Chapter 73 The tenth chapter hurts the grandpa on a business and makes a big disaster, asks to see the anecdote of the censor

The Yangtze River rushes out of the mouth of Xiling Gorge, and the section from Yichang to Jiayu is called Jingjiang.In addition to this Jingjiang River flowing from the southwest, there is also a Han River flowing from the northwest.The two rivers are like two giant dragons passing through thousands of mountains and ravines. After entering Chu, they immediately left behind the mountains that were chasing and blocking them, and rushed towards the vast fertile fields. For a majestic getaway. "The land of Chu is boundless, boundless and boundless." Du Fu's boat left Nanjin Pass, and he couldn't help sighing. The vast fertile field is the Jianghan Plain, which is known as the land of fish and rice.Jiangling City is located in the heart of the Jianghan Plain, on the banks of the Jingjiang River.According to the "Jingzhou Ji" written by Mr. Sheng Hongzhi in the Liu and Song Dynasties of the Southern Dynasty, the origin of the name of Jiangling City is because "there are no high mountains in the nearby state, and all of them are mausoleums, so it is named Jiangling." Ji Nancheng, the capital of Chu State at that time, It is only twenty miles away from the present Jiangling City.King Cheng of Chu built a gorgeous and magnificent Jiangzhu Palace and the official ship dock leading to Jinan City on the edge of Jingjiang River, which were the earliest buildings in Jiangling City.Since then, successive dynasties have established their capitals here, or conferred kings and houses here, and Jiangling City has become a famous city in the world.It is connected to Wuhui in the east, Xiaoxiang in the south, Mian in the north, Bashu in the west, and it is located between Jianghan and Han.After Qin Shihuang unified China, he divided the world into thirteen prefectures, and one of them was Jingzhou, whose prefecture was located in Jiangling. Therefore, Jiangling City was also called Jingzhou City.After the Han and Tang Dynasties, Jiangling City has become the largest political and economic center in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.Together with Chang'an, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Yizhou, Nanjing, Yangzhou, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Datong, it is listed as one of the top ten commercial cities in China.Known in history as "Jiangzuo's largest town, Jing and Yang are no better than Jing and Yang". The scale of this Jingzhou city in the Han and Tang Dynasties was larger than that of Yangzhou, and it became the largest city on the ground in Huguang, southern China.Every time a dynasty changes, there will inevitably be a war, and Jingzhou City has been built and destroyed repeatedly.In the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, although the scale of Jingzhou City was smaller than that of the heyday of Tang Dynasty, there were still hundreds of thousands of permanent residents.It should be noted that at that time, the capital of Nanjing, the most prosperous place in the south of the Yangtze River, had a permanent population of only about 200,000.Jingzhou City is long from east to west and short from north to south, showing an irregular oval shape.There are four main streets, east, west, north, south, densely crowded with thousands of shops.Jiangjinkou outside the east gate is the place where King Cheng of Chu built the official ship wharf, and now it has become one of the most prosperous ports on the Yangtze River.Thousands of merchant ships, large and small, dock here every day from states and cities up and down the Yangtze River.At night, the ship lights of "Qi Shi Feng" are lit one after another, shining like stars, illuminating the river bank of more than ten miles around Jiangjinkou like daytime.Merchants flocked to the city for entertainment. Those who opened restaurants and teahouses, those who told books and performed operas, those who tested Chinese characters and divination, those who did skin and meat business, and even pimps, all could easily earn real money at a fair price.As time goes by, there are more and more wealthy households in Jingzhou City.If you have money, you can educate your children to study. When there are more scholars, the atmosphere in the city will naturally become more elegant.Therefore, in the eyes of the world, Jingzhou City is a place of splendor and culture that "the pipa is more like a rice bowl, and the measures are more than crucian carp".

Right now it is March in Yangchun, and the grass grows on the Jianghan Plain and the warblers are flying with colorful colors, which is already a vibrant mid-spring scene.This Jingzhou city is also surrounded by green willows and fireworks.It is rainy in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River at this time, but today is a rare sunny day. The gorgeous morning glow squeezed away the blue-gray heavy clouds. A moment is worth a thousand dollars, and those who rush to do things early, whether it is for livelihood or for business, all walk in a hurry.Among these busy people, there is also a pair of leisurely steps walking towards the Xuanmiao Temple at the Xiaobeimen.

