Wildfires burn mercilessly. Thick smoke billowed and intertwined with the mist of Yunmeng Mountain in the early morning. The autumn wind blows and dances in the dust

moving, as if the snow was falling, and winter was coming early. The barren field was left with a dark and terrible scar. Survival is the greed of human beings for nature, and the destruction of autumn reclamation is only a punishment to welcome the midwinter of nature.

A few farmers in Yunmeng Mountain looked at the scorched land, and on their simple and dark faces, there was a little more yearning for a better life. When the fires are extinguished and the autumn rains fall, the land will be ready for cultivation the following year. As long as the wind and rain are good, their days will be more relaxed. I can't help but immerse myself in the beautiful yearning. Suddenly, one shouted.

"Run! The guards have come to plunder. ”

At this time, they were extremely remorseful, believing that it was the fireworks that attracted the garrison of Chaoge. If you are caught, you will definitely die. In recent years, the domestic clans have been attacking each other, and foreign armies have also invaded the border from time to time, sneaking into the defense realm to fight the grass valley. For black households who are not protected by the state, life is simply impossible.

Three horse chariots led more than 100 black-clothed soldiers towards Yunmeng Mountain. The sergeants then captured the fleeing civilians and tortured them to interrogate the homes of other mountain dwellers in their vicinity. Soon, a large number of people were driven to the three grass houses at the foot of Yunmeng Mountain, where the Li family was.

The sudden disaster did not affect Wang Xu and Ah Ji, and when the soldiers saw that they were holding swords, they deliberately avoided them and did not arrest them. The frightened Wang Xu seemed to be in the midst of a police and bandit fire, and both sides ignored him. Some people who wanted to resist could only kneel on their knees and beg for mercy after being severely beaten. The scene was chaotic.

After a long time, the people were gathered in a clearing outside Li's house. A black-clothed sergeant in armor ran quickly to the side of the two men in fine clothes, clasped his fists and said loudly:

"Lord Yuyi! A total of 27 displaced families were captured. ”

Of the two, one was handsome. A plain white brocade robe, dressed as a scholar, with a hollow round jasper hanging around his waist, looks very elegant. It's just that the long hair is draped back, and the bun line is too back, which makes the head look particularly big. And there is no crown of hair, and the eyebrows are deliberately groomed, thick and dark. It should be a young boy who has not yet performed the crown ceremony. The other man had a short beard, tied his hair with a leather crown, and was dressed in a dark robe, like a standard official uniform. The short-bearded middle-aged man had a sad face when he heard the soldier's report. Just listen.

"Hey! Little was gained from the trip. He even bothered his son, Lan Dajia, and secretly thought that he would still use these homeless people as tribute... Sacrifice the prisoners. ”

The young man smiled, looked at the kneeling people, and frowned.

"Huh. Cao Yizai thinks it's appropriate to use my David people as prisoners? ”

"There's something wrong with that. However, the evasion of taxes by these outcasts is of no benefit to me, David. ”

They talked casually, seemingly unaware of the presence of two people in the hut behind them. That's embarrassing. couldn't get out, Wang Xu could only eavesdrop on the conversation between the two by the window. He also whispered about Adina's contribution to the captives.

It turned out that they had been bullied by the two powerful countries of Jin and Qi, and Qi had imposed economic sanctions at every turn. And the Jin State borders the Wei State, and the two countries have had some contradictions before, and they have also fought a few times, all of which were fiascos in the defense of the country. In the end, the Wei royal family contributed its population to the Jin Kingdom every few years in order to seek peace. And these foreign policies were ridiculed by the common people as defending the royal family and betraying the country for glory.

This can be regarded as an eye-opener, Wang Xu finally understood why Wu Qi, Shang Ying, Lü Buwei and other powerful figures finally went to play abroad. Because of staying in their own country, they may be captured and sacrificed. The common people have completely lost confidence in the royal family.

Ah Ji looked quite nervous, and his small hand kept pressing on the hilt of the sword, maintaining the posture of being about to draw the sword. The girl seems to be ready to fight against a hundred and save the people. Wang Xu thought about it, and if he knew it, he would give each family a short sword. This flying disaster will not be easily avoided.

