King of Song

Chapter 98 Where to start?

A series of personnel changes and institutional reforms in the Song Dynasty shocked more than just Bianjing.When the mansion reported it to Hangzhou, it was like a big rock falling from the sky, and the calm West Lake was suddenly churned with waves.

Although Wang Anshi's appearance is inevitable and it will be a matter of time, but the news still shocked many people.In particular, the establishment of the Three Divisions and Regulations Division is almost a detached existence that controls the lifeline of the Song Dynasty, which makes many people uncomfortable.In the city of Hangzhou, everyone has their own ideas and plans.

"Brother, Wang Anshi is a political adviser, so Lin Zhao can't be more arrogant?" Zhao Zhongshan was worried. Although they were descendants of the clan, they were far behind the prime minister in terms of power.

Dongyang County Duke Zhao Zhongye sneered: "What are you afraid of? Zhao Xu is really bold, let them make trouble. I want to see what he can do with Wang Anshi?"

Zheng Xie, the magistrate of Hangzhou, had been at odds with Wang Anshi from the very beginning, and his relegation had a lot to do with this, so he was very annoyed.The reform has not yet started, and there is already serious resistance.While sighing, he yawned again and again, feeling very tired.At present, all the government affairs in Hangzhou are on his shoulders, and I don't know when the new general judge will arrive?

Chen Hong in Qiantang Chen's house is indignant. Wang Anshi is the chancellor and holds great power in the world. His "minion" Lin Zhao will definitely become more arrogant. Wouldn't it be even more difficult to take revenge in the future?Also, I heard that Mu Sihong, the leader of Jiangning's trip, came to Hangzhou. She is as beautiful as jade. It's a pity that I never saw her beauty. It's really a pity.Thinking of this, he immediately felt itchy, but unfortunately he was confined by his father, and he couldn't get out, it was really urgent!

By the West Lake, on the Leifeng Pagoda, a [-]-year-old man got the news and snorted coldly: "Zhao Xu...doesn't take his ancestor's foundation seriously, this is going to end the Song Dynasty!"

A beautiful young woman came slowly behind her, and said lightly: "I didn't work hard at home bit by bit. Naturally, I don't cherish it. What's the use of being in a hurry? It's hard to say for now, maybe... it's a good thing for us." !"

The man hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said: "Yes, if it causes chaos in the world, it is best to be unpopular... In this way, our chances will be a little bit more!"

The young woman said in a flat tone: "Don't daydream right now. Accumulating strength is the most important thing to get back my mother's things. It's just that Zhao Zongyong and his son are so concerned... Alas, the top priority is to muddy the water in Hangzhou and let them He has no time to care about it..."

"Well, fishing in troubled waters is the best strategy." The man agreed deeply, and said, "I thought that Lin Zhao's coming would break the peace of Hangzhou, but I didn't expect him to keep his face. If things go on like this, it's not an option."

"Song Guan's family sent a brat here. It's really whimsical. It's so easy to break the situation..." The young woman kept a disdainful sneer on her face, and said in a deep voice, "Why don't we help him? How about pushing the waves to fuel the flames?"

"This..." The man hesitated for a moment, nodded and said, "Okay, let Li Feng push from that side, but be careful, don't dare to trap us too... Tell me, if they fall , Will we be cold-hearted? The man seems to be a little bit worried and apprehensive."

"Don't worry, how much money can you make with just that little sea salt?" The young woman's eyes were raised above her head, and she said disdainfully, "Can it compare to my family's savings from two Zhejiang provinces and thirteen prefectures over the past century? Wealth is beyond compare!"

"Okay, what Madam said is true, but Li Feng is still very useful to us, try to be careful!" The man instructed, and he was very accommodating to the young woman in words.

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Lin Zhao got the news from Shen Kuo, and just smiled lightly. It was completely expected, and there was nothing to make a fuss about.

Right now, the reform is about to start, whether it can be implemented smoothly, or what the result will be is still unknown. It is a long process with a heavy responsibilities and a long way to go.

This is something that the emperor and the prime ministers are worried about. I don't need to worry about it when I am a small promotion officer, and I have my own worries right now.Recently, it seems that he just travels around the mountains and rivers to do scientific research every day, but Lin Zhao has never forgotten his business and has never been idle.Through the Shen family by accident, Lin Zhao already had a preliminary understanding of the situation in Hangzhou, which was of great help to him to gain a firm foothold.

Of course, the most important thing is to wait for news from Su An.Since the day he arrived in Hangzhou, Lin Zhao had assigned him another task and asked him to leave first.If there is robbery once, there will be no second time. In Hangzhou city, personal safety is still guaranteed.

Su Bozhou was still very efficient in handling affairs, and brought valuable returns after more than ten days.

"Bozhou, how's the situation?" Lin Zhao hurriedly asked, feeling a little uncomfortable because he didn't have a clue for more than ten days.

Su An whispered: "Young master, I have visited many coastal villages these days, and I have also seen the salt fields by the sea. The people who dry the salt are very hard. I have inquired secretly, and the production of sea salt has been good in recent years..."

Lin Zhao was puzzled and said, "But according to the report received by the court, the salt production on Liangzhe Road has dropped dramatically in the past two years!"

