Gu'an Civil Rebellion

Yang Ling was drank with a flush on his face and staggered out of the Zhang Mansion. Zhang Mao and Jiang Bin supported him from left to right. The three of them were talking and laughing, just like good brothers who had been many years.

When Song Xiaoai saw Yang Ling, she smiled foolishly and didn't even bother to fight. These days, adults drank and received gifts every day. How could they look like General Yang who is wise and powerful?

Miss Song pouted and turned her head angrily, but saw Liu Dabangcui praising her, "General Song, look at our Duke, we are so handsome when we are drunk, and we smile so well with the style of a general. If I am half as handsome as the Duke, how many girls will fall in love with me?"

Song Xiaoai rolled her eyes and muttered: "Idiot".

Liu Dabangcui rubbed his hands and laughed: "That's not called vain, that's called giving face. What's our national prince? Whoever invited him to go there? Eunuch Liang said this is called approachable!"

Song Xiaoai spat in anger, too lazy to pay attention to this fool again.

Zhang Mao sent Yang Ling to the front of the car, and the housekeeper behind him immediately brought a brocade box. Zhang Mao took it and put it on the shaft of the car with a smile, patted it gently, and said, "A little gift, I hope the Duke will accept it with a smile."

Yang Ling picked up the brocade box and tried the portion size, then smiled and pushed it to the side of the sedan door, standing unsteadily and said, "Oh, Brother Zhang is polite, uh... are all good brothers with similar intentions, hahaha, then I'll be disrespectful. By the way, Brother Jiang, I'll go home with me... and we will pick it up tonight... and continue drinking, hahaha..."

When Jiang Bin heard the invitation from the Duke, he felt very proud. Although he was concerned about the beauty in prison, he had to go to the invitation from the Duke. He excitedly called people to lead the war horses from his own, and took two personal soldiers back to his house with Yang Ling.

Yang Ling returned to the headquarters, and the guards guarded him into the house. Song Xiaoai completed his mission and left with a pretty face without saying hello. Yang Ling looked at her back and smiled.

This girl is interesting, straightforward and has a clear distinction between love and hate. Any dissatisfaction will be reflected on her face immediately. It is really interesting to see her sulking. Anyway, her task is just to protect her own safety. These conspiracies and tricks may not be done well when she is left to her. Seeing that she is so cute, Yang Ling doesn't want to tell her anymore.

Yang Ling swayed into the study. When Jiang Bin saw his feet floating, he hurriedly said, "Dude, do you want to have a cup of tea to go to bed first?"

Yang Ling's body suddenly stopped swaying. He slowly stood up straight, and when he turned around, he was already solemn. His face was still so rosy, but the hazy drunkenness in his eyes had completely disappeared. Yang Ling stared at Jiang Bin with a sharp look. He said in a deep voice: "Jiang Bin, the guerrilla general of Bazhou, kneel down and listen to the order."

Jiang Bin was stunned and looked up at Yang Ling. Seeing that he was not at all drunkenness, he was shocked and hurriedly lifted his robe and knelt down, leaned over and said, "I will listen to the order!"

…………

Jiang Bin left the imperial envoy's headquarters and stood quietly in front of the door for a moment. Suddenly he raised his head to the sky and beat him up. Then he turned over to the door and said loudly: "Let's go! Go to Bazhou Prison!"

Jiang Bin is a person who doesn't care about big things. Yang Ling gave him a face-to-face message. Jiang Bin didn't think there was any difficulty in telling him a very important matter. He just felt that this was a good opportunity to make achievements. Not only did he not have any pressure, he was extremely happy.

How the bureaucrats in Bazhou are corrupt, with many shady curtains, and how huge the network of relationships is. This brave man doesn't take it seriously at all. Whether you are literary or martial, he is just two sabers. The simple way to deal with complex problems is very simple. If someone else is a different person, he might be considering how to complete the task assigned by Yang Ling in a meticulous and meticulous manner. Jiang Bin's mind is full of thought, but he only thinks about how to make a fortune after the matter is accomplished. With a full desire, he wants to go to prison to meet that enchanting beauty.

Yang Ling chose him because he had just arrived in Bazhou and had nothing to do with the Bazhou officialdom. He was the most reliable person. Moreover, he was a guerrilla general in Bazhou and had the largest local armed forces. Yang Ling had to separate most of the people from Song Xiaoai to ensure his safety with only one thousand men. He was unable to complete his military control plan. His thunder strike required a person who held heavy troops and absolutely obeyed his orders and was not affected by the officials of Bazhou. Jiang Bin was undoubtedly the best candidate.

