At about midnight the next morning, the three of them entered the city gate of Xiangyang Mansion. Mao Xiang was going to live at his brother-in-law's house in Xiangyang Mansion, and he also invited the Daoist to go with him on the way, but the Daoist declined, saying that there was a Taoist temple to settle down, and said that he would wait until the two of them were named on the gold list and then go to Daohe.

After the three broke up, Wang Yi asked passers-by about Yushu Street, which is a famous street in Xiangyang Mansion, and it was easy to find the mansion of Mao Xiang's brother-in-law, Lu Bangjie, the governor of Xiangyang Mansion. As soon as they reached the gate, the porter recognized them and joyfully invited them in.

Before arriving at the main hall, Mao Xiang's sister greeted her, clapped her hands and smiled: "Good brother, I can expect you." After speaking, without waiting for the two of them to salute, he took Mao Xiang's hand and led him into the main hall, and said, "Sister, count the days with your fingers every day, even if you should arrive today." He asked again, "It's okay on the road, didn't you encounter anything," and then complained, "Dad is also confused, why should he hire a car and send two people to follow, he is really relieved." ”

After entering the hall door, she pulled Mao Xiang up and down to look up, and said, "I haven't seen you for several years, and I've grown a lot taller, I'm really an adult." After speaking, his eyes turned red: "How happy would my mother be." Mao Xiang's mother died when he was young.

Mao Xiangqiang smiled: "Sister, I haven't seen you for many years, say something happy." ”

Sister Mao Xiang turned her sadness into joy and said: "Yes, yes, wash your face and eat, you must be hungry." It's fire. Only then did she greet Wang Yi.

Wang Yishen bowed and said, "Hello Miss, I've seen Miss." ”

Sister Mao Xiang helped Wang Yi up and said, "Don't see the outside like that, thanks to you for taking care of the road." After saying that, he looked at him and said, "You are also a talent now, why are you still wearing a short fight." He complained again: "You don't know how to make a robe for your brother?" ”

Mao Xiang smiled: "Whoever says he won't do it, he will definitely refuse to wear it, saying that it is convenient to go out for a short time."

Wang Yi also said: "My father has already made it for me, I am not used to wearing it, and I have always worn short clothes in the school." ”

Sister Mao Xiang said: "To be this official and perform this ceremony, the court is to give face to the scholars, no matter how rich those businessmen are, they can't wear Confucian shirts and hostas, otherwise they will be punished." ”

Before the words fell, "Uncle, uncle!" A 6-7-year-old girl ran in from behind, with a round face and a green dress, she was Lu Bangjie's daughter and Mao Xiang's niece, named Lu Zhu.

When she saw Mao Xiang, she rushed over and hugged her and shouted, "Uncle, what gift did you bring me?" ”

Sister Mao Xiang smiled: "I don't know what is going on with the salute, the little girl's family, running around." ”

Mao Xiang squatted down, pinched her cheeks on both sides, and said with a smile: "I shouted so much uncle at you, and I can miss a gift." ”

Wang Yi had already opened the box with a smile, Mao Xiang took out a package of silk packages, opened them layer by layer, took out a golden collar, brought them for the green beads, and took out a long wooden box, opened it and saw that it was two colorful and colorful wagtails. Green bead's eyes widened, and he carefully picked up one and asked in amazement, "It's so beautiful!" What's on it? ”

Mao Xiang said: "Mountain Phoenix, the Orion in the village finally hit it, and it cost 10 taels of silver on the tail." ”

Sister Mao Xiang next to her sighed: "It's a waste of silver." ”

Luzhu exclaimed, "How can silver be so beautiful!" After speaking, he looked at Wang Yi: "Are you Uncle Wang?" ”

Wang Yi smiled and said, "Miss Luzhu is good." ”

Sister Mao Xiang said: "It's called Luzhu, what is it called." ”

Wang Yi took out a cloth bag from his arms and said, "I'll also bring a gadget for Miss Luzhu." After opening it, he took out a bamboo pipe and handed it over.

Sister Mao Xiang hurriedly said, "What else do you bring her?" ”

The green bead did not pick it up, and looked at her mother. Wang Yi said: "It's not a valuable thing, I make my own flute, blowing and playing." ”

Sister Mao Xiang said: "I also bothered my brother." Thank you, Uncle Wang. ”

Lu Zhu squatted down and said, "Thank you, Uncle Wang." After speaking, he hurriedly took the bamboo flute and blew it into his mouth, but there was no sound.

Wang Yi came over and said with a smile: "You have to blow according to the flute hole." After speaking, the hand holding the green bead taught her to hold it, and suddenly made a crisp birdsong sound.

Green Bead jumped up: "It's so good!" ”

Sister Mao Xiang said: "Okay, okay, don't bother your uncle and Uncle Wang, let your uncle and uncle wash their faces and eat." After saying that, he ordered his subordinates to send the luggage of the two to the room.

