I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 619: Do you think my osprey is a sparrow in Dongting Lake?

Changsha City is divided into two counties, Changsha and Shanhua, and is a thousand-year-old city. Emperor Gaozu of the Western Han Dynasty was conferred the title of King of Changsha and established his kingdom here.

In the Ming Dynasty, it was the seat of Shafu, a high-ranking official in Huguang Province.

During the Longqing period, the then crown prince, now the emperor, issued an edict that in order to develop Huguang, Huguang Province would be divided into Hubei and Hunan provinces, and the newly established Hunan Three Departments would govern Changsha City.

Now Changsha City not only has the Three Departments, but also the Futai Yamen and the Huguang Governor's Yamen.

The Hunan Governor was a permanent post, while the Huguang Governor-General was a temporary post. He could be stationed in Wuchang, Changsha, or even Xiangyang, Jiangling, or Changde, depending on the Governor-General Wang Yi'e's willingness.

Now the Huguang Governor's Office is located in Changsha City.

But the Governor-General of Huguang could not sit still. He spent less time in Changsha and more time wandering around Changde, Baoqing and Yueyang. He also went as far as Cili, Yongdingwei, Dayongso and Sangzhi Pacification Office to the west of Yuezhou Prefecture.

The new governor of Hunan has not yet taken office. The nominal highest official in Hunan is Hu Xi, the Hunan Provincial Governor and Acting Governor of Hunan.

However, these things in the officialdom did not affect the peace and prosperity of Changsha City.

Yunfeng Tower is located on the south side of Dingwang Terrace. It is divided into three parts: left, right and middle. The middle one is six stories high, with lofts and corridors. It overlooks the Xiangjiang River and the whole city. It is magnificent and resplendent, with lights and wine, and is the first emerging elegant and romantic place in Changsha.

The sun had just set on the top of Yuelu Mountain in the west of the city. There was already a bustling crowd of people and cars, and dozens of sedan chairs stopped one after another, with scholars and Confucian scholars coming out.

Horse-drawn carriages are now gradually becoming popular in the east, south, north and south. In the capital, Shanghai, Suzhou, Taiyuan and other places, there are even people-drawn rickshaws, which have become a means of transportation for ordinary people.

The sedan chair gradually withdrew from the list of daily means of transportation for officials and civilians.

However, in the inland areas of Central Plains, Northwest China, Jiangxi, Huguang, Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou, sedan chairs or sedan chairs still stubbornly hold on to their one-third acre of land.

The lobby on the first floor of Yunfeng Tower was as noisy and bustling as a vegetable market. People were wearing long blue silk robes, Confucian scarves and Zhongjing hats, and occasionally Taoist robes with straight sewn patterns.

Many people put their hands up and couldn't put them down when they entered the door. They were all acquaintances.

"Mr. Xia, I haven't seen you for a long time. I have read your new work and benefited a lot from it. I will ask for your advice in person some other day."

"Mr. Baoshi, I heard that you are going to take a concubine again? You are taking a new title and taking a concubine. Are you going to serve as an official again?"

Everyone laughed.

Since the Hongzhi and Zhengde years of the Ming Dynasty, once a scholar passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi, the first thing he would do was to give himself a name and then take in a concubine. These were called the two things that required him to start an official career. Otherwise, other people would say that he had passed the imperial examination in vain.

Several scholars and literati were walking up the stairs, preparing to go to the fifth floor, but were stopped by the waiter.

"Why don't you let me wait? Are our silver dollars not money?"

"Calm down, sir!" The waiter said with an apologetic smile, "The fifth and sixth floors are reserved today."

Who is so generous?
They actually booked the fifth and sixth floors of Yunfeng Building, which have the best views and are the most expensive?
No matter who it is, we, the little students and scholars, cannot afford to offend him.
Several scholars and literati looked at each other, thinking they couldn't afford to offend him, and turned around and went downstairs.

