Jingshi, Li Dongyang Mansion.

Hubu Shangshu Tong Zhong came to visit at night, and the two met in the study, and Tong Zhong brought news of Yongping Mansion.

“…… There are gentry from Yongping who have come up from the local area, and the detailed list of the iron mines opened by the imperial court in Yongping in the past two years has been listed, and the local officials have shielded and connived at the impeachment, resulting in chaos in the locality, and after the turn of the year, there have been bloodshed in several places because of the competition for the mines, and the one in the previous month was more serious, hundreds of people on both sides of the brawl were involved, and many people were injured because of it, and some are still bedridden ......"

When Tong Zhong said this, when he looked at Li Dongyang again, he found that Li Dongyang's face was solemn.

He Zhong concluded: "The local government wants to support it with the people of the DPRK and China, and the mines and other mines are attributed to the local government. ”

Li Dongyang said in a cold tone: "It's not theirs, but you want to pick up ready-made?" This matter originated from the conflict between the interests of the household department and the imperial village, and the cabinet really should not intervene. ”

"Binzhi, that's the case, the local mines are opened by themselves, and there are also iron ore farms, but the output is not satisfactory." Tong Zhong added.

"If it's not satisfactory, you want to take someone else's? I can't say this, but if you think that Your Majesty will stand on the side of the locality, the head of the household can also come to the court to ask for it. "What Li Dongyang means, it's not that I don't support you, it's just that now the emperor is standing on the side of Zhang Bingkuan, who is mining the mine, and it is useless to mention it in the court.

Tong Zhong said: "Locally, there will continue to be trouble, I heard that this time Zhang went to Yongping Mansion, just for this matter." ”

Li Dongyang said with a look of disbelief: "As far as I know, Zhang Bingkuan went east and went straight to Jizhen, and it seems that he did not go to the mine. ”

Tong Zhong sighed: "The problem is this, Liu Yu, the governor of Jizhen Town, has also found someone to open mines in the local area in the past, and even competed with the people for profit, I am afraid that these two people will collude together." In addition, many officials and gentry in Yongping also flocked to Jizhen when they heard that Zhang was going to Jizhen, and they seemed to want to take this opportunity to seek mine revenue. There are already many abandoned mines in the area, and some people want to use them for personal gain. ”

Yongping Mansion, which later became Tangshan, was originally a land of iron production, and many iron ores were superficial veins that were relatively easy to mine.

Before Zhang Zhou, it was not that no one had ever mined iron ore, but because of the backwardness of site selection, mining, and smelting technology, the output was poor, and there had never been a strong person like Zhang Zhou in the DPRK to open a mine before, resulting in the people who used to mine either because of output problems or because of the conflict with local interests, and in the end they were all gone.

Li Dongyang said: "Listening to what you mean, it seems that the local gentry in Yongping have completely different attitudes. ”

"Yes." Tong Zhongdao, "There are those who want to fight with Zhang to the end, and there are those who want to collude for profit." ”

Li Dongyang sneered.

He now understands that it is impossible for a household secretary like Tong Zhong to be free from any entanglement of interests in the local area.

In the past, Mo said that he was a scholar of the household department, even if he was just a waiter, a langzhong, or a foreigner, he could shield a group of people in the local area, and have white gloves to seek benefits for them, but now Zhang Zhou is more guilty of one acre and three points of land for this group of officials.

Is it really for the so-called righteousness?

Li Dongyang shook his head and said: "Zhang Bingkuan opened a mine, no matter how much profit he personally sought, at least on His Majesty's side, he is for the border army and the court." Either there is really an uncontrollable situation in the local area, forcing His Majesty to stop, or Zhang Bingkuan takes the initiative to stop, and there is no third way to go. ”

"That means ......"

Tong Zhong seemed to grasp the essence of Li Dongyang's words.

Li Dongyang got up, with the intention of sending off the guests, and said: "That's all I have to say, this matter, it's best not to go to the troubled waters, the implication behind it is too great, and it also involves the conflict of interests between the Beijing camp and the border army." ”

"Hmm." Tong Zhong got up and said, "I will also make it clear to the representatives of the local gentry in Beijing, let them see that they can solve it on their own, and it is best to cause controversy in the world, so that Zhang can retreat from the difficulties." ”

"Huh."

Li Dongyang is not embarrassed to say, you are too taken for granted.

