The Moon Over Tang Dynasty

Chapter 188 Ambush from all sides Groundbreaking

Pei Xingjian looked at the dark crowd below quietly, as if he had no intention of speaking. The rising sun shone on those rough, dark faces raised high, making every detail of the resentment and hostility suppressed between their brows clear. However, as the silence lengthened little by little, the anger that was about to burst out on people's faces gradually turned into confusion and uneasiness. Some people seemed to be blinded by the sunlight and lowered their eyes uncomfortably.

Fan Gao glanced at Pei Xingjian in confusion, but found that he couldn't see the expression on his face clearly. He couldn't help but glance at the 30 government soldiers and more than 40 servants below, and squinted his eyes - these people were not Coming from Wucheng itself, that is, from Shangxian and Anxi townships, which are about to start collecting tax arrears, their families also owe food and cloth. At this time, their uneasiness is probably not much less than that of these households who owe tax arrears. ? As long as chaos breaks out later, these people will definitely not be able to count on them, and what I have to do is just to save Pei Changshi's life, but I don't have to let him go back too intact...

However, this Pei Changshi is silent now. What is his plan? Could it be that he calculated that Crown Prince Qu would arrive with his men in half an hour to clean up the situation? Thinking of the rumors about Pei Changshi being good at calculations, Fan Zi felt a little uneasy. He took a step forward and said in a deep voice, "Changshi, you see it's already late. Shouldn't we start clearing things earlier?" Paid?"

Although his voice was not too loud, the crowd in front could naturally hear it clearly, and many people couldn't help but cast their eyes on this usually prestigious city lord.

Pei Xingjian also turned to look at him. Only then did Fan Zi see the faint smile on his face. He couldn't help but be startled. Pei Xingjian spoke calmly, "What City Lord Fan said is true. In City Lord's opinion, How should I start paying off?”

Fan Gao was stunned for a moment, and suddenly remembered the soldier Zhang Huaiji who had to beat himself to a **** head two days ago. He bowed respectfully and said, "I am reckless, sir. Please forgive me. I will listen to you." Act according to Chang Shi's orders. "His purpose today is to let Pei Xingjian be the tip of the spear that breaks the last bit of luck for the people of Wucheng, not just to be the spear himself! The prince has made careful arrangements this time and must not let anything go wrong on him.

Pei Xingjian glanced at him with a smile, "Is this true?"

Fan Zi felt slightly relieved and nodded in affirmation, "The official is here to cooperate with Chang Shi, how can he dare to act beyond his authority?"

Pei Xingjian was silent for a moment, and his voice became a little indifferent, "Okay, then Pei will boldly ask the city lord to calm down for a moment!" Fan Lamb felt a chill in his heart for no reason, took a step back, and made up his mind not to speak again.

There was a slight commotion in the crowd. How could City Lord Fan be so humble in front of Pei Changshi? Many people looked at Pei Xingjian with a little more fear.

Pei Xingjian then raised his voice and said, "Everyone in the village, please come to the front and respond." His voice was gentle and clear, without any anger. More than a dozen village leaders and village leaders in Wucheng Township did not dare to neglect. They hurriedly walked out of the crowd and stood in front of the table to salute.

Pei Xingjian nodded, "You don't have to be polite."

The village officials raised their heads one after another. Only two or three steps away, they could clearly see the legendary Pei Changshi. His face was handsome and his expression was gentle. He was not as cold and scary as they imagined. , and saw him lowering his head slightly and starting to flip through the thick piles of documents on the desk. The village officials couldn't help but also cast their eyes on those documents, and immediately recognized that they were the ones that had fingerprints on each household a few days ago. The tax debt bill made the heartstrings that had just been relaxed suddenly tighten again.

Pei Xingjian raised his head after a moment, with a little confusion in his tone, "Everyone, Pei has something to puzzle about, and I would like to ask you for advice - half of the people in Wucheng Township are already here, and they seem to be hard-working and simple people. Diaomin, why are the tax debts so serious?”

The village officials were stunned immediately. Where do they start from these words? Could it be that your Datang system is too harsh? As everyone looked at each other, no one spoke for a moment. Fan Zi was also taken aback. Just as he was about to speak, he shut his mouth alertly. The farmers standing closer to the front also heard this question clearly, and low voices suddenly started to discuss. Is it possible that this Pei Changshi is really new here and doesn't know anything?

Pei Xingjian waited for a moment, but when no one answered, he raised his voice slightly and said, "As village chiefs, you are originally responsible for assisting the government in collecting taxes, rents, and transfers. Wucheng's arrears are more serious than elsewhere, but because of you, Because of dereliction of duty?”

As soon as these words came out, the village chiefs could no longer remain silent. The village chief who came with Wang Xiaoxian, whose surname was Zhou, was usually a little impatient and couldn't help but said, "Young men, how dare you neglect your duties? It's really a tax payment." The amount of rent transfer is too high. If we pay according to the amount, I am afraid that half of the families in Wucheng Township will have fled! "

Pei Xingjian raised his eyebrows in surprise, "Is that so?" He turned to look at Fan Zi, his voice a little more solemn, "City Lord Fan, is Wucheng's tax arrears really because the tax burden is too heavy? Why didn't you do it? Have you ever heard of it?”