One of them was unwilling to give up, so he turned back and asked the waiter a few more questions.

"Brother Qinglian, who is it?"

"The rich man!"

"Oh, is he from Wuchang or Shanghai?"

"Do you look down on our Sanxiang family?"

"Brother, we are from Hunan and Xiang families, and we all pass down our traditions of farming and studying. Who has such great financial resources and courage to spend a fortune here?"

"Brother Qinglian, have you forgotten about those mountain rich people in southern Hunan?"

"Them!" The scholar slapped his forehead. "Damn it, I was careless and forgot about these people. They can really spend a lot of money."

"Brothers, what mountain man are you talking about? Who is he?" asked the third one, not knowing what was going on.

"The aristocratic gentry who run the mines in southern Hunan."

"Oh!" The man suddenly realized, "They are indeed so generous. They all have mines at home!"

"My dear brothers, I have inquired and found out that the one who booked the place is Li Shangshu from Leiyang."

"Who is that Shi Xinggong who was the Minister of Works in Nanjing and the Chief Priest of Shigu Academy?" the other two asked in surprise.

"Exactly."

"Haha, then we have to avoid him. Once he comes, the disciples of Shigu Academy will definitely follow him. If they see us, the three students of Yehou Academy, they will make a fuss again."

"Let's go, let's go, let's just find an ordinary private room to eat. These people are very powerful, we can't afford to offend them but we can avoid them!"

The sixth floor has the best view. It can be divided into six private rooms. Now the waiter has taken down the screens and connected them into one large room. With seven people sitting in the room, it looks particularly spacious.

"Lord Shixing, Governor Wang Yi'e is really going too far!" said an elegant scholar angrily. He was wearing a brocade Huluo shirt, a scholar's scarf on his head, and a gold-threaded silk belt inlaid with several pieces of green jade around his waist.

He pays great attention to his elegance in every word and action, but his every move cannot conceal the aura of having become rich overnight.

"Look at you, you're anxious again!" The man who spoke was over sixty years old, upright and dignified.

He was Shi Xing Gong, whose name was Li Shan, a native of Leiyang. He became a Jinshi in the 17th year of Jiajing and retired as the Minister of Works in Nanjing.

"Master Shixing, it's not that the students are not anxious, it's that Wang Yi'e is in a strong position and won't show mercy. If he hadn't instigated and nodded, would Mr. Hu dare to send people from the Taxation Bureau?"

"Brother Zhong Jian is right. Lord Shixing, Wang Yi'e is short of military pay and wants to make some money. Just tell us. We are not ungrateful and will not be stingy in helping with the pay.

Now, why are they sending the tax bureau here without saying anything? "

"That's right. If we help Wang Yi'e's governor's office with financial support, we can still get some favors. If we hand over the mining tax to the tax bureau, it's like throwing stones into the water. We will get nothing. Why should we pay it?
We are not stupid!"

"Yes, yes! We open a mine just to find a way out for the villagers."

A plump man in his thirties, dressed in silk and satin, a clerk's hat, and two sachets hanging from his jade-inlaid leather waist. On each side were two round plates inlaid with gold and jade, each with the words "Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, and Wisdom" written on it.

Logically speaking, he was exceeding the rules, because this kind of plaque was usually bestowed by the emperor on dukes, marquises, earls, hereditary governors, and commanders-in-chief.

He stood in the crowd, gesticulating and talking.

"Southern Hunan has high mountains and dense forests, and the harvest is not abundant. The people live in poverty. As gentry, we are the people of the village, and how can we sit back and do nothing?

I have invested money and effort to explore the mineral veins, and recruited people to dig wells and mine. That's not all. I have to come to Changsha, Wuchang, and even Suzhou Jiangning to find merchants to buy our mines. For such a broken mine, I have worked hard and lost several pounds in three to five years. Why? It's for the benefit of my hometown!"

Others echoed: "That's right, a broken mine doesn't bring much income all year round. Why are we working so hard? It's to benefit our hometown!"

