Tai Hao was shocked when he heard Su Zheng's words, and couldn't help asking: "The people in Jiutu City suffer from hunger and cold, why do they still have the strength to build a pavilion?" Where is the pavilion located, and what is it used for? ”

Su Zheng replied: "The pavilion is called the Homesick Pavilion, which is located outside the city, between Kunwu Mountain and Jiutu City. The former city lord Yu Hong mentioned that the reason for building this pavilion was because there was a famous pavilion in his hometown, so he wanted to imitate one to express his homesickness. ”

When Tai Hao heard this, the anger in his chest was irrepressible, and he responded coldly: "Just relying on his homesickness, he wasted a lot of money to build a building, how can it be reasonable!" How much does it cost now? ”

Su Zheng replied: "So far, it has cost a thousand taels of silver. ”

Tai Hao exclaimed: "One thousand taels? Is it all government money? ”

Su Zheng shook his head: "The government has not come out at all, and this thousand taels of silver is all borne by the 'four major families'. ”

When Tai Hao heard this, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his heart suddenly became suspicious. Could this be another trick of collusion between officials and businessmen? He said coldly: "There is such a thing? Then, a sharp flash flashed in his eyes, and he ordered: "You lead the way, I want to see it with my own eyes." ”

Su Zheng replied respectfully: "This place is quite far away from here, and you need to go by horse." ”

Tai Hao said categorically: "It's okay, follow me to the stable to choose a horse." Then they turned on their horses and galloped out of the city. Soon they came to the pavilion that had not yet been completed.

Su Zheng bowed and said: "Taihao City Lord, this is the homesick pavilion." ”

Taihao stared at it, and the pavilion stood in front of him, surrounded by Kunwu Mountain. The climate here is cold, but around this pavilion, it is warm, like a world away. He looked at the five-story pavilion closely, and its architectural style reminded him of Hongchuan City, which he had visited many years ago, and where the Pavilion of King Teng was so simple and elegant.

Tai Hao and Su Zheng slowly stepped into the homesick pavilion, and when they looked up, the space in the pavilion was spacious, and a single floor was enough to accommodate dozens of people. At this time, a group of old men hurriedly came downstairs, and Tai Hao asked Su Zheng: "Are they all craftsmen?" ”

Su Zheng replied: "No, the craftsmen heard that the previous city lord was dismissed and investigated, so they thought that the construction of this pavilion would be stopped, and they returned home one after another. These old men are all homeless people in Jiutu City, and because of the warmth in the pavilion, they are here to temporarily escape the cold wind. ”

Tai Hao continued on his way, and observed that this was indeed a good place to escape the cold, and that it was more comfortable than a city residence with a few stoves. When he stepped into the third floor, he found an old man lying in the corner, and asked in a hoarse voice, "Are you trying to drive us away?" ”

Taihao asked with concern: "Uncle, why don't you go home and choose to rest here?" ”

The old man sighed: "I am already homeless, and I just steal my life." If it weren't for the Yuhong City Lord who built this homesick pavilion, I'm afraid we would have frozen to death on the streets. ”

Tai Hao couldn't help but be curious: "You said that this homesick pavilion was specially built for you by the Yuhong City Lord?" ”

The old man nodded: "Yes, we helpless old men could only endure hunger and cold in the corners of Jiutu City in the past. The lord of Yuhong City, with kindness in his heart, found this blessed land and built this homesick pavilion for us, so that we can enjoy our old age in peace. ”

Taihao asked with concern: "Then how to solve your daily diet?" ”

The old man said, "Thanks to the monks of the Cat Temple, they will give porridge and rice outside the Homesick Pavilion every day. Although it was only one bowl, it was enough to fill our stomachs. ”

Taihao turned to Su Zheng, his eyes were deep: "Su Zheng joined the army, is this matter serious?" ”

