Across the river, Yangzhou Mansion.

Yangzhou, as the starting point of the northern section of the Caoyun River at this time, can be described as extremely prosperous.

The Metropolitan Procuratorate and Jinyiwei jointly handled the case this time, the left capital of the Metropolitan Procuratorate Chen Ying, and the Jinyiwei commanded Ji Gang, and the eagles and dogs under the Yongle Emperor were dispatched together, which shows the high specifications.

However, adhering to the principle of "quietly entering the city", whether it was the Metropolitan Procuratorate or the Jinyi Guard, they did not wear official robes, but dressed in casual clothes.

Going down the river from Nanjing to Yangzhou, not far away, is just a time to make, but it is also very convenient.

"It's a crowded city." Chen Ying said after taking a closer look.

"Indeed."

Ji Gang continued: "Yangzhou City is only one-fifth the size of Nanjing City, and there are 400,000 people in such a small city, can it not be too crowded?" ”

The two sit on the boat, is from the east gate to the small Qinhuai River line through, here the houses on both sides of the bank are extremely dense, and even some houses half live in the river, half on the shore, the periphery of the flower stand, the window lattice along the way through the house can also see the alleys and streets of different specifications on the shore, the narrowest is only one or two steps, the widest is five or six steps, and this kind of small alley has more than 600 in Yangzhou City, so Yangzhou City also has the name of "Lane City".

Not only the land routes were dense, but also the waterways, and the people on both sides were all boats, like the lanes that had been occupied by parking on both sides in later generations, and the ships had to pass through them.

"It's really unimaginable that such a small river will cost three million stone grains a year."

"Ten rivers, six rivers in the north-south direction, Artemisia River, Erdao River, Toudao River, Yudai River, Xiaoqinhuai River, Chengbei Ancient Canal; There are four rivers in the east-west direction, Hangou, Chaohe, Beicheng River, and Chengnan Ancient Canal. ”

Rao is like this, Chen Ying still can't quite understand how to achieve a wonderful balance between this huge total transportation volume and narrow transportation channels.

"Where's Zhang Xin?"

"Slender West Lake is not a business."

In the city of Yangzhou, if you have to strictly divide the area, it can be roughly divided into salt merchant gathering area, commercial urban area, yamen office area, official residential area, common people's residential area, garden industry area and so on.

In addition to the markets seen along the road, such as Tianjiaxiang City, Jingxiangkou City, and Qianguan City, along the river, Chen Ying and Ji Gang saw the most luxury industries that were completely different from ordinary people's homes, and these garden industries were often combined with rivers, lakes, mountains and forests, even if it was just a glimpse, it also showed the ingenuity.

As the governor of Caoyun, Zhang Xin's residence is the most scenic location in the Slender West Lake.

When the brigade of plainclothes brocade guards was approaching, Zhang Xin was inspecting the results of collecting money in the first half of this year.

Beiye covers an area of about 1,000 acres, the front yard is the living room and study, the middle yard is the bedroom and the library, the back is a few gardens, there are irregular corridors outside the front and back yards, there are pavilions built along the lakeside side, and even the kitchen has seven large and small places, which are for different levels of people in the industry to eat.

In addition to these, Linhu also built a lake island, there is a small pavilion on the lake island, the upper and lower middle three layers, the middle layer is dedicated to the Buddha shrine, the upper layer looks at the water by the railing, specially for the purpose of hospitality, in addition to the lake island is located in the slender West Lake, there is a small wharf, the wharf has built a short wooden simple trestle bridge, it looks quite quiet.

However, what connects the island in the middle of the lake is a long arched bridge that leads through, and this attic is Zhang Xin's favorite place to stay in Yangzhou, and it is also his private domain.

At this time, Zhang Xinzheng took off his shoes and socks and sat on the futon, listening to the pianist play the piano.

At this time, someone disturbed Zhang Xin in a big way.

"Master Hou, it's not good!"