Li Shan raised her hand and pressed it down, "Okay, don't say any more."

The fat mine owner took out a cotton towel and wiped the sweat off his forehead, still looking angry, "Master Shixing, we have to speak out!

We have brought benefits to our hometown, but the government does not appreciate our efforts and even exploits us. The people in the tax bureau are like wolves and tigers, and they regard us as bandits. We are angry but dare not speak out.

They were too arrogant and provoked real bandits, who robbed and killed them on the way and lost their lives. Now they blame us. Why!
Although we are not yet officials, we have all studied the books of sages for more than ten years and worked hard to win honors in the examination hall. We are the pillars of the country and have a heart for the country and the people. Even if others do not know, we are worthy of heaven and earth. "

"Well said!" Several people cheered loudly.

"Brother Deguang, your words should be made clear!"

Li Shan stroked his beard and looked at the six people who were indignant there with a smile. When everyone had vented their anger, he waved his hand and signaled everyone to listen to him.

"My dear friends, please be patient!"

The six people turned their heads at the same time and looked at him, waiting for him to speak.

"It's just a little bit of noise, but we don't need to take it to heart." Li Shan glanced at the six people and was satisfied.

Although the mining tax collection issue has caused a stir, judging from the current trend, the court has softened its stance. That's right, the emperor and the cabinet have the final say in the central government!
But this is the place!

The emperor is far away and the sky is high, and it is us gentry who have the final say in local affairs!
What about Osprey Governor?
We have achievements and connections to protect us, what can you do to us?
“Don’t worry, we will continue to operate the mine.

I have some connections in Nanjing and the Ministry of Industry. The demand for lead, silver and copper in the imperial court and Suzhou is increasing. They can buy as much as we produce in our mines.

These things can all be used as money. With money in hand, what are you afraid of? "

The other six people smiled happily, looked at each other, and expressed their joy.

The fat and plump brother Deguang said, "Master Shixing, I heard that you have been running around to rebuild Shigu Academy. I am a student of Shigu Academy and I am willing to contribute to your school.

Hou is willing to donate 5,000 silver dollars to repair the Shigu Academy and print the works of the sages. "

"Kuang is willing to pay 4,000 silver dollars."

"Jiang is willing to pay 4,500 silver dollars!"

"Liu is willing to pay three thousand silver dollars. Liu is not as good as you, so I can only do my best. Just do my best!"

Li Shan's face was even more joyful, and she shook her head and said, "Our Shigu Academy is a holy place for Neo-Confucianism. Mr. Lianxi (Zhou Dunyi) and Mr. Zhu Xi of the former Song Dynasty both gave lectures here.

Zhu Zi even wrote "Shigu Academy Records", "Nurture it before it is fully developed, observe its potential when it is about to develop, expand and enrich it if it is good, and eliminate it if it is bad. It is just like this, why wait for me to say it!"

Wise words are like thunder, never ceasing to ring in our ears.

In the present dynasty, the learning atmosphere of Shigu Academy has become more prosperous, with people learning literature, cultivating virtue, distinguishing one's will and carefully studying, equalizing ethics and understanding benevolence, and spreading Neo-Confucianism more widely. We also invited Mr. Dazhou and Mr. Lumen to give lectures here, making it a holy place that scholars and Confucian scholars all over the country yearn for.

Fatty Deguang quickly flattered, "It's all thanks to Lord Shixing. After he retired, Lord Shixing didn't want to retire, so he resolutely accepted the invitation and became the chief priest of Shigu Academy. He worked hard for many years, and that's why our Shigu Academy is so prosperous today!"

The other five people also flattered him. Li Shan stroked his beard and listened to their words with a smile. His face straightened and he said seriously: "You are all students of Shigu Academy. You are well versed in Neo-Confucianism and have won the imperial examinations. You are the pillars of the country. Now the evil has deceived the emperor and Li Zhi's evil teachings are rampant. We must rise up, cleanse the evil haze, and clarify the moral principles!"

