looking for him?

After a while, I saw that there were dozens of royal relatives and nobles one after another, and they flocked to Ma Teng's Zhijinwu Mansion at once, some of these royal relatives and nobles were imperial uncles, some were national uncles, some were all kinds of feudal kings, some were princesses, and some were national abbots. Where did Ma Teng see so many royal relatives and nobles, he was dumbfounded all of a sudden, and these people greeted Ma Teng one after another. Ma Teng ordered his subordinates to hurry up and beckoned these people to sit down, and served them tea and water one after another. After these people sat down one after another, Ma Teng said to everyone: "You adults don't know what to do when you come to the cold house?" ”

Among the people, Uncle Yi Guo first said: "I said Master Ma! You are also the generation after the faithful and virtuous. How many years have you Ma family been loyal to the Han family! ”

"Yes, yes, yes, that's true!" Ma Teng hurriedly complimented.

Uncle Guo continued: "Since he is a loyal minister of the Han family, he should think about the Han family and serve the imperial court!" ”

"That's that!" Ma Teng said.

Uncle Guo continued: "Master Ma has just joined the Beijing Division, and it is extremely glorious to be promoted to the position of Jinwu, but Lord Ma may not understand some things when he takes office, and some things cannot be done with enthusiasm, so you have to think twice before doing anything!" You have to consider the consequences of some things, otherwise it will be unimaginable! ”

After Uncle Guo finished speaking, Ma Teng's eyes rolled, he pondered for a while, and then said: "Uncle Guo directly explained it, could it be that he was referring to the collection of taxes?" ”

"That's right! Don't say secret words in front of the Ming people, it is this matter, and it may not be clear that Master Ma is the leader of tax collection! Uncle Na continued.

At this time, an imperial uncle in the crowd came out and said, "Lord Ma! You take the lead in serving the imperial court, but you must do things in moderation, don't overdo it, as the saying goes, 'water can carry a boat, and it can also overturn a boat', you can be a position of a good character, but you must not lose your hat because of this matter, which is more than worth the loss! ”

Ma Teng's heart suddenly churned when he heard this, his expression became embarrassed, and he couldn't help but think: It seems that these people came for a purpose, and it can be concluded that this tax collection must have touched the interests of these people, forcing these people to collectively attack him, so many royal relatives and nobles came to challenge him together, as an official who has just entered the imperial court, his connections have not yet been developed, and he will offend so many powerful people at once, which Ma Teng does not want to see, Of course, as a newcomer, facing so many royal relatives and nobles at once, Ma Teng felt more than enough and not enough

These royal relatives and nobles grabbed Ma Teng this time, and they had to ask Ma Teng for an explanation, of course, they came to ask for an explanation this time was also premeditated, behind this is naturally the result of the promotion of those big families in Luoyang, in front of those big families and Luoyang Ling Chen Xin, he Ma Teng is a high-ranking court official, is a superior leader, but in front of these royal relatives and nobles, his Ma Teng's identity and status are not so prominent, these royal relatives and nobles are furious, he Ma Teng feels pressure, and even some of the princes speak more straightforwardly:" Lord Ma, you are a man of understanding, why do you really care about the collection of taxes? Won't it be over if you turn a blind eye? If you really want to worry about it, I'm afraid you won't be able to eat and walk around! ”

Ma Teng was very helpless by these people, so he had to explain: "The tax collection work is a major matter of reform, and I am also a good minister to take on this position." The task assigned by the imperial court is so heavy, how can it open a hole in this work? I hope you can understand. This matter is not what I Ma Teng said, but the matter specially assigned by the prime minister, which cannot be sloppy! I hope you will forgive me! ”

As soon as Ma Teng's words came out, these royal relatives and nobles were really angry, they didn't expect Ma Teng to be so tough. Suddenly angry, they shouted there, and some even shouted: "Master Ma seems to insist on not being able to get along with us, then we won't leave, don't you Lord Ma want to do something, then step over our heads!" ”

"That's right! Don't go, don't go! Look at how you get out of this door! Someone in the crowd shouted.

