Chapter 193 Trade Route Dispute
Old Liao was a little confused.
Who was it that said it was shameful to work under a woman, who was it that the hens in Lan County would have no peace at dawn, and who was it that said women should not show their faces in public?
In this world of declining morals, why are the people of Lan County changing so quickly?
Forget it, just focus on cooking his wontons. The world has nothing to do with him.
His dream is to open wonton shops across the country——
As soon as Xu Zhenying returned to the county government office, he saw a familiar figure standing outside. Qian Zhenniang happily called out, "Brother Dazhuang!"
The one who came back was Liu Dazhuang.
He had obviously just returned to Lan County and was covered in dust, but he still looked very energetic. When he saw Xu Zhenying, there was an obvious smile in his eyes.
Xu Zhenying still had a lot of affection for the old people who had been following him, and he called out, "Brother Dazhuang, you've worked hard all the way!"
Liu Dazhuang was previously sent to open up a new trade route. He has been in Shouzhou for the past few months, but was recalled by Xu Zhenying with an urgent letter a few days ago.
"City Lord!" Liu Dazhuang laughed, as if he were an older brother meeting his younger sister. "Lan County has changed so much! I almost couldn't find the way to the county government office! What's going on today? My horse can't even get into the city!"
Qian Zhenniang immediately smiled and said, "Brother Dazhuang, you're back at the right time. There have been a lot of activities in Lan County these days, such as the medical conference and the standardized breeding tour. Many people from other places have come!"
Although Liu Dazhuang couldn't keep up with Lan County's recent development, he praised Xu Zhenying: "The City Lord is wise. He has made Lan County so prosperous! If Uncle Xu and Feng'er came back, they probably wouldn't dare to enter! But you..."
Liu Dazhuang looked Xu Zhenying up and down, and asked in surprise, "What's wrong with your hair? Why is it tangled?"
Xu Zhenying smiled and said, "Summer is coming soon. Not only does long hair make me hot, it's inconvenient to move around, and it's prone to lice. So I just cut it off."
Liu Dazhuang was just about to say that one's hair and body are given by one's parents, so how could Mr. Xu Sanye allow Xu Zhenying to have such short hair?
Xu Zhenying's hair was almost an inch long. In the Zhou Dynasty, this was necessary for someone to have such long hair, either because he had committed a serious crime or because he had become a monk.
But then he thought again, Xu Zhenying is the one who has the final say in the Xu family, and if she wants to twist her hair, probably no one can stop her.
Even Qian Zhenniang, who was standing beside her, looked envious. "I wish I could be as short as the City Lord tomorrow. It would make things much easier for me!"
Liu Dazhuang saw an old man standing next to Xu Zhenying. He was skinny and had a bit of an immortal air. Upon closer inspection, he felt that he looked familiar, but he couldn't remember who he was.
Xu Zhenying said, "This is Hu Wei, Li Datou's former subordinate."
After hearing this, Liu Dazhuang immediately remembered that it was that dog-headed military advisor!
Liu Dazhuang frowned but said nothing. On the way into the city, he had already known that Xu Zhenying was no ordinary person. He was no longer the same person as before he left. If Xu Zhenying wanted to use Hu Wei, he must have a reason.
He had been away for so long that he had become quite estranged from Xu Zhenying, so he should be more careful with his words and actions when they first met.
So he never mentioned Hu Wei's affairs, but only bowed to him symbolically and said, "Secretary Hu."
Hu Wei was also observing him.
Ever since Hu Wei was inexplicably pulled into Xu Zhenying's team, he has been observing everyone regularly.
Although he had only met Da Zhuang once, he really didn't know much about his character.
But now I see that Da Zhuang has a body of muscular muscles. At least this person's kung fu is pretty good. In addition, this person is calm and composed, so he must have some thoughts on his mind. He is definitely not a brave but brainless person.
"I've heard the city lord talking about you for a long time. Now I see that you are indeed extraordinary. Brother Dazhuang, let's talk inside."
The group walked towards the study in the county government office. The study was small, barely enough to accommodate a few people. Hu Wei naturally had no part in such a private conversation. However, Hu Wei was quite knowledgeable and tactful. When he reached the door, he found an excuse to leave. "Please sit down. I'll go get you some tea."
After Hu Wei left, Qian Zhenniang waited carefully until he was far away before she felt relieved.
Xu Zhenying didn't care.
She had long seen that Hu Wei was a man who was eager to see the world in chaos. If he knew that she was preparing to rebel, he would probably be the first to wave the flag and shout.
However, Hu Wei hasn't figured out how to use her yet, so it's better not to let him know too much for now.
