Han official!

Chapter 142: Capture
The seal was sealed and the residents of Wushili were directly charged with the serious crime of counterfeiting coins.

Cruel officials such as Zhang Tang, Yin Qi, and Wang Wenshu could not help but exclaim in amazement.

Who could have imagined that the Han laws could be used in this way? For several months, the officials in Chang'an watched Zhao Tuo, a wealthy businessman, counterfeit coins and had no way to deal with him. However, Guo Jie sealed the matter and sentenced him to the crime of beheading and public execution.

The residents of Wushili were divided into two groups. One group was Zhao Tuo's direct relatives. All of them had their hands tied behind their backs with hemp ropes and wore foot hammers. There was only one place waiting for the fate of dozens of relatives: the tiger's den dug by Yin Qi in Chang'an Prison.

In addition, thousands of villagers were sent to the forest garden and entrusted to Sang Hongyang to build the garden in exchange for 500 acres of land.

The thief catchers and prison clerks in Wushili were separated. The thief catchers who were good at tying people up tied up all the villagers tightly to prevent them from breaking free from the ropes and running into the loess gullies when Guo Jie was not paying attention.

The prison clerk was good at searching things. He followed Wei Guang and began to search for valuable tables, pottery and ironware in Wushili.

"Four million!"

Wei Guang ran over with a scroll of bamboo slips in his hand, overjoyed, and handed it to Guo Jie: "The Zhao family of our host is also a powerful family with a fortune exceeding three million. Their various grains, silk, and three-zhu coins add up to a full four million coins."

"Four million?"

Guo Jie was surprised and said, "According to the records in the Yueyan Book, the host Zhao family was a powerful family with a fortune of three million. How could they have increased their wealth by one million in just a few months?"

The host Zhao family occupied most of the farmland in Wushili, and their property had reached the upper limit. The number of farmland in the nearby area was fixed, which also locked the upper limit of the property of a powerful family.

Continuing to occupy the land would only earn an extra 200,000 or 300,000 coins.

It is always locked at the upper limit of three million.

The maximum amount of corn produced by some small fields is only one million coins, or even hundreds of thousands of coins.

The host Zhao family is a big village, and a powerful family that has reached the upper limit of the big village.

Agricultural output has reached the limits of the land.

If you want to increase your family property, you can only use handicrafts such as workshops.

There is only one reason why the host Zhao family's property reached four million coins: they accumulated a large amount of wealth in a short period of time by making counterfeit coins.

"Counterfeiting money is a good business indeed."

Even though Chong Huangrou came from a wealthy family and had seen money measured in carts and buckets, she couldn't help but sigh, "Even I can't help but be tempted. No wonder Zhao Tuo risked his life in public just to forge counterfeit coins. With a few years of hard work, he might become a wealthy tycoon with a fortune exceeding five million."

A family fortune of more than three million is already the limit that a powerful person can achieve by relying solely on land.

Those with a household wealth of more than five million are all powerful people in the county and can become guests of honor of the county governor.

"There are also various meats and vegetables, as well as the money from selling the house."

Yi Zong, accompanied by several bandit-catchers, drove dozens of pigs, twenty sheep, and several ox carts to the gates of Yama. He handed Guo Jie a scroll of wood and said, "According to my brother-in-law's instructions, I have brought here scallions, salt, vinegar, and other food."

Wei Guang went to Yama's gate and brought the good news of four million yuan, but he failed to attract the attention of the thief catcher and the prison clerk.

These money and silk are not within the reach of petty officials.

Yi Zong arrived at Yama's Gate with a large amount of meat and vegetables, and handed the wooden tablet recording the number to Guo Jie, which instantly attracted the attention of all the thief catchers and prison clerks.

The thief catchers and prison clerks all raised their heads and looked at Guo Jie eagerly, waiting nervously and anxiously.

"The rules remain the same."

Guo Jie said with a smile, "Each thief catcher and jailer should take a pig, along with scallions, salt, vinegar, and other food. Take them home and give them to your families. This year they will have a prosperous life."

The thief catcher and the prison clerk were excited and felt extremely grateful for receiving the same meals as the other minor officials.

"If Mr. Guo has any instructions in the future, just let me know. I will never say a word."

"Mr. Guo is so righteous!"

"From now on, this little official's life will be sold to Mr. Guo."

Guo Jie smiled as he looked at the capital police officers and prison guards who were filled with gratitude just for some food and drink. He had taken a step further in infiltrating the grassroots.

"The two Cao officials also follow the same rules as before."

Guo Jie continued, "The rest of the sheep, as well as more scallions, salt, and vinegar, will be brought by the two Cao officials. Besides..."

He paused for a moment.

Let me tell you about another division that no one expected.

"Before Zhao Tuo died, he set fire to a house."

Guo Jie said seriously, "This fire destroyed several houses. Thanks to the strenuous efforts of the thief catcher and the prison clerk, we were able to bring the fire under control and prevent it from burning down the entire Wushili area."

