The strongest Marquis in history

The attendant said: "My lord!"

Zuo Yuneng ordered: "Go and inform Master Ling to come, I have something to ask."

"Yes!"

The servant turned to inform.

Not long after, a thin middle-aged man stepped in.The expression on the face of the middle-aged man was solemn, and he bowed and said: "I pay my respects to my lord."

Zuo Yuneng said: "Mr. Ling, sit down!"

"Thank you sir!"

Ling Ran sat down directly. He was Zuo Yuneng's chief bookkeeper and also Zuo Yuneng's counselor, offering advice for Zuo Yuneng.Even for most of the matters, Ling Ran made decisions for Zuo Yuneng.

Ling Ran sat down and asked, "Your Excellency, you have notified me, what's the matter?"

Zuo Yuneng picked up the account book in his hand, threw it directly in front of Ling Ran, and said in a deep voice, "Come on, take a look. The money handed over by Zhang'an County this month is only 5000 taels of silver."

"According to the usual, at least 2 taels of silver, how can we do it if we lose so much money all of a sudden?"

"You can arrange for someone to send a letter to Zeng Zigong, the magistrate of Zhang'an County, asking him to make up the 5000 taels of silver next month. If there is a shortage of money, I will hold him accountable."

Zuo Yuneng's tone was extremely sharp.

With this attitude, once Zeng Zigong couldn't pay the money, Zuo Yuneng would be withdrawn.

"Yes!"

Ling Ran replied respectfully.

Zuo Yuneng said: "Tell Zeng Zigong that it is understandable that he has difficulties. But who doesn't have difficulties? He needs money, but this official doesn't need money? This official needs money everywhere."

"Yes!"

Ling Ran replied again.

He knew Zuo Yuneng's disposition, and when it came to money, it was unquestionable and undeniable.Everything else is easy to talk about, but it is difficult to handle when money is involved.

Zuo Yuneng waved his hand and said, "Go down, hurry up and hurry up."

"Yes!"

Ling Ran spoke again.

Zuo Yuneng waved his hand, Ling Ran bowed and bowed, then turned and retreated.At this time, Zuo Yuneng picked up the brush out of boredom and prepared to draw.

Painting is one of his hobbies, and through this matter, he can also use it to make money.

This is Zuo Yuneng's favorite.

When Zuo Yu was able to paint, there was a knock on the door outside, and Ling Ran's voice came in: "My lord, I have something important to see in my humble position."

"Come in!"

Zuo Yu could give an order.

Ling Ran pushed the door open and entered, with a more serious expression on his face, he bowed and said, "My lord."

Zuo Yuneng said, "What's the matter?"

Ling Ran replied: "My lord, I just received the news that King Qi brought people to Kuaiji County. According to preliminary estimates, King Qi is likely to go to Zhang'an County. Because King Qi came this time because Yan Chixing was arrested. Injury, the Japanese provocation."

Zuo Yuneng's expression changed drastically.

He slapped the desk and said angrily: "This group of damned Japanese people have told them time and time again that a small part of them will be looted, and most of them will stay on overseas islands and are not allowed to go ashore."

"Fortunately, they not only rushed into Zhang'an County to plunder, but also deliberately ambushed them, waiting for Yan Chixing to encircle and suppress them, and then killed Yan Chixing by surprise, and wounded Yan Chixing."

"Such a result is tantamount to sweeping King Qi's face, how can King Qi not be angry."

"A bunch of trash, more than enough to succeed than to fail."

Zuo Yuneng said coldly: "I always want to eat a big fat man with one bite, how is it possible? The rice needs to be eaten bite by bite. Now they have angered King Qi, let's see how they do business."

Ling Ran sighed and said: "The Japanese have ideas, and they want to get more benefits. My lord, now that King Qi is here, we also need to be prepared. Otherwise, if we really don't arrange anything, we will easily fall into trouble. "

Zuo Yuneng said: "Mr. Ling, what do you think should be done?"

Ling Ran replied: "I think the best way for us now is to order Zeng Zigong in Zhang'an County to control his mouth and the people below him. Second, about the money that needs to be supplemented this month. , temporarily exempting him. After all, Wang Qi is here, and he still has to raise money, which is not easy."

Zuo Yuneng thought for a while, and ordered: "Okay, just follow your idea."

Ling Ran said: "The humble job will arrange it now."

Zuo Yuneng nodded, Ling Ran turned around and walked out.But just when Ling Ran walked to the door, Zuo Yuneng suddenly said, "Sir, wait a minute."

Ling Ran stopped, turned around and said, "What else does your lord want?"

Zuo Yuneng looked serious, and asked: "I still think it's inappropriate. Regarding the matter of King Qi's arrival in Zhang'an County, if something really went wrong, what should we do then?"