After Yang Ling sat upright, he watched Jiang Bin say goodbye and leave. A person flashed out from behind the screen and walked to the case and said to him: "Student Mu Jing worships the Duke."

Yang Ling hurriedly stood up and held him, smiling and said, "Sit down, don't be polite, Xiucai Mu just came back from Gu'an?"

After this period of delaying medical treatment, Mu Jing's legs were basically cured by the four demon monks' hands, but he was a little limp when walking. However, the scars on his face were beyond the control of the doctor. The originally elegant scholar now has scars on his face, and his muscles are bulging, making him look extremely ferocious.

Mu Jing said respectfully: "Yes, I was rushing back to Bazhou to inform you of the news. I didn't expect to meet Zhang Zhong's convoy on the way. As expected, he couldn't hold back and rushed to Gu'an."

Yang Ling smiled and said, "That's natural. A local emperor like this has developed a self-righteous character. Who dares to challenge his authority? He can't wait for a moment. Can Huatui Guan hold on?"

Mu Jing hurriedly said, "Don't worry, Lord Hua is honest and hates evil. He has always had a good reputation in Gu'an, but he is not appreciated by Shangguan. He has been promoted for ten years and has never been promoted again. This time, with the support of the Duke of the State, Lord Hua is determined to help the Duke of the State to eliminate this disaster for Bazhou."

Yang Ling shook his head and said, "The officials in Bazhou are already extremely corrupt, and most of the officials in important positions are corrupt. Isn't that a joke? If I follow the right path and investigate, all the officials in Bazhou will inevitably rebound at the same time, arrest one to protect the other, and all of them will resist and conceal evidence from each other. If Liu Jin mediates from it, it will be difficult to succeed.

Therefore, to break through this matter, we must start with the officials of Bazhou, but we cannot use the official. I cannot, nor can we achieve a major change in the officials of Bazhou, and then go to investigate one by one, then we can only send out surprise soldiers. But this surprise soldiers are not easy to come out. I am worried that the people of Bazhou are already afraid of officials like tigers under the layers of oppression of the officials, and may not dare to resist Zhang Zhong."

Mu Jing said awe-in: "Don't worry, Mr. Ai was beaten by Zhang Zhong's cruel official, and forced his whole family to hang himself. The students were already spreading their families in Gu'an. Now all the rich gentry in Gu'an are extremely frightened, thinking that Zhang Zhong was about to step down, and he plundered them and wanted to kill all the rich gentry.

In addition, Zhang Zhong sent local tax collectors to impose heavy taxes, forcing the small businessmen in Gu'an to survive, taxes increased several times, and prices also rose accordingly. The people in Gu'an City have accumulated a lot of grievances about this. Since ancient times, the people of Bazhou have been martial and have a fierce custom. Now the situation is about to break out. When the students call for a high school, they will respond to the adults."

Yang Ling sighed and said, "I hope this is the case. You can do it, and you will also have your own Duke to support you when you expose the world. I want to take advantage of this storm and take advantage of the situation to set off a heavy rain and thunder, completely clear the corruption in the officialdom of Bazhou. I will give the people a bright sky!"

Zhang peeled to Gu'an!

As soon as Zhang Zhong entered the east gate with his ceremonial power, the news swept across Gu'an County. It suddenly felt like the wind was blowing away the clouds, barely supporting several shops that were still buying and selling closed down one after another. The people with a little wealth at home all said they were sick at home, and they didn't even dare to leave the door. Those who had no money complained, while those who had rich were even more scared, and they were all frightened. They didn't know what Zhang Pipi had to do when they came to Gu'an.

Mo Danjiu, the local tax collector leader, and his group happily welcomed their master into the city, and the whip was whipped unceremoniously on the fleeing people. Wherever they passed, it was depressed and the wind was rustling, and it seemed even colder this winter.

Mo Danjiu proudly rode a tall black mule and shouted to Zhang Baisie: "Father-in-law, you are here just right. The troublemakers in Gu'an are so arrogant. They don't pay taxes. Gu'an's replies Hua Yu also supports them. The young man is slight. If his father-in-law is not here, the young man can't really stop the scene."

