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Not to mention whether the private establishment of salt fields could be negotiated with the garrison, the issue of dealing with wealthy households would be completely different with or without government intervention.
If the Red Flag Gang attacks wealthy families, they will most likely kill people and seize their land, which may even cause panic in the imperial court, which may lead to the dispatch of troops to suppress them.
If a county ruler takes action against a wealthy person, as long as he is not retaliated against, he is upright and serving the country and the people.
Therefore, after learning the inside story of the discussion between Cheng Xi and County Magistrate Cao, Tian Yu immediately understood that the first thing to do was to consolidate the Red Flag Gang's territory in Dongning.
With the support of the local chief, what files and secrets can't be dug up? As long as there are enough people and some courage, dealing with a few powerful people is easy.
It only took Tian Yu one day to sort out a bunch of things. After all, acting from the perspective of an official, he knew better than others what information was needed and what means to use. It was actually easier than giving advice to Manager Wang.
"A plan came up so quickly?" Cheng Xi was also a little surprised by Tian Yu's speed. He took the thing he handed over and started to look at it.
Tian Yu frowned and glanced at Cheng Xi, then coughed dryly: "These are all old tricks used by officials. We just need to be careful and not let that bastard official take all the credit."
Cheng Xi read it quite quickly and figured out the other party's thoughts quickly.
Basically, he would start with old cases, pick out a few soft targets and give them a tough fight, and reveal the fact that the Red Flag Gang was behind the county magistrate. In this way, those who really had a strong background would not easily find fault. After all, even if there were people in the court, they might not be able to rush to the rescue from afar to save lives.
If this news spread a bit, how could the people not know who was responsible for this? After all, County Magistrate Cao was a corrupt official who even dared to increase the salt tax. How could he be as trustworthy as the Red Flag Gang, who offered low-interest loans and stable food prices?
Nodding slowly, Cheng Xi said, "That's a good idea, Danhui is thoughtful. However, we still need to sort out some documents and send them to the county magistrate. I've asked Chief Sun to arrange the personnel. When you come back, you must also give them careful instructions so that they don't get scared by the county magistrate."
"That's easy to say." Tian Yu glanced at Cheng Xi again and couldn't help asking, "Why are you still wearing a skirt? Aren't you afraid of people knowing your identity?"
The person sitting behind the desk was still wearing the same dress, but her hairstyle and makeup were not as bright as yesterday.
However, without makeup, her slightly wheat-colored skin looks more natural, and her whole body is clean and neat, giving her a lively and pretty look.
He wasn't used to her dressing like that.
Cheng Xi explained, "As long as County Magistrate Cao isn't completely stupid, he'll definitely send someone to follow and check. It's safer for me to dress as a woman these few days. Anyway, there won't be any outsiders around."
Because she had to negotiate with the county magistrate, even Manager Wang had gone far away. Only her confidants were left around her, so she had nothing to worry about when she changed back into women's clothes.
Tian Yu nodded stiffly: "I was mistaken. I thought you liked this outfit."
This made Cheng Xi put down the document in her hand, and raised her eyebrows slightly: "Do you think I don't like women's clothing?"
Isn’t it?
Tian Yu was stunned by the question. He had been on the island for so long and had never seen her wear a skirt. Her words and actions did not behave like a woman at all.
If Tian Yu hadn't known that she was General Qiu's daughter, he would have thought she was a man, which is why he felt so uncomfortable now.
Cheng Xi shook her head. "I like beautiful dresses and exquisite jewelry. If I have the chance, I'd also like to try different makeup and hairstyles. Everyone loves beauty, but before I became a woman, I was still a general. With my responsibilities, these hobbies can be put aside."
After joining the army, she never had long hair. However, when she was not on a mission, she would dress up beautifully to go to bars, go shopping, and have a long or short relationship with someone.
When facing life and death for a long time, you need to occasionally withdraw from it to maintain your physical and mental health. It’s just that everyone has different channels for venting.
After arriving in this strange world, she has been chased by crises and has been racking her brains to fight for a large group of people.
She has never been against dressing up, but there is no gender on the battlefield, and the current situation requires this layer of protection.
But as a trusted aide, I cannot take this as normal.
He knew she was a woman, but couldn't stand seeing her dressed like a woman. What if one day she had to reveal her identity?
When facing a real "woman", can you still maintain your composure and the respect you had before?
Tian Yu is not a fisherman like Lin Meng and Sun Erlang, who can be conquered as long as they are strong enough, nor is he a loyal family general like Yan Yuan. Although he is a bit long-winded, his intentions are good.
Tian Yu is a true "scholar-official". He has been learning the Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues since he was young, so he must have prejudices against women. Instead of turning a blind eye and letting the bomb bury deeper, it would be better to detonate it now and make things clear.
Tian Yu blinked blankly. He thought Cheng Xi would say that these were helpless actions and that he would be as strong and resolute and invincible as before.
However, she did not. Instead, she said that she was just like an ordinary woman who liked fancy clothes and beautiful jewelry, but there were differences in the importance of things.
