lady, please calm down

Chapter 406 Why don’t you run?

Sizhou is located in the easternmost part of the north bank of Huai River.

It borders Suzhou to the west and the sea to the east.

There are many rivers in the territory, such as Sishui, Anhe, Laoyi River, Tanhe, Tanghe, Tuohe and so on.

There are also large lakes such as Xiangjian, Chengzi, and Hongze.

This area is densely covered with water networks and is a traditional rice production area in Huaibei. It is also rich in aquatic products, just like Jiangnan.

Taking advantage of Sizhou, it should be a land of fish and rice and a fertile land, but in fact it is.

May twenty-sixth.

Early in the morning, Fan Shigui, a wealthy gentleman from Huaiping County, Sizhou Prefecture, organized people to disperse the surrounding beggars and refugees.

Huaiping faces Hongze to the east.

Hongze Lake is one hundred and sixty miles long and one hundred and ten miles wide, boundless.

The lake produces valuable white fish, as well as specialty products such as lotus root, gorgon fruit, green shrimp, river clams, and hairy crabs. The output of other miscellaneous fish, shrimps and crabs is even more impressive.

It is said that with Hongze's natural resources, it would be easy to support hundreds of thousands of people in Linhu County. However, the wealthy gentry Fan, Zhang, and Huang clans of Sizhou took advantage of the turmoil of the newly established Qi Dynasty and used some method to annex Hongze Lake to several families. private property.

For many years, in order to control the price of fish, people except for their own fishing teams were not allowed to go into the lake with their boats. However, poachers would deal with them privately and often cut off people's hands and feet on the crime of theft.

Last year, Tang Jing'an took office as the new magistrate of Sizhou.

Tang Jing'an's background is not small. Before becoming an official, he followed the King of Chu as an army counselor.

Therefore, the wealthy gentry headed by the Fan family once bribed them with gold and silver.

Unexpectedly, Tang Jing'an actually returned the property in full afterwards.

At first, Fan Shigui and others thought that Tang Jing'an was manipulating his tone. But last autumn, Tang Jing'an revealed that he wanted to take the Hongze, Chengzi, Xiangjian and other large lakes into public ownership.

This time, not only did the three families of Fan, Zhang and Huang come into contact, but also all the squires in Sizhou were offended.

To seize someone's property is to kill their parents.

Lakes and fertile fields are their foundation, and seizing their property is tantamount to killing them.

However, the new armies of the 19th and 22nd regiments that were training in Shouzhou suddenly moved to Suzhou. In addition, Yu Qi'an, the commander of the capital of Suzhou, had already been flirting and flirting with Caizhou.

Even Fan Shigui and others did not dare to use the usual method of not cooperating with officials to greet Tang Jing'an, lest they really provoke a large army.

Until last winter, Hebei Road was suddenly covered with war clouds.

Fan Shigui felt that his opportunity had come. Based on what he thought, the Huaibei Army would definitely not be able to resist the power of the Jin State. Once defeated, it would lead to great chaos in the Qi State.

After the Chinese New Year, the family secretly contacted Zha Yongen, the prefect of Yangzhou Road in Zhou State on the other side.

As soon as the news of the Huaibei Army's defeat came, they would coerce the entire Sizhou to surrender to the Zhou Dynasty.

But it is not as good as God. They never expected that in the end, the news of King Chu's victory came to him and he surrendered to the Great Zhou Dynasty. Naturally, it ended without any problem.

Another wealthy gentleman, Huang Dairong, is still worried because of his guilty conscience.

At noon that day, Fan Shigui led a group of squires waiting by the official road. Huang Dairong glanced at the distance of the official road and whispered: "Mr. Fan, Tang Jing'an's sudden visit to Huaiping, could it be related to the big event a few days ago? ?”

Fan Shigui frowned before saying anything, and said displeasedly: "Big deal? Why is it such a big deal?"

"." Huang Dairong hesitated.

Zhang Fenghe, who was beside him, said: "Executive officer Huang, we abide by the law. What is the big deal you are talking about?"

This is just refusing to admit it. Anyway, they didn't really take any action, they just had a plan.

As if to reassure Huang Dairong, Zhang Fenghe continued: "We sit upright and walk properly, so what if the Tang magistrate has his back against the Chu King's tree? We can't punish our crimes out of thin air, right?"

This is true. Fan, Zhang, Huang and others have carefully studied it. Whether they were the Suzhou squires, the Xuande disciples in Tokyo, or the Hebei gentry, they were all guilty.

In the eleventh year of Fuchang, Suzhou squires took advantage of the King of Chu's army to march north to Tokyo and Caizhou was empty. They organized servants and Wu Weiguang, the then Secretary of the Ministry of Punishment, to attack the King of Chu's palace at night. Although it seemed afterwards that they, these idiots, were all killed by Guo Tao'er of Yingzhou and Guo Tao'er of Yingzhou. Suzhou and Yu Qi'an teamed up to make a mistake.

