my brother-in-law is the prince

Chapter 329

Chapter 329

Zhang Anshi's eyes were sharp, and he saw the two of Yang Rong at a glance.

So excitedly led Qiu Song here.

Yang Rong looked at Qiu Song speechlessly.

Qiu Song is not tall, he weighs his feet, and keeps pace with Zhang Anshi's back.

Before the exchange of pleasantries, Yang Rong felt that the scene was a bit irritating, so he said, "Duke Wei, this little general Qiu..."

"Don't mention him." Zhang Anshi said angrily: "I asked him to bring an umbrella, and we brothers will hold it together. He said that the person holding the umbrella is not a good man. He insisted on basking in the sun, but he only supported me. I don't know. When people saw it, they thought I, Zhang Anshi, had no sense of loyalty and used him as a slave! Is this the kind of person I am, Zhang Anshi? This guy is very stubborn, so ignore him."

"Oh, oh." Hu Guang nodded again and again, and immediately withdrew his eyes from Qiu Song's body.

I've heard about Qi Guogong's son for a long time... It's a bit strange, but I have seen it today.

But Qiu Song was unmoved, and continued to do his own thing. He has always regarded other people's eyes as nothing.

Yang Rongdao: "Duke Wei... This year Nanzhili has been drought for quite a while, the country's major plan is money and food, His Majesty is already very worried about this, so he specially ordered the two of us to come here to check the real situation of Taiping Mansion."

Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "These days, it's busy farming and autumn harvest, and there are many miscellaneous things, but I didn't go to see him, it's really dead, I didn't expect His Majesty to still miss me..."

Yang Rong then asked someone to take out the lychees and opened the box, only to find out that the ice inside had already melted, and most of the lychees inside were broken.

Zhang Anshi couldn't help but feel regretful, and Yang Rong couldn't help but also regretfully said: "I'm ashamed, it's still a step too late."

Zhang Anshi said: "This is His Majesty's wish, just accept it."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhang Anshi said: "About the food in the Taiping Mansion..."

Yang Rong smiled and said: "Duke Wei, you don't have to say it, you might as well let me see it with my own eyes."

Zhang Anshi knew Yang Rong's temperament, so he didn't say much, and said: "Then just look at it casually, I have to go and explain something to the people at the grain station."

"Duke Wei, please help yourself."

They bowed their hands to each other and went their separate ways.

But when Zhang Anshi was far away, Hu Guang whispered to Yang Rong: "Mr. Yang, why didn't you listen to him first?"

Yang Rong smiled and said: "Look, aren't you collecting grain now? Why do you still listen? Seeing is believing. When you understand it, you will have time to listen."

Hu Guangdao: "Mr. Yang is also afraid that Zhang Anshi, a kid, won't report the truth?"

Yang Rongdao: "I am afraid of anyone's report. Once bitten by a snake for ten years, I am afraid of the well rope! I don't feel at ease until I see it with my own eyes. Unlike you, I always believe that others are gentlemen."

Hu Guang suddenly said angrily: "Why did you abduct me again?"

Yang Rong smiled, and then put his hands behind his back without making a sound, just looking around the cart and the people who came carrying grain.

People who come here will probably take the initiative to give their number, something like [-].

The person registered, and the guards on the side quickly took out the name book, and began to find out the identity of the other party according to the number, so they asked: "But on Wednesday and Seventh in Luxi Village, is your wife Xu?"

"Yes Yes."

"Oh, let me take a look." The clerk only took a look, and then said: "Your family's land is [-] mu and [-] cents, and it's all Yongye Field, isn't it?"

"That's right, that's right." This person called Wednesday and Seven nodded hurriedly.

The clerk said: "Yongyetian needs more grain. These... have your district chiefs notified you? The grain your family wants to harvest... Let me see, it's one stone, four buckets and seven liters. Come, get him Untie the food and weigh it."

After all, the guard on the side stepped on the scale, and it seemed that he had brought a little more grain, so he returned another bucket.

