Iron Dynasty

Outside Dengzhou City, Yang Chengye frowned as he looked at the vast coast.

This endless sea and the salty and wet sea breeze are what he needs to face after he succeeds as the governor of Dengzhou.

Since the Salt Transport Department is located in Dengzhou, his burden is even heavier. In addition to approving the monthly amount of salt to be reported to Qingzhou, he also has a headache for this all-pervasive private salt dealer.

Among the six prefectures, Dengzhou has the smallest number of people, with only about 100,000 households. These 100,000 households are also distributed in various counties outside Dengzhou. The population of Dengzhou city is only about 50,000 households, with a population of ten tens of thousands.

And many of these people make a living by going out to sea to fish. After all, there is a vast sea outside the city of Dengzhou.

It's just that the traces of Japanese pirates on the sea have increased in recent years, and many fishermen who go out to sea have been killed, which makes some fishermen dare not go out to fish again.

However, the fishermen who are used to living on the sea do not want to farm, so the implementation of this law in Dengzhou is not very satisfactory, especially in a village called Yutai near the sea.

Because the village is close to the sea, there is no arable land around the village, and the allocated arable land is too far. These people are unwilling to go, and they still risk fishing in the coastal waters. At the same time, some daring people in the village also engage in the business of selling private salt.

Selling illicit salt in Dayu Country is a serious crime of beheading. If there are more illicit salt dealers, less salt is sold by the government, which will seriously affect the annual turnover of the Salt Transport Division.

And this is the last thing he wants to see.

He is a native of Dengzhou, and his original position was Dengzhou Biejia, but after the Dengzhou wealthy family was eradicated, he, a humble official without a wealthy background, was promoted to Dengzhou prefect.

He went straight to Qingyun overnight. He was naturally grateful to King Qi. After taking office, he was also diligent in government affairs and did not dare to slack off.

Therefore, the matter of the private salt seller must be resolved for him, so as to be worthy of King Qi's trust.

Just after dealing with these smugglers for half a year, he still did not catch them.

But so far, he has basically figured out that many of the members of this private salt dealer are from Yutai Village.

In order to catch the leader of the smuggling salt, a man named Yue Yun, he hesitated for three days, and finally made up his mind to force these smugglers out.

Master Chief Inspector, we really don't know Yue Yun, so just let us go.

At this time, Yutai Village was surrounded by hundreds of Dengzhou Corps, and more than 300 villagers in the entire village were gathered together.

Hmph, the facts are all there, and you are still arguing. The household register in Dengzhou clearly records that Yue Yun is from your Yutai Village, but now you say you don't know. Yang Chengye held a household register in his hand.

He continued: There was news from Qingzhou a few days ago that King Qi will arrive in Dengzhou in the near future. If you count the days, it will arrive in the next two days. This official's kindness has not been used, but you have repeatedly shielded Yue Yun. Today, This king has to escort you all back and interrogate them one by one!

As soon as the words fell, Yang Chengye waved his hand, and the Dengzhou soldiers immediately stepped forward to detain the villagers.

At this moment, a Governor Deng Shi suddenly came on his horse, and when he arrived, he said to Yang Chengye, Inspector Fang, His Highness is here.

What! So fast? Yang Chengye frowned.

Yes, His Highness and Pang Changshi came on horseback, which is naturally a lot faster. Now this private salt seller has no eyes, how should we explain to His Highness. Governor Dengshi looked sad.

Yang Chengye sighed, How else can I explain, take all these villagers away and ask, I can only tell the truth.

After all, Yang Chengye went to Dengzhou City.

At this time, in the Dengzhou government office, Xiao Ming and Pang Yukun were sitting and drinking tea, with Luluo serving by Xiao Ming's side.

That's true, Yang Chengye. He knew that His Highness was coming, but he ran away without a trace. Pang Yukun complained.

Xiao Ming smiled, It's okay, this is the most important thing in government affairs. Among the six states this year, it is said that Dengzhou's money and grain has changed from the bottom to the third place. It seems that Yang Chengye is right to be promoted.

His Royal Highness, this Yang Chengye is not bad, but the money and grain are in the warehouse, and it has a great relationship with the Salt Transport Division. Otherwise, Dengzhou will still be ranked at the bottom.

That's true, but Dengzhou has great potential. The shipyard is here now. In the future, this king will also plan to build a naval base here, plus a large wharf. In the next year, this Dengzhou will prosper.

On the way here, Xiao Ming and Pang Yukun also stopped and went to inspect the living conditions of the people in Dengzhou.

Generally speaking, Baixin in Dengzhou is more embarrassed than other states, and this feeling is even stronger after entering Dengzhou City.

Not only the dilapidated city walls of Dengzhou City, but also in this place with a length and width of several kilometers, the population in the city is also very complete, the market is even rarer, and the clothes of the people are also very ragged.

Hahaha, this Yang Chengye is really lucky. With His Highness taking care of him, this Dengzhou will definitely fly up in the future. Pang Yukun said.

As the two were talking, there was a sudden noise outside the door, and then Yang Chengye and Governor Deng Shi walked in quickly.

His Royal Highness, the lower official is guilty. As soon as Yang Chengye came in, he immediately knelt on the ground.

Xiao Ming was a little puzzled, he said: Fang Inspector, what's wrong with you?

Yang Chengye said with guilt: Your Highness, until now, the lower officials have not caught the leader of the private salt dealer. I am truly ashamed of Your Highness and ashamed of Pang Changshi.

Hearing this, Xiao Ming and Pang Yukun looked at each other, and Pang Yukun said, Inspector Fang, this time, His Highness and I are not here to investigate this private salt trader, but for other things.

Not because of the smuggled salt dealer?

Yang Chengye breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. He thought that Pang Yukun and Xiao Ming had come in person for the purpose of private salt dealers, so he made this decision in a hurry and arrested all the people of Yutai Village.

Xiao Ming nodded, Exactly, this time, I came here to find some people who are proficient in water for this king's fleet, and you, a native of Dengzhou, need help in this matter.

This... Yang Chengye looked surprised, he said: His Royal Highness, if you want to say that this place has the best people, of course it is a place called Yutai Village. The salt sellers have all been arrested by the lower officials and are now being sent to prison.

What! Pang Yukun's expression suddenly changed when he heard the words, and he said angrily: Yang Chengye, how can you do this kind of bastard, so some people in the village are arrested indiscriminately, how do you let the people of Dengzhou think of the government? Ya, what do you think of Your Highness!