I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 421: Slap yourself in the face, snap! Former Prime Minister Chen Zhizhong

afternoon.

Qingzhou, the county seat of Qiancheng County, Defu Street.

Su Liang, Sun Sheng, and Du Lei were sitting in a teahouse called "Liu Dawan Tea House" drinking tea.

The teahouse is small and simple, with only three large tables in the room.

However, there were more than thirty teapots and a whole row of black porcelain bowls on the long cabinet on the windowsill.

from time to time.

Then some men who worked hard came to the window sill, picked up the teapot, drank two bowls, then threw a penny into the small bamboo basket beside them and left.

The tea here.

Two bowls for one penny, five steamed dates for one pot for five penny.

Su Liang knew him.

If the government changes the contract, the government must pay for it, not at the expense of the people's interests.

If someone was really going to die, he would panic more than anyone else.

Just when Su Liang was slowly drinking tea.

He hoped that the two sides could talk calmly tomorrow. If the dispute could be ended on mutually acceptable terms, Su Liang would not participate.

He was the old man who smashed tofu on Zheng Youze, the county magistrate, and the owner of the tofu shop not far away.

The merchants on Defu Street also acted inappropriately. They used weapons to confront officials in the street, which was against the laws of the Song Dynasty.

"Grandpa Qi, please come inside, please come inside. What's going on?"

"Okay, okay, then I'm relieved!" After saying that, Grandpa Qi walked towards the door.

Grandpa Qi walked in the door.

"Shopkeeper Liu, I'll give you this piece of tofu to eat. Tomorrow at noon, when the county government comes to demolish it, you... you must not compromise. If they... they arrest someone, I will support you as an old man. Once someone compromises, , they are even more courageous!”

At this time.

Shopkeeper Liu smiled and said: "Don't worry, I have been working on this tea shop for half my life. I will never leave before the contract period is up!"

Place a piece of soft tofu wrapped in dried lotus leaves on the counter.

After one Telford Street is solved, the second and third Telford Street will appear soon.

This move will cause the local government agencies to lose credibility and even become enemies with the people.

The tea is bad tea, slightly bitter, but it is enough to quench thirst and fatigue.

Such disputes must be carried out in accordance with the laws of the Song Dynasty.

"Grandpa Qi, sit down and have a bowl of tea, or eat a few dates I just steamed!"

"No, no, I have to go to another shop to deliver tofu. Only when everything is explained to me can we be united!"

Shopkeeper Liu, the shopkeeper of Liu Dawan Teahouse, walked out from behind the counter.

……

The problem is that the verbal contract between the incoming county magistrate and the merchants still has two years left.

These two days.

An old man with white beard came to the door of the teahouse carrying a bamboo basket.

"Is Shopkeeper Liu here?" the old man called.

Very cheap.

Grandpa Qi walked out unsteadily.

The six-foot-wide Defu Street is now less than three feet wide due to the indiscriminate construction of shops, which seriously affects the passage of vehicles and horses. The county government wants to demolish and widen it and rebuild the shops. There is no problem.

Shopkeeper Liu looked at his back and couldn't help but said: "Oh, poor Grandpa Qi! His son died of illness and his daughter-in-law remarried. He relied on the business of the tofu shop to support his grandson's education. Now that the government office wants to demolish it, it's not to kill him and his wife. His grandson’s life?”

Su Liang predicted.

Instead of just listening to whoever is in charge.

Although Zheng Youze, the magistrate of Qiancheng County, said that he would send troops to demolish the buildings tomorrow, he would probably still scare these merchants.

If he solves it with official authority.

If it cannot be resolved peacefully.

Su Liang had a more detailed understanding of the intrusion of merchants on Telford Street.

Su Liang could only report to the court and ask Zhongshu to specially approve compensation for the people here, and ask the court to supplement the regulations. If similar things happen in the future, the people should be able to receive compensation.

of course.

Su Liang was not ready to jump out and deal with the matter immediately.