"Qichengyi is small and the people are widowed. The soldiers and horses of the Fifth Division of the Northern Army needed a huge amount of grain and grass to live in, and it was not easy to supply them. If the population of the mining cannot be replenished, the war in the north will be broken, and I am afraid that I will not be able to resist the enemy. ”

"The son is worried about state affairs, and he admires him to the fullest. I don't know if I can make a decision now? ”

"Hey! Shame on the country..."

Seeing this, Cao Yizai hurriedly leaned over to give a salute. It seems that he wants to help Shangguan take the blame and stop the infamy on himself. Wang Xu, who was eavesdropping on the side, was overjoyed, but he didn't expect that the sycophants in the ancient officialdom were no less capable of observing words and emotions than in the modern workplace. And this young man is even more hypocritical, obviously the result cannot be changed, and he has to pretend to be compassionate. It's as if if you don't do this, you can't get over it on your conscience. I couldn't hold back for a while, and I laughed out loud.

"Who?"

Without waiting for the sergeant to break down the door, arrest him out. Wang Xu consciously pushed the door out. At this time, the dog-legged Cao Yizai was busy protecting the young man. When he saw the girl behind Wang Xu drawing her sword and glaring at him, one of them staggered and almost stepped on the young man's feet. He exclaimed, with a black face:

"Bold! Who are you? Dare to eavesdrop on the conversation between Ben Jae and the little uncle. Someone! Take. ”

"Wait."

The young man known as Gongzi Lan pushed the retreating Cho Yi Jae away. did not show the slightest embarrassment after being known the secret, but stared at the black long sword that Wang Xu carried in his hand. Keep looking at the visitors. After a while, Gongzilan clasped her fists and saluted.

"Dare to ask who the strong man is?"

Wang Xu learned from the other party's appearance and returned the salute. Then he pushed Aji's half-sharp short sword into the scabbard.

"Down there are shoe sellers."

In order to win the trust of the other party, he took out the leather boots in the house and motioned for the young man Lan to take a look. The armor soldiers around him hurriedly held the two pairs of nondescript leather boots in their palms and presented them. Gongzilan looked puzzled and suddenly startled.

"In Xia Weilan, it is Qicheng's cousin Baisifu, Xiaobo. Don't know the name of the hero? ”

"Oh! In the lower king, he is a leather merchant. ”

As soon as the words came out, not only Wei Lan was shocked, but even Cao Yizai on the side also showed a look of horror. The two of them were suddenly much more polite, and saluted Wang Xu again. Wang Xu was a little confused, it seemed that the status of the leather merchant was higher than he imagined. Could it be that the merchants of this era can walk sideways? It doesn't make any sense. The other party's reaction made him feel that he could kick his nose in the face at this time.

"Can Lan Gongzi listen to the next word?"

The people of Da Zhou will not put their names before Gongzi to use them as titles. His slip of the tongue did not make Gongzilan feel strange, but showed a look of sudden understanding.

"Mr. Xu, please speak."

Mr? I didn't call a strong man before. This title changed back and forth, and Wang Xu only felt funny. Could it be that Mr. and Miss began to call people in this era?

"Look at the people of Yunmeng, there are only more than 100 people. It was of little value to pay tribute or to be conscripted into labor. If you want to defend the country and develop it, you need to take your time. It's like raising livestock, fattening and then slaughtering. Don't be in a hurry! ”

"Sir does not know, these outcasts evade taxes and the country is not profitable, and do not take them as prisoners. If you ignore it, it will disturb the peace of the party. Tian Fu nine draw one, this place is not reported and reclaimed. Even if we don't come, Situ Mansion will never sit idly by. ”

Cao Yizai dissuaded first, deliberately not letting Wang Xu take care of this idle matter. At this time, Gongzilan's brows were twisted like twists. I only heard Wang Xu say nonsense:

"Cao Yizai's words are the way to kill chickens, take eggs, drink and quench thirst, and it is even more useless to defend the country."

