Chapter five hundred and forty fifth unfounded worry
Indeed, as Tang Guangde expected, these four laws, especially the one about clearing fields, immediately caused an uproar.
Although all industries in Suzhou City have prospered in recent years, industry and commerce have developed, and a large number of citizens have been separated from the fields. However, there are still vast fertile fields outside the city, with countless gentry in the countryside, and a large number of landowners living in the city.
If there were notices to clear the land at other times, it might not attract much attention, and it would mostly be a formality. But now the official in charge of the matter in Suzhou City is the Imperial Envoy Fang Yingwu, which makes the landowners uneasy.
Envoy Fang had just beheaded more than thirty people, and the bones are still cold. From this, it can be seen that Master Fang must be a ruthless person who punishes severely. Anyone who bumps into his wind will definitely feel uncomfortable.
In fact, after so many years of accumulation, many big landowners have some tricks. Especially in places like Suzhou Prefecture, the benefits brought by hiding the land are greater than elsewhere.
Elsewhere, the benefit of hiding one acre of land may be one stone of grain per year, but in Suzhou Prefecture, where the yield per mu is very high, the annual benefit of hiding one acre of land is about two or three stones of grain.
With the temptation of such high returns, many people are interested in the land. Now, under the prestige of Fang Qinchen, they are a little restless.
However, the discussions outside seemed to have no impact on the other party's response. Now there is only one thing that gives Imperial Envoy Fang a headache, and that is Yuan Fengxiao's persistent stalking.
In the early morning of this morning, Fang Yingwu had just woken up and was blocked by Madam Yuan at the head of the bed, unable to get out. He was wrapped in a quilt and faced Madam Yuan face to face.
Madam Yuan was filled with resentment and asked: "When the slave family came out to fight for you, you promised that after driving away the eunuchs, you would seek justice for the slave family and the death of their family.
It's been half a month now, why haven't you seen any movement? Didn't you say that you were just using the Han family to kill the big family and establish their authority?"
Fang Yingwu explained calmly: "The time has not come yet, so don't be impatient!" Yuan Fengxiao asked: "When is the time?"
Fang Yingwu thought for a moment and asked, not knowing whether to change the subject or to have something else in mind: "You said that the Han family occupied your family's land ten years ago, causing your family to be destroyed. Do you have any evidence?"
Yuan Fengxiao quickly replied: "The slave family has a land deed from ten years ago, which is enough to prove that the field was originally owned by my Yuan family."
Fang Yingwu pondered for a moment, and then said: "The Han family must have a land deed... There must be a difference between the true and false between your two land deeds. If necessary, just act according to circumstances!"
At this time, Wang Ying stood in the yard and shouted: "Mr. Tang is here to visit his son. By the way, he wants to pay a visit to the imperial envoy!"
"We have business, don't make trouble first!" Fang Yingwu took the opportunity to dodge. Madam Yuan muttered a few words and reluctantly let go.
Tang Guangde had a strong sense of ownership and responsibility that his family's future and destiny were tied to Fang Qinchen's. So he felt it was necessary to remind Fang Yingwu. What's more, Fang Qinchen also said that if he hears any public opinion trends, he can come to the mansion.
Report.
After seeing Fang Yingwu, Tang Yuanwai's words were like beans poured out of a bamboo tube, "The discussion outside is very fierce now, especially the matter of clearing the fields!
As for the discussions I heard on the second and third floors of Wangjiang Building, most of them were very disgusted and criticized a lot. Lord Fang, it is better to be cautious!"
The first floor of Wangjiang Tower is for ordinary people, the second floor is for rich families, and the third floor is for scholars. Fang Yingwu is very familiar with this rule. After hearing what Tang Yuan said, Fang Yingwu smiled and said, "Really? That's good.
.”
"The more intense the public opposition, the greater the resistance. Can this be praised?" Tang Guangde was stunned, and once again found that he could not keep up with the idea of the response. What was the imperial envoy thinking?
Fang Yingwu nodded, "It's indeed very good. If everyone is paying attention to cleaning up the fields, then no one will make troubles for the sake of equalizing rice consumption, forcing rich households to donate, and other other issues?"