This is a conflict between the local government and the people.

The local government agencies cannot ignore their promises and let the merchants bear all losses because of the reform or the crime of "invading the streets."

"The reforms throughout the Song Dynasty seem to have improved things, but aren't we ordinary people still being oppressed? What kind of world is this?"

Shopkeeper Liu's sigh was all heard by Su Liang.

He raised the porcelain bowl to his mouth and put it down again.

What world.

These four words made him feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.

If Zhao Zhen heard the people's sighs, he would probably not be able to eat for several days.

……

It's almost dusk.

Su Liang returned from an inspection elsewhere in the county. As soon as he stood on Telford Street, he heard a loud sound.

"Tofu! Delicious scallion oil tofu!"

Grandpa Qi was standing in front of the shop, shouting at the top of his lungs.

Su Liang took Sun Sheng and Du Lei to Grandpa Qi's tofu shop.

Said it was a shop.

In fact, it’s less than five square meters.

At the stall at the door, the soft tofu has been sold out, and most of the bamboo shoots and scallion oil tofu are left.

The so-called scallion oil tofu.

The tofu slices are made by pressing oil from scallions and then frying them. In addition to the scallion oil, only a little salt is added.

It's a cheap snack.

Many people eat it with wine or steamed buns.

Grandpa Qi greeted excitedly: "You three guests, do you want to try scallion oil tofu?"

Su Liang nodded.

"Grandpa, we're all covered. We're going to eat here. Could you please fill us up with three more bowls of hot soup?"

"All wrapped up? This weighs more than ten kilograms!" Grandpa Qi was a little surprised.

Su Liang turned to look at Sun Sheng and Du Lei.

Du Lei understood immediately and said: "I...I can eat six pounds by myself!"

"I can also eat six pounds!" Sun Sheng on the side also agreed.

Immediately.

Grandpa Qi started to heat up the tofu, then fried it in scallion oil, and it was ready to go in no time.

Su Liang looked at Grandpa Qi who was skilled in movements and asked with a smile: "Grandpa, how old are you?"

"Eighty to two!"

"At your age, it's time to enjoy your old age at home!"

Grandpa Qi smiled helplessly.

"Country people, you have to be busy every day you live. I want to make money, and my grandson will strive for success. He especially likes to study. I have to live for a few more years to save enough money for him to pass the exam. I will never let him be like me again. It’s easy to get bullied if you stay here!”

Hearing this, Su Liang couldn't help but feel a sore nose.

immediately.

Su Liang and the others ate the tofu. After eating half of it, the three of them were ready to pack up and leave, and continue eating in the evening.

Su Liang put down a lot of money on the chopping board, turned his face and was about to leave.

"Sir, this is too much, this is too much!"

Su Liang smiled and said: "Take it! Buy some books for your grandson. Maybe he can cultivate a champion for our Song Dynasty!"

Grandpa Qi suddenly laughed.

"Being able to pass the Jinshi exam is a blessing from my ancestors!"

……

The next day, it was broad daylight.

The shouts on Telford Street became louder again.

The merchants all knew that officials would come to demolish the houses around noon, but they continued to sell as if nothing had happened.

Their hard work allowed Su Liang to see the resilience of the people at the bottom.

Every day.

They all live very hard and seriously, and they all strive for their families. …

Near noon.

Su Liang sat at Liu Dawan Teahouse again.

Not long after I sat down, I heard someone shouting: An official is coming! An official is coming!

Immediately afterwards, the scene from the day before reappeared.

The merchants took out a variety of weapons such as kitchen knives, scissors, hoes, wooden sticks, and scale beams, and rushed towards the streets again.

Su Liang also followed closely.

Telford Street.

Zheng Youze, the county magistrate, stood at the front wearing official uniform, followed by more than ten government officials on both sides.

Behind the government officials stood more than 200 soldiers holding various demolition tools.

The task of the soldiers is to build bridges and roads, demolish and build roads.

