Infrastructure masters in the red building

All the officials and servants in the Wuyuan county government have been replaced by "senior" county officials who hold "diplomas", can write official documents, and can carry water and fire sticks.

They soon discovered that knowing the commonly used characters brought them many benefits. For example, posting a notice outside the county government office, they can read the notice to the people themselves without having to ask a fortune-telling gentleman to write the characters. Xunjie also spoke softly a lot, after all, he had to act like a "cultural person" and couldn't look like those gangsters.

The most important thing is that they can understand some imperial palace newspapers and internal references (actually, some excerpts) sent by the magistrate of the county without much effort-there are many subordinate officials who exploited the people and made things difficult for them. Crimes such as extorting bribes, hijacking chief officials, self-stealing, and champerty lawsuits, as well as the final results of the cases.

As a result, the subordinate officials were brought to justice and sentenced to death.These "references" are used to describe the fate of these people with precise and lifelike details.When Liu Lixing read it, he seemed to be able to hear the horrific cries on the execution ground.As he read along, his hairs stood up and down again, and his heart surged one after another.

At this moment Liu Lixing was flipping through a "reference", when he saw his uncle Liu Minghua coming over, Liu Lixing asked: "Uncle, you said that these officials in the government don't eat good official meals, why are you so obsessed?" How about not respecting the law and committing crimes?"

When Liu Minghua heard it, his face immediately became cloudy, and he thought to himself: You little kid knows nothing!

The subordinate staff is a profession that walks on the tip of the knife. If you walk steadily and luckily, you can earn a lot of money. If one person succeeds in the Tao, even the whole clan will rise to heaven; It's a blood dripping dead body without a whole body - in a word, wealth and wealth are sought in danger.

"Don't look at this," Liu Minghua called Liu Lixing despite his displeasure, "Come with Uncle, today we are going to Mr. Yuan to discuss the collection of the annual tax."

Liu Lixing immediately complied, and followed his uncle to a flower hall in the back hall of the county yamen.

Liu Lixing is eighteen this year, and Liu Minghua's seniority is twice as high as Liu Lixing's, he is his great-uncle, but Liu Minghua is only in his 40s this year, he is in his prime, and he is a person full of energy.It is said that when Liu Minghua took on the task of collecting the annual tax for the first time in the county, he did not sleep a wink for three days and three nights, and reconciled all the accounts. The Liu family is responsible for all the errands.

The two members of the Liu clan entered the flower hall, but what they saw was not Yuan Hua, the county lord, but a very handsome 17-year-old boy, accompanied by his master Li Youwei.

Liu Lixing was very familiar with this person in front of him, so he immediately bowed down: "This subordinate has met Mr. Jia." He used to be in Taoyuan Village, so he had naturally met Jia Fang.

It was only then that Liu Minghua realized that the young man in front of him was actually Jia Fang, the envoy of Pingnan Jiedu who was resident in Wuyuan County.

Jia Fang gently sat the two of them down, and said, "I asked Master Li before, and he said that Liu Shuli presided over the task of collecting autumn Fu every year. Although Lixing just came this year, the one you replaced Uncle Clan was also in charge of this work before."

Seeing that Liu Minghua was older, Jia Fang respectfully called him "Liu Shuli", while Liu Lixing was about the same age as himself, a young man who had just passed the diploma examination and was promoted to the county government, so he called him "Lixing".

With different names, Liu Lixing looked very proud.Liu Minghua remained expressionless, but squinted at his nephew and grandson.

Jia Fang turned to Li Youwei and said with a smile, "The situation in Wuyuan County is indeed rather special."

Master Li Youwei's old face turned red immediately, and he giggled hard twice to create a harmonious atmosphere.

The "special situation" Jia Fang mentioned meant that the county magistrate Yuan Hua had only one teacher, Li Youwei, around him.Usually, the magistrate of a county has two masters by his side, one is in charge of punishment and the other is in charge of money and food.However, when Yuan Hua first took office, he did not bring any money to Master Liang, and he was not able to find him locally.The county government in Wuyuan County is like a lame man, strong in punishment but weak in money and food.

Unexpectedly, it didn't take long for Yuan Hua, the county magistrate, to discover that in fact, when his predecessor was in office, there was only one famous criminal master.The money and food are all handed over to the county officials, and the annual tax is handed over to Liu Minghua and a group of yamen servants, and they have always been properly collected.

