Early the next morning, under the leadership of Hu Zongxian, everyone went to greet Zhao Zhenji, the minister of the Imperial Mission.

Soon, Zhao Zhenji's boat docked smoothly, and Hu Zongxian stood at the forefront, taking in everything.

Behind the ship that Zhao Zhenji was on, there were more than a dozen warships of various sizes, full of soldiers, according to Hu Zongxian's estimates, there were at least more than 2,000 people!

Zhao Zhenji got off the boat under the escort of the guards, Hu Zongxian saw this, and saluted respectfully: "Xiaguan, Hu Zongxian, the governor of Zhejiang and the governor of Zhejiang, has seen Lord Qincha!" ”

After Hu Zongxian finished speaking, all the officials behind him also saluted.

Seeing this, Zhao Zhenji smiled, arched his hand at Hu Zongxian, and responded: "Next, this official will rely on Governor Hu!" ”

"Where, where, Lord Chincha, please!"

Hu Zongxian smiled, and then made a gesture of please.

Then the two walked at the front of the team, followed by officials large and small throughout Zhejiang, as well as officials accompanying Zhao Zhenji.

Within a few kilometers of the surrounding area, soldiers are patrolling everywhere! In addition, wherever it was possible to hide people, the officers and soldiers turned it upside down.

"Governor Hu should know what this official is doing here, right?"

Zhao Zhenji didn't say too much to greet, but chose to go straight to the point.

"Lord Qincha is here to investigate the taxation of the people of Zhejiang, and the lower officials have already prepared the corresponding files in the Governor's Palace, and they also ask Lord Qin Cha to go with the lower officials!"

Hu Zongxian stroked his beard and responded.

"Well, it's so good, settle this matter as soon as possible, and this official can also give an account to His Majesty!"

After Zhao Zhenji finished speaking, he followed Hu Zongxian's footsteps, got on a sedan chair, and embarked on the road to the governor's mansion.

On both sides of the road to the governor's palace, there were also soldiers standing guard, and the people were told to stay at home and not come out! At the same time, officials in the city are also searching everywhere to see if there are any suspicious people.

Soon, the group arrived at the Governor's Palace.

"Chincha-sama, please!"

Hu Zongxian got off the sedan chair first and led the way in front.

"Hmm."

Zhao Zhenji nodded, and then followed Hu Zongxian's steps and entered the Governor's Palace.

After passing through a long corridor, Zhao Zhenji came to the meeting hall of the Governor's Palace, where many officials were already busy sorting out the files of Zhejiang over the years.

"I've seen Chincha-sama!"

Seeing Zhao Zhenji appear, these officials hurriedly stopped what they were doing and hurriedly saluted Zhao Zhenji.

"It's okay, just get on with your work! The officer has some things to confirm with Governor Hu next. ”

Zhao Zhenji just waved his hand at this, and said calmly.

"In that case, please send Lord Qin to the study of the lower officials."

Hu Zongxian was a little confused by Zhao Zhenji's attitude at this time, and then said respectfully.

Soon, under the leadership of Hu Zongxian, Zhao Zhenji came to Hu Zongxian's study, and after the two entered the study, the study was protected by the inner and outer three floors, and no one was allowed to enter!

"Gentle, please use tea."

After Hu Zongxian finished speaking, he personally brewed the tea and handed it to Zhao Zhenji.

"Well, there's Governor Rahu! When no one is around, let's call this official Lord Zhao. ”

After entering the study, Zhao Zhenji also quickly relaxed and said this to Hu Zongxian.

Zhao Zhenji, as the minister of the Qin Mission, represents the will of the emperor! His every move was staring at countless pairs of eyes behind him.

Therefore, on the previous occasion, Zhao Zhenji has always behaved extremely serious, but at this moment, in the study room where there are only two people, Zhao Zhenji relaxed and released kindness to Hu Zongxian.

"Lord Zhao, did Your Majesty send you here to investigate the case that the imperial court's tax reduction and exemption to the people was not implemented?"

In the end, Hu Zongxian couldn't suppress the curiosity in his heart, and turned to ask Zhao Zhenji.

"Yes and no! His Majesty has sent this official this time, first, to investigate the case, and secondly, to pass on this letter to you. ”

"This is what His Majesty sent to the ship before the official left, and it was pressed under the official's pillow!"

After Zhao Zhenji finished speaking, he took out the letter from his arms and handed it to Hu Zongxian.

Hu Zongxian took the letter from Zhao Zhenji's hand, and with great reverence, he opened the letter, but the contents on it surprised him.

"Your Majesty asked me to collect information on salt merchants in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and Your Majesty is going to do something to this group of salt merchants!"

And Zhao Zhenji naturally noticed the shocked look on Hu Zongxian's face, but he didn't ask much, after all, this was a letter written by the emperor himself to the feudal officials, and it was also forwarded by himself, the minister!

From this, you can see how important the content is.

Hu Zongxian carefully put away the letter, then turned his gaze to Zhao Zhenji and spoke.

"There's Lord Lao Zhao!"

"Everywhere, everyone is just doing things for His Majesty."

Seeing this, Zhao Zhenji resigned repeatedly.

"Now that the letter has been delivered, it's time for us to get down to business! Regarding the fact that the taxes reduced and exempted by the imperial court to the people have not been implemented, do you, as the governor of Zhejiang and the governor of Zhejiang, know about it? ”

I saw Zhao Zhenji turn his gaze to Hu Zongxian and asked in a deep voice.

"Knowing, from beginning to end, the official was aware of this matter."

Hu Zongxian sighed helplessly, and did not plan to defend himself too much.

"Alas, Governor Hu's difficulties, this official also knows! Since the Zhengde period, the taxes that the imperial court can collect have become less and less, if it is not added to the people, to whom should it be added? ”

"It's impossible, add it from the landlords and gentry and gentry officials!"

"In order to maintain the daily operation of the imperial court, more taxes have to be collected from the people! Moreover, it is not only Zhejiang that has such a situation, but officials across the country are doing it. ”

"However, this group of officials has put this part of the overcollected taxes into their own pockets, and this is the reason why Your Majesty is so angry!"

After listening to Hu Zongxian's words, Zhao Zhenji also sighed helplessly and expressed his understanding.

Then, I saw Zhao Zhenji pick up the teacup on the side, take a sip, and continue.

"Your Majesty sent me here this time, not to investigate the truth, but to ask me to give some warnings to those officials."

"Let that group of officials understand the consequences of angering His Majesty!"

"So, Governor Hu, if you have a list of officials you want to pack, just hand it over to this official!"

"To tell you the truth, before this, Elder Yan Ge and Elder Xu Ge had already sent someone to hand me a lengthy list, and those people on it should be enough to calm His Majesty's anger."

Seeing that Hu Zongxian still had a little hesitation on his face, Zhao Zhenji immediately chose to give everything to him.

After Zhao Zhenji chose to give everything and the plate, the hesitation on Hu Zongxian's face quickly disappeared, only to see him turn out a list and hand it over to Zhao Zhenji.

"The people on the list, Lord Zhao, you can watch and deal with it!"

Zhao Zhenji took the list and breathed a sigh of relief after carefully confirming the names recorded on it.

In his opinion, after dealing with all the people on the list, not only will Zhejiang not fall into turmoil, but also be able to hand over to the emperor by the way!

Without him, most of the people on the list were inconsequential officials who were closely related to the payment of taxes by the imperial court.

(End of chapter)