Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 537 Internal differentiation
The common people are very simple and honest. Jia Lian, the imperial envoy, personally came out to talk to them, and the storm was settled, but this was just the beginning.

Subordinates at all levels of the Sansi Yamen were called to a meeting. Jia Lian wrote a notice in person and posted it throughout the meeting, explaining clearly what happened during this inspection tour of Suzhou.

It was specifically emphasized that there was no such thing as a deficit in the government treasury and the people making up for it.

What's the saying?
If someone wrongly accuses you and fabricates charges against you, it must not be groundless, there must be clues behind it.

It's like slandering the University of Tokyo for forced labor, but that's because Dengta really did it, otherwise black people wouldn't be so sensitive to watermelons and whips.

For example, the accusation of genocide against the Indians is that the Indians, who were once spread all over North America, now have only a small reservation in a remote corner.

Therefore, the governor, the three-commissioned officials, and the prefect of Suzhou must have collected taxes under various pretexts.

In the Suzhou prefectural government office, the prefect was detained in the Sansi Yamen. Jia Lian sent people in to start checking the accounts. There were guards guarding the door with bayonets at their noses, but the transfer of the accounts went relatively smoothly.

A big incident happened in Suzhou City, which became a hot topic among the people in the north of the city. But for the people outside the city, they did not feel much.

What really made the people outside the city feel was that the toll booth at the city gate was removed and replaced by a group of soldiers from other places. It's not that they didn't check, but they only checked the vehicles entering the city.

The point is not the inspection, but that there is no charge, really no charge.

When was the city entrance fee introduced? Because it was so long ago, even the local elderly people in Suzhou can’t clearly tell.

Such an event that was deeply rooted in the lives of ordinary people suddenly disappeared. In a flash, many people went from being uncomfortable at first to being surprised later on when they found out that there was really no charge.

The news that there was no charge at the city gate quickly overshadowed the news that an imperial envoy had arrived in the city.

Of course, taxes at Suzhou Watergate are still being collected, but is that the same? The taxes collected at Watergate are commercial taxes on bulk commodities.

The Water Gate also had a new group of people. Cargo ships entering and leaving the city gate could no longer enter the city without inspection as in the past, as long as the ship owner paid some money. The commercial tax in this dynasty was 20% of the tax, and the tax rate was not high.

Why are merchants still struggling to run their business? The reason is simple: double taxation. When goods from Suzhou are shipped to Jinling, they are taxed once when leaving the city. Governments set up checkpoints along the waterway to collect transit fees.

When it was transported to Jinling, it was taxed again. Of course, the privileged class was not subject to taxation. Take Jia Lian as an example. If the Jia family wanted to do a large-scale business, when passing the checkpoint, they would first show their identity and then say that it was not for sale but for their own use at home, and they would be able to pass the checkpoint smoothly. Those who knew how to behave could give the toll booth some money for wine, while those who didn't behaved could just walk away, and no one dared to stop them.

At the city gate, as long as you enter the city, you have to pay money, one penny per person, and they are truly fair to everyone.

Of course, if you are a big shot in the city, no one dares to stop you from entering and exiting the car as you please.

Whose interests were harmed by the abolition of the city entrance fee? Of course, the local government, which relied on this fee to pay the salaries of its petty officials.

I want to emphasize here that because Zhu Yuanzhang was so smart, the minor officials of the Ming Dynasty were not included in the establishment, so the official funds were saved. But these people were needed to work, so think about it.

Apart from other things, the system of minor officials not being included in the official system and not being paid by the government was inherited from the Great Zhou Dynasty. How great it was, the court did not have to spend a penny, and it was all up to the local officials to find ways to support them.

Let’s put it this way, officials are a group of people who hold public power but do not rely on financial appropriations for their livelihood.

People need to eat. If they don’t eat, they will starve to death. You don’t pay them, but you still want them to work.

What should we do? I just want to ask you what should we do? There is no way. The government at all levels can only use their own magical powers to find ways to make money to support them.

Laozi said: The way of man is to take from those who are deficient and to give to those who are in excess. There is a similar proverb in the West: the poorer one is, the more he should be taken away; the richer one is, the more he should be given.

