Yuezhou, the prefect's yamen.

Li Mao sat on the Taishi's chair and turned over the files intently, and the files on both sides were stacked high. The master stood aside and told him about the slaughter of Jiaying Village.

Li Mao flipped through several files and saw the records of the Four Seas Gang, and there were files about the Four Seas Gang going ashore to harass the people, and the files handled by the government, every year, every month, and then looking at the results, the more he looked at it, the more his brows wrinkled.

Looting, looting, murdering, just a fine of silver?

Looking at the time of the case file, all of them were committed before he took office.

Since he took office, the Four Seas Gang has not committed any crimes?

This is his second term in Yuezhou, before he worked hard in Luozhou in the northwest, and he didn't change the party for two terms, so it was easy to wait for the order, thinking that he could change to a good place, but he turned out to be in the poor place of Yuezhou, and there were still endless bandits.

Li Mao only felt that the son of a poor family, no one in the court was difficult to get ahead, and his heart was like soaking in bitter bile, up and down.

This year is his second term, if there is no merit, I am afraid that the next one will have to stay in Yuedi.

"Have you settled all over there in Jiaying Village?"

The master replied respectfully: "Yes, everything is properly placed." The slain villagers have all been buried, and the bereavement money of five taels given by the government government to each deceased has also been distributed to the family members, and the remaining villagers have also received two taels of consolation money for each household, which has been distributed. ”

The master sighed, it is really a poor mountain and a bad water, who would have thought that for a woman, he would have to slaughter the whole village.

Fortunately, the people of the Moon Island Lord came in time, otherwise I am afraid that the whole village will not be left alive.

When he went down to the village with the money from the government, he only heard a mournful voice, and the family was crying, and the paper money raised in the village was covered with a thick layer on the ground, like a layer of snow, which made people unbearable to put their feet down.

It's really miserable to hang a white cloth on the door of every house.

That's what the Four Seas Gang is really hateful. He accompanied the prefect in Luozhou before, and when he encountered foreign cross-border robbery, he was not so miserable, and he slaughtered the village, or Daqi people!

Li Maoxu thought of the tragic situation described by his master, and rubbed his forehead, "The servants went to the sea to chase down the bandits of the Four Seas Class, is there any news?" ”

Master shook his head, "Not yet." ”

The master sighed, it's not that he looks down on the ability of the state capital and the county officials below, it may be useful for them to chase a few bandits on land, but once they get to the sea, they are like soft-footed shrimp, some people get on the boat and still get seasick and vomit, and chase the bandits?

The pirates chased them almost the same.

Moreover, there are no boats in the yamen of the prefecture and county, or fishing boats borrowed from nearby fishermen, what can this be worth?

"My lord, I heard that the lord of Nayue Island helped repel the Four Seas Gang, and I heard that they have a fast boat in their hands, why didn't the Yamen invite them to go and suppress the bandits? At that time, if you catch someone from the Four Seas Gang, you will also help the adult, and if you can't catch it, there will be no loss. ”

Li Mao rubbed his forehead and paused, asking the island master of Nayue Island to help catch the pirates?

In his opinion, the owner of the Moon Island is just a force on the sea, and his reputation has been very good in recent years, but he heard that there are a lot of people under him, and he has gathered so many people in private, so he is afraid that his mind is not pure.

And whether he had done the same robbery as the Four Seas Gang before, he didn't dare to say anything if he didn't get the handle, but in just a few years, his reputation has risen, and he can't be clean either.

Let the Moon Island Lord send someone to help collect the Four Seas Gang?

If you drive away the Four Seas Gang, and you personally confess a bigger evil force, and you can't send it away, won't you lead the wolf into the house?

Li Mao quickly rejected his master's suggestion, "I will write a letter asking the imperial court to send nearby sailors to suppress the bandits." ”

The master paused and said, "Your Excellency is wise. It's just that our government doesn't have much money, and if we invite the sailor next door to come over, our government can't afford to pay this cost. ”

Li Mao rubbed his forehead again with a headache, yes, they are poor, they have no money!