On his head was a cyan Yangming scarf with two tiles hooped in silver silk, a sapphire blue brocade silk shirt with fine white lining and dark circles on the bottom, and a pair of moon white cloth on his feet. Socks, and a pair of black-soled pumps with white bottoms. Looking at this attire, there is a bit of scholarly temperament.When people walking on the road saw him, they would quickly avoid the road and bowed their waists to say hello: "Master Zhang, good morning!" "morning." Old Mrs. Zhang answered without stopping.Someone behind him asked, "Which old Mrs. Zhang is this?" Someone replied, "Condolence, even you don't know him. This is the father of Zhang Juzheng, the chief assistant today." In Jingzhou City, Mrs. Zhang can hear it every day. He is used to this kind of discussion.

His life is seventy years old, and the old man Zhang Wenming is only two months away from this "old age". Although he is very old, he is full of energy and has no signs of grass or wind.If it is said that his own future in this life is really very difficult.At the age of twenty, he passed the entrance examination and became a scholar in the government. He married a wife and had children, but he has been prosperous for a few years.Since then, I have passed more than a dozen rural examinations in a row, but I have not passed any of them. It is really repeated failures and failures.Later, his son Zhang Juzheng grew up, and he was a student of the government together with him. The father and son went to Wuchang for the provincial examination together. His son ranked first in high school, but he was still a failed scholar.The son's official position in the capital became bigger and bigger, and he read various policy essays and test posts in the countryside, and the more he read, the older he got.The last time I rushed for the exam was when I was fifty-nine years old, and it was still a failure.Look at the man who is already sixty years old. Looking at himself in the mirror, his white hair is like frost, so he sighed and said: "Future, destiny, has nothing to do with studying." Panchi gave up his career and went home to enjoy his old age.Although he was terrified when Wen Zhan was mentioned, thanks to his son Zhang Juzheng's hard work, he doubled what he had lost.

Most of the long-lived old people have the habit of getting up early. The old farmer in the countryside puts on the morning star to herd cows and eat dewy grass or tend the vegetable garden.The old man in the powerful family wakes up in the morning, does Tai Chi in the courtyard garden, or walks with the birds in the bird cage.Zhang Wenming is not good at these two things. As long as there is no wind or rain, his homework for getting up early every day is to walk along the streets and alleys of Jingzhou City.He walks along a fixed route every day: he lives at the East Gate, turns from his home to Shizi Street in the city, where there is a Guandi Temple, walks north from Guandi Temple to Xuanmiao Temple near Xiaobeimen, and then from Go west from Xuanmiao Temple, go to the Tienu Temple in front of the Great North Gate, go south from Tienu Temple to the Confucian Temple, turn east from there, and go home through Cross Street.This trip turned five or six miles down, and it took about an hour.Such a circle every morning, Zhang Wenming's body is healthy all day.

Today is a fine day after the rain. Zhang Wenming, accompanied by two family servants, leisurely walked to the entrance of Xuanmiao Temple. Suddenly, a person rushed out from a slanting stab, and knelt down in front of him, mourning shouted: "Master Zhang, you have to make the decision for me." It made Zhang Wenming take a step back, and took a closer look, it was old man Li, an old fellow of Zhangjiataizi.Zhangjiataizi is eight miles outside the east gate of Jingzhou City, where Zhang Wenming's hometown is.After Zhang Juzheng passed the Jinshi examination in the 26th year of Jiajing, his father valued his son, so Zhang Wenming moved into the city with his family.He used to live near this Xuanmiao temple. In the first year of Longqing, Zhang Juzheng was promoted to be a scholar of the Wenhua Palace and entered the cabinet. His net worth rose sharply, and there were suddenly more people who flattered Zhang Wenming.With the enthusiastic planning and support of many local officials, and his son brought some money back from Beijing, Zhang Wenming took over the Prince Liao's Mansion on Dongmen Street.In the second year of Longqing, Zhu Xianwei, King of Liao who lived in Jingzhou City, was deposed as a common man because he was accused of treason, and was detained to death.His family property was confiscated, including the Liao Wang Mansion in Jingzhou City, which was built by Cui Wei with Zhu Liang's painted buildings and pavilions.Zhang Wenming's father, Zhang Zhen, used to be a guard of the Liao King's mansion, and helped the Liao King guard the gate for more than ten years.Unexpectedly, things changed, stars changed, personnel metabolized, and the mighty King of Liao became a prisoner on death row, while the eldest grandson of his guard became a university scholar beside the emperor.From then on, the Liao Prince's Mansion became the University Scholars' Mansion, and the "Daddy Zhang" that the neighbors used to call was also upgraded to "Old Master Zhang", becoming the number one celebrity in Jingzhou City.Although Zhang Wenming's status is high, he only shows up in front of local officials. When he meets old folks who grew up making clay balls and digging out bird nests, he is still polite and not put on airs.At this moment, he was confused by Old Man Li's kneeling, and asked hastily:

"Daddy Li, what are you doing?" Old man Li is a little younger than Zhang Wenming, but he is also in his sixties.Looking at his rough face like fir bark, he felt that he was much older than Zhang Wenming.As Zhang Wenming said, he was going to lead Old Man Li up, but Old Man Li refused, and only said anxiously: "Master Zhang, you have to save my son." "What happened to your son?" "He was locked up by the customs police." "Oh, is there such a thing?" It was only then that Zhang Wenming noticed that the square in front of Xuanmiao Temple was already full of people and noisy—this place had already been turned into a Lushui vegetable market.Farmers outside the city of Jingzhou leave for the city every day before dawn, and bring their own vegetables here for sale.At this time, there were about one or two hundred vegetable farmers holding poles and surrounding a dozen policemen in soap clothes.Among the policemen, another person was chained, and this person was Li Gou'er, the son of Old Man Li.

