Li Shiniang also felt that Xue Bai had done a good job of weaving the charges against his opponent this time, comparable to Wang Xian.
She is more familiar with Xue Bai than most people here. Now that she sees the context of the matter clearly, she knows that Xue Bai is going to win. She is used to it when she was in Chang'an.
"You have good taste." She then whispered to Li Tengkong in a low voice: "He used good methods."
Li Tengkong shook his head.
The facts are so clear and the evidence is conclusive, how can we say that Xue Bai used tricks?
"If you want to fight, Xue Bai was under Grandpa after all. How can these people do it?" Li Shiniang said to herself: "These people will either kill him directly, but Yang Lang will not take action.
You got yourself into trouble for no reason."
This is the attitude of her family. There is no reason to get herself involved in other people's affairs, even if it is the matter of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion. After all, she is a married daughter and has to take care of her family first.
Last night, Li Shiyiniang told Yang Qixuan not to listen to noble nonsense.
…
Xue Bai followed Song Mian's gaze and looked at the crowd opposite for a while.
Nobility is the key to his entire plan this time, and the best scapegoat actually escaped without knowing when.
With his noble intelligence, seeing that the situation was not good, it is not surprising that he escaped in time. After all, he came from Fan Yang with only a few guards.
But smart people are often arrogant. Xue Bai guessed that Gao Shang might go to Gongsun Auntie to at least get his handle and wait for a counterattack later.
He called over Lao Liang and gave a few instructions in a low voice.
Although Lao Liang didn't think Gao Shang could go to Yancheng at this time, he accepted the order and left without hesitation.
After arranging this matter, Xue Bai stopped worrying and closed his eyes to rest.
Linghu Tao and Lu Linghao were staring at him, but he could turn a blind eye and feel calm.
"Shao Yin." Guo Huan was the first to speak, "I would like to say a few words."
He could no longer laugh, and his round old face was very serious.
"Song Mian and Gao Shang have committed a heinous crime by inviting mountain bandits into the country. Please Shao Yin quickly order the arrest of Song Mian and Gao Shang. Only by arresting Gao Shang can we surrender these bandits as soon as possible."
After Guo Huan finished speaking, he solemnly saluted Linghu Tao, lowered his head, and at the same time secretly glanced at Xue Bai to see if Xue Bai had heard what he said, and he was slightly nervous.
Linghu Tao did not reply immediately, and scanned the crowd to make sure that Gao Shang was no longer there.
He thought for a while and shouted: "Come here, take Song Mian under custody. We will wait until the bandits are cleared out before interrogating him. The most important thing is to protect the people of Yanshi first."
"Here!" Two Henan Prefecture guards immediately pounced on him.
Song Mian was a gentle man and had never encountered such a scene before. He was frightened and became confused, shouting: "Why did you take me? I was brought to Luhun Villa by Gao Shang..."
The only answer he received was the stick being struck so hard that Song Mian could not speak.
"Pah! Pah!"
You must know that Gao Shang met Fan Lao once at Yingxianmen, and then did not return to Nongqing Villa at all. He directly met Linghu Tao on the pier and followed him around.
If it is proven that he is the mastermind of Gao Dao, Linghu Tao may also be implicated.
Wei Ji, the Yin of Henan Prefecture, had a close relationship with Song Zhiti, and it was true that he was on the side of a large family. But this did not mean that there was no conflict between Wei Ji and him, the Shaoyin of Henan Prefecture.
For Linghu Tao, it was the best way to escape Gao Shang, and the matter ended with Song Mian.
The originally elegant and elegant headmaster of Shouyang Academy was dragged down like a dead chicken. When the gentry in the hall looked at it, they all sighed and felt as if a rabbit had died and a fox had died.
"The people retreat, go back to their homes and close the doors and windows, waiting for this Yin Ping thief..."
Linghu Tao shot the gavel again and gave the same order as Xue Bai did last night to retreat.
"Wait!"
Xue Bai happened to open his eyes at this moment, stood up, crossed his hands and saluted calmly, and said: "Shao Yin, I have made an agreement with the people that today the case of hiding the farm and hiding the household will be tried."
"There are thieves in the county, why are we still interrogating?!" Linghu Tao finally became furious and shouted loudly: "Don't harm the entire county for your own political achievements!"
Xue Bai asked: "Song Mian has been captured, why should we be afraid of mere bandits? Shao Yin is worried that the mastermind Gao Shang will lead them to rebellion?"
Linghu said: "It is still unclear whether Gao Shang is the mastermind. What is your intention in trying to stop me from catching a thief?"
