102 Chapter 102
◎Fairness between Silver and Bandits◎
Jianzhou Salt Tax Office.
Yan Tai brought a bowl of medicine and placed it on a corner of the table. He took a thin blanket and covered Xiang Jinghui's shoulders with it, his eyes filled with heartache.
"Take the medicine first, and then take care of the official business."
Xiang Jinghui obediently put down his pen, picked up the medicine bowl, and brought it to his lips, frowning. "Doctor Xu's medical skills are excellent, but this medicine is too bitter."
After saying that, he pinched his nose and swallowed it.
A candied fruit was handed to her and she took a quick bite. Without chewing it for a few bites, she hurriedly picked up her pen and sat down at her desk.
Yan Tai curled up the corners of his lips. Before, Ah Hui would never complain no matter how much pain she was in, but now she can even dislike the bitterness of the medicine.
"You rest first," Xiang Jinghui said without looking up. "The princess has assigned me three tasks, and I must complete them as soon as possible."
First, solve the problem of salt permit interception; second, improve salt production efficiency; third, improve the lives of salt households.
If other salt officials saw the second and third points, they would definitely find them contradictory. Increasing salt production can only be done by squeezing the salt farmers. How can they then ensure that the salt farmers can live a good life?
But Xiang Jinghui knew in his heart that the two were not contradictory.
The princess said that the Jianzhou Salt Field was a "pilot project" and if she could come up with a way to solve these three problems, she could promote it to all salt fields in the province, or even the whole country.
Just thinking about it makes my heart surge.
Over the past year, she has traveled all over the salt fields in Shu and learned about the hardships and aspirations of countless salt farmers.
All they need is enough food to eat, warm clothes to wear, a house to shelter them from the wind and rain, and a doctor to see when they are sick. It is that simple.
But such a simple vision is rarely realized.
Xiang Jinghui felt sad. No matter how difficult it was, she would make it her goal to completely change the salt field, live up to the millions of cooks and the princess's expectations.
She worked at her desk until late at night, rubbing her aching neck, and walked to the window. The moon was at its zenith, and silver light poured down from the inky sky, gentle and quiet.
The princess should have left Shu, right?
I hope Bufan is safe and sound and that the good times will last forever.
Xie Mingzhuo had indeed left Sichuan, but she did not return to Beijing. Instead, she led 500 personal guards, more than 1,000 soldiers from the Huguang Garrison, and thousands of soldiers from the Shu King's Palace, and headed straight for Guiyang Prefecture in Guizhou.
The imperial court set up a bureau in Guizhou to conduct silver taxes, which has always been a practice.
The dynasty originally set up gold, silver and copper taxes in many places in Guizhou. However, due to insufficient mining technology, the income was not enough to cover the expenses, and illegal mining was rampant. Therefore, only a few mines with stable profits were retained, and the rest were all closed.
However, government decrees can close the mountains, but they cannot close people's hearts.
Incidents of private mining were common, and silver bandits emerged in large numbers, lurking in their dens and entrenched themselves there. The government was unable to suppress them and often turned a blind eye.
The reason why the "Silver Mine Laborers Riot" incident shocked the government and the public was that these laborers did not belong to any official silver mine, but came from large and small silver mines.
What's going on? Didn't the imperial court ban it? Where did all these laborers come from?
The servants in the official silver mines have not yet rioted, but these servants in the illegal silver mines have rebelled. It is simply ridiculous.
There was a lot of discussion inside and outside the government.
Some people say that it was the corruption of local officials in Guizhou who secretly opened mines without the knowledge of the imperial court and made profits.
Some people also said that the chieftains of Guizhou were disobedient and had rebellious intentions, so they secretly collected silver to expand their troops and waited for an opportunity to rebel against the court.
Everyone was divided and the argument continued.
In the end, it was Chief Minister Chang Wei who stepped forward and asked only one question: "The local government and chieftains are all powerless. We are seeking help from the imperial court. Who can go?"
"Why can't we encircle and suppress the rebellion with only a few thousand laborers?" an official asked.
Chang Wei: "Guizhou has many deep, rocky valleys, perfect for hiding traitors. The troops are encircling and suppressing them, and they are unable to advance an inch."
"The natives and Hakkas are well versed in the mountains and forests. How could they not even find a group of laborers?"
