Chapter 323: Merit and Virtue

The entire South Zhili covers a large area, almost the size of the latter-day provinces of Jiangsu and Anhui.

And this, too, is the heart of Damien.

At this time the South Zhili, occupying 20% of the world’s population, the tax in the world’s top.

However, although the South Zhili is large, but its government is generally very small, the government of the other Buzhengji Division, often governing seven or eight counties, or even ten counties eleven counties.

But in the South Zhili, under the fourteen provinces, such as Yingtianfu, in fact, only two counties just management, Taipingfu is three counties, Ningguofu is already very large, but also only six counties.

This is naturally because this place is the capital city, populated and most prosperous, and for the sake of checks and balances, to avoid a certain government being too big.

And now, a super big government was born, enough to have nine counties of Taiping Province appeared, and also belongs to the core of the South Zhili, the population has nearly 700,000 households, more than three million people. This is placed in the various Buzhengji, although the size of the population in general, but if compared to the more remote Buzhengji, the population is even a little more.

His Majesty’s direct stroke of the pen is tantamount to laying down the pattern of a superb prefecture within Nan Zhili.

And according to the precedent of the previous opening of the government, that is to say, this government not only enjoys the treatment of Jingzhaofu, and is on a par with Yingtianfu, but also can exempt itself from the officials.

This is absolutely groundbreaking.

Even Yang Rong couldn’t help but stand out, “Your Majesty, this move, I think it’s not right ……”

“I thought it was proper.” Without waiting for Yang Rong to give his reasons, Zhu Di said, “The people of Ningguo Fu, who are heavily exploited, have reached such a point that I think it is proper and appropriate to merge them into Taiping Fu.”

After a pause, Zhu Di also said: “If all the ministers, some people feel that they can take on this Ningguo Fu governor, can also recommend themselves.”

At this statement, everyone was silent.

This one, it’s a little scary.

Jianyi has gotten himself into trouble, let alone others.

So Zhu Di continued, “Minister Zhang is very good at removing old ills. And resettlement of the people, always impressive. I only sigh is, such as the side of the Secretary Zhang’s such a person is too little, if it is more than a few, I would not be so? The ministers should take him as an example, and then come back to talk to him about what’s proper or improper.”

Said, Zhu Di looked to Zhang Anshi, said: “Zhang Qing …… Taiping Province nine counties, I’ll give you, you must not be complacent, still to do their best, do not teach me to disappoint.”

Zhang Anshi was busy saying, “Yes.”

Zhu Di also said, “The matter of Taipingfu, or the same old thing, there is anything, can be done cheaply, do not have to ask the Wen Yuange and the six ministries, what to do how to do.”

Zhang Anshi said, “Obey the decree.”

In fact, Zhang Anshi knew clearly that this was His Majesty’s way of obeying Yao Guangxiao’s wishes.

To do great things, Zhang Anshi this set of work, since it works, then let Zhang Anshi let go to do.

New rules can only be created by breaking them directly and violently.

Of course, this actually had to do with Zhang Anshi’s identity, if it was anyone else, it would have been impossible to grant such authority.

Also thanks to Zhang Anshi is a relative, and is the wife and brother of the current crown prince, is the royal grandson’s own uncle.

If Zhang Anshi is a nobleman, I am afraid that Zhu Di will kick Zhang Anshi back to Xinzhou to plant tobacco.

But if it were anyone else, I’m afraid I might not be able to rest assured.

Then there was the fact that Zhu Di had not been too suspicious and had greater trust in people who could.

For this trust, Zhang Anshi said with incomparable sincerity, “I will do my best.”

Zhu Di nodded and said, “The matter here, you continue to settle, I give you three days time, three days later, I want to drive back to the palace.”

“Yes.”

Zhang Anshi, at that moment, excused himself.

He had just come out when someone sprinted after him and said, “Lord Wei.”

Zhang Anshi stopped and looked back, but it was Xia Yuanji.

Natsuhara Yoshi looks depressed, he’s been cut off.

Originally Zhang Anshi crackdown on the gentry, it is a bit digging his Xia Yuanji’s ancestral tomb, after all, Xia Yuanji is also the gentry family.

