Zhang Zhou set off from Datong to return to Beijing.

But just after leaving the city in the afternoon of the same day, he was blocked by a group of people who blocked the road and complained.

Zhang Zhou rode on the horse, thinking that it was a military and civilian gentry who had come to see him off, but when a group of people approached, they found that this group of people took advantage of his absence to sue Zhang Heling and others, who had previously opened mines around Datong.

"Lord Qingtian is in charge. We and other small people were oppressed, and the good mines were robbed by the villains, and even sent domestic slave thugs to beat the small people in our city......"

Zhang Zhou may have had a good reputation before.

The scolded things were all done by others, and this group of people didn't know whether they were really stupid or pretending to be confused, as if they didn't know that the mining was done by him, the general system of Xuanda.

Zhang Heling rode on the horse and said with a smile: "There are a lot of people, are you in the wrong place?" ”

He had a mocking look on his face.

Zhang Zhou got off the horse, walked in front of this group of people, and said loudly: "Everyone, you want to find someone to be your master, and trouble going to the official yamen, I am now stepping down from my official position and will return to Beijing soon." ”

"My lord, you can't just go like this, our good land has been taken by the villains! It's all those ...... who eat people and don't spit out bones."

"Who?" Zhang Heling couldn't listen to it, so he also followed, pointed to a group of people and said with a fierce face, "Lao Tzu will open your mine!" Have the ability to come to Lao Tzu! I'm going to kill you! ”

"It's this scoundrel! I heard that he is a relative, the national thief of the Ming Dynasty! I also hope that the master of the blue sky will let me wait for the small people to call the shots! ”

For the first time, Zhang Zhou saw the methods of the local gentry for competing interests.

It's really just to send people to the mine to rob it first, and if they can't grab it, they will make trouble, and the local government will not dare to take care of it, so they will go to the upper echelons to make trouble.

Before he left Datong, he was already like this, believing that he had returned to the capital and accused him of mining in the northwest and plundering the people's fat and ointment, and the spitting stars of those ministers alone could drown him.

He suddenly felt that it was better to open a coal mine in Xishan, at least it was at the feet of the Son of Heaven, and at most it was a fight with a group of nobles.

It's really that the mountain is high and the emperor is far away, and he doesn't talk about the king's law, but only about interests.

Zhang Zhou said: "The official heard your appeal, but it was useless for you to tell me." There is a king in the city, he is the governor of Datong, and he will be in charge of local affairs in Datong in the future. ”

At this time, of course, Zhang Zhou had to throw the problem to Wang Shouren.

It can't be said that you have the opportunity to get military merit in war, and let others bear it when there is trouble.

And when Zhang Zhou left, he said that Wang Shouren was responsible for the future mining affairs, and as for how to deal with the local egoist gentry, it depends on Wang Shouren's ability.

"My lord, I hope you are in charge of this matter!"

The one who picked the head had already come out, and the hateful eyes were not aimed at Zhang Heling, but at Zhang Zhou.

Dayes, if you don't call the shots for us, we will fight with you.

Zhang Heling scolded: "Give you face, the mines opened by Lao Tzu are all in places where no one is around, they are all barren mountains and mountains, when did you occupy whose fields?" Whose mine did you rob? Obviously, a group of people saw that Lao Tzu was opening a mine smoothly, so they wanted to take it back? Who do you think this is this? ”

When Zhang Zhou saw Zhang Heling's appearance, he was a little unrecognizable.

The boss of the Zhang family, who is known for his stupidity and greed, actually began to reason with others?

And this time he actually took the reason?

It's really a time change, and people can't figure out how many things in this world change.

Among the gentry, the leader shouted: "Villain! That place is our ancestral property! And soon we found the mine! It's you who take it! ”

"Damn, bullying Lao Tzu is easy to talk about, right! Look at Lao Tzu if you don't skin you! Lao Tzu said that when he opened a mine, he said that it was yours, why didn't you say that Daming was yours? "Zhang Heling has never been bullied like this.

The gentry instantly lost the gentle atmosphere that they had before to find Zhang Zhou to reason, and they all stood up, and the ones behind them even lifted their hoes and everything.

"You magnates from Beijing have come to our Shanxi to open mines, and this place is ours! Go back to your capital! ”

"If you don't hand over the mine, Lao Tzu will fight with you!"

There was really a person who rushed over with a hoe and wanted to use the hoe to smash Zhang Heling's body.