Zhang Xin opened his eyes and frowned at the visitor: "What's the matter in a panic?" ”

"Master Hou, a brigade of brocade guards has broken in!"

"What brocade guard?"

Zhang Xin's brows furrowed even more: "When did Yangzhou have a brigade of brocade guards?" ”

The man was sweating profusely, and his voice trembled: "Master Hou, I don't know what's going on, these brocade guards suddenly broke into other businesses, and the guards couldn't stop them at all, and there were many people searching for you, Master Hou." ”

"Oh?"

When Zhang Xin heard this, a cold glint flashed in his eyes: "There is such a thing!" ”

Although Zhang Xin is now pampered and arrogant, after all, he is a military general, and he still has some courage, he did not run away at this time, and he felt that he was the governor of Caoyun, how could he let a group of Jinyi guards act recklessly, and also arrest him in his other business?

These people are really bold.

"Check it out."

After speaking, Zhang Xin stood up, put on his shoes barefoot, put on his coat casually, and walked down to the attic of the island in the middle of the lake.

"Master Hou, be careful!"

Seeing this, the man hurriedly reminded.

Zhang Xin waved his hand, carrying the knife erected on the wall, and said disapprerovitically: "What's the big deal, is Ben Hou still afraid of this Jinyi Guard?" ”

There was chaos in Beiye, and the brocade guards of the brigade tore off their camouflage and swarmed in, and began to search, under the eaves one by one, breaking down the doors one by one.

These brocade guards are all wearing flying fish suits, and they look very imposing.

As soon as Zhang Xin walked out of the island in the middle of the lake, a cronie immediately came up quickly, hugged his fists and saluted: "Master Hou, Jinyiwei is looking for you." ”

Zhang Xin looked around, only to see that the servants and maids in other industries were avoiding his gaze, and some had even quietly slipped away.

Zhang Xin bowed slightly: "Gather people and take Ben Hou to take a look." ”

"Whoa!"

Soon, the armor guards for Zhang Xin's safety began to assemble.

Although there is a proverb among the people that "one armor tops three crossbows, and the three armors enter the underworld", the Ming Dynasty system, the honorable family is allowed to legally own a certain number of armor, and this number varies according to the title, ranging from dozens to more than 100 people.

The equipment of these armors, belonging to the noble personal soldiers, is raised in the house on weekdays, and the battlefield must follow the main family to go into battle together, which originated from the personal troops of the generals when Hongwu opened the country in the early Ming Dynasty, and Zhu Yuanzhang greatly weakened it and retained a very small part.

When these armor-clad armorers marched forward in formation with swords and shields, the brocade-clothed guards with swords were also a little flustered.

When they came on this trip, they brought some crossbows with them at most, and they didn't even have cowhide armor.

If there is a real conflict, it is impossible to say that the brocade guards will really use their lives to pile up, otherwise there is nothing to do.

Chen Ying and Ji Gang exchanged glances, fortunately they still had a backup plan.

"I don't know what you are doing in the Benhou Mansion?"

Zhang Xin looked at the brocade guard in front of him and said.

Ji Gang came out of the crowd.

"This commander is ordered to arrest the suspect, and the idlers will quickly retreat!"

Zhang Xin's face sank: "If Ben Hou is not mistaken, this is Ben Hou's other business, not an edict." ”

At this time, Chen Ying laughed dryly and walked out.

"Marquis Longping, let's talk."

"Chen Xiantai."

Zhang Xin's eyelids raised and agreed to Chen Ying's proposal, and Chen Ying was not afraid, and followed Zhang Xin to the back, and more than two dozen armor soldiers got out of the way.

Behind is a small courtyard.

The small courtyard is located in the center of the rear of the other industry, surrounded by a surrounding wall, the whole building is made of blue bricks, there is a courtyard outside the building, there is a rockery, and a small pond behind the rockery, the small pond is raised with various carp.