……

……

On the night when Zhang Zhou and Zhu Feng arrived in Jizhou Town, they attended a meeting of officials and gentry led by Liu Yu, the local governor.

According to Zhang Zhou's investigation, the local gentry were able to participate in this banquet because they had to pay money to Liu Yu, and a seat at the main table was at least one hundred taels of silver.

Zhang Zhou arrived relatively late, he was originally a guest, and his official position was prominent, so it was nothing to put on some scores.

Liu Yu and others still personally went out to greet the governor's yamen and invited Zhang Zhou to the main table to take a seat.

Liu Yuben, as the host, wanted to do a good job of the friendship of the landlord, but Zhang Zhou took the initiative to snatch the right to speak, and when Zhang Zhou stood up, all the officials and gentry present looked at him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this official has come from afar, not for the side, but for two things." Zhang Zhou made an opening remark.

The audience was silent, all wondering why Zhang Zhou was so strong, as if he would not get along with the local gentry, the imperial envoys who came here in the past, of course, the official position was not as high as Zhang Zhou, and that group of people also chose to keep a low profile at the reception banquet, so that others could show the depth of their city, whether it was loyalty or treachery, honesty or greed, with a black face, they could always advance and retreat in a certain way.

It's the first time they've seen Zhang Zhou come up like this.

Liu Yu said with a smile: "Zhang Butang has won the trust of the saints, this time he must be here for something important, and we are willing to listen to your teachings." ”

Zhang Zhoudao: "The first thing is to come for military affairs, which is related to the stability of the surrounding areas of Gyeonggi. You should also know that Your Majesty has instructed this official to put the local government in order, in addition to eliminating some redundant personnel in the local military administration, but also to investigate the financial problems of the past few years and recover the losses for the imperial court. ”

This is the dismount.

The target, first and foremost, is the magistrate.

Originally, this was also aimed at Liu Yu, but Liu Yu was obviously experienced as an official, he got up and said: "Zhang Butang said well, after the official arrived in Jizhen, he also found that there were many malpractices in the local area, and he had also played with the court before, and now Zhang Butang is here, it can be said that it is the kindness of the saint to Jizhen, there is Zhang Butang, I believe that everyone here has the heart to make a contribution to the stability of Jizhen, and it is absolutely supportive and cooperative." ”

"Yes, yes, yes." Those present chimed in.

Zhang Zhou ignored Liu Yu's remarks and continued: "The second thing is to come for the sake of opening a mine. ”

At this point, the scene was silent again.

Because the Santun camp is located in Yongping Mansion, and now it is not only an important border town, but also involves the interests of the largest iron ore mining area in the Ming Dynasty.

Liu Yu said: "Zhang Butang, the lower officials also have some views on this point. In this way, after the arrival of the lower officials, they learned that in addition to the imperial court mining here, there were many people who opened mines without the permission of the imperial court, so there were many disputes. ”

Saying that, Liu Yu said loudly to the people present, "Which of you are also mining, without the permission of the imperial court, whether it is illegal or not, you should also report it to the government, and now that Zhang Butang is here in person, you should also tell each other frankly, right?" ”

No one at the scene will come out to talk to Zhang Zhou about the opening of the mine.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "Liu Zhongcheng, I also said bluntly, the trend of mining in Yongping Mansion was brought up by me, and I also mentioned to Your Majesty that there are iron mines in Yongping Mansion, which can just fill the iron gap in the imperial court for casting artillery, etc., and then I came here to survey a few ore veins to mine them, will it move your interests?" ”

Liu Yu said: "You have Your Majesty's permission, which is equivalent to opening a mine for the imperial court, and everyone here is a reasonable person, how can you have an opinion?" ”

"I don't think so."

Zhang Zhou's words were like a needle hidden in the cotton, "As far as I know, there are quite a few people in Yongping Mansion who have opinions on the matter of mining operations, and there have even been incidents of fighting, and some people even classify me as a traitorous party in the DPRK and China. ”

Immediately, the official gentleman at the back table said loudly: "Lord Zhang, we are willing to assist you in opening the mine, but please give me a chance." ”

"yes." Someone took the lead, and immediately some others echoed, "We are also willing to serve the imperial court, and the matter of mining is beneficial to the country and the people, who is not willing to contribute?" However, even if the government is stuck, it is not easy for us to open a mine, and the local government is not allowed to recruit a few people to work in the well. ”

Liu Yu got up and scolded: "Listen to Zhang Butang, what is the matter? When you opened a mine, did you contribute a pound of iron to the imperial court? After all, it's not for your own purse? This is the public party, whoever makes trouble, get out! ”

As soon as Zhang Zhou saw Liu Yu's posture, he understood that Liu Yu was flattering to the top and strong to the bottom, but he was actually a villain who was fierce and inward-looking.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Strictly speaking, it is also permissible to open mines in the local area, but according to the rules, after opening the mine, you must pay more than 20% of the mining tax every year. ”

The officials and gentry present exploded the pot.