"Shao Yin, can you let me finish the case of hiding a house in a hidden field?"
If Xue Bai was an energetic young man, the question he might ask at this time would be "Why do you want to prevent me from trying the case of hiding a house in a hidden field?" But after all, he is a calm officialdom person.
Linghu Tao's eyes flashed with anger.
He could no longer use the excuse "you can't interrogate", because everyone in the Song family had been killed, and everyone with a discerning eye knew that Xue Bai used a knife to interrogate, but he couldn't find any flaws.
"I want to protect the people and make them retreat immediately. Can you stop me?!"
Isn't it possible for the dignified young master to use the Henan guards to suppress some of Xue Bai's peasants, water workers and other rabble-rousers?
Xue Bai looked sincere and urged: "I don't want to stop Shao Yin, but for the sake of Shao Yin's life."
Both of them hid their hidden meanings, but each sentence was stronger than the other. Xue Bai's words even suppressed Linghu Tao's momentum for a moment.
Without waiting for Linghu Tao to reply, Xue Bai turned around and walked out of the courtroom.
He passed by several Henan Prefecture guards and ignored them at all.
"Folks!"
Xue Bai stepped over the threshold and walked into the sunshine. The official uniform he wore was made of cyan silk, which reflected a slight light.
"Now, there is a group of bandits outside the county town, and they kill without blinking an eye. But I want to ask you, are you more afraid of bandits, or are you more afraid of being paid twice as much for rent?!"
"..."
The crowd was noisy and Xue Bai didn't answer immediately.
But he was not in a hurry, and just stood there basking in the sun, feeling that his body was gradually getting warm.
He had an expected answer to the people's answers. He had the answer when he passed by Tongguan when he took office.
Those dark-skinned fishermen are desperate to go down the river in heavy winds and rains. Are they more afraid of the Yellow River or the taxes?
At that time, Xue Bai left Tongguan and looked back at the magnificent rivers and mountains. He had been thinking about a sentence in his heart, but he did not read it out.
——"When it prospers, the people suffer; when it dies, the people suffer."
Everything he did thereafter was based on this.
"I'm afraid of overpaying mediocre renters..."
"Let the county captain interrogate it, you are not afraid of bandits..."
Someone in the crowd began to shout, and then the voices gradually became more uniform, and the farmers of Jiminshe raised their hoes to increase their power.
The momentum is huge.
Xue Bai turned around, glanced at Lu Linghao with a condescending look, passed him, and looked at Linghu Tao.
He said nothing, but seemed to be asking: "Can you suppress these public opinions with the Henan Prefecture Guards and Jinwu Guards?"
The two of them just looked at each other, as if the choice was in Linghu Tao's hands, and he would decide the next development of the situation.
"It's not good!"
"Shao Yin, it's bad. Bandits ransacked the manor of Xingfu Temple outside the city. The eminent monks... the eminent monks... were all killed."
"Where are they?"
"I don't know where I went..."
The scene became noisy again, and this time it was not the common people who were panicking, but all the gentry. Their eyes looked frightened, their faces changed drastically, and they all whispered to each other.
Things in the world are often fair, but the same choice is now in their hands. Should they focus on pacifying the thieves and driving away the people, or should they continue to investigate the matter of hiding their fields and households?
Fight hard or obey?
If all the gentry of the world can work together, gather the tribes of each family together, and obey Linghu Tao's orders, of course they can win.
Psychologically it is also very simple, just get rid of the weak characteristics of those with vested interests.
But it's a pity that some people soon felt guilty.
Zheng Bian brought out some of the most reliable servants in his family. He could not help but worry about the bandits coming to his fields outside the city, killing his children and grandchildren, and destroying the treasures in his treasury and the beautiful concubines he kept.
them.
Then should he choose to hand over some hidden fields, or work together with the gentry who are in chaos and fight with force?
"County Captain."
Guo Huan looked at Xue Bai several times but didn't get a response. He was already a little anxious, so he was the first to stand up and salute Xue Bai.
"The little old man may be able to contribute a little to the matter of hiding the fields and hiding the households... to satisfy the county captain."
There was a small pause in the middle of his words, and finally he made a decision driven by fear.
For him, this is saving his people.
Although his clan members first chose to give up on him when he was killed, he had been in the family business all his life and could no longer give up these efforts easily.
When he got old, he understood a truth. If a person is in trouble and looks for the people he has helped, the other party may not repay his kindness; on the contrary, those who have helped him are likely to be willing to lend a hand again... For the family, he has become a descendant.
who.
For Xue Bai, Guo Huan was very important in sorting out the land, population, and tax matters in Yanshi County, and his understanding of county affairs was much deeper than Lu Linghao's.