Xu Zhenying gestured for Liu Dazhuang to sit down. Liu Dazhuang looked around the study. The study had been renovated by Xu Zhenying. It looked warm and comfortable, and had a strong sense of privacy, except for a pile of scattered papers on the table.
"City Lord, this is the letter Young Master Xu and Miss Feng'er wrote to you before they left."
Liu Dazhuang took the letter out of his pocket and placed it on the table before sitting down. Qian Zhenniang was attentive and said with a smile, "Brother Dazhuang, you haven't eaten yet, right? I'll ask the kitchen to make a bowl of noodles, and we can talk while we eat."
Xu Zhenying said, "Make me a bowl too. I was so busy talking to the village leaders that I didn't even finish my wontons."
"Oh, got it! I'll give you another egg!"
Xu Zhenying took the letter and read it impatiently, then said several good words. However, when she read the end, her eyebrows were slightly frowned, and she looked embarrassed.
Liu Dazhuang has always been a taciturn person. He just drank tea quietly and waited for Xu Zhenying to read the letter.
There was nothing special about Xu Huiming's letter, just a routine greeting, and he also asked about some business management issues.
The most important thing is that he used a page to say that Feng'er often acted privately, the accounts of the private salt business he was in charge of were unclear, and he often went in and out of the official residences of high-ranking officials and nobles.
She and Han Ruqing even went out together, and she would often not be seen for ten days or half a day, and there were often strangers coming in and out of the store.
He asked to check the accounts of the illegal salt, but Feng'er refused repeatedly.
Xu Huiming suspected that Feng'er and Han Ruqing had ulterior motives, and hoped that Xu Zhenying would make plans early.
Although Xu Huiming did not explain it in the letter, Xu Zhenying could also imagine the open and covert struggles between them.
She couldn't help but hold her forehead. It was all her fault. How was she going to explain it to Xu Huiming?
Are you saying she wants to rebel?
The pressure from the Xu family is the most difficult to resolve.
Feng'er had a hard time. She had to develop downlines and collect intelligence for her, while also dealing with the intelligent Xu Huiming.
Feng'er's letter was relatively simple. She first congratulated her on her fourteenth birthday, then reported on her work situation and also handed over the account book of the illegal salt.
She also said that the rebellion could not be concealed from Han Ruqing, but Han Ruqing did not seem to care. Instead, he looked like he was giving her advice, which made her at a loss. She could only keep Han Ruqing with her temporarily to see what would happen.
Xu Zhenying asked Liu Dazhuang: "Do my eldest brother and Feng'er often quarrel?"
After asking this question, Liu Dazhuang already knew that the two letters he sent must have completely different contents.
As she was saying this, Qian Zhenniang brought in the noodles.
A bowl of Yangchun noodles, topped with a fried egg that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, sprinkled with green chopped green onions, has an extremely refreshing color.
Xu Zhenying pointed at Dazhuang and said, "Brother Dazhuang, let's talk while we eat."
Liu Dazhuang said bluntly, "The two of them are constantly bickering. None of us can see the accounts for Miss Feng'er's stall. Logically, Miss Feng'er's illegal salt business should be making huge profits, but the shop is spending more than it's taking in. Plus, Han Ruqing is constantly drinking and hosting banquets with the scholars over there, which Young Master Xu naturally can't stand. The relationship between the two parties has been damaged, and they're already on the verge of parting ways."
Xu Zhenying sighed, "The accounts of the illegal salt are clear and concise. I have the originals here. Before I left, I told you that Feng'er has a high degree of decision-making power. I delegated this authority to her. She has the right to control the proceeds from the illegal salt."
Liu Dazhuang didn't understand why Xu Zhenying trusted Feng'er more than his brother and an outsider.
But this is not his business. As a former soldier, subconscious obedience is the first priority.
Xu Zhenying was no longer in the mood to eat his noodles. "I've pretty much covered everything about the business in the letter. Let's talk about other things."
"Any other situation?"
"For example, the Prince Ming outside? For example, the latest battle report?"
Liu Dazhuang thought carefully for a moment, finishing the noodles in his bowl in a few bites. Then he said slowly, "It's true that things are not peaceful outside. Since Emperor Pingchang ascended the throne, the fixed taxation has caused a stir. Many students in the capital were arrested for causing trouble. The court has already sent eunuchs from the Transportation Department to set off. They should arrive in Jinzhou Prefecture in a month or two. I heard on the way here that the tax in Lan County this year is 200,000 taels of silver."
"That's right."
"Is the city lord prepared to pay this tax?"
Xu Zhenying smiled meaningfully. "Lan County is under the control of the imperial court. If I want to stay here for a long time, I must pay this tax. But then again, when you passed through Jinzhou Prefecture, did the people there know that Lan County had fallen into the hands of bandits? What does the imperial court think of us, bandits who occupied the county but didn't constitute a rebellion?"
