Domineering Daming

If it spreads out, what will others think?It's these squires who are stubborn and don't pay attention to him, the Governor of Shuntian Prefecture, or say he is incompetent!

What's more important is that their Shuntian Mansion can't even collect much donations, so what hope is there for the "gentleman's tax payment" that the imperial court values ​​so much!

Sitting there, Chen Qiyu's expression changed, and his eyes were full of coldness.

Seeing that Chen Qiyu didn't speak, Chen Suowen knew that he was angry, so he was also full of anger, and said in a stern voice: "My lord, it's not just that, some people demanded that the lower officials be exempted from taxes and grains, saying, 'Everything is as usual, but you can donate more. One hundred taels!"

Bang!

Chen Qiyu slammed his fist on the table, looked up at Chen Suowen coldly, and said: "Send an order to summon all the magistrates in Beizhili. The magistrates come to the capital. I don't care what they are busy with. If they don't arrive at noon tomorrow, Just prepare your luggage at home, and you can return home immediately!"

Chen Suowen knew that Chen Qiyu was extremely angry, and just as he was about to speak, a yamen servant hurried in and said, "My lord, Wang Dianli allocated 300 taels to Yuanwai Zhao with the idea of ​​'connecting the canals in the village'."

Chen Suowen's face changed suddenly, and he said to Chen Qiyu: "My lord, this Wang Yuanwai just donated 300 taels!"

Chen Qiyu laughed angrily, sitting there trembling all over!

He was a Jinshi in the second year of Tianqi. He worked as a household officer, then was a deputy envoy of Shaanxi, and later he participated in politics and guarded Nanyang. It can be said that his resume is very solid, and he has seen a lot of dirty things in the officialdom. Today, he still opened his eyes!

Out with the left hand and in with the right, playing in a dignified way, not caring about being known by him at all!

Knowing that Chen Qiyu was very angry, Chen Suowen said: "My lord, now is not the time to pursue these things. Since the emperor asked Shuntian Mansion to make a donation, if it is only 500 taels, not [-] taels... Master Chen is still in prison... "

A trace of ferocity flashed across Chen Qiyu's face, suppressing the anger in his heart, he said, "What can you do?"

Chen Suowen was also very angry in his heart, but he could tell the seriousness. He said: "I went to the Ministry of Households to look at the list of donations. Among them, the merchants donated the most, followed by nobles, and then courtiers. The real gentry , but very few.”

Chen Qiyu frowned, he is the Governor of Shuntian Mansion, how could he not know the details of those commercial firms, looked at him and said, "You mean, you want me to go to those commercial firms for alms?"

If you really do this, you will probably be hated to death by the emperor!

The emperor asked you to pay donations, and you paid the donations to the emperor. Isn't this just asking for trouble!

Chen Suowen shook his head and said: "Your Excellency misunderstood, this is not the meaning of the lower official. The lower official thinks that in the name of the adult, it is better to call the nobles and big families in the capital who have huge sums of money, openly and honestly, openly donate, and record it. .”

Chen Qiyu shook his head after thinking for a while, and said, "Let's not say that I don't have this ability, even if they are all summoned, they won't care about it."

When Chen Suowen heard this, his expression gradually became serious.

Gentlemen and nobles are not easy to offend. The methods the court can use against them are extremely limited, and there is not enough deterrence, so it is impossible to extract money from him.

There was silence in the lobby, and the two were thinking of countermeasures while angrily hating the group of people.

After a long while, Chen Suowen raised his head and said, "My lord, if it's really not possible, I will pay back the grain owed over the years to make up for this donation!"

Chen Qiyu also shook his head, and said: "If they find a reason not to give, we can't snatch it. We must find a safe way." Those who evade taxes and refuse to pay taxes will be deprived of past imperial edicts, imperial examinations will be banned within three generations, and they will not be allowed to serve in politics or the army.”

The reason why these gentry are "proud" is that their ancestors or now have "fame" and can enjoy many privileges. This is the lifeblood they depend on for survival. If they are forcibly deprived, they will be worse than death!

Once deprived, they are no different from ordinary people!

However, this is a double-edged sword. Once it moves, it will definitely be a deadly situation!

Chen Suowen could also see that Chen Qiyu had an idea in mind, but he was hesitating, and tentatively said: "My lord, do you have a solution?"

Chen Qiyu stood up, took a deep breath, and said, "You first call the officials of Beizhili to Beijing to discuss the countermeasures. I will go around later and see if I can think of other solutions."

