scourge the qing dynasty

Chapter 145
(PS: The double monthly pass is coming to an end soon. If you still have guaranteed monthly pass, please give it to the pure and honest wolf.)
At the end of September and soon into October, Gan Wenkun and Zhu Guozhi ruled on the tax amount of the Eight Banners drug products and began to collect the memorial. Finally, it passed through thousands of mountains and rivers, the Yangtze River and the Yellow River, and was sent to the capital, and then to the Forbidden City. In front of the current chief of the Qing dynasty who ate bran and drank pockmarked pockmarks.The result was just as Fatty Lu had expected, when he saw Zhu Guozhi's suggestion and Gan Wenkun's approval that one tael of Eight Banners drugs only charged one penny for taxation, Xiao Mazi went into a rage.

"Slave dog, which family's errands are you doing? One tael of Eight Banners medicine is sold for three taels of silver in the capital, and they are only charged a penny in tax. It's better to not charge a damn penny! Dog slave, dog slave ! Two god-killing servants who are crawling around!"

Scolding is scolding, and rage is rage, but Xiao Mazi really can't find any reason to punish these two slaves—after all, Xiao Mazi didn't ask Zhu Guozhi and Gan Wenkun to levy much tax on Baqi Fushou Gao , and the land tax collected by Miqing in the south ranges from four to seven renminbi per mu. Gan Wenkun and Zhu Guozhi levied an additional tax of more than two taels of silver per mu on this basis, Xiao Mazi With what reason to accuse these two bloody dog ​​minions?This is how the collection of agricultural taxes is done these days.

Having said that, can the profit of growing drugs compare with that of growing food?How many times is the profit of an acre of Eight Banners' drug production as that of grain?Using food tax standards to levy drug taxes, what kind of thing is this?
Xiao Mazi was not the only one who went mad. Seeing the tax quota set by Zhu Guozhi and Gan Wenkun for the Eight Banners Fushou cream, several of Xiao Mazi's cronies Mingzhu, Suo Etu and Xiong Cilu also became furious, "One or two Eight Banners Fushou The ointment is only taxed for one penny? This tael of Baqi Fushou ointment grows from the ground, and when transported to Guangzhou, it can be sold for two taels of silver, and when it is transported to the capital, it can be sold for two taels to three taels of silver. What is the difference between this and no tax at all? There is a problem, there is definitely a problem in the middle!"

Cursing is all about scolding, but it's done. Gan Wenkun and Zhu Guozhi's joint memorial clearly stated that after they ruled on this appropriate and appropriate tax amount, they have issued a constitutional decree and officially started to collect it. How dare Mingzhu's little pockmarked confidantes have the courage? Suggest that Xiao Mazi abolish this quota and redefine the tax rate?In case Wu Sangui is angered and there are serious consequences, who will bear the responsibility?

It was also at this time that Mingzhu and Xiao Mazi suddenly remembered an important event—a few days ago Xiao Zhuang ordered Xiao Mazi to expedite the decree with six hundred miles to take back the taxation rights of the Eight Banners Fushou Gao from the governor of Yunnan and Guizhou. Gan Wenkun and Zhu Guozhi have already started to collect taxes in Yunnan, maybe they have already been collected, so what to do with this imperial decree that is still on the way?If you ignore it and the imperial decree spreads to Yunnan, why won't Yunnan explode?
"Your Majesty." Thinking of this, Mingzhu suddenly thought of something again, and hurriedly said: "If my slave remembers correctly, my ancestor once told me that if there is any progress in this matter, I must report it to her elder immediately. This matter must be well-thought-out, why don't the emperor consult the opinions of the ancestors?"

"There is such a thing, I am so angry and confused." The pockmarked little pockmarked face finally came back to his senses, got up quickly and ordered: "Hurry up, drive to the Palace of Compassion."

Xiao Mazi drove to the Palace of Compassion and Ning, which was located in the deep palace, without a will. Of course, Mingzhu and Suo'etu didn't dare to follow. When Yunmen, Longzongmen and Ciningmen arrived at the Palace of Compassion, they learned that the old hag of Xiaozhuang was walking in the small garden behind the Palace of Compassion and admiring the flowers. Drink tea in the gazebo in the middle.Xiao Mazi hurriedly walked through the winding corridors, knelt down to the old witch of Xiaozhuang and said: "Grandson Xuanye, please greet grandma."

"Your Majesty, why do you have time to come and sit here at Ai's house today?" Xiao Zhuang greeted Xiao Mazi to get up with a smile, and without waiting for Xiao Mazi's answer, he ordered the people around: "Su Ma and Li Yinzheng stay here. Everyone else should step back, Aijia wants to say something considerate to the emperor."