Suzhou's handicraft industry is well developed, which requires sufficient labor. Ordinary people have the opportunity to participate in the distribution of benefits. Ordinary people live a decent life. This does not mean that those people have a change of heart. The income of ordinary workers is still far from the value they create.

The clerks in the government office were worried because the city entry fee had been cancelled. Those who were usually not very diligent in their government affairs were even more worried at this moment. Many of them gathered together to drink tea and chat.

Well, one thing these people have is that they are familiar with the place and well-informed.

Clerk A: "The city entry fee has been cancelled. I don't know if the government office can issue money and grain by the end of the month. Even if it does, it will be much less."

Clerk B: "Of the money collected, the big guys take the lion's share, and the people below don't get much to begin with. There's no point in you getting anxious! The ones who should be anxious are the big guys who take the lion's share."

Clerk C: "Early in the morning, the thugs blocked the entrance to the Sansi Yamen, forcing the Imperial Envoy Jia to come out in person to deal with the situation. I guess he is very angry now. You should watch your mouths and be careful of what you say."

A: "The officials in the government are all like clay Buddhas crossing the river now, how can they care about us?"

B: “I can only rely on myself.”

C: "I'm desperate, so I'm going to the Imperial Envoy to complain. Don't think I don't know who is backing the gang behind this."

In the office of the Judicial and Censorate, all the officials including the deputy envoy, assistant envoy, and experiencer were called in to wait for an audience with the imperial envoy.

Just as the clerk below commented, everyone was in danger.

Jia Lian did not summon them individually, but came out directly to meet everyone and said, "The Suzhou Judicial Supervisory Office has done a good job. As an imperial envoy, I have let the elders of Suzhou learn a lesson early in the morning. My lords, should I report to the court and reward you for your efficient work?" His tone was flat, but the resentment could be felt through the wall.

A group of officials looked at each other, but no one stood up to speak. Wherever Jia Lian looked, everyone lowered their heads and remained silent.

The above officials were all above the seventh rank, so Jia Lian smiled and said, "In that case, I will have to ask those lower-ranking officials how the Suzhou Censorate usually performs its duties."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone looked up and looked at the senior official. This was a second-rate goalkeeper, a seventh-rank official.

A higher-ranking official can crush a person to death. The experienced person could only make a bitter face and force an excuse: "Your Excellency, the daily public security in Suzhou is under the jurisdiction of the prefectural government. The Suzhou elders must have their own difficulties in blocking the door."

It is obvious that this answer was agreed upon beforehand. No matter how you ridicule, everyone can tolerate it. When they are forced to do so, they will blame the Suzhou prefect. As for why the Suzhou people blocked the door, why didn't the imperial envoy think about what he has done recently and whether his salary has increased? Ugh, he is wrong. The Suzhou people don't block the door normally, they only block the door when the imperial envoy comes.

Jia Lian was not angry at being criticized. He stepped forward and patted the experienced man on the shoulder: "You are quite tough! You have guts. I admire you as a man!"

The experience was originally forced upon him. When Jia Lian showed him a devilish smile, he could not stand up and collapsed, begging for mercy: "My Lord, please spare me!"

Jia Lian then put away his smile, turned around and walked a few steps, then suddenly turned back to glare at everyone and shouted angrily: "The Censor has not returned from Jinling, do you know why?"

No one replied, but hope was seen in their eyes. "It's very simple. The three envoys stayed in Jinling because Jia and Prime Minister Sun had discussed that this time they came to Jiangnan to inspect and eradicate corruption, and only the principal offender would be punished, and the accomplices would not be questioned. If you want to resist, don't blame Jia for expanding the scope of the attack." Jia Lian knew that the fortress must be broken from the inside. The strategy was to divide the attack and not to kill all at once.

How to make this promise? It depends on Jia Lian's credibility. It is difficult to shake these officials just by talking!

Fortunately, Jia Lian was not in a hurry. Seeing that everyone kept their heads down and said nothing, he smiled and said, "Okay, everyone go back to your work. It is true that this imperial envoy is here to inspect, but official business cannot be suspended because of this."

After saying this, Jia Lian left, giving everyone some time and space to think.

People are like springs. The greater the pressure, the greater the rebound.

