Water Margin official

"Alas!"

The old man sighed again and continued: "There is no way to talk about this world."

Zhang Zhengdao also shook his head and sighed.

Last year, when the eunuch Yang Jian was presiding over the construction of Houyuan, a subordinate official named Du Gongcai proposed that there was land in Ruzhou, and he could legislate to check the land deeds of the people.

, taken into officialdom.

Then, the harvested wasteland and civilian fields were used to estimate the yield of the land, or to convert taxes into rents, or to increase official rents, thereby increasing the palace tax.

As soon as Yang Jian heard that he was overjoyed, he reported the bad idea proposed by Du Gongcai to Zhao Ji, appointed him as the rice field manager, and summoned people to take over the land and pay the rent.

This decree started from Ruzhou and slowly expanded to the east of Jingdong, west of Jing, Huaixi, and Huaibei. It searched for abandoned embankments, abandoned weirs, barren mountains, receding beaches, and places with silted rivers, and ordered the people to rent.

After the rent is determined, even if the land is washed away by the river and cannot be cultivated, the rent will not be reduced or reduced. It is known as the "Xicheng Land Expansion Station".

The land in the hands of many people has been transferred many times, or they came to reclaim wasteland, but they could not get the land deed, so they lost their land.

The palace acquired a total of more than 34,300 hectares of land through successive acquisitions. This alone can increase the rent of a county by more than 100,000 yuan in addition to ordinary taxes.

It can be said that you make a lot of money.

This water is anchored in Liangshan Mountain and stretches for eight hundred miles. People from Qing, Ji, Yan, Yun and other prefectures all rely on fishing for a living here. Yang Jian also set rent and taxes according to the boat. Anyone who violated the government order was arrested and sentenced for the crime of theft.

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Zhang Zhengdao guessed that life for the Ruan brothers would be even more difficult at this time.

"Officials, please go ashore and go west along the road, which is Yuncheng County," the boatman said.

Seeing that the three women had disembarked from the boat with their packages, Zhang Zhengdao took out some silver coins from his pocket, settled the fee with the old boatman, and bowed his hands: "My husband, take care along the way. See you soon."

The old boatman said with a smile: "When I go back this time, I will sell the boat and return to my hometown of Jiankang Prefecture. I'm afraid it will be difficult to meet officials again."

Zhang Zhengdao asked: "Why did my father-in-law return to his hometown?"

The old boatman sighed: "Nowadays, in Bianliang City, the boat tax is increasing every year, but it is really difficult for me to bear it. It is better to go back to my hometown, find a job and live a stable life, rather than wandering in this river."

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Zhang Zhengdao nodded in agreement, then suddenly remembered something, and hurriedly said: "If I return to Jiankang Mansion, there is a famous doctor in the city called An Daoquan. Please send me a message."

The old boatman said: "My lord, please tell me."

"If I see An Daoquan, please tell him that Zhang Zhengdao, Shizilou, Qinghe County, Yunzhou, wants to invite him to come and sit here for thirty guan a month. If he doesn't come, you can tell him again.

The money is fifty guan. If he refuses again, you can tell him again that the monthly payment is 100 guan." Zhang Zhengdao said with a smile.

The old boatman was surprised and asked doubtfully: "How is this man's medical skills so good? Is he worthy of being invited by an official like this?"

Zhang Zhengdao replied: "As long as he comes, he can decide the price."

The old boatman said: "If I meet An Daoquan in Jiankang Mansion, I will convey it to you, so the officials can rest assured."

"Thank you very much, father-in-law." Zhang Zhengdao once again expressed his thanks.

The old boatman sailed the boat away from the dock and turned back towards Bianliang City.

Zhang Zhengdao danced like a gun, put the spear on his shoulder, turned around and said to the three women: "Let's go, this time we have to walk with our feet."

Sun Erniang laughed and said: "It looks like an old farmer, carrying a hoe."

Zhang Zhengdao suddenly remembered Song Jiang's black guy, carrying a good simple knife like an old farmer, and quickly put down the gun and carried it with his hand.

"Nonsense, your officials are very handsome, but they don't look like old farmers." Zhang Zhengdao stretched out his left arm, put it on Sun Erniang's shoulder, and walked forward with his arms around her.