Originally confiscated so much arable land, Xia Yuanji only said that there is finally a little comfort, after all, another layer of his identity, is the Ministry of household minister.

If a large amount of arable land is converted to government land, then the Ministry of Revenue can be assured of its expenses for many years to come.

But in the end, Zhang Anshi took the more than one million mu of land and directly robbed it.

He smiled bitterly, glanced at Zhang Anshi and said, “So much land …… Does the Duke of Wei have any rules and regulations? It is not easy to manage …… this land, Duke Wei.”

Zhang Anshi said, “I have my own way, I don’t need Duke Xia to worry about it.”

Xia Yuanji, however, was bitter and said, “The court also has difficulties.”

Zhang Anshi obviously wasn’t in a very good mood at this time, and said very nonchalantly, “The difficulties of the court come from those gentry who refuse to pay money and grain, so what is Duke Xia complaining to me about if he isn’t thinking of cracking down on these damn rats?”

Yoshi Natsubara: “……”

Zhang Anshi said, “All in all, the Ministry of Households should not think of Taipingfu, which is already struggling.”

Xia Yuanji did not expect Zhang Anshi to come to cry poor, a moment of jaw-dropping, and finally shook his head, then did not say anything more.

Zhang Anshi then went to the front hall of the government office and began to gather his men.

But at that moment, someone came to report that Shaoyin Gaoxiang had also arrived.

It turned out to be Zhang Anshi draws the officials of Taiping Province, Gao Xiang as a young Yin, was not able to spare, it is difficult to resolve the matter at hand, afraid of Zhang Anshi this side of the busy, and then rushed in a hurry.

Hearing that Gao Xiang specially rushed here, Zhang Anshi’s face was much calmer, and with a bit of concern, he said, “He is a big old man, but not afraid of the road to get tired, where is the car and ship to?”

This guard who came to report said, “I’m only afraid that in another half hour, we will arrive at the ferry.”

Zhang Anshi said, “I’ll go pick him up.”

To Gao Xiang, Zhang Anshi had now grown to respect him.

This man was originally an old man, a good mixer, but now after having the incentive of Taipingfu, he assisted Zhang Anshi, and governed this Taipingfu with ease.

A person’s potential is terrifying, after the motivation is mobilized, Gao Xiang seems to be an old tree opening a new branch, and dedicates all the emotional intelligence and experience he has learned from a lifetime of serving as an official.

Zhang Anshi rode his horse and came directly to the ferry, and it so happened that at that time, Gao Xiang’s boat had just arrived at the shore.

Seeing the Duke of Wei personally come to pick up, Gao Xiang is full of red face, living to his age, the figure is a face.

A few clerical officials on the same boat also saw Gao Xiang’s thoughts and made tsk-tsk noises, “Young Yin Gao, the Duke of Wei has personally come to pick you up, I’m afraid that even if it was the ministries of the various ministries, the Duke of Wei wouldn’t be able to do so.”

“Yes, yes, the Duke of Wei is accustomed to traveling with his family and dislikes official etiquette, but I didn’t expect him to come in person.”

Gaoxiang can’t help but feel pleased in his heart, and at this time, his heart is blossoming, but he stroked his beard and said, “Well, this is the Duke of Wei sympathizing with us, go ashore.”

After disembarking, he met with Zhang Anshi, who was on foot and walked alongside him.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhang Anshi impatiently went straight to the point: “His Majesty has decreed that the Taiping Prefecture be ordered to act in the six counties of the Ningguo Prefecture, and that these six counties of the Ningguo Prefecture, be withdrawn.”

At these words, Gao Xiang was shocked and froze, “Ya, this …… this ……”

This news was something he would never have expected.

This amounted to a doubling of the population of Taipingfu and a tripling of the land.

He, the Young Yin, is getting higher and higher with it.

Zhang Anshi said without sparing any praise, “After all is said and done, it’s also Gao Shao Yin who, these days, has made real accomplishments, and these political achievements, His Majesty has seen in his eyes.”

“Where, where, it’s all thanks to the Duke of Wei.”

“Let s stop the pleasantries, there is another good news, that is …… here confiscated a million and seven hundred thousand acres of land, His Majesty is also at our disposal.”

Gaoxiang only felt dizzy and had the feeling of a rat falling into a rice vat.