"That's right, can't those soldiers fight in the mountains and forests?"
"In my opinion, the rebellion of these laborers who stole silver is caused by the local chieftains. Let them solve it themselves."
A group of people were chattering, and Xie Changfeng had a headache listening to them. Wu Shanqing, who was standing by, observed their expressions and said "Silence" to suppress the noise.
"Your Majesty," Chang Wei proposed, "I believe that whether it's the theft of silver mines or the uprising of the laborers, both should be thoroughly investigated. Guizhou is far away, and distant water cannot quench a nearby fire. It would be better to issue an imperial decree to Princess Rong'an, directing her troops from Shu to Guizhou to provide emergency assistance."
This was exactly what Xie Changfeng wanted. Although he was still a little worried, more political achievements would make his future as the ruler more convincing.
"Just do as Changqing said."
When she received the imperial edict, Xie Mingzhuo had already arrived at the border between Shu and Guiyang. With this imperial edict, she had no more worries and marched straight into Guiyang Prefecture.
All the officials in Guiyang Prefecture respectfully welcomed the princess's carriage.
The news of the fall of officials in Shu had already spread to Guizhou. Now, seeing Her Royal Highness the Princess, all the officials were worried, regardless of whether they were upright in their daily lives.
"Your Highness, the residence has been arranged. Please proceed."
"No need," Jiang Qing answered for him. "Let's go to the governor first."
Behind the princess' carriage was a huge army of soldiers, winding like a long snake, well-equipped and with a powerful momentum.
No one dared to object.
As the prefect of the government office, Song Qianmu followed behind a group of department-level officials, keeping an eye on them and watching their hearts.
The princess went to the provincial government to discuss how to suppress the unrest. As a prefect, he had no right to join in, but he was the chieftain of the Song family in Shuidong and had to participate.
Xie Mingzhuo left several thousand soldiers to garrison outside Guiyang Prefecture, and entered the city with hundreds of personal guards. When he arrived at the Provincial Administration Commissioner's Office, he lifted the curtain and got out of the car.
She was wearing a golden and red military uniform, with no extra jewelry on her head or body. It was not the gold hairpins, jade hairpins, or silk and pearl shoes that everyone imagined, but it did not diminish the princess's majesty at all.
Song Qianmu took a quick glance and quickly lowered his eyelashes.
Archie was indeed not exaggerating. This kind of awe-inspiring aura was even more frightening than what he had described before.
Could it be that after the trip to Sichuan and Shu, the princess became more majestic?
He followed the officials into the second hall of the governor's office. The princess had already sat at the main seat at the desk. She said, "Please take a seat," and runners brought chairs from various director's rooms. He got one and sat at the very end. From the corner of his eye, he could even see the new buds on the branches of the locust tree in the courtyard.
"Prefect Song."
Song Qianmu was startled and quickly stood up and bent over: "I am here."
"You will explain the whole story of the Silver Mine Workers' Rebellion."
"Yes." Song Qianmu gathered his thoughts. "On the second day of March, the Shiqian Prefecture Silver Market Bureau sent a request for help. Thousands of laborers came out of nowhere and rushed straight into the Silver Market Bureau. They didn't kill anyone, nor did they demand money. They just sent a letter to the governor of Guiyang Prefecture, asking for justice from the court."
"Prefect Song," someone suddenly interrupted him. He was wearing a crimson official robe and was the Left Governor of the Provincial Government. "How can you be fair in asking for what you are doing? You are just asking for more money."
Xie Mingzhuo lowered his head and straightened his sleeves.
Feng Caiyu immediately shouted, "The princess is questioning Prefect Song, why are you butting in?"
“…”
The Left Governor had no choice but to stand up and apologize.
"That's all right," Xie Mingzhuo said calmly, looking up. "It's understandable that Governor Lu despises the silver bandits. Prefect Song, please continue."
Song Qianmu became even more respectful. "On the fourth day of the third lunar month, the governor, the military governor, and the judicial governor unanimously decided to suppress the bandits. They ordered the commander of the guards to lead over a thousand soldiers from the guard posts and to summon over a thousand local soldiers from the Tian family of Sizhou. They rushed to the Shiqian Silver Market overnight, intending to wipe out the laborers. However, they got sick before leaving and were exhausted for three days."
