Chapter 412: Unbridled Greed, Difficulties in Yiliang

Chapter 412: Unbridled Greed, Difficulties in Yiliang

Chapter 412: Unbridled Greed, Difficulties in Yiliang

"Who gave him the courage?!"

The small yamen was filled with Mr. Liu's roar, causing the atmosphere to suddenly freeze.

Magistrate Luo, who was sitting on the chair, kept backing away.

Looking at the fingers right in front of him, his old eyes kept twitching.

There was a flash of anger in his eyes, but he didn't dare to show it.

His breathing quickened a little, and after finally calming down, he said slowly:
"Mr. Liu, it is true that the county government office was built on your land.

But didn't I exchange them for good farmland outside the city?

Before Yiling City was built, this place was a hill and could not be used for farming.

As for the person behind Mr. Zhang, he is a local official in this county.
How can I know such secrets? Please don't embarrass me, Mr. Liu.
You two are very capable, why don't you go to the Provincial Administration Office and ask around?"

"Asshole!!"

Mr. Liu was furious, with a ferocious expression.
He raised the folding fan in his hand as if he was going to hit Magistrate Luo.

At this moment, Mr. Chen, who had been silent all along, suddenly raised his hand to stop him:
"Brother Liu, please don't be rude.

County Magistrate Luo worked tirelessly all day long for the livelihood of Yiling County.

How can we, the people of Yiliang County, be disrespectful to our parents and officials?"

After he finished speaking, Mr. Liu snorted coldly, put away the folding fan in his hand, and his face was full of contempt:
"The land outside the city is owned by a group of nobles, and the grain stores inside the city are also owned by a group of nobles.

The land cultivated by those poor people,
If the grain shop doesn't buy them, they will starve to death next year.

The bridges and roads built in Yiliang County were all paid for by the city's officials.
The money in the households in the county town may not even be enough to cover next month’s salary.

You'll need my help when the time comes.
Who is the breadwinner of whom? We still need to talk about it.”

A hint of coldness appeared on Mr. Liu's young face. He turned and looked at Magistrate Luo:

"Mr. County Magistrate, in the past,
We have never received interest from the government.

Now you want to embarrass us and be ruthless, so don't blame me for being ruthless.

If the government office cannot pay money next month,

We will lend the money back to the government, but we want 1% interest, how about that? "

"you you."

Luo Yuan's breathing suddenly became rapid, and his originally yellow and old face turned red in an instant, with anger in his eyes!

My heart is already roaring.

Yiliang County is a small county, with only two million mu of land.
Of this, only 400,000 acres of arable land are available.

Twenty percent of the land was occupied by military households, and no tax was levied on such land.

Thirty percent is occupied by various officials, who do not pay taxes.
Of the remaining 50% of the land, 20% was agricultural land owned by the provincial government, which was taxed.

But the tax money went directly to the Provincial Administration Commissioner's Office, so even if Yiling County wanted to take advantage of it, it was powerless.

Therefore, only 30% of the land was left for Yiling County.
With these taxes, it was already difficult to just maintain the purchase of farm tools and seeds.
The salaries of officials such as clerks,

Sometimes he needed help from the Yunnan government, and sometimes he needed to borrow money from a group of wealthy people.

There is plenty of grain in Yiling County now, but not a penny of silver.

"Hey, hey, hey, Brother Liu, don't be so rude."

Mr. Chen, who was sitting next to him, stood up, with a warm smile on his face, and said slowly:

"Today, you and I are not here to force Magistrate Luo, but to come up with a solution for him."

Luo Yuan leaned against the back of the chair.

Looking at the two people getting closer and closer, his heart skipped a beat and he secretly regretted that he should not have gone to the yamen today!
"What do you want to do?"

Mr. Chen walked to the table and said with a smile:
"Mr. Luo, isn't the Provincial Administration Office going to re-compile the register?
Why don't we take this opportunity to save some land?"

"No! Last year the imperial court strictly prohibited the retraction of the rope and warned us against it!"

Before Mr. Chen could finish his words, Luo Yuan let out a loud shout!
He found that he had underestimated these people. They were so bold.

"Don't be anxious, Magistrate Luo. Just listen to me."

