The second eldest son of the Zheng family, Zheng Zhihu, killed all the dozen or so officials who went to measure his tea plantation. It was like a ladle of water being poured into a pan of oil, causing the whole Fuzhou to explode.
First of all, the Fuzhou prefect, Fujian governor and other civil officials were furious. They immediately mobilized the Fuzhou garrison to surround Zheng Zhihu's residence and arrest Zheng Zhihu on charges of rebellion.
Naturally, Zheng Zhihu could not be captured without hesitation, so he immediately fled with his family to a small island in the waters off Fuzhou.
The governor of Fujian had no choice but to ask Zheng Zhilong to hand over Zheng Zhihu.
Zheng Zhilong was also frightened. Although he knew that his second brother had caused a big trouble and wanted to beat him to death, he could not just hand him over.
So I had to send gifts everywhere, try my best to intercede, and at the same time write to the court to explain that I wanted to make the big thing a small matter, but it turned a small matter.
But Zheng Zhilong obviously underestimated the impact of this incident. First of all, the governor of Fujian did not dare to accept his money and mud, and immediately reported it to Nanjing.
As the news spread, all officials in Fujian became furious and went on strike, waiting for the court's punishment for this matter.
The wealthy gentry from all over Fujian took the opportunity to stir up trouble and protest against the injustice of the new policy of the Yi court.
In the end, it even affected the three provinces of Jiangxi, Guangdong and Zhejiang.
"Second brother, eldest brother told you a long time ago not to be impulsive when things happen, but you didn't listen. It's better now. This time our Zheng family will have to be killed by you."
"Brother, aren't they just some government officials and spies? What's the big deal? I don't believe that the imperial court will really force my Zheng family to rebel for the sake of a dozen petty officials."
Although Zheng Zhihu also regretted that he was too harsh, he pretended not to care and felt much happier.
"Alas! You are confused. Today is different from the past. Those officials have been registered in the Ministry of Civil Affairs. If you kill them, it is like slapping the court in the face. What's more, the entire Fujian officials are on strike. Obviously
This is putting pressure on the imperial court, how can the imperial court give up?"
Seeing that he hadn't realized the seriousness of the problem, Zheng Zhilong also cursed him.
"Brother, what should we do? Is it possible that we really have to hand over my second brother to the court to deal with it?"
The third brother Zheng Zhibao was also a little anxious.
Zheng Zhihu was a little panicked.
"You know you are afraid now. Why didn't you think about the consequences at that time? I have told you a long time ago that my Zheng family is now a big tree and attracts wind, so I have to be patient, but you didn't listen."
Zheng Zhilong also had a headache for a while and didn't know what to do.
"Brother, it's not that I don't listen, but that guy surnamed Wang is so fucking inhuman. He's really hateful. He wants to extort money from me, but refuses to help me underreport the number of acres. Isn't this an obvious way to make me the chief culprit?
?Is there such a truth in the world?"
As soon as he mentioned this matter, Zheng Zhihu became furious.
"Oh! It's just some money, just give it to him."
In fact, all big landowners hate the officials in various places who want to extort money and do nothing. However, in order not to pay more unjust taxes every year, most of them have to choose to be the main culprits in the end. Even Zheng Zhilong also
No exception.
Officials in various places did not want to do such unjust things. However, the imperial court was too strict in verification and never showed mercy on underreporting or making false reports. If they were found together, they would be severely punished.
On the contrary, over-reporting is much more lenient, especially when it comes to land. Therefore, officials in various places would rather be scolded than to over-report or under-report. Such immoral things are used to threaten the local gentry and wealthy families.
Be obedient and filial to the money.
Who would have thought that this time he would hit the wall and meet Zheng Zhihu, a reckless drunkard.
"Brother, it's useless to talk about this now, let's think about what to do." Zheng Zhibao said impatiently.
"Damn it, I got desperate, so I turned against my mother and occupied Fujian. My eldest brother will become the emperor himself, and he will no longer have to suffer from this useless person."
Zheng Zhihu slapped the table and said with a fierce expression on his face.
"You're talking lightly. The imperial court has hundreds of thousands of troops. How can our Zheng family resist?" Zheng Zhilong said angrily. Although he didn't pay attention to the garrison in Fujian, the imperial court had hundreds of thousands of field troops, even if Fujian was in the sky.
Emperor Gao was far away. As long as the imperial court made up its mind and mobilized a legion to encircle and suppress the enemy, the Zheng family had no chance of winning.
"At worst, we can continue to go to sea and live a happy life. No matter how many soldiers and horses the imperial court has, it will be useless?" Zheng Zhihu snorted.
This time the two brothers did not answer, but fell silent.
Nowadays, everyone has a lot of beautiful wives and concubines, and a lot of wealth. If they want to give up these and continue to wander on the sea, let alone they can't do it, even if they can do it, those subordinates may not be willing.
So the two of them didn't say anything, but in their hearts they were very resentful that Zheng Zhihu was too impulsive and caused them trouble.
At the same time, the former pirate subordinates of the Zheng family are also very dissatisfied with Zheng Zhihu.
Although Fuzhou is thousands of miles away from Nanjing, it only took ten days for the memorial from the governor of Fujian to be sent to the cabinet.
After reading the memorial, Ma Shiying and a group of big bosses were furious and shocked. They did not expect that the Zheng family would dare to openly kill officials of the imperial court.
"Pah! How dare he, Zheng Jia'an, act so boldly?"
This time, even Zhang Yan was very angry and slapped the memorial on the table, her chest heaving violently with anger.
Zuo Liangyu on the side was filled with anger when he saw the Queen Mother being so angry, and at the same time he was extremely excited.
He immediately stood up and gritted his teeth and said: "Queen Mother, please calm down. A mere member of the Zheng family, who is just a fool of Liang Xiaoer, dares to kill an official without knowing the truth and not taking the Queen Mother and the court into consideration. It is really an unpardonable crime.
I only need 20,000 soldiers and horses, and within three months, I will capture all the Zheng family and bring them to Nanjing, so that the Queen Mother can be punished!"
Although Ma Shiying and other civil servants were also angry, it was very shameful to see that Zuo Liangyu was always on the line and wanted to directly lead the army to suppress it.
Seeing the hesitation on Zhang Yan's face, Ma Shiying was also afraid that she would be angry, so he directly agreed to Zuo Liangyu's request, and had to stand up and said: "Let me report to the Queen Mother, Zheng Zhihu is indeed bold. If he is not brought to justice, it will be difficult to protect the court."
Even the majesty cannot calm the anger of all the officials, but it seems inappropriate to directly punish the Zheng family for rebellion, and I hope the Queen Mother will think twice."
"I second my opinion, I hope the Queen Mother will think again."
Other civil servants also stood up and said.
But Zuo Liangyu was anxious. He didn't care whether the Zheng family was really rebelling. He finally caught an opportunity to make meritorious deeds and would never let it go easily.
"What, Mr. Mage, do you want to force me into the palace?"
But everyone just rolled their eyes and chose to ignore Zuo Liangyu, this mad dog.
Zhang Yan also calmed down and waved her hand to ask Zuo Liangyu to step aside first.