However, daring to attack the palace of a prince is no different than treason. They were beheaded by the Cai family in Changjie and it was not an injustice.

That time the scholars in Tokyo blocked the palace gate for more than ten days and refused to disperse after repeated persuasion. This can be regarded as a "crime of disrespect".

Moreover, although the battle was huge at that time, not many scholars actually died that night. Most of the scholars were sent to Caizhou to participate in the so-called reform through labor.

Nowadays, some of these people even participated in the organization of the Hebei War and obtained official positions for their merits.

For example, Lu Yuanke, a scholar from Tokyo, served as the magistrate of Shucheng County in Hejian Prefecture, and Huang Shiqian stayed in Lu'an County, Huaibei and served as the local county captain.

With these role models, more and more Tokyo scholars are moving closer to Huaibei, and the legacy of the Xuandemen Rebellion has become smaller and smaller.

The Hebei gentry were killed because there was conclusive evidence that they were connected with the traitor Liu E, who was pretending to be a descendant of the Liu family.

It can be seen from the above examples that when the King of Chu dealt with the gentry, he always said that "the teacher has the reputation".

Zhang Fenghe believed that their secret contact with Cha Yongen was so secretive that even if others had heard about it, the King of Chu could not punish them just because of some unfounded matters!

Everyone in Qi knew that there would be another war between Qi and Jin in the future. Under such circumstances, the king of Chu also wanted to have internal stability and did not dare to easily clean up the gentry in other places, lest the gentry in other parts of Qi State panic.

Fan Shigui had the same idea as him.

At noon, a "self-propelled horse" team of about twenty or thirty people appeared on the official road.

Fan Shigui and others didn't need to guess, they also knew that Tang Jing'an had arrived. There were unique rules in Huaibei. Officials who went to inspect the countryside were not allowed to ride in sedan chairs. However, many of the officials were literati who were not good at riding horses.

Officials had to learn how to control self-propelled horses.

But Fan Shigui and others scorned the bicycle. As a father and mother of a family, what they want is majesty. Bicycle horses need to be pedaled by human power. After dozens of miles, the riders are often disgraced and their clothes are wet with sweat. There is no trace of anything left. Official majesty!

Don't be ashamed of your strange skills and ingenuity, but take pleasure in them!

Not long after, it was Tang Jing'an who came forward with a group of government servants and scriptwriters.

Fan Shigui and others took a look at the mud dots on the hem of Tang Jing'an's uniform. They concealed their disdain very well. They immediately put on smiles and bowed to each other: "It is an honor for us, the prefect, to come to Huaiping to inspect in person! The humble abode has been omitted. I'm so drunk, please move aside and wash away the dust for a while."

Tang Jing'an was still sitting on the bicycle seat, with one leg on the ground and one on the pedals. He smiled and said in return, "I'm not busy. I'll go to the Hongze Lake for a visit first. Are you interested in going with us?"

Fan Shigui and Zhang Fenghe looked at each other secretly and said to themselves: It seems that the prefect's desire to steal Hong Ze from me is still alive!

But he said respectfully: "If you are interested, sir, I will go with you."

Early noon.

Tang Jing'an and his party, together with Fan Shigui and more than ten squires, came to Jiajialing Village on the west bank of Hongze. There is a gentle hill here with a hexagonal pavilion built on it.

Tang Jing'an climbed up and looked into the distance, only to see the boundless lake surface, which was sparkling and misty under the reflection of the noon sun.

Occasionally, a cool breeze blows through the lake, refreshing the whole body and making the early summer heat disappear.

Behind him, Fan Shigui ordered his attendant Ding Xiaosi to place wine and food on the stone table in the pavilion, "Master Magistrate, please take a seat."

Tang Jing'an heard the sound, looked back, then looked at the lake, and said: "It's really a good place."

Fan Shigui winked at Huang Dairong, who showed a somewhat distressed expression. It wasn't until Fan Shigui's expression gradually turned serious that Huang Dairong said: "Sir, I have a village three miles to the north. Although it is a little crude, it is a place to escape the summer heat. It’s a good place to cultivate your character. If you are interested, I would like to dedicate Zhuangzi to you to repay your pain for working hard for the people of Sizhou.”

"Oh?" Tang Jing'an turned around, looked at Huang Dairong, and said with a smile: "I really want this Zhuangzi."

In one sentence, all the squires couldn't help but look happy, thinking that the prefect who pretended to be honest and incorrigible had finally been unable to resist the temptation. Unexpectedly, Tang Jing'an then laughed and said: "But, I am afraid of the prince's ghost-headed sword!"