Purple-robed Chen Yuanwai pressed his hands, made a "hush" gesture, and continued to speak:
"There are policies from above and countermeasures from below.

As for the remaining land, we will not take a penny from it, and it will all be given to the government.
We can even find someone to cultivate those lands.

As for the grain we received and the money from the sales, how about letting Magistrate Luo decide where to go with it?

If the court asks about it in the future, it will be a place to go.
We are all from the government, we know our own hardships, and we will not make things difficult for Magistrate Luo."

"No, no, when the list is drawn up, the officials from the Provincial Administration Office will come.
The accounts must be compared back and forth, and no falsification is allowed.”

Luo Yuan pursed his lips tightly. The ground was hanging under the government office. It sounded nice.

But once someone plants it, it becomes a mess, especially when it is planted by such a big farmer.

If in the future these wealthy families say that these fields have been cultivated by them for generations, what can the government do?
Could it be that these were done secretly in the early years?
Luo Yuan saw clearly what these two were planning.
It's nothing more than seeing the registration.
The provincial government may collect further taxes, hoping to make up for the loss in this way.

The young Mr. Liu sneered at this moment:
"Lo, County Magistrate, please consider this carefully.

Next month's salary has not been settled yet, and there are hundreds of mouths to feed in the government.

The court can't just let the clerks work without paying them salaries."

Luo Yuan looked at the two people in front of him with half-smiles on their faces.
I was extremely angry, but I couldn't express it.
In a small place like Yiliang County, there is no way to get promoted, and now there is no money.
Luo Yuan couldn't imagine what would happen.
At least his decrees cannot leave this government office.

Luo Yuan's heart darkened, and he slowly lowered his head.

Looking at his somewhat dry palms, he sighed in his heart.

I am just a temporary official. I am here this year, but I don't know where I will be in a few years.
I'm old now, why bother fighting with him?
As soon as the thought of giving up arises, the world suddenly becomes wide.

Luo Yuan felt that he suddenly felt better.
He pursed his lips twice and was about to speak.
At this moment, the door that was originally closed was suddenly pushed open!

The three of them looked over at once.

The two had sharp eyes and looked ferocious like hungry wolves.
Luo Yuan suddenly woke up, his body trembled, his eyes regained their determination, and a trace of fear flashed through his heart.

At the door, the master's figure suddenly rushed in, his face full of anxiety:
"My Lord County Magistrate, something bad has happened. The Beijing troops are back again."

Luo Yuan was full of doubts and sat up straight abruptly:
"Why?"

The master was panting, took two deep breaths, and said quickly:
"A rebellion broke out in Qujing Prefecture, and the victims are heading towards Yiling, which is just 20 miles outside of Yiling County!

Now they are blocked by the Beijing army. They are holding the seal of Duke Cao and want to transfer food.
They also asked us to gather doctors and laborers to resettle the victims."

"what?"

Luo Yuan's old face showed shock and he stood up suddenly.
But because he was too old, his blood rushed up, causing his face to turn red and he looked uncomfortable.

Then he covered his chest with his palms and rubbed it hard twice, and his throat made a sound like a bellows.

Seeing this, the master rushed over and stroked his back vigorously.

Then, his fat face was full of flattery as he looked at the two people in front of him:

"My two lords, let's talk about it tomorrow.
Today, the county magistrate has an urgent matter to deal with.
If we neglect the Beijing army, the disaster victims will rush into the county, and the court will blame us, and we will all be in trouble."

Mr. Liu looked him up and down, his face showing hesitation, his voice rising and falling:
"The Beijing troops are really here?"

"Here it comes!" the master said affirmatively.

"Twenty miles away from Yiling County, isn't that the territory of Qujing Prefecture?
There was a rebellion in Qujing Prefecture, and there were refugees fleeing. What does this have to do with Yiling County?"

Mr. Liu's voice grew louder as he spoke. He seemed to have figured something out, and his face darkened.
The folding fan in his hand kept flapping, making a "pa pa pa" sound.

The purple-robed Mr. Chen beside him also reacted.
He looked at the young man beside him in surprise and nodded slightly:
"What Mr. Liu said is correct.

The victims were to be treated by the Beijing Army, and the rebellion also occurred in Qujing Prefecture, and the people were also in Qujing Prefecture.

What does it have to do with Yiling County, Kunming Prefecture?"