As soon as Zhang Wenming saw something important, he ordered his servants to quickly pick up the old man Li who was kneeling on the ground, and rushed into the crowd. Someone from the other side had already shouted sharply: "Get out, Mr. Zhang is here!" The vegetable farmers holding poles spread out like sparrows. Although they stood far away, they were still surrounded by a thousand police officers holding knives and locking up Li Gou'er.Zhang Wenming was out of breath after running a few steps, and before he had time to speak, he saw Old Man Li staggering up from behind, grabbing Li Gou'er and dragging him away.

A man who looked like a police chief stood up, shoved old man Li, and said viciously: "Go back, if you do this again, even you will be locked." The man turned his head, gave Zhang Wenming a deep bow, his face full Dui laughed and said, "Old Master Zhang, it's been a while." "Morning." Zhang Wenming said perfunctorily. He looked at the policeman in his thirties in front of him. He was dressed in a ninth-rank official uniform even though he was born with a face. He asked, "Are you the boss?" "Yes, the younger one is called Duan Sheng."

"Well, Duan Sheng, which yamen are you from?" Zhang Wenming asked knowingly. Duan Sheng replied: "Go back to the old man, we are from the customs." "The tax office," Zhang Wenming repeated, pointing at Li Gou'er and asking Duan Sheng, "Why did you lock him up?" "He resisted the tax!" Duan Sheng gave Li Gou'er a glance, and his face showed a fierce look again. "Resisting taxes?" Zhang Wenming was startled, and asked the locked Li Gou'er, "Gou'er, tell me, what tax did you resist?" "He resisted..."

"I didn't ask you, what did you say?" Zhang Wenming reprimanded Duan Sheng, and then asked Li Gou'er softly, "What's going on?" Li Gou'er explained the reason in detail: their family used to have ten acres of paddy fields, but more than ten years ago, the Jingjiang River broke its embankment and was buried by quicksand.After the water receded, it left five or six feet of yellow sand and gravel, which could not be reclaimed at all. Therefore, the actual paddy field in the family was only five acres, and the grain was lost every year, but it was still counted as ten acres.Although the Li family had written posts to the county government many times to explain the reason, they were all beaten back, because the farmland in the grain payment book had already entered the imperial court's fish scale book.The Ministry of Households collects grain taxes and apportions taxes based on these acres of fields every year.If Jiangling County loses five acres, the county magistrate should pay the food and taxes out of his own pocket.Therefore, this seemingly simple matter is more difficult than trying to solve it.The Li family embraced the huge grievance, but they had nowhere to ask.There is no shortage of one catty or one tael of imperial grain every year.The small family of the Ding family had a difficult life, and this made it even worse.If five mu of land is handed over to ten mu of imperial grain, if there is a good year, at least a few catties of rice can be left. If there is a bad harvest, all the harvested rice will not be handed over, and the family's life will not be settled at all.After more than ten years of such debts, the old man Li's family worked hard and worked hard, but they owed the government a certain amount of imperial food, which is equivalent to eleven taels of tax silver.The year before last, when the new emperor ascended the throne, he was kind enough to exempt money and food, and canceled all the outstanding debts before the first year of Longqing.In this way, Old Man Li's family saved three liang of silver, but still owed eight liang of silver in taxes.Old accounts are difficult to settle, but new troubles have been added to Old Man Li's family.In addition, seven or eight out of ten floods in the Yangtze River broke out in Jingjiang, so there is a saying that "the Yangtze River is dangerous in Jingjiang".Every flood season, the officials and people on the banks of the Jingjiang River feel their scalps tingling. If they break their mouths, the future of the local officials will be cut off.The fear of common people is a hundred times greater than that of officials.Because for them, the serious one is a catastrophe, and the light one is like Li Gouer's family, and they are tortured to live.Last year's flood season came later, but the torrential rain that lasted for more than half a month in June and the swell of the river were more ferocious than in the previous two years. Officials from all over the province were guarding the Jingjiang embankment almost day and night.The common people of Jingzhou Mansion, according to the regulations, five acres of land gave one person to guard the embankment. Li Gou'er's family had ten acres of paddy fields in name, so two people had to go up the embankment.Li Gou'er and his elder brother Li Huer both went to the embankment, and only old man Li was left in the