The government office has been in disrepair for a long time, and every summer typhoon almost lifts the roof of the yamen. As soon as it rained, it rained heavily outside, and it rained lightly inside the government.

Isn't there just no money to repair it?

"I will write to the imperial court to explain the situation here, and ask the imperial court to support, otherwise the expenses will be deducted from the taxes this year and next year."

The master stopped talking.

It is estimated that the taxes will be deducted for several years. And I'm afraid that this move will not be able to be done again. There is no money, and the sailor of the next house is afraid that he will not move.

The master pressed the matter and said something again, "After the owner of the island drove away the Four Seas Gang, in order to protect the people of Jiaying Village, he left twenty or thirty people to help in Jiaying Village, and also set up a sentry on the beach of Jiaying Village, saying that it was to protect the safety of the surrounding fishermen, not only Jiaying Village, but also every fifty miles along the nearby coast......"

When Li Mao heard that the Moon Island Lord was so benevolent and righteous, and he also set up posts along the nearby coast to protect the fishermen, he was relieved, and felt that the Moon Island Lord was only afraid that he was a righteous bandit.

But it was also heard, "The lord of the island of the moon requires each household to pay fifty wen per month, or copper coins or corresponding sea goods, as a protection fee. ”

Li Mao's brows furrowed after hearing this, "Then what Moon Island Lord still dares to exercise the position of an official tax collector?" ”

The master helped, "My lord, I think this is a good thing. Fifty wen a month, in fact, is not much, if you pay this money, can make the fishermen feel at ease, and get protection, from now on can rest assured to go to sea boldly, and the catch will also be a lot. Moreover, the women who stay in the village and do not go to sea can stay in the village with peace of mind, which is considered a good thing by the subordinates. ”

Li Mao is a person who attaches great importance to rules, and the lord of Yuedao sent people to drive away the Four Seas Gang, he remembered their kindness to protect the people, and did not care about them, nor did he intend to pursue them for killing in vain, but it did not mean that he could let them exercise the rights of the government.

"If a sea bandit dares to exercise the duties of a tax collector of the government, I think that if he collects fifty today, he will collect five hundred tomorrow, and the fishermen will have to collect all the fish they get the day after tomorrow! It is equivalent to working for them, and is their slave. No, I'm going to meet the Moon Island Lord for a while. ”

Li Mao hurriedly summoned dozens of officials and headed for Jiaying Village.

In Jiaying Village, Zhao Guangyuan, accompanied by Fang Da Sun Ze, walked around the village casually.

When I saw that white cloth was hung on the door of every house, my heart was sad. Before he ended the life of the gang leader of the four seas with a sword, and killed the rest of the party, he also felt that it was hurtful to the heavens and peace, and then looked at the tragic situation in the village, and felt that his hand was slow.

When the villagers saw that the people of the owner of the Moon Island came to inspect the village, they hid in the house timidly and did not dare to see people, and the bold ones hid behind the door and looked secretly, wanting to get close but not daring. I'm afraid that someone who is not the owner of Moon Island, I'm afraid that the Four Seas Gang will kill a horse gun.

Zhao Guangyuan's eyes glimpsed, so he ordered his subordinates to go to appease, and the prefect's mansion gave him a consolation money, and he also asked a family to send two taels of silver.

The villagers who got the silver believed that it was indeed the Lord of the Moon Island who sent someone.

In addition to killing people and plundering goods, the Four Seas Gang will not give silver. They opened the door and came out one after another, as if they were seeing relatives, surrounding Zhao Guangyuan, crying bitterly.

Zhao Guangyuan's throat was uncomfortably choked, and he said comfortingly: "Don't cry, it's the court's dereliction of duty, it didn't protect the people under its rule, and it doesn't live with you." ”

Suddenly whimpering sounded.