"Sir, do you know how much tax the office will lose in any year here?"

"Oh? I don't know how much a family earns? ”

"Fourteen hundred..."

The two were just arguing, and Gongzi Lan on the side looked at Wang Xu curiously. He whispered the idiom he had heard before. I just felt that this young man was unpredictable. He had never heard such words as killing chickens to get eggs or drinking water to quench his thirst. It seems very appropriate to taste it carefully. In Gongzilan's view, the other party deliberately hides his identity. However, the conversation and knowledge are not comparable to those of ordinary clans. Then the young man's words shocked him again.

"Hehe, but for 4,200 yuan, Cao Yizai will sell 135 people. Isn't it unwise? ”

It's ridiculous that the other party actually uses such a simple arithmetic problem to talk about things. A household of five, nine draws one, an annual income of 1,400 yuan, can easily calculate a year's tax. And 4,200 money is only worth two swords, he doesn't believe that 135 people can't create this value all year round? Who will believe it?

If he accepted his proposal, even if he couldn't do it, Wang Xu took out two swords to pay off the debt afterwards. Presumably, you can also get away with it. If he didn't accept it, he didn't bother to say anything. It's just a mouth cannon, and everyone spits and spits at the stars. After all, with more than a hundred bodyguards, he and Aji will definitely not be able to beat him. Quan Dang met a hypocrite who was worried about the country and the people.

The next scene made Wang Xu dumbfounded. The young boy ordered his soldiers to collect many short branches, and he and Cao Yizai squatted on the ground and began to fiddle with them. Wang Xu looked at Ah Ji beside him and asked:

"These two are so interested! Chatting and chatting, I actually started playing chess. ”

The girl scoffed, thinking her brother was making fun of them. But his eyes widened and he looked at it again and again, and the other party's face was clearly full of doubts.

"Young master, they are counting with chips."

Wang Xu grew his mouth, looked at Ah Ji incredibly, and then looked at the two people who were playing with the branches, and they were having a lot of fun. Are you kidding? Isn't there mathematics in the six arts of ancient gentlemen? Could it be that these two goods are scumbags? My heart was filled with contempt. Such people can be officials, I wonder if the so-called Situ Mansion in their mouths will be miscalculated? Thinking about it, people in this era are really simple, and it is estimated that they will definitely not be able to do fake accounts or something.

A quarter of an hour later, the two men opened their eyes wide in unison, and their eyes were full of heat. Gongzi Lan, who had been silent, finally spoke.

"Sir, I am despicable. I don't know what to think? ”

"A year later, 8,400 dollars were put out. Can Mr. Lan let the people live? ”

Obviously, his answer left the two dumbfounded. Obviously, he used to speak righteously, and he also said a big truth. And now there is no good solution to the problem. Isn't that playing like monkeys? Besides, who will guarantee the empty words? If he runs away, who will they ask for money a year later? Everyone understands people, and Childe Lan Haha said with a smile:

"Hahaha, interesting... Interesting...."

The unspeakable thing, of course, is asked by sycophants. Cao Yizai had a smile on his face.

"Mr. Xu! This is not something that can be solved by paying for it. The displaced people here have no home and no household registration. If we receive money, how is it different from a thief? ”

Ginger is still old and spicy. I clearly care about the tax, but I look extremely embarrassed. It seems that they intend to continue to raise the price, and they belong to Qicheng. In other words, Shanghai's chengguan went to the suburbs of the capital Beijing to enforce the law, and this has been a long time. They turned a blind eye, and in fact, the matter was over. Where did the officials of the patriotic dynasty have the leisure to take care of the affairs in this barren countryside, and it is not enough to plunder these people for the army. Obviously, they came here more to capture some of the population for the Jin state to pay tribute. After all, where can you give your own fattened pigs to others? Black households like them are the most suitable for catching and topping up.