The white-haired Luo Yuan looked at the two of them in disbelief.

He also doesn't care about the disaster victims now.

He was just extremely grateful that he didn't lose his mind and agree to the two men's scheme.

Otherwise, who knows what will happen to him in the future. Taking a deep breath, Luo Yuan calmed his breath and spoke in a deep voice:
"My two lords, I'm sure you two understand the principle that the lips and teeth are interdependent.
A few years ago, there was also a rebellion in Qujing Prefecture.
There were also countless victims at that time, and the first to suffer the disaster was our Yiling County.

Our county is now extremely grateful that the Beijing troops have protected us from the disaster victims.
Otherwise, if the disaster victims were to rush into Yiliang and they were not properly placed,
The Provincial Administration Commissioner will bring the crime upon us.

Therefore, please go back and tell the other officials in Yiliang County,

Re-measuring the land and registering it is no longer important at this moment.

The most important thing now is to cooperate with the Beijing army, resettle the victims, and wait for the arrangements of the Provincial Administration Commissioner."

At this point, Luo Yuan's face became sharper, and he spoke in a deep voice:
"Everyone must fully cooperate in the rescue and resettlement of the disaster victims.
Open the warehouses to store food, provide manpower, carriages, and shelter,

The county will report the matter to the governor-general truthfully afterwards.
Otherwise, if Duke Cao blames us, it won’t be as simple as re-registering.”

After finishing speaking, Luo Yuan did not look at the two people with grim expressions.

Instead, he called his lawyer, took the official hat and the county magistrate's seal on the table, and walked out quickly.

The skinny figure's steps were a bit staggering, but he was moving very fast.

In just a few moments, only two officials, one old and one young, were left in the study.
They looked at each other, their faces extremely ugly.

Mr. Liu no longer had the ruthlessness he had just shown, and a hint of worry appeared in his eyes:

"What should I do now? I haven't gotten my job done yet, and I've got other things to do."

Mr. Chen, a middle-aged man in purple, had a sinister look on his face, his lips twitched slightly, and his teeth kept rubbing against each other in his mouth.

"We can't explain why we didn't get it done, so why not..."

Mr. Chen narrowed his eyes and moved closer.
He whispered a few words in Liu Yuanwai's ear.
Mr. Liu’s eyes suddenly widened, his face was horrified, he turned his head and looked at Mr. Chen in disbelief.

"Are you crazy? This is a crime that could cost you your head."

Mr. Chen waved his hand impatiently:
"Who will lose his head? If things don't go well, it won't be you or me who will lose our heads, but Luo Yuan.

Besides, it's not that we don't want to help.

As long as Luo Yuan agrees to help us, we will help them.

Otherwise, there will be no benefit and we will just work for nothing? How is that possible?"

"No no no no."

Mr. Liu shook his head like a rattle.

“No, no, didn’t you hear about what happened in Kunming?

Some adults have been arrested.

Even some of my good friends told me not to contact them these days.
The situation is so tense now, and there is a divine punishment.
The three officials don't like anyone, so how can we take the initiative to get close to them?"

Mr. Chen, however, didn't care at all. He paced back and forth in the county magistrate's office with his hands behind his back:

"No, you are wrong.
Now that the heavenly punishment has happened, the three government offices are arresting people in an attempt to suppress the disturbance.

During this period, the three government offices will certainly keep their eyes on Kunming and stabilize the area.
How can we be missing in order to stabilize the local area?

Besides, we haven't done anything harmful, so what are you afraid of?"

Liu Yuanwai hesitated and shook his head repeatedly:

"This is disaster relief, and there are so many Beijing troops.
If something goes wrong, it could cost you your life, and I don’t think that’s right.”

At this time, Mr. Chen smiled and patted him on the shoulder:

"You have been the head of the family since Uncle Liu died.

You are still young and have never seen the wind and waves.
Since the Yuan Dynasty, we have taken root here and have seen all kinds of storms.

Let’s not talk about the distant things, let’s talk about the near things.

When the Ming Dynasty conquered Yunnan, your father and my father took the opportunity to annex a lot of land.
Do you think the court doesn’t know?
The court knew about it, but it didn't care.