We can't force everyone to unite and fight against the imperial envoy. Don't think they can't do it.

First detain the three envoys in Jinling, and then go to Suzhou to divide the subordinates of the three departments. This approach is certainly not taken for granted, but a strategy discussed by Jia Lian and Sun Huazhen.

Other places don’t matter, Suzhou is the most important place.

How important is it? Here is a joke. A foreigner came to China for tourism. He went to Shanghai first and said that it was a big city and could not represent other places in Dongda. He wanted to go to a small city to see the real Dongda. So he chose a city without an airport. Well, he chose Suzhou.

The importance of Suzhou can be seen from the governor and the three officials. One has his headquarters in Nanjing and stays in Suzhou all day long, while the other directly keeps his government office in Suzhou and refuses to move out.

After leaving the hall, Jia Lian saw the governor and other low-ranking officials below the seventh rank waiting outside. He was very polite and said to everyone with a smile on his face: "Don't force yourself to smile. I'm not that scary. The actions of the three departments of Jiangnan Province can never be blamed on you low-ranking officials."

Everyone was at a loss as to whether to cry or laugh. Was the imperial envoy trying to comfort them or to make fun of them?
You have to mention the word "not up to standard", right? Did I eat your rice?
But how can I put it? Saying these words in front of everyone is really useful. It is a promise and gives everyone peace of mind.

Jia Lian hadn't said another word yet. If the officials who committed heinous crimes were really found out, they would be dealt with without mercy.

After leaving the Anchasi, Jia Lian went to the other two offices, summoned the officials, and went through the same routine again. Then he went to the Suzhou prefectural government office, and the same routine was repeated.

You know what, after Jia Lian did this, the people in the government felt relieved. A few people felt guilty, but that's another matter.

Auditing requires a process and is also a technical job.

In the evening, Shen Yan asked for a meeting, and Jia Lian gave face to the scholar.

"Student greets the master!" Shen Yan's expression was a little unnatural, and he seemed a little guilty.

Jia Lian asked with a smile: "Is there something wrong? If you have something to say, just say it directly. I don't like beating around the bush."

Shen Yan smiled and said, "It's like this. Some famous people in Suzhou asked me to tell you something. They want to host a banquet for you in the Humble Administrator's Garden."

Jia Lian understood. It seemed that this guy had a hard time after returning home. However, from the fact that he could come here to bring a message and did not suffer too much when he returned, it was not difficult to see that his family background was not simple and he was not from an ordinary family.

"Did your elders in the family tell you to do this?" Jia Lian asked directly. Shen Yan smiled awkwardly and said, "My uncle is quite famous in Suzhou."

Jia Lian hesitated for a moment and said, "Go back and tell your uncle that I have been ordered by the emperor to come here, and I am afraid it will be difficult to find time before the mission is completed. When the matter is completed, I will definitely come to thank the elders of Suzhou in person."

Although he refused, he was very tactful. Shen Yan couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. After the emotion flashed across his face, he gritted his teeth and said, "Sir, how do you plan to deal with the people who beat the gang?"

When Jia Lian heard this, the smile on his face disappeared and he turned serious: "Before I came here, I heard some things. Some people said that Suzhou is a place where scholars and gentry gather and it is a good place to be an official. Some people also told me that Suzhou is a place full of unruly people and the gentry like to go against the government. I must be careful when I go there. Which of these two statements do you think I should believe?"

Shen Yan was speechless after hearing these words. He opened his mouth to defend himself, but the words came back because he knew they were not convincing. He couldn't force himself to put on makeup. He was still young and had to save face.

Jia Lian saw Shen Yan's struggle and felt that this guy was still worth saving.

"Next year is the year for the provincial examination. Go back and prepare well. If you don't want to take the exam in Suzhou, it won't be difficult to get a permanent residence in Shandong or Zhili."

When Shen Yan heard this, his eyes lit up immediately. Jia Lian had said the same thing before, but he didn't dare to take it seriously. After all, there were outsiders at the time, and now there are only two people. Jia Lian still said this, and the credibility was greatly increased. How to say it? The imperial examinations in Jiangnan are too competitive. This is the case in economically developed places, with many scholars, many people taking the imperial examinations, and many top candidates. Every time there is a provincial examination, Jiangnan Province can be said to be the most competitive place in the world, without a doubt.