This person looked like he was in his forties, and at first glance, he didn't look like he was working in the field, but he was hiding in the crowd and wearing a coarse cloth pretending to be an ordinary person, he probably felt that Zhang Zhou was present, no matter what Zhang Zhou's personal relationship with Zhang Heling was, at least Zhang Zhou wanted to protect their interests for his reputation.

That's why he dared to smash Zhang Heling in front of so many guards.

"Huh!"

Zhang Heling was not polite, he directly pulled out a knife, and when he raised it, he was about to fight with that person.

As soon as the man saw this posture, he rushed halfway and began to retreat, but was knocked down by a soldier from the Beijing camp.

"Kill you!"

Zhang Heling has never suffered such a big loss, this will be to cut people with a knife regardless of it, but Zhang Zhou grabbed his hand.

"Zhang Zhengtai, what do you mean?" Zhang Heling glared at Zhang Zhou.

Whoever offended me Shouning Hou, didn't he offend you Zhang Bingkuan? It's true that I'm in front of the mine, but the problem is that you can't sit idly by.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Oh, attacking the nobles of the DPRK, your crime is not small!" Fortunately, it was not succeeded by you, otherwise you would ...... And a group of you don't have enough heads to cut off. ”

Someone shouted, "Master Zhang, how can you help Xiaoxiao?" ”

Zhang Zhou sneered: "This official was ordered by the emperor to come to the northwest to control military affairs, but he didn't say that he wanted to help you sort out these things!" If it is said that Shouning Hou opened the mine and occupied whose land, please take the contract of the field to the government, and those barren mountains and wild mountains and pits are best for you to have evidence to say that it is yours! Otherwise, don't let the yamen help you! ”

"Officials protect each other!"

The gentry, who was still touting Zhang Zhou, immediately turned the gun and classified Zhang Zhou as a traitor.

Zhang Zhou greeted, and then Jinyiwei came out with a knife, and the soldiers of the Beijing camp immediately stepped forward to surround a group of people in front of him.

Zhang Zhou said sharply: "'Invite' everyone into the city, go to the governor's yamen, and let Governor Wang straighten it out for you, see who is messing around, and those who take the lead in making trouble will not be spared!" If there are injuries and deaths in local coal mines, let the government seal them all! ”

"Huh?"

The local gentry was still counting on Zhang Zhou to call the shots, and even if the appeal failed, there would probably be no loss.

But as soon as I heard Zhang Zhou's words.

Zhang Zhou simply wanted to play "national law" with them.

Ordinary coal mines, not to mention the low production, are to let the coolies into the pit after baskets of coal to carry out, not to mention the reinforcement is not firm, the ventilation inside is also very poor, water permeability, explosions and other situations occur repeatedly, which is also the reason why the local coal mines in Datong can not be opened today.

It's not because they don't know that there is a mine, but because they don't have the technology to mine, and the labor cost of mining is too high.

If a tenant can make a living by farming, who is willing to risk his life to go down the well?

What Zhang Zhou means is that letting you open mines is already to give you face, and these private mining kilns have been repeatedly banned, and now they are simply using the government to seize those that have not been declared by the government...... Don't think that you can get pardon by bribing small yamen such as local county yamen and inspection departments, and now you can directly use the governor's yamen to suppress you, even if it is the Shanxi political envoy, you can stand aside, let alone the local government, prefecture and county, or those military yamen.

"Take people away!"

Zhang Zhou is also welcome.

Give you a pretext, you want to fight for interests, fight with Zhang Heling, and now you actually come to me to make trouble.

Then can I, Zhang, still give you face?

If I have the support of the emperor, finding a place to open a mine can be called competing with the people for profit, and stop there, then my ideal of transforming the Ming Dynasty will not be realized in the next life?

"Mr. Zhang, you're still awesome." Zhang Heling gave Zhang Zhouqiao a thumbs up.

Zhang Zhou looked at Zhang Heling and said, "And you, you will be responsible for external affairs, and you want me to wipe your ass?" Don't you want to be divided in the future? ”

"You!"

Zhang Heling was also very angry when he heard it.

Is everyone grinning at me?

Is it Zhang Zhou? Calm down and think about it, forget it! Can't fight!

I still have to count on this legendary Zhang Banxian to open a mine to help me earn silver, for the sake of the silver's face, this can't be scolded at him, otherwise he really doesn't share my silver, and I sue my brother-in-law for nothing.

