It was called a banquet, but it was really just cornbread and pickled vegetable strips. Under the current conditions, there was no way to prepare any delicacies. Han Zhongyu was just using the banquet to reward those who had contributed. Fortunately, everyone shared the same ideals and had brought peace to the people, so they didn't care what they ate and were in high spirits!
In fact, Han Zhongyu had been busy these past two days. He had seized more than 600,000 taels of gold and nearly 3.9 million taels of silver from the homes of officials in Tai'an Prefecture, as well as countless other gold and silver jewelry, pearls, white jade, coral and other ornaments!
Even the claim that a three-year term as prefect would yield 100,000 taels of silver is an understatement!
Han Zhongyu carefully checked the taxes owed by Tai'an Prefecture over the years, and escorted 600,000 taels of gold and 1 million taels of silver to the capital to hand over to the Emperor to pay the taxes.
The remaining 2.9 million taels were used partly to purchase supplies and food to help the people of Tai'an Prefecture recover from the disaster as soon as possible, and partly to be allocated to the local treasury to ensure the normal operation of Tai'an Prefecture.
Of course, we can't let Yi Shuihan and his brothers risk their lives to make a wasted trip!
Han Zhongyu originally wanted to give Yi Shuihan a thousand taels of silver directly so he could divide it among himself, but Yi Shuihan repeatedly refused, saying only that...
"My brothers risked their lives to come here, firstly to give me face, and secondly because they have a sense of justice and cannot bear to see the people suffer. This time they have made meritorious contributions, so you, the imperial envoy, should personally reward them!"
As for me, well, what can I do? I'm unlucky enough to have a brother like you! Consider it my help! Send me two, no, ten jars of your treasured wine later, just ten jars will do!
Han Zhongyu's expression visibly changed when he heard his best friend ask for ten jars, and he gritted his teeth and said...
"Why don't you just raid my Han family's wine cellar!"
"I'm afraid of your grandpa!"
"you!
Two jars!
"Eight Altars"
"Two altars"
"Six Altars"
"Two altars"
"Ouch, my arm hurts so much!"
My heart may have been pierced by a bullet!
Ouch! My back! Such a long gash!
I almost died on the mountain, and I couldn't even get a drink! I made a bad choice in friends!
"Four jars, that's the most! Take it or leave it!"
"make a deal!"
The person who was yelling and shouting just a second ago is instantly revived!
You should know that the wines his grandfather treasured were priceless and unavailable on the market! Han Zhongyu's heart was bleeding from the pain of being extorted!
Even though he was extorted once, Han Zhongyu still gave each of the brothers who came with Yi Shuihan two taels of silver.
Those who were injured received an extra tael for medicine, those who performed great service received twenty taels, and those who performed minor service received between five and two taels. Several people who died in battle received thirty taels of silver as compensation.
All in all, it came to less than nine hundred taels.
Han Zhongyu once again secretly resented Yi Shuihan for being too cunning; one hundred taels of silver couldn't buy his grandfather's four jars of fine wine!
It's been ten years since he last got a beating from his grandfather!
Last time, it was Yi Shuihan who instigated him to steal his grandfather's wine. The two of them drank a full six jars of his grandfather's good wine and were drunk for three days. When he woke up, his buttocks were swollen for three days!
His grandfather was an honest and upright official whose only hobby was drinking. I can't think about it, or my butt will start to hurt!
After appreciating the brothers from Chuzhou, Han Zhongyu perked up and looked at Xie Tianqi, Liu Qiang, and the others, and said...
"You saved me from danger and indirectly saved the people of the city from suffering. I consider this a great achievement and will reward each of you with twenty taels of silver."
In addition, the constables who previously followed Zhang Zhidao in committing crimes are naturally no longer acceptable. The yamen needs to recruit new people. Are any of you willing to stay?
However, let me make this clear from the start: I will not tolerate anyone who abuses their power or commits wrongdoing!
Xie Tianqi and the Liu brothers were so excited that they immediately wanted to kneel down to express their gratitude, but Xie Yushu stopped them.
"Lord Han, if I may say something, the Liu brothers, Liu Nan and Liu Bei, are skilled and reliable. They would be perfect as constables and can lend you a hand at this time!"
However, Xie Tianqi and Liu Xiaodong are both too young and lack experience, and their family's martial arts skills are too weak; they need more training. Could they be appointed as ferry officers, with Liu Qiang supervising them? I guarantee they'll keep the ferry crossing well-guarded for the adults!
Han Zhongyu smiled bitterly.
"You! You're a girl, yet you have quite the appetite!"
"These few and a half people think they can swallow up everything in Tai'an Prefecture, both water and land! Aren't they afraid of overextending themselves?"
After hearing Han Zhongyu's words, Liu Qiang and the others realized that Xie Yushu's intention was actually the entire Tai'an Prefecture. They secretly admired Xie Yushu's foresight, but were also worried about whether Han Zhongyu would agree!
"Lord Han is joking. We only have a few people, so what's the point of talking about swallowing them up? You've turned Tai'an Prefecture upside down, so someone has to help you keep it under control. They're just there to assist you. They can't cause any trouble on their own; they're just following you around to make a living!"
Moreover, none of my brothers are evil people. They are always conscientious in their duties. If they dare to follow the example of cruel officials and oppress the people, I will be the first to not let them off!
"You've already said all this, if I don't agree, are you going to accuse me of being ungrateful? Fine, anyway, we're short of people everywhere! Liu Qiang, Xie Tianqi, Liu Xiaodong, would the three of you be willing to go to the Ministry of Waterways as ferrymen?"
"I am willing"
"The common people are willing"
The three answered immediately.
Very well then. Liu Nan and Liu Bei will stay in the government office as constables, while Liu Qiang, Xie Tianqi, and Liu Xiaodong will report to the Ministry of Water Resources tomorrow.
"Yes, sir!"
"However, neither the government office nor the Ministry of Water Resources can be run by one person alone. More people will be selected later. Whether you can stay depends on your own abilities!"
Han Zhongyu still offered some pointers.
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