The six people stood up, bowed to Li Shan, and said solemnly: "Students are willing to go through fire and water for the sake of teaching philosophy, and we will do anything!"

Li Shan said with satisfaction: "Okay, today I will book these two floors and invite people with lofty ideals from Hunan and Xiangxi to gather together to discuss the plan of revitalizing the orthodox teachings and spreading the science of Confucianism.

Well, we can also mention what’s happening at the mine and ask the famous scholars from Hunan to lend our support.

"When the righteousness is just, there will be many supporters. When everyone adds fuel, the flames will rise high. I believe that more and more people will stand on our side. The more people support our justice, the more the shameless behavior of Governor Osprey and the incompetent governors who bully the people will be restrained!"

"Okay, we'll leave it to Lord Shixing to decide!"

The Hunan Futai Yamen was built in the former Huguang Anchasi Yamen of the Hunan Circuit. It has now become the headquarters of the Huguang Governor-General. The acting Hunan Governor and Hunan Provincial Governor Hu Xi still works in the Provincial Government Yamen.

At dusk, he hurried into the Futai Yamen through the side door, and was received by Wu Chengen, the chief secretary of the Governor-General of Huguang.

"Mr. Wu has met with Mr. Hu."

"Changshi Wu," Hu Xi bowed, his eyes flashing with anxiety, "Vice-General Wang just came back from Yuezhou and hurriedly summoned me. What's the urgent matter?"

Wu Cheng'en was also willing to do him a favor. He looked around and said softly, "There's an urgent letter from the capital."

The anxiety in Hu Xi's eyes grew, "Alas, Shigu Academy is deeply rooted, and its connections spread all over the world. The Chief Censor Dazhou once gave lectures at Shigu Academy. He is the emperor's teacher and one of the four advisors. His power is not inferior to that of the Prime Minister Zhang Xiang.

There is also the newly appointed Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, Mr. Lu Men, who also taught at Shigu Academy and was in the same class as Li Shan.

"I still think that Governor Wang is being too hasty in dealing with the mining tax issue."

Wu Cheng'en smiled and said nothing more.

Hu Xi was an honest official and a loyal, kind and simple person. He served as a councilor of Huguang and deputy envoy of Yunnan. He was called "son of Buddha" by local officials and people. However, he still lacked some experience in how to be an official!
To put it bluntly, it's a bit pedantic.

Wu Cheng'en led Hu Xi to the signing room in the backyard.

"Taiwan Governor Hu, please sit down for a moment. The governor will come over soon after he changes his clothes."

Hu Xi nodded, sat down uncomfortably, holding a cup of tea with a sad face.

Following Wang Yi'e's orders, he dispatched personnel from the Taxation Bureau of the Provincial Administration Office to conduct a tax investigation on more than a dozen mines in southern Hunan. As a result, conflicts broke out with the miners. Then, these people from the Taxation Bureau were either robbed and killed by bandits or injured in conflicts with villagers, and returned in disgrace.

The governor sent letters to all prefectures and counties, and the prefectures and counties replied in written form with similar meanings, saying that the tax bureau was arrogant and extorted money after arriving at the local area, and the villagers could not bear the humiliation and conflicts broke out, which was understandable.

The mine was willing to pay for the medical expenses of the injured tax collector.

As for being robbed and killed by bandits, the prefecture and county had no way to deal with it. They could only ask the Military Preparation Department to gather troops to clear out the bandits, and the mine was willing to pay a sum of money for burning and burying the bandits.

No matter how pedantic Hu Xi was, he knew there was something fishy going on, but he could do nothing about it.

"Brother Bo'an," Wang Yi'e's voice came from the door, "This time I not only slapped you in the face, but also slapped me in the face. Haha, it seems that I, the osprey, have been treated like a sparrow when I arrived at Dongting Lake!"

(End of this chapter)