Of course, they have the strength to open a mine, but they can't get much benefit from it.

It's just that they can't find a bonanza, and they can't get extremely high profits from it, and the so-called serving the court together is more to let Zhang Zhou hand over the pie in the sky to them.

Or they think that Zhang Zhou, as a strong dragon of the imperial court, wants to grab food in the mouth of the local snake, and should rely on local forces, and the more things that happen in the local area, the more Zhang Zhou will be jealous, and then he will comply, and change to a harmonious upper and lower in the way of dividing the benefits.

But Zhang Zhou didn't get anything from opening the mine, so naturally he wouldn't share the benefits he got down.

You didn't contribute, just because you are a local gentry, I have to get used to you?

"But if anyone wants to use the matter of mining to blackmail the imperial court, which is not good for the official, he will not blame the official for being ruthless!"

As he spoke, Zhang Zhou picked up the wine glass on the table, didn't care about everyone's surprised eyes, and drank the whole glass directly.

"Zhang Butang, you're in too much of a hurry." Liu Yu said that he was going to repour wine for Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhoudao: "I can't drink enough, plus I have a long journey, so I won't talk to you here, if you want to have anything, especially when it comes to money, or if you have any opinions about the official, just skip the place and play with the court, the official is happy to accompany you!" ”

Speaking of this, Zhang Zhou seemed to have lost his patience completely, and waved his hand and said, "Farewell!" ”

……

……

In full view of everyone, Zhang Zhou took Zhu Feng away after a while.

Those present did not know how embarrassed it was.

Originally, he came to talk about the distribution of interests, but as a result, Zhang Zhou strongly stated that he would not give a penny, and at the same time, he also threatened to use tough means to deal with the local gentry, which was equivalent to tearing his face with the local government, and suddenly made the scene very stiff.

"My lord, look ......"

In the end, everyone could only point the finger at Liu Yu.

You are the local governor, and your official position is much higher than that of the prefect of Yongping Mansion, and now we rely on you, you have accepted our money and let us come to the banquet, and now you are stiff, you will not be the shopkeeper, right?

Liu Yu was accustomed to seeing the scene, and after sending Zhang Zhou away, he returned to the banquet courtyard and said loudly: "You must have heard it too, Zhang Butang did not stop the local mining business, this is the opportunity for you." But don't think of blackmailing the court with the matter of mining ...... This official will call the shots for you. ”

Be a bullshit master!

You just take money and don't do anything!

The guests beside Liu Yu saw that the scene was a little out of control, and hurriedly maintained order and said: "You have a banquet first, Lord Liu may go to see Cai Guogong, and I will inform you when I get back about the next things." ”

Many people wanted to go over and surround Liu Yu to ask about things, but they were blocked by Liu Yu's subordinates.

When Liu Yu returned to the back hall of the Yamen, he also looked anxious.

"My lord, I heard that in the past few days, there has been another accident in the mine." "It is said that hundreds of people went in vertically, and dozens came out horizontally." ”

Liu Yu said with an annoyed look: "The people who watch the mine are all Jinyi guards who eat people and don't spit out bones, are those people screwed alive?" How many heads do they have? ”

The curtain guest followed up, and also wiped a handful of sweat and said: "Speaking of which, it's all for the sake of those melons and jujubes, not to mention Yongping Mansion, even Xishan and Shanxi, there is no difference, but the people over there are stronger than here." ”

The accent of the guest is from Shanxi, and he has obviously heard of the excitement of the coal mine in Datong Mansion.

However, because the Datong Coal Mine was built on the basis of the Datong Governor, it was different from the Yongping Iron Mine, which was directly under the jurisdiction of Zhang Zhou, and there were very few troubles in Shanxi.

It is also related to Wang Shouren's strong personality and no one dares to mess with him.