Fan Lamb looked at Pei Xingjian in astonishment, and could only reply, "I am reporting to the Chief Historian that the taxation of Wucheng was set by Guo Duhu, and has been like this for many years. The lower official thought that the Chief Shi already knew..."

Pei Xingjian said decisively, "Pei naturally knew that this matter was decided by Guo Duhu, but he didn't know that such taxes would bankrupt half of the people in Wucheng. I would like to ask Lord Fan, is this statement of the village chief true?"

Looking at Pei Xingjian's face that suddenly turned serious, Fan Lamb's mind turned around a few times, thinking of Prince Qu's repeated warnings to intensify the situation. After thinking about his words, he replied, "It's hard for me to say whether it's true or not." , but when Guo Duhu was there, the households never defaulted on taxes. "

The crowd couldn't help but make an uproar, and everyone looked at Fan Gao with a somewhat unkind look. After listening to this question and answer, Pei Changshi clearly didn't know what was going on, but how could he, City Lord Fan, not know? To put it this way, are you planning to ransack homes and take money and food from people like that Guo Duhu?

When Fan Gao heard this, he knew something was wrong. Just when he was about to speak again, Pei Xingjian turned his head and looked at Zhou Cunzheng, who had just spoken, "I dare to ask this old man, as City Lord Fan said, these same taxes , Why did Guo Duhu not default on arrears, but after Guo Duhu left, he defaulted on more than half of it after only six or seven years? Is it possible that the two later guards were kind-hearted and deliberately deceived each other? "

When Zhou Cunzheng heard Fan Gao's words, he was holding back a fire in his heart. Hearing the words, he protested, "When Guo Duhu was here, no one dared to default on taxes, but many families were destitute in a few years." , and some people simply fled their households, or worked for officials to make a living for their clients. When Chai Duhu arrived, he also registered various properties. Seeing that it was impossible to collect payment, he allowed everyone to take a break. In the past three or four years, Quduhu was kind, and we have accumulated some rice, grain, money and silk. Since Chang Shi has also registered it, we might as well take a look at how many families can get more than ten shi without selling their cattle, horses and farmland. Food, two or three pieces of cloth?”

Pei Xingjian frowned and said, "Pei also heard that Xizhou is not suitable for planting mulberry and raising silkworms. One of the tasks is more difficult. It's just a hundred acres of land per ding. Why can't I hand over four stones of millet this year?" ?”

As soon as this question came out, countless voices in the crowd immediately shouted, "Where can there be a hundred acres of fields?" "The sand dunes can also be counted?" "We have ten acres here, which is good!"

Pei Xingjian looked at the village leaders in front of him, and everyone nodded hurriedly, "Exactly, when Governor Guo protected the equalization of fields, he also included sand dunes and desert areas. There may be more fields that can be cultivated elsewhere. Our land in Wucheng is only ten acres!"

Pei Xingjian pondered for a long time, then turned and looked directly at Fan Gao, "City Lord Fan, if this is true, how do you think this matter should be handled?" Fan Gao had been regretting what he said just now. Hearing this question, he felt in his heart Rather, he felt confident. Did Pei Xingjian think that this would burn him? The prince has long expected such a scene! He bowed respectfully and said, "Please, Chief Shi Mingjian, what Muramasa said is indeed true. This is also the reason why Governor Qu only received 30% of the rent in four years. However, raising military rations is not as big a task as it was in the past." , if the arrears of renting grain and local taxes are allowed to continue, how will the military rations be provided? Without military rations, as the chief minister in charge of government affairs in Xizhou, you are now responsible for paying taxes. Once the higher authorities are held accountable, the chief minister can bear this responsibility. Can you afford it?”

"Chang Shi can indeed let go at this time, but imagine that one day the army will arrive and there is no food in the Xizhou warehouse. If Chang Shi wants to speak for the people at that time, is it possible that the military generals will still allow the soldiers to fight hungry? ? At that time, not only will Chang Shi and the officials of Xizhou be affected, but the people will still have to pay the taxes and grain owed in full, and once they reach the fields, there will be no turning back. Chang Shi's considerate heart will probably be the opposite. It hurts everyone!”

His voice was loud and clear, and every word fell on everyone's ears clearly. The crowd that had been noisy just now suddenly became quiet. Everyone knew about this, but now they heard City Master Fan's clear and clear analysis. When I came out, I couldn't help but feel speechless.