Zhang Zhong sat in the car. The curtain was raised, and he looked at Xiao Sha’s street market with murderous aura, and sneered: “Hua Yu? Hua Yu is nothing. Go to the Tax Collection Office first and come to see me immediately after going to Qiao Yushu, Gu'an County!”

The Tax Publicans Office and Gu'an County Magistrate Qiao Yushu stood respectfully in the hall. Because he was jogging in, his fat body was still trembling and gasping for white mist. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and chin, and stuttered: "I am late to welcome you, I hope Eunuch Zhang will forgive me."

"Hmph," Zhang Zhong sneered, flicked his sleeves, and scolded: "It's nothing to welcome the ground or not. I'll ask you, Lord Qiao has been governing Gu'an for more than two years, right?"

Qiao Yushu smiled and said, "Yes, yes, yes, father-in-law, I can remember that the subordinate official took office in June of the 18th year of Hongzhi."

Zhang Zhong said with a stern face: "It's been almost three years. If you serve as an official and govern the country, your political achievements are undesirable. The court can now assess officials at any time. This... do you know?"

"Yes, yes, yes, the officials know." Qiao Yushu was panicked and only knew that he would bow his head and say yes. He was frightened by Zhang Zhong's majesty and did not dare to look up at him.

"Eunuch Liu issued an order last year that the local garrison duties are just like the highest local governor. Therefore, this garrison not only has the authority to govern you, but also has the power to do nothing and do not show any obvious political achievements. Do you know that you can impeach memorials?"

"Yes, yes, yes, the official knows!"

"Our family received the order from Eunuch Liu. The emperor was kind and filial. He wanted to build Xuanming Palace for the Empress Dowager. He still lacked 100,000 taels of silver. Eunuch Liu handed over this mission to us and Bazhou. It was trust in our family and the glory of the local land of Bazhou. If you can't even do this, it would be disrespectful to the emperor and to Eunuch Liu. Our family was not good-looking, and the officials in Bazhou also seemed incompetent. Do you know?"

"Yes, yes, yes, the official knows!"

"Bang!" A inkstone was smashed at Qiao Yushu's feet, and the boots and robes were splashed with ink.

Zhang Zhong stood upside down and shouted loudly: "You know what's the point! Now Gu'an is the most ineffective place. As a parent official in Bazhou, you are instigating Hua Yu to favor bad people and lowly households and resist tax payment. Our family wants to impeach you, let you lose your post and dismiss you, and let you go to prison. Do you know?"

"Yes, yes, yes. The lower official knows..." Qiao Yushu suddenly woke up and smelled. He immediately knelt down on the ground with a loud bang, and howled, "Ah! Ah~~~ Ah! Father-in-law, the lower official knows his guilt."

Zhang Zhong was startled by his howl like a pig: I just scared you, why are you screaming so badly?

He didn't know that Qiao Yushu had heard that he was going to take his post and suddenly became anxious. In addition, he studied hard for more than 20 years and had a bad look. He accidentally knelt heavily on the broken inkstone, which hurt so much.

Qiao Yushu is a mediocre official who is a mediocre person. He has no political achievements, but he is not greedy. He guards the county government every day, and he has no objection to anyone who gives orders. As long as the official is older than him, he will not object. He never drags his back on Zhang Zhong's political orders.

So Zhang Zhong was actually quite satisfied with the County Magistrate Qiao. After all, he found a corrupt official with similar ambitions to guard Gu'an. He had to loosen his fingers and leak some oil and water for him. This Mr. Qiao Yushu was a decoration of clay and wood sculptures in the county government office. It was equal to not, and it was not annoying.

Zhang Zhong glared at Magistrate Qiao, who was kneeling there and grinning, and said, "You are the parents of a county. Why are you let Hua Yu make trouble with our family many times? There is this thing there to obstruct. The troublemakers in Gu'an no longer pay taxes. What should the court do? How do you be the county magistrate?"

Qiao Yushu said with a bitter face: "Dadonnacle, the lower official... I have been transferred to Gu'an for two years. Hua Yu has been here for more than 20 years. His current position has been in full ten years. His colleagues and friends are everywhere. Qiao Tui Guan didn't have any handle in the hands of the lower official. The lower official can't control him even if he wants to."

