weaving

Chapter 1513 Though I am domineering, I do not break my word.
Based on the faint memories still remaining in his mind, Marquis Yongning Zhang Cheng had a premonition that the Jurchens would invade the capital region of the Ming Dynasty again around this time of winter or spring. This would not only help them recover their losses but also further damage the imperial aura of the Ming capital.

However, because he had been in this parallel world for too long, the memories of his previous life were gradually fading and being replaced by bits and pieces of this life, which made him very annoyed.

Furthermore, Zhang Cheng wasn't entirely certain about the remaining memories in his mind. After all, he had done many things since he transmigrated, and history had quietly changed. Would the Jurchens ever return?
The butterfly effect left Zhang Cheng, the Earl of Yongning, somewhat bewildered about the future of this parallel universe.

…………

Zhang Cheng, the Earl of Yongning, only stayed in Siyancheng for two days before setting off for Anyi County, where he stayed for another three days.

Officials and gentry representatives from surrounding prefectures and counties such as Puzhou, Jiezhou, Ruicheng, Pinglu, Yuanqu, Xiaxian, Wenxi, Linjin, Yishi, and Wanquan came to the scene. Although they were somewhat unwilling, none of them dared to disobey the orders of the bandit-suppressing commander and the Earl of Yongning.

The Earl of Yongning's move was aimed at stabilizing the morale of officials and gentry in various prefectures and counties of Pingyang Prefecture.

He knew perfectly well that no matter what he said or did, as long as it touched their vested interests, he would not get their full support.

Therefore, the Earl of Yongning had no hope of receiving support from them at all.

All he wanted was to spread his thoughts and his bottom line through their mouths, so that people throughout Shanxi and even the whole world would know.

In the Anyi County government office, the Earl of Yongning met with officials and gentry representatives from various prefectures and counties who had rushed from the surrounding areas. He emphasized that the army's entry into southern Shanxi was solely for the purpose of suppressing bandits, aiming to stabilize the local area, protect the safety of the prefectures and counties in southern Shanxi, and safeguard the gentry's property from being harmed by bandits.

At the same time, he made it very clear to everyone that the Yongyi Army was also an official army of the imperial court, and that they stood with the officials and gentry present. They were by no means their enemies, and he had no intention of seizing their land and property.

The Yongyi Army will neither establish large-scale military settlements in southern Shanxi, nor does it intend to survey land or collect outstanding taxes. Those are matters for the Shanxi governor's office, and they will not get involved.

However, the Earl of Yongning also complained to these people.

He clearly told the invited officials and gentry that natural disasters were frequent and the harvests were decreasing, and the people were truly suffering. Although the banditry in Shanxi was not serious, if it was continued to be tolerated, it might collude with rebels from the Central Plains to cause chaos in Shanxi.

His own two assassination attempts serve as clear evidence.

To prevent bandits from wreaking havoc in Jin, the two key measures are to eliminate the bandits and stabilize the people's hearts. If the people can survive, they will not side with the bandits, and Jin will not descend into chaos.

Therefore, the Earl of Yongning earnestly advised the officials of various prefectures and counties to persuade the landlords and gentry to temporarily suspend the collection of land rent and usurious loans owed before this year, and to reduce the land rent and loan interest rates for the next two years so that the people could have food to eat.

As the saying goes, "Speak plainly."

Although the Earl of Yongning's words were not forceful, they were genuinely for everyone's benefit and he had no intention of seizing their land or wealth. Upon hearing this, everyone felt relieved and naturally agreed to the Earl of Yongning's request.

…………

Linfen, the capital of Pingyang Prefecture in Shanxi Province, was where the Earl of Yongning only stayed for one day.

Perhaps having heard of the statement made by the Earl of Yongning at the Anyi County government office, the Prefect of Pingyang still held the Earl of Yongning in high esteem. He not only warmly welcomed him but also treated the Earl of Yongning and his entourage with great hospitality.

The Earl of Yongning merely reiterated his stance and attitude. The reason he did not stay in Linfen for long was because Cai Maode, the governor of Shanxi, was still waiting for him in Taiyuan.

On the eighth day of the tenth month, Zhang Cheng, the Earl of Yongning, and his entourage arrived at Taiyuan, the political center of Shanxi Province.