More than 200 local soldiers can only be mobilized with the approval of the local chief official.

This can be seen.

The chief official of Qingzhou also supported Zheng Youze.

When Zheng Youze saw the merchants on Defu Street rushing over angrily again, he couldn't help but stare, very angry.

Lean slightly.

The two sides once again formed a confrontation.

Zheng Youze said loudly: "Businessmen on Defu Street, I have given you a chance. I didn't expect you to be stubborn and still occupy the street and refuse to move out. I will give you one last chance."

"Now, move your personal belongings out of the store immediately!"

"If you don't take action, I will order the soldiers of the Xiang Army to demolish it by force. If there is any damage, the government will not be responsible for it. Anyone who resists with weapons will be taken to the county jail and severely punished!"

At this time, Grandpa Qi, who was standing at the front, reached out and grabbed a piece of tofu from the bag on his shoulder, and threw it at Zheng Youze again.

Swish!
This time, Zheng Youze was already on guard.

He dodged in a flash.

"Grandpa Qi, my patience is limited. Believe it or not, I will put you in jail immediately!"

"Catch us! Catch us all and kill us all!" Grandpa Qi shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Do it!"

tread!tread!tread!
The Xiang army soldiers held various tools in their hands and walked toward the merchants with great momentum.

not far away.

Su Liang's face also became gloomy.

If the soldiers really forced the demolition, there is a high probability that people would be killed today. Once there were casualties, Zheng Youze's reputation would be completely ruined.

The soldiers strode forward, frightening the merchants, who unconsciously retreated.

And this moment.

Behind the Xiang army soldiers, there was a carriage parked, and the man sitting in the carriage was Chen Zhizhong, the Duke of Qi State.

It was Chen Zhizhong who suggested that Zheng Youze use force to scare these merchants.

This is his policy of "war first, courtesy second".

If the power of the Xiang soldiers can make the merchants compromise.

He would stand up and make some extravagant remarks to make the people hate Zheng Youze. When he accepted the merits from the court, he was the main contributor. It was his appearance that prevented casualties.

If the merchants are not frightened and the opposition is still strong, Chen Zhizhong will stand up and turn the tide. The main credit is still his.

Chen Zhizhong believed that if he stood up and said a few words, the people would never dare to object.

After all, he had been prime minister.

In the eyes of the common people in these counties and villages, what he said and did represented the imperial court, so how could they not be afraid of him.

tread!tread!tread!
The soldiers of the Xiang Army strode forward, feeling full of oppression.

at this time.

It's Grandpa Qi from the tofu shop again, who doesn't retreat but advances instead.

Grandpa Qi took out a tofu-cutting knife from his arms and put it on his neck.

"Zheng Youze, old man, I am going to die in front of you today. I am afraid that your future career will not be smooth. If you continue to move forward, I will commit suicide immediately!"

After saying that, Grandpa Qi was about to wipe his neck with the knife.

"stop!"

Zheng Youze quickly asked the soldiers behind him to stop.

The merchants behind were also nervous.

Someone said: "Grandpa Qi, it's not worth it. It's not worth losing your life. We can continue to sue. If it doesn't work, let's go to Bianjing City!"

Grandpa Qi shook his head.

"Everyone, if I die, please do me a favor and help take care of my nine-year-old grandson. He is a scholar. When he becomes an official, he will definitely vindicate our grievances!"

Hearing Grandpa Qi's tone, everyone seemed to have contemplated suicide.

At this moment, Su Liang looked at Du Lei.

The latter immediately took notice and walked towards the crowd in front.

If Grandpa Qi wanted to die, he could knock the weapon out of Grandpa Qi's hand instantly.

"Grandpa Qi, don't, don't, we can discuss again, discuss again!" Zheng Youze also became nervous.

"I don't believe you anymore!" Grandpa Qi's eyes were full of despair.

"Wait a minute! If you don't believe me, there is still someone who can uphold justice for you. If you die now, I...I have countless ways to prevent your grandson from studying!"

