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Chapter 1467 The Rebellion Returns, What Will Be Done This Time?

As the rebel leader Li Zicheng and the bandits Liu Zongmin, Tian Jianxiu, and others led their troops to withdraw one after another, there were no more bandits in the entire territory of Kaifeng Prefecture, and the world seemed to quiet down at that moment.

Apart from a few Yongyi Army units that entered Henan Prefecture and Ruzhou, most of the other Yongyi Army troops were scattered throughout Kaifeng Prefecture. They continued to clear out bandits scattered in the countryside while incorporating the local strongholds of powerful families.

At the same time, a comprehensive survey of farmland was launched within the territory of Kaifeng Prefecture. All abandoned farmland was treated as unclaimed land and converted into military settlement land.

The soldiers of the Yongyi Army had no vested interests in Kaifeng. They simply followed the orders of Zhang Cheng, the Earl of Yongning, and acted swiftly and decisively. Wherever they went, officials and gentry looked at them with disdain, while the common people cheered with joy.

At the same time, letters were sent from all over Kaifeng Prefecture, delivered by fast horses to Kaifeng City, and even directly to the capital. The letters were full of complaints and false accusations, almost comparing Zhang Cheng to a demon on earth, a being even worse than a bandit.

Even within the city of Kaifeng, strange ripples were stirred...

Several officials, including Liang Bing, the Left Provincial Administration Commissioner of Henan, Su Zhuang, the Circuit Intendant, Wu Shijiang, the Prefect of Kaifeng, Huang Shu, the Prefectural Judge of Kaifeng, and Wang Xie, the Magistrate of Xiangfu, had strong opinions about this matter. They were very agitated and had already drafted memorials to impeach Zhang Cheng.

Among them, Wu Shijiang, the prefect of Kaifeng, was the most emotional. After all, Kaifeng was under his jurisdiction, but if Yongning Earl Zhang Cheng did things this way, what would become of him?

Liang Bing, the provincial governor of Henan, was in charge of the province's finances and taxes. If the way Yongning Earl Zhang Cheng did things was followed, most of the taxes and taxes from Kaifeng Prefecture would end up in the Yongyi Army's warehouses. So how would Liang Bing pay the taxes to the imperial court?

The same applies to Su Zhuang, the Prefect of Kaifeng. He was responsible for the management of money and grain, supervision of agriculture and sericulture, assessment of officials, and inspection of military equipment in Kaifeng and the surrounding areas. Yongning Earl's move undoubtedly affected his interests.

As for Judge Huang Peng and Magistrate Wang Xie of Xiangfu County, they viewed the matter entirely from the perspective of Kaifeng Prefecture. Although the matter had some impact on them, it was limited. However, since even Prefect Wu Shijiang had stood up to oppose it, they couldn't just hide behind the scenes.

However, local military officers, led by Chen Yongfu, the General of Henan, such as Tan Guozhen, the Commander-in-Chief, and Li Yao, the Guerrilla Commander, turned a blind eye to this. On the surface, they did not oppose it, but in reality, they condoned and promoted it.

Firstly, the Yongning Earl's vigorous development of military farms in Kaifeng Prefecture has limited impact on them. As a result, the Yongyi Army will be permanently stationed in Kaifeng Prefecture, so they will not have to worry about the rebel army returning.

Moreover, the Earl of Yongning had already conveyed a message through General Chen Yongfu that he would try his best to support and help resolve the issue of the Henan government troops' food and pay!

Under these circumstances, the opinions of Gao Mingheng, the governor of Henan, and Ren Jun, the imperial censor, become extremely important.

In fact, Ren Jun was on the side of Liang Bing and Wu Shijiang in his heart, but he did not say it out loud in public because of his status.

However, no one could guess what Governor Gao Mingheng was really thinking, because he had never made any public statement since he learned of the matter.

Another person who remained silent on the matter and never expressed any opinion was Sang Kaidi, the Assistant Magistrate in charge of the river. After all, he couldn't interfere in local affairs; he only needed to manage the affairs related to the river.

Moreover, Zhang Cheng had already spoken with him, declaring that he would do his utmost to ensure the safety of the waterways and the repair of irrigation canals in Kaifeng Prefecture, whether for the sake of people's livelihood or for the grain income of the military farms. Zhang Cheng had to work hard on this matter.

“Governor, you can’t ignore the actions of the Earl of Yongning,” Wu Shijiang spoke first, his words aimed directly at Gao Mingheng. All eyes in the hall were on Gao Mingheng, awaiting his response, while the Imperial Inspector Ren Jun remained indifferent, his closed eyes resembling those of a meditating old monk.

The governor of Henan, Gao Mingheng, did not speak directly. He slowly picked up the teacup on the table beside him and began to drink.

However, Gao Mingheng's silence did not mean that no one stood up to speak. Sure enough, Chen Yongfu, the general of Henan, stepped forward: "Why is Your Excellency in such a hurry? Although the Earl of Yongning has acted eccentrically, although the rebels have retreated, the problem of bandits still exists in Kaifeng. Scattered thieves can be seen everywhere."

"The Earl of Yongning's actions are also for the sake of local stability. Re-investigating the land and registering the people is not only to prevent bandits, but also for the sake of stability in Kaifeng!"

"I'm afraid this talk about preventing thieves is just an excuse from the Earl of Yongning," Judge Huang Peng couldn't help but say.

Yes, who can guarantee that the Earl of Yongning isn't using this as an excuse to actually control Kaifeng Prefecture?
Now that Chen Yongfu had submitted to the Earl of Yongning, he was naturally not afraid of Huang Peng, the magistrate, and even Wu Shijiang, the prefect, was beneath his notice.

No matter what, he was the Commander-in-Chief of Henan, and now that it was a time of war, Chen Yongfu's influence was much greater than before. Even the Governor Gao Mingheng, the Provincial Treasurer Liang Bing, and the Imperial Inspector Ren Jun respected him very much.

"Everyone should know in their hearts who drove back the rebel Li Zicheng, and who saved Kaifeng City... If the Yongning Marquis's army retreats to Xuanfu, what will happen when Li Zicheng returns?"

Chen Yongfu's words were very impactful, and the hall fell silent instantly. Everyone kept quiet and wore solemn expressions.

Indeed, what Chen Yongfu said was the truth, but no one wanted to mention it.

“Then… we can’t let him be so lawless. Where is the law and order of the court? Where is the dignity of the court?” Magistrate Wang Bian of Xiangfu County finally spoke up.

With a loud "smash," it was Provincial Governor Liang Bing who slammed his teacup heavily onto the table. He said, "No matter what, what the Earl of Yongning has done has gone too far and cannot be tolerated."

Liang Bing then looked at Governor Gao Mingheng and asked, "Governor Gao, you are the chief official of the people of Henan Province. You cannot back down or ignore this matter!"

Gao Mingheng raised his eyebrows and glared, about to speak, when he heard the Imperial Inspector Ren Jun say, "The matter of the Earl of Yongning vigorously promoting military farming in Kaifeng is something none of us can comment on, nor can we stop it. In my opinion, we should report what is happening here to the court as soon as possible, and let the Grand Secretaries and the Emperor decide."

Indeed, experience is the best teacher!

Ren Jun's few words set the tone for the development of military settlements by the Earl of Yongning. It was indeed against the laws of the court, but they were powerless to stop it, so they had to submit a report to the court for a decision as soon as possible.

Gao Mingheng closed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Let's make a final decision on this matter after I go to the palace to see Prince Zhou, and then visit Director Fang and Director Bian."

After he finished speaking, he picked up the teacup on the table. Seeing this, everyone tactfully got up, said their goodbyes, and left.