"Tomorrow, I will report to the king, and Yunmeng will be contemptible. If Mr. Xu is willing to take up the post of contempt, the matter will be stopped. I wonder what Mr. thinks? ”

The cities of the Great Zhou Dynasty were divided into country, capital, yi, wild, and contemptible. The country is naturally a national capital like Chaoge, and it is a big city that meets the scale of the establishment, but the country does not yet have a big city with a first-class standard. Even Qicheng is only at the level of Yi, not because the population has not yet reached it, but because the city has not yet expanded. As for the lowest-level village, it is the lowest level of village.

Gongzilan had such a long-term vision at a young age, Wang Xu was a little stunned. He didn't expect that the other party would put the interests of the country first, and his own fiefdom was secondary. Asking him to be the head of the village is tantamount to bringing all the people here under the control of the country. It's not just 8,400 yuan, but 4,200 yuan a year. After that, the tax will be increased according to the increase in population.

"Yes! There is a requirement below, though. ”

"Sir, please."

"This land is barren, and the people have not been hungry for a year of farming, so how can they pay taxes? Xu Yunmeng, the son of Ruolan, entered the Qicheng mutual market and supported it. In the next promise is. ”

"Such a trivial matter is insignificant. Cao Yizai can do it for you. ”

Wang Xu frowned, ignoring Cao Yizai, who was offering affection and frowning on the side.

"This matter started because of Lan Gongzi, of course, it is up to Lan Gongzi to deal with the aftermath. I just want to negotiate with you, and ask Lan Gongzi not to fake others. ”

"Hahaha, interesting... Holding this jade admiration and door Yin, Mr. will find it below. ”

After finishing speaking, Gongzilan handed the beautiful jade tied around her waist to Wang Xu. The ring-shaped jasper is more like a finely carved piece of jadeite, with an orchid motif carved on it. The gentleman loves Lan, and the young man lives up to the beautiful jade. It must be extremely valuable. It's just that they trust each other so much at first sight, which shows the boy's bearing and character. Wang Xu put the jade pendant in his sleeve and asked puzzledly:

"Isn't Lan Gongzi afraid that he will run away?"

"You mistake me for a villain. Why can't I give up my jade and try to be a king? ”

Wang Xu still underestimated the other party. Gongzilan could guess what he was thinking. seems to care a lot about Wang Xu's opinion of him. Behind the trust lies the meaning of friendship.

"Haha, I'm willing to use leather boots as a hostage, and wait for Lan Gongzi to try it out. Gentleman villain... See it at a glance. ”

"Hahaha, interesting...."

Gongzilan took two pairs of leather boots and stepped into the chariot, and the group of horses headed to the northeast. Presumably rushed to Weidu Chaoge. The people kneeling outside the door of Li's house were stunned as they watched the army leave. Many people are still in a state of confusion and do not know why they were arrested. And those mountain people who resisted a little and were beaten violently were even more puzzled.

"Aji! The name Cao Yizai is really ugly! I guess it's a butcher at home, right? ”

The girl looked incredulous. The young master had a perverse personality before, and he was used to bullying the soft and being afraid of the hard. Where would she be so unfazed as she was today, and it was the first time she had seen such a big battle. From beginning to end, they were carefully observing the weapons and positions of the black-clad soldiers. Thinking about how to take the young master to escape if there is a fight. When asked by Wang Xu, he laughed out loud.

"Hahaha, Yi Zai is an official position, where is the butcher. My brother can laugh. ”

Seriously, Wang Xu never thought about it. The more than 100 black-clothed soldiers turned out to be the regular army of the Patriotic Nation, and they seemed to be just decorations except for the same color of their clothes. Worse still, they just took a stick or held a shield made of a rudimentary plank. It looks more like the chengguan is enforcing the law.

Subsequently, Aji popularized the official system of the Great Zhou Dynasty to him. It's a bit complicated to hear. It is divided into three systems. The first system is to serve the royal family of the Zhou Dynasty, with three dukes, six kings, and five officials. There are hundreds of officials and ministers to supervise the mining of princes and ministers. At this time, the royal family of the Great Zhou Dynasty was just a decoration, and the Son of Heaven was hung in Luoyi to live for a long time. In addition to the need to use the name of the Son of Heaven, he became famous when annexing other countries. It seems that the Zhou royal family is the general existence of the Civil Affairs Bureau. There is basically no other use for it except stamping. And the virtual government of hundreds of officials and ministers instantly became a consulting office serving the princes. Offering military, civilian, investment, or custodial services.