Zheng Youze turned his face to look behind him and said loudly: "My lord, please come out and seek justice!"

Wow! Wow!
At this time.

The soldiers and government officials of the Xiang army withdrew to both sides.

Then, an old man with a fair complexion and wearing a long gown walked out of the carriage not far away.

Zheng Youze said: "This old man is the former Prime Minister of the current dynasty, Duke Chen Zhizhong of Qi State."

Chen Zhizhong once served as the pacifier of Jingdong East Road and also knew Qingzhou. After becoming an official, he returned to Qingzhou to retire.

Many people have heard of his name.

He was mediocre in the eyes of all the scholars and officials.

But in the eyes of the people, he is a high-ranking official who represents the imperial court in every word and deed.

Grandpa Qi also slowly put down the knife on his neck.

Not far away, Du Lei was also standing aside.

Su Liang had a playful smile on his face. He didn't think Chen Zhizhong could handle this matter well.

Chen Zhizhong strode up to Zheng Youze.

"Zheng Zhixian, as the chief official of a county, you use force against the people under your jurisdiction. Is this your way of being an official? It is really wanton!" Chen Zhizhong said with a serious face.

Zheng Youze lowered his head and did not dare to speak.

The two of them had agreed last night that one would be the good guy and the other the bad guy.

Immediately, Chen Zhizhong turned into a smiling face and looked at the merchants in front.

He walked up to Grandpa Qi, patted his shoulder, and said with a smile: "Brother, I have made you feel wronged and forced you to commit suicide. It is really Zheng Youze's incompetence!"

After that, he took Grandpa Qi's knife and threw it aside.

"Dear fellow villagers, I have understood the whole story of this matter. This Telford Street must be demolished, because this is the policy of the imperial court. The demolition of the intrusive buildings on the street is for the future business and profit of Qiancheng County. No harm done!”

"As for the two-year contract period you mentioned, I understand it clearly. This is a flaw that existed in the early stage of the Song Dynasty's reform. The fault lies with the former county magistrate, and he should be punished!"

"My conclusion on this matter is that we did infringe on the street, and the government demolished it, which is in compliance with the law. As for compensation, Zheng Zhi County will apply for you, but you should also understand that your intrusion on the street is established, and Now people are gathering in the streets to cause trouble. Even if there is compensation, it won’t be much.”

"The reforms throughout the Song Dynasty put the interests of the majority of people first. The purpose of demolishing streets is to protect the interests of the majority of the people. According to my understanding of the court's reform matters, even if you bring this matter to the Reform Department, you will bring it to the attention of the two governments and the three governments. Si, if you are brought before the officials, they will put the overall situation first and will not think that you are right. Even if Su Liang, Wang Anshi, and Sima Guang stand in front of you, they will convict you of trespassing. "

Hearing this, the county magistrate Zheng Youze suddenly became excited.

This can completely prevent these people from petitioning, and the demolition matter can be completed smoothly.

As for compensation, it can be a formality.

At this moment, a local official reached out to the court, which was a sign of incompetence.

When the merchants heard this, they felt completely desperate.

It turned out that the court thought they were at fault.

When Chen Zhizhong said that Su Liang, Wang Anshi, and Sima Guang, the three officials who had made great contributions to Jingdong East Road and always spoke up for the people, would not stand on their side, they were completely desperate.

At this moment, Su Liang was angry.

What does it mean to put the interests of the majority of people first, and what does it mean to put the overall situation first?

A nationwide reform will not work without one single citizen.

Chen Zhizhong's characterization was not only unreasonable, but also tarnished the reputation of all officials in the court.

"Mr. Chen, you are not Su Liang, Wang Anshi and Sima Guang. How do you know what the three of them are thinking?" Su Liang strode towards the middle of the crowd.

When Chen Zhizhong saw this familiar figure, he couldn't help but be dumbfounded.

(End of this chapter)