The first Taoist priest of the Tang Dynasty

"Inspector, please come with me." After listening to Zhong Wen's call, a yamen servant hurried over and led Zhong Wen to the outside of the government yamen.

A quarter of an hour later, Zhong Wen came to a place where a high wall was located.

"Inspector, this is the prison of the Fuya. The Inspector is here, and you still don't welcome him?" The Yamen pointed to the big prison not far away, and shouted at the guarding jailer.

"Lead the way, let's see how Governor He Zhenghe and the others are doing now." Zhong Wen stretched out his hand and asked the jailers to lead the way.

"Son, boy, you will not die well, you will not die well." Just as Zhong Wen entered the prison, He Zheng had already seen Zhong Wen, pointed at Zhong Wen and began to curse.

"Ci Shi He, don't you come here unharmed? I don't know if I will die or not, but you, after I have been busy for a while, when the winter comes, I will cut off your head with a guillotine, so that it can be used for my benefit. Let the common people of the state explain to each other." Zhong Wen approached the cell where He Zheng was being held.

"You dare! I am the governor of Lizhou appointed by the Holy Majesty. You are just a child, huh? You...you...why are you wearing a third-rank official uniform?" Just when He Zheng wanted to criticize Zhong Wen again, He Zheng suddenly He found that the official uniform Zhong Wen was wearing was already the official uniform of the third grade, and he was so shocked that he was at a loss.

"Why is he the only one locked up in this room? Why are there so many people in the other cells? Aren't they afraid of an epidemic? All cells hold prisoners on average, no matter what official position they used to be, they are all the same and cannot be treated preferentially." Zhong Wen didn't agree. Responding to He Zheng, he shouted directly at the jailers.

Zhong Wen ignored that He Zheng, walked into the prison, and looked casually.

In fact, the prison in this government office can be said to be very messy, and the smell is almost overpowering.

In the prison, more than 100 people were detained, basically all officials from this Lizhou and various counties, from governors to civil servants.

Of course, some yamen servants are definitely indispensable, but the yamen servants are locked in the prison of the county government and have not been transferred to the prison of the government office.

Of course, there are also the family members of various officials, at least three hundred people in total.

From Chang'an, there has never been an official document on how to deal with these officials, but Zhong Wen has his own idea, that is Liwei.

And this Liwei, of course, had his head beheaded.

These officials used to be domineering in Lizhou, and now they are in prison. They had to wait for Chang'an's official document to act, but Chang'an did not send the official document. Fortunately, Zhong Wen resolved it on his own.

If they continue to be imprisoned like this, they will waste an unknown amount of food.

"Marquis of Zhongxian, Marquis of Zhongxian, I was wronged, please forgive me." When a certain county magistrate saw Zhong Wen, he begged Zhong Wen for mercy.

"Have you been wronged? Hasn't there already been a conclusion? Now you are calling me wrong, why did you go before?"

Zhong Wen looked at the imprisoned magistrate in front of him and shook his head.

"Surnamed Zhong, I curse you and your family to a terrible death." At this time, in a cell not far away, Zhou Kui, the former Lizhou secretary and enlisted in the army, shouted at Zhong Wen through gritted teeth.

"Zhou Kui, if the curse is useful, I think your family will be the last one, but don't worry, your Zhou family will definitely be the last one. As far as I know, your son Zhou Zhen seems to have done bad things forever. The curse of your Zhou family , will come soon. Is the classic history here?" Zhong Wen looked at Zhou Kui and cursed himself and his family, and came here angrily.

"I'm here." Dian Shi, who was standing behind Zhong Wen, quickly responded.

"Food is scarce in Lizhou. From today onwards, each prison will distribute three rice balls per person per day. Civil servants, note that no one is allowed to visit the prison. Anyone who violates the law will be punished according to the law."

Zhong Wen didn't know what the prison was like before, but now he had to follow his instructions. As for whether the three rice balls would starve to death, these people deserved to die anyway, and Zhong Wen didn't care whether they died or not.

However, according to the past, Zhong Wen's practice had indeed passed, but who made Zhou Kui curse his family to die, which aroused Zhong Wen's hatred and directly ordered it.