He can get the results as quickly and accurately as possible, and he can also appease the emotions of the wealthy gentry. With him here, the subsequent tedious work will be at least 60% smoother.
But Xue Bai might not be willing to give him another chance and stood there looking at him.
Guo Huan knew that he had betrayed Xue Bai once, and his heart became increasingly bitter, and he tried hard to show his loyalty with his eyes.
Like an old homeless dog.
In the end, Xue Bai didn't give any response. He glanced at Du Jin and made a brief exchange with his eyes. Du Jin then left for a moment to make arrangements.
They had such a tacit understanding that outsiders couldn't tell anything. Guo Huan only saw Xue Bai turning his head and winking. He didn't know the result, and he felt even more worried and tormented.
In any case, Guo Huan's appearance immediately dealt a huge blow to the morale of the gentry.
Once people are weak, they will feel that as long as they take a step back, many things can be solved...
"Xue Bai."
Linghu Tao finally spoke, stood up and said, "Take me to Wei's house to have a look."
He meant to talk to Xue Bai alone.
At the same time, he also showed sincerity and courage. He raised his hand to stop the guards who were about to follow him, and walked to Wei's house alone.
When Lu Linghao saw this, he quickly motioned for the guards to come over and protect him, but Linghu Tao scolded him instead.
"Isn't it enough to make a fool of yourself? A county magistrate has no responsibility!"
With one sentence, Lu Linghao lost all his prestige, but he still had to stop and look ashamed.
Linghu Tao scolded Lu Linghao in public, but he scolded Xue Bai only after he entered Wei's house, or after the door was closed.
"Look, how do you indulge those people?!"
This is already a statement.
Compared with his interests in Henan Prefecture, Linghu Tao's interests in Yanshi were very small.
Even the nobles who invited him have fled, and the worldly gentry with interests have withdrawn first. Why should he take too big risks for them?
Although suppression will relieve anger, officials only care about their own interests after all.
Xue Bai didn't appreciate it and said, "Why don't you say it was the officials and gentry who forced them to be like this?"
"I don't want to say who forced it." Linghu said: "It is the crime of Song Zhizhi to equalize the land to this point? How innocent did he die?"
"Who is not innocent?" Xue Bai said: "Since they are all innocent, then it depends on who we care about when we serve as officials."
This was not the attitude when talking to Shangguan, but the conversation between the two was very direct and progressed quickly.
Linghu said: "If you want to change the current situation in Yanshi, this government can support you, but I'm afraid you may act too hastily. However, trouble has arisen and must be suppressed as soon as possible."
Xue Bai said: "Song Mian, since Gao Shang is the mastermind, this matter is just a murder case committed for family wealth."
Linghu Tao took a few steps and said, "Gao Shang is not the mastermind."
"Why?"
"If it involves Gao Shang, it will involve An Lushan. Do you want this matter to be heard by Heaven?"
Gao Shang is the most suitable scapegoat in the whole plan. Xue Bai is not going to let it go easily, saying: "It is precisely because of Anlu Mountain that Gao Shang is so lawless. Why worry about being involved in An Lu Mountain?"
Linghu Tao immediately understood what Xue Bai meant - let Anshan handle it.
Xue Bai added: "This matter is not enough to deal with An Lushan. But he will definitely be able to suppress it for Gao Shang. I have this confidence in him... Then Gao Shang will naturally not be able to involve you."
After Linghu Tao thought about it carefully, his face gradually turned ugly.
His displeasure was not directed at Xue Bai.
Many years ago, his cousin's eighth daughter was deceived by Gao Shang's sweet talk, lost her virginity to Gao Shang, and gave birth to a daughter. The Linghu family was ashamed of this matter, disowned Linghu's eighth mother, and almost killed Gao Shang.
Later, Gao Shang was appreciated by Li Qiwu, and he befriended the eunuch Wu Huaishi and obtained an official position. The attitude of the Linghu family gradually changed, and their contacts increased. Later, Gao Shang gained the great trust of An Lushan...
Xue Bai's implication was that An Lushan's ability to cover up noble crimes meant that he was covering up Linghu Tao, and they became a team.
This was far more risky than what happened in Yanshi County. Linghu Tao suddenly lost his mind to worry about Yanshi County anymore.
"According to what you said." Linghu said, "Song Mian, I will come to interrogate you, and you can put down the bandits as soon as possible."
Xue Bai asked: "Is it possible for me to handle the Luhun Villa in Yanshi County?"
Linghu Tao didn't expect that he had such a big appetite, and was a little surprised, but finally nodded and agreed.