The villagers who lost their loved ones cried even more heartbreakingly. Those people from the county government also came, and He once said that it was the dereliction of duty of the government and the imperial court.

Seeing that the village chief was crying uncomfortably, Zhao Guangyuan couldn't bear it, "It's because we're late, from now on, our Moon Island Lord has decided to set up a sentry in your village, one is to make it easier to receive goods, and the other is to do a little bit." If it is because of us that the thieves dare not enter, it is also a great merit for us. ”

"Lord Moon Island is righteous, thank you Island Lord for your protection!"

A group of villagers, men, women and children, bowed again and again to Zhao Guangyuan and others. They didn't know who the Moon Island Lord was, and Zhao Guangyuan didn't say that he was the Moon Island Lord, and the villagers pulled Zhao Guangyuan's people and thanked him again and again.

Fang Da Sun Ze and the others didn't dare to leak Zhao Guangyuan's bottom, and said while appeasing the village: "There is no need to be like this, our Moon Island Lord heard about this matter, and he was especially concerned, and specially ordered us to come and help a little." It's not for nothing, after all, the brothers still have to eat. ”

The newly elected village chief took Fang Da's hand, "It should be, if the Lord of Moon Island sends someone to guard the entrance of our village, we dare to sleep at night and never close our doors, and we are more at ease when we go to sea, so we don't have to worry about the old and young at home." My lord, is there a little less than 50 in January, do you want to add more? ”

The village chief took Fang Da's hand and glanced at Zhao Guangyuan on the side with his eyes as he spoke.

Clear-eyed people could see that Zhao Guangyuan was the leader of these people, but he didn't dare to take that person's hand, that person looked at a noble body, which was not something they could touch.

But what they didn't say was the owner of the island, and the owner probably wouldn't come to a place like the village. Then that person should just be a useful person around the island owner.

The people around the Moon Island Lord are all such gods, so what kind of fairy figure should the Moon Island Lord be!

The village chief only felt fortunate that the village could be blessed by the Moon Island Lord.

"Not necessarily. Our island owner said that everyone went to sea to exchange their lives for money, and I didn't want to take you this money, but first, because the brothers wanted to eat and drink, and second, because we were worried that other forces would follow suit, so we didn't do it. It also saves time for self-defeating. ”

"It should be, it should be. The brothers on duty had three meals a day from the village......"

Fang Da hurriedly waved his hand and refused: "No, no, no, they will cook by themselves, and they don't have to bother the village." If they want to buy some ingredients from the village, ask the village chief to ask the villagers to make it easier. ”

He also said: "We set up a post fifty miles, and the village chief can talk to the people in the nearby villages, and if there is the sea goods that have been fell, they can be sent to us, and if the goods are good, we will collect them, and the price is not lower than the price you send to the town." ”

The village chief nodded straightly: "Okay, okay, don't worry, the nearby villagers know the prestige of the Lord of Yuedao, and they also know that you receive the goods at a fair price, we are willing to sell the goods to you and transport them to the city, first, the road is far from fresh, and second, the price may not be higher than yours." ”

The Moon Island Lord's subordinates never lowered the price or deducted it, and they were all familiar with the Moon Island Lord's subordinates, so they could rest assured.

Zhao Guangyuan saw that the villagers were appeased, so he took people to the sentry post not far from the beach at the entrance of the village to check.

The sentry is made of wood into two layers, narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, with tables and chairs and bunks below, which can be used for the rest of the people on duty and changing the guard, and can also be used for the warehouse when receiving the goods, and the upper floor is the lookout, which can look at the situation of the nearby sea area from afar, and can also be used as a warning if there is a sea raider.

Zhao Guangyuan was very satisfied, and when he saw that the nearby villages were coming quickly, he couldn't stop watching the sentry, and pulled Fang Da and the others to ask this and that, he avoided the side and stood there patiently.

Because his face was cold, no one dared to come to him.