This week, with a smile on his face, Wednesday hurriedly put the bucket of rice in a grain bag and put it back in his rooster cart.

The clerk made a mark on the back of this person's yellow book that he had paid the grain this year, and then issued another note, handing it over to Wednesday and Seventh this week, and then said: "This is the proof, you take it back, if you have What's wrong, you can take this note out."

"Thank you, thank you..." Wednesday Qi accepted the note beamingly, and greeted his son, preparing to go back.

His son had a simple and honest look on his face, but he refused to go back, he yelled: "Father, the mother-in-law said, they are all in the village, and I have to go to the market to bring her a hairpin back. Let's go to the market first."

On Wednesday and seven, he scolded his son: "I didn't bring any dry food. If you don't go back quickly, you will be hungry. If you are not hungry, you have to eat in the market. It is very expensive."

"The hoe needs to be repaired by the blacksmith in the market..."

"Stop rambling, less rambling..."

Yang Rong found it strange that there was such a commotion, because under normal circumstances, servants would go to the countryside to collect grain, but it was rare for households to take the initiative to pay grain like this.

But... this did greatly reduce the loss. After all, when the officials came back with food, it could be said that the food bag leaked along the way, or the food was confiscated.

If it is collected in this way, the intermediate links are obviously much less.

He couldn't help but said to the clerk who was recording at the desk: "What if some households didn't bring a few buckets of grain?"

"That's easy." The clerk said, "We will accept it as usual, but it will be recorded in the record. When the grain is paid in the next year, it must be made up, and... a few liters of late grain will be paid as a penalty."

Yang Rong suddenly realized, and then asked: "These registered... how to ensure the amount of grain handed in for each household?"

The official said: "According to the land of the family, the number of fields and the number of people are all recorded in the record. Before the grain is collected, people from the grain station have calculated it. After the calculation, let the village The head and the head of the village posted all the receivable grain in advance to ensure that before the grain was paid, each village had a notice, which household should pay how much, and how much grain each family should bring to the grain station. "

Yang Rong's eyes lit up, and then he said enthusiastically: "Come on, let me try it, I will try it."

The clerk looked at Yang Rong suspiciously. Although he didn't know Yang Rong's official position, he knew that Yang Rong was an extraordinary person, and said, "Be careful."

When the next grain household came, he said, "Two six nine four four three."

The numbers here, in fact, can be quickly looked up in the book according to the beginning of the number.

Yang Rong followed the numbers and quickly found them. He asked the other party's name, and sure enough, the other party said yes.

Immediately afterwards, Yang Rong said: "Your land is 24 acres, of which [-] acres are Yongye Field, isn't it?"

"Yes Yes."

Yang Rong said: "The grain receivable is two buckets of stone per liter. Did you know this amount when you were in the village?"

"That's the number."

This man was quite happy, and happily unloaded the food and went to the scale.

Waiting for the slip of permission to enter the warehouse from the top weigher, so Yang Rong followed the example of the clerk just now and made a mark, and then issued a receipt for this person.

After Yang Rong finished his work, his eyes became brighter. He asked the civil official to come back. He said to Hu Guang, "Interesting, interesting, really interesting. In this way, the workload of the civil servant is greatly reduced, and it is also greatly reduced. This creates room for petty officials to cheat, and kills two birds with one stone."

After all, Hu Guang is not a fool, and he couldn't help but praise him: "Indeed, it would be a good thing if the whole world collected like this."

But Yang Rong smiled coldly and said, "You think well."

Hu Guang glared at him, snorted and said, "Why are you always contradicting me?"

Yang Rong said: "You are really confused. They got [-] acres of land for nothing, and now they are only taught to collect some grain taxes. Of course they can't ask for it. Don't say that they take the initiative to pay, even if they add [-]% of the tax, they will Willingly. And everyone pays like this, it’s a whip, you go to other places to try it! In other places, it’s called tiger’s mouth for food. Many people have paid the rent, and the remaining food may not be enough for themselves. Pay more. The whole family will be hungry. There are some things that you can't learn just by thinking..."