Ling Ran said to himself: "My lord, there is no chance of mistakes. The money we collect from the counties is collected in the name of the national treasury. These money are all recorded in the account, and there is a separate account book."

"Once it's really verified, it's for the King of Qi to verify it. Anyway, when to hand over this sum of money is up to you. So, if you really need to investigate something, you should first take out the money in the treasury and respond to it." .”

"As long as you pass this level, naturally there will be no problems."

Ling Ran said: "King Qi is here to investigate the case of Yan Chixing and deal with the Japanese. For the time being, it has nothing to do with us. As long as Zeng Zigong keeps his mouth shut, everything will be fine."

Zuo Yuneng rolled his eyeballs, and a smile appeared on his face, and said, "You're right."

Ling Ran said: "In short, let's make more preparations. For the local area, we still need to get more cooperation from the Intelligence Bureau and the Supervision Department. In short, Wang Qi's going to the local area depends entirely on these eyes and ears. If these people stand on our side On the one hand, everything is naturally fine."

Zuo Yuneng's heart was completely at ease, he thought Ling Ran's words made sense.What's more, until now, he has no way out, he just needs to act according to Ling Ran's suggestion.

Ling Ran bowed and said, "My lord, is there anything else?"

Zuo Yuneng said, "It's gone!"

Ling Ran said: "Since there is nothing else to do, I will inform you immediately. Time is running out, so we must inform Zeng Zigong as soon as possible so that he can make adequate preparations so that he will not be caught off guard."

Zuo Yuneng nodded, Ling Ran turned around and backed away.

Chapter 704

Zhang'an County is located in the southwest of Kuaiji, facing the sea in the east, with good business, and Zhang'an County has a vast territory, which is a large county.Especially in Zhang'an County, under the governance of Longying, it has recuperated and developed business, and the development is very good.

With the promotion of sweet potatoes, potatoes and corn in Zhang'an County, the most important thing is the appearance of sweet potatoes, which completely solved the hunger problem in Zhang'an County.

All people are no longer affected by hunger.Even because of Zhang'an County's unique geographical advantages, Zhang'an County's business is quite good. After all, it is close to the sea and has relatively rich resources, which makes Zhang'an County's development very good.

It's just that Longying was imprisoned and sent to Linzi. After Zeng Zigong took office, he cleverly set up a name and increased a lot of taxes.In particular, these taxes do not go to the court's taxes, but to the county government's treasury, which goes into Zeng Zigong's private pocket.

The amount of taxes formulated by the Qi court remains unchanged.

These are handed over to the imperial court.

The taxes set by Zeng Zigong are collected in his own pocket.Especially here Zeng Zigong colluded with the big local businessman Li Shanquan, giving the big businessman a lot of convenience, and giving the local rich a lot of convenience in order to collect benefits.

The original Zhang'an County was quite prosperous. In the short period of time after Zeng Zigong took office, although the business was relatively prosperous, the life of the people in the entire Zhang'an County was not as good as it used to be, although they were decent.

The people dared not speak out.

Because several people who were dissatisfied with the government's taxation were directly beaten to death and failed to leave Zhang'an County.

The county government of Zhang'an County was established in the north of the city.

The terrain in the north of the city is relatively high, and the county government is also magnificently built, which is the latest reconstruction.Although the original county office was relatively spacious, that is, it was solemn and solemn, but now it is luxurious and grand, and it directly occupies the nearby houses.

In the county government office, in the hall.

Zeng Zigong, magistrate of Zhang'an County, was looking through the latest tax accounts collected.After looking at it, he frowned.Because compared to before, the tax in Zhang'an County has been declining during this period.

This is what Zeng Zigong was dissatisfied with.

He has lived for more than 30 years and has been unknown. Finally, he got the support of a big family, became the county magistrate of Zhang'an County, and began to make money.But not long after earning it, the money began to dry up and dwindle, he was unwilling to do so.

Zeng Zigong said: "Come here!"

A servant entered, bowed and stood still: "My lord!"

Zeng Zigong said: "Go and inform Huangxian Cheng to come."

"Yes!"

The servant turned around and withdrew.

Huang Xiancheng, named Huang Ji, is the county magistrate of Zhang'an County, and he was also promoted by Zeng Zigong.After Zeng Zigong became the county magistrate, the county magistrate, county lieutenant, and Liu Cao assistant officials in Zhang'an County were all replaced by Zeng Zigong's people.

As for the original owners of the county government, all were dismissed and dismissed, while Zeng Zigong arranged for his people and people from the big family to take up positions, completely controlling Zhang'an County.

Not long after, Huang Ji entered.

Huang Ji bowed and said, "The county lord!"

