Chapter 493 Gentry Representative
Chapter 493 Gentry Representative
In the afternoon, Xiao Xia met with dozens of representatives of prestigious families and gentry at the county government office. The gentry played a very important role in the cleanup of the charity granary. In the traditional governance structure, the county government office was high and mighty for ordinary farmers, and it was a distant existence that was difficult to reach. The gentry and the village head were the real rulers of the farmers.
Many farmers may have forgotten that they did not perform labor service in a certain year, but the gentry has a ledger, and they will remember it once the gentry reminds them.
In addition, raising funds for building bridges and roads would be more effective if the gentry were to give the explanation. From a certain perspective, the gentry are the foundation of a dynasty's rule, so the definition of the emperor is that of the representative of the landlord class.
Among the representatives of the gentry, Xiao Xia unexpectedly met Xiao Hong, the head of the Jiangning Xiao family. The Jiangning Xiao family was of course a large landlord, and the Xiao family also made a great effort in cleaning up the charity granary here. With Xiao Hong's identity, he originally did not need to appear in the gentry team, but in order to meet Prince Jin, Xiao Hong would rather lower his status and mingle with a group of country rich men.
"Master Xiao, long time no see!"
Xiao Xia was not impressed by Xiao Hong, but he was impressed by Xiao Hong's daughter Xiao Mannu.
Xiao Hong quickly bowed and said, "Six years have passed in a flash. Thank you for remembering me, Your Highness!"
"My last name is Xiao too! How could I forget the head of the family? How is your daughter?"
"She married into the Wang family and gave birth to a son four years ago. She is doing well now. Your Highness, would you like to see her?"
"No, I'm just asking."
Xiao Xia had experienced the scheming skills of the father and daughter of the Xiao family in Jiangning. As long as she dared to give in a little, Xiao Mannu might appear in her room tonight.
The three major families of the Xiao family in Jiangnan, the Jiangdu Xiao family and the Jinling Xiao family, all rose to prominence. Xiao Yu and Xiao Cong, as the emperor's uncles, became prime ministers one after another, and Xiao Lin also served as the governor of Wujun. Only Xiao Hong got nothing, which really made him disappointed, but who could he blame? He had chosen the wrong person and attached himself to Yang Liang, the King of Han. After Yang Liang fell, he got nothing.
Xiao Hong also knew that today's meeting was his last chance and he must seize it.
Regardless of the public watching, Xiao Hong took out a scroll and presented it to Xiao Xia, "This is a little gift from the Jiangning Xiao family to Your Highness. I beg Your Highness to accept it!"
Xiao Xia did not have any bad impression of Xiao Hong. As the most powerful family in Danyang County, the Jiangning Xiao family had extensive connections in Danyang County and a lot of say. Xiao Xia would certainly not deny him face.
Xiao Xia smiled happily and said, "Thank you very much, Patriarch!"
Xiao Hong was overjoyed that the things were finally delivered. He then stepped down and left quietly.
Xiao Xia then asked the gentry to take a seat, and slowly smiled at everyone, "Thank you all for supporting the government in cleaning up the charity granary, which has solved this biggest potential instability. I hope you will continue to support the government and work together to maintain the hard-earned peace."
Everyone said: "Your Highness is far-sighted and has seen the serious consequences of the charity granary. He is determined to solve it. This is our luck!"
What the gentry said was also what they really thought: if the peasants rebelled, they would be the first to bear the brunt.
Xiao Xia nodded, "Everyone, take this opportunity to speak up if you have any ideas. Don't worry, just speak freely!"
An old man said, "We are rooted in the countryside. The most important thing to us is peace and tranquility, and no war. We are willing to fully support Your Highness in stabilizing Jiangnan."
The gentry and wealthy people are more afraid of war and military disasters than ordinary peasants. Whether it is a peasant uprising, a warlord passing through the border, or even officers and soldiers suppressing a rebellion, they are all fat sheep in the eyes of the army. Their property is plundered, their wives and daughters are humiliated, and men cannot escape death. On the contrary, ordinary villagers have no property and can escape military disasters.
The old man spoke out what was in everyone's heart, and everyone agreed, "Your Highness, a peaceful life without war is what we most desire. As long as Your Highness can maintain peace, we are willing to fully support Your Highness."
Xiao Xia smiled and said, "I am recruiting navy now. I hope you can mobilize the young men from Jiangnan who are proficient in water to join the army and follow me to make achievements and defend our country. I can assure you, fellow village elders present here, that the children among you will surely become generals who will bring honor to your family and create a reputation for your family." Among these local gentry, there was a great gentry named Shen Qu. Shen Qu was no ordinary person. He was born in the Shen family of Wuxing and had been the Minister of Justice of the Chen Dynasty. He was demoted to a commoner by Chen Shubao. He did not return to his hometown, but lived in seclusion in Jiangning.
The Wuxing Shen family has spread throughout the south of the Yangtze River. To some extent, Shen Qu can be considered a branch of the Wuxing Shen family in Jiangning.
Shen Qu returned to his old house and came to the guest room in the east courtyard, where lived a young man named Shen Guang, an outstanding disciple of the Wuxing Shen family.
Shen Guang has been a hero since he was 20 years old, helping the weak and the poor, and killing the corrupt and evil. He always wears white clothes, and thus earned the name of the White Knight of Jiangnan.
After wandering outside for ten years, Shen Guang was a little tired. Last autumn, his brother, who had been weak since childhood, unfortunately died of illness. As the elder brother, Shen Guang returned home to arrange his brother's funeral and take care of his parents.
But just two months ago, several heads of powerful families who had close ties with the Shen family came to visit Shen Guang, especially Lan Zhaotian, who was determined to marry his daughter to him and tried his best to win over Shen Guang to Kuaiji County to do something big.
Of course Shen Guang knew what the big event they were talking about was. He couldn't stand it anymore, so he hid in Jiangning. Shen Qu in Jiangning was his father's cousin.
"Shiro, are you there?"
After a moment, Shen Guang walked out quickly. Shen Guang was of medium build and looked very strong. He was an excellent martial artist. Historically, he showed his prowess in the war against Goguryeo and was noticed by Emperor Yang Guang, who became Yang Guang's trusted guard.
"What does Third Uncle want to talk to me about?"
Shen Qu nodded, "I have something serious to discuss with you!"
"Uncle San, please come in and sit down!"
Shen Guang invited his uncle into the house and sat down, and poured him a glass of water.
Shen Qu smiled and said, "Do you know King Jin?"
Shen Guang nodded, "I've heard of your name for a long time!"
Shen Qu added: "He is in Jiangning now, inspecting the cleanup of the charity granary. He met with the Jiangning gentry this afternoon, and I also attended. He told us that he is currently recruiting naval forces and hopes that the elders of Jiangdong will support him. I really want to persuade my nephew to give it a try."
Shen Guang laughed, "Uncle San seems to have a good impression of him."
Shen Qu sighed slightly: "Not only is he good, in my opinion, he is the second Sun Quan."
Shen Guang was moved. In the eyes of Jiangnan people, Sun Quan was a great leader. No one and no other monarch could compare to him since the Jin Dynasty and the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Moreover, his third uncle always had a high opinion of himself and actually praised the King of Jin so much.
"What on earth did he do to deserve such high praise from Uncle San?"
Shen Qu sighed and said, "He solved the problem of the charity granary!"
(End of this chapter)