Chen Suowen knew it in his heart, raised his hand and said, "Yes."

Chen Qiyu left Shuntian Mansion, thought for a while, and walked towards Zhang Guoji's Mansion.

Zhang Guoji is living a good life now, with the dividends from the Huimin Chamber of Commerce, he is at home leisurely, without worrying about food and drink, and the empress dowager Zhang has a high status, everyone respects him three points when he sees him, which makes him even more proud.

The two little maids rubbed their shoulders, and there were two girls playing and singing in front of him, he shook his head, moaning and chirping, so uncomfortable.

"Grandpa, Governor of Shuntian Mansion, Chen Qiyu asks to see you." A servant came over and whispered in Zhang Guoji's ear.

Zhang Guoji was taken aback, and said, "What is he doing here?"

He thought for a while, then waved his hands and said: "Go down, tidy up, and invite him in." It's okay to be comfortable at home, and you can't let outsiders see it.

Chen Qiyu raised his hand to Zhang Guoji, and said, "Your Majesty, I have seen Duke Taikang." Chen Qiyu knew that this Duke Taikang was actually incompetent, it was nothing more than Emperor Tianqi's enthronement that year and needed strength, so he specially granted him a title.Even so, his influence should not be underestimated. If he stood up to support Shuntian Mansion's donation, many people would follow.

Zhang Guoji sat on the chair, looked at Chen Qiyu with a calm expression, and said, "Master Chen doesn't know why you came to my idle man's house?" People like Zhang Guoji are far away from the court and have nothing to do with it.

Chen Qiyu was calm, and said straight to the point: "My lord, I'm here because I think of my lord to come forward to collect donations for Shuntian Mansion, and to do my part."

Zhang Guoji was stunned, and then said more and more indifferently: "Why should I help you?"

Chen Qiyu naturally thought of a countermeasure long ago, raised his hand and said: "My lord, you are the most honorable person among the nobles, and this donation is also the request of the emperor, and my lord must have no reason to refuse. As the Governor of Shuntian Mansion, the favor of the father-in-law can be repaid even by a lower official."

Reason and emotion, these two things are often irresistible at this time.

Zhang Guoji looked at Chen Qiyu with a big belly, and said for a while, "For the donation, I can give you 5000 taels, but I won't show up."

5000 taels is not a lot, but Chen Qiyu didn't care about it, looked at Zhang Guoji and asked, "Grandpa, what is the meaning of this?"

Zhang Guoji snorted coldly, and said: "Today is your Shuntian Mansion, and tomorrow is the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Officials, and the Cabinet. Do you want to clean up my Taikang Mansion!"

Chen Qiyu frowned slightly. If Zhang Guoji didn't show up, no amount of money would be of any use. After thinking about it, he said: "My lord, if you are willing to show up, I can invite the emperor. I think the emperor will not hesitate to reward you."

Zhang Guoji waved his hand with a sullen face and said, "Seeing off the guests!"

Chen Qiyu wanted to say more, Zhang Guoji had already turned around and entered the inner room, two servants came over and said, "Master Chen, please."

Chen Qiyu's expression changed, and he turned and left Zhang Guoji's mansion suppressing his anger.After walking a few steps, he was still pondering.

"My lord, where are we going now?" The bearer asked.

Chen Qiyu stopped in his tracks, his eyes revealing his thoughts.Zhang Guoji's status is indeed honorable, but in terms of influence, who can compare to the British Duke Zhang Weixian?

"Go to the British government." Chen Qiyu turned and got on the sedan chair.

But this time, he didn't even enter the door.

Zhang Weixian is now in a claustrophobic gate, has nothing to do, never goes out, and does not see any officials from the ruling and opposition parties.

Chen Qiyu's expression changed again and again, and he decided to go to Liu's house instead, which is the old concubine Liu's natal family.

Liu Hua went to Jiangxi, and Liu Dai greeted him very politely. He generously donated 3000 taels, and asked for "not to show up".

After going through these three times, Chen Qiyu finally understood one thing.

It's not that the atmosphere in the capital has changed. People all over the world have feelings for the country and the people, and everything remains the same!The reason why the Ministry of Finance was able to donate so much was because the emperor stood behind him!

Without this level, let alone him, even Fu Changzong might not be able to receive much!

Sitting in the sedan chair, Chen Qiyu closed his eyes wearily, and sighed softly after a long time: "How can such a big country rely on the emperor alone..."