family, busy in the field, sweating and sweating.Li's family still has half an acre of vegetable garden. Apart from eating at home, the surplus vegetables are sold in Jingzhou city.The daily expenses of the family depend on the production of this half-acre vegetable garden.Old man Li's eldest son, Li Huer, went to the embankment for more than 20 days. He patrolled the embankment one night and was bitten by a poisonous snake. Because there was no one to replace him at that time, he couldn't go down to the embankment for treatment. Although his companion squeezed blood for him, but because I couldn't do anything about it, but the root of the disease was still left behind, and one leg was swollen like a wax gourd.Min Yi had a work-related accident, the government only gave him a waiver, and ignored the rest.Li Hu'er was carried home and was still lying on the bed, unable to get off the ground.The old man Li’s family is as poor as a fish with no shirts. They really want to die without getting rid of their roots, and if they want to live without turning green, how can they have spare money to treat Li Hu’er’s illness? This dragged on for seven or eight months. Although Li Hu’er He was able to get off the ground, but he limped and became a semi-cripple.This is really a dilapidated house and it rains all night, and the boat meets the headwind.Old man Li's family background is only three more broken houses that can shelter from wind and rain than beggars.In early spring, when other people’s families were watching social dramas, flying kites, driving mules and horses to play, old man Li led his dog and planted a few rows of broad beans in the vegetable garden, hoping to get a good price as soon as possible.After more than a month of busy work, the broad beans are bursting with pods and growing lovely.Getting up very early today, the father and son each picked up a load of green pea pods and sold them in front of the Xuanmiao Temple.Before the bean pods were sold, a large group of customs officials came and walked straight up to Mrs. Li and his son. The leader of the patrol, Duan Sheng, put his hands on his hips and asked domineeringly: "Old man Li, do you still recognize me?" Seeing this person, old man Li secretly groaned in his heart.The customs office had issued summons to him several times due to tax arrears, and this Duan Sheng received him every time he came.He was afraid of being scolded by this ruthless living Hades, so he always tried to avoid him.This time they met on a narrow road, the old man Li couldn't dodge, so he could only put on a smile and flatter him: "Ah, it's Mr. Patrol Duan. No matter how blind the little one is, he won't fail to recognize you, Mr. Duan." "You pretend to be a grandson when you see me, and you usually avoid me, as if you have eaten Xiaoyaosan." Duan Sheng pulled his face and roared, "I came this morning just to wait for you." Old man Li knew that it was because of the eight taels of money he owed, so he had to bend down and beg: "Uncle Duan, your old grace..." "Grace, hum, if you are so kind, our jobs will be ruined," Duan Sheng interrupted old man Li's pleading, and asked, "Say, when will you pay back the eight taels of silver you owe?" "If the harvest is good, this autumn..." "Go, go, what about golden autumn and silver autumn? If you draw pancakes, I'll hear calluses in my ears." Duan Sheng was swearing and swearing, but he didn't prevent a black-faced strong man standing up beside Old Man Li, poking his face with his finger and shouting: "Whose father are you pretending to be?" A King Kong appeared on the way, scaring Duan Sheng back a step, and asked, "Who are you?" "Dog, don't mess around," Old Man Li hurriedly restrained his son, and said cautiously to Duan Sheng, "This is a dog, and the country people don't understand the rules." "I thought a tiger jumped out in broad daylight, but it turned out to be a dog." Duan Sheng sneered, causing the people present to burst into laughter.Duan Sheng felt that he had grown up, and he yelled at the dog again, "Your family owes you eight liang of tax and silver, do you know that?" "Know." "Know that you are still so fierce?" "My father is so old, why do you pretend to be my father?" Gou'er held his breath and spoke harshly, "Don't think that you can bully others because you are in the government." A few words made Duan Sheng almost choke, he stomped his feet, gritted his teeth and cursed: "You owe taxes and don't pay, but you are insulting people. I don't believe that you boy can turn the world upside down, come on!" "exist!.' All the guards roared together. "Lock this kid." "yes!" A few guards stepped forward and were about to make a move, but Li Gou'er took a step away.Ask: "Why do you arrest people?" "Only because of your resistance to taxes," Duan Sheng said angrily, "You don't need to be locked up, just pay the owed money now." "No!" Li Gou'er stiffened his neck. "No, first confiscate his two loads of broad beans." As soon as Duan Sheng said, he sent people to