But this time the collection of autumn Fu will be a little different, so Jia Fang suggested that Yuan Hua, the county magistrate, should not come forward, and let him talk to Liu Minghua in person.

"Liu Shuli, the collection of autumn Fu this time is not the same as in the past, so I would like to have a talk with you before preparing for this collection."

Liu Minghua straightened his body, cupped his hands and said, "Don't dare!"

He had always presented himself as rigid and meticulous, and in this county government, this approach had its advantages.At least Yuan Hua trusted him very much. Although he knew that there were various disadvantages in his presiding over the collection of autumn Fu, it was because Liu Minghua "meticulously" followed the previous practice of collecting grain.

At this moment, Jia Fang seems to be very satisfied with his attitude.

Just listen to Jia Fang said: "Prince Jian Guo has spoken, allowing Wuyuan County to retain part of the autumn Fu and keep it in the county as the salary of the county officials. But the county needs to transport the autumn Fu to Yong'an Prefecture Food, not less than last year."

When Liu Minghua heard it, he immediately put on a look of contemplation, but in fact he secretly laughed: he had already thought of this.The county venerable Yuan Hua once boasted that all the county officials could receive their salaries in an upright manner, but the court may not approve it.

Sure enough, this is for Wuyuan County to find a way to solve it.

Hearing this, Liu Minghua didn't say a word, but continued to bow his hands to Jia Fang sternly, and said, "Master Jia, please show me."

Jia Fang then took out a piece of paper with a total number of words written on it: "I have calculated the salaries that all the officials should receive together with the county lord. This is the figure for one year, and it must be intercepted from this year's grain tax. , stayed in Wuyuan County."

Liu Minghua was originally a shrewd person. Seeing this figure, he quickly divided the number of officials in the county, and felt that the amount was quite fair.

He was overjoyed in his heart, and on the surface he asked sternly: "How will this year's autumn tax be collected, my lord please speak."

Jia Fang stared at him, and said slowly: "Let this year's 'grain consumption' and 'drinking tip and kicking dendrobium' be left in Wuyuan, and it will be almost the same."

When Liu Minghua heard Jia Fang say "grain consumption" and "kicking dendrobium", he was completely shocked.He really didn't expect that Jia Fang, who was so young and a high official sent by the imperial court to the south, would know these things.

"Grain consumption" is similar to "fire consumption". It means that in the process of requisitioning grain, a part of the loss is estimated first. The grain consumption here in Wu Yuan is about [-]%, which means that the people originally had to pay one stone of grain. Yes, now you have to hand in another bucket and a half to pass.

And "kicking dendrobium with drench tip" is even more magical.This means that when people pay grain, they pour the grain into a large container to measure the volume.When rice grains are poured into Dendrobium, a conical point will inevitably emerge.When the officials see the formation of the "pile tip", they will try their best to step forward and kick it down. The pile tip disappears, and the grain is evenly placed in the dendrobium. "Natural losses" in food processing.

Hearing this, Liu Minghua was startled, of course he was startled, but a fire of ignorance gradually surged up in his heart-what is this?

During the grain collection process, the gray income that originally belonged to them, the grain collection officials, came to Jia Fang, and it turned into a salary that was awarded to them by the government openly?

So they didn't get any extra money, and the little income they finally got by "kicking the tip and kicking dendrobium" should be shared equally with so many people in the county?

Is this what the county lords keep saying about "supporting honesty with salary"?

Liu Minghua tried his best to suppress the anger in his heart, his face was still as calm as the surface of water, expressionless, and he only bowed his hands to Jia Fang again, indicating that he already knew.But before discussing with the elders of the clan, Liu Minghua did not intend to express any opinions of acceptance or opposition.

At this time, Master Li just interjected and asked: "Master Jia, is the Liu family still to be 'Bao Zheng' this year?"

This time, Jia Fang didn't understand what "contracting" meant, so Master Li had to help him explain: "The Liu family will pay all the money and food needed first. After that, the county's food collection service will go to the village, and as much as it collects, it will be given to Liu." How many homes are there?"

Jia Fang listened and couldn't help but looked at Liu Minghua and smiled.

