The imperial power did not go to the countryside, and if the county officials wanted to manage the people in the countryside under their rule, they had to go through the unique class of the gentry.

The gentry were mainly composed of a number of influential figures in the rural society, such as the imperial examination and the first scholar or the first scholar, the local more educated small and medium-sized landlords, the small and medium-sized officials who retired and returned to their hometowns or lived in the countryside for a long time to recuperate, and the clan elders.

Their status is not low, and they are also a bridge between the country and the rural people, and the county naturally does not dare to offend too much.

Facing the more than 20 squires who had been gathered, Liu Xiancheng coughed lightly, told the whole story of the matter, and focused on two points.

This is all the persecution of the Japanese, and the five thousand oceans are the requirements of the county order, and he, the county leader, is just an errand runner, and he wants them to watch it.

As soon as his voice fell, the pot exploded below.

"Five thousand oceans, the Japanese are crazy about gains and losses, right?"

"Five thousand oceans, no matter how many years our ancestors have saved, they can't save such a family property. Is this Japanese made of gold? So valuable! ”

"If you want me to say, it's none of our business. This is not to say that the bandits have come to our Yuanbao Town to do something, this Japanese has already left the town, who can know where they have gone, relying on us, who knows if he is a slanderer? ”

"Yes, the Japanese have too many bad intentions, and they strongly suspect that this is their conspiracy, and they made up such an excuse just to extort money."

Similar doubts kept ringing, and no one present wanted to admit such a thing. Five thousand oceans, half of the squires present, the family property is not enough for this number!

Besides, why did they pay for this non-existent thing?

Is it because the Japanese made up something nonsense?

Let's have fun!

Liu Xiancheng drank tea, smiled and waited for them to finish complaining, and then said unhurriedly: "Ladies and gentlemen, you must know that the Japanese will not give up if they do not get a satisfactory answer.

Now it is Chang County's order to call the shots, and the five thousand oceans have solved this matter, and everything is happy. But if the Japanese are serious, it will not be possible to settle the matter with 5,000 oceans, and the sooner the matter is resolved, the better. ”

The squires present were silent, how could they not know the domineering of the Japanese. After the defeat of the First Sino-Japanese War, the land was ceded and the compensation was more than 200 million taels of silver, and the imperial court also admitted it!

It is even said that at that time, 93.5% of the "pattern silver" was used, and the Qing court thought that it could pay according to this when the agreement was signed.

However, in order to pay more compensation, Japan insisted on settling according to 99% of the "pure silver" under the pretext that the silver content was insufficient, and the Qing court also paid more than 10 million taels for this!

Isn't it normal that Japan can blackmail more than 10 million taels, and a few little Japanese children can blackmail 5,000 oceans?

Liu Xiancheng saw that their attitude had loosened, and continued to persuade: "Everyone, these five thousand oceans are not for you to come out, and the whole of Yuanbao Town has this responsibility, and everyone is just a piece of ocean. ”

A piece of ocean, for the people here, is to get a few taels of good tea, set a table of good dishes, and even say that when listening to the play, the interest comes, and throw a few pieces of ocean on the stage as a reward.

For them, a piece of ocean is just a daily consumption, and it is nothing at all.

But for the tenant farmers at the bottom, the coolies who carry the bags, and the guys who stand at the counter, a piece of ocean may be their income for ten days and half a month. It is difficult for them to earn that little money and support their families, and then take out this piece of ocean, it will have to be used as pants.

What's more, some people are old and young, and they all rely on those one or two strong laborers to earn money. This money is spread evenly on their bodies, that is, several oceans, do they let their whole family not eat or drink for a month?

The expressions of the squires were a little solemn, but anyone with a little conscience would definitely not want to do so.

But if they are really allowed to make a choice, they will definitely choose to sacrifice the interests of others and protect their own interests.

At this moment, Zhu Kaishan stood up: "Everyone, let me say something fair. This matter is an unwarranted disaster, and it has nothing to do with us if something happens to the Japanese, so we can only blame them for their bad lives.

But now the Japanese are throwing this responsibility on our old and young masters, which is a little wrong.

If you want money, you can. Out of humanitarianism, we can give their families a little pension, but there must not be so much, this makes our grandfather a big wrong? ”

"Brother Zhu is right, this is a pension, not compensation, the Japanese can't treat us as wronged, this amount is too big, I don't admit it."

"Brother Zhu is right, and I agree with it."

The others echoed one after another, almost choking Liu Xiancheng, who was sitting in the first place, he didn't expect this strange man to be so appealing, and he took the initiative away at once.