move the vegetable baskets immediately. Li Gou'er was already angry when he heard the word "tax", and when he thought of his brother Li Huer lying on the bed waiting for the copper plate to grab medicine and cure his illness, Li Gou'er became even more angry. Refueling, he rushed over and shoved the policeman, and shouted: "Look who dares to snatch it, I will fight him hard!" There are many people and they are not afraid of him, so the messenger said: "Are we afraid that we can't cure you, a stubborn bull?" Then he went to arrest him.Li Gou'er was in a hurry, so he put down his burden and took out his shoulder pole, and swept the policeman who scolded him, and the policeman immediately fell to the ground, rolling all over the ground with half-truths and half-false "ouch".This time Li Gou'er got into a catastrophe, and seven or eight policemen rushed up, threw him to the ground, beat and kicked him, and then locked him with an iron chain.Seeing their companions being beaten, the vegetable farmers' anger broke out, so they all rushed forward with their shoulder poles and surrounded a group of policemen.Duan Sheng is an old errand, before he went to the street today, he estimated that there would be an accident, so he ordered the accompanying messenger to bring weapons and instruments of torture, which came in handy right now.Seeing that they were all vicious and carrying machetes, the vegetable farmers did not dare to approach rashly, and the two sides were in a stalemate.At this time, Zhang Wenming came here for a walk. After hearing the whole story, Zhang Wenming felt that he had encountered a difficult matter. He thought it was just a fight between Li Gouer and the police, and let the police release him because of his face.Now it seems that it is not so simple. The evidence of Li Gouer's resistance to tax and beating people is conclusive.Hitting personnel is a small matter, and the key lies in the "resistance to taxes".Taxation has always been the national law, and no one dares to be sloppy.Old man Li's five-acre field pays taxes for ten-acre field.It is indeed an unlucky thing to hit a ghost in broad daylight.Old man Li's family was not alone in Jiangling County suffering from such bad luck.I once heard from the county magistrate of Jiangling that the current number of acres of land taxed in the whole county was determined during the Zhengde period.It has been more than 60 years, and the land has been reduced by more than 3,000 mu over the years due to water and sand pressure. However, the imperial court collects taxes according to the approved field acres of the year, and one liter, one bucket, and one cent cannot be reduced. This is suffering. Those farmers who lost their fields.Every year, the county government will receive complaints from these farmers hoping to pay taxes according to the facts. The county magistrate knows that their demands are reasonable, but he can't make this decision.In a hurry, he couldn't think of a plan that would save Li Gou'er without offending the customs, so he could only blame Li Gou'er: "You young brother is also too angry, and you can be reasonable. Why do you have to sweep others with a pole?" Li Gou'er's eyes were red, and he said unconvinced: "Why do they want to take away my vegetable burden?" The onlookers all defended the dog against the injustice, and all talked about it: "Li Gou'er was wronged. He planted five acres of land and paid ten acres of land tax. Whoever encounters such a bad luck will be unhappy!" "The new emperor came to the throne, and ordered that money and food be exempted. Before the first year of Longqing, there was no exemption. Why do we in Jiangling County still have to pay?" "Master Zhang, your son has become the chief assistant. Why don't you let him change this unreasonable tax law?" "Damn it, reasonable bodhisattvas are always enshrined in his yamen!" There are many people with mixed mouths, and they say things differently, pointing at Sang and scolding Huai.Zhang Wenming is usually treated with courtesy everywhere, how many people hold him with clean nails and are afraid of convulsions, but these gangsters beat their teeth and slapped their teeth and scolded the government police to bring him in.An unknown fire suddenly rose in his stomach, but there was nowhere to flare up. Duan Sheng saw the embarrassment of Mrs. Zhang, so he pointed to a helper and scolded: "Be honest, boy, the tax money owed by your family is no less than that of Li Gou'er's family." "How do you know?" The idler was taken aback. "Why didn't I know?" Duan Sheng grinned grimly, "You live in Ximen Zhima Lane, Chen Bakai is your father, and your nickname is blowfly, isn't it?" "Master Patrol has good eyesight, I'm just a blowfly." "Your family owes nine years of silver to the craftsman class, and the total amount is more than four taels, do you know that?" "I know," the blowfly said with a nonchalant smile, "this tax money is black money set by your yamen, and I won't give any of it." The blowfly's