"."

The slightly lively atmosphere couldn't help but stagnate, but Fan Shigui glanced at the magistrate's entourage standing far away, cupped his hands and said: "A village is nothing, I'm waiting for Master Wuqiu, just to express my feelings. Besides, what's going on here? , only I know and you know.”

"Hahaha" Tang Jing'an laughed suddenly, interrupted Fan Shigui's words, and then said: "God knows what is going on here, and the earth knows it. Can you and I bully others, can we bully heaven? The heroes who died in the battle in Huaibei are all watching in the sky. Here we are. You are not afraid, but I am!"

Tang Jing'an's voice was not loud, but he was extremely firm.

Fan Shigui and others fell silent. The other party's attitude seemed like there was nothing to talk about.

Sure enough, Tang Jing'an waited for a while and then said: "Last time, I mentioned to you the redemption of Hongze, Chengzi, Xiangjian and other lakes. How have you considered it?"

Anyway, Tang Jing'an had already made it clear, and Fan Shigui didn't mince words. He handed over his hands and said, "I don't dare to sell my ancestors' family property."

Zhang Fenghe also said immediately: "Sir! We abide by the law, farm and study, and our family's property is accumulated by the hard work of our ancestors from generation to generation. If it is sold in our hands, how can the unscrupulous descendants have the face to see the spring? Ancestors!"

The two people's words immediately aroused a chorus of complaints and complaints.

Tang Jing'an was in charge of Sizhou, so he naturally understood the changes in Hongze. What they said about "generation by generation" of management and accumulation is pure nonsense.

The Hongze Lake belongs to the three families of Fan, Zhang and Huang who took advantage of Qi Zhou's melee in Huaibei to obtain some documents that were not authentic and fake, bribed the public officials, and took advantage of it.

As early as the third year of Fuchang, Qi Ting felt that the benefits of Hongze were important and sent "Hetai" officials who were dedicated to inspecting mountains, rivers and lakes to Sizhou, hoping to re-determine the ownership of Hongze, Chengzi, Xiangjian and other lakes.

Unexpectedly, just a few months later, a civil uprising broke out in Sizhou because of the greed of Hetai officials to collect extravagant wealth.

He was beaten to death by the people.

At that time, the state of Qi was not stable and did not dare to cause chaos on the border, so the dead Hetai official was punished to quell the civil unrest.

From now on, this matter will be settled.

After Tang Jing'an took office, he looked through the case files and realized that the official corruption in Hetai in the three years of Fuchang was really corrupt. However, he would not believe it if there was no instigation by Fan Shigui and other squires behind this civil unrest.

Knowing the terrifying influence of the gentry in the local area, Tang Jing'an never dared to act rashly. It was only now that the King of Chu had dealt with the affairs in Hebei that he finally had his hands free and had the energy to deal with the last state capital in Huaibei that had not been taken away from the gentry.

Here, Huang Dairong had squeezed out a few tears, and said in a sad voice: "Your Excellency, the magistrate, we have never had any doubts about the country and the King of Chu. This time, after the King of Chu defeated Banshi in Hebei, I, the squire of Sizhou, also donated money. I gave you thousands of treasures to reward the army. Why are you still forcing me to do this so hard?"

Immediately afterwards, Fan Shigui also sighed melancholy and said: "The King of Chu was in Hebei. He asked His Highness to personally write a plaque for the gentry Yao Zongjiang and others, and set up an 'Eighteen Good People' memorial arch, indicating that the King of Chu was willing to get close to us and other enlightened gentry. But the King of Chu treated Hebei kindly. Gentleman, your lord is forcing me to wait, why is this?"

Fan Shigui casually said that he was included in the ranks of "enlightened gentry", and his words, Tang Jing'an could not refute that it was true that the King of Chu treated Yao Zongjiang and other gentry well, Tang Jing'an could not veto this matter.

Hearing them talk about how bright and magnificent he was, Tang Jing'an felt very fed up.

Through the military intelligence shared by the King of Chu, he naturally knew that Fan Shigui and others had privately contacted Zhou officials. However, there was no evidence for this matter unless Zha Yonggui was arrested.

Even if Tang Jing'an said it, Fan Shigui and others could refute it with "villain trap".

The purge of a local gentry has a wide range of implications. If there is no conclusive evidence, it will be unfair.

Amidst the chaotic shouts of the squire, Tang Jing'an waited for a moment and then said: "Well, let's not talk about the ownership of Sanze for now. I just want to ask you if Sanze can be opened up and allow hundreds of thousands of people from the surrounding areas to come down." Fishing in the lake and sharing the benefits of the lake?”