He whispered to the squire he knew next to him and asked, "Old Zhang, who is this?" ”

No matter how lively he said just now, the old man didn't squeak all the time, and only then did he open his eyes and look at the people present, and said lightly: "This is Zhu Kaishan of Niugou, a foreigner who has just taken root for a few years, and it is normal that Lord Liu does not know him." ”

How much influence can a foreigner who has just taken root for a few years have. Liu Xiancheng had a bottom in his heart, so he naturally didn't panic.

In the face of this foreigner who rejected his face, he didn't want to let it go, so he took this opportunity to let people see his official authority of Lord Liu.

He stood up, pointed at Zhu Kaishan and scolded: "You are the oldest, who didn't tie your belt and exposed you, dare to point fingers here?" Get me out. ”

The soldiers he brought understood his voice, and rushed forward one by one, ready to give this hillbilly a little color, so that he could know the official authority of the county lord.

But Zhu Kaishan is not easy, the lives of the Qing soldiers in his hands have already been in double digits, how can he be taken down by these few fancy shows.

After a burst of punches and kicks, five or six soldiers all lay on the ground, and one by one they were not lightly injured. The remaining soldiers hurriedly drew their waist knives and surrounded Zhu Kaishan in the middle, but no one dared to act rashly.

"Liu Xiancheng, don't make your mouth as dirty as a pit, then I can't help but want to beat you." Zhu Kaishan glared at him coldly and said fearlessly.

Liu Xiancheng's face was so gloomy that he was about to drip water, and no one dared to talk to him like this!

The crime came casually, "Resisting the decree and attacking the court officials, his crime should be punished, take it down for me!" ”

But at this moment, Yuan Pengfei, who had been watching the play outside for a long time, didn't dare to continue watching, and shouted: "Yuan Pengfei is here, who dares to be presumptuous!" ”

The four people who followed him were not polite, and rushed in one by one, taking out the shell guns on their waists and pointing them at those soldiers, who could kill them at any time.

also let them know that Yuan Pengfei's three words are not just talking, they are killing people.

Yuan Pengfei glanced at the crowd, put his eyes back on Liu Xiancheng, and said playfully: "Liu Xiancheng, what were you talking about just now?" I didn't hear me, so repeat it to me. ”

At this time, Zhang Lao coughed fakely, and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "Liu Xiancheng is too anxious, Zhu Kaishan is Yuan Pengfei's godfather, so he represents the dozens of families in Fangniugou." ”

The cold sweat on Liu Xiancheng's forehead flowed down instantly, how could he provoke this Hades, this is a demon who kills people without calculation!

Yuan Pengfei's name is known to everyone up and down in Yuanbao Town, even the newborn children know that this is their protector god, and he is also a god who exterminated the bandits within a radius of thirty miles.

How could Liu Xiancheng not know his name!

For a period of time, the heads of the bandits were going to the county government one by one, and the heads on the city gate and the building were almost full, and all of them were bandits with names and surnames on the green forest road.

Later, he didn't continue to send it, because Yuan Pengfei was on the territory, and the unlucky bandits were about to be killed. And those smart feelings can't get along, and they would rather fight with bandits in other places for food than dare to face Yuan Pengfei, the Lord of Yama, on the ground.

Don't look at Chang County's order when he gave orders to him, he didn't take Yuan Pengfei in his eyes, and his tone was very loud. In fact, if you really want to be in front of Yuan Pengfei, Chang County Ling really doesn't dare to say that.

Yuan Pengfei is no longer the fledgling person with no background, someone from Fengtian has already greeted them, and someone is covering it.

When the face of the gong opposite the drum is torn, then only Chang County Ling is qualified, and he is not enough to count the county officials!

Squeezing out a smiling face, Liu Xiancheng waved his subordinates away, came to Yuan Pengfei with small steps, and respectfully arched his hand and said: "Captain Yuan Haihan, this is not the big water that washed the Dragon King Temple, the family doesn't know the family!"

I knew that it was your Captain Yuan's elder, and I couldn't say that if I was killed! Please forgive me, forgive me! ”

Zhu Kaishan glared at him, but he didn't squeak. He knows that it is no good to tear his face with the government, and no matter how chaotic his stable life is, he doesn't care, the few people in the family can't do it.

Yuan Pengfei looked at Zhu Kaishan's appearance and said what to do. I made a note in my heart for this guy, but I didn't continue to investigate his unclean mouth.

"Liu Xiancheng, how much do the Japanese cost?"

"Five thousand oceans."

"My face should be worth two thousand oceans!"

Liu Xiancheng felt bitter in his heart, but he had to admit it, and hurriedly nodded and said: "It's worth it, it's definitely worth it, not to mention two thousand oceans, even three thousand oceans are worth it." ”

"No need, I still know how many catties and taels I have, even if it's two thousand oceans! I'm going to crack down on the bandits and find out six Japanese people and take 2,000 oceans of hard-earned money, right? ”

"It should be, it should be, how can the bandits not cost money! It is natural to spend money on bandits. Liu Xiancheng smiled and cooperated.