In the four corners of this building, there are also a few trees that Chen Ying can't name, which grow quite luxuriantly, with green leaves, and a faint fragrance, which makes people smell and intoxicate.

"What a great place to be!"

Seeing this, Chen Ying sighed, her eyes full of envy.

"If Chen Xiantai likes it, I'll give you one."

Zhang Xin said with a smile.

"No need, no."

"Well, then whatever you want."

Zhang Xin shook his head slightly, in fact, at the beginning, he also felt that he was a military general, not a person who was greedy for enjoyment, and should make meritorious contributions on the battlefield, he also knew that money was something outside the body, but these things, understandably, once a comfortable life is lived, the money and silk field house are constantly purchased, and it really can't stop.

Chen Ying looked at the laurel tree in the courtyard, rolled her eyes, and asked, "Is this laurel tree made by Marquis Longping?" ”

"Yes."

Chen Ying praised: "Osmanthus is a good thing, especially in autumn, it is too good, but it is a pity that it does not bloom now, otherwise, we can enjoy the flowers while eating wine." ”

Zhang Xin smiled and didn't answer, but just asked: "Chen Xiantai is worthy of being called a honey-bellied sword by the princes, and when he talks about eating and drinking at this time, I'm afraid that he is thinking about how to take Ben Hou to tiptoe to be promoted, right?" ”

Chen Ying's smile gradually cooled.

Zhang Xin held the knife and squinted at Chen Ying: "It's a pity, just by you, you can't bring down Benhou." ”

With that, he took something out of his bosom.

"Chen Xiantai, do you recognize this thing?"

Chen Ying glanced at it: "Danshu Iron Coupon, how can you not know it?" ”

Hongwu opened the country, Zhu Yuanzhang used the law of the Ming Dynasty to stipulate that the award of Danshu iron coupons is limited to the military merits of the prince, marquis, and earls of the lords, and the Ming Dynasty's Danshu iron coupons are divided into seven classes, of which the duke is divided into a first class, the marquis is divided into two classes, and the earl is divided into three classes, each equal iron coupon is of different sizes, the largest duke first-class iron coupon is one foot high, one foot six inches and five minutes wide, and the other iron coupons are roughly five points decreasing in height and width, and the smallest earl second-class iron coupon is seven inches high and one foot two inches five minutes wide.

All the coupons were made in duplicate, one for the recipient and the other for the inner court, where they could be identified by simply putting them together when they needed to be examined.

In the third year of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang Dafeng was the founder of the country, Li Shanchang, Xu Da, Li Wenzhong and other 34 people were given Danshu iron coupons, and in the first year of Yongle, Zhu Di also made great achievements in Jingjing, and also issued 26 copies of Danshu iron coupons.

Compared with the previous generation, the coupon text of the Ming Dynasty Danshu iron coupon has changed significantly, one is to seek rebellion, only other capital crimes; The second is that the exemption from death is limited to oneself, and children and grandchildren are not exempt from death.

Zhang Xin is arrogant here.

"Ben Hou has Danshu iron coupons, neither rebellious, but just to buy some industries, what can you do with me?"

At this moment, a disdainful baritone voice came from outside the courtyard.

"I have a few pieces of this thing left at home to eat ashes, if the Marquis of Longping thinks that he can run rampant in the world with just a piece of Danshu iron coupons, then so many princes of the Hongwu Dynasty, wouldn't it be too unjust to die."

Zhang Xin raised his eyes to see, but it was Li Jinglong who walked in swaggering with a folding fan, and behind him, the black-pressed armor had completely surrounded the courtyard.

The soldiers and horses brought by Li Jinglong are naturally Chen Ying and Ji Gang's backup plan.

As a typical example of Jiangnan Qingtian this time, Zhang Xin must be hoisted up as a target, so the arrest of Zhang Xin must be foolproof.

For this reason, Jiang Xinghuo deliberately asked Li Jinglong, who was the most able to control the scene, to go in person.