Before Wei Guang and Yi Zong began to confiscate the property of Wushili, Zhang Tang left Wushili in a carriage covered with black cloth and returned to Chang'an to deal with the criminal cases in the government offices.

Guo Jie had no scruples and lied with his eyes open, saying that a big fire had broken out in Wushili.

"Take water?"

The thief catcher and the prison clerk were confused and did not understand what Guo Jie meant. Zhao Tuo had died in front of the Yama Gate long ago and did not set a fire before his death.

However, everyone present soon understood why Guo Jie said this.

"Hundreds of looms were burned."

Guo Jie pointed to the looms being carried out nearby and said sternly, "Each thief catcher and prison clerk will take home two looms, and the two Cao officials will each take home ten looms."

Take away the loom.

The fine linen cloth woven from ramie on a loom is cloth money!
What Guo Jie gave was not a loom.

It's a money printing machine!
The thief catcher and the prison officer were all stunned.

Yin Qi and Wang Wenshu were also stunned. They were actually given ten looms.

"Thank you, Mr. Guo."

"This time, I owe Mr. Guo a greater favor."

The cruel officials Yin Qi and Wang Wenshu smiled bitterly, bowed solemnly, and sighed slightly in their hearts. They had received Guo Jie's kindness many times and didn't know when they could repay him.

The thief catcher and the prison clerk bowed deeply.

They wished they could hang three wooden clubs around their waists, and would not stop until anyone dared to run to the palace gate to complain to Guo Jie had the three clubs broken.

Guo Jie turned around and looked at Wei Guang and the others. "The grain sold to the house in Wushili will be escorted to Jinchengluli by Su Jian and Wei Cao."

"Criminal officer?"

Su Jian was shocked at first, but he was also filled with indescribable gratitude. He was just a small clerk in the flag pavilion, but he was valued so much by a disciple.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of a gentleman dying for his friend.

Su Jian choked up and said, "How could I, a sinner, deserve such kindness from Lord Guo!"

Guo Jie did not expect that Pingling Marquis Su Jian would have such a strong reaction. Then he thought that he was just a small clerk in a township and was suddenly noticed by the head of the Organization Department of the capital.

It is understandable that Su Jian was so emotional.

"Haha."

Wei Guang laughed and reached out to pat Su Jian on the shoulder: "You are too happy too early, there is another good thing."

Chonghuangrou, Yizong, and Anguo Shaoji smiled knowingly.

I know what Wei Guang meant by this sentence.

Share the money!

Only Su Jian looked confused.

Guo Jie said with a smile, "Out of the four million coins, take out five hundred thousand coins. Wei Guang, Yi Zong, Chong Huangrou, An Guo Shao Ji, and Su Jian, each will receive one hundred thousand coins."

This time, Guo Jie and Mang Tong did not share the money.

Guo Jie took away 3.5 million coins to buy a title to atone for his sins and to buy land. The amount of money he took away was 35 times that of Wei Guang and others.

There was no need to divide the money again. Mangtong didn't like money, he wanted corn more.

Guo Jie simply gave all the grain in a granary to Mang Tong, and did not record it on the wooden slip that Wei Guang brought.

"One hundred thousand dollars?!"

Su Jian felt as if he was overwhelmed by the money. He felt dizzy and stared blankly at Guo Jie who had a smile on his face.

I can't believe it's true.

The family income of the middle family is no more than 100,000 coins.

Guo Jie directly gave him money and silk from a middle-class family.

"Mr. Guo."

Su Jian's eyes were slightly red, and he knelt down directly. "My wife and children were saved by Mr. Guo. How dare I accept another 100,000 yuan? When will I be able to repay Mr. Guo's kindness?"

"Please get up quickly."

Guo Jie quickly stepped forward and supported Su Jian. "No problem. I'd like to take your two sons as my disciples and teach them the art of sword fighting. We'll be family from now on. No need to be so polite."

"Jia'er."

Su Jian hurriedly called Su Jia over, and asked Madam Ying to bring Su Wu over: "Hurry and pay your respects to our teacher."

"Jia, meet your mentor."

Su Jia knelt on the ground and kowtowed, feeling dizzy until he left Wushili with the ox cart.

He still couldn't believe it.

Guo Jie, the Bianhu, turned out to be his mentor!
Su Jia sat on the screen, took the reins from Mang Tong, and personally gave the chariot to his mentor: "Go!"

"When will Guo Jie come?"

Zhao Yu stood at the gate of the Right Internal History's official temple, anxiously awaiting Guo Jie's arrival. "I wonder how much money and silk Guo Jie has brought back this time. The plan waits for no one. If Guo Jie doesn't return, the plan will be over."

In order to avoid any mistakes, the Yangling magistrate found the chief secretary of the prime minister's office and started the plan of the right internal historian in advance.

Zhao Yu was waiting for Guo Jie to bring back the money and silk from the Five Scholars. When he heard that the Right Secretary of the Interior had made a report in advance, he had no choice but to take the account book to the Right Secretary of the Interior's official temple.

Unexpectedly, Yangling Ling, who had been well prepared, knew Zhao Yu's background clearly in advance.