Officialdom is the art of compromise.
However, a fourth-grade high-ranking official, the actual person in charge of the government, came majestically, but in the end left silently, which shows that he is far from as powerful as he seems.
Just a paper tiger.
After talking, Xue Bai smiled slightly, walked out of Weisha, and returned to the front of the court, announcing loudly.
"Linghu Shaoyin has agreed to investigate the hidden fields in Yanshi County and hide the households so that the people will no longer have to pay the death tax, the families will have more food, and the people will be rich..."
He very generously shared the results with Linghu Tao.
The farmers in Jimin Society loudly spread Xue Bai's words, and cheers erupted outside the county office.
"The common people thank Xue County Lieutenant! Thank you Linghu Shaoyin!"
The strange thing is that the gentry actually breathed a sigh of relief and were glad that things turned out this way.
As for Lu Linghao, his face was extremely depressed. He knew that after this incident, his prestige had fallen to the bottom and his power had been lost.
But what he hated most in his heart was not Xue Bai, but Linghu Tao.
He would give gifts to Luoyang every year and festival. Over the years, I don't know how much he has shown filial piety to Linghu Tao. He never thought that when it came time to rely on him, he would be abandoned like a pair of worn shoes.
That's all. It's a pity that Linghu Tao chose Xue Bai between him and Xue Bai... The one who gave the gift was worse than the one who held the knife.
He knew in his heart that Xue Bai's move was definitely not a good thing for Linghu Tao. Once the matter spread, it would offend many high-ranking people in the world.
However, when he turned around to look, he did not see Linghu Tao's displeased expression as he expected.
The Henan Shaoyin stood there and listened to the cheers of the people, feeling a sense of satisfaction that he had not seen for a long time.
After a long time, Linghu Tao sighed, his eyes melancholy and lonely.
"Let's interrogate Song Mian."
~~
"Squeak."
The door was opened and the two walked into the cell.
Song Mian looked up and saw the people next to Linghu Tao, and said quickly: "I, Aweng, have a close relationship with Shao Yin. Every year we give Shao Yin..."
"Let's go."
"What?"
"Mr. Song, you can leave."
Song Mian was pleasantly surprised and quickly followed the person leading the way out.
During the process, he inexplicably thought of something. When Gao Chong fled for his life, he did not go to Linghu Tao for shelter, but went to Fan Lao, and ended up dying at the hands of Diao Geng.
It should be noted that the untouchables have no righteousness and are the most betrayal, but Shaoyin is the most reliable...
"Well!"
Just when he thought of this, Song Mian suddenly felt his neck tightening, and a rope was strangling him tightly.
He struggled desperately, but the rope tightened tighter and tighter. Due to the excessive pain, various scenes from this life flashed through his mind.
Song's private copper coins were found out several times by the government. At that time, he would often point out two servants at will, let them take the blame, and then silence them.
He had obviously done this so many times, but when it was his turn, his mind was filled with the hope of survival, and he never thought that he had become the scapegoat.
One hand hung down helplessly.
"Dead?"
"hang."
A body was hung.
…
At the same time, Li Shiniang was hanging a necklace on herself, playing with a beautiful Yangzhou Jiangxin mirror for a while, and nodded with satisfaction.
"With so many turquoise stones, the necklace is quite expensive. Linghu Tao is really thoughtful."
Yang Qixuan laughed and said: "He just gave an order and someone will arrange the gifts."
"Why does that dignified Young Master want to give you a gift?" Li Shiniang said: "Xue Bailuo has done a good job in weaving this case, so we can just settle it directly."
Just as he was talking, someone came to report: "Yang Canjun went over to interrogate the case, but...Song Mian committed suicide out of fear of guilt."
"knew."
Li Shiniang waited for Yang Qi to retreat and said with a smile: "No wonder, it turns out it was because of this, Linghu Tao is not an honest man."
Although Yang Qixuan is not very smart, he is very clear about the process of this kind of thing. He said: "Just like the Liu Ji case, everyone knows that Liu Ji was used, but as long as he takes the blame, the case can be closed. Even the saints will do it."
Kill him with the decree stick."
Li Shiniang didn't let anyone show off her cleverness in front of her, and said angrily: "Of course I know, I mean, Linghu Tao really has something in Song Mian's hands."
"What the hell, what does it have to do with us?"
The couple accepted the gift and assumed a superior and aloof posture.
When I came here this time, I saw that Xue Bai had won another fight, but he only had the power of a county captain.
Isn't it the couple who really benefited greatly?