Fan Gao paused for a moment and then said loudly, "Seven days ago, Chief Pei issued an order to start paying the tax arrears of Wucheng over the years within today. That's why the official summoned all the people of Wucheng here. It is also a good way to teach them that Chang Shi's orders cannot be violated and the Tang Dynasty's system cannot be broken! Chang Shi may leave today and issue an order to clear up the people later. But by going back on his word, doesn't it mean that his subordinates are at a loss as to what to do? "

"Changshi, the debts of the households are here, and the list of the family's property is also here. You have already made your decision, why do you need to ask your subordinates again at this time? If you harvest early, you will harvest, and if you harvest late, you will harvest. Even if you don't If you accept it, the Japanese army will accept it accordingly. Your hesitation now only makes the people of Wucheng feel lucky, and it will be even more embarrassing for us if you turn around!"

Many people in the crowd had ugly expressions. City Lord Fan could not have said it more clearly. If Pei Changshi did not collect the money and food today, he would definitely end up miserable in the future. Even if he lets everyone off the hook today, he will be clear about it later. You will never be lenient when it's time to take it, and the question you just asked was nothing more than pretentiousness! Why would the officials and troops of the Tang Dynasty care about the lives of the people of Xizhou? Amidst the buzz, some impatient people took a few steps forward. Dozens of well-dressed people in the east corner looked at the crowd who were obviously in a bad mood. Their faces could not help but show doubts and fears. Then he slipped out a few feet.

Amid the commotion, Pei Xingjian didn't say a word, but stretched out his hand to press the two thick stacks of bills.

In the crowd, several big men looked at each other, and one of them shouted loudly, "Don't let him fool you, everyone! There is no way to survive anyway, we might as well..." He was about to call out "Brother" as someone had ordered in advance. Those IOUs and account books have been robbed and burned to avoid being driven to death by these Tang people!" Someone suddenly stepped forward from behind Pei Xingjian and shouted, "Shut up! Chang Shi hasn't decided yet, what do you want to do?"

 Bai San's voice was a bit louder than Fan Gao's, and coupled with his aura, he immediately choked back the rest of the man's words. The other people were stunned for a moment and wanted to make a noise. Pei Xingjian raised his head and said in a loud voice, "Here comes someone!"

Several servants behind him immediately came up. Pei Xingjian's voice was as determined as stone, "Light a fire and burn all these bills for me!"

For a time, almost no one among the more than a thousand people in the huge open space dared to believe their ears. The few servants were also a little surprised. In the past two months of following Pei Xingjian, in their minds, this long history had long been He was a god-like figure. He only paused briefly before he came up and moved all the documents to the ground.

The crowd started to roar with excitement. Fan Zao's face changed drastically and he said sternly, "Pei Changshi, Pei Changshi, what are you going to do?"

Pei Xingjian's expression was calm, but his tone was categorical, "The city lord is right to remind you that if this thing is kept, sooner or later the people of Wucheng will be in trouble. Only by burning it can everyone live and work in peace and contentment. Not only will Wucheng be burned, but the whole people will be burned." Pei will burn Xizhou’s debts so that the people of Xizhou will no longer have to bear tax debts!”

While he was talking, a servant had struck a flint and brought it to the side of the document. The paper was so flammable that it immediately caught fire. Fan Gao couldn't help but be stunned, and rushed up to step on the flames, but Bai San had already stepped forward and stood in front of him, "City Master Fan, today's taxation matter is in charge of my family history, what do you want to do?"

 Someone shouted loudly, "It's burning, it's really burning!" The voice became hoarse. The student table was originally placed on a raised platform in front of the ground. Everyone could see the fire clearly, and the expressions on everyone's faces gradually changed from disbelief to ecstasy.

Fan Gao was blocked by Bai San and could not move forward. He could only shout loudly, "How can this happen? Hurry up, go up and put out the fire!"

The officers and soldiers also came to their senses at this time, but no one was willing to move a step - their family also owed taxes. Now that Pei Changshi wanted to burn the debts owed by the people of Xizhou over the years, why should he stop him? ?

Pei Xingjian’s voice was still steady, “Burn these tax account books too!”

Fan Gao couldn't help but be stunned: not only did he want to burn the outstanding bills, but he also wanted to burn the account books! Did he really want to exempt the people of Xizhou from their tax debt, or had he figured out that the prince had already arranged for people to burn these things today, so he simply set the fire himself first? However, how can it be the same thing between being burned by the mob and being burned by others? Is this Pei Changshi crazy?

With the help of a few people, four hundred bills and a whole bag of account books turned into increasingly high flames in the blink of an eye. The flames seemed to shine directly on the faces of more than a thousand people, making everyone's eyes change. Gotta brighten up.

Only Fan Gao's face became darker and darker - the Crown Prince was coming soon, what should he tell the Crown Prince? Looking at Pei Xingjian, who was still standing there with a calm expression, he couldn't help but said angrily, "Pei Changshi, it's easy to set the fire today, but when the army arrives, I'll see how you explain it to them!"

　　The atmosphere that was about to become jubilant was suddenly suppressed by this angry shout.

  Continue to write four thousand words, and continue to ask for pink—mainly, if you don’t ask for it, no one will remember to give it, hehe.

 (End of this chapter)