The account book brought by the Yangling magistrate contained three million more coins than Zhao Yu.

Even if Guo Jie followed the previous practice and confiscated the property of the powerful, he would still bring back 2.5 million coins.

The Yangling magistrate still had 500,000 more coins than Zhao Yu.

"hehe."

The Yangling Magistrate left the Right Internal Historian's Temple and sneered, "I've already figured out your details. Even if I send Guo Jie to Wushili—or rather, ask Chong Huangrou to go there—to confiscate the Zhao family's property, it still won't be enough to cover the wealth of Yangling."

He didn't take Chong Huangrou's guest Guo Jiefang seriously.

Zhao Tuo was a county magistrate.

Guo Jie was just a county official and did not dare to confiscate Jun Litian's property.

There is only one possibility.

Zhao Yu persuaded Chong Huangrou to use the eldest son of Qu Chenghou to confiscate the millet, money and silk from the five scholars.

This was not the first time that Zhao Yu had confiscated the property of the powerful. Each time, he brought back a maximum of 2.5 million coins.

This time was the same, and he could only bring back 2.5 million coins from the home of the powerful Zhao Tuo.

The Yangling Magistrate acted as if he had everything under control. "I know you only confiscate 2.5 million coins each time. This year, you brought 3 million more coins. Even if Guo Jie, the criminal you confiscated despite tarnishing your reputation, brought back money and silk from the Wushili, what difference does that make? It's still 500,000 coins less than Yangling County. This year, Yangling County will be ranked first in the report."

He spent countless thoughts and efforts for today, and even found the powerful people in Chang'an and promised them many benefits.

How could Zhao Yu come out on top?

The Yangling Magistrate looked at the anxious Zhao Yu and sneered, "The Right Internal History position is already in my hands. Don't be so delusional. Just continue to be the Chang'an Magistrate and serve as a subordinate under me."

Zhao Yu's face was gloomy.

He and Yangling Ling have always been at odds.

Let him work as a minor official for the Yangling magistrate.

Zhao Yu felt even more uncomfortable than the torture he suffered during the Qin Dynasty at the hands of Yi Zong.

"It's getting late."

Gaozu's mausoleum commander, Changling Lingling, came out, glanced at the sky, and said, "It's not long until dusk (18:00-18:45). County Magistrate Zhao, please go in early so as not to delay the report."

Not only the Changling Ling, but also the Anling Ling of Emperor Hui and the Baling Ling of Emperor Wen, all wore black clothes and wore a Jinxian crown on their heads, standing at the gate of the official temple waiting to see Zhao Yu make a fool of himself.

The Jinxian crown is divided into three beams, two beams and one beam.

The number of beams is also an important feature to distinguish the size of official positions.

Only officials with a salary of 1,000 or 600 shi could wear a Yiliang Jinxian crown.

Generally speaking, only county magistrates or county clerks began to wear Liangguan.

The county magistrate is the Erliang Jinxian crown.

Dukes and marquises wear the three-beam crown of Jinxian.

Several mausoleum county magistrates were also at odds with each other and often quarreled with each other, all wanting to turn the single-beam Jinxian crown on their heads into a two-beam Jinxian crown.

The cruel official Zhao Yu frequently executed the powerful and wealthy, which aroused the disgust of officials who came from powerful families.

Compared to the Yangling Ling who often fought.

Several mausoleum county magistrates did not want to see Zhao Yu serve as the Right Internal History.

"It's still early morning (16:30-17:15), so there's still plenty of time, no rush."

Although Zhao Yu said he was not in a hurry, he was extremely anxious in his heart. He kept looking to the side, hoping to see Guo Jie.

"Don't wait any longer."

The Yangling Magistrate said impatiently, "What good is it that Guo Jie, the Imperial Guardsman from Chang'an, has brought in the money and silk of the Five Scholars? It's still less than the three million coins of Yangling. I advise you to give up and return to await my orders. As this year's garrison troops haven't been sent to the frontier yet, I order you to lead them to the northwest border."

A dignified Chang'an magistrate was forced to escort garrison soldiers to the border.

He was ordered around by a clerk on the spot.

A great humiliation.

"you"

Zhao Yu was furious: "Until the last moment, it's still unknown who will win!"

"Mr. Zhao."

Ox carts appeared on the side road, and Guo Jie finally returned to Chang'an with money and silk worth five hundred thousand yuan.

Zhao Yu asked nervously and expectantly, "How much money did you bring back this time?"

Guo Jie approached, jumped off the ox cart, bowed, and said, "It's not much, only 3.5 million coins."

Three and a half million coins!

"Haha."

Zhao Yu suddenly burst into laughter, turned his head to stare at the Yangling Magistrate, and said sinisterly, "I'm assigning you to escort the garrison soldiers. No, you're a magistrate after all, so how can you do the dirty work of escorting garrison soldiers? I'm ordering you to inspect all the restrooms in the townships under the Right Internal Affairs Secretary. You're not allowed to come back until you've completed your inspection!"

(End of this chapter)