He really didn't expect that the Liu family would be so shameless. In addition to the "grain consumption" and "kicking dendrobium" by the county officials during the grain collection, the Liu family could still get a hand in it. This "package" means to earn another fortune.

Seeing Jia Fang's strange expression, Liu Minghua felt a little nervous, not daring to show weakness, so he could only ask, "Master Jia means..."

Jia Fang smiled harmlessly to humans and animals, seemingly casually, and said casually: "I heard that all counties collect grain taxes according to the fish scale book. Where is the fish scale book in your county? I want to see it. It's an eye-opener."

Liu Minghua immediately turned his head and waited for Master Li, as if he was asking: Why didn't you explain to Mr. Jia?

Master Li shrugged his shoulders - this is the benefit of County Magistrate Yuan not being at the meeting, but if Jia Fang has any questions, he can go directly to Liu Minghua.County magistrate Yuan can't do it.

At this time, Liu Minghua could only bite the bullet and explain to Jia Fang: "My lord, this county...there is no fish scale book in this county."

"There is no fish scale book?" Jia Fang exaggeratedly surprised, "How come there is no fish scale book? In small places like Taoyuan Village, the land belongs to me, and there are fish scale books for tenants to rent."

Liu Minghua was very embarrassed by Jia Fang's exaggerated expression, and cupped his hands again, saying: "Ten years ago, the county government of this county encountered a fire, and the fish scale book of this county was in the county government at that time, so it was burned. There is only this copy of the fish scale book, and I went to the state government to ask again, but no copy was left. Therefore, there has been no fish scale book in this county since then."

"What?" Jia Fang was shocked when he heard the answer and couldn't believe his ears, "There is no fish scale book."

"Then why does your county collect grain taxes?"

Land is the foundation of grain. If there is no solid information on land ownership, how can the county, or the Liu family, use the basis to expropriate grain?

Liu Minghua still showed no expression: "The local folk customs are simple and honest, so the common people continue to pay the amount of grain they paid in the previous year."

As Liu Minghua said, Liu Lixing next to him lowered his head vigorously and suppressed a smile: His uncle, in front of the second-rank official, doesn't he need to write a draft for lying?

As soon as Jia Fang heard Liu Minghua say this, his expression changed immediately, he stood up, walked back and forth in the flower hall for a few steps with his hands behind his back, and said in a low voice: "Nonsense, this is really nonsense!"

He finally turned his face, pointed to the door of the flower hall, and said to Liu Minghua rudely: "If you stand at the gate of the county government office and shout aloud: last year's autumn grain was not paid more, report here. There is one person who is willing to come to Wuyuan If you stand at the gate of the county government office, I will believe your nonsense!"

He turned his face, no matter who the other party was or how old they were, anyway, no one was as senior as he was.

But Liu Minghua has nothing to say, people are always looking for profit, they only feel that they have paid too much money and food, and no one has paid less.It is said that there is less payment, what if the Yamen makes up for it?

"There is no fish scale book for ten years, and blind collection and payment, you Wu Yuan, really opened my eyes!"

Jia Fang swears at people, and the most ruthless level is here-it's just that these words are still very heavy when they are said from the mouth of a second-rank official.The advantage of Yuan County Magistrate not showing up was once again reflected.

So Jia Fang asked angrily: "Do you know what to do after losing the fish scale book?"

That Liu Minghua was not affected by Jia Fang's anger in the slightest, and still said firmly: "Your Excellency should be referring to Zhang Tian."

Jia Fang didn't make a sound at this moment.

This Liu Minghua does have some understanding of money and food. He knows that this fish scale book was obtained by Zhang Tian: In the early years of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty ordered people to patrol the prefectures and counties, comprehensively clear the land, check the actual acres, and fabricate the land inventory. The fish scale book.Later, in the Wanli period, Zhang Juzheng, the first assistant, promoted the "one whip method", which also started from Zhangtian, strictly investigated the hidden land ("Yintian") and tax-evaded land properties ("guiji"), and pursued the tax arrears. Fish Scale Book".

Of course, this is the history of another time and space. In the current time and space, Jia Fang has not had the opportunity to understand what the birth and development of the "Fish Scale Book" has been like.