"Mr. Zhang is angry, Ben Hou actually wants to teach this group of people a good lesson, this is not what you said, no matter how big the contradiction is, no one can be killed? If this is changed before, let alone a group of grass people, even if it is Changning Bo's surname Zhou, what about that kid? Should I fight or ......?"

Zhang Heling was looking at the people who were escorted away by the officers and soldiers, and he said happily.

The generals and officials next to him looked at it and naturally felt ...... This Shou Ninghou came to the northwest for a real change.

In the face of Zhang Zhou's criticism, while humbly accepting it, he still has such a kind temper?

Haven't you heard before that even the emperor and empress can't cure the Zhang brothers? Why does this Zhang Zhengtai have to bow down to everyone as soon as he comes out?

"Mr. Zhang is clever, if he had known, he would have let you make a move." Zhang Heling smiled.

Zhang Zhou was not angry and asked Hu Cong to lead the horse over, and said: "Wait, when I return to the capital, I will inevitably suffer from the foaming stars with you, is this official coming to the northwest to enrich the country and strengthen the army for himself?" Since there is no mercy to talk about, let's do something absolute! Shou Ninghou, when you stay overnight, you will play a recital. ”

"What? Am I on the sparse? Zhang Heling looked confused.

Zhang Zhou walked over and said in a deep voice: "I participated in the impeachment of the local gentry and the government for colluding with the government, seeking to seize the private interests of the imperial court, opening many mines and ruining people's lives, and all of them evaded taxes. You can do that, right? ”

"Okay, I'll come!"

Zhang Heling was excited when he heard it.

In the past, it was others who came to impeach me, but now it's finally my turn to be the anti-guest!

It turns out that you can still do this? Does that count...... A rake?

Zhang Zhoudao: "In terms of words, I will help you consider it, with your talent...... The text must be simple, the feelings must be sincere, and after the performance, it must make the Minister of Chinese and Wu of the DPRK feel that you have been wronged in the northwest! And you must bring me a little bit with you when you are impeached. ”

Zhang Heling was puzzled: "If you want to sign a joint name, you write it yourself, and I can sign it, why is it so troublesome?" ”

Zhang Zhou sneered: "What I said a little bit is to impeach me a little, and I am the leader of the people who connived at the mining in the surrounding places of Datong." ”

"What?"

Zhang Heling was taken aback again.

Zhang Zhoudao: "If you still want to divide the silver, just listen to me, let's call putting each other in opposing positions first, so that others think that we are two camps, and when we go back to divide the silver, just be harmonious." ”

"Oh?" Zhang Heling didn't have that brain.

He didn't do much in the past.

Zhang Zhou said viciously: "During my time in Datong, I have thoroughly explored the chain of local interests, and it is up to you to poke it open!" Didn't they want us to be unable to mine in Datong? Cut off their financial means first! Otherwise, they would have thought we were here to stealthily open the mines! ”

"Yes, yes, yes, we are here in the light." Zhang Heling empathized.

Zhang Zhoudao: "So you're welcome, it's best to clean up the Northwest officialdom, and then your Shouning Marquis will still be a hero of the Ming Dynasty, Your Majesty will definitely praise you." ”

When Zhang Heling heard this, he not only had to take the silver, but also let out a bad breath, and even earn credit from his brother-in-law...... I feel as if I'm about to reach the pinnacle of my life, which is different from when I used to win with my younger brother in Beijing.

Zhang Heling squinted and said, "Mr. Zhang, aren't you worried about getting too close to Ben Hou and being criticized?" ”

"I'm afraid of a fart!" Zhang Zhou was not so gentle in front of the rough people, "Now the DPRK is attacking me more than you, as long as you brothers don't mind following me." ”

"Hey, hey."

Zhang Heling was more comfortable when he heard this, and he smiled, "That is, we are all grasshoppers on the same rope, no one wants to jump away!" ”

……

……

Zhang Zhouren had not yet returned to Beijing, and sure enough, the impeachment of Zhang Zhou's mining in the northwest and causing many local disputes spread to Beijing in an endless stream.

What's different from the past is...... This time, the civil officials appeared to be very restrained.

In other words, now except for those who have no brains, they all know that the imperial court is now tight, and they can't even send rewards for military exploits in the northwest, and the emperor agrees to let Zhang Zhou open a mine...... At the same time, Zhang Zhou also said that in the future, the mining tax obtained from mining will be discounted to officials first.

Those middle- and lower-level officials are looting the people's fat and ointment, and at the same time, they still want to make a good person, and they have nothing to do with folding money, so they naturally don't care.