Looking incredulous, he said uncertainly, “This …… one million seven hundred thousand acres?”

But soon, Gaoxiang actually has a number in mind, copying and confiscating the hidden land, those guys, hiding so much land, being copied out, is also justifiable.

Gao Xiang and Xia Yuanji and others are not the same, he is now considered to be dead set on following the Duke of Wei, almost his own life, all hanging on Zhang Anshi’s body.

For those damn squires, he no longer has much good impression, copied also copied, or …… should have been copied long ago.

So Gaoxiang didn’t have any other nonsense and said very straightforwardly, “So what does the Gongshi have to say?”

Zhang Anshi stopped, gazed at Gaoxiang, said with a solemn attitude, “This is also the reason why I I want to discuss with you properly, I think carefully …… about these lands, why don’t we just, simply, divide them out and give them to the ningguo people to cultivate.”

Gaoxiang was again astonished, “Split …… out?”

It really was something he hadn’t even thought about.

Zhang Anshi Xu said: “the way to permanent industry field, each family can give ten acres and twenty acres, enough to let them live, such land, not allowed to buy and sell, the land tax is higher than the land owned by ordinary farmers 10%, this 10%, in fact, is equivalent to the government to collect their rent, which raises the government’s grain tax, and this 10% of the rent, can be dispensable, far from the sharecroppers to rent the land can be comparable to. The government has been able to increase the government’s grain tax, and this 10% rent is dispensable, far more than the tenant farmers who rent land. And …… also let the small farmers who own land themselves, the heart is a little more comfortable.”

Gao Xiang thoughtfully said, “Will …… this have any consequences? Master Gong ……… really want to divide it down, I’m afraid it will really be a crowd.”

Zhang Anshi laughed out loud and continued, “Once upon a time, I thought the same way. Sometimes, I would also look ahead. But now I’ve figured out that unless we don’t do anything, but as long as we intend to govern a party with all our heart, we’re bound to have a crowd. If someone wants to wail, then let them wail! If someone cries, someone else laughs, and there is no need to pay attention to other noises. If they only wail, then it’s all right, but if they dare to do anything other than wail, then they should be taught to ask whether my sword is sharp or not.”

Gaoxiang then silent for a moment, and then said: “Then divide, own more than twenty acres of land, not to divide the land, no land, according to the male to divide, with the best way of perpetual field, not to be bought and sold, the tax is a little higher than the rest of the land, the government’s food, but also have a guarantee. But …… this is not a small matter, it needs a lot of manpower and material resources to guarantee, if not, people will inevitably feel unfair.”

“This matter …… I see or have to transfer more Taipingfu people, they are involved with the characters of the six counties, and they are also able to do things well. Of course, with these people alone, to solve these things in a short period of time, it is not easy, how …… about drawing some more cadets from the government school academy to assist as well, to play a hand or not. Your Excellency, the matter of dividing up the land is to be fast and clear, and absolutely must not be delayed.”

He paused and continued, “Once the delay, there may be people from the obstruction or make articles from it, Your Excellency don’t underestimate certain people, these people …… can be exquisite, they may not have the ability to make things happen, but they can always make things bad.”

“So …… the meaning of the next official is, first draw manpower to, only pretending to be more accurate measurement of the land, and search for the population, every household, every mouth of the field, are to be clear, wait until everything is ready, and then suddenly send out a list, and strive for ten days, all the land will be divided out, and then granted to the households Yongye deed of the field, what do you think, Your Excellency.”

Zhang Anshi then said, “can, then this thing you to do, then you have to work hard, you come to sit in the town of these six counties, I’m a person to manage a general direction can be, teach me to manage these complicated things, afraid to have a headache.”

Gao Xiang nodded: “The next official has to work out a charter first, and …… this matter does not have to discuss with people beforehand, such as the measurement, manpower and material resources are all ready, and then all in one go.”

The two agreed that with Gao Xiang, Zhang Anshi was much more relaxed.

After a few more days, he returned to the palace with Zhu Di.

And at this time …… a funeral is about to begin.

Just before this funeral begins, cremation is also a crucial issue.

Zhu Di personally asked about this matter, after all, …… this is Yao Guangxiao s wish, his heart is to burn a relic.