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, there were many children of officials who took the imperial examinations in other places. This is not new. Not to mention the ancient imperial examinations, don’t many people take the modern college entrance examinations in other places? What’s more, there are people who go abroad first and come back to take the exam as foreigners. What can we say about this kind of people? They are still willing to abide by the rules, but they just take advantage of the loopholes in the rules, which is not considered cheating. The most ruthless cheating is still substitution. The further back in time, the greater the harm to the person being replaced. After all, in the 1970s and 1980s, not to mention college students, technical secondary school students were all popular.

"Thank you for your support, this is a matter of great importance. I will go back and think about it carefully before giving you an answer." Shen Yan did not agree to Jia Lian immediately, but waited for a while.

Jia Lian knew what he meant, and did not force him to express his opinion immediately. He smiled and nodded, saying, "You need to think about it carefully. It's getting late. Let's go back quickly."

After Shen Yan left, he did not go home, but got on a sedan chair and was carried to a house. On the way, Shen Yan was still a little shaken. After all, he heard some stories about Jia Lian's past today. For example, when Jia Lian was on duty in various places, he was not soft-hearted in taking money. When he was in Guangdong, he was also very happy to take money. Jia Lian himself is a corrupt official. So, isn't it a joke to expect him to act impartially and in accordance with the law? We are all the same, and no one is a good person. Therefore, under the instructions of his elders, Shen Yan, although reluctantly, still went to pass on the message.

There were many people waiting for him in the house. Who were they? There were retired officials, some successful candidates, and some famous local people.

"Are you back? Did you meet the imperial envoy?" A middle-aged scholar saw Shen Yan and couldn't wait to ask him a question.

Shen Yan looked at the middle-aged scholar, then at the crowd, and found that everyone was looking at him with expectant eyes.

"In reply to my uncle, I have seen him and the message has been passed on. But, I, nephew, cannot understand the imperial envoy's reply." Shen Yan told the truth. He really did not understand Jia Lian's two statements about Suzhou.

"It's okay. The elders are here. Just take your time and we will help analyze it." Uncle Shen was not so anxious this time and his tone was softer.

After Shen Yan recounted the story, everyone had different expressions. This wasn't just about Suzhou. It was the same everywhere in the world, no matter where you served as an official.
When a local official is appointed as an official, it is really easy as long as he knows what is good for him. The gentry will definitely help him if there is something going on. After all, if he extorts money from the people in the name of the government, the benefits will fall on him, and the bad reputation will be borne by the official. On the contrary, it is just the opposite. There are many unruly people who do not cooperate, and the gentry will take the lead in making trouble.

So, everyone is thinking about one question: what does Jia Lian mean by this sentence?
Under the spotlight of everyone, retired official Qi had to speak up and analyze: "This matter is a bit particular. The three government offices, the prefectural government office, and the imperial envoy have all said that only the principal offender will be punished, and the accomplices will not be questioned. Combined with the incident of Prime Minister Sun's stroke and the analysis of the letters from old friends in the court, Jia Buqi may have to make a big move and must give His Majesty a result that he can get over."

Gentry Lin: "I know Jia Buqi. In the first half of the year, our family sold a batch of silk to Guangzhou. We sold it at a high price because we used Xue Pan's method. Xue Da Nao received 20% of the profit. His sister became Jia Buqi's concubine. It is possible that he received the money on behalf of Jia Buqi."

"So, he probably doesn't want to embarrass Suzhou, but wants to see Suzhou's sincerity." Uncle Shen looked like he had found the answer. When everyone looked at him, Uncle Shen couldn't help but feel very vain and said, "I am just guessing, I am not sure."

Another gentry said to the gentry Lin: "Brother Lin, your family has a minister in the imperial court. Do you need to rely on Jia Buqi's relationship to sell some silk in Guangzhou?"

The gentleman surnamed Lin sneered, "Even brothers should settle accounts openly. Although the Lin and Jia families are relatives by marriage, I am a relative of the same clan, right? Why would they do things for you if there is no benefit?"

The style of this discussion is a bit off track.

(End of this chapter)