Zhang Xin's face was gloomy: "What does Cao Guogong mean by this?" Could it be that Cao Guogong wants to go against His Majesty? ”

Li Jinglong sneered and was prepared, his sleeves trembled, and a holy decree slipped out of it.

"Longping Hou Zhang Xin took the order."

Zhang Xinxin chuckled, but without the slightest hesitation, he knelt down.

"Fengtian carried the emperor, and said that Zhang Xin, the Marquis of Longping, did not know the etiquette, was pampered and arrogant, acted recklessly, poisoned Li Shu, and now went to the position of the governor of Caoyun and was escorted to the edict prison pending trial. Chin this. ”

Zhang Xin took a few steps forward on his knees, and presented the holy decree with both hands.

This will, even if Zhang Xin wants to shirk it, there is no room for it.

"Marquis Longping, do you still have any objections?"

Li Jinglong looked at Zhang Xin with a smile, this sentence was asked by him on behalf of the emperor.

Zhang Xin shook his head: "The minister has no objection." ”

Li Jinglong said with a smile: "Then please ask Long Pinghou to set off immediately!" ”

He then turned around and commanded, "Come! ”

The brocade guard outside the courtyard gate promised, and his own carriage was ready.

"This is for the Marquis of Longping, you can send the Marquis of Longping to Nanjing."

Li Jinglong looked at Zhang Xin: "Marquis Longping, I advise you not to deny it, your crime is not to death now, but if you are stubborn, then it is really impossible to say." ”

At this time, several brocade guards wanted to step forward and hold down Zhang Xin, but Zhang Xin held the holy decree in one hand and pulled out the knife with the other.

"Which of you dares?"

Zhang Xin's eyes narrowed, and his murderous aura surged, what he hated most was that others threatened him.

The Jinyi guard in the back took a few steps forward, and the crossbow and handcuff in his hand pointed at Zhang Xin.

Ji Gang sighed: "Marquis Longping, you are forcing me to do it!" ”

"Humph!"

Chen Ying also sneered: "Marquis Longping, do you want to rebel?" ”

"Hey, don't use a knife or a gun."

Li Jinglong smiled at this time: "Come, my lord will personally send Long Pinghou on the road." ”

After that, he stepped forward and held Zhang Xin's hand, and said something in his ear.

"That's what my mother said?"

"The old lady confessed in person, and if she didn't believe it, she would know when she returned to Nanjing."

Zhang Xin let out a long sigh, and then abandoned the knife with a "clang".

Although Zhang Xin doesn't have many brains, and his personality is the standard villain's flying and domineering after gaining power, he has an advantage, that is, listening to his mother's words.

——————

Zhang Xin, Marquis of Longping, was relieved of his post as governor of Caoyun and escorted to Nanjing Imperial Prison for trial.

And Jiang Xinghuo no longer endures it, what he didn't do last year in the two Huai Salt Envoy Salt Tax Corruption Cases, this time he did it together.

Not only was the Caoyun system overhauled, but all the left and right political envoys and left and right senators were dismissed; the former political envoys were transferred to Huguang as political envoys, Huang Huai, who came out of the cabinet, was transferred back to Nanjing, and Jiang Xinghuo installed a few middle and high-level officials who had been trusted by Huang Huaibu after his inspection.

The most important thing is that Zhu Di, who was on the way, approved Jiang Xinghuo's recommendation, and Chen Xuan, the uncle of Pingjiang, who had cooperated with Jiang Xinghuo, was transferred back from the north to serve as the new governor of Caoyun.

In this way, Jiang Xinghuo's influence on the local area expanded from Jiangsu and Zhejiang to the Huanghuai Central Plains.

In addition to these temple events, the fall of Zhang Xin, Marquis of Longping, also means that Qingtian is working at the top level, and there is no more public resistance.

The fields that the nobles should have retreated have retreated, and even if some of the civil officials have their interests in their hometowns been affected, seeing that the favored Zhang Xin has fallen, the originally called Huan did not dare to say a word at this time.