"Cover." All the maids and eunuchs agreed, and they exited the pavilion together, leaving four people including Xiaozhuang's grandfather and grandson chatting in the pavilion in the center of the pool.It was only at this moment that Xiao Mazi discovered the tricky place of his grandmother. This gazebo seemed to be open and unobstructed, but it was surrounded by water. Come on, Oboi's ubiquitous eyeliner in the palace can't eavesdrop on his private conversation with his grandmother.

"The emperor is here today, is it because of the taxation of the Eight Banners Fushou Gao?" Xiao Zhuang asked with a smile.

Xiao Mazi nodded and didn't speak. He just handed the memorial jointly signed by Gan Wenkun and Zhu Guozhi to Xiaozhuang. Let her also read the content, and then smiled and said: "The emperor thinks the tax is too high? Or is it low?"

"Of course it's low, and it's so low that it's outrageous." Xiao Mazi said angrily, "My grandson also knows that Eight Banners Fushou Gao can be harvested from an acre of land for about twenty taels, and one tael of Eight Banners Fushou Gao can be transported to Guangzhou. It can be sold for more than two taels of silver, and the highest can be sold for three taels in the capital and south of the Yangtze River. Even at the lowest price of one tael and eight banners for two taels of silver, one mu of land can earn 20 taels, and one mu of land can earn 40 taels a year. Money, and the tax payment is less than three taels, and after deducting labor costs and trafficking fees, Wu Sangui can earn at least 30 taels per mu of land!"

"Wrong, wrong, grandson, you are wrong." Xiao Zhuang shook his head and corrected: "The figures you calculated are the figures of the folks in Qujing. The good fields, dry fields and newly opened waste fields in Qujing are all planting Eight Banners Fushou Ointment. There is a huge difference in yield, which brings down the average yield. Wu Sangui, out of various considerations, strictly controlled the planting range of the Eight Banners Fushou Gao. The income is more than 25 taels of Eight Banners Fushou Gao, and Wu Sangui's vassal land does not need to pay land taxes, so after deducting all kinds of expenses, grandma estimates that Wu Sangui can earn at least 40 taels of silver for one mu of Baqi Fushou Gao!"

Xiao Mazi opened his mouth wide, and after a while he said in a dejected voice, "It's still my grandmother who is wise and can illuminate thousands of miles, and my grandson is young and ignorant, and I still haven't thought carefully enough."

"You don't have to blame yourself, Your Majesty, you've done a good job." Xiao Zhuang said kindly: "Grandmother also has a few eyeliners in the Pingxi Palace, and she happens to be in charge of these things, so she can roughly grasp the income of Wu Sangui's Eight Banners medicine. , otherwise, grandma can only infer based on the situation in Qujing Mansion."

"It's a pity that my grandson was careless for a while, and missed Lu Yifeng, an unborn talent, and made that old man Wu Sangui cheap." Xiao Mazi said with both regret and envy: "It would be great if my grandson sent Lu Yifeng to other provinces at that time. , Now our Qing court can also add a source of income larger than the salt tax."

"It's useless to regret." Xiaozhuang shook his head, and said softly: "And grandma can conclude that even if you didn't send Lu Yifeng back to Yunnan, but sent him to other provinces, you wouldn't be able to get this financial source, grandson."

"What does grandma mean by that?" Xiao Mazi asked suspiciously.

"Grandson, have you forgotten about Oboi?" Xiao Zhuang asked with a half-smile: "You think that Oboi doesn't covet the huge profits from the Eight Banners drug products? I’m afraid I’ve regretted giving Wu Sangui the Eight Banners Fushou Ointment now, but I’m afraid of our threat and Wu Sangui’s strength, so I dare not forcefully share a piece of the pie.”

Xiao Mazi was speechless, and only then remembered that even if the miracle of the Eight Banners drug balm appeared in provinces other than Yunnan, Oboi would surely pounce on it like a fly smelling blood, and use his powerful strength in other provinces to monopolize this drug. Money tree, at most, let yourself get a little more sweetness, but it will definitely not be so great that you hand over this money tree—Oboi is not that stupid, even if Oboi is so stupid, the gang of red-eyed wolves and hungry tigers under Oboi will also Not so stupid.

"It's getting too far, let's get down to business." Xiao Zhuang built a step for his embarrassing grandson, and asked with a smile: "Grandson, Gan Wenkun and Zhu Guozhi have set such a low tax for Baqi Fushou Gao, what are your plans? Do you want to suffer this dumb loss? Or deny this tax amount and set another tax amount for the governor of Yunnan and Guizhou to increase?"