The imperial court wants Yunnan to be stable, so officials like you and me must be won over.
The people of Zhuangzi have been working for our family for generations.
Do you think they listen to the court or us?"

At this point, Mr. Chen stopped smiling and spoke in a cold voice:

"It's the same this time. Take out all the IOUs at home.

We have accumulated it for so many years, but we haven't asked for it, just waiting to use it at this critical moment.

If the villagers don't want to ruin their families, they should just be obedient.

The court won't pay them back, so what are you afraid of?"

Mr. Liu still looked hesitant.

Mr. Chen cursed him inwardly for being stubborn, then smiled and said:
"Afterwards, Luo Yuan promised us to measure the land and hide the land area.
I'll give you more, it must be hard these days."

Mr. Liu's expression changed back and forth, and his breathing became a little rapid.

Since my father's death, our family's fortune has been declining.

Just like in Yiling County, people have enough food and drink, but they have no spare money.

But he was a wealthy man, and he had to be presentable when he went out, so he sold some of his land.
This is not a secret, otherwise Mr. Chen would not have dragged him here today.

After struggling for a long time, a look of determination flashed across Mr. Liu's face, and he said viciously:

"Call more people, the law won't hold everyone responsible, if something goes wrong, everyone can share some of the responsibility."

Mr. Chen laughed twice:
"Of course, don't worry, nephew.
Then we can ask Luo Yuan to help us embezzle some land."

Mr. Liu thought about the good days ahead, and the anxiety in his eyes disappeared at this moment.
Instead, greed filled his eyes and he nodded vigorously.

In the main hall of Yiliang County Government Office, Luo Yuan had already received the order from Duke Cao, holding the huge seal in his hand.

He had never seen such a big seal.

"Please rest assured, generals, we are all citizens of the Ming Dynasty.

It is our duty to take in the disaster victims in Yiliang County.

I will open the warehouse and transfer the grain, and prepare the mules and horses to deliver it there.
Please ask the general to dispatch some soldiers to escort us along the way, as we are afraid of any problems."

"Please rest assured, sir. I will go back and report immediately.
When the county magistrate is ready, the subsequent brothers will probably be here too."

The soldier who reported the news did not expect that Magistrate Luo in front of him was so easy to talk to, and could not help but touch the seal of General Lu in his arms.

Luo Yuan nodded repeatedly and looked at the document in his hand with an embarrassed look on his face:
"Generals, this document will be kept in this county.

To transfer grain and personnel now would be an act of usurpation.

When the provincial government asks about it later, I will be able to explain it."

"Lord Luo, please, may I ask you a question?
How much food and manpower are there? I will go back and report."

Luo Yuan thought about it, and the master beside him quickly handed over the population and grain accounts of Yiliang County, but he waved his hand to refuse.
I would look over these accounts ten times a day and they would be clear to me by heart.

After a moment's silence, Luo Yuan spoke in a serious voice:
"Generals, please report to Duke Cao,

Yiling County can allocate 3,000 dan of grain and grass.
But a donkey cart can only carry a thousand pounds of food and fodder.
Yiling County does not have that many carriages and horses. If all the goods are transported to the official road, it will require many round trips.

As for manpower, we can recruit 1,000 civilians and 50 cooks from this county.

In addition, there should be fewer doctors, maybe only 20 or 30, what do you think? "

The messenger's eyes showed joy and he nodded repeatedly:
"Thank you very much, Lord Luo. Please gather the troops as soon as possible.
As soon as we get back, I'll immediately assign people to take over here.

I will also report this matter to Duke Cao and General Lu truthfully.

If the Provincial Administration Commissioner asks, the two adults will also explain it to Lord Luo."

"Thank you very much, generals. The county will prepare it now. Please return and report as soon as possible."

"Farewell!"

More than a dozen people walked away quickly, and the sound of armor colliding was unprecedentedly beautiful.

At this point, Luo Yuan felt relieved.
He was afraid that Duke Cao and General Lu were too high-ranking.
He doesn't take such a small thing seriously as a county magistrate.

Now, Luo Yuan not only put his worries aside, but also came up with other ideas.

"If this matter is handled properly, maybe we can get out of this predicament.

Even if I don't lend a hand, at least I can take care of you, so that you can use your power to carry forward the great cause in the future."

(End of this chapter)