When he meets someone who can handle him, he is an echo worm, how dare he disagree at all.

Yuan Pengfei knew that this was the case, and chuckled, "Okay, then there are a thousand oceans left, and you come back in fifteen days, take the money, the heads of the territorial bandits, and those six little Japan." Of course, I hope they're still alive, or I'll get you their remains at most. ”

How dare Liu Xiancheng say half a word, and continue to lick his face and praise, "I don't worry about who will hand over this matter to, but if it is handed over to Captain Yuan, it will definitely be handy, and I will put a hundred hearts." ”

Yuan Pengfei did not respond to his praise, and others ignored him, and the scene fell into embarrassment for a while.

Liu Xiancheng was unhappy but didn't dare to show it, squeezing a smile and talking to himself, "Captain Yuan, if there is nothing wrong, then I will leave first." Ladies and gentlemen, we'll see you later. ”

After saying that, he beckoned to his subordinates and took the lead and left.

Those who know the times are handsome, and when they encounter honest admitions that they can't be provoked, this is the only rule of mixed officialdom.

And after this unrelated person was driven away, Yuan Pengfei began to give his orders.

"Five thousand oceans have become three thousand oceans, everyone, I have personally tried my best, you have no opinion!"

"Captain Yuan has benefited our Yuanbao Town, it's too late to thank you, how can you have an opinion."

The old man who had pitted Liu Xiancheng just now became very energetic and took the lead in agreeing.

Yuan Pengfei didn't know that this guy was sowing discord just now, but he really saw it.

But the group of squires is indeed intertwined, and it is said that this old man, he is a small official who has retired to his hometown, and it does not seem worth mentioning.

But in fact, three of the squires present through marriage were his sons and daughters. The combined influence of the four people can affect the livelihood of more than 100 families, and the right to speak is even greater.

If Yuan Pengfei cleaned him up, the entire Yuanbao Town would have to be shaken three times, which would easily cause instability.

So as long as this guy doesn't tear his face and him, he is not willing to pay such a big price, and he will pass with one eye and one eye closed.

Nodding slightly, Yuan Pengfei talked about the plan that had just been formed in his mind: "Regarding the raising of these three thousand oceans, considering that some people can't come up with this money, I will also give two options, if you have money, you can make a strong contribution."

If you are willing to pay, you will each organize and collect the money. If you are willing to contribute, you will count it and report it to me. The insurance team also had to build a large barracks, and the labor would certainly be able to use it.

After deducting the share of this sharing, you can still receive wages if you continue to work. What do you think? ”

This incident started because of him, and he still felt a little guilty in his heart. He is also very willing to help as much as he can.

But to be gracious, we must also pay attention to strategic methods. If he takes care of all this things, of course, someone will remember him well.?? But when something happens in the future, people will still pin their hopes on him.

At that point, it will not be his turn to refuse. Because once he dares to refuse, not only will this good be gone, but people will have to spit on him.

People's hearts are like this, ascending to Mien, fighting Mi hatred.

If you give someone a small help in times of crisis, he will appreciate you. But if you help people too much, so that they become dependent, once you stop helping, it will make people jealous.

In this way, he can not only let others remember his kindness, but also not form too much dependence.

The squires present did not know the antecedents, but this did not prevent them from touting. Either way, it's a big problem, and everyone is happy.

The old man was the first to stand up, trembling with a crutch and saying, "Captain Yuan, I thank you for the 83 households in Zhaojia Village, you are the protector of our Yuanbao Town!" ”

When several other people saw that they had been robbed, they also stood up one after another to express their gratitude on behalf of the villagers in their respective villages. One of the words is more explicit than the other, and it is almost said that Yuan Pengfei is the reincarnation of the Buddha and the immortal reborn of the Bodhisattva.

Yuan Pengfei can be regarded as having seen the world, but the goosebumps they say are rising, which shows how explicit these people's words are.

But he can't be too big and make people think that he doesn't respect the elderly. I have to step forward one by one to help, say some humble words, and look happy.

And I have to say that people are old and fine, the old man made such a thanks, and the effect of Yuan Pengfei's grace was divided by them.

People who don't know the truth talk about gratitude, and they have to mention these squires who fight for their benefits on the basis of reason.

At the same time, these squires also have their greatest advantage, the right to speak in public opinion.

Many peasants who could not read a single word could hear in their ears what they were willing to pass on to the squires.

And they, the squires, are unwilling to spread it, and it is impossible for the vast majority of people to know.

They can't and dare not take the credit of Yuan Pengfei, but it is still easy to praise themselves and share some of the credit.

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