These people encircled Ma Teng around the inner three layers and the outer three layers, Ma Teng saw that these people were persecuted no matter how urgent, his eyes turned and he thought in his heart: it seems that it is obviously not a way to hold on, and they can only affect their own work if they continue to make trouble, so they must first stabilize these people and then think of other solutions. Ma Teng thought of this and suddenly thought of two people to come and greet his subordinates to order this and so, his subordinates nodded again and again and heard and then went separately, Ma Teng continued to entangle with these people there, let these people keep shouting and shouting He was indifferent, at this time the mansion has been completely occupied by these royal nobles, Ma Teng knows that these people can't use strong measures to drive them away, after all, they are royal relatives and nobles can't afford to be guilty, but he also knows that these people want him to compromise and make concessions in terms of taxes, which is also unacceptable to him, So he was stunned and silent, letting these people make trouble.

Just when these royal princes and nobles were entangled in the mansion. At this time, I saw two people walking up the stairs, and everyone regarded them as Taifu Ma Riyu and Guanglu Doctor Cai Yongye, these two veteran-level first-class officials rushed to the mansion, and the royal relatives and nobles were really surprised. However, this did not change their excitement, and Sima Dan walked up the stairs and said to everyone: "Everyone, why are you doing this? What kind of thing is this that you ran to Lord Ma's house to make trouble? ”

At this time, a relative of the royal family and nobles shouted: "What do I mean by Ma Taifu?" What are you here to do? Are you here to help us or to help Master Ma out of the siege? If you are to relieve the siege of Lord Ma, I advise you to leave quickly, so as not to get into trouble! ”

After hearing this, Cai Yong persuaded: "Everyone, don't get excited if we have something to discuss, it's not a way to go on like this now." It's not good to keep going on like this! ”

"What kind of consultation method do you say, let's listen to it!" Another person in the crowd shouted.

Taifu Ma Rixuan continued to persuade: "What do you really want Master Ma to do? Tell me your opinions, don't shout here at your word! ”

"Our opinion is nothing, that is, we should not be too harsh on the collection of taxes in Luoyang, let alone stick to the regulations. It is true that there are many large and wealthy families in the Luoyang area, but many of these big families are royal relatives and nobles, and they are all royal blood. There are even some princes who are divided into feudal feuds, and the land and wealth they get are all sealed by the Son of Heaven, and as descendants, some have inherited the inheritance of their ancestors and some have hereditary titles, how can they pay such high taxes? Could the imperial court have ever obtained the permission of the Son of Heaven to levy such a heavy tax at once? You, Master Ma, are just a deputy first-class person, and you dare to make such a secondary move on them, then you have to ask us if these people are willing! Uncle Yi said angrily.

After hearing this, Ma Teng said: "Is it that the matter of collecting taxes is something that I Ma Teng led this is a matter with the permission of the prime minister, my Ma Teng is just an executor, I just do what the prime minister wants, what is wrong with me?" You have to suspect that this policy is a reform, not from Ma Teng! ”

"Master Ma, as the leader of this matter, why are you so confused? We don't have to dwell on how this policy is, as the saying goes, 'there is a policy and a countermeasure', won't you, as the executor, be flexible, don't you understand what we mean or do you not use politics? has said the background of the big families in the Luoyang area, you are still so obsessed! Why do you have trouble with us people? What good can you get out of getting along with us? Yes? Do you have to hang yourself in this place to collect taxes? Wouldn't you lean a little elsewhere? Do you have to gnaw on this hard bone? Uncle Yi in the crowd persuaded Ma Teng.

Ma Teng testified: "The task assigned by the imperial court is so arduous, and Luoyang is a gathering place for large families under the rule, if it opens a hole here, then how can the important task of reform be completed?" ”

"Ma Teng, you kid looks like you're going to fight us to the end, okay then! I'll see how you got out of the house! A prince in the crowd shouted.

Seeing that the situation between the two sides was so tense, Taifu Ma Riyan pulled Ma Teng aside and whispered in his ear. Ma Teng's eyes rolled when he heard this, and his face became relaxed, and when Ma Riyu finished speaking, Ma Teng nodded again and again. After a while, I saw Ma Teng saying to everyone: Don't quarrel first, I understand everyone's feelings. We are so deadlocked is not a way, everyone thinks that the tax is too heavy and hopes to reduce the burden, so come to me Ma Teng, but everyone should understand that I am an executive officer, I will implement the decisions made above, this tax policy is not set by my Ma Teng, everyone forced me to really do nothing, how can I have so much power to solve the problem for everyone, but since everyone has opinions. As the implementer of this policy, I can give feedback to the Prime Minister on everyone's opinions, so that the Prime Minister can give everyone a sigh of relief in this regard. ”