There was silence all around, and all the squires looked at Fan Shigui in unison. The latter pondered for a moment and said firmly: "My lord, Hongze is the private property of the three families of Fan, Zhang and Huang. Just like your lord, you don't want your own backyard to be entered and exited by the people at will, right?" There is no such truth in the world."

Tang Jing'an, who had always been relatively peaceful, was finally slightly irritated by these words. He couldn't help but think of the group of fish households he saw living in reed tents when he visited the area around Hongze a few days ago.

The prince said that if the problem of distribution of the means of production is not solved, the people will not be able to turn over in eight lifetimes just by working hard!

Therefore, Tang Jing'an said with a hint of anger: "The benefits of Hongze are a gift from God! There is no reason for the vast lakes and lakes to only enrich your three families!"

Fan Shigui immediately wanted to refute something, but Tang Jing'an waved his hand to stop him from speaking.

If it were like a few years ago, Fan Shigui and others would not be afraid of the prefect if they worked together. But now, standing behind Tang Jing'an was the King of Chu who had tens of thousands of troops and had just won the war between Qi and Jin.

The few water bandits they raised hiding in the depths of Hongze Lake were nothing compared to the power of the King of Chu.

Even the general of the Sizhou Xiang Army who had close contacts with them had warned them many times to avoid conflicts with Tang Jing'an as much as possible, let alone let him take advantage of them.

At this thought, Fan Shigui closed his mouth angrily.

But then, Tang Jing'an stopped talking, as if waiting for something.

Everyone just stayed in the pavilion without any embarrassment until

Midday at noon.

The sun was scorching, and the water vapor was steaming on the lake, distorting the light into a distorted mirror.

"Huh~"

I don't know who let out a surprised sound first, and everyone looked at the person who made the sound.

I saw, as if in an illusion, a fleet of ships coming from a distance on the lake, with a long and narrow horse boat at the front and three giant ships in the center.

Fan Shigui and others have lived by the water for a long time, so they naturally recognized this as a navy warship.

Hongze Lake is connected to the Huai River. At first, Fan Shigui and others thought it was the Qi Navy, but they were surprised that the incoming ship did not fly the Qi Navy flag.

After waiting for a while, the horse boat had docked, and the soldiers disembarking from the boat were clearly visible.

It was only then that Fan Shigui was suddenly surprised. The warships of Qi and Zhou along the Huaihe River were almost identical in style, and it was difficult to tell them apart without flying flags.

But the military uniforms of the soldiers of the two countries are different.

Fan Shigui had already noticed that the visitor was actually the navy of Zhou Kingdom!

For a moment, Fan Shigui was shocked and surprised.

But then, Fan Shigui glanced at the back of Tang Jing'an, who was also looking at the incoming ship, and instantly came up with a bold plan.

Before his companions noticed something strange and exclaimed, Fan Shigui glanced around and made a gesture to signal everyone to be silent.

Those who reacted quickly, such as Zhang Fenghe, immediately understood what Fan Shigui meant. Although this group of Zhou troops suddenly appeared in Hongze Lake for unknown reasons, the gentry present had already been in contact with Yangzhou Prefecture on the other side, even if they were captured by Zhou Jun. , it’s no big deal.

But Tang Jing'an, but if he was captured or killed by the prefect of Sizhou, Sizhou would be lively.

Fan Shigui and others can take advantage of the time when Sizhou has no chief official to make further plans.

Here, the "dumb" Tang Jing'an didn't realize that the person coming was not Qi Jun until Zhou Jun came to the foot of the hill. He couldn't help but exclaimed: "Oh! The person coming is actually Zhou Jun. That's not good!"

Fan Shigui then took a step forward, pretending to look down a few more times, until Zhou Jun was only a hundred steps away from the pavilion, then he panicked and shouted: "No, Zhou Jun is here! Everyone run away, Magistrate Tang, you are Si The prefect of the state and the parents of the same place must not make any mistakes, so run away!"

"You are the magistrate of Sizhou and the parents of this place." Fan Shigui shouted these two words very loudly, as if he was afraid that the Zhou army below did not know that there was an important official from Huaibei in the pavilion.

Zhou Jun, who was climbing up, did not disappoint Fan Shigui, and speeded up again after hearing the sound.

Fan Shigui, who had expected that Tang Jing'an would not be able to run away, was not overjoyed when he suddenly discovered something strange. Tang Jing'an, who was still a little flustered just now, actually stood in the pavilion with his hands behind his back, calming down and showing no intention of running away.

Fan Shigui was surprised and couldn't help but ask: "Sir, the enemy navy is attacking, won't you run away?"

Tang Jing'an then turned around and looked at Fan Shigui and the gentry carefully. He suddenly smiled and said, "The enemy is attacking, why don't you run away?"

(End of this chapter)