"Of course grandson doesn't want to suffer from being dumb." Xiao Mazi lowered his head and said, "But Yunnan has already started to collect taxes according to this amount. If grandson makes a decree to deny it, it will increase the tax again. I'm afraid... .”

"What are you afraid of? Are you still afraid of Wu Sangui's rebellion?" Xiao Zhuang said surprisingly, "Wouldn't Wu Sangui's rebellion now be more beneficial to you?"

"What?" Xiao Mazi jumped up, looked around, tried to lower his voice and said, "Grandmother, do you want to force Wu Sangui against Wu Sangui? Didn't you always object to your grandson's withdrawal of the domain by drastic means? Why is your method better than grandson's now?" Is it even more intense?"

Xiaozhuang smiled and didn't answer immediately, but just winked at Li Yinzhen next to him. Li Yinzhen understood, and rushed all the way back to the Palace of Compassion, and came out after a while with two thick ledgers in his arms, and put them in Xiaozhuang's office. On the tea table next to Zhuang, Xiaozhuang said with a smile: "Grandson, take a look, these are the things that the Ai family has secretly collected information and statistics in the past two years, one is from Aobai, and the other is from Wu Sangui. It can't be absolutely accurate, but it's probably close."

Xiao Mazi was even more surprised, and hurriedly picked up the two account books to look through them, but after only a cursory look at some abbreviations, Xiao Mazi's hands and lips began to tremble——the figures recorded in these two account books were really astonishing up!On Wu Sangui's side, from the first month of the ninth year of Kang Mazi to the present, Wu Sangui has exhausted all kinds of cover-up methods and expanded the army to more than [-]. Armaments, war horses, food, supplies, etc. have been transported into Yunnan in astronomical numbers over the years. That is to say, Wu Sangui can expand the army to more than [-] at any time as long as he wants!

In addition, there are two more shocking numbers for Xiao Mazi, one is the number of nitrates purchased by the Yunnan-Guizhou army over the years, and the other is the number of private soldiers of various ethnic chieftains in Yunnan-Guizhou - these are all from Wu Sangui The source of the reserve soldiers!The only thing that Xiao Mazi was surprised by was that Xiaozhuang's spies also mentioned that Wu Sangui was probably secretly manufacturing some new firearms—but even if he was noticed, Xiao Mazi, who had already had a preconceived impression of Western firearms, would not pay much attention to it. This information.

In Oboi's account book, what makes Xiao Mazi even more frightened is that between the first year of Kang Mazi and the ninth year of Kang Mazi, the Qing army expanded to more than 60 leaders, but from the ninth year of Kang Mazi to the present one year For a long time, Oboi, who held the power of the government, expanded more than 600 assistant leaders publicly and privately, which was equivalent to secretly expanding the army to more than 55. Before that, the entire Qing Dynasty had only [-] troops!At the same time, in strategic locations such as Nanjing, Wuchang, and Jiujiang, Obai also secretly hoarded a sum of astronomical amounts of military rations and armaments, and his secret intention to prepare for war was almost obvious.

"Grandson, don't just stare at the army, but also pay attention to the annual income." Xiaozhuang reminded: "Last year, the annual income of our internal and external treasury in the Qing Dynasty was only 400 million, but Wu Sangui's annual income is conservatively estimated to be over 900 million. It is more than one-third of ours, but our more than 2000 million will be used for the whole world, like a plate of loose sand, but Wu Sangui's more than 900 million only needs to support Yunnan and Guizhou, and his power is clenched into a fist. It's acceptable for the time being, but in the long run, it's okay?"

Xiao Mazi nodded slowly, gritted his teeth and said: "Grandmother is right, we absolutely can't go on like this, as long as this situation lasts for another two or three years, not only will it be impossible for us to take down the feudal clan by force, it might even be reversed." Wu Sangui eat it!"

"Judging from Oboi's secret move to expand his army, he is also on guard against this." Xiaozhuang said calmly, "Oboi still has some loyalty to our Aixinjueluo family, and he knows how to take precautions in case , also keep a hand on Wu Sangui. But as long as he is still in the capital, grandson, you will not be able to really take power for a day. If you are the ruler of a generation, our grandparents and grandchildren will not be able to sleep peacefully for a day, so grandma plans to use a trick to drive away tigers and wolves. Let Oboi and Wu Sangui fight each other, grandson, you can reap the benefits."