Hu Guang: "..."

After Yang Rong took a quick look at it, he finally went to look for Zhang Anshi contentedly.

It was noon at this time, Zhang Anshi prepared a table of food and wine in the village, and invited Yang Rong and Hu Guang to eat and drink.

Faced with a table full of food and drink, Yang Rong looked closely at Zhang Anshi and said, "How is the harvest in Xintian Township?"

Zhang Anshi said without any modesty: "It's a good harvest."

Yang Rong smiled and said, "How about a harvest method?"

Zhang Anshi said: "The harvest is 270% more than last year. Last year's rice yield was 380 catties per mu. This year... a bumper harvest of more than [-] catties. Not only that... there are more double-cropped fields. Quite a few."

Yang Rong: "..."

Hu Guang lowered his head and took a sip of the wine, but it should be rice wine from the countryside, quite inferior, as if he was drinking rice soup, he grinned.

Zhang Anshi said: "Why, don't you believe me?"

"According to what the old man knows...now is considered a drought year."

Zhang Anshi looked at a person and said, "Magistrate Wang, tell him."

The county magistrate, Wang Lie, sat next to him awkwardly, and no one sitting here was taller than him.

Therefore, when he was named, he hurriedly stood up and said: "Drought is not a problem. As long as the water conservancy is not wrong, irrigation will not delay the grain production. In the spring of this year, the construction of irrigation canals and some simple reservoirs has already begun. "

"Xuancheng County is also the first county to ensure that irrigation canals reach the village. There are also three newly built reservoirs this year. Other places have also diverted river water for irrigation..."

"Besides, the introduction of new grains has also helped a lot. The rice in the past could not be planted densely, but this new rice can be denser than the previous ones, and it is also more resistant to insects."

"There is also fertilizer. Each village has built a special cesspool to fertilize each household. In addition, they also sold a lot of pigs and chickens at a low price, just to encourage the people to raise these... As for pig food and chickens For food, you can use potato leaves and pig grass to mix and feed. The pig and chicken manure can also be used to greatly improve the soil and increase fertility."

"Er Gong, besides that, there is also the promotion of farming tools. In order to promote Qixia's new farming tools, all townships are asked to organize fairs and teach farmers to come and have a look when they go to the market. Or Take it for yourself, the common people now have their own land, and their confidence is stronger than in previous years, and this aspect... is much more willing than before."

"Don't talk about anything else, let's just say that this year, in our place, the best-selling one, Er Gong, guess what it is?"

"This..." The two of Yang Rong were dumbfounded.

To be honest...they didn't expect the other party to speak so eloquently.

Wang Zhuo didn't dare to betray him, so he said, "It's cattle, and mules and horses."

"In the past, when people farmed for others, they couldn't feed themselves. How could they dare to buy farm cattle? They could only work harder. But now it's different. Everyone has confidence. They have predicted future harvests, and there is still a surplus of food. Having a cow, a mule and a horse can save a lot of work, finish the busy farming work earlier, go to work sooner if you are strong, and make up for the family's income, it's the best of both worlds!"

"To put it bluntly, in the past, everyone was hungry, and life was money. Who would dare to trade life for things? Now, time is money, and if you finish the work early, you can get benefits in exchange. Naturally, you are willing to buy yourself horses and cows. The plow."

Yang Rong said: "Really?"

He asked a rhetorical question, which made Wang Zhuo feel embarrassed, as if he had made a false report.

Wang Yan had no choice but to laugh dryly, and sat down Yangyang.

Zhang Anshi didn't bother to talk to Yang Rong and Hu Guang anymore. In his opinion, these two people were here to criticize.

After eating.

Yang Rong led the slightly drunk Hu Guang away from the grain station.

Hu Guang shook his head, let himself sober up a little, and said in his mouth, "Go back and return to life now?"

Yang Rong shook his head and said, "It's still early, let's go down for a walk."