Zhang Zhong said disdainfully: "What a waste! I know you are incompetent. So our family came to Gu'an in person to take charge of Gu'an County. The troublemakers must be punished and taxes must be collected. Look at your virtue, you are full of energy, like a pig, and you are simply eating too much water. From today on, you can run for our family hard and lead the county staff. Cooperate with the Tax Publicans Office to start collecting taxes in Gu'an Security!"

"Yes, yes, yes. The official understands!"

"You..." When you encounter such a waste, Zhang Zhong had no choice but to find that one would be a waste: "One hundred thousand taels are not a small amount, and it takes more than a dozen cars to use a car to pull it. Are you sure you can collect it within a month and a half?"

"Yes, yes, yes, my uncle...uh..., please give me advice." Qiao Yushu endured the pain under his knees, wiped the cold sweat, and finally changed the words.

Zhang Zhong lost his temper and had to say helplessly: "The municipal tax should be doubled. If you dare to resist taxes and do not pay land, you will be arrested in prison! Merchants, hawkers, and merchants should not let go. In addition, you can collect taxes on entering the city, tax on leaving the city, tax on Shashi, tax on the town, labor service, military service, tax on the city, tax on the toilet truck to enter the city. It is natural for the people to build the Xuanming Palace for the Empress Dowager, and add a tax on filial piety..."

Qiao Yushu was dizzy when he heard this, and nodded only. Zhang Zhong finished speaking in one breath and waved his hand and said, "Go down, I will take charge here personally. These taxes will be implemented immediately. You must collect them within one and a half months and submit them to the capital."

Qiao Yushu was given a general amnesty and kowtowed quickly, rolling and crawling out.

Mo Dan Jiuxin said unwillingly: "Dadlock, just call the fat pig Qiao Yushu and scold him? That person surnamed Hua doesn't take you seriously at all, so you can't forgive him easily."

Zhang Zhong smiled sinisterly and said, "I dare to go against our family, of course I can't spare him easily. I submit a memorial to ask Eunuch Liu to dismiss his position? Humph! That's too cheap for him. This person surnamed Hua, our family needs to rectify it well and kill him to warn him. Let's see who dares to go against me in the future!"

He waved, and Mo Danjiu immediately leaned over and listened to Zhang Zhong's instructions, then said with a flattering smile: "Hahaha, my father-in-law is a clever idea, high! It's really high! Go and do it immediately!"

The procurator is in charge of the criminal name of the government and praises the scriptures. The procurator of the Shuntian Prefecture is the sixth rank, and the other procurator of the local area is the seventh rank. His position is equivalent to the current president of the court, the captain of the criminal police and the director of the audit.

In fact, for a small county, it is enough to set up a inspection department and the county chief clerk is responsible for it. There is no need to set up a procurator. This is an official established by a relatively large city or prefecture. However, due to poor public security in Bazhou, several counties have set up procuratorial officials to strengthen local public security.

Hua Yu is nominally managed by County Magistrate Qiao, but his grade is not lower than him. His qualifications are older than him, so Qiao Yushu of course has no choice but to do anything to him. At this moment, Lord Hua, the sir, was sitting in the hall, frowned and listened to the cries of the gentry and the people.

When Zhang Zhong arrived in Gu'an, the tax collectors became more powerful. In addition, the county magistrate Qiao was sad about the tiger, and there were tax collectors everywhere in Gu'an. Zhang Zhong originally planned to blackmail all the rich gentry in Bazhou in the name of digging gold and mining land. After Liu Jin asked him to collect silver and build Xuanming Palace, Zhang Zhong became even more powerful.

This silver is a money that can be plundered with justice. If it really causes a big disaster, Liu Jin will definitely help him. Therefore, Zhang Zhong did not want to use the money he extorted in the name of mining. Instead, he made a clever name and used a variety of taxes with extremely high tax rates to fill the vacancy. However, at the same time, his "gold mining" movement is still in progress.

This made the people of Gu'an even worse. Before the first month of the year came out, it was already a miserable mist. The poor people were worried about how to live. The rich landlords were even more afraid of being forced to survive. Seeing Zhang Zhongdi's men carrying shovels all day long and pickaxes were circling around their houses. No one knew one day that they would become Ai Jing's second, and that powerful psychological fear was almost driving them crazy.

"Sir, we go to beg the magistrate of County Qiao, but he said that this is the law of the court. He also acted on orders. We told the people that it is difficult for them to survive. The county magistrate only knows 'yes, yes, I know', but I refuse to take the lead for us. Now the people of Gu'an cannot survive. Lord Qiao, you have been a local official for ten years. You are highly respected and deeply supported by the people. We can only count on you."

