Su Jin was surprised by the facts that Lu Laosan said. After the defeat of Haoshuichuan, the imperial court asked all state governments to follow Fan Zhongyan's suggestion to gather all the people from the countryside into the walled city. This was to prevent the villagers from
It was plundered by the Western bandits who raided from time to time. They also used the labor of the people to strengthen the defense of the city according to local conditions.
At the beginning, a large number of people entered the city, and the reinforcement of the city also required the labor of the people. Therefore, the capitals of the northwest states strictly followed the instructions of the imperial court. In addition to providing food, all the people who served were given a small amount of wages, which somewhat relieved the people.
The fear of leaving the land and living without a life.
Not only did the good times not last long, a few months later, the reinforcement and defense of the walled city came to an end, and the people suddenly realized that they had nothing to do. The villagers who originally relied on the land had neither capital nor ability to do anything but work hard in the city.
There is almost no way to make a living outside, and last year's food famine was almost fatal to the people. The army's food supply was insufficient, and there was no surplus food for the people.
The widespread hunger made the people even more anxious. Officials also came out to explain that there was not enough food to eat due to the drought in the south, so the people could endure it for the time being. However, they did not think about how they could endure such things as eating. They wanted to endure it in their minds, but their bodies
He didn't agree, and the government gave him a bowl of gruel every day, so that he could see people's shadows. After drinking it, he felt as if he had eaten nothing, and he could count the grains of rice in the bowl.
Correspondingly, a black market for grain gradually emerged in the city. The prices were naturally frightening, and it was unknown who started it. The people were so hungry that they could only buy some rice with their limited property.
But how can a drop in the bucket fill the bottomless pit of hunger? Over time, there are people who sell their children and their children, there are people who give away their wives and daughters to be raped and humiliated, and there are people who steal and rob them. In short, as long as you can fill your stomach, you can do whatever you want.
In March of this year, some knowledgeable people in the city jointly wrote a document asking the government for relief, but the document was like a pile of mud and there was no news. Not only that, after a few days, the leading men were all arrested by the government officials and thrown into prison.
He was punished as a rioter and almost lost his head.
The common people were crying and had no choice but to endure hardship every day. Every day they looked for food with empty stomachs and green eyes. Some people secretly took out the horses and livestock in the military camp, slaughtered them, and ate them. They were all arranged for this purpose.
The officers and soldiers killed many civilians.
Now walking on the streets of Weizhou, as long as it is alive and edible, if you are not careful, it will be stolen in the blink of an eye, and the next moment, your hair will be plucked, steamed and roasted into your stomach, which is even more hateful.
A group of people actually gathered together to squeeze property and food from the already miserable people, which made the people even worse.
Su Jin couldn't believe his ears. Isn't this the second Yangzhou? Fan Zhongyan had good intentions, and the imperial court allocated excessive amounts of food to the northwest. As a result, most people here were starving. Every day
They only have a bowl of clear soup to satisfy their hunger, but they have to dig poisonous vines and wild vegetables in the wild to satisfy their hunger, and some even become gangsters.
Su Jin finally understood. No wonder Wang Yan left in such a hurry. The whole place was a mess. Maybe Wang Yan had a hand in the food issue. Judging from Su Jin's experience in handling food affairs, the food on the black market was allocated by the imperial court.
Relief food, but instead of being a life-saving thing for the people, this food became a life-threatening poison that forced the people to sell their children and daughters. There is no doubt that someone made a fortune in it, and it should not be difficult to find out who it is.
"Uncle Lu, after hearing what you said, I feel very sad. The people have suffered so much and the court was unaware of it. I would like to apologize to my father-in-law and the fellow villagers in the city. Don't worry, I will definitely take care of this matter."
Deal with it, but before that, I don’t want to make any noise, I want to find out who is making a lot of money out of the national calamity and preying on the common people."
Lu Laosan sighed: "Is there still a need to investigate? The leader is Xu Wei, he is the official magistrate of the government. Wang Lushi often patrols the states and rarely stays in Weizhou City. The affairs of this city are all
Xu Wei makes the decision, but...it’s not that the old man looks down on you, Mr. Su, Wang Lu is pretending to be deaf and mute, so I’m afraid you can’t cure him at all.”
Su Jin said: "Why can't he be cured? Is he a relative of the emperor?"
Lu Laosan said: "That's not true, but the old man heard everyone talking and said that the generals deployed in Weizhou are venting their anger on Xu Wei. Think about it, with tens of thousands of soldiers in hand, can you fall out with them casually?
If it’s not good, you’ll be in trouble yourself.”
Su Jin's pupils shrank and he thought: "If this Xu Wei really colluded with the generals deployed in the capital, then this matter really needs to be carefully considered. In a border town like Weizhou, where the sky is high and the emperor is far away, who has the soldiers?"
Ma Duo, who is the Emperor? If I conduct a rash investigation and are killed by these people with troops, then I push the Xixia people on the head, and everyone says it is the Xixia people's fault, wouldn't I be a big victim?"