"Grandmother, you want to force Wu Sangui against Wu Sangui, let Oboi and Wu Sangui fight against each other, and we will stab the tiger in Bianzhuang?" Xiao Mazi's eyes lit up.

Xiaozhuang nodded slowly, and said with a smirk: "If Wu Sangui rebels, Oboi, as the pillar of the court, a veteran of the three dynasties, and proficient in military affairs, can there be any reason not to go out in person? If he leaves the capital, our grandchildren can also take the opportunity Take the power of the court into your pocket?"

Xiao Mazi's mouse eyes were even brighter, and the pockmarked face changed for a long time, and Xiao Mazi hesitated to say: "Grandmother's plan is good, but how to deal with the aftermath is a big problem. Shake the Qing Dynasty."

"What's the problem with the aftermath?" Xiaozhuang asked back: "If Obai wins, you will make him a king of Yunnan, and give him Yunnan, which produces Eight Banners, as a vassal. First stabilize him, and then control the world. If Wu Sangui wins, you can learn from Zhao Kuangyin to row the river with a jade axe, award Yungui to Wu Sangui as a country, and allow him to become king on his own, trade and pay tribute, he will naturally be satisfied, and then continue to use the whole country If they both suffer, wouldn't it be better, grandson, with the power of the whole country, are you afraid that you won't be able to deal with the dying Wu Sangui and Aobai?"

"But what if a king of Yunnan can't satisfy Wu Sangui and Aobai's appetite?" Xiao Mazi asked fearfully.

"None of them have such ambitions." Xiaozhuang shook his head and said calmly: "The Ai family is very accurate in judging from the fact that Wu Sangui strangled Yongli and exterminated himself from the remnants of the previous Ming Dynasty, it is impossible for him to have the ambition of the world. The biggest His wish is nothing more than to split the soil and seal the borders, and dominate Yungui, otherwise, he would not have been able to kill Yongli at the beginning, and completely lose the heart of the remnants of the previous Ming Dynasty. Therefore, the Ai family believes that a king of Yunnan and Guizhou is enough to satisfy Wu Sangui's appetite."

"As for Oboi, if he wanted to rebel and proclaim himself emperor, he would have done it long ago. Now that the Nine Gates of the capital and the Gyeonggi army are under his control, if he wanted to rebel and proclaim himself emperor, our grandparents would have been killed long ago. According to Ai's family, he has reached a stalemate with you now. He neither wants to rebel nor dare to delegate power, because since ancient times, once a powerful minister loses power, the end will be the destruction of the whole family, so he can only firmly grasp the power. Pass power to his son, and let his son pass it on to his grandson, so that his descendants will be safe and prosperous for generations. To put it bluntly, he wants you to be the emperor of the Han Dynasty and respect you as an emperor False name, but I will definitely not hand over the power to you."

"To break this deadlock, the only way is to let Obai leave the capital, leave the center of power, and find a place to settle him, so that he can enjoy the glory and wealth in peace, fulfill his wish of being rich for generations without ruining his reputation, and It will not threaten the power and safety of my grandson, and now only Yunnan is the most suitable place."

When Xiao Zhuang was talking about and explaining his purpose, Xiao Mazi never dared to intervene. It wasn't until Xiao Zhuang was tired and finished talking that he picked up his teacup to moisten his throat, Xiao Mazi asked cautiously: " Grandmother, your words are very reasonable, but my grandson still thinks it's too risky, as long as one of these two traitors, Obai and Wu Sangui, has ambitions beyond our imagination, the consequences will be disastrous."

"Of course Aijia knows that this is an extremely dangerous move. If you are really worried, Aijia will never force you to take this step." Xiaozhuang put down his teacup and said calmly: "But Aijia will Remind you, now you only have this extremely risky move to win. Obai has now made it clear that he will never hand over power and will leave power to his son. In this way, your best The result is to continue to be Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, but if Oboi’s son imitates Cao Pi, what can you do to stop him?”

Xiao Mazi was silent, but Xiao Zhuang pouted his lips lightly again, and said in a low voice: "Grandson, did you see that? Just when our grandparents and grandchildren were having a private conversation, Oboi's nephew was watching from the side. , grandson, how can you still rule the world, how can you be the ruler of a generation?"