After Ma Teng finished speaking, these royal relatives looked at each other and began to discuss it, and the scene was still full of opinions, but after changing the previous quarrel, the anger against Ma Teng was suddenly diverted, and Taifu Ma Riyu saw this and comforted: "Everyone! There's no way for you to make such a fuss! Let Master Ma report your affairs to the prime minister, and tell the prime minister about your demands so that the prime minister can be accommodating. You are so stubborn, he can't be the master of this matter at all! ”

After Ma Riyu finished speaking, the princes and nobles calmed down all of a sudden, and one of the uncles said: "This saves us from going to the prime minister." The bell must be tied to the bell, and Master Ma has to go to the prime minister in person! ”

Ma Teng then said: "Everyone is waiting for my news in my mansion now, and I will rush to the prime minister's mansion to tell the prime minister everyone's demands." Let's take a rest here first, and someone will serve me! After Ma Teng finished speaking, he walked straight out of the house. The royal relatives and nobles didn't have time to react, and when they saw Ma Teng walking outside, they all got out of the way, and in this way, Ma Teng walked out of the mansion and went straight to the prime minister's mansion

Since Ma Teng surrendered to Guan Yu, he was brought to the imperial court by Guan Yu to entrust him with important tasks. Since then, his life has achieved a gorgeous turn, for Guan Yu Ma Teng is also supportive, this young man is young and promising, ambitious and well-connected, deeply supported by the majority of the military and the people, enjoys high prestige inside and outside the court, is a wise lord, this time and put forward the grand goal of reform, work hard to make a big difference, he is also very optimistic about this young master, although Ma Teng is a famous family after supporting the Han Dynasty, but between these royal nobles and Guan Yu let him make a choice, He undoubtedly wants to choose the latter, whether it is from reality or in his heart, Guan Yu has far more weight in his heart than these so-called royal relatives and nobles.

Ma Teng came to Guan Yu's Prime Minister's Mansion, at this time Guan Yu was still sitting in Luoyang to study reform matters in the house, he was going to visit various places in a few days to do field research, at this time Ma Teng broke in, Guan Yu saw Ma Teng came to know that Ma Teng had something to see, the two met and greeted each other, Ma Teng made a detailed explanation of the ins and outs of the matter with Guan Yu and Pan, Guan Yu brushed his beard and smiled after hearing it: "This matter is not as I expected, this wind will blow sooner or later, But what I didn't expect was to scrape so fast! ”

"So what are we going to do, we won't really adjust the tax rate, right?" Ma Teng probed.

Guan Yu slapped the table and said: "The goal of reform has been set for a long time, how can we give up halfway because of their obstruction, if we can't break through this resistance, then how can the goal of reform be achieved, and how can other matters of reform be promoted?" What will people think of this, and what will they think of me? Therefore, this goal must not be changed, let alone adjusted, it must be implemented according to the established phalanx, and the reform plan cannot be abolished because of people's obstruction, and now we will go to your house for a trip! ”

Seeing that Guan Yu was so firm, Ma Teng suddenly had confidence in his heart, how could the master retreat as a worker, Guan Yu suddenly cheered up Ma Teng, Ma Teng suddenly had momentum, as if he was injected with vitality, full of confidence and ambition, in fact, why didn't he want to do a vigorous career? This time he was born to meet the master, he strengthened his confidence in the future, and he had endless energy to do things with such a master.

At that moment, Ma Teng took Guan Yu to his own Zhijinwu Mansion, followed by Si Li's Captain Wenpin, Dian Military Captain Ma Chao, Guan Yu's bodyguard Lian'er and personal guard eighteen warriors and secretary Cai Wenji, this cadre came to Ma Teng's mansion, at this time, the royal relatives and nobles were discussing in Ma Teng's mansion, everyone was waiting for Ma Teng's return, Guan Yu's arrival made these people really surprised, and they were a little caught off guard, they never thought that Guan Yu would come in person, Even Taifu Ma Riyu and Guanglu Doctor Cai Yong were really surprised, Guan Yu came to the crowd surrounded by everyone, it was simply majestic, and the powerful aura also filled the entire mansion, and the people present all felt the breath of this big man, and these royal relatives and nobles felt a powerful air flow coming towards them (to be continued......