"I know. The reputation of Lanxian pigs has spread far and wide. They're all talking about a tour of some breeding farm in Lanxian. I even saw a brochure about Lanxian pigs in a teahouse."
Qian Zhenniang smiled, "That was the city lord's idea. Many outsiders came to visit this time, all for the Lan County pigs. After they go back, the court in Jinzhou Prefecture will definitely know that Magistrate Sun is no longer in charge here. Are they going to come here to collect taxes again?"
Liu Dazhuang said, "The imperial court hasn't taken Lan County's petty rebellions seriously. Along the way, I've seen many small counties occupied, just like Li Datou, where a few hundred people dared to declare themselves rebels. This year, countless civilians have been destitute, and rebellions of all sizes have emerged one after another. The imperial court is already struggling to cope, not to mention that the treasury is so depleted that anyone can buy an official position below the fourth rank with money. We've only occupied a small Lan County, and as long as we pay the full amount of taxes, the imperial court will turn a blind eye for the sake of its reputation."
This time it was Xu Zhenying's turn to be surprised.
Can we still play like this?
Pay money and you'll be safe? No troops will be sent to attack?
Seeing Xu Zhenying's shocked expression, Liu Dazhuang continued, "Full taxation has already begun nationwide. Many places are doing this. No matter who the county magistrate is, as long as they can collect the tax, the court will recognize your position. They might even give you a seal and a royal decree, making your position more legitimate. It's not uncommon for bandits to plunder the people's money and buy a position as a county magistrate."
Qian Zhenniang was shocked and asked, "Doesn't the imperial court have any plans to send troops to suppress the rebellious bandits?"
Speaking of this, Liu Dazhuang rarely showed a trace of contempt.
"Send troops? Where will they come from? The Tartars in the north are marching south with unstoppable force. The chieftains of Qianzhou in the southwest are rebellious, and Prince Ming is marching north to attack Bianjing. The Great Zhou Dynasty is on the verge of collapse. How can they spare troops to deal with us, the weaklings?"
Xu Zhenying was speechless for a moment.
She even made Jiang Yongkang hide here and there to create an atmosphere of rebellion. It turned out that before she even took any action, the Zhou Dynasty was already in chaos?
This was beyond Xu Zhenying's expectations.
Looking back now, Xu Zhenying had to admire her own foresight for setting up the stage so early, otherwise she would have died long ago in this chaotic world.
Even Qian Zhenniang was deeply touched.
The girl was right, the world was indeed in chaos!
Thinking of this, for some reason, she felt a strange excitement instead of the panic and anxiety she had felt before.
The stage of history has been set, so what role will Qian Zhenniang play in it?
Xu Zhenying was stunned and said, "So, if I can collect these 200,000 taels of silver in taxes now, then I will become the legitimate ruler of Lan County?"
Liu Dazhuang nodded. "Many rebellious bandits in Shouzhou do this. They can even bribe the eunuchs at the Transportation Department. If they manage it properly, they can profit quite a bit. For example, if they have 200,000 taels, they can report 300,000 taels to the outside world. The extra 100,000 taels can be divided between the county magistrate and the people at the Transportation Department."
Xu Zhenying and Qian Zhenniang remained silent for a long time after hearing this.
One hundred thousand taels of silver, how many people would be extorted, and how many people would be displaced and separated from their families?
The dust of the times falls on everyone and it is an unbearable burden.
Both of them lost their previous excitement. When they thought of so many people still suffering, Qian Zhenniang's excitement turned into a strong sense of responsibility!
It would be great if we could save more people and let more people live a good life like in Lan County.
But what Xu Zhenying was thinking was, how can he not collect these 200,000 taels?
If she gets all the fun, what else can she do next?
Qian Zhenniang cursed, "These people are such bastards! They don't even treat the common people as human beings!"
Liu Dazhuang seemed to have seen this before, and there was no indignation on his face. He only said, "I don't know why the city lord is so anxious to call me back this time, but what happened in Lan County?"
Xu Zhenying stared at Liu Dazhuang, "Brother Dazhuang, do you still remember what you said when I asked you to help me during the exile?"
Liu Dazhuang thought about it and felt like it was something that happened in his previous life.
What did he say then?
Oh, he said to wait until Xu Zhenying is freed from the status of an exiled prisoner before we talk about it.
Having come this far, there is no way for him to turn back. Moreover, although Xu Zhenying is a woman, she is as capable as any man.
There is chaos and war outside, and following Xu Zhenying is a good way out.
So he stood up, clasped his fists solemnly and said, "I am at the command of the city lord."
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