Yang Qixuan felt that Xue Bai was really stupid. He didn't act like the son-in-law of Youxiang Mansion or the noble official of Chang'an City. He came to this small county to be a county captain and he didn't learn to get along well with others.
Only when a person lives like this can he be considered complete.
~~
Return to Guo Town.
On the stone road, a pair of straw sandals left bloody shoe prints.
Diao Bing looked up and saw the tall courtyard wall of the Guo family not far ahead. Behind him, there were big men covered in blood and holding long knives.
Even the wind blows with the smell of their blood.
"Get ready to take action."
Fan Lao was still observing the terrain when a whistle suddenly sounded in the distance, and he responded with a whistle. Not long after, a fast horse came running towards this direction.
This was the method he had agreed with Xue Bai to stop.
"So fast?" Diao Geng was surprised, "We have just arrived at the third family. I thought we would kill at least five families."
"How can they have such hard bones?"
Fan Lao relaxed a little, knowing that if the killing was really bloody, it would certainly be convenient now, but it would have an impact on the emperor's grand plan.
He made this choice because he wanted to protect a future for his brothers, not because he took pleasure in killing people.
"What's next?"
"Let you stop. The county lieutenant will bring people over later. You escape through the Mang Mountains, take a boat down the Yellow River, and change to a boat at the mouth of the Yiluo River. You will stay away for a few days, and the county lieutenant will give you a good place to go..."
Diao Geng still glanced back at Guo Zhen and asked: "Stop now? Are you taking advantage of the big dog?"
"How can you give them an advantage? Now that Lang Jun has taken control of Yanshi County, Lang Jun will not have the final say in the future... Get ready and wait for Lang Jun to calm you down."
~~
Xue Bai hadn't gone to quell the bandits yet, and was still looking through a book at the county office.
This is not the county's new record of young crops, which was already burned by Lu Linghao. This is the record of his own fields that Guo Huan handed over.
Xue Bai took a look and found that there were many more hidden fields than what he had found before.
"I handed over Hidden Field and Ichigo this time, but do you still want to take them back?"
"I don't dare." Guo Huan said: "The little old man has never thought of disobeying the county captain. It is all because of Abo's persecution. This time I am willing to sacrifice all the unjust land of the Guo family, just for the safety of my clan. The little old man is worthy of the honor.
With my heart, I will only plan for the county captain from now on."
"Okay." Xue Bai closed the field register and said, "I will lead people to quell the bandits and keep your people safe."
Guo Huan took a deep breath and saluted, "Thank you so much, county captain."
"Don't feel unbalanced." Xue Bai stood up, patted his back and said, "I won't only target your family."
After confirming this, Xue Bai led his people to quell the bandits. The team included the guards of Henan Prefecture, the Jinwu Guard... and achieved a complete victory.
They seized seventeen long knives and announced that they had killed seventeen bandits, but unfortunately they allowed the rest to escape by boat.
In this way, when Linghu Tao came to Yanshi, he first took the initiative to investigate the case of hiding households in Yanshi County, and then commanded to suppress a wave of incoming bandits... displaying his official power.
He was finally able to leave, and he couldn't wait to leave, not wanting to stay in Yanshi longer.
This time, contrary to the previous visit, few gentry came to see him off, but the farewells from the common people were very grand.
Xue Bai did not behave rudely again, and went to the Luoshui River in person to send Linghu Tao off with a solemn etiquette. The two of them seemed very close.
"Xue Lang deserves to be the number one scholar from Chang'an." Linghu Tao did not forget to praise Xue Bai before leaving.
Xue Bai gave him more fame and said: "Shao Yin, you are so grateful. That is the Wanmin Umbrella given to you by the people of Yanshi."
Linghu Tao turned his head and took a look, laughed at himself slightly, waved his hand away, and boarded the boat with a sullen face.
Boating against the current, the trackers pulled the boat away gradually, and the boat disappeared around the bend of the river.
Xue Bai turned around and walked towards Yanshi. Behind him, a group of staff, officials and servants followed him, but no one paid any attention to Lu Linghao.
Passing by the city gate, there was a wanted notice posted on the wall. The picture showed a middle-aged man with a high nose. He was Gao Shang.
Then passed through Nanshi, County School, and passed by the post house. I saw a group of Jinwu Guards still there. Yang Qixuan hadn't left yet and said he wanted to see Yanshi.
Upstairs in the post house, two young ladies were looking at the bustling pedestrians in the county town. When they saw him, one of them waved a handkerchief.
Xue Bai stared for a moment and then stepped into the county office.
He is already the de facto lord of a county...
I am really busy with something, so I posted it late today and the number of words is smaller. Please forgive me~~