"..." Tang Yuan was speechless and fell into self-doubt. Could it be that Imperial Envoy Fang Da was confident, but he was unfounded?
Think about it. The focus is highly concentrated on clearing the land, so the other resistances are much smaller. Compared with being asked to clear the land, adding some losses and being forced to donate some rice is really not a big deal.
Even if the land clearing matter is left unfinished, with the help of several other measures, the grain collection task can always be completed without fail - could this be Fang Qinchen's strategy?
Afraid that Envoy Fang would be upset by the public opinion, Tang Guangde took the initiative to comfort him and said: "Actually, the discussion is not entirely against it. There are also many people who praise you, sir."
Fang Yingwu asked with great interest: "How do you praise it?" Tang Guangde replied: "Many poor people praise you for eliminating violence and bringing peace to the people, killing the rich and helping the poor!"
Fang Yingwu was stunned. "Is there someone who can do justice for heaven?" Tang Guangde said in surprise: "It turns out that your Excellency has also heard of it!"
Fang Yingwu was speechless. Is he talking about the imperial envoy or the green forest hero? Thinking about it, it is almost the same. Several of his measures are to pluck the hair from the rich households. No wonder it gives the poor households some illusions.
After sending Tang Guangde away, he saw his concubine Yu's son, Prince Kui, arriving from Hangzhou. Fang Yingwu was shocked, "Why did you come so fast?"
Although Wang Kui is now a wealthy businessman, he still humbles himself in front of Fang Yingwu, "Since I got your call, I didn't dare to delay. After talking to my brother, I immediately rushed to Suzhou Mansion day and night.
"
Fang Yingwu praised: "Well done, now there is a big business that needs you! This time I will entrust you to go to Huguang to buy rice, and then transport it to Guazhou warehouse. After you get the receipt, you can serve as tax grain in the county."
The people of Suzhou are still doubtful about this. Please set an example for them and guide local wealthy businessmen to follow your example. Huguang Liangdao's political participation is a disciple of my old Taishan. I will edit a book and ask him to take care of and help you. You can rest assured.
go."
Wang Kui agreed without saying a word, and then said: "The small quantity has no demonstration significance, and it still requires a lot of capital. I will first mobilize the silver from Hangzhou, and then we can set off."
Fang Yingwu pointed to the side room, "There is no need to move any more money from Hangzhou! The capital is all there, and there are tens of thousands of taels of silver in cash. I will send the sergeants to protect you, so you have no worries."
Wang Kui patted his chest and agreed, and the big deal of tens of thousands of taels of silver was casually settled. Then the two started chatting. They had not seen each other for several years, so naturally they had a lot of gossip.
Wang Kui thought of what he saw on the road and was worried about Fang Yingwu, "When I was on the road, I heard other people's comments. I was really worried that your methods were too drastic and it would cause an accident. It would be bad."
Naturally, there is nothing to hide from a person like Wang Kui, so Fang Yingwu confided in his heart and said: "To be honest with you, there is no predetermined goal in clearing the land. It's just to find one or two big landowners to establish their authority, and to intimidate a group of people to surrender."
That's the best.
No matter how many acres of land are cleared, it is actually a profit, and the extra can be counted in this year's grain collection task.
As for the future... I can’t manage that far, but if I can manage this year well and complete the imperial court’s tasks of supervising food supply, then I will have a clear conscience.”
Wang Kui was still very worried, "Although your idea is feasible, it is not impossible to use a few big households to establish prestige. But we must also pay attention to some issues of food and appearance. As the saying goes, teachers are famous.
If you do it too obviously, others will see that you are deliberately provoking troubles with those wealthy people. How is that different from people like eunuch Wang Jing? If this is true, you will be disadvantaged, which will not be good for your reputation."
Fang Ying felt no pressure, "But don't worry, you don't have to worry unfounded. I have thought of this a long time ago! When the time comes, someone will naturally jump out to commit suicide, and I will obey and fight against the rebellion!"