Although Governor Cai Maode had a lot of opinions about Zhang Cheng, he still personally went out of the city to welcome him. After all, in addition to his title of Commander-in-Chief for Suppressing Bandits, Zhang Cheng also held the title of Earl of Yongning.

After entering the city, the Earl of Yongning first went to the Prince of Jin's residence to pay his respects to Prince Zhu Shenxuan.

Because the Yongyi Army had killed two officials and a chief clerk of the Prince of Jin's residence during the previous purge of the unscrupulous merchants, showing no respect for the Prince of Jin's residence, it was tantamount to showing no respect for the Prince of Jin himself. Therefore, although Prince Zhu Shenxuan of Jin received Zhang Cheng this time, he did not give Zhang Cheng much face and treated him very coldly in front of Governor Cai Maode.

However, Zhang Cheng did not care about such superficial face-saving. He sincerely expressed to Prince Zhu Shenxuan of Jin that he wanted to invite him to invest in the Xuanda Trading Company, which he led, and that the Shanxi branch could give the Prince 20% of the shares.

Prince Zhu Shenxuan of Jin did not agree on the spot. After chatting briefly, he suggested that the guest be seen off.

…………

"The Earl of Yongning is quite imposing," Cai Maode said in a very unfriendly tone.

He sat in the main hall of the Shanxi governor's office, holding a Jun ware teacup in his hand, and then asked, "May I ask, Earl Yongning, should I vacate this governor's office for you, sir?"

"What does Governor Cai mean by that?"

"What do you mean?" Cai Maode seemed very angry: "And what do you mean by suppressing bandits in southern Shanxi?"

"Hahaha..." Zhang Cheng laughed.

After laughing, he finally spoke, "Lord Cai, I have no intention of interfering with the civil administration of Shanxi."

At this moment, the Earl of Yongning's expression turned serious, and he said, "Princess Cai governs Shanxi and manages the military and political affairs of the province. However, the banditry in southern Shanxi is severe. She even dared to collude with the rebel Li Zicheng to assassinate me, intending to ruin the court's grand plan to suppress the bandits."

Such a thing, happening under Lord Cai's rule, if left unchecked, how could the gentry and common people of southern Shanxi agree? How could the hundreds of thousands of troops in the Central Plains suppressing the bandits agree? How could the officials of the court agree? And how could the current emperor agree?

When Yongning Earl Zhang Cheng asked four questions in a row, Shanxi Governor Cai Maode was speechless for a moment, and even felt a wave of fear.

But he quickly realized: "The troops from other provinces entered Shanxi to suppress bandits without the approval of the governor's office, which is against the laws of the dynasty. Doesn't the Earl of Yongning fear being impeached by the officials for abusing his power?"

"Heh...hehe..." Marquis Yongning dismissed it with disdain.

"Lord Cai, don't forget that I am still personally appointed by the current emperor as the military commander of Baoding and seven other towns, and in charge of all military affairs related to the suppression of bandits in the five provinces of the Central Plains. The banditry in Shanxi Province is also within my responsibilities as the commander. So how can you say that I am abusing my power?"

Seeing Cai Maode sitting in his chair looking sullen, Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "Don't worry, Lord Cai. In southern Shanxi, I will only suppress bandits and will never interfere in local military and political affairs. I will neither establish military farms nor conduct land surveys, nor will I forcefully promote rent and interest reductions."

"Okay. Then... it's a deal."

“Lord Cai, although I, Zhang Cheng, am somewhat domineering and tyrannical, I never break my word.”

Cai Maode's expression relaxed slightly, and he said, "In that case, the local officials and troops in southern Shanxi can be mobilized at the whim of the Earl of Yongning."

He then added somewhat hesitantly, "However, if local officials or gentry are involved, their crimes must be investigated by the governor's office and reported to the Ministry of Justice for record before any action can be taken."

"It's natural."

Cai Maode was overjoyed upon hearing this. No matter what Zhang Cheng did, he could accept it as long as it was just about suppressing bandits. His only fear was that Zhang Cheng would implicate officials and gentry and seek personal revenge.

Now that the Earl of Yongning has personally promised that, apart from the bandits, all other involved persons will be tried and convicted by the governor's office, he has nothing to worry about.

"Lord Yongning, I have prepared some wine and dishes. Please come in..."