Zhang Xin, a marquis and governor of Caoyun, is not only a favorite noble, but also a local powerhouse, because he obstructed Qingtian, he was ruthlessly eliminated by Jiang Xinghuo, who else dares to be a bird? In other words, who else thinks that they are more powerful than Zhang Xin, and they are more sacred?

The fall of Zhang Xin gave full deterrence to all those who opposed Qingtian.

These conservative civil officials began to re-examine Jiang Xinghuo's power.

Even Zhang Xin, the Marquis of Longping, because he obstructed Jiang Xinghuo's change, said that if he lost his official position, he would lose his official position, and this ability to slap to death a top national court official like a fly with his hand really made many people shudder.

After this incident, Jiang Xinghuo's prestige has risen invisibly, which must be fully attributed to Zhang Xin, the "chicken" who is regarded as "killing chickens and setting an example for monkeys".

Now that the resistance from the top is gone, the middle and lower levels are not a problem.

For the officials of the four prefectures in the south of the Yangtze River, Jiang Xinghuo held a bloody butcher's knife in one hand, and gave enough benefits in the other.

The officials were not only afraid of the fate of cutting off their heads, but did not dare to clear the fields seriously and fairly, and coveted the family property of the gentry and landlords and the future of turning from officials to officials, so they also set off a wind of accusations.

Jiang Xinghuo's words are counted, as long as these officials report the "refuge" of the gentry and landlords are true, then while sending the gentry landlords' whole family to be exiled, the gentry's land and money will also be distributed to the reported officials, and the rest will be returned to the peasants and returned to the public.

After confirming that not only did they have land and money to divide, but also that they could enter the Daming Administrative School and become officials in the future, they immediately hesitated from the beginning and turned into wolves that smelled blood, and began to bite frantically for the gentry, who were originally high-ranking benefactors.

A large number of gentry were prosecuted, and many officials obtained benefits that they could not have obtained by working hard for half a lifetime.

And as the gentry of Suzhou Mansion went bankrupt, the news spread to the surrounding prefectures and counties like a tornado, and the gentry saw Jiang Xinghuo playing seriously, and when they saw these officials who were originally standing with them intimately, they began to betray them, and began to stab daggers in their backs, and they couldn't sit still anymore.

Being reported, that's the life of the whole family.

If you voluntarily turn yourself in, you only need to return the "refuge" fields to the peasants, and all you lose is profits.

They can still distinguish which is more important.

Therefore, the gentry and landlords surrendered their illegal acts to the government, and it became a trend for a while.

And one by one, I am afraid that my explanation will not be thorough enough, for fear that I will still have omissions, and even have many returned fields, just to avoid being targeted.

Jiang Xinghuo's nickname is also logically one more, becoming "Jiang Yama King".

Those ubiquitous tax collectors naturally became the "little ghosts" under the "King Jiang Yan".

was hated by the gentry to gnash his teeth, Jiang Xinghuo didn't care.

However, many officials in the prefectures and counties found that the gentry had taken the initiative to confess, and which "secrets" in their hands could not be exchanged for benefits, but they cursed the sky and scolded their mothers, resenting the gentry.

In the countryside of Changzhou County, Suzhou Prefecture.

Jiang Xinghuo specially came to Yao Guangxiao's hometown, and his sister and nephew were still at home.

Jiang Xinghuo pulled the old monk's sister and chatted under the eaves of the earthen house.

"The imperial court must be reasonable, as long as we complete the clearing of the acres of land, there will not be so many things in the future, how much land tax the peasants pay, the middle will not be asked to pay in turn, and there will be no miscellaneous taxes now, which can minimize the burden on the peasants."

Hearing this, Mrs. Yao immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

She grinned and smiled, "That's good, that's good." ”

Mrs. Yao is over seventy years old this year, and she looks much older than the old monk, and she has lived in the fields of the countryside all her life, and has never left her hometown, so the way she looks at the problem is definitely different from Yao Guangxiao.

