Ming Dynasty: A mere unruly commoner is rebelling against the heaven?

Chapter 71: One hundred taels of silver a year, why should you work so hard?

Shuntian Mansion.

Jinghai Station.

Zhang Hai, the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, came all the way from the capital and urgently stopped Wang Yan from checking the land in Jinghai.

At this moment, there were only Zhang Hai, Wang Yan and Yang Jizong in the room of the post station.

Qin Lu, the second in command of the Western Factory, was taken away by Liu Zong, a local wealthy man and the Minister of Agriculture, early that morning.

"Doctor Wang, it's best not to measure the fields in Jinghai too thoroughly..."

After Zhang Hai said this, Wang Yan and Yang Jizong's faces both turned serious.

Before Wang Yan could reply, Yang Jizong sternly refuted him.

"Zhang Fuyin, what do you mean?"

"We are here at the order of Your Majesty to survey the land of the whole country. If we do not survey it thoroughly, wouldn't we be unworthy of Your Majesty's trust?"

Wang Yan also looked serious: "Prefect Zhang, what Censor Yang said is correct."

"You and I serve in the same court, and the most important thing is to gain the trust of His Majesty."

"If the work is not done well, how can I report to Your Majesty?"

"If the land survey is not thorough, how can I give an explanation to His Majesty?"

When the word "Your Majesty" was mentioned, the corners of Zhang Hai's eyes twitched, and the polite smile on his face seemed to be unable to maintain.

As the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, he held a huge grudge against Zhu Youtang.

Shuntian Prefecture was an important place in the capital, and the prefect was of the third grade, three levels higher than other prefects. It should have been a lucrative position that everyone envied.

However, since Zhu Youtang ascended the throne, he first eliminated a group of relatives from Shuntian Prefecture, then cleaned up a group of corrupt officials, and then implemented a currency reform.

Each of them hit him like a club, making him dizzy and his vision black.

Recently, Zhu Youtang even forced these officials to raise funds to build a palace for him, and Zhang Hai was forced to contribute 500 taels of silver.

This incident was undoubtedly a direct blow to his heart, causing him unbearable pain.

He was already extremely dissatisfied with Zhu Youtang.

But he must never show it on his face.

Zhang Hai laughed: "My two colleagues, what you said is very true."

"But after you gave an explanation to His Majesty, did you give an explanation to yourself, your parents, your wife and your children?"

Wang Yan and Yang Jizong both frowned and looked unhappy.

"Zhang Fuyin, what do you mean by this?"

"I don't mean anything. I'm just passing on a little something to the two adults."

Zhang Hai observed the expressions of Wang Yan and Yang Jizong, and took out two thick stacks of Hongzhi banknotes from his sleeves.

"Here are two thousand strings of Hongzhi treasure notes. Each of you will get one thousand strings."

"If you agree, when we survey the land, we can mark a little difference in the land of Mr. Liu Zongwai, and it will be yours."

"I'm sure you are all very clear about the current situation. Beijing officials cannot use silver and money, but you can use these Hongzhi treasure notes as soon as you collect them. You don't have to go through the trouble of exchanging silver for notes."

One string of Hongzhi Baochao is equivalent to one tael of silver.

In addition, officials in Beijing are not allowed to use silver and money now, so the price of these two thousand strings of Hongzhi Baochao is much higher than the price of two thousand taels of silver.

He spent two thousand strings of Hongzhi Baochao in one go, what a generous sum!
Wang Yan and Yang Jizong were both surprised to see Zhang Hai blatantly taking out the precious banknotes to bribe.

Seeing the surprised looks on their faces, Zhang Hai felt somewhat proud and continued his lobbying.

"Doctor Zhang, if your annual salary is converted into silver, it is only ninety-six taels, right?"

"As long as you nod, this thousand strings of cash will be yours. It's equivalent to your salary for ten years!"

"Yang Yushi, after the deduction of your annual salary, it seems to be 144 taels?"

"Well, if you agree, you can take the 1,000 strings of cash right away. It's equivalent to your salary for seven years!"

"My Lords, what are you still hesitating about?"

"It's just a matter of writing, and you can get a thousand strings of cash. Is there anything better than this in the world?" Zhang Hai looked at Wang Yan and then at Yang Jizong.

Seeing that the two of them didn't say anything, Zhang Hai suddenly felt anxious.

"Are you afraid of the eunuch Tan from the Western Factory?"

"Don't worry, Mr. Liu has already hosted a private banquet for that eunuch Tan."

"The amount of treasures that Eunuch Tan will get after this will not be less than you guys."

"We are all in the same boat, so we are safe!"

Yang Jizong looked indifferent, and stood up with his sleeves waving: "Zhang Fuyin, there is no need to persuade you anymore, please go back!"

"Take these thousand strings of precious banknotes with you!"

"The land survey is a national policy that benefits the country and the people. We will never go along with you and conceal the truth from your majesty!"

Yang Jizong spoke in a firm tone and with a resolute attitude, leaving no room for Zhang Hai.

Wang Yan glanced at Yang Jizong and also frowned.

"What Censor Yang said is correct. We swear to enforce the law impartially and will never change any data."

"But don't worry, we won't mention this to anyone."

"It's as if we have never met today. Mr. Zhang, take your treasure and go back."

Having said this, Zhang Hai stopped talking awkwardly and put away the two thousand strings of paper money on the table.

Before leaving, Zhang Hai was still mumbling: "Two idiots, one hundred taels of silver a year, why are you working so hard?"

"Instead of doing so many things for the Ming court, it would be better to make more money for yourself."

Yang Jizong's face turned pale and he glared at Zhang Hai.

Zhang Hai didn't take it seriously, thinking that he just couldn't help others.

But he would not return the money he had already taken.

Zhang Hai walked to the door of the room and just pushed it open when his face suddenly changed, his legs went weak, and he took several steps back unconsciously.

He was so terrified that his heart was beating fast. He lost his balance and fell to the ground.

Zhang Hai was in a panic and pointed at the person outside the door with disbelief on his face.

"You, you, why are you here? Didn't Mr. Liu invite you to a banquet?"

Qin Lu walked into the room with a stern face, and four guards from the Western Factory followed him into the room.

A bloody smell came, and there were spots of blood on Qin Lu's white clothes.

Qin Lu looked down at Zhang Hai with cold eyes.

"Liu Zong invited me to a banquet, and I went, but I'm back now."

"Besides, I also brought Liu Zong back with me."

"If you miss him, you can go see him now."

At this point, Qin Lu's tone suddenly became heavier.

"Take him away and let me interrogate him personally!"

"Yes, Second Gear!"

Two Western Factory guards immediately stepped forward, pulled up Zhang Hai, who was lying on the ground, and dragged him out of the room.

At this time, looking at the blood on Qin Lu's body, Zhang Hai finally felt scared.

He struggled desperately, and the Hongzhi banknotes in his hand fell to the ground.

"Master Qin, I was entrusted by someone. I've given you all the money. Can't I just not help you?"

"Master Qin, I was wrong, I was really wrong, please be flexible, please be flexible!"

"Master Qin, please spare my life!"

"..."

(End of this chapter)