It felt like stepping on air, even more shocking than seeing her get dressed for the first time yesterday.
Tian Yu suddenly remembered that General Qiu had hidden this young lady in his boudoir. She was truly the apple of his eye. She was also a lady who was brought up in pampering. So what was so strange about her liking these things?
But how could she build such a big gang and perform such feats that even he would be stunned?
After being stunned for an unknown amount of time, Tian Yu finally whispered, "That's right, she's a woman after all..."
The meaning of this statement is too complicated, and I don’t know whether it is self-consolation or self-deception.
Cheng Xi put away the smile on her face and spoke word by word, "Giving birth is like the gate of hell, yet countless women dare to endure a higher death rate than going to the battlefield and fight to give birth. Raising a child takes so much energy, yet countless women raise children and support their families at the same time, exhausted but never backing down. This is innate courage and the responsibility they are willing to take on. They can do this even in things that everyone is accustomed to, let alone other things. The only difference is that they don't have my luck, which allows them to go to school, practice martial arts, and display their talents. If you think I'm not as good as men, why did you stay?"
This was the harshest thing she had ever said. Tian Yu's lips trembled and he slowly shook his head: "That's not right. You are much better than me."
This was the first time he had yielded in front of her. Cheng Xi sighed softly, "Danhui, your talent and knowledge are all top-notch, there's no need to belittle yourself. It's just that I'm a woman, born this way. If you treat me like an alien, it will only make things awkward in the future. No matter what I wear or how I dress, I'm still me. Just remember that."
Tian Yu didn't answer this time, just nodded.
He couldn't explain his feelings, and he had never heard of such a "fallacy", but he couldn't find the words to refute it.
Because he knew that his mother was also a strong woman, which was why she was able to raise him after her husband died and help him achieve success in the imperial examinations.
What if his mother wasn't strong because of him, but was a strong person to begin with? If an illiterate woman could be like this, what about the man in front of him?
He was indeed not used to this attire, but facing those clear and sharp eyes, he could not utter any nonsense such as "don't give or receive things by personal connection" or "virtue lies in lack of talent".
When a person is strong enough to support something that even he cannot support, is it necessary to care whether the other person is a man or a woman?
Cheng Xi didn't give him time to hesitate: "Go prepare the paperwork. The camp still needs to prepare for war. We can't stay here for too long."
This time, Tian Yu did not refute. He bowed and turned his wheelchair out.
Looking at the man's back, Cheng Xi breathed a sigh of relief. Now everything was settled.
Tian Yu was indeed very fast, and the document was completed in a blink of an eye. Cheng Xi immediately ordered someone to send it to the county government office.
After receiving the document, County Magistrate Cao was stunned: "Isn't this too cruel?"
To overturn the verdict on the common people, they arrested the wealthy under the pretext of arresting a major criminal. If they disobeyed orders, they would directly attack them. They would also remeasure their land, using the loopholes in the yellow and white books as evidence... This trick could easily lead to the confiscation of property and the extermination of the entire family! Who on earth came up with this?
Master Yang was more attentive than his master. He shuddered at the elegant handwriting and said, "Mr. Dong, this must have been written by a seasoned official. That lady must have some advisers around her, and their background is not simple..."
Magistrate Cao immediately sensed something was wrong: "What's wrong? What did you see?"
Master Yang hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "This character looks familiar. I feel like I've seen it before, in official documents. Although the shape has been changed, the charm remains the same."
Magistrate Cao was a man of culture, and the legal advisor he chose was well-versed in literature and had excellent eyesight.
He said it was similar, so there was probably some resemblance. But I had seen it in official documents before, so what was its origin?
"Where have you seen him?" County Magistrate Cao did not dare to be careless and immediately asked questions.
Master Yang whispered, "Looks like, looks like General Qiu's grain collection document..."
"Hiss!" County Magistrate Cao took a deep breath as if he had a toothache. How could he not know who wrote the document demanding grain?
But didn’t news just come from Panyu that the traitor Qiu Party was burned to death?
Could it be a cover-up? Could the Red Flag Gang and the Straw Coat Bandits have some connection?
Oh, by the way, that lady mentioned the "蓑衣杠" (Raincoat Gang), there must be something behind this!
Master Yang's legs felt weak, and he asked carefully, "Should we send someone to keep an eye on it?"
What the hell! County Magistrate Cao almost cursed and quickly shook his head: "I know nothing! Isn't this also to eradicate rural bullies? I think this method is very good. As long as the Red Flag Gang sends people, we can do it! Oh, right, we also need to see if we can quickly establish a relationship with the garrison. We need to prepare first."
No matter what the Red Flag Gang's background is, it's just a thigh that's incredibly thick, just hold it and you'll be done.
He has no chance of promotion anyway. The world is so chaotic, what is more important than money and a backer?
They are just some big pigs and sheep, so just kill them however you want.
When he thought of this, County Magistrate Cao cheered up.
This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity couldn't be missed. After all, he had been on two lists back then. Even if he was ranked among the top three, he was still one in a million! He had to summon the same enthusiasm he had when he took the imperial examinations back then and do this job well!
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