By the time Mao Xiang and Wang Yi washed their faces, a table of sumptuous wine and food had been set up. After the two sat down, Sister Mao Xiang sat with each other, and Luzhu also shouted to eat with her uncle and uncle, and she had to order the dishes and chopsticks with Luzhu.

Mao Xiang's sister personally poured Mao Xiang a glass of wine, but Wang Yi declined the wine. Mao Xiang asked, "Isn't my brother-in-law at home?" ”

Sister Mao Xiang said angrily: "In the end, I went to the county, and I have been gone for many days." After a pause, he said: "But he came back with a letter, saying that he must come back before the release of the list." ”

Mao Xiang said: "My brother-in-law is in charge of the criminal name of the government, and it is normal for him to be busy with affairs. ”

Sister Mao Xiang sighed and said: "It was okay originally, but in the past few months, I don't know why, there have been accidents everywhere, and I am so busy that I hit the back of my feet, and most of the people under 40 have gray hair." ”

"Really?" Mao Xiang asked suspiciously, "What is it?" ”

Sister Mao Xiang said: "I heard that it looks like a few buckets of rice or something." ”

Mao Xiang said: "Five buckets of rice sect." ”

"Yes, yes" Sister Mao Xiang continued: "It's okay in Xiangyang Mansion, there are accidents in 7-8 counties below, all of which are related to Wudou Rice, and I also said that not only Xiangyang Mansion, but also several prefectures in the south of the county are also in trouble." ”

Mao Xiang said to Wang Yi: "No wonder there are a lot more people dressed up in the rivers and lakes along the way." He said a little strangely: "There is also a Wudou Rice Sect in our Ji'an Mansion, but it seems to be a Taoist sect for ordinary people to help each other, and I haven't heard of any illegal things." ”

Wang Yi said: "These folk sects and Taoist sects are usually fine, but in the event of natural disasters and man-made disasters, the current situation is turbulent, and it is easy to cause incidents. ”

Mao Xiang said to his sister: "My brother-in-law is usually diligent in his residence, but at this time, he is more hands-on, don't let us distract him because of our affairs." Besides, I'm not going to leave right away, and I'm going to stay for a few days. ”

Sister Mao Xiang said: "But isn't it, you and Huosheng live in a down-to-earth manner, eat and sleep well to nourish your spirits, easily take someone back, and next year you will go to the capital to become a Jinshi, and also get an official, show your face well for our Mao family and your Wang family, especially Huosheng, let Aunt Wang enjoy the happiness." ”

Wang Yi said: "Brother Mao is nine out of ten, he has the ability to never forget, in the past few years of quiet study, the gentlemen of the academy said that he has learned a lot." As for me, my talent is not good, relying on a little stupid kung fu rote memorization, just like this, many books are still stumbling, it is this epiphysis, or the academic and political master heard that I studied hard and my family was poor, and he rewarded me. ”

Mao Xiang said: "You also despise yourself too much. ”

Sister Mao Xiang said: "Yes, it's not easy to read, how many people you read have gray hair, and you don't have a reputation, you are only 18 years old and you are a showman, you are not stupid at all, sooner or later you can read an official." ”

Wang Yi smiled and said: "Thank you Miss and Brother Mao, even if I can't read it myself, when Brother Mao comes out to be an official, it's good for me to be a master for Brother Mao." ”

A few people talked and laughed, Mao Xiang had already eaten two pots of wine, and Mao Xiang's sister persuaded: "Good brother, I know you have a good amount of wine, let's drink it again in the evening." Besides, the exam will start in two days, and the wine will be leisurely. ”

So they stopped drinking and setting up dinner, and after the meal, Sister Mao Xiang placed them in their residence for a while.

The Lu family is a medium-sized house with three entrances, the first one is to receive visitors, the second is the living room and Lu Bangjie's study, and the third is the family's bedroom. Sister Mao Xiang arranged the two of them in a separate courtyard in the west of the third entrance, with three rooms, one room for each person, and the middle was considered a reception room. He also arranged for a maid named Cuixiang to serve the two of them.

After dinner, Sister Mao Xiang didn't chat with them much, knowing that they had been walking on the road for about 10 days, and they were tired enough, and the two of them were going to enter the exam in two days, so they needed to rest well, so they let the two of them go back to the room early.

Mao Xiang drank again in the evening, was excited, did not feel sleepy, and came to Wang Yi's room to chat with a cup of hot tea freshly brewed by Cuixiang. Mao Xiang sat on the chair, took a sip of hot tea and said: "Huo Sheng, today I heard about the Wudou Mi Sect, and I think about the situation of the displaced people that day, I don't want to say more outside, I am afraid that I will lose if I say too much, but I can't let go of it in my heart." ”

Wang Yi said: "What do you think about Brother Mao?" ”

Mao Xiang said: "The southeastern counties have always been the important tax places of our dynasty, but now the displaced people are scattered, and the disadvantages have been accumulated for many years, and the court does not want to solve it, and sooner or later there will be a big trouble." ”

Wang Yi nodded and did not speak.