And if the relics do come out, it also proves the merit of Yao Guangxiao’s life.

If Yao Guangxiao is correct, it actually proves that Zhu Di is correct.

The two of them were meant to be in a relationship of solidarity.

Grief, Zhu Di selected a good day, and personally support the coffin, leading the Prince, Zhang Anshi and the hundred officials to the Jixing Temple.

In the Jixing Temple, Zhu Di led the hundred officials to start waiting here.

Hundred officials whispered, in fact, they do not understand how this burning relics.

It’s just that most ancient people, for the most part, always remained in awe of the unknown.

Yao Guangxiao is actually not considered a good person in the minds of many people, let alone a virtuous monk.

Even among the city people called him a demon monk.

Now, finally this demon monk …… is going to start to carry out the test.

Zhu Di was pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back within the Dacheng Treasure Hall, looking a little anxious.

If Zhang Anshi’s method also fails to burn, then ……

He frowned and shook his head, if so, Master Yao was afraid of dying in peace!

Zhu Gaoqi, who was on the side, also had a bad look on his face, and said, “Father, sit down and take a rest first ……”

“No need.” Zhu Di annoyingly shook his head and said, “Hey …… I know …… that many people want to see Master Yao’s joke, hey …… ”

These days, Zhu Di was in a depressed mood. Even though a few days had passed, Zhu Di still hadn’t completely gotten over the sadness of Yao Guangxiao’s death.

Zhu Gaoqi then didn’t dare to say anything more and only owed it to sit.

In this Jixing Temple, Zhang Anshi had long ago built a huge furnace, here, for the convenience of burning relics.

This huge furnace is built entirely on the basis of the fourth generation of steel furnaces.

The new steel furnaces are long gone from the tricks they used to do when they burned the shekels.

At this time, Zhang Anshi first toward Yao Guangxiao’s corpse and then worship, at this time can not help but emotionally said, “Master Yao …… all the way good.”

At that moment, he subconsciously wanted to cry in pain again.

Holding back his grief, he turned toward the crowd and said, “Begin.”

Yao Guangxiao was then pushed into the furnace.

Immediately after that, the ignition was started.

Soon there was rolling smoke coming from the roof of the place.

Because Yao Guangxiao’s death was so sudden, Zhang Anshi couldn’t feed him anything in advance before he died.

This creates a lot of uncertainty about the burning of the sherds.

But ……

Since Master Yao didn’t take his medication, he’ll find another way.

Zhang Anshi made a small hole in this stove, on purpose.

And then …… cried on one side: “Master Yao …… you great kindness, if the spirit in heaven, once upon a time if I did anything wrong, you must not blame me. I was young and unintelligent.”

Between tears like rain, he did not forget to take out some powder from his sleeve and sprinkle it towards the hole.

“Master Yao, I can’t let go of you …… oooooooo ……”

Zhang Anshi kept pulling out his sleeves and pouring this powder in little by little.

The lieutenants who burned the furnace on the side, all of them lowered their heads, not daring to look up.

Followed by the three brothers Zhu Yong, Zhang Yoking and Qiu Song, see Zhang Anshi crying sadly, Zhu Yong went forward and said, “Big brother, I am sorry for your loss.”

“I’m too sad for you …… you to strike.”

Zhu Yong gave an oh-so-subtle cry, and then he too began to pull something out of his own sleeve and shoved it into that hole, relentlessly.

After Zhu Yong’s sleeve was empty, Zhang Yoking went forward as well.

When it came to Qiu Song, Qiu Song seemed to be infected by Zhang Anshi’s crying, and also could not help but have some red eyes, “Big brother is too sentimental.”

“Quickly …… quickly ……” Zhang Anshi urged.

Chuson said, “I …… I ……”

He snapped, removing a powder packet ……

‘ Zhang Anshi’s cries came to an abrupt end and he winced, saying, “What are you doing? When did you bring it in.”

Qiu Song hurriedly said, “Big brother, don’t be in a hurry. I’ve grown up, I’m not stupid anymore, I’ll load the stuff here.”

Qiu Song rested the bundle on the ground, loosened the ties, uncovered it, and the small mountain of powder piled up was revealed to everyone.