"The people who dry the salt said that the government often goes to buy sea salt...but the price has not been high...even many fishermen have been pulled back to let the salt go... It can be seen that the lives of those people who rely on sea salt for food are really hard ..." Seeing many tragic situations in the past few days, Su An couldn't bear it.

Manpower increased, but production decreased?Lin Zhao shook his head lightly, and then asked, "How about the illegal salt sales among the common people?" I remember that in the feudal era when Yantie was run by government officials, illegal salt sales had always existed in the southeast.This has been the case in all dynasties. For example, Zhang Shicheng, who revolted at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, started his business as a private salt dealer.

"There are, but as far as I know, there are fewer private salt dealers now... I heard news on the way that there was a salt gang with hundreds of people in Yuhang County, which was relatively famous, but it was attacked two years ago. There were heavy casualties, a few died, and those who were still alive became disabled... They are private salt dealers, and they dare not report to the government... The government usually handles this kind of case as a fight between salt lords, and they don't care much about it. ...

In the past, salt smugglers were caught by the government at most, and they were imprisoned, at least they would not be killed, but this time...many people were terrified...only a few people had no choice but to take the risk..."

Lin Zhao was silent. Selling private salt is a crime against the wind, and most of it is a desperate situation. Although it is illegal, it is pitiful.Unexpectedly, there will be such a tragic experience. Who is so cruel?
"By the way, do you know the salt price on Liangzhe Road?" Lin Zhao asked another question.

Su An said: "Normally, together with the nearby east and west of Jiangnan and Huainan Road, the price of salt has been fairly stable."

"In this way, there is no problem with supply and demand. There are still so many people, the amount of salt used has not changed much, the price has remained the same, but the output has decreased. It is obviously abnormal..."

Lin Zhao shook his head and said, "It seems that there is indeed a problem with the salt affairs of Liangzhe Road. According to the court, the salt production in Liangzhe Road has decreased by [-] to [-]% in recent years... But judging from the current situation, it seems that it's not true……"

"How could this be?" Su An was very surprised.

Lin Zhao said lightly, "Hmph, that's it. It seems that the water on Liangzhe Road is very deep!"
That's right, Emperor Zhao Xu sent Lin Zhao to Hangzhou this time for one word - salt!

In ancient times, salt, iron, copper, and even tea were all government-run, which was also a very important source of taxation for the imperial court.

In ancient times, salt was produced in many ways. Sea salt was eaten in the southeast, pond salt was produced in the northwest of Bingzhou, and well salt in Sichuan and Sichuan in the southwest.Among them, sea salt has a large proportion. The southeast region, along the Jianghuai and Zhejiang provinces, is an important sea salt producing area, and naturally it is also a place with heavy salt taxes.

However, since the first year of Hidemune Zhihei, in the past five or six years, the salt production of Liangzhe Road has decreased year by year, and it can even be said to have plummeted.Compared with the heyday of Renzong's later years, it has been reduced by almost half.At the same time, the salt tax was also greatly reduced.

The reason given by Liangzhe Road is that Haimin’s passive sabotage and natural reasons have greatly reduced the production of sea salt.The supervisory censor couldn't find out why, and for some other reasons, Emperor Yingzong never asked.

But when it came to Zhao Xu, not only did the situation not improve, but it even worsened.Zhao Xu couldn't tolerate Dad's historical legacy, so naturally he had to solve it.Reform and reform require a lot of money, and the salt tax in Zhejiang and Zhejiang is of great significance.Of course, Zhao Xu has always done things one by one, and likes to make fuss behind his back, and this time is no exception.

It is inconvenient to send someone to investigate blatantly, and it is estimated that there is no reason to find out.After thinking about it, Zhao Xu must start from the root and find a proper solution.Just at this time, Lin Zhao "made a mistake", so he took the opportunity to demote Lin Zhao to Hangzhou.

With good reasons, capable and loyal, Lin Zhao is definitely the best candidate.Zhao Xu didn't expect to be able to hide anyone, at least his goal of scaring the snake was achieved.Afterwards, it depends on Lin Zhao's ability. Once he finds out the clues, he will fully support and deal with it with thunder.

The task is arduous, and Lin Zhao knows very well that the people behind the scenes will definitely guard against him. It is very likely that he will be struggling alone.Fortunately, Su An followed, and there was a reliable person by his side.So, with light and darkness, he covered himself, and Su An went out to make an unannounced visit, which was really rewarding...

So what if you just know the inside story?According to the current situation, the problem of illegal salt sales on Liangzhe Road is not small.With such a scale, it is impossible for some peddlers to make small troubles, so it must involve a lot, and even some local officials on Liangzhe Road are not clean.

Lin Zhao is not afraid of power and resistance, but where should he start?Right now there is no breakthrough at all!Being powerless and doing nothing is the most painful thing.

Just when Lin Zhao was struggling, a fragrant invitation came to his door, inviting him to visit the West Lake in the evening of the next day.The three beautiful small characters on the signature are clearly visible... Mu Sihong!

　Thanks to dragen777, Gu Lingfenghuang, book friend 130713163107647, book friend 120912111313872, call me Jiuye, and Shuixie Kaka for their rewards!Thanks to Jiang Leiting, Lazy Pig Xiaofei, and ☆Good Brother for their monthly votes.This volume has a large layout and too many thread ends, so I have to ask three questions to get my thoughts straight, at least three more tomorrow...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)