Chapter 47: Cao Hu's Plea for Mercy

  Zhang Yunhui again spoke a few words of praise to Lu Haoshan, nothing more than saying that Lu Haoshan loved the people like his own children, and only then did he leave with a satisfied heart.

  The original intention was to hope that the county magistrate could take advantage of the mentality of having someone in the imperial court to get things done, and see if he could reduce or exempt the taxes on Jiangyou. However, Zhang Yunhui also knew that this matter was too forced, and the national policy would not change overnight because of a small county magistrate. Nevertheless, he managed to obtain a promise from Lu Haoshan to mortgage official land to raise funds for taxes, which was already the best result for this meeting, and after some polite conversation, he tactfully took his leave.

  "Shan Ge, you're stirring up trouble in the official fields. That's going to lead to big problems. Anyway, it's not like we're paying for the grain ourselves. Why can't you just be a stable and secure county magistrate?" Liu Jinzhu walked in from outside the door, saying with some worry after Zhang Yunhui left.

  In Liu Jinzhu's eyes, why bother with other people's affairs? It's better to sit safely in the county magistrate's position, enjoy life and make money. That's a happy day. As for the official fields, they are the emperor's fields after all. If they are investigated, it will be a capital offense. There is no need to take risks for these people.

  Lu Haoshan smiled and said, "This is mortgaging official land, not selling it off, no big deal. If this can't pass, the county magistrate will be finished too, won't even get to enjoy it, heads will roll." After finishing speaking, he turned around and whispered, "The official land is too important, we can't make a move, but ordinary people are different. Think about it, if we squeeze all the commoners dry, we won't even have soup to drink. Think about it, can you extract oil from stones?"

  Lu Haoshan simply used the most straightforward reason for what he didn't understand about the great truth, this kind of statement is the most direct and also the most effective.

  Liu Jinzhu suddenly realized and hastily said: "Yes yes yes, Shan Ge thought it through."

  "Alright, from now on, do more and ask less, whatever you do, don't leak the news."

  "Yes, Brother Shan."

  "Zhang Yunhui is going to prepare for tax collection, you secretly follow behind him. If anything happens, report to me immediately. At this time, they can't afford to be reckless. Keep an eye on the people in Chen Gui's household and see if they make any unusual moves." Lu Haoshan knew the tactics of these corrupt officials, who appeared to be worried about the people on the surface but were actually ruthless and eager to embezzle silver, each one more cunning and heartless than the last.

  Liu Jinzhu didn't understand the officialdom, and his cleverness was not worth mentioning in the eyes of those who had been trained to be cunning. However, he was good at sneaking around and gathering information, so Lu Haoshan made use of him to gather news.

  "Yes, Brother Shan. I'll go right away." Upon hearing Ou Luohao's instructions, Liu Jinchu immediately responded and went to gather information without another word.

  The county government is indeed a busy autumn, with one side singing and the other side taking the stage. Liu Jinzhu had just left, and Cao Hu and Zhou Dayuan came together.

  After the courtesy, Cao Hu did not wait for Lu Haoshan to ask questions and asked urgently: "Sir, I heard that you want to mortgage official fields to raise silver grains needed for this tax?"

  This news spread really fast, I just agreed with Zhang Yunhui and it's already all over the place? However, Lu Haoshan thought for a moment and immediately understood that nine out of ten times it was Zhang Yunhui who was afraid he would change his mind, so as soon as he went out, he spread the news everywhere, forming public opinion, using public opinion to tie himself to the chariot, so even if he wanted to regret it, he couldn't. This old guy looks like a retired old man with half his body buried in the yellow earth, but actually, he's a sly one.

  "That's right" Lu Haoshan also did not deny, with a heavy face said: "You two are from Jiangyou, you also know what the situation in Jiangyou is like. If the county government does not provide assistance, then the common people will be too miserable."

  Zhou Dàyuan said somewhat anxiously: "Your Excellency's heart is kind and generous, a humble man like myself admires that. However, Your Excellency has rashly moved the official fields; this matter can be big or small, but if it's pursued further, I'm afraid even you won't be able to bear the consequences."

  The two of them relied on Lu Haoshan, not only because the situation was urgent, but also because they were both convinced that Lu Haoshan had a powerful backer and would definitely have a smooth career in the future. They wanted to rely on him even more and truly cared about his well-being. Now, seeing the "noble person" in their eyes making mistakes, they hurried over to show concern.

  Lu Haoshan said with a serious face: "This official knows what you are worried about, but this is related to the livelihood of the people in the county, we can't take it lightly. Besides, this time I'm just mortgaging, not selling, even if the superior officials find out, they will understand. As for the imperial court, there's no need to worry about that either. The treasury has been empty for a long time, and even the emperor has to cut expenses. What they care most about now is whether we can deliver the tax silver on time, other things are not as important."

  The army is in arrears, the soldiers are pressuring their superiors, the superiors are looking to the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Revenue is looking to the Emperor. The Emperor is at his wit's end, trying to raise funds everywhere but to no avail. Those aristocratic families, how they exploit the common people! They turn a deaf ear to it, but when it comes to taking money out of their own pockets, they are desperate and file petitions one after another, saying that the Emperor is not sympathetic to the people, imposing heavy taxes and levies like a tyrant. No matter how much they say, it all boils down to wanting money, and they will stop at nothing to get it. It's as if they would rather die than give up their demands for money. And Chongzhen is also an unlucky soul. If this were the early days of the Ming dynasty, he could still issue paper currency widely, but unfortunately, the court's credit had been depleted by his predecessors. The good old days of printing money to get by are gone, and Liaodong has always been a bottomless pit. Back and forth, the Emperor is also finding it hard to make ends meet without any grain in store.

