From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 329

Heads flew up, blood splattered on the ground, and everyone screamed in fear, their faces pale.

A prefect of a state, a fourth-rank official, powerful in a region, was killed by a sword after just a few words?

The gentry families were already shocked beyond words. They also had Juren and even Jinshi in their families, and they had high-ranking officials as backers.

But... but who can withstand such a killing? Holding the Emperor's Sword, you don't treat people as people, and don't treat officials as officials?

Zhou Yuan looked at the many gentry heads around him and whispered: "From what Lin Qichang said, you are here to ask me for money, right?"

Everyone was shocked and hurriedly stepped back.

One of the old men said hurriedly: "Your Excellency, the Imperial Envoy has misunderstood. We are well aware of the difficulties of the country and the importance of His Majesty's orders, so we came here to instruct the militia to obey your orders and serve the country."

Another man also said nervously: "Yes, yes, we are here to instruct the militia and also want to contribute to Kaifeng."

The scene suddenly became harmonious.

Zhou Yuan nodded and said: "You are indeed from aristocratic families. You have a long-term vision and pattern, and you are also responsible. I will take over the militia. Please go back."

The heads of the families were as if they had been pardoned. They did not dare to greet each other and hurriedly ran away with their heads down.

Looking at their backs, Zhou Yuan said calmly: "Did you see that? This is the so-called aristocratic family. If you are weak, they will want to eat your flesh and drink your blood. If you are tough, they will treat you like a master."

"To deal with this kind of people, you can't indulge them, nor can you force them into a dead end. If you indulge them, they will become more arrogant and domineering. If you force them too hard, they will lose their brains."

"It is best to leave a glimmer of hope to the maximum extent."

Speaking of this, Zhou Yuan turned around and looked at Deng Su, squinting his eyes and said: "Governor, where is the core of the One Whip Law? Have you figured it out? "

"Of course, I..."

Speaking of this, Deng Su couldn't help but said in shock: "How do you know the One Whip Law? I only told His Majesty."

Zhou Yuan smiled and said: "You should focus on... whether I support the One Whip Law or not. I think His Majesty should have told you that you can make decisions on some things, but the premise is that I allow you to do so."

Deng Su's face was extremely ugly. When he asked to see His Majesty, he had tried his best to fight for full power, but His Majesty refused and insisted on letting Zhou Yuan control him, which gave him a headache.

Zhou Yuan was his enemy, and the two of them could not get along.

So Deng Su wanted to do it secretly, but he didn't expect His Majesty to even tell him about the One Whip Law.

Zhou Yuan said slowly: "To understand the core of the Single Whip Law, we must first understand the predicament of our Great Jin Dynasty."

"Why is the treasury empty and the people living in poverty?"

"Due to serious land annexation and the seizure of land by the gentry and wealthy families, a large number of people have lost their land and are forced to become tenants, but they have already paid taxes per head."

"And the wealthy families who own a lot of land have used various methods to avoid taxes. The poor can't pay, and the rich don't pay. Where will the treasury find money?"

"If this continues, , that is, the country is poor and the people are poor, while the gentry are extremely rich.

"Therefore, when a natural disaster occurs, there will be starving people everywhere, refugees will become a problem, and bandits will arise everywhere."

"And the national treasury has no silver, and it is unable to suppress the bandits, and then there is the current situation."

Speaking of this, Zhou Yuan said in a deep voice: "The One Whip Law is to put people on the fields, measure the land, and then collect taxes according to the land, which can enrich the national treasury and reduce the burden on the people."

"In the future, if there is a natural disaster, the people will not be helpless, and the court will also be able to provide relief. Disaster."

"How to make those gentry not conceal the land, cooperate with the measurement, and pay taxes according to the law is what you need to consider."

"If you can't do these things well, it means that you are not worthy of these achievements. To change history, you can only change someone else."

Deng Su immediately growled: "Ministers eat the emperor's salary and share the emperor's worries. Officials are supported by the people and also support the people."

"I, Deng Su, have the ability and confidence to do this epoch-making thing."

"Zhou Yuan, as long as you If I don't interfere, can't I take down the Central Plains where the gentry is in such a state of decline? "

Zhou Yuan chuckled and said, "Very good, but I'll remind you that you will soon encounter many obstacles. It's up to you to figure out how to overcome them."

"You are the governor and have the power to mobilize local officials, but it may not work for you when you first arrive. I will give you 500 elite soldiers and let you do what you want."

Deng Su opened his mouth, but couldn't say thank you, so he just clasped his fists.

...

Lin Qichang's head completely stunned the local gentry and nobles, and no one mentioned the reception anymore.

The government office was handed over to Deng Su, and Zhou Yuan drank meat soup with the soldiers at night and stayed in the house directly.In the tent.

At this time, he would rather be with the soldiers, stabilize the morale of the army, and learn more about the style of the militia and the local garrison.

"What do you think about the suppression of bandits?"

Zhou Yuan asked this question casually, which surprised Dong Zhongliang and others.

Sitting in the tent were the garrison commander of Kaifeng and Li He and others.

Of course, there was also Li Yu'an. She was not dressed as gorgeously as usual, but just wore ordinary clothes, but her peerless beauty still suffocated everyone present.

"Suppress the bandits..."

Dong Zhongliang sighed softly and said, "To be honest, Marshal, we haven't thought about this issue."

"Before this, we didn't even know how long Kaifeng could be defended, we just tried our best."

Another young guard said, "I have thought about it, but it's unrealistic, so I never mentioned it."

Zhou Yuan said, "Tell me about it."

The young guard said, "Zhang the bandit relies on his large number of people, but his individual combat effectiveness is not strong."

"And he has a large number of people because he divides the land. If we also divide the land, then as the orthodoxy of the court, we will definitely be more popular with the people!"

Dong Zhongliang changed color and said, "Don't talk nonsense. Dividing the land is a major national policy. How can we interfere?"

Zhou Yuan knocked on the table and waved his hand, saying, "It doesn't matter. What's your name? Where do you work?"

The young guard said, "My name is Dong Yu, and I'm the centurion of the Kaifeng Garrison Camp."

Zhou Yuan looked at Dong Zhongliang.

Dong Zhongliang looked a little embarrassed, and then hurriedly said: "Marshal, although Dong Yu is my cousin, he became a centurion by his own ability. I will never show favoritism."

Zhou Yuan smiled and said: "Why are you nervous? I think he has a lot of ideas. Do you mind sending him to my side to be a personal soldier?"

Dong Zhongliang's face suddenly changed, and he couldn't suppress his ecstasy in his heart. He couldn't help but say: "Marshal, Dong Yu has what virtue and ability to be favored by the Marshal!"

"If the Marshal thinks highly of him, Dong Yu can come to report tomorrow!"

Zhou Yuan looked at Dong Yu and said: "What do you think of him?" What do you think? "

Dong Yu said loudly: "Of course I want to follow the Marshal to make meritorious deeds! To accomplish great things!"

Zhou Yuan said: "In my Fifth Army Camp, officials are appointed based on their abilities. You are new here and can only be a small soldier. Are you willing to do that?"

Dong Yu couldn't help but said: "Centurion is nothing. If you make meritorious deeds in the future, you can become any high official!"

"Hahaha!"

Zhou Yuan couldn't help but laugh and said: "Good! I admire your personality! Soldiers can't accomplish great things without ambition."

He thought that it was time to slowly cultivate his own base.

The challenges in the future are still great.