But we ...... He cares about the money.

At the end of the early dynasty of this day, it was still the Zuodu Yushi Min Jue who brought up the matter, especially mentioning that Zhang Heling was in the mining and even had a fight with the local officials.

Zhu Youzhu asked: "Is it the mine kiln that occupied the place when Shouninghou opened the mine?" ”

Min Jue naturally knew that it was not, but in his opinion, robbing the land of the place to open a mine was also a kind of theft, and he insisted on it: "Exactly." ”

Zhu Youzhu said: "Then who let the previous mine owner open a mine over there?" Paid taxes to the imperial court? How much tax is paid each year? ”

"Uh......"

Min Jue was speechless.

Zhu Youzhu said coldly: "Ladies and gentlemen, I have long known that in those places where there are minerals, the private opening of mining kilns has been repeatedly prohibited, and even the local government has supported it. ”

Liu Jian said: "Your Majesty, or someone from the Ministry of Industry will go to Datong to strictly investigate this matter. ”

"What are you looking for?" Of course, Zhu Youzhu knew what Liu Jian meant.

Zhang Zhou's opening of the mine is equivalent to opening the mine under the name of a private person, and the interests are all operated by Zhang Zhou personally to the northwest military and political system, and the household department, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of War and the local government are almost not involved, which means that the leading power is in Zhang Zhou's hands.

Before Zhang Zhou opened the mine, the people in the court did not have much opinion on this.

Because they feel ...... Zhang Zhou may not be able to drive.

Now that the mines have really harvested, Liu Jian wants to bring these mines into the regulatory system, turn the royal ones into the imperial court's, and then the imperial court will unify the allocation.

But this is obviously not in line with Zhu Youji's wishes.

Zhu Youzhu said: "The previous Bingkuan mining was agreed by your family, and you didn't seem to object to it when you folded the money before, right?" ”

The ministers present were silent.

In the past two months, I have heard that only a handful of money and grain have been transferred from Beijing to the northwest, and according to the current situation, the soldiers in the northwest cannot even have a minimum of food, clothing, and food, so how can they serve the country?"

Zhu Youzhi has a very tough attitude.

Roughly speaking, I don't have to talk to me about the mine, and I don't have room to discuss it with you.

Zhu Youzhu said: "If anyone makes irresponsible remarks about this, then send him to the mine to experience the hard work of the miners!" Retreat! ”

……

……

The emperor can be said to be extremely protective of Zhang Zhou.

It also made the ministers of the DPRK and China realize that it is useless to move Zhang Zhou even the slightest interest now.

But in fact, they are also "adaptable", after all, Zhang Zhou is connected to Li Guang in front of him, to say that the emperor's trust in Zhang Zhou is actually not much higher than Li Guang, just because Zhang Zhou is no longer just a eunuch in charge of alchemy in the inner court, in addition to interfering in matters such as serving officials, it can also be related to court affairs.

And no matter how you look at it, Li Guang is more greedy than Zhang Zhou.

In the past, he had to give Li Guang all kinds of gifts, but now Zhang Zhou is there...... If you make some money yourself, you have to give it to them, and even if you open a mine, you will be reprimanded.

Probably ...... Zhang Zhou was too "kind" to these people.

"In the past few days, Zhang Bingkuan is going to return to Beijing, and His Majesty has sent someone to ask the Ministry of Officials, saying that he wants to give him the position of a waiter in the six departments, but he does not mention Lai Guogong and the bachelor's degree, it is estimated that His Majesty wants to use Zhang Bingkuan alone to serve as an errand for the Governor's Mansion, the Six Ministries and the Hanlin Academy."

The three members of the cabinet returned to the duty room, and Liu Jian brought the news.

Xie Qian smiled: "It's not Shangshu, it's a blessing." ”

Li Dongyang said: "The six squires, it is estimated that the household department and the military department will come first, as for the left squire or the right squire...... It is also to facilitate its continued hostage of military affairs in the northwest. ”

"Hmm." Liu Jian nodded.

Li Dongyang sighed again: "Now it depends on whether he intends to persuade His Majesty to send troops to the grassland, even if he sends troops, in my opinion, he also wants to make peace with the little prince of Tatar." ”

"How?" Xie Qian asked.

Li Dongyang said: "Send troops to deter the little Tatar prince, force him to retreat, and at the same time make Duoyan Sanwei submit to the Ming Dynasty." Such an outcome should be more tangible and convenient than a direct victory over the little Tatar prince. ”

(End of chapter)