  National affairs cannot be solved with just one sentence "no money". Now the emperor only urges the Ministry of Revenue to want money, and he doesn't care about the method. Lu Haoshan believes that even if the Ministry of Revenue and the emperor know that they are using official land as collateral, they will also choose to pretend not to know.

  "An adult is not afraid of ten thousand, but fears one in ten thousand. What if..." Zhou Dayuan still had some misgivings.

  "Don't worry, if anything happens, I'll take full responsibility. This silver is for the emperor, for the prosperity of the Great Ming dynasty, not for lining my own pockets. Who dares to say otherwise? Besides, I still have my mentor to speak up for me. Don't worry, the sky hasn't fallen yet." Lu Haishan said calmly.

  Great men are not concerned with trivial matters. This is an opportunity to win people's hearts, and Lu Haoshan had a detailed plan early on, which happened to be implemented by taking advantage of this east wind.

  Seeing that the county magistrate had made up his mind and with the support of a noble, Zhou Daxuan had nothing to say. Upon hearing this, he could only say: "The magistrate is concerned about the people, I thank the magistrate on behalf of the parents and elders of Jiangyou."

  "As an official, one should bring benefits to the people, this is the duty of a government officer, naturally without hesitation, manage the clerks, and catch the bandits"

  Hearing the county magistrate's call, Zhou Dàyuan and Cao Hu immediately responded: "Sir"

  Lu Haoshan said with a serious face: "This time the tax collection is not ordinary, you must restrain your subordinates more. At this time, those who make trouble should not stretch out their hands. Now there are more than ten shops in the county government that make money to subsidize, and I will not treat them unfairly."

  "Don't worry, sir, I'll make sure those rascals are kept in line and won't be allowed to run wild." Zhou Dàyuan hastily promised.

  "Sir, if those little rascals dare to stretch out a finger, I'll break their paws."

  "Alright, tax collection is imminent, you all have a lot to do, go and attend to your duties." Lu Haoshan was also too lazy to bother with them, waving his hand for them to withdraw. He was brewing a major plan, with a large chess piece to be played, and many details still needed to be refined. Lu Haoshan had to carefully consider it.

  Two people took orders and began to retreat. The household department was in charge of household registration, land taxes, financial taxes, and marriage. This time, the tax collection was led by Zhang Zhongbo, but the specific implementation was still the household department. Others could be idle, but Zhou Dayuan was definitely busy running around. As soon as they retreated, they rushed back to the household department, one to discuss with Zhang Zhongbo, and two to arrange personnel, etc. Zhou Dayuan walked quickly, but Cao Hu seemed to have something on his mind, slowly moving towards the outside, almost stepping on each other's feet.

  Lu Haoshan saw it in his eyes, shook his head and said, "Alright, Cao Hu, just say what you want to say, don't drag it out like a nagging wife."

  "Yes, sir. There's something I want to say, but I don't know how to bring it up...". Previously called Cao Po-tou, now called Cao Hu, this is indeed the county magistrate, with a clear intention of getting closer. For a moment, Cao Hu felt honored and surprised.

  "Speak directly without beating around the bush."

  "Sir, you also know that my wife, Yunniang, originally entered the Chen family's household. Although Chen Gui is a despicable old man, she got along with the second mistress of the Chen family and they considered each other sisters. Two days ago, this Second Mistress Chen came to Yunniang and begged her to ask you for a favor, sir. She asked if it would be possible to extend the deadline for leaving Jiangyou, so that they could sell their land at a better price. The reason is that those people know about the deadline and are offering very low prices, causing them great losses. If they had more time, they could sell the land without losing too much money. I would have refused if it were me, but Yunniang was soft-hearted and agreed... Alas, she doesn't know what's good for her."

  Seeing Lu Xian's seemingly smiling yet not quite smiling gaze on himself, Cao Hu hastily said: "Your Honor is wise and just, I truly haven't accepted even a thread of benefit."

  Lu Haoshan patted Cao Hu's shoulder and said, "Alright, sit down. I'm not an unreasonable person, it's just a matter of delaying for a few more days. If others had said this, it would be fine, but you're someone I value, so I'll give you some face. How about this: in a month, the county government will send the tax silver on its way, and at that time, let them follow along. It's a win-win situation, and it also saves us from having to dispatch another group."

  Cao Hu's eyes rolled around and he quickly said with a smile: "Yes, sir. I'll thank the young master on behalf of Yun Niang."

  As for the affairs of Chen Guiren's family, the county government had reached a tacit understanding. Eighty percent of the family property was put into storage, with the right to dispose of it belonging to County Magistrate Lord. In terms of buying and selling land, Zhou Dayuan-led civil servants took advantage, and as for the money obtained from selling, Cao Hu and others benefited in the end. Given some time, the price would be better, and the more money they got, the happier Cao Hu would be. Firstly, it could coax Yunniang to be happy, and secondly, he also gained real benefits. It can be said that this was a case of killing two birds with one stone, which was the reason why he begged for mercy from Lu Houshan.

  Anyway, when the time comes to send someone off, they are all selected from their trusted confidants. Whatever happens, it will be covered up tightly. Hehe, when the time comes, go to a secluded place and choose a dark and windy night, can't you do whatever you want?

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