Su Zheng replied cautiously: "As far as I know, the former city lord Yu Hong once mentioned to the 'Four Great Families' that the Homesick Pavilion was built because he missed his hometown. As for whether it was built specifically for these homeless old people, it is unknown to the lower officials. However, it was the lord of Yuhong City who let them take refuge from the cold here, and ordered the monks of the Cat Temple to give porridge every day. ”

Taihao knew that he could see that the Yuhong City Lord still had the ambition of serving the people in his heart, but in order not to anger the "Four Great Families" and protect his own future, he had to become a corrupt official. Despite this, the Yuhong City Lord had violated the laws of the Eastern Empire after all. The case of the imperial examination substitute examination, the serial murder of scholars, the murder of Bao Xian, and the murder of four maids are all inseparable from him.

Tai Hao asked again: "How many floors does this pavilion have?" ”

Su Zheng replied: "There are seven floors in total, and only two floors have not been built. ”

Taihao decisively ordered: "Continue to build." ”

Su Cheng looked embarrassed: "However, the treasury is empty now, and there is no financial support. ”

Tai Hao asked, "How many silver taels do you need?" ”

Su Zheng replied: "About five hundred taels." ”

Taihao thought for a moment: "I'll figure out how to raise it." When will it be completed? ”

Su Zheng replied: "If the regular progress is followed, it will take about two months. ”

Taihao frowned: "Two months is too long, it is best to complete it within a month." ”

Su Zheng hesitated: "If you want to speed up the progress, the craftsmen may not be enough. ”

Tai Hao said categorically: "I will coordinate, dispatch soldiers and officials to assist, and be sure to complete it as soon as possible." ”

Su Zheng was stunned: "If you get their help, it can be completed within half a month." ”

Tai Hao breathed a sigh of relief: "This is very good, and it is important to ensure the safety of those homeless elderly people during the construction process." ”

Su Zheng solemnly promised: "Xia Guan understands! ”

Taihao stepped into Jiutu City, went straight to the Yamen, and ordered Sihu to join the army Huixing to prepare a batch of clothes and quilts to distribute to the homeless in the city. Hui Xing was puzzled and asked curiously, "Taihao City Lord, why do you pay so much attention to those wanderers?" ”

Tai Hao sighed deeply: "As the city lord of Jiutu City, if you can't even guarantee the basic food and clothing of the people, wouldn't you be derelict in your duty? ”

Hui Xing said worriedly: "There are many homeless people in Jiutu City, and the government and silver are already stretched. ”

Tai Hao asked, "How many silver taels are there?" ”

Hui Xing replied: "There are only 50 taels left in the budget for people's livelihood, and many officials have not received their salaries for two consecutive months. ”

Tai Hao frowned: "The 'Four Great Families' of Jiutu City are rich in armor, haven't they paid taxes and silver?" ”

Huixing said: "They have always only paid to the former city lord, and have never negotiated with the government. Most of the government's tax money comes from the common people. ”

Tai Hao said angrily: "There is such a thing! ”

At this time, General Kuixuan walked calmly. Tai Hao stepped forward and said, "General Kuixuan, I was looking for you." You'll need to quickly send 200 soldiers outside the city to help build the Homesick Pavilion. ”

Kui Xuan was slightly stunned: "Homesickness? Where is that? ”

After Tai Hao explained to him, Kui Xuan hurriedly returned to the Jiutu City camp to transfer troops.

He turned to Huixing again and said in a deep voice: "I'll solve the money matter, you just need to count the number of homeless people in the city." After the homesickness pavilion is completed, let them have a place to live. ”

Huixing responded respectfully: "The lower official obeys the order!" ”

Tai Hao stepped into the antechamber of the yamen, and Yu Zhen was already waiting.