After seeing the prison, Zhong Wen left after only a few words. As for He Zheng's yelling, Zhong Wen's head grew dizzy.

"Inspector, something serious happened in Yiqing County." Just as Zhong Wen was leaving the government prison, a member of the Law Enforcement Department hurried over and reported to Zhong Wen.

"What happened in Yiqing County?" Zhong Wen didn't know, so, can this digging of a well also lead to something important?

It's only been a few days, and there is another big event, isn't it?

Although Zhong Wen didn't know it in his heart, but according to his guess, it was estimated that officials bullied the people. After all, this was the norm in the past.

"Returning to the governor, the local clan in Yiqing County resisted the digging of the well and organized the villagers to make trouble, saying that they did not want to dig the well without giving money. There are many, and several villages are causing trouble at the same time, governor, what do you think of it?"

"Go back to the government office, prepare the horse, and go to Yiqing County together, come and call Zheng Biejia back to take charge."

"Yes."

Then, everyone took orders.

Zhong Wen, who returned to the government office, took the sword and rode away on his horse, heading straight for Yiqing County.

Clans assembled to resist the county government, this is beyond Zhong Wen's understanding.

Wells are dug to prepare for drought. If there is a severe drought in the coming year, wouldn't everyone have to eat soil?What's the point of asking for money now?

Zhong Wen, who was rushing all the way, was anxious in his heart, such a big event, don't make a big one, if this is the case, then it will be a big trouble at that time.

Although Zhong Wen can kill and kill like a general, but the people under the clan are ignorant and innocent. If he really kills a lot, he, the governor, will probably become a bloodthirsty governor. .

When Zhong Wen arrived at the Yiqing county government office, he found that there were many wounded people, but the injured people were all government officials and the like.

"Inspector, you are finally here. The incompetence of the subordinate officials caused turmoil in that Yejia Village, and I begged the governor to punish the subordinate officials." Li Wei, the magistrate of Yiqing County, was sighing in the county office, but found that Zhong Wen came suddenly, and hurried over to plead guilty.

"How about the wounded? Are there any dead?" Zhong Wen looked at the wounded around and asked.

"Returning to the governor, there is no dead person. We tried our best to restrain ourselves and did not use our swords. The yamen servants were injured by the stones thrown by the villagers of Yejia Village." Li Wei quickly responded.

"Treat the wounded well. Tomorrow you follow me to Yejia Village. I want to see who dares to be so bold." Zhong Wen really didn't understand that a Yejia Village dared to attack the yamen servants, which would cause serious damage at any time. messy.

That night, Zhong Wen left the county government office and went straight to Yejia Village.

After Zhong Wen arrived in Yiqing County, he asked the county magistrate and various officials about the situation of Yejia Village.

Yejia Village is a large village with more than 500 households and a population approaching [-] people.

Moreover, the three villages around Yejia Village basically all have the same surname Ye, and have the same family origin, so there was a partnership between the four villages to resist the order.

The combined population of the four villages already exceeds 3000, which is already a local clan with a large population.

The clan with such a large base population is also the largest clan in Yiqing County.

Moreover, as far as Zhong Wen knew, there was an official from Yejia Village, who was much older than any county magistrate.

And that official from the Ye family is now working in Chang'an, and it is said that he is the supervisor of a certain garden in Sinong Temple.

For this official position, Zhong Wen didn't figure out what kind of official position it was.

Zhong Wen went to Yejia Village in the middle of the night. He wanted to find out who owns Yejia Village and who dared to organize so many people to resist the order.

A quarter of an hour later, Zhong Wen had already jumped to Yejia Village, and landed straight on the roof of the largest house in Yejia Village, because this family had the largest house in Yejia Village. A lot of oil lamps were lit, and several people gathered together to talk.

"Patriarch, if we make such a fuss, we won't be suppressed by the county government and Lizhou, right? Don't let this matter go unresolved by then." A man said to a rather old man in the middle of the hall .

"Don't worry, the county government doesn't dare to do anything to me, Mrs. Ye. Besides, even if the governor of Lizhou comes, we don't need to be afraid. Pei Er has sent a letter from Chang'an, saying that someone from Chang'an is already visiting Lizhou. It’s over, and in a few days’ time, this Lizhou will change again, so everyone, don’t worry.”