“Get the shovel.”

Zhang Anshi: “……”

Qiu Song a few shovels down, a full dozen pounds of powder almost to fill that hole, can only use an iron tongs, viciously poked in, only to re-open.

Zhang Anshi cried again, “My Master Yao!”

Then he turned back to look at a couple of his brothers and said, “Okay, you guys get out of the way.”

“Oh, oh ……,” the trio rushed to avoid it.

The lieutenants buried their heads even lower, only hating their parents for giving them a pair of eyes.

Zhang Anshi and continued sadly: “Master Yao, your life, the most love gold and silver, today …… these …… not respect …… ”

Zhang Anshi took out an ingot of gold and violently shoved it into that hole.

“Big brother, can gold do it too?” Zhu Yong couldn’t help but step forward again.

Zhang Anshi said, “Don’t you nag, this gold is stuck, bring the iron tongs.”

A drumming and burning for a long time, Zhang Anshi also cried for a long time, tears are dry.

Finally …… the furnace fire stopped.

Just yet it takes some time to cool down.

Qiu Song slipped in from outside at this time and said, “Big brother, His Majesty and the hundred officials, are waiting outside in a hurry.”

Zhang Anshi, on the contrary, said with some impatience, “I know they are in a hurry, tell them to take it easy.”

Counting the minutes, finally the furnace door opened and something was pushed out.

I only saw that it was bigger than a soccer ball, but the outside was covered in dust, so I couldn’t tell what was inside at all.

Zhang Anshi hurriedly ordered, “Quickly, quickly, carry it out, carry it out.”

The lieutenants then carried the stuff out with all their hands.

Zhang Anshi said, “I will go to see His Majesty first, you stay …… for a while and let the monks carry this to the Da Cheng Treasure Hall.”

Zhang Anshi didn’t bother to see what burned out in the end, and only instructed people not to move freely.

This thing, like opening a blind box, it is better to let someone else unveil it in person; if it is too cleanly tended, it will rather appear to be disrespectful to the monks who have attained the Way.

After Zhang Anshi hurried out of the furnace room, he rushed to the Da Cheng Bao Dian.

When he saw Zhu Di, he immediately saluted and said, “Your Majesty …… Master Yao …… has returned to the west.”

Zhu Di showed a few moments of excitement, “He …… his bones ……”

Zhang Anshi said, “I ………… will ask the monks to carry it later, we are all flesh and blood, it is better for the monks to go and do the proper work.”

Zhu nodded, sighed, and said worriedly, “Did you burn anything?”

“This ……” Zhang Anshi said, “It’s hard to say, but I think Master Yao is a high priest, he will be able to …… ”

As soon as Zhu Di heard this, he had no interest in listening to it and said in an annoyed voice, “Got it, got it.”

Zhu took a few more steps in annoyance, managed to settle down, took his seat, and sipped his tea.

Zhang Anshi, on the other hand, obediently owed it to himself to sit under Yang Rong and the others.

Immediately, a distant bell sounded from this temple, and before long, a team of monks, carried something, only to see the top covered with a huge white cloth.

The hundred officials saw this and came up one by one.

They either exchanged glances, or tsked and tsked, and wistfully looked forward to it, while others …… wanted to see the joke.

Zhu Di also stood up in a hurry, he seemed to remember something from the past again, and couldn’t help but have tears welling up in his eyes.

Zhang Anshi, on the contrary, remained seated in his original position, and he did not look forward to this, much.

Although it is not known …… what the final chemical reaction is and what will be burned out in the end, the …… big and round sherds are there.

The monks began to chant.

After the chanting, there was an old monk, who personally received and opened the white cloth.

Immediately, monks began to clean up the ashes.

Aside from Zhang Anshi, everyone here opened their eyes wide and stared fixedly.

As the monks cleaned up …… this small mountain of ashes little by little.

Suddenly …… a flash of golden light, in this instant, as if stabbing everyone s eyes.

And this flash of golden light was just the tip of the iceberg.

Everyone s eyes, at this moment …… straightened.

This golden light …… is getting more and more dazzling.

Slowly …… it began to reveal itself.

It was a relic larger than a human’s head, emitting a dazzling light like a golden sun.

………………