But one thing is the same.

Just as Yao Guangxiao sent a letter from Hangzhou, asking Jiang Xinghuo to visit the old sister in the countryside for him, although this old sister did not let Yao Guangxiao enter the door at all, beat and scolded him, and even broke off the relationship, but also in the bottom of her heart, silently cared about this rebellious brother who had been rebellious all his life.

"Is he okay then?"

"It's very good, my legs and feet are sharp, and I'm still building roads in Hangzhou."

Hearing Jiang Xinghuo's words, the wrinkles on Mrs. Yao's eyebrows seemed to fade a little.

"That's good, that's good," she muttered to herself.

At this time, Mrs. Yao's son, who was also in his fifties, asked about his own concerns.

"Then our summer tax is less than before?"

"Definitely, and there will be no gentry who will encroach on the land and let the peasants pay their own taxes."

Mrs. Yao's son breathed a sigh of relief.

Over the years, they really didn't rely on Yao Guangxiao, they all worked their own, a few years ago when Yao Guangxiao was the No. 2 anti-thief, they didn't rely on it, and now Yao Guangxiao has become the No. 2 hero, and they also don't rely on it.

But no matter what, although it is hard all year round, but also save some food, as an ordinary farmer, if the imperial court can give everyone "tax exemption", oh no, this is not accurate, it should be said to "reduce the intermediate cost of paying taxes", then these farmers in the fields can save an extra grain to support their families, why not do it.

And the main reason why they are willing to communicate with Jiang Xinghuo is that Jiang Xinghuo's reputation among the people is really good.

Yes, there is such a thing as fame, which is also in Schrödinger's state.

While Jiang Xinghuo was called "Jiang Yama King", many people spontaneously called him "Jiang Bodhisattva", referring to Jiang Xinghuo's law change measures, which were indeed thunderous means, with a bodhisattva's heart, and reduced a lot of burden on the people by paying taxes.

This lightening of the burden was visible to the naked eye, and the officials and servants did not dare to delay the payment of taxes to make profits, the powerful did not dare to encroach on their land, and the gentry did not dare to play "refuge" to pass on the tax burden by all kinds of strange means.

Although the amount of taxes collected by the imperial court was quite a penny, after these extra things were reduced or even disappeared, it was as if the shoulders of ordinary peasants had been moved to the mountains.

"Then, how much will we reduce the actual tax revenue of this year's summer tax?"

Jiang Xinghuo thought for a while and said, "According to the results of our Qingzhang Tianmu, under normal circumstances, it should be reduced to about thirty percent." ”

"About thirty percent?"

Hearing this number, even Mrs. Yao couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

"This result is too scary."

"yes, I think it's a very good result, too." Mrs. Yao's son, that is, Yao Guangxiao's nephew, Yao Ji, echoed the Tao.

If there is no accident, Yao Ji will finally be succeeded as an adopted son before Yao Guangxiao dies of illness and inherit the title of Duke Rongguo.

And Jiang Xinghuo's trip undoubtedly greatly promoted this process.

Mrs. Yao's knees suddenly weakened at this time.

Jiang Xinghuo's face couldn't help but change greatly, he hurriedly helped him up, looked at Mrs. Yao and said, "What do you mean by this?" ”

"Later life, you also know that we are poor here, there is no food, and the taxes are not high, so we have survived by saving for the past few years."

Mrs. Yao said, her voice was a little choked, and then she said: "This tax belongs to the imperial court, and I can't move it without permission, but this harvest is also voluntarily handed over to the imperial court." ”

The old man's words were a little messy, but Jiang Xinghuo still understood the general meaning.

At the end of the conversation, Mrs. Yao handed Jiang Xinghuo a few pairs of insoles.

"The afterlife, for you; And, for him. ”

Looking at the old man's back, Jiang Xinghuo looked down at the insole in his hand again, and suddenly put it on his chest, feeling quite warm.

(End of chapter)