Fang Jue only knew that the bandits in some places on the border were officers and soldiers disguised as harassing the enemy.
I didn’t expect that there are similar operations like this in China.
"Then how much are the rewards for these things?" Fang Jue's tone was a little unkind.
An Baili sighed: "They don't want much, and they know they don't dare to be greedy. They are worried about being wiped out by the government, so they can ignore it."
"But the inns along the way... also need to be taken care of."
"Otherwise, if we add more or less food to the food for our caravans, people, horses, and donkeys, we will miss a big deal."
"..."
"In all aspects, that's all."
After An Baili explained clearly, he saw that the young master's face was ashen, and he knew that this official in the capital did not know the sufferings of the place.
After a long silence, Fang Juecai smiled lightly: "Oh, it seems that I came out right this time and learned a lot."
Just thinking about what An Baili said just now, Fang Jue knew how many similar "rules" there were.
After all this, if the grain that originally cost only 580,000 grains was transported safely to Suzhou, it would cost an additional 50,000 grains.
Fifty thousand taels.
Fang Jue has money, but he doesn't think it doesn't matter. Instead, he cares about it very much.
These unnecessary expenses were simply incurred out of thin air, and were all borne by the imperial treasury and the people.
"Young Master..." An Baili's words brought Fang Jue back to his senses, "We are about to set off. If we don't send people to the front to take care of things early, I'm afraid the bandits who get the news will send people to cut off the road."
He felt that it was better to remind him to avoid being held accountable if something went wrong.
Fang Jue nodded and asked: "In the past, how did you give this part of the money to those people, and who would take it?"
"No one took it, and they were very cautious. We sent people to bury it at a certain location, and they would naturally take it away...and then live in peace."
"Tell me those locations." Fang Jue said.
An Baili was already prepared and took out a folded piece of white paper from his arms, with some locations and the customary amount of tolls written on it.
Fang Jue opened it and saw that there were less than a dozen taels in each place and no more than a hundred taels in each place.
Compared with those big rats in the imperial court, they are indeed very few.
But Fang Jue doesn’t intend to give this money!
So, Fang Jue turned around and waved, handing the note to Ye Hongyi who was walking over.
"Did you hear everything?" Fang Jue looked at Ye Hongyi and Bai Qing, who was a little further away.
There are experts on the Emperor Zun Pavilion list who have such a level of hearing.
Ye Hongyi was angrily: "Even the Xuanjian Division didn't know that there was such a thing!"
Bai Qing smiled, as if he was used to seeing it.
An Baili smiled awkwardly. He didn't know that the conversation between the two was heard even from such a distance.
Fang Jue said: "Go and invest some money, and send someone to keep an eye on it. If anyone comes to withdraw money, follow them and catch them all."
Xuan Jian Si's ability is completely overqualified for such a thing.
But in order to solve these troubles as soon as possible, Fang Jue had no choice but to do this.
"Young Master?" An Baili was a little surprised. He thought that the Young Master arranged for someone to send money, but he didn't expect that he would dare to act like this.
Fang Jue ignored him and said: "Send people to protect important bridges, mountain roads and dams along the way. I don't want any accidents to affect the grain team's itinerary."
Not giving money is just a matter of public opinion, but it cannot affect the business.
"If there is an accident, you will be responsible for it yourself." Fang Jue looked at Bai Qing and said.
Bai Qing's eyes lit up: "I'm happy to help."
In Xichu, Bai Qing was used to seeing things like this, but he couldn't handle it.
Seeing that Fang Jue was so tough, I felt that it was quite to my liking, and he accepted the position willingly.
Finally, Fang Jue looked at An Baili: "Not only do I not plan to pay these tolls, but I also won't pay any of the money spent on Ganzhou!"
Bai Qing, who was turning around, immediately turned his back on Fang Jue when he heard this and raised his thumb up above his head.
admire!
Ye Hongyi also took a deep look at the young man, feeling even more trapped in his confident and domineering eyes.
But these words frightened An Baili.
Seeing that Ye Hongyi had also left, An Baili spoke more bluntly: "Young Master, you must not do this!"
"Why not?" Fang Jue asked, "Are you worried that they might do something wrong along the way?"
"It's not a worry, it will happen for sure!"
An Baili didn't need to think, he knew that this result would definitely happen.
Those are all interest groups that have colluded together. Whatever they want to do, they can really do it.
"Young Master, you can't guard against it. Even if you catch someone, you can't deal with it... because they are surrounded by their people. If they are pressed, they will turn against each other. Finally, they say that there are enemy invaders sneaking into the north to assassinate you...
…”
"They are one and the same, so naturally there will be no flaws. No one can find any evidence of guilt. The law will not punish everyone...it can only be confused."
An Baili was extremely helpless: "If it weren't for this, someone would have curbed this trend long ago."
Once any kind of bad trend takes shape and even becomes a value recognized by the mainstream, it is basically impossible to put an end to it.
Obviously, this kind of management has already been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
Even those officers, soldiers and petty officials who were on business trips took it for granted because they had vested interests.
Once the money is not given, they are the first to be offended. The officials below do not even need to persuade them, and the people below will find trouble.
An Baili once said that the law does not blame everyone.
"Young Master, if you don't agree, I'm afraid this matter won't go forward, and no one will be willing to escort you out of the city today." An Baili advised, and he still paid for it.
Fang Jue waved his hand to stop what he was saying and waved to the distance.
Noriichi came over knowingly.
Fang Jue said: "I will write a secret letter and ask Ganzhou Pigeon House to send it back to Beijing. I will do the same thing as last time."
"Yes, Master... Master, would you like me to find some people to escort you? We can deliver it safely without these people," Dianyi said.
Fang Jue: "That's what I mean. Which is the largest escort agency in Ganzhou?"
Naturally, it was An Baili who asked this question.
"Young Master, although you will save a lot of money by doing this, you will offend Ganzhou officials."
"The next time I come to Ganzhou, it will be difficult every step of the way."
An Baili said earnestly: "Listen to the next advice, it's better to spend money to solve the problem. At least, you can't save money on escorting official officials and local officials."
"No, I won't give you a penny, and your business is not allowed to give it either. I want to see if they really want money rather than life."
After that, Fang Jue turned around and left angrily, ignoring An Baili again.
"Oh, I shouldn't talk too much... I had known this, I would just spend the money and wait for Master to come back and reimburse..." An Baili suddenly regretted having said so much to this young master.
This young master is still too young, and he is young and energetic, so he may be able to create big troubles.
…
"Young Master, are you back?"
Lu Xin chuckled and said, "Then what did An Baili tell you for so long?"
Fang Jue looked at him deeply and said meaningfully: "Your good brother Zhou Desheng is really drunk at the right time."
The dignified commander of the Ganzhou Battalion, with how much responsibility he carries, would he not know the common sense that alcohol is prohibited in the army?
He actually dared to get drunk when the young master came to Ganzhou in person. If he wasn't deliberately trying to hide something, how could it be such a coincidence?
"ah?"
Lu Xin looked dull, scratched his head and smiled: "Young Master, what are you talking about? Why can't I understand you?"
But I felt a little lucky in my heart.
Fang Jue snorted and said nothing more.
Some things just require a tacit understanding between each other. If you say it too plainly, it will be vulgar.
At least Zhou Desheng knew better than to ask for money from his young master.
Looking at Lu Xin, Fang Jue frowned and said, "I have an errand for you."
"Young Master, please give me your instructions. I will eventually go through fire and water..."
"Okay, it's not a dangerous matter. You take the people to Suzhou, ask General Lin Bei for the people with my order, and come quickly to the direction of Ganzhou to meet the grain team."