The old man said softly to everyone present.

"Patriarch, is it true that Ye Peiyuan Supervisor will also be transferred to Lizhou? If that's the case, that would be the best."

"It is impossible for Pei'er to be sent to Lizhou. Local officials are not allowed to hold positions locally, but now the officials in the counties of Lizhou are all local officials. The rules are messed up, and the rules are even more messed up. Outline."

"Patriarch, if the people from the county government come tomorrow, how should we deal with it?"

"It's enough to go out. How can it be the county government's turn to be in charge of digging a well? A well costs three hundred guan, not a penny less. After paying the money, you have to listen to us. Otherwise, how can my Ye family be here? Yiqing County has a foothold?"

"Patriarch, what if someone dies? So many people have been injured today."

"..."

Following the discussion in this hall, Zhong Wen gradually knew how Ye Family Village would respond to his government order.

Three hundred guan a well, really dare to open this well.

Dare to be so arrogant just because the Ye family has a Beijing official, which really makes Zhong Wen suffocate and find it hard to swallow.

Afterwards, Zhong Wen went to the three surrounding villages again, checked them one by one, and returned to the Yiqing county government office.

In the early morning of the second day, Zhong Wen headed for Yejia Village with several officials.

Yejia Village is not far from Yiqing County, only about ten miles away. On this trip, Zhong Wen didn't even bring a single yamen servant with him, but only brought four officials in charge of Yiqing County Yamen and two scribes.

After walking for half an hour, the seven people came to the distance of Yejia Village.

"Inspector, the village in front is Yejia Village. Look, there are already hundreds of people gathered there." When Zhong Wen and his group came over, Li Wei, the county magistrate of Yiqing County, pointed at Ye Jiacun in the distance. Jiacun said to Zhong Wen.

"Let's go to Yejia Village. I want to see who of them dares to do anything." Zhong Wen looked calm and led the six terrified officials towards Yejia Village.

Moreover, at this time, in front of the entrance of Yejia Village, there were already hundreds of people gathered there, probably waiting for the people from the county government to come.

"Didn't you already say it yesterday? If you dare to come here again, don't blame us for beating people again." When Zhong Wen and the others approached those people, one of the men pointed at Zhong Wen and the others and shouted.

"Bold, this is the governor of Lizhou. Seeing that the official is not polite, you dare to shout like this. Aren't you afraid of being imprisoned?" Wei Antu of Yiqing County, who followed Zhong Wen, pointed at the man with one hand and shouted.

"Wow"

"The governor of Lizhou..."

"Go and ask the patriarch."

When this group of people heard the words of the county Wei Antu, they immediately exploded, and then some people started to run away and headed for the village.

Zhong Wen looked at these people with cold eyes, and stood quietly without speaking or making a sound, waiting for the person in charge of the Ye family to come over.

"Old Ye Kuan, I have met the governor. I don't know why the governor came to my Yejia Village." Not long after, last night, the old patriarch of the Ye clan that Zhong Wen had seen came over, and walked towards Zhong Wen with simple words. asked after saluting.

At this time in Yejia Village, more and more people began to rush to the entrance of Yejia Village, and many villagers still held sticks in their hands, and what's more, they even carried swords in their hands.

ps: Thank you Chu Longhua for rewarding 100 coins!

Chapter 325 The Clan Doesn't Go Difficult

"Ask knowingly?" Zhong Wen asked coldly at the head of the Ye family in front of him.

"Old man really doesn't know why the governor came to my Yejia village, but the governor came to my Yejia village in person, and my Ye family can't wait for the governor. Please, how about going to my Yejia village to rest for a while?" Kuan made a gesture of invitation to Zhong Wen.

However, Zhong Wen had been staring at Ye Kuan, the patriarch of the Ye clan, in front of him. From his eyes, he could see a trace of disdain.

Zhong Wen looked at Ye Kuan, then at the hundreds of villagers, and then he raised his legs and walked forward. Wherever he was going, all the villagers hurried out of a way for Zhong Wen to pass.