"Master Su, I can see that you are a person who wants to do something for the people, but it is enough for you to have this intention. The people in the city have nothing to look forward to. If you survive one day, if you die of starvation or illness that day, it will be considered as a loss.
The reason I didn’t want to tell you just now, old man, was not only because I was afraid that you would be on the same side as them, but also because even if I told you, it would be in vain if you wanted to save us and other people."
Su Jin lowered his head and said nothing. What he thought was that since the situation was so bad, he could use the power of the court to punish these guys by writing to the court. But suddenly he understood that even if he wrote to the court, it would be useless.
All the officials, including the officers and soldiers deployed in Weizhou, said that this was not the case. With tens of thousands of mouths, how could they still not be able to express their own words? What’s more, if they dared to do it, they would not be afraid of someone poking them up. Maybe the water is so deep that there is no edge.
The situation is also unknown.
"Don't be anxious, old man. What you said makes sense. This matter must be carefully considered. However, if evil does not prevail over good, I will definitely give an explanation to the people. With that being said, I will take my leave for now. Don't talk to anyone about what happened just now.
thing."
Lu Laosan cupped his hands and said: "Don't worry, sir, someone will come to question me later. However, I trust you, and I will never say anything to them. I only advise you, don't force yourself to do something you can't do, so as not to risk your life or property."
.”
Su Jin smiled and said: "Thank you for your concern, father-in-law. I have agreed with you that if this matter is properly resolved, you must go to Longshan to get some game for me to try. I have never eaten game from the northwest."
Lu Laosan patted his chest and said, "Put it on the old man, shoot a big fat deer for you, and deliver it to your lord's government office in person."
Su Jin clapped his hands and said, "It's a deal."
…
After coming out of Lu Laosan's house, Su Jin had no intention of inspecting the city walls anymore. There was nothing interesting about the devastation. All he could think about was what to do about this matter.
When I returned to the government office, I saw that the lobby of the government office was already packed with people. After asking, I realized that it was the officials from Weizhou who came to see Su Jin. They came early in the morning, but Su Jin went out for inspection. Everyone
I just waited in the lobby. The weather was too hot, so the officials took off their hats and official uniforms one by one, and fanned themselves with small fans while exposing their breasts. Some even took off their official boots and picked at their feet, so relaxed that they
Extreme.
Seeing Su Jin's return, everyone quickly dressed up and saluted. Su Jin looked at these subordinates with crooked clothes and hats, and felt very angry, but he still smiled and returned the salute to everyone.
Judge Xu Wei was also among them. It seems that Su Jin asked him to send people to find out the household registration and registration, but he didn't take it to heart at all. When Su Jin was sitting behind the case in the lobby, he secretly left
He came close to Su Jin's ear and whispered softly: "Master Fu, please don't blame everyone. Everyone is not empty-handed. All the things have been collected and sent to Master Fu Zun's inner house. There are many people with mixed tastes, so giving gifts in person is a bit awkward."
It’s not appropriate.”
Su Jin was stunned and said: "What?"
Xu Wei smacked his lips and said, "Master Fu, why do you ask questions knowingly? You have come all the way to Weizhou, how can we, as your subordinates, be dissatisfied? It's not much, just a thousand taels of gold, but it's all pure gold."
Cast in Qinzhou Prefecture, it is absolutely genuine."
Su Jin secretly took a breath, this was the first step to win her over. Maybe Wang Yan kept silent about this matter, so he was dragged into the water by this group of people, or he had a handle in the hands of this group of people.
, so I can only pretend to be stupid.
"The lower official will send someone to take care of the matter of registering the household registration immediately. Your Majesty's instructions will not be delayed." Xu Wei said softly.
Su Jin smiled slightly and said: "I'm not busy. I was in front of people on the street just now. In front of so many people, I have to say this. The registration and food inspection can be postponed and we can do it slowly.
Now, I won’t be busy for a while.”
Xu Wei chuckled lightly, stretched out his hand and raised his big finger and said: "Your Majesty is wise, no wonder the young man succeeds. Others are still ignorant, but your mind has fully opened up and you have become a fourth-rank official. It turns out that you are a first-rate smart man.
.”
Su Jin smiled and said nothing, then Xu Wei said: "Your Majesty, tonight we all have a banquet at Hongbin Tower to welcome you. It has been three days since you came here, and this is our first gathering. It is really a dereliction of duty for this official.
Please be kind to me, sir."
Su Jin nodded and said: "Of course I want to go. It's rare for everyone to be sincere. Why don't we invite the generals from the city's garrison to get to know them all tonight? After all, they are guarding our Weizhou Mansion. Without them, we are nothing.
,Yes or no?"
Xu Wei chuckled and said: "I really admire you, sir. You are thoughtful and considerate, and you are a person who does great things. The generals who have been deployed did not come to pay homage to you. Your Excellency did not take it at all. Instead, you made friends sincerely. They will definitely meet in the evening."