On the side of Yongping Mansion, Liu Yu himself has no responsibility to open a mine, coupled with his poor communication with the local authorities, and Yongping Mansion is a suburb of Beijing, and there are many strong officials and gentry, so Liu Yu cannot compete with this group of big households when he arrives in the place.

Liu Yu said: "This official should go to Zhang Butang to mention that the matter of mining will be handed over to Jizhen, and some officers and soldiers will maintain it, and the iron ore produced can also be directly used for the affairs of the border town, so it can be said that it is beneficial to both sides." ”

Mu Bin said: "I'm afraid that Zhang Butang refuses to spit out the fat in his hand." ”

"Hmph." Liu Yu said, "The local government doesn't give it, and the border towns don't give it, so it's so easy to hold it in your own hands?" Let's go to Zhang Butang and have a good talk. ”

……

……

Zhang Zhou finished the banquet and returned to the inn.

Zhu Feng followed into the main hall of the post house, and said puzzledly: "Brother Zhang, what was the case before...... But if it is very unpleasant, I am afraid that there will be more trouble in the future. ”

Zhang Zhoudao: "Do you think I'm a person who is afraid of trouble?" ”

"It's not." Zhu Feng said, "But I used to think that if I changed to someone else, Brother Zhang could do a lot of things, they couldn't do." The imperial court still needs a person as bold as Brother Zhang. ”

Zhang Zhou sat down, and then someone offered tea, and Zhu Feng wanted to drink it but Zhang Zhou pressed his hand.

This meaning is obvious, even if it is the wine, food and tea of the inn, don't touch it.

If you have a conflict of interests with the locality, you should be careful that the local government will stumble you or even harm you, and the more unpleasant the trouble, the more you must guard against this.

"I'm not courageous, I just don't follow the crowd."

Zhang Zhou said, "The government and the opposition need some unusual people, like me. Your Majesty also wants to use me to break the backwater pool in the court. ”

As he was talking, Liu Gui came in and said, "Master, Sun Qianhu has arrived." ”

"Let him in." Zhang Zhoudao.

"Uh...... It may not be very convenient. Liu Gui said, "Before Sun Qianhu entered the city, he was attacked by someone, and the two sides fought, and Sun Qianhu was injured with a bow and arrow. ”

When Zhu Feng heard this, he got up and shouted angrily: "Who is so bold? ”

In the station of Jizhen Town, Santun Ying, thousands of dignified brocade clothes and thousands of households were actually put cold arrows? Also shot wounded?

Zhu Feng felt that this was also an ancient anecdote, if it weren't for the Tatar spies, the people who were caught would definitely be razed to the three clans.

Zhang Zhou glanced at Zhu Feng and said, "Do you know the danger?" Let me take a look. ”

……

……

In the alley, less than a street away from the post house, there is a stronghold of Jinyiwei here, and Sun Shangqi was shot in the arm and was bandaging the wound.

Knowing that Zhang Zhou had come to visit him, Sun Shangqi hurriedly got up and saluted.

"Sun Qianhu is polite." Zhang Zhou walked over, expressed his condolences, and even helped Sun Shangqi check the wound, "I think it's okay, but if you are injured for business, this matter will not be settled." In the future, Jin Yiwei will do things, and he will no longer have any scruples, he should be ruthless, so let's go. ”

Zhang Zhou's original purpose of opening mines in the local area was indeed not to make trouble and to act as low-key as possible.

However, with the increasing benefits of mining, the output of iron ore in Yongping Province is almost equivalent to eighty percent of the iron ore output in the Ming Dynasty, and the value is even more difficult to measure by numbers......

In this case, it is impossible to keep a low profile.

In the face of huge interests, in order to maintain such interests, it is obviously not enough to use the previous policy of softness.

And this time Zhang Zhou came to Yongping Mansion, but also to increase the number of iron mines, and in the future, Zhang Zhou was ready to directly guard the mines with the army, and then use the army to transport them, so as to ensure that the supply of Daming iron ore could meet his needs Zhang Zhou.

None of them were the needs of the imperial court, they were purely planned and called by Zhang Zhou's ideas.

Sun Shangqi said: "My lord, you are serious, lowly duty is just due diligence, but according to what you said, it is true that there was no death hand before, every time someone makes trouble, it is added with sticks, and the brothers are also complaining." ”

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "Not in the future, just put it on with guns and artillery." If you don't use your might, how can you shock the world? ”