Hu Guang glanced at Yang Rong suspiciously and said, "Mr. Yang, what are your plans?"

Yang Rongdao: "You usually don't like Zhang Anshi, and look down on Taiping Mansion. Isn't the opportunity now in front of you? Before you come out, you have to walk around and see more, even if you want to trouble Zhang Anshi, you should Move your legs more."

Hu Guang muttered, "I'm not..."

…………

Yang Rong and Hu Guang disappeared.

County magistrate Wang wanted to look for it in a hurry, but Zhang Anshi said calmly, "What do I care about them? They have two legs themselves, and I can't stop them. There's no need to look for them. Maybe they will return them in time." I have a book of impeachment memorabilia, why do we put our hot faces on their cold asses!"

"Let's go back home... It seems that the situation in Xuancheng is very good, far beyond my expectations, I should go back... It's time to make the final decision on the matter of Xia Liang."

At that moment, Zhang Anshi went straight back home.

Back in Qixia, the grain collection in the townships has almost been collected. After counting the statistics, the next problem is the storage.

Zhang Anshi and Gao Xiang continued to be busy without touching the ground.

Three days later, two people came to Qixia in a state of embarrassment with a few followers.

The expressions of the two of them were very stern, and it could even be said... to be described as bleak.

Returning to Qixia from the six counties, this bustling Qixia, and the countryside in the six counties are another scene.

But now, both of them have nothing else to do, as if they are thinking about something.

"Mr. Yang, do you want to go back and report now?"

When arriving at Qixia Wharf, Hu Guang said.

Yang Rong looked very tired, his eyes were bloodshot, and his eyes were slightly swollen. He took a deep breath and said, "Go to the mansion... the amount of summer food should be almost out now."

Hu Guang nodded.

The two continued to bury their heads, thinking about each other's thoughts.

When they arrived at the government office, they were notified, but Zhang Anshi did not come out to greet him, and only asked a civil servant to invite them in.

Hu Guang couldn't help being furious and said, "This kid... really doesn't understand etiquette."

Yang Rong still seemed to be hiding something on his mind, he sighed and said, "Go in."

Arriving at the yamen hall, Zhang Anshi was talking with Li Zhaomo at this time, until the two came in, Zhang Anshi got up and said: "Second Duke is polite, please sit down."

Yang Rong glanced at him and sat down.

Zhang Anshi said worriedly: "What's wrong with Er Gong, it seems..."

Yang Rong waved his hand and said, "It's nothing...it's nothing...how is the summer grain collection going?"

Zhang Anshi said truthfully: "The approximate number has come out."

Yang Rong said: "Speak directly, don't cover up."

Zhang Anshi said: "If you say it, it may scare you."

Yang Rong smiled wryly: "No, I can't be scared anymore, there are some situations..."

He wanted to continue, but felt that it was inappropriate, so he swallowed the words again, and said instead: "But it's okay to say."

Zhang Anshi, on the other hand, said in a blunt manner, "You can read the account books yourself, of course...these are the statistics just now, and there will still be errors."

Zhang Anshi personally handed over the notebook to Yang Rong.

Yang Rong spread out the book and read it with Hu Guang.

They frowned slightly and watched carefully.

Immediately, Yang Rong almost held his breath, and his whole body was completely motionless.

Hu Guang's eyes widened even more.

They have already understood the situation, and I dare not say they know everything about Taiping Mansion, but at least they have a preliminary understanding.

But the real number far exceeded their expectations.

After all, Hu Guang couldn't help exclaiming: "How is it possible!"

Zhang Anshi smiled and said, "Why is that impossible?"

Yang Rong took a deep breath, but raised his head and said, "I understand."

Hu Guang looked at him strangely, and asked in confusion, "What did Yang Gong understand?"

"I understand..." Yang Rong murmured in a daze and continued to read.

Hu Guang was anxious: "What did you understand? You said it."

Yang Rong looked up: "I finally understand...why...why Master Yao is like this, hey..."

