There are great risks in confronting people from those big families!
At worst, it may be difficult to advance in one's official career; at worst, he may be slandered and sent to prison.
Wang Tao, a small county magistrate, doesn't have the luxury of going into a confrontation with these big families.
But Hu Changan is different.
He is someone who knows the direction of history.
At least fifty percent of the blame for the collapse of the Ming Dynasty should be attributed to these aristocratic families.
As the saying goes, nip problems in the bud.
It is now the early years of Hongwu, and these big families have not yet had time to become bigger and stronger, and they can still save a little or two.
If these families became giants in the later period, even the emperor would not be able to touch them easily.
In Wang Tao's view, this is just a dispensable reform.
In Hu Changan's view, this is the battle for the national destiny of the Ming Dynasty.
This time, we must win!
Thinking of this, Hu Changan hurriedly said goodbye to Wang Tao and then rode towards Yingtian City.
First of all, of course, start with people you know.
...
On this day, a distinguished guest came to Lan Mansion.
This man's name is Hu Chang'an, and he is the son of former Prime Minister Hu Weiyong. He is now working as an aide in the Prince's Mansion and has a bright future.
The most important thing is that this man has a good relationship with Lan Haitang, the head of the Lan family, and may soon become the prince-consort of the Duke's mansion.
Early in the morning, the servants of Lan Mansion were busy.
Some were sweeping the floor and some were making tea. It was so lively.
Finally, after much anticipation, a handsome young man stepped through the door of Lan Mansion.
The young man is slender, wearing a dark green brocade robe, his hair is neatly tied up, and he is handsome and handsome.
This person is none other than Hu Changan.
After hearing the servant's announcement, Lan Haitang slowly walked out of the back house.
Today's Lan Haitang's makeup is especially beautiful.
Out of an inexplicable feeling, Lan Haitang got up early today and dressed up carefully.
The already superior appearance becomes even more eye-catching when carefully taken care of.
Even Hu Chang'an, who was used to seeing beautiful women in later generations, was dazzled by Lan Haitang.
Lan Haitang generously invited Hu Changan to sit down, and gave Hu Changan a pot of tea. He smiled and said: "I don't go to the Three Treasures Hall for anything. I wonder what happened recently?"
As the daughter of a dignified prince, Lan Haitang is naturally well-informed.
Everything Hu Changan did these days was reported to Lan Haitang one by one by the guards.
Lan Haitang naturally knows that Hu Changan is currently busy with the reform of the Zhongli A system in Lishui County.
The main fields of the Lan family are basically in Lishui County. After going back and forth, Lan Haitang naturally understood the purpose of Hu Changan's visit today.
Seeing that his purpose was revealed, Hu Changan also smiled and said, "Miss Lan is smart. It seems that nothing can be hidden from your eyes!"
"Hu Mou does have important matters to discuss when he comes here this time."
"This matter is particularly important and even affects the fate of the Ming Dynasty in the next hundred years!"
What!
A century of national destiny?
Lan Haitang was shocked.
Lan Haitang did guess that Hu Changan came here for important matters, but she never guessed that Hu Changan's matter was so big.
However, as the daughter of the Duke, Lan Haitang will naturally not be deterred by such a trivial matter.
After being stunned for a moment, Lan Haitang calmed down and said with a sweet smile: "I don't know Mr. Hu, what exactly is this matter?"
Hu Changan smiled and got to the point directly: "Does Miss Lan know that your Lan family has occupied the land of good people in Lishui County?"
"What? Of course there is no such thing." Lan Haitang smiled generously.
What did she think it was, but it turned out to be this.
The Lan family has always been very strict, and Lan Haitang believes that no one in the Lan family would have the guts to commit such a death-seeking behavior.
After all, this is the Hongwu period, and Mr. Zhu Yuanzhang has always been very strict with noble families.
If Zhu Yuanzhang discovers that aristocratic families are secretly seizing people's land, those aristocratic families will shed their skins even if they die.
Therefore, Lan Haitang also warned the managers of the farm not to do such short-sighted behavior.
Seeing Lan Haitang's relaxed look, Hu Changan's expression became serious.
It seems that Lan Haitang didn't know about this matter.
Then there should be someone else behind the scenes!
Hu Chang'an took out a roll of hundreds of names from his sleeve and said seriously to Lan Haitang: "Miss Lan, don't believe it. Your servants have indeed seized people's land."
"I just visited Zhangjia Village yesterday. Although these villagers are registered in the government's books, when I asked them, they said that they paid taxes to the Lan Mansion, not to the government."
"This is clearly someone from the Lan family who is secretly embezzling the property that originally belonged to the government!"
"Miss Lan, I, Mr. Hu, have seen each and every one of these things with my own eyes, and they cannot be faked."
Lan Haitang looked at the roster handed over by Hu Changan, and his expression became serious.
If it is true as Hu Changan said, then the Lan family has committed a serious crime!
Lan Haitang quickly ordered his servants to call the steward of the farm.
Not long after, a short, fat middle-aged man came to the front hall.
This man has fair cheeks and a rather cheerful appearance. He is the farm manager of Lan Mansion, Manager Liu.
As soon as Manager Liu entered the door, he rolled his eyes, knelt down and howled: "Miss Lan, you are so unfair! How could I, Mr. Liu, do such a thing for a seller to seek glory!"
Lan Haitang couldn't bear to look at Manager Liu.
Manager Liu has been in the house even longer than her.
Ever since Lan Haitang could remember, Manager Liu had been managing the farm conscientiously.
When Lan Haitang first took charge, Manager Liu also supported Lan Haitang several times.
If it weren't for Manager Liu's support, Lan Haitang wouldn't even be able to sit firmly in his current position as the person in charge!
Seeing the howling Manager Liu, Lan Haitang couldn't bear it and said to Hu Changan and Xini: "Master Hu, maybe there is a hidden secret here?"
"I think Manager Liu is a reliable person, and he probably won't make such a big mistake."
After hearing this, Hu Changan couldn't help but snorted coldly: "Miss Lan, please don't be soft-hearted."
"I asked specifically at that time, and the villagers said that every time the person who came to collect taxes was a short, fat middle-aged man, it must be him."
When Manager Liu heard this, he couldn't help but be shocked.
What!
Master Hu actually went to the village to ask questions in person?
It seems that it will be difficult for me to hide it now!
When Lan Haitang saw the sudden change in Manager Liu's expression, his heart sank.
She is such a smart person, so it is not difficult to see the guilty conscience flashing across Manager Liu's face.
It seems that what Hu Changan said is 80% true.
And this matter is largely related to Manager Liu!
Looking at Manager Liu, Lan Haitang couldn't help but sigh deeply.
After so many years of master-servant friendship, it was all wrongly paid.