Reminded by Xiaozhuang, Xiao Mazi took a sneak peek, and sure enough, he saw Oboi's nephew, He Shuofu and the deputy head of the imperial bodyguard, Naer, leading several guards among the bushes by the pond, looking over here wait and see.Xiao Mazi couldn't help but sink in his heart. Oboi's power is so powerful that he has already put his hand directly into the Palace of Compassion and Peace. Under such circumstances, if some special changes don't happen, how can he overthrow Oboi and take back the great authority? Take control of the world?For Xiao Mazi, who has an extremely strong desire for power, this is simply a matter of life and death!
The matter is too involved, and there is still enough time, the old hag of Xiaozhuang didn't immediately ask Xiao Mazi to agree to her plan, let alone force Xiao Mazi to adopt her plan, she just asked Xiao Mazi to go back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to think carefully After a period of time, she came back to give herself an answer. At the same time, the old hag of Xiaozhuang also declared that she had no intention of forcing Xiao Mazi, but just made a strategy for Xiao Mazi. If it was not implemented, Xiaozhuang would never interfere.Xiao Mazi proposed to take away Xiao Zhuang's two secret books for reference, and Xiao Zhuang agreed.

I went back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation with a lot of worries. It was night, and the lights in the Hall of Mental Cultivation were not turned off all night. In the early morning of the next day, it was a rare time for Xiao Mazi to complain of illness and did not go to court—although Xiao Mazi had basically been unable to speak in the morning court over the years They have all listened to Oboi's words, but Xiao Mazi rarely fails to go to court to promote his emperor's authority and his own existence.And when it was about noon, Xiao Mazi, who had hardly moved all night, suddenly stood up, and said in a hoarse voice: "Pass the decree, and drive to Oboi's mansion!"

………………

Xiao Mazi suddenly drove to Obai's mansion, and when the news spread to Aoboi's mansion, Aobai and his dog legs who were acting in charge of government affairs at home were really startled, not sure why Xiao Mazi suddenly remembered this place, so hurry up When setting up the welcome etiquette and taking precautions, Xiao Mazi's car had already arrived at the gate of the Ao Mansion, and Aobai didn't dare to neglect, so he hurriedly led a group of dogs out of the gate, and opened the middle door to welcome Xiao Mazi's arrival.

What surprised Ao Bai and the others was still behind. This time when they met, Xiao Mazi's expression was no longer the fake smile of the previous one, but a kind smile from the heart, and even Ao Bai When he knelt down to greet him, Xiao Mazi got off the dragon carriage and helped Oboi himself, and said a lot of nonsense about hard work, high morals, etc., and then entered Aoboi's mansion under the sincere invitation of Oboi. When he came to the lobby, Xiao Mazi suddenly refused to sit down here, but asked to have a secret talk with Aobai on the pretext of having a secret important matter to discuss with Aobai.

This is Oboi's home, of course Oboi is not afraid of Xiao Mazi playing with the chair legs and scalding the teacup, and Xiao Mazi proposed to have a secret talk with Oboi alone, who can strangle eight Xiaomazi to death with one hand, of course Don't worry even more - friends, don't forget that Oboi is the most powerful general in the Qing Dynasty.Out of curiosity, Aobai immediately agreed to Xiao Mazi's request, led Xiao Mazi into his study, drove away the guards and servants, and had a private conversation with Xiao Mazi.

"Your Majesty, there is no one else here. If there is anything important, please tell the Emperor." Obai was curious, but said respectfully: "The Emperor has orders, and this servant will do his best."

"Grand Master Ao!" What Oboi never imagined in his dreams was that after Xiao Mazi screamed miserably, he plopped down on his knees.Ao Bai, who had already been brainwashed by the system of monarch, subject and master and slave, was so frightened that he was so frightened that he quickly knelt down on his knees and exclaimed: "Your Majesty, what are you doing? You want to beat the slave to death?"

"Grand Master Ao..." Xiao Mazi choked up with tears rolling down his pockmarked face.

"Your Majesty, please get up first, if you have anything to say, please get up and say something." Aobai rushed to help Xiao Mazi, but Xiao Mazi shook his head desperately, crying even more heartbroken, pear blossoms raining.Aobai complained in his heart, thinking why the emperor also came to this set, he made it clear that he was imitating the empress dowager, bullying me to be soft and not hard.In desperation, Oboi had no choice but to put his forehead on the ground, and said tremblingly: "If the emperor insists on killing this servant, then this servant will not dare to accept the emperor's gift. This servant only asks the emperor to explain the reason clearly, but there are orders. For your kindness, I will definitely go through fire and water, and my body will be smashed to pieces, I will not hesitate."

"Grand Master Ao, please take a look at this first." Xiao Mazi sobbed, and took out a thick account book from his arms. It was impressively given to Xiao Mazi by Xiao Zhuang, which recorded Wu Sangui's secret expansion of the army, The account book that hoards the grass and accumulates grain, with malicious intentions...

(End of this chapter)