With that said, Yang Rong stood up and closed the book: "When can these grains be put into storage?"

"Just a few days..." Zhang Anshi said.

"Good job." Yang Rong said: "I need to report back to His Majesty immediately, so I can't stay here for long, Duke Wei, take your leave."

He said nothing, cupped his hands, turned and left.

Zhang Anshi chased after him: "My book, my book, I still need to keep it for reconciliation."

Yang Rong ignored him and left in a hurry.

Hu Guang could only keep his head down and catch up.

Zhang Anshi: "..."

A clerk approached cautiously: "My lord... what should we do now?"

Zhang Anshi had no choice but to say: "Calculate again."

The official could only smile bitterly and say, "Yes."

…………

"Grandfather... Grandfather..."

Li Xiucai came back happily.

In the past few days, he came back every day, and every day, he would bring good news.

Of course, there is actually bad news.

However, these bad news were provided by those cheap merchants and those farmers in Qixia.

Leaving aside the facts, these cheap merchants and farmers know nothing about crops and business.

Of course, the most important thing is that Taigong, like all gentry and village sages, does not like to hear bad news.

After Li Xiucai learned the lesson, he learned from the pain, and after repeated reflections, he naturally knew what to do and what to say.

Zhang Taigong was sitting drinking tea, and the maidservant beside him was beating his legs carefully.

Zhang Taigong took a sip of tea, couldn't help stretching out his hand towards the maidservant's delicate face, and gently pinched it.

When Li Xiucai came in, he immediately withdrew his hand, put on a dignified look, coughed and said, "Oh... are you back?"

Li Xiucai said with a smile that couldn't be concealed: "Grandfather, good news, I heard...Fengyang, Huai'an Mansion, and Anqing Mansion all lost a lot of grain due to the drought. But even so, many farmers...are still going to starve."

After a pause, he continued: "Today's food price has not increased, and it is still at the price of five to two to three hundred yuan yesterday. But think about it, in a few days, wait for news from other prefectures... The price has to go up."

After Zhang Taigong listened, he asked again: "What's the news from Taiping Mansion?"

Li Xiucai said: "I met a few seniors in Qixia, and they all said that Zhang Anshi is finished. His Majesty has already noticed that there are many evils in the Taiping Mansion, so he specially ordered Yang Rong and Hu Guang, the great scholars of Wenyuan Pavilion, to investigate thoroughly. Grandpa, These two men are both Zaifu, they went to investigate thoroughly, we can see how big this case is!"

"I also heard that many people died of starvation in Taiping Mansion, but they were all suppressed by the county. It is probably related to this matter. My seniors are all honest and gentlemen, and there will be no mistakes."

Zhang Taigong listened, and said with a happy smile: "As expected, as expected... haha... you are very good. Oh, you have worked hard. These days, you have been running back and forth. In fact... you don't have to go to Qixia, these few days , Some relatives and friends came to visit, and they all said the same thing. Hmph, Zhang Anshi... that dog thief is here today, and if such a national thief is not eliminated, the world will be restless every day."

Zhang Taigong smiled happily at first, then gnashed his teeth, with deep hatred bursting out of his eyes.

Zhang Taigong then looked at Li Xiucai again, and said, "Go to the cashier later and get ten taels of silver. You have worked hard these days..."

"Given it by the elders, I dare not say it, thank you very much." Li Xiucai was overjoyed.

……

Forbidden City...

After reading the reports from Fengyang, Huai'an, Anqing and other prefectures, Zhu Di was very worried.

He hurriedly summoned the ministers to meet, pointed at these memorials, and said with a frown: "The production has been reduced so much...and I begged for exemption..."

Zhu Di's face was cloudy and uncertain, and the ministers dared not show their anger.

But at this moment, an eunuch came in and said, "Your Majesty, Duke Yang and Duke Hu have an audience."

Zhu Di showed displeasure: "I've been away for so many days, and I'm only coming back now? Xuan came in, just happened to discuss something important with them."

(End of this chapter)