Qian Fengshou's explanation was very clear, and the people understood it very well. Especially the more straightforward people who added, "Doesn't that mean that the Teng family was originally the watchdog of Ji'an County? Just because the master was away from home all year round, they regarded this place as their own home. They have been in charge of things for so many years. In fact, we are being controlled by a group of watchdogs!"
As soon as this was said, people started to talk about it. Although it was hard to accept, it was true after careful consideration. [Latest Chapter]... People were resentful! Being ruled by a watchdog for several generations, this was really...
Some people started to worry: "My house was built by my grandparents. Does that mean that the land is not actually ours? If the county wants to take the land back, where are we going to live?"
Those who moved in later had been prepared for this outcome, and although they were not happy, they were not as upset as the original residents. However, those who opened shops wanted to get a bargain, so they discussed and started to make a fuss: "We spent a lot of money to build our shop, you can't just take it back!"
"That's right! We have built two floors and almost bankrupted everyone. If we take all of this back, how are we going to survive? You can't be unreasonable!"
The merchants were shouting loudly, and the people nearby were getting annoyed. Someone couldn't stand it anymore and said, "Are you here to open a shop? You are obviously in cahoots with the Teng family. You have agreed to come here to make money! A steamed bun costs ten copper coins, while a steamed bun in Yuzhou costs only one copper coin. Aren't you robbing people?"
"That's right! I went to eat at your restaurant and drank a sip of hot water, but when I paid the bill, I had to pay for it. Who has ever heard of paying for plain water? You guys are clearly profiteers!"
"You are the Fuji family's accomplices! You should be arrested!"
For a while, the common people and the merchants formed a kind of opposition, neither side would give in, and the noise became louder and louder. Until later, Li Zhu suddenly shouted - "Then shut up!" People calmed down and began to look at Feng Yuheng with fear, and at the same time they were thinking in their hearts, who would this new Lord of Ji'an County help.
Feng Yuheng was amused by what they said. She asked the merchants, "I heard that you were originally merchants from Yuzhou? Then, who asked you to open a shop in Ji'an County?"
The merchants were stunned, and someone said, "It's County Magistrate Teng."
"Oh, it's Teng Ping." Feng Yuheng nodded, and reminded everyone: "Teng Ping is no longer the county governor, but a criminal. .. But since you said that Teng Ping asked you to come, then each of you should find Teng Ping to blame for your losses. It's not too late to chase them now. But I must remind you that all the property of the Teng family has been confiscated, and this public refers to the Dashun court. If you want to make a loss, you can go straight to the capital and kneel in front of the palace to see if the emperor is willing to see you. Oh, by the way, there is one more thing. You said you came here to open a shop and build a house. Well, show the land deed now. As the lord of Ji'an County, I must check it."
People are afraid to mention the title deed, but she insisted on mentioning it. Ji'an County does not have a title deed, and the Teng family is not stupid enough to make fake administrative documents, because that would probably give them a handle in the future and they would be caught. Anyway, they have been stationed in this area for generations, and everyone in Yuzhou knows that Ji'an County belongs to the Teng family. It's just a matter of a word, why would they need a title deed?
But when Ji'an County came to Feng Yuheng's hands, she had to follow all the rules and regulations. She said, "Why? No? But the land that was handed over needs to be proved by the title deed. This is the same everywhere in the world. Now you can't produce the title deed, but you say that the land is yours, and you even built a house on the land privately. This princess wants to settle a crime with you for destroying the land planning of my Ji'an County."
People were dumbfounded. They had built a house for nothing and still had to be charged? But Feng Yuheng really calculated it carefully. Not only was she calculating, but the Sixth Prince Xuan Tianfeng was also helping her calculate. At the end, Xuan Tianfeng spoke up and said, "According to the estimated value of 20 taels per zhang, we will send people to each store to re-measure it. At that time, you can pay the fee according to the size of the house you built."
"This..." The merchants bowed their heads and calculated, one zhang is twenty taels, each shop needs several hundred taels! This is a huge sum of money in Ji'an County. They spent a lot of money to build the house, and they would lose a lot of money if they spent this money.
These people wanted to cry but they had no tears. However, they really had no place to complain, because they had no reason at all. The land was occupied for free. In the past, the Fuji family had the final say. But overnight, the Fuji family collapsed. They could not even take care of their own life and death. How could they make decisions for them? Someone said: "Be content! Those who have not been punished are Fuji family's accomplices. Let's pray for them!"
They thought so too. Everyone had seen what happened to the Fuji family. If they were accused of being accomplices, who would be safe?
So people stopped making a fuss. Although they were unwilling, they had to accept the loss. However, the people in the shops opened by the natives of Ji'an County were still a little anxious. They were all small businesses, which was different from the big money of these merchants! It was good to have an income of 20 to 30 taels a year. Now it was 120 taels. How could they survive?