Not to be outdone, Mrs. Wei took two steps forward, hooked Zhang Zhengdao's right arm, and said with a smile: "Official, I can't walk."

Zhang Zhengdao had no choice but to hand the flower gun in his hand to the maid Chunxiang to hold, hugged the two beauties on the left and right, and laughed and said: "The officials will support you on the way."

The four of them took steps and rushed along the road towards Yuncheng County.

We only walked for half a day, but as the sun was setting, we were afraid that we would not be able to enter Yuncheng County.

The four of them quickened their pace again, and when the sky turned dark, they saw a village not far away, with smoke curling up from cooking stoves and the faint sound of dogs barking and sheep barking.

Zhang Zhengdao said happily: "I have a place to stay tonight."

Now I strode towards the entrance of the village. When I entered the village, I saw an old man at the door of a house, throwing rice to feed the chickens and ducks at home.

"Old man, I'm waiting for passers-by and I'm slow to walk. May I ask if there is any place to stay in the village?" Zhang Zhengdao asked.

The old man threw away the corn in his hand and replied: "Going a mile further, there is a manor, which is the residence of Baozheng of this village. Let's go there to stay."

After Zhang Zhengdao thanked him, the group of people waited, walked through the village, and continued walking for a mile, when they saw a village courtyard.

Zhang Zhengdao called to open the door of the village and explained his intention. When the guest saw someone coming to stay, he hurriedly reported to Baozheng.

Zhang Zhengdao waited outside the village gate for a while, but saw a strong man walking towards him.

"Which hero surrendered to me at Chao Gaizhuang?" The big man's voice was like a bell.

Zhang Zhengdao suddenly remembered that there is a large village in the east of Yuncheng County, called Dongxi Village, and the guarantor of the village is Chao Gai, the "King of Pagodas".

I didn't expect to miss my stay today, but by chance, I bumped into his village.

"Zhang Zhengdao, Qinghe County, Yunzhou, has heard of King Chao Tian long ago, but he didn't expect to meet him today." Zhang Zhengdao cupped his fists and saluted.

"I'm taking my family with me. I'm not traveling fast and missed my hotel. I want to stay at your hotel for a night. I wonder if King Chao Tian can do it conveniently?" Zhang Zhengdao continued.

Chao Gai used the light of the lantern carried by the village guest to see an official and three female dependents standing outside the village gate.

Although he was surprised in his heart, Chao Gai remained calm and said with a big smile: "Even if you miss your accommodation, it's okay to stay here in Zhuangzi."

At that moment, he opened the door of the village and led the four people into the hall. Chao Gai ordered the guests to clean up the two rooms and first led the three female family members down to rest.

He also taught the villagers how to arrange wine and food, and manage Zhang Zhengdao and others.

In the hall, Chao Gai sat in the main seat and said with a smile: "I, Chao Gai, love to get to know the heroes of the world. If someone comes to join me, he can only have a drink with me and talk about his experiences in the world. I will be most happy."

"I see officials carrying long spears, but are they good at using spears and sticks?" Chao Gai asked.

Zhang Zhengdao sat in the guest seat and said with a smile: "Learn some random skills for self-defense."

Chao Gai said: "I love stabbing with spears and using sticks the most."

Zhang Zhengdao knew that he was thinking of competing, so he immediately said: "I am walking down there hungry. After I have eaten, if King Chao Tian is interested, I have the right to compete with him to express my gratitude."

Chao Gai smiled and said: "That's very good."

After a while, when the guests of the village brought out the dishes of food and wine, Chao Gai and Zhang Zhengdao drank and chatted happily together, talking about interesting things in the world.

Food and wine were also brought to the guest room. After Sun Erniang and Mrs. Wei's master and servants ate, they all lay down to rest.

Zhang Zhengdao was treated well by Chao Gai and had enough to eat and drink, but he felt sleepy.

Chao Gai then smiled and said: "Since my dear brother is sleepy, let's go and rest. It's not too late to compete with you again tomorrow morning."

Zhang Zhengdao thanked him and said, "Let King Chao Tian laugh. I have been traveling continuously. I am really tired. I will use the gun and stick again tomorrow morning."

At that moment, Chao Gai ordered the guest to lead him to the guest room to rest.