Your Majesty, please beg for mercy. The prince's rebellion was successful.

"Your Highness, more than 130 officials have claimed to be ill and unable to perform official duties."

"As for the petty officials, there are too many who leave their posts without permission."

"Not only is the imperial court's decree unable to be issued, but the entire Xiang County has begun to experience chaos."

"Thieves are rampant, horse thieves are everywhere, and the people are miserable."

The first time he saw Zhou Zheng, Gu Jiang couldn't help crying on the spot.

After serving as an official in Xiang County for more than ten years, this was the first time he had seen such a situation.

Although Gu Jiang has done almost nothing in these years and is not considered an honest official, he cannot see the people being in such trouble.

Besides, it's only the beginning.

The longer officials stay ill, the more serious the phenomenon of officials leaving their posts, and the worse the situation for the people will be in the future.

This is definitely not what they want to see.

Not only Gu Jiang, but also the officials behind him also looked slightly pale.

"It's really interesting. Why, did these officials make an agreement?"

Zhou Zheng's face was expressionless, but his voice became colder and colder.

"Prince, I'm afraid this matter has something to do with the autumn tax."

He smiled bitterly. As a member of the officialdom, Gu Jiang knew very well what other officials thought.

Although they were not official officials in the local area, they colluded with the gentry and landlords and took a lot of money overtly and covertly.

Now that Zhou Zheng wants to impose the autumn tax, the first thing to be lost will be the interests of the big landowners.

The indirect damage is also to the interests of these officials.

In this way, calling him sick at this time is a disguised form of resistance to Zhou Zheng's policy.

Once the autumn tax collection comes to an end, those officials will immediately become active.

"As the head of a county, is there nothing you can do?"

Staring at Gu Jiang, Zhou Zheng also had some disappointment in his eyes. He originally thought that bringing Gu Jiang into his camp would make it easier to handle Xiangjun's affairs, but now it seems that he still overestimated Gu Jiang's influence in the officialdom.

In response to Zhou Zheng's accusation, Gu Jiang could only smile helplessly.

The officialdom in Xiangjun seems to be that of the imperial court, but in fact it is the officialdom of powerful country gentry.

When there is no conflict of interest, these officials will naturally follow Gu Jiang's arrangements.

But once there is a conflict with the powerful squire, the situation is different.

This is no longer a situation that Gu Jiang can control.

It would be fine if there were only one or two, Gu Jiang would naturally have a way to deal with it, but now that everyone in Xiang County is united and united, it is simply difficult to shake them.

"The county magistrate of Yancheng is also seriously ill?"

Seeing Gu Jiang lowered his head and said nothing, Zhou Zheng no longer hesitated.

"Go back to the Crown Prince, I'm sick."

"Recuperating at home..."

An official responded quickly, but he couldn't help but observe Zhou Zheng from the corner of his eye.

After all, Zhou Zheng is in Yancheng. If Yancheng fails, it is obvious that Zhou Zheng is not taken seriously. This is a naked slap in the face.

Thinking of this, everyone didn't dare to take a breath.

At present, they are unable to do anything.

"In that case, please accompany me on a tour."

Zhou Zheng's words made Gu Jiang and others' expressions darken, and then they looked at each other with complicated expressions in their eyes.

"Prince, this is not good."

"You are a rich man. He is just a county magistrate. How can he be qualified to let you go there in person?"

Gathering up his courage, Gu Jiang tried to persuade Zhou Zheng to stop.

After all, everyone is a smart person, and they have already seen that this is just an official move against Zhou Zheng.

If they really walked over and broke through, it would mean that both sides would have no room to maneuver.

"Why, are you teaching me how to do things!?"

Looking sideways, Zhou Zheng let Ji Gu lead the way towards the magistrate's home in Yancheng.

Seeing this, Gu Jiang and others looked at each other, but they could only follow closely.

But the worries in their hearts became more and more serious, and even a little intense worry arose.

Is the prince really desperate? !

Hey!

Sighing softly, Gu Jiang felt a little regretful at this moment, regretting that he had stood in line too early.

......

County magistrate's office!

There was peace, the servants in the house had a clear division of labor, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

It wasn't until Zhou Zheng arrived with the crowd that everyone in the mansion was in panic.

The county magistrate, who was playing with the birds, turned pale when he heard this. Without caring about anything else, he took off his clothes and lay on the bed, trembling.

"I have met the Crown Prince."

When Zhou Zheng appeared in front of the magistrate's bed, the magistrate was already breaking out in a cold sweat.

He never expected that Zhou Zheng would appear in front of him under such circumstances.

Fortunately, the county magistrate quickly regained his composure, pretended to be struggling, rolled over from his wounds, and saluted in front of Zhou Zheng.

Seeing the other party acting, Zhou Zheng sneered in his heart.

Let the county magistrate perform.

"I heard that you are sick, so I made a special trip to see you today."

"I also hired a famous doctor for your diagnosis and treatment."

Zhou Zheng smiled and finished speaking. A man behind him ignored the county magistrate and took her pulse directly.

After some operations, the county magistrate was stunned on the spot.

"Go back to the Crown Prince. Your Excellency, the County Magistrate, is fine."

However, before the county magistrate could react, the accompanying doctor immediately revealed the diagnosis.

As for this conclusion, the scene was completely silent.

Gu Jiang and others naturally guessed this result. After all, yesterday's county magistrate was still full of energy and glowing, and there was no trace of illness.

"Prince Prince?"

"Xiaguan, Xiaguan is really sick..."

At this time, the county magistrate was really panicked and kowtowed quickly.

"Prince, this is a meal prepared for the county magistrate. It is black-bone chicken and bastard soup. It has fire properties and is very tonic."

However, just when the county magistrate was about to quibble and find reasons, Lei Tong appeared in front of Zhou Zheng, dragging two servants with him.

What the servant is holding in his hands is still a nourishing soup that exudes a rich fragrance!

But the county magistrate said that he was afraid of the cold and felt sleepy and weak!

How can such a patient take such a powerful tonic? !

"Master Gu, you deceived the imperial court and deceived me. Should you cooperate?!"

"When you return to the crown prince, you can take off the black gauze on your head and send him to the army!"

Gu Jiang's voice made the county magistrate tremble, and then his face became ashen and he continued to tremble.

"Prince, I'm a lowly official. I don't know much about food, but I'm really sick."

At this time, the county magistrate finally panicked.

Cold sweat broke out.

Who would have thought that Zhou Zheng would take this matter so seriously? !

If he really wanted to be removed from his official position and sent to the army, how could he be willing? !

When my heart becomes cruel, I can only insist on speaking hard.

Never let go.

"Is it?"

"Where is Thunder Copper?!"

"Subordinates are here!"

"How can we make our county magistrate have the symptoms he presented?!"

"Back to the Crown Prince, given the current situation of the County Magistrate, the fastest way is to bleed."

"Bleed enough."

These words made everyone present feel their hearts sink!

bloodletting?

The county magistrate collapsed on the ground in panic,

He never expected that Zhou Zheng would do this.

But he still didn't believe it!

He didn't believe that Zhou Zheng really dared to do this!

“Remember, if the county magistrate says you have any symptoms, you must satisfy the magistrate.”

"After all, I don't want to believe that the county magistrate will deceive the court and deceive me."

A sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth, and Zhou Zheng's words made everyone look different.

As for Lei Tong, he drew out his dagger and squatted in front of the magistrate.

In the shocked look of everyone, he cut off the magistrate's wrist with a sharp knife.

For a moment, blood flowed freely!

Ahhh! ! !

The county magistrate's wailing sounds roared out all over the place!