Now Wuyuan County has lost the fish scale book, and Jia Fang has checked again. Liu Minghua's theory of "Zhangtian" is completely correct.

So Jia Fang was silent for a moment, and then asked again: "Liu Minghua, if I give you the power of 'contracting' from the Liu family, will you be able to complete the Zhangtian in this county before the autumn grain collection is completed?"

When the master Li Youwei heard this, he couldn't help opening his mouth in surprise, thinking: To give such a great power to the Liu family, it's... a little too hasty, right?

Liu Minghua didn't see a trace of joy on his face, he stood up and bowed to Jia Fang, saying: "Liu family, go all out."

After Liu Minghua left with Liu Lixing, the county lord Yuan Hua and Jia Fang's chief of staff Zheng Boyi turned out from the back of the flower hall.

Yuan Hua turned pale with astonishment like Master Li, and murmured: "Lord Jia, why don't you rest assured of his Liu family?" Didn't Master Jia dislike those gentry and aristocrats when he first came?

Zheng Boyi said, "The fish scale book must be in his hands."

Jia Fang also nodded: "It must be in his hands. But we have no proof."

Yuan Hua and Master Li looked at each other: Knowing that the fish scale book is in the other party's hands, but still rushing the other party to make the fish scale book - isn't this a clear way to let the other party make meritorious service?

Jia Fang laughed and said, "Since he dares to respond, I dare to let him make fish scale books."

He turned around and asked Zheng Boyi: "The young man behind Liu Ming's incarnation, I think he is very kind. Do you remember who he hangs out with in Taoyuan Village?"

Zheng Boyi quickly shook his head and said he didn't know.Jia Fang let out an "oh" and said, "I made a slip of the tongue, I should ask Zhao Wuguang and Wang Erlang."

He clapped his hands together, and immediately said: "Everyone, it's time to dig out the social relations of the Liu family. I need you to find out the basic situation of the Liu family in the shortest possible time, who has held official positions, who As subordinate officials, family members, relatives-in-law, who have contacts with other states and counties... it's time to find out all of them."

Zheng Boyi immediately bowed and said yes.Once again, Yuan Hua and Li Shiye felt very ashamed again—they are just a pair of flamboyants. They have been here in Wuyuan for several years, and they still don't know anything about the largest Liu family in the area.

Zheng Boyi not only agreed to Jia Fang, but also hinted: "The members of the Liu family have already been arranged."

This means that several people have been arranged to enter Liu's house, and they can inquire about the news.It's just that the Liu family is the largest clan in the area, so it's difficult for people arranged from outside to get in touch with the core members of the clan.

Jia Fang suddenly thought: It's time for that young man from the Liu family to get to know him better.

Liu Minghua returned to the Liu family with Liu Lixing, who was still at a loss, and found the clan elders. In a few words, he recounted the meeting with Jia Fang just now.

Liu Shilin nodded slowly when he heard it, and said, "It turned out to be that young Jiedu Envoy who came forward... It seems that he really intends to attack Wuyuan County first, open a knife, and take a look at it."

After Liu Shihan listened with a serious expression, he first severely reprimanded Liu Minghua: "Minghua, such a big matter, you have decided on your own without discussing it with the clan elders. The crime is not small."

Liu Minghua was still the same, with no expression on his face, but there was a little frustration in his eyes.

Liu Shihan gave him a slap, then gave another sweet date, and said: "But according to what you said, you had no choice at that time, so you should just accept it. From now on, all the children in the family will listen to the matter of Zhang Tian. Your arrangement, this matter is at your disposal!"

Liu Minghua immediately understood that his goal had been achieved, and his heart was filled with ecstasy, but he still didn't say anything, and pulled Liu Lixing away.

He took Liu Lixing to the ancestral hall, and took out a thick booklet from a secret drawer under the altar of the ancestral hall—this booklet was wrapped in sheepskin, and the paper inside had already turned yellow.As soon as I opened it, I saw that each page contained detailed information such as the figure, size, four-square boundary, fertility of the land, and the name of the head of the household.

Facing Liu Lixing's surprised eyes, Liu Minghua said in a business-like manner: "I will be very busy in the future, and I will measure the acres of fields in the whole county according to the records in this fish scale book."

Liu Lixing was dumbfounded: ... this is it?According to the fish scale book, draw another fish scale book?