attitude is stubborn but he feels that he is justified.Let’s say that this craftsman’s silver was originally a kind of tax collected in the city. All carpenters, bricklayers, painters, tailors, blacksmiths and other craftsmen have to pay four and five cents of tax silver to the government every year. They are called craftsmen. Ban Yin.This was enacted at the beginning of the country, and the household registration remains unchanged.If there is an extinct or escaped household in the middle, Lijia will pay the compensation.This continued to be forcibly expropriated until the Jiajing period, and the local minister Lijia complained endlessly.During the Jiajing period, a censor wrote to the imperial court about the shortcomings of the craftsmen's silver collection. After many discussions with the court council, the emperor approved a flexible method.The artisan households subject to taxation are no longer static, but are subject to trial every ten years, and those who die during this period are allowed to cancel.Although this small reform is not perfect, those who pay attention to the public health are also applauded.Blowfly's grandfather was a well-known plucking gardener, and he passed away in the second year after the last approval as a craftsman. Neither his son Chen Bakai nor his grandson Blowfly engaged in cotton plucking anymore.However, according to the regulations, his family must also pay the full amount of silver to the craftsman during the ten years.Chen Bakai and the blowfly father and son refused to be taken advantage of for any reason, so they kept resisting. Duan Sheng pointed out the blowfly, the original intention was to catch the thief and capture the king by discounting his dung stick to suppress the arrogance of the group, but he didn't expect that the blowfly's seven orifices were filled with evil spirits, and the thorns in his words were more than Li Gou'er was even harder to deal with, Duan Sheng couldn't help cursing in his heart: "Damn you, I'm going to turn off your fire today." Then he asked: "The yamen collects taxes according to the regulations of the imperial court. Do you dare to say that they collect black money?" "My grandfather has been dead for nine years, and his bones have rotted into ashes. You still have to collect his craftsman's money. What is it if it's not black money?" One wave of ups and downs, one wave after another, Zhang Wenming didn't want to get involved in right and wrong because of meddling, and was about to say a few two-faced words and leave the scene, but at this moment, Duan Sheng's voice was lifted like thunder, roaring road: "You kid is impatient to live, lock it!" With a wave of Duan Sheng's hand, several servants are like hungry tigers jumping on sheep.The blowfly hopped around on its hands and feet, and suddenly circled behind Zhang Wenming. Using the old man as a barrier, he joked: "Tax Customs, urging the judge to run rampant today and paralyzed tomorrow. The rich man will soften when he sees it. He will catch the people and sit in prison." What the blowfly recited was originally a folk song that has been popular in Jingzhou City for many years.How could the tax collectors who usually stand tall in Lyon be ridiculed by this? At this time, they didn't care about anything, they swarmed up with knives and sticks, and the blowflies saw that they had no momentum, pushed old Mrs. Zhang forward, and went to Stepping back, the soles of his feet were oiled and ran fast.Poor old Mrs. Zhang, who staggered a step and couldn't stand still. He had already received a sap from the tax collector on the head, and a gash more than two inches long was split on his forehead.The old man fell to the ground with an "ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" When the accident occurred in the vegetable market in front of Xuanmiaoguan, Jin Xuezeng, the official of the Jingzhou tax bureau, was in Tiequan Lane in the south of the city.More than two months ago, Jin Xuezeng was still working as a member of the household department and investigating Wanping Zilitian. Why did he suddenly come to Jingzhou to become a tax inspector? Here is a story: In the early years of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the imperial court set up ten customs offices in important trading ports and prosperous places in the north and south, such as Nanjing, Yangzhou, Suzhou, Songjiang, Hangzhou, Jingzhou, Datong, Dezhou, and Zhangjiawan, Tongzhou, Beijing.These tax officials are all served by the assistant official Tongzhi of the state capital.The year before last, Wang Guoguang, the new minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, suggested to Zhang Juzheng that the officials of the top ten customs offices should be directly appointed by the Ministry of Household Affairs in view of the ineffective collection of taxes by the top ten tax bureaus and the fact that the tax administration was constrained by the difficulties of local distribution. , Zhang Juzheng readily agreed.The top ten customs