Only the youngest son of the late village chief of Jiaying Village trotted to him with a handful of wild fruits, "My lord, please eat wild fruits." My sister asked me to bring it to you. ”

An eighteen or nine-year-old boy wrapped a bag of red wild fruits in a large unknown leaf, held it up and sent it to Zhao Guangyuan.

Zhao Guangyuan stretched out his hand to take it, patted the child lightly on the head, and nodded lightly to the village chief's daughter who survived not far away.

He said to the boy, "Tell your sister that it is more important than anything else to live well." The change in the village is not her fault, there is no need to blame herself, live well. ”

The boy nodded heavily, "Well, we'll be alive!" ”

Ran back to her sister, I don't know what to say, I saw that the girl was excited, covered her mouth tightly with her hands, and knelt down in the direction of Zhao Guangyuan, kowtowed three times on the sand, and was pulled up by her younger brother.

Zhao Guangyuan nodded at her and turned around, only to see the boy trotting in again.

"My lord, can I learn kung fu from your brother on duty?"

He could see that the Moon Island Lord's subordinates were all skilled. I don't know if this person is the owner of the island, but he must be the most important person next to the owner. He'll be in charge.

He also has to practice his skills, and if there are bad people entering the village in the future, he will not hide anymore, but will pick up a knife and fight them.

Just like those Moon Island Lord's subordinates who came that day, they showed their kung fu, took out their knives, and slashed cleanly, and put down the people of the Four Seas Gang, and let them run away desperately into the sea, looking like they hated their parents for having two legs.

In the future, he will also be like the Moon Island Lord's subordinates, making people flee in fear.

Zhao Guangyuan raised his eyebrows, "Okay, I hope you will learn your skills well in the future and protect the safety of the village." ”

"Hmm!" The boy nodded heavily, bowed to him, and ran away.

Zhao Guangyuan watched the two sisters and brothers leave avoiding the villagers, and retracted his gaze. The boy was eight or nine years old, the same age as he had grown, but he had grown taller and stockier than he was.

The corners of his mouth tugged slightly.

He instructed his entourage a few words, "Confess, let our people take care of that sister and brother more." The new village chief also gave an explanation, let him take care of it, and don't let the villagers hurt them with words. ”

The entourage answered, and looked at the sister and brother who were quietly walking away from the villagers, and they were also embarrassed.

No matter how simple the villagers are, it is impossible for everyone to die because of the trouble caused by the girl. They were the only ones left in the family of the sister and brother, and if the people in the village did not allow them anymore, I am afraid that there would be nowhere to go.

Seeing that Fang Da Sun Ze was surrounded by the villagers and asked this and that, Zhao Guangyuan stood on the beach with his hands in his hands, watching the children catch the sea on the beach, chasing sand crabs, and his eyebrows and eyes were smiling.

At this time, a person ran towards him and said a few words in his ear, Zhao Guangyuan frowned, glanced in the direction of the village, turned around and walked towards the boat, "Sail back." ”

When Fang Da Sun Ze and the others heard that he was leaving, they hurriedly squeezed out of the crowd, leaving only those on duty at the sentry, and they all boarded the ship.

When Li Mao led the people to the sentry post, he saw that the big ship with the moon number and flag had sailed out of a distance.

Li Mao only regretted that he didn't catch up.

As a result, he stood hand in hand with the big boat, surrounded by many people, and some of the men who stood out from the crowd, and immediately his eyes stood up, and his whole body trembled.

The man! The man!

How did that man look so much like that man!

But isn't that one in the Imperial Tomb? I've been detained in the Imperial Tomb for nine years, so it's impossible to be here!

Looking at the two standing beside him, one was whiter, the other was taller and stronger, and the taller one was also a little familiar.

Tsukishima Lord? Tsukishima Lord!

Li Mao's heart was pounding, he pressed hard with both hands, but he couldn't hold it down, and his heart was beating so hard that he almost ran out!