Tai Hao quipped: "Lord Yuzhen, it's really early today. ”

Yu Zhen Zhengse said: "Taihao City Lord, did you gain anything from the Luo family's banquet yesterday?" ”

Tai Hao sneered: "Luo Gu and his son-in-law Tang Ming are really good at changing faces. They didn't show mercy when they put me in prison, but now they're pretending nothing happened. The scheming is deep! ”

Yu Zhen echoed: "The Mu family in Nancheng is the same, full of flattery, and people are tired of listening to it. ”

Taihao sighed: "How to deal with such a situation?" Lord Yuzhen, Yu Hong and Hou Feng's homes have been searched, what have you found? ”

Yu Zhen frowned: "The strange thing is that Yu Hong and Hou Feng's family did not find gold and silver treasures, but they were all worthless things. Could it be that all the money they got from corruption and bribery was sent to the children of the capital? ”

Tai Hao sighed deeply: "Nine Earth City is now facing even more severe challenges. The government was short of money, and many officials had not been able to receive their money for two consecutive months. The number of homeless people in the city is increasing, and how to properly accommodate them has become a major problem. I thought about it, and now there is only one plan......"

Yu Zhen's eyes flashed: "What the Taihao City Lord said, is it related to the 'Four Great Families'?" ”

Tai Hao groaned: "At present, in Jiutu City, they are the only ones who hold a lot of money. But how to skillfully ask them for silver taels without breaking the law is a difficult problem. According to the Sihu army, they have always only paid taxes to Yuhong, and have never paid money to the government. If you ask for it directly, you may fall into an even greater predicament. ”

Yu Zhen pondered for a moment: "If we take tough measures directly, I am afraid that we will not be able to achieve our goal, and they will not pay easily." ”

Tai Hao said: "That's the problem. It is necessary to try to get them to donate silver taels willingly, and at the same time to ensure that the authority of the government can be demonstrated and curb their arrogance in Jiutu City. ”

Yu Zhen reminded: "We must be cautious so as not to repeat the mistakes of Yuhong. ”

A hint of cunning flashed in Tai Hao's eyes: "I have a plan, maybe I can force the 'Four Great Families' to pay." That is, to raise money and see how they respond. ”

Yu Zhen's eyes lit up: "This plan is very good, it is worth trying." ”

At this time, a soldier hurried over and handed Yu Zhen a letterhead. Yu Zhen read the letter, and said with a smile: "Lord Ran Zhang has uprooted the power of the 'four major families' in the court, and we have no worries anymore. ”

Tai Hao nodded: "Lord Ran Zhang moved really quickly, and the next thing is our battle with the 'Four Great Families'." ”

At the moment of laughter, General Kuixuan walked into the front hall and wondered, "Two adults, what makes you so happy?" ”

Yu Zhen said loudly: "I just received a letter from Lord Ran Zhang, and the power of the 'four major families' in Jiutu City in the capital has all been eradicated. ”

Kui Xuan was overjoyed when he heard this: "What great news! Taihao City Lord, according to your instructions, I have quickly dispatched two hundred soldiers to the construction site of the Homesick Pavilion outside the city. ”

Tai Hao nodded with satisfaction: "With this force, the Homesick Pavilion will definitely be built quickly." General Kuixuan, yesterday you went to Sun's house to investigate, did you find any clues? ”

Kui Xuan pondered for a moment: "The Sun family is indeed rich, and the luxury displayed in its banquet is amazing. ”

Tai Hao frowned deeply: "The people of Jiutu City are living in hardship, but the 'Four Great Families' are enjoying wealth and prosperity. We must find a way to bring them under order and restore justice to the city. ”

Kui Xuan pondered for a moment: "I also investigated a little, the Luo family in Dongcheng made a living from the casino business, the Mu family made a living in the southern city, and the Yang family in Xicheng was involved in trafficking women and children in addition to operating Qinglou. The Sun family in Beicheng was mainly engaged in loan sharking. It is not easy to rectify them, and it is necessary to choose a breakthrough carefully. ”

"Their business is shady, and most of their property is ill-gotten gains. The meaning of the Taihao City Lord is to ensure that their property will not leak out while rectifying them. This requires us to be thoughtful and choose the right starting point. ”

Taihao nodded: "That's exactly what it means." So, for these 'four families', which one should we start to rectify? ”