It's really too much of a coincidence. Everyone here is smart, so it's obviously man-made.
"Why did you get an upset stomach?" Xie Mingzhuo asked.
Song Qianmu: "The reason has not been found yet."
"Qin Dutai has something to say?"
Qin Dutai immediately stood up and said, "Princess, I suspect someone is acting as an accomplice to the silver bandits and deliberately drugged them before the march in order to buy them time to escape."
"Escape?"
"After three days of delay, the lawless silver bandits all hid in the mountains and forests and started playing guerrilla warfare with us. We didn't find them, but we did suffer a lot of hidden attacks."
Xie Mingzhuo: "What are the casualties?"
"Don't worry, Princess. He only suffered minor injuries. No one was killed."
Xie Mingzhuo's lips curled slightly. The officials below all lowered their heads, so they could not see her expression, but could only hear her calm and stern voice.
"The other party asked for justice, why did you ignore it?"
"Princess, how can you trust the words of bandits?" Qin Dutai said excitedly, "They are just a bunch of thugs who stole silver mines. We can just wipe them out directly. Why waste time talking to them?"
"If that's the case, the Qin capital can continue to march forward and attack the bandit den. Why ask for help from the imperial court?"
He was suddenly speechless.
"Why aren't you talking?"
It was Prefect Song who stepped forward to explain, "Five days ago, the leader of the Tian clan in Sizhou and his territorial troops attacked a bandit's lair, but they accidentally fell into a trap and were kidnapped by the bandit leader. After that, the leader of the Yang clan in Bozhou came to their aid, but there has been no news since."
These two men, who were well versed in the situation in the mountains, were already trapped in a den of thieves. Qin Dutai and others did not dare to act rashly, but they were too embarrassed to ask the court for help, so they resorted to the tactic of delaying.
Even if the bandits killed two chieftains, it had nothing to do with them.
"I cannot bear to see the two leaders suffer," Song Qianmu continued, "so I submitted a petition to the court in the name of the Shuidong Song family, requesting support."
If you use the name of the prefect, it will definitely be intercepted by department-level officials.
Xie Mingzhuo clapped his hands lightly and said with a smile, "You are worthy of being a talented and capable general of Daqi. This princess admires you."
Hearing the sarcasm in her words, the officials' faces flushed red, they were too embarrassed to raise their heads, and remained silent.
"The servants are demanding justice, but why do you turn a blind eye and instead lead your troops to suppress them? If you are so ruthless, why don't you petition the court to raise your banners to the northern frontier, advance on the Di tribe on the grasslands, and restore peace to our Daqi border?"
All the ministers knelt down and begged the princess to calm down.
"If it is due to stupidity, you are unfit to serve as officials. If there is any other reason, you are deceiving the emperor, a crime that is unforgivable. My lords, which one are you?"
There was dead silence in the hall.
Everyone suddenly remembered the rumor that "wherever the princess goes, she will be deposed."
Xie Mingzhuo was indeed a little angry, but he was mentally prepared, and his anger soon subsided. He stood up and left the desk.
"Follow me to Shiqian Mansion tomorrow."
Only after seeing off the princess' carriage did the officials breathe a sigh of relief and return to the yamen.
Song Qianmu was about to return to his prefectural office when he was stopped by Lu Fantai.
"Prefect Song, your request for help has caused us so much trouble."
"Chief Tian and Chief Yang were trapped one after another, and the Qin capital was stuck in a dilemma. I was deeply worried and had no choice but to seek help from the imperial court. I am young and inexperienced, so please forgive me."
Song Qianmu spoke sincerely and with reason, as if he was really worried about the safety of Tian and Yang.
hypocritical!
Lu Fantai cursed in his heart, but he could not rely on his superior status to deny him face. Although the prefect had a low rank, he was the leader of the Song family in Shuidong and had many local soldiers under his command. If he raised his arms and called out, the people of the Song chieftain would rush out and eat them up.
"Haha, Prefect Song really needs more experience."
Song Qianmu said yes, but rolled his eyes in his heart, feeling he couldn't say this in front of the princess.
Coward and fool!
A secret valley somewhere in Shiqian Prefecture.
The servants had clear division of labor and each performed their duties. The guards were focused, the cooks were cooking, and the rest of the main vanguards gathered in the cave to make plans for what was to come.