Zeng Zigong waved his hand and said, "Huang Ji, you came just in time. Come on, let's take a look at the latest accounts. The taxes collected this month have been continuously decreasing, so that we have given less money to the county guards. If it continues like this, what's the deal? What's more, we have to continue to pay tribute to the prefect. If we don't continue to open source, we will have to make up for it by then."

Huang Ji said: "Master Xian, this matter is not easy!"

Zeng Zigong said: "What's the problem? You can't do it, I can only find someone else to do it."

Huang Ji's cheeks twitched, but the expression on his face was still calm, even with a flattering smile, he took the initiative to say: "The county lord, in fact, to make money, you can't just collect taxes. There are too many tax items now, continue to pay taxes." Increase is also a little bit of oil and water, which is of little use.”

Zeng Zigong said: "Then tell me, what should we do now?"

Huang Ji said: "The best way is to start with the granary. Zhang'an County has a special geographical location. There is this granary in the territory, which is used to stabilize grain prices and appease the people in disaster years. Nowadays, there is no such thing as a disaster year. , the people’s lives are decent. Therefore, Beizhi suggested that this batch of granaries be disposed of.”

Zeng Zigong said: "How to deal with it?"

He leaned forward and became excited because this is an excellent opportunity and he can make a lot of money.

Huang Ji said: "Nowadays, the Li family in Zhang'an County is responsible for the grain sales in the market. We sell all the grain in the granary to the Li family. In this way, the county lord can make a huge amount of money."

"The Li family can sell grain at a slightly higher price, or mix old grain with new grain. After all, although the people have grain, there are still countless people who need to buy grain."

"The price of grain has risen, and the Li family can also make money. After the people harvest this autumn, they will collect grain at a low price and rush it into the granary. This time, they have made a lot of money."

Huang Ji looked like a dog-headed military adviser, and said: "Even in the autumn harvest, another grain tax will be levied, and the people will pay for the grain. In this way, there will be grain in the granary."

"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!"

There was a look of excitement on Zeng Zigong's face.

This is really great.

He was able to earn a large amount of money, so his pockets were swollen, and even if he gave some of it to Zuo Yuneng, he could still keep a lot of money in his own hands.

"Boom! Boom!"

There was a knock on the door, and an attendant entered, bowed and said: "His Majesty, there is a letter sent by someone arranged by the left county magistrate, please have a look."

Zeng Zigong took it, opened the letter and read it quickly, his complexion changed slightly, he waved his hand to let the attendant back down, then looked at Huang Ji, and said: "Huang Ji, the situation is not good, the king is coming to Zhang'an County in person."

Huang Ji's expression changed slightly when he heard it, and then he regained his composure. He said, "The king of Qi came to Zhang'an County, it must be because of the Japanese affairs. As for other things, it is definitely irrelevant. After all, the Japanese defeated Yan Chixing, and the king of Qi came in person. It also makes sense."

Zeng Zigong looked resentful, and said: "Speaking of the Japanese, I am full of anger. This Li Shanquan of the Li family colluded with the Japanese, and made the Japanese rob in Zhang'an County."

"However, he also helped the Japanese hide their whereabouts, caught Yan Chixing by surprise, and seriously injured Yan Chixing. The Li family is really too self-righteous. If the Japanese are repelled by Yan Chixing, nothing will happen."

"However, the Japanese actually defeated Yan Chixing's army and injured Yan Chixing, which made things worse. Now that King Qi is here, it is not good for us."

Zeng Zigong said: "In case something is found out and it hurts us, it's even worse."

Huang Ji said: "There's nothing we can do about it. Our first task is to respond to King Qi's investigation. Right now, we need to save and we can't fight each other. If we fall out with the Li family at this time, it will be even more difficult to deal with."

Zeng Zigong said: "It's not possible to fall out, alas, you should go and inform immediately and let Li Shanquan come over."

"Yes!"

Huang Ji got up to leave and went to inform.

After Huang Ji left, Zeng Zigong also used his brain quickly, thinking about countermeasures.

When Wang Qi came, he had to take part of the Japanese. If this matter was not resolved, how could Wang Qi leave?At that time, where will Qi Guo's face be put aside.

All of this was caused by the Li family.

Damn the Li family!

Zeng Zigong couldn't help it, because his rise to power was supported by the Li family.Without the support of the Li family, it would be impossible for him to become the county magistrate of Zhang'an County.

Not long after, Li Shanquan, the patriarch of the Li family, came.

Li Shanquan is a native of Zhang'an County, Kuaiji. He used to be a local businessman with some influence.After Kuaiji County was incorporated into the Qi State, Zhang'an County developed rapidly, and Li Shanquan's business also developed rapidly. He began to do business with the Wa State across the sea.