offices were not only established separately from the local government, but the administrative level was also raised to Sipin Yamen.The official title of Tax Guantang is Patrol Censor, which is at the same level as the magistrate, and they all wear fourth-rank Yunyan make-up clothes.This change of course has had an immediate effect. Last year, most of the tax bureaus increased their tax revenue by more than half, but there were also some tax bureaus that were not satisfactory in the old way. After ranking for a year, the worst performance was the Jingzhou tax bureau. Zhang Juzheng, who was promoting financial reform with great fanfare, saw that the tax office in his hometown had won the last place, and felt that his face was dull. In a rage, he ordered Wang Guoguang to withdraw Jingzhou tax inspector who had only been in office for one year. He personally nominated Jin Xuezeng, who had just completed the inspection of Wanping Zilitian, to take over.Before Jin Xuezeng took office, Zhang Juzheng met him in the cabinet, and Wang Guoguang, Minister of the Ministry of household affairs, was present at the same time.Zhang Juzheng gave him some words of encouragement, and finally exhorted: "Jingzhou is Bugu's hometown. Although it is not as prosperous as Suzhou, Hangzhou, Songyang and other places, it is also an important commercial port along the Yangtze River. I wouldn’t think of it. For many years, the silver taels collected by the Jingzhou tax customs have always been unsatisfactory. It’s not good, but it’s not too bad. Compared with other states, it is even worse than Datong, Dezhou. The reforms in other places have achieved outstanding results. Why is the price in Jingzhou alone? It means to observe first and then act. What has he observed in the past year, and how did he do it? The ancients said, "If you observe and understand the meaning with reason, then you will be blessed if you observe it; Woe'. Unfortunately, your ex just pretended to be a fool. He didn't dare to make decisions when he was in trouble. He went in and out of this yamen and asked for advice all day long. In the end, nothing was achieved. I say this, not to ask you After taking office, you will fight against the magistrates, but all officials have to perform their duties. Your duty is to collect taxes. This job is not easy to do. Due to the relationship between interests, magistrates are often hindered. If you blindly accommodate, you will be afraid of wolves. If you are afraid of tigers, I am afraid that nothing will be achieved in the end. I will give you one year, and if you finish it, I will give you credit in front of the emperor. If you fail, you will have to be dismissed and investigated. Do you understand?" Zhang Juzheng said with kindness and power.Jin Xue had it in mind, so he left the capital immediately and went out to the official department to take the pass, hired a mule, and left the capital to look at Jingzhou. Unknowingly, Jin Xuezeng has been in Jingzhou for more than a month.In the first half month of his arrival, he first visited all the yamen officials in Jingzhou City, and then checked the tax account books over the years.After staying up all night, Jin Xuezeng roughly figured out the crux of the tax arrears, but after investigation, it would not be easy to solve it if it was really put on the table, so he was worried.Seeing him humming or haha, others guessed that he was braking with silence.Little did he know that he was a mouse-throwing weapon, and the dog bit the hedgehog and couldn't get it off. He got up very early that day, and walked to Tiequan Lane in the south of the city in casual clothes.At the entrance of the alley, he asked the old man sweeping the street: "Excuse me, where is Master Li's house in Yuan'an Zhi County?" After walking dozens of steps, he stopped at the door where the lantern was hung.This house is old, the front door is narrow, and the vermilion paint on the door is often peeling off, it doesn't look like the county magistrate's mansion at all.Jin Xuezeng was worried that something was wrong, and looked around, only a lantern was hung on the door of this house.Thinking that the old street sweeper would not lie, he went forward and knocked on the door, but no one answered for a long time.Jin Xue once saw that the gate was only ajar, so he gently pushed it open and walked in. Inside the gate was a small courtyard like a well, with a few bowls and a tea stand, but it was neatly tidied up.Adjacent to the courtyard is the main room, Jin Xuezeng stretched out his head to take a look into the main room, and saw a man wearing a seventh-grade gown was kneeling on the ground, with a copper lampstand on his head.A woman was sitting on the chair next to her, holding a feather duster in her hand. Seeing this scene, Jin Xuezeng couldn't help laughing out loud.Only then did the people in the room realize that someone was coming, and the woman came out with a feather duster, looked Jin Xuezeng up and down, and asked: "Who are you looking