I, Emperor Chongzhen, have extended the life of the Ming Dynasty by five hundred years.

The next morning, the sky was still hazy.

Five large trucks were parked in front of the county government office, carrying dozens of large boxes.

The tire tracks were deep, and the contents of the box looked very heavy.

The workers quickly got to work and started carrying it down.

Li Ruolian came out and asked, "What are you doing?"

"I am here on my master's orders to deliver something to Prefect He."

Li Ruolian then asked, "Who is your master?"

"Master Fan Liuyang had dinner with the Prefect just the other day."

"What's in the box...?"

Just as Li Ruolian was about to step forward to check, someone patted her on the shoulder.

He turned his head and saw that it was the Chongzhen Emperor.

Just as he was about to bow, he suddenly remembered that he was traveling incognito, so he composed himself and said, "These people came early this morning, saying that they are gifts sent by Master Fan. This humble servant is preparing to open the box for inspection."

Zhu Youjian said, "How can we, as servants, presume to inspect the things that Master Fan gave to Prefect He?"

"But, this..."

Zhu Youjian waved his hand and then said to the person who came, "Put it down. Tell Master Fan that the things have been left behind."

"Since you're quite sensible, this is a reward for you!"

The other party was very satisfied and took out two silver ingots from his pocket and handed them over.

Zhu Youjian smiled and accepted it, saying, "I would be honored to accept your offer!"

The other person nodded, then glanced at Li Ruolian, thinking to himself, "You're just a sentry, yet you dare to meddle in the affairs of the prefect? ​​You're really asking for trouble!"

He Fu came out as soon as these people left.

"Your Majesty, this is..."

Zhu Youjian looked at him with a smile: "This is a gift from Master Fan."

He Fu's expression turned somewhat unpleasant. He said, "Your Majesty, please don't make fun of me. This is not funny at all!"

"Then guess what's in these boxes?"

"What else could it be? Silver!"

Just then, Hong Niangzi's voice came from behind.

Zhu Youjian asked, "Are you sure?"

Hong Niangzi pointed to the cart tracks by the door and said, "Such deep cart tracks must be silver. Let's make a bet!"

"What's the bet? If you guess wrong, you'll lead your troops to surrender to the Ming Dynasty. How about that?"

Lady Hong frowned and said, "You, the emperor, are so unreliable. Is this something you can bet on?"

Zhu Youjian smiled sheepishly and said, "Alright, I was presumptuous just now. What do you want to bet on?"

After thinking for a moment, Hong Niangzi said, "If I'm right, immediately issue an order to kill that corrupt official Xie Jinrong!"

"What if you guessed wrong?"

"impossible!"

The matchmaker said confidently, "I can even smell the silver; there's no way I could be wrong!"

"The smell of silver? You've got that kind of skill?"

"So what? You know those landlords and gentry, they often hide their silver, some in cellars, some built into walls, but as long as I take a look around, I can find it immediately!"

After hearing this, Zhu Youjian sighed inwardly.

Such talent would definitely be useful when placed in the Embroidered Uniform Guard and their homes are raided!

"Alright, Li Ruolian, open the box!"

"yes!"

Li Ruolian pried open the scabbard, and a burst of silver light immediately rushed towards her.

This silvery sheen is real silver!

A large box, full of silver, was neatly stacked together.

Lady Hong smiled and said, "How about it? I wasn't wrong, was I?"

Li Ruolian opened another box, and sure enough, it was filled with neatly arranged silver ingots!

Until all the chests were opened, they were filled with silver, gleaming silver!

After a quick count, it turned out to be a whopping 50,000 taels.

He Fu's face turned green with anger, and he said, "Your Majesty, I was unaware of this. I will return immediately..."

"Why!"

Zhu Youjian quickly stopped him, saying, "They've already brought it, don't rush to return it, accept it first."

"Your Majesty, are you... joking?"

He Fu stared wide-eyed, somewhat at a loss.

Zhu Youjian said, "Of course I'm not joking. The fish has already taken the bait. What if you return the bait and scare the fish away?"

"So His Majesty had this planned all along..."

He Fu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and let out a long breath.

Zhu Youjian said, "That Master Fan and our Magistrate Xie will definitely come to you today, asking for your help. Deal with them first, but don't agree too easily, and don't refuse outright either. Let's see what they're really up to!"

He Fu bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhu Youjian then looked at Li Ruolian: "I wonder what Luo Yangxing has been busy with lately. We should find him something to do!"

Li Ruolian replied, "Your Majesty, I will immediately dispatch a swift horse to the capital!"

"Hey, hey!"

Seeing that Zhu Youjian had finished giving his instructions, Hong Niangzi couldn't hold back any longer.

"We just agreed that if I guessed right, you would kill Xie Jinrong! You are the emperor; you can't go back on your word!"

Zhu Youjian nodded and said, "I agree, but you didn't say when, did you?"

"Wh...what?"

"Even if we kill him ten years later, it won't break the agreement!"

"You...you liar!"

Enraged, Hong Niangzi reached out to strike.

Li Ruolian reacted swiftly, stepping in front of Zhu Youjian and drawing her sword.

"Alright!"