Hua Yu is a handsome man with broad shoulders, tall figure, and thick eyebrows. These eyebrows are commonly known as slinging eyebrows, which look extremely fierce. They don’t look like a good person. However, Hua Yu is a good official who enforces the law impartially and is an honest official.

With the gathering of corrupt officials in Bazhou, he was able to stay in Gu'an safely. He was never excluded and suppressed to be dismissed. It was an anomaly. I wonder if the corrupt officials were still conscienced and still had a trace of guilt in their hearts. He couldn't bear to have a single honest official in Bazhou, so he sent a puppet magistrate Qiao Yushu who only knew "yes, yes" to partner with him.

A gentry said: "Even if the people have any complaints about the harsh taxes, they will be immediately arrested and tortured by the Taxation Bureau. Gu'an County has become a hell on earth. Sir, you can't sit idly by."

Hua Yu smiled bitterly and said, "My fellow villagers, this matter has been written into a document. The emperor submitted it to the inspector, Lord Ji, and hoped that Lord Ji could make the decision for the people and submit this matter to the emperor as soon as possible, which may... solve the troubles of the people of Bazhou..."

"Sir, the local inspector has been bribed by Zhang Zhong. As soon as he arrived in Bazhou, he openly moved into Zhang Zhong's mansion. Who doesn't know? Can he report your document to the emperor?"

"Then... what can I do?" Hua Yu spread his hands helplessly and looked at everyone's depressed look. Hua Tui Guan's eyes flashed and he deliberately pondered: "Yang Ling, Duke of Wei, is a great Qing official, who treats the people very kindly.

I heard that when he was in Jiangnan, the people were bewitched by Eunuch Mo and attacked the imperial envoy, almost beating the Duke of the Kingdom to death. After finding out the truth, the Duke not only did not blame the people, but instead severely punished several eunuchs who greedy and impulsed the people. If this is the case..."

As soon as he said this, the gate was pushed open with a loud noise. Hua Yu looked up in shock and saw that the drum placed at the yamen fell off the shelf. He just rolled over from the front of the gate.

Immediately afterwards, a white horse appeared in front of the door, and a middle-aged man in a new blue palace robe with white faces and no beards walked in with murderous intent. Six or seven people followed behind, each riding a horse, and then a large number of tax service personnel holding water and fire sticks, leather whips, and iron chains were followed.

Hearing the sound of the inspector coming up, Bing Yong and Ding Zhuang were frightened by the man's power, and they were both shocked and stood there. No one dared to come forward to stop him. The eunuch on the white horse was slightly hunched and walked in. He straightened his waist after entering the compound, swept around and said coldly: "Who is Hua Yu, Gu'an Promoter? Ask him to come and see me!"

A inspector plucked up his courage and shouted: "Who are you? You dare to ride a horse and break into the yamen and despise the court so much!"

"Swish!" Before the inspection finished speaking, a whip flashed in front of him. Before he could dodge, he had already whipped his shoulder hard, and his robe suddenly burst into pieces. The inspector screamed in pain, staggered back two steps, and said in shock: "Bold, how dare you attack the official?"

Zhang Zhong smiled sinisterly and slowly put away the colorful snake-skin whip. Mo Danjiu next to him laughed sarcastically: "Official? What is an official? Our Eunuch Zhang is the biggest official in Bazhou. You are blind to your dog's eyes! Shouldn't you be beaten to the whip when you enter the government office? Our Eunuch Zhang is here, please ask Lord Hua to come out and enforce the law!"

Hua Yu was sitting in the lobby, but they seemed to ignore him and shouted and were extremely arrogant. Hua Yu quietly gave a wink to a inspector standing by the door. This was his confidant brother. The man understood and immediately retreated quietly. Then he slipped out from the side corridor.

Then Hua Yu brushed his robe, stood up, walked straight out of the lobby, bowed and said, "Secretary Hua Yu, pay homage to Eunuch Zhang."

Zhang Zhong's men immediately started to clamor: "Bold, you dare not kneel down when you see Eunuch Zhang. You little seventh-rank official, you really have rebelled against you!"

Hua Yu smiled slightly. Lang Sheng asked, "I wonder what kind of official Eunuch Zhang is?"
To be continued...