Mao Xiang continued: "The problem of displaced people is the problem of land. Master Ran said that the land in the southeastern counties is fertile, and those wealthy families and nobles wantonly annex land, and their land taxes are extremely low, or even do not pay taxes, so a large amount of taxes are transferred to the common people, and more than half of the harvest has to be taxed, as well as all kinds of miscellaneous labor and apportionment, and there is really no surplus food for the family. When something happens or a disaster, the only way to do it is to borrow money or sell land. The government did not dare to offend those wealthy families, so many people preferred to give their land to the wealthy families, and then rent land for cultivation, even if they paid half of the land rent, fortunately, with the protection of the wealthy families, there was no other apportionment, it was better than cultivating their own land. Taxes on these lands were then transferred to the lands of other commoners. In the long run, there is a vicious circle, with less land for civilians, heavier burdens, less tax burden on the state, and more displaced people. ”

Wang Yi asked, "What does Brother Mao think?" ”

Mao Xiang patted the arm of the chair and said, "Junfu." The imperial court should levy taxes on all land, and distribute all kinds of miscellaneous labor and apportionment equally to the land, and the wealthy families should not be an exception, so that the wealthy families will no longer wantonly annex land, the burden on the common people will naturally be reduced, and the state taxes can also be guaranteed. The burden of farming is lighter, and the displaced people are naturally reluctant to leave their hometowns, and even if they have no land, they are willing to rent land in their hometowns to farm. ”

Wang Yi nodded frequently, shook his head again, and said: "The land of princes and nobles does not pay taxes, and it has been like this since the beginning of our dynasty. King Jinling of Jiangnan was the only prince, and his fief was only 500,000 mu at the beginning, but now there are at least 4-5 million mu, and he does not pay taxes. There are also those county kings and lords, and the land under their names is not taxed. Nowadays, it is easier said than done, who can do it, and who dares to do it? ”

Mao Xiang stood up, paced slowly, and said, "Someone has to do things." First of all, someone must dare to speak up and not be afraid of offending wealthy officials. Second, things must be explained thoroughly, so that the emperor, his relatives, and hundreds of officials can see the general trend clearly, and if the disadvantages are not eliminated, the country is in danger. Third, once the decision is implemented, it must be resolute and resolute, with a desperate heart, not afraid of dangers and obstacles, regardless of personal gains and losses, and family interests, so as to seek long-term peace and stability in the world and achieve eternal meritorious deeds. ”

Wang Yi raised his head and looked at Mao Xiang, and said, "Brother Mao, I never thought that you would have such ambition and ambition, nor did I expect you to have such a vision. ”

Mao Xiang paced back and forth, bowed his head and said: "Actually, I and you are at Master Ran's place, I heard about many evils and injustices today, and I have read the books he asked you to read, I think that we study to test our fame, just to be an official and glorify our ancestors?" From the beginning of the Hongzhi Dynasty, we, the children of the poor family, can pass the imperial examination, win fame and become officials, and change the system of hereditary residence officials of the wealthy families in the past, we should follow the principles of the sages and sages to assist the king to govern the world, so that the people can live and work in peace and contentment, and the world is peaceful. ”

Wang Yi said: "I admire Brother Mao's ambition very much, but it is difficult and dangerous to do." The lesson from the past is the rebellion of the five princes of the Hongzhi Dynasty, in order to abolish the hereditary residence system of the children of the wealthy families, and change it to no distinction between the families and the imperial examination, the five founding princes of the country at that time joined forces to make a rebellion, and even the Hongzhi Emperor was martyred. If it weren't for the current emperor to quell the chaos in one fell swoop, I don't know what the situation would be like today. ”

Mao Xiang sighed, sat down and said, "Yes, in fact, if you want to implement the equal endowment, the most difficult thing is that the current emperor really makes up his mind. He took a big sip of the teacup, slowly put down the cup and said: "But now the situation is very different, in the past ten years, through the pacification of the Five Princes Rebellion, the hereditary wealthy family is not as powerful as before, and the people are now in the court, so that there are a large number of poor officials in the court." As long as the emperor is determined, steadily implemented, and gradually, even if the wealthy nobles oppose it, it will not be able to set off too much storm. ”

At this time, Cuixiangjiao's voice sounded outside the door: "Two sons, it's late at night, the slaves and maids serve the sons to wash and rest." ”

Mao Xiang laughed at Wang Yi and said: "Look, after drinking a little wine, you talk drunk, and you haven't even been admitted to the exam, and you are not a fart official, so you start talking about military affairs." ”

Wang Yi said: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, only with great ambitions, can we do great things, Wang Yi is willing to work with Brother Mao to complete the great cause and get his wish." ”

Mao Xiang got up and smiled: "Okay, let's start by washing our feet." ”