Zhu Youjian waved his hand and said, "Madam Li, please be patient. Let me first investigate the origin and purpose of this silver before making any plans. Is that alright?"

"snort!"

Hong Niangzi snorted in dissatisfaction and said, "I hope you won't go back on your word!"

"Rest assured, I am the emperor, and my word is law!"

Zhu Youjian glanced at the sunrise on the horizon and said, "The weather is nice today, I'll take you for a stroll in the streets!"

Confused, Hong Niangzi muttered, "What's gotten better?"

After everyone had breakfast, Xie Jinrong indeed came to He Fu's door in person, saying that he wanted to report on his work.

Zhu Youjian abandoned He Fu and took Hong Niangzi and Li Ruolian to the street.

All three were dressed in casual clothes and blended into the crowd, so no one noticed them.

Zhu Youjian strolled along the street, occasionally asking about prices, appearing quite leisurely.

Lady Hong asked, "Has the emperor never strolled through the streets?"

"I live deep within the palace, observing the world only through memorials; how can that compare to personally experiencing it firsthand?"

"What's the point of going there in person? What did you see?"

"I've seen a lot. Prices are rising, and people's lives are even harder than described in the memorials!"

"You still know how miserable the people are? If they weren't desperate to survive, who would want to rebel?"

"You're right, when the people can't survive, they'll rebel!"

Zhu Youjian seemed thoughtful, and said, "But have you ever considered that even if Li Zicheng became emperor, could he ensure that the people had enough to eat?"

"If we distribute the land and grain of the wealthy to the common people, they will have enough to eat!"

"Strike down the landlords, distribute the land, and then what?"

"And then...they lived normal lives, men farming and women weaving, without paying taxes, and were self-sufficient!"

Zhu Youjian shook his head and said, "I remember telling you last time that if the people don't pay taxes, the court won't have money to support the army. Who will defend against foreign invasions?"

"The Jiangnan region is suffering from floods, but without money and food, how can we control the floods?"

"The north is suffering from a severe drought, the fields have yielded no harvest, and there is no money or grain. What will the imperial court use to provide disaster relief?"

A series of questions left the matchmaker speechless.

She never thought about these questions because in her mind, no one, whether an official or a landlord or gentry, was a good person!

All we need to do is rush into these wealthy households, seize their money and grain, and distribute it to the people!

As for what to do in the future, I really have no idea.

Zhu Youjian slowly said, "Being mindful of danger in times of peace, being mindful of ruin in times of prosperity, and being mindful of chaos in times of order—this is the way to govern the world. Even if Li Zicheng became emperor, he might not do a better job than me!"

At this moment, people nearby started arguing, and the noise grew louder and louder.

Li Ruolian said, "Your Majesty, this place is a mixed bag; you should return to the county government office!"

"Since we're already here, let's go take a look!"

Without saying a word, Zhu Youjian moved closer.

The argument was between two people, one dressed smartly and the other in coarse linen, all patched up.

Two constables were standing nearby, questioning him.

"Your Honor, this Wang Er was originally my tenant farmer. His harvests have been poor these past two years, and he owes me a lot of rent. I didn't press him for payment, letting him continue farming and pay me back slowly when he had more grain. Unexpectedly, he suddenly tried to run away, but I caught him and am about to send him to the yamen. I ask the magistrate to decide his fate!"

The man named Wang Er immediately retorted, "One mu of land can only produce three shi of grain. You charge me one and a half shi as rent, and regardless of whether it's a good year or a bad year, the imperial court will still collect three taxes. I work hard to cultivate the land for a year, and in the end, I harvest nothing and even owe you rent. Isn't this pushing me to the brink of death?"

The two officers exchanged a glance, and one of them said, "Paying back debts is a matter of course. You have a contract between you, so you should abide by it."

Wang Er hurriedly said, "But I heard that Baoding Prefecture is distributing land, five mu per person, with only a 10% tax payable..."

"Nonsense!"

The officer was immediately displeased and said fiercely, "If you dare to spread rumors again, you will not be let off easily!"

Wang Er was startled and swallowed back all the words he was about to say.

The officer continued, "If you go to the yamen, you'll be in the wrong, and you'll definitely get a beating. Think it over. If you go back now, we'll pretend nothing happened."

Wang Er had no choice but to agree to go back with them.

The matter came to an end, and the onlookers dispersed.

Zhu Youjian's expression grew increasingly grim, and he slowly said, "It seems the waters in Dingxing County are quite deep. When will Luo Yangxing arrive?"

Li Ruolian said, "As early as tomorrow night!"

Hong Niangzi couldn't help but ask, "Did Baoding Prefecture really distribute land to the people? And only collect 10% tax?"

"Hearing is unreliable, seeing is believing."

Zhu Youjian glanced at her and said, "You'll see for yourself when the time comes!"

Hong Niangzi still didn't believe it. Why would the people be given land for no reason and only taxed at 10%? When in the world could there be such a good thing?

If that were the case, who would risk losing their head to rebel?

However, judging from Emperor Chongzhen's reaction, it didn't seem fake.

Considering the past few days they've spent together, the emperor doesn't seem as incompetent as the legends say...