So the princes imitated the official system of the Great Zhou and formed a second system. According to their strength and the needs of the country, they selected and screened the official positions of the Great Zhou. Some countries do not have three ministers, some countries only retain the three secretaries, and some arbitrarily change their names and create a bunch of messy official positions. In short, it's chaos.

The sovereigns and nobles who were divided by the princes not only had to help the monarch take care of the government, but also had to be busy with their own one-third of an acre of land. So they came up with a third system, called the Cousin Baisifu. These officials do not exist in the civil service of the national or local governments. So it's not very good.

Gongzilan is an official of the third system, managing Qicheng's cousin Baisi Mansion, and the official uncle. It is a professional manager who helps people take care of the mining estate. Cao Yizai and Wang Xu were officials of the second system, directly loyal to the monarch of the country. The difference between the two is only the difference between the mayor and the village head. Wang Xu didn't understand that a young man who was not in the establishment could point fingers at a state cadre at the mayor level, and it was obvious that the other party still had a hidden identity. The businessman's keen perception made him decisively hug the other party's thighs. And the bet is clearly the right one.

"Look at the people of humble duties, but they are reduced to scholars. Why does Childe need to rely on it so much? ”

"This man is from Jindi. It is very likely that he is the queen of the Bai Di tribe and is calculating. If what I expected is right, I'm afraid he is the son of Zhongshan Kingdom. ”

"Oh? Could it be that Gongzi wants to get acquainted with him and contain the Jin Kingdom? ”

This is a big misunderstanding. It is precisely in response to that sentence that smart is mistaken by cleverness. Wang Xu's words made Gongzilan believe that the other party was a noble person and was good at foreign countries.

The surname Wang began with Ji Jin, the crown prince of Zhou Ling. Ji Jin died depressed after being deposed. His descendants changed their surname to Wang, implying that the crown prince Jin Xianming, could have been the king, and later went to Jin to become a Beidi magnate. The descendants of the surname Wang have multiplied in the Jin land for at least four generations, and his status as a foreign country can be determined through the king's inconspicuous title. At this time, only the Bai Di clan in the Jin Kingdom established a country north of Zhao and named Zhongshan. Wang Xu will make leather boots that only Beidi people can wear, which makes Gongzilan even more convinced. Just by doing the arithmetic, you can know how much to pay taxes, and this skill alone will know that the other party has an extraordinary background.

"Hehe, a gentleman's friend, regardless of state affairs. Let's see how he can be a good contempt and serve my David? ”

"Childe is wise."

It's not that Gongzilan didn't think of this. Bai Di is brave and good at raising horses, and all countries know it. If it can be used as foreign aid, it will be a great good thing for the weak national defense of the country. The war horses of their country were completely inferior horses obtained by trading with the Taoyi of the Song State. Tao Zhu Gong Fan Li's old and spicy business is known to everyone in the world. How can people trade stallions with Weiguo, the hen that lays golden eggs is an understanding that no one will choose to sell technology and not sell products. Especially in neighboring countries, the strength of the country does not benefit the surrounding countries at all. Therefore, the Jin State will do everything possible to obstruct and do everything possible to weaken the national strength of the Wei Guo. One of them is the Na Gong captive.

Even if you guess wrong, it is not considered a bad thing to be able to attract a son of a family to contribute to the country. It seems that politicians and businessmen alike know how to invest in feelings. They understand that the investment cost of an emotion is the lowest and the return is the highest. However, the whimsical Gongzi Lan didn't expect that Wang Xu at this time was so depressed that he couldn't even fill his stomach, so how could he talk about serving the country? The boy who was regarded as a hero by the people of Yunmeng is now just in the crowd, smirking.

"Hehe... Huh..."