You can't hide in the mountains and be a bandit all your life, right?
"Meng Tou'er, there's been no activity from over there since we captured Tian Zhe and Yang Pan. The food we borrowed from the Silver Market Bureau is almost gone. What should we do now?"
The young man sitting in the middle spread out a sheepskin map. He was wearing a sleeveless linen shorts, and his arms, with well-defined muscles, looked particularly slender and strong.
He bit the bark pen cap in his mouth, held the charcoal pencil in his right hand, and drew on the map. He said confidently, "Don't worry, everyone. We didn't kill anyone, and we didn't rob anyone. The ration book we borrowed is what we deserve. No matter where we go, we are in the right."
"Meng Tou'er, where in this world is there still reason?"
"Of course," Lin Fan put on the pen cap and comforted the servants, "It will all work out in the future. Maybe it will happen in the next few days."
Just two days later, the spies came back, panicking, "Boss Meng, there are so many people coming to the Silver Market Bureau!"
"About how much?"
"It's hard to count. There are so many, so many, I can't see the end."
Lin Fan said calmly, "Don't panic, I'll go take a look ahead."
This place is only thirty miles away from the Silver Field Bureau, and the twenty miles in between are all mountains. Only near the Silver Field Bureau is the terrain slightly flat.
He had intended to go out of the mountain to investigate further, but before he could leave, a sentry outside the mountain came running back in a hurry.
"Meng Tou'er, someone is coming from the opposite side!"
Lin Fan immediately climbed to a high place and looked into the distance. There seemed to be a figure a mile away, walking alone on the mountain path, wearing a crimson official robe!
He walked swiftly to the sentry post, hid his body, and waited for the person to approach slowly.
A mile away, Lu Song's steps were as heavy as lead. It was clearly the cool weather of late March, but he was sweating profusely.
The princess decided to negotiate with the silver bandits and specifically sent him to negotiate. Who knew what kind of people those servants were? Tian Zhe and Yang Pan fell into their hands and no one knew how much they were beaten.
If they were unreasonable and arrested him, where would his dignity as the governor be?
The closer he got to the area where bandits were active, the more difficult it became for him to move forward.
I really regret it!
If he had known that the princess would be lured here, he would have pretended to agree to the servant's request first, and then made other plans after appeasing him.
It's too late to do anything now.
"Stop!" A shout came from the hidden hillside.
Lu Song was terrified. Before he knew it, he had actually approached the thieves' den. He looked closely and saw what seemed to be arrowheads reflecting cold light among the dense leaves.
The food and weapons on the mountain were all robbed from the silver market!
No matter what their reasons were, robbing the imperial silver mine was like breaking into an official residence, and would be treated as a serious crime.
Thinking of their fate, Lu Song felt pleased and suddenly had some courage. He raised his arms and waved them, saying loudly: "I am Lu Song, the Left Governor, and I want to negotiate with your leader!"
The forest was silent, without any response.
"Didn't you ask for justice?" Lu Song continued, "The court is willing to give you justice now. Tell your leader to come out."
"Mengtou'er, what should we do?" asked the servant.
Lin Fan thought for a moment and said, "Then invite them up the mountain."
I don’t know who they asked for help.
Before Lu Song could react, a group of big men suddenly rushed out, covered his mouth, blindfolded him, tied him up, and quickly carried him away.
Lu Song:!!!
As the car swayed and bumped, his stomach churned and he almost vomited out the food he had eaten the night before.
It wasn't until he fell on his butt in a dark cave that he recovered. He retched a few times and lay motionless on the ground.
The cave was pitch dark, and beneath one's body were uneven, cold, and hard rocks that hurt all over. The air was filled with the dark, damp smell of moss.
What on earth were these people planning to do by abandoning him and walking away?!
Suddenly someone kicked him and asked, "Who sent you?"
What a shame! What a shame!
Lu Song's blood boiled, and he cursed loudly: "I am an official appointed by the court, a second-rank official. How dare you bully me like this?!"
"If you don't tell me, I'll cut off your tongue." The man leaned close to her ear and said sinisterly.
Lu Song shuddered, finally remembering that he was already a prey, and hurriedly said, "If you dare to hurt me, the princess will lead her troops to wipe out the bandit's lair!"
"Princess..." The man paused for a long moment before saying, "But is it Princess Rong'an?"
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