People looked at Feng Yuheng eagerly, and finally waited for the Princess Ji'an to speak again, saying: "Since this Princess has taken over this place, I have to make some plans for the future of Ji'an County. You will listen to what this Princess says next, and then decide whether you want to be a Ji'an person of the Teng family, or a Dashun person." She said: "From now on, Ji'an County will officially open land deeds to the original merchants and people in the fiefdom. For the original inhabitants of this county, whether you are a shop owner or an ordinary citizen, all land deeds will be reissued free of charge. At the same time, certain welfare policies will be provided to poor people, including repairing houses, sending children to school, etc. , free medical treatment, etc. For the merchants recruited by the Fuji family, you will pay 20 taels per zhang at the county governor's office within three days to hand in the silver and take the land deeds. At the same time, the county will set a unified price based on the items you sell, and it is not allowed to increase the price privately. This princess tells you clearly that if you want to take advantage, there is no way, and if you want to harm the people, there is no way. If you have that intention, get out of Ji'an County as soon as possible! Don't fish in troubled waters here. If you want to settle down in Ji'an County, you must abide by the new county law. Here, this princess, there is absolutely no room for negotiation on such matters!"
She made her words final, leaving those merchants with no extra hope. Feng Yuheng even said, "If you feel it's unfair, you can file a complaint. You can file it wherever you want! This princess is waiting for you to return triumphantly. Unless you are collaborating with the enemy and committing treason, no one in the entire Dashun dares to come to my Ji'an County to cause trouble!"
As soon as these words came out, people completely gave up. Where could they complain? In the four classes of scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, merchants were always ranked last. With Princess Ji'an's Buddha pestle here, who could make the decision for them? Moreover, they came here with the intention of taking advantage of others. Now, they didn't take advantage of others, but lost both the lady and the army. It was all their fault.
They accepted it and said they would pay the money and accept the re-pricing. Of course, there were some people who wanted to leave Ji'an County. Feng Yuheng said it was okay, but she didn't care about the household registration. As usual, whoever changed it in the first place should be held responsible. Those people became depressed again.
After the merchants' problems were solved, the remaining people were forced to move in because the Teng family had taken away their business. Feng Yuheng gave them the same treatment as the natives, gave them the land deeds for free, and thanked them for their support for the construction of Ji'an County. At the same time, she also promised that the shops in Yuzhou City would be returned in full within three days. As for whether these people wanted to return to Yuzhou or continue to stay in Ji'an County, it was their freedom. If they wanted to leave, she would change their household registration and re-enter Dashun. At the same time, she would also compensate them with a certain amount of silver for the houses they built in Ji'an County. It can be said that she was very tolerant.
When people heard this, they were so moved that they burst into tears. They never expected that Princess Ji'an would be so reasonable and considerate of the people. This is completely different from the Teng family. If Ji'an County can continue like this, then the future is very bright!
At this time, someone else said, "You don't know yet! The jade mine outside Yuzhou belongs to Princess Ji'an! The mine used to belong to the Third Prince, and we were treated harshly when we went to work in the mine. If we didn't go, we would be beaten. Since the mine was owned by Princess Ji'an, the miners have received three times more wages every month than before, and they eat better, and they get gifts during festivals. The most important thing is that if you get injured in the mine, Baicaotang in Yuzhou City will treat you for free."
When someone mentioned this, people immediately remembered it. Yuzhou produces jade, so it got this name. There is a jade mine next to it, so the common people naturally rely on this jade mine for their livelihood. The mine owner hired them to dig, which is the source of income for most ordinary people and the basis of their livelihood. Since the jade mine came into the hands of Feng Yuheng, he changed the tyranny of the third prince Xuan Tianye and took great care of the miners. He was also very tolerant and paid a lot of wages, which was very popular with the people.
With this association, if Feng Yuheng were to manage Ji'an County, they would not lose out with the example of the jade mine! Where can you find such a good princess? The future of Ji'an County is very bright!
Those who moved in later also felt excited and their blood was boiling. They all expressed their willingness to stay here and build better houses.
After all these were arranged, the topic returned to the beginning, and Feng Yuheng asked again: "Do you want to be a Ji'an member of the Teng family, or a Dashun member?"
People understood now, and someone took the lead and said, "We want to be Princess Ji'an's people!"
She smiled, "But I am the princess of Dashun, and my future husband is the prince of Dashun. I am a real Dashun person!"
"Then we will also be Dashun people! We are the Dashun people of Princess Ji'an!" People knelt down one after another and expressed their stance loudly - "We are the Dashun people of Princess Ji'an!"
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