But at this time, the officials of Yiqing County who came with Zhong Wen were about to pee out of fear, but seeing Zhong Wen, the governor, walking forward, they had to follow closely, fearing that The villagers of the Ye family besieged them.

"Let's all leave first." Seeing Zhong Wen walking forward, Ye Kuan called out to the villagers.

As soon as Ye Kuan's words fell, the villagers began to gradually disperse.

Although some people dispersed, there were still nearly a hundred villagers standing at the entrance of the village, as if they were worried about something, more like they were defending against something.

The matter of yesterday, so far, although it has been temporarily resolved, but after all, the Yacha was beaten, and this matter is already resisting the order. If hundreds of Yacha came over, there would be another big war.

Although even the governor has come to their Ye family village right now, these villagers are still so cautious. Perhaps, this is what the patriarch of the Ye family confessed behind.

"Inspector, please sit down, come here, bring some water for the superiors." After Zhong Wen and the others were introduced to his house by Na Ye Kuan, everyone began to sit down.

Zhong Wen still didn't speak, and kept staring at Ye Kuan.

Zhong Wen stared at Ye Kuan like this, which made Ye Kuan very nervous. He didn't know why the new governor kept staring at him.

However, he is not afraid of the new governor in front of him, what's more, this is his Ye family village, even if the new governor has any means, he is not afraid.

"Old Patriarch Ye, the well-digging order issued by our Lizhou was issued by the governor. The order issued by the governor is also to prevent severe drought. Moreover, at the beginning of this summer, water sources in various places have begun to flow. Shen, it has been reduced a lot, this well-digging order is also to let Yejia Village survive the severe drought year, Patriarch Ye, what do you think about this?"

At this time, Li Wei, the magistrate of Yiqing County, saw the cold scene at the moment, and quickly explained to Ye Kuan.

"My Ye family knows what the county magistrate Li said, but the water source in my Ye family village is basically a lot, and it is absolutely impossible to cut off. Moreover, digging a well must use manpower. My Ye family village Although the population is large, each family is still poor, if the digging of wells can compensate some, it is also possible to call some people to dig wells."

Li Kuan looked at Li Weiyan and said, and then looked at Zhong Wen who had been silent all this time.

In his words, the meaning of affiliation is basically for money.

"Old patriarch Ye, the county government is struggling to make ends meet now, where is the extra money to subsidize the well digging? Besides, this is for the sake of Yejia Village, so why should the county government compensate the money?"

"Magistrate Li, you are the magistrate of a county. It will take time to dig a well. Moreover, as far as my Yejia Village belongs to a lot of fields, it will take at least five years to dig. With so many wells to be dug, it takes manpower, time, It will take a lot, and it is estimated that it will take at least a month to complete."

"One month will be wasted on digging the well, and the work of the villagers will be missed. The beans in the field will also have to be taken care of, and there will be even less free time. If the harvest of beans is affected, then the tax But it’s not easy to pay.”

Every word Ye Kuan said was based on interests.

Li Wei was also speechless, and Zhong Wen started to think about what Ye Kuan said to Ye Kuan.

Whether it is Yejia Village or the three nearby villages, this is just a clan in Yiqing County. If the clans of all counties were put together, the population base would be huge.

The Ye clan in Yiqing county alone was handled by Zhong Wen himself. It can be seen that the clans in other counties are basically the same.

This is called not casting a hawk if you don't see a rabbit, and not doing anything if you don't see money.

If the clan is too powerful, it will make it difficult to implement the government orders of the counties. Moreover, just because of such a small matter of digging a well, it has caused bloodshed. Zhong Wen is also thinking about what to do next.

The local clans are deeply intertwined, moreover, there is an official from the Ye Family, which makes the Yiqing County Government's actions very difficult.

Zhong Wen, a newly appointed governor, said that he was a monk halfway through. Although he understood the local clan in his heart, it was just that he didn't want to have any confrontation.

Who makes people have many families, and the government's decrees can be resisted, not to mention that he, the governor, can be ignored.

As for what to do, Zhong Wen already had some concerns in his mind at this time, and that was to deal with it coldly.

If you don't want to implement this well-digging order, then don't implement it.