for?" Jin Xuezeng pointed to the person who was still kneeling there and asked, "Is he Mr. Li, the magistrate of Yuan'an County?" "Even so." "It's him I'm looking for." "Who are you?" "I'm from Jingzhou Customs." When the kneeling man heard this, he quickly took the lampstand on his head and stood up. He squeezed out a face from behind the woman and asked: "Are you Master Jin?" "Exactly." "Which Lord Jin?" the woman asked. "The new tax censor." "how do you know?" "There is no old man in the Jingzhou Tax Customs that we don't know, only this Mr. Jin we haven't seen before." Hearing that a senior official had arrived, the woman hurriedly put down the feather duster, let Jin Xuezeng into the room and sat down, served tea and poured water for a while, then smiled as if nothing happened: "Master Jin, please sit down first and chat with our boss. I don't think you have eaten this early in the morning. Let's go prepare breakfast for you." Seeing the woman quickly enter the inner room, Jin Xuezeng asked with a smile, "Is this Mrs. Sister-in-law?" "Exactly." "Government is so strict, Mr. Li has a special family style!" Faced with Jin Xuezeng's good-natured ridicule, Master Li didn't feel embarrassed at all. He also laughed at himself: "Beating is kissing, scolding is love. Our wife is one of the best women in a hundred." Then, he woke up early in the morning with the lampstand on his head, Xiang Jinxue explained: Mr. Li is called Li Shun, from Baoding Prefecture.He was originally a scholar, but because of his poor family, it was difficult to continue his career, so he was recommended by someone to work as an official in the Yamen of Jingzhou Prefecture.For more than 20 years, he has done everything in the Liufang Book Office of the government government, from money and food to criminal names, and he is familiar with all official duties.From the third year of Longqing, he was assigned to help the tax office under the same name of the state, and he was still a master in charge of accounts.This Li Shun is dull on the outside and bright on the inside.He never asked the officials what to do.But if you ask him about difficult things, he will not only answer all your questions, but also make your doubts disappear.Therefore, the hall officials of all dynasties valued him very much.It is precisely because of this that the county magistrate was selected by the subordinate officials of the Ministry of Officials the year before last, so that he was able to become the county magistrate of Yuan'an by being the number one in Huguang Road.Li Shun is not only serious in his work, but also never corrupt or bribery.Compared with other officials, his life is much more difficult. As a northerner, he has never eaten fish until he was twenty years old. When he came to Jingzhou Mansion to eat fish for the first time, he picked a piece of fish and put it in his mouth. Li tasted it for a long time before admiring: "Well, this fish tastes good, like steamed buns." This joke was widely circulated among colleagues. Whenever a new dish was served at a banquet, someone would ask him, "Master Li, Do you think this dish looks like a steamed bun?" Li Shun just smiled.It stands to reason that being a servant in the yamen can be regarded as a respectable person, and it should not be difficult to find a wife, but Li Shun is afraid of being a man who is not good at sex, and he didn't taste the joy of bridal chamber weddings until he was thirty.His wife is the daughter of an old private school teacher named Ruizhi.First she married and became a concubine to an old censor. After the old censor died, the eldest lady couldn't tolerate her driving her out of the house, so she was arranged to follow Li Shun.Ruizhi is a person who has seen the world, so he always thinks Li Shun is useless.When she married Li Shun, Li Shun's annual salary was only twelve taels of silver. Later, when he was transferred to the tax office, his salary was increased by six taels, and it was only eighteen taels of silver. Apart from this positive income, Li Shun had nothing else. way of making money.How could Ruizhi not complain when he saw other people’s houses eating hot food and drinking spicy food all day long, while his own family was neglected? Li Shun saw that his wife rarely bought a piece of jewelry for three to five years, and fashion clothes could never be brought home. , I feel very sorry.Even so, he still guards his integrity and refuses to think about making ill-gotten gains. It is considered a fat job to manage accounts at the customs. Every now and then, someone comes to his house with a gift box to seek accommodation, and he refuses them all.He also often advises his wife: "Accepting bribes on a mission is like a woman being a prostitute. Once you make a mistake, you will never turn back. Even if you 'be good' in the future, you will end up talking about it and make people look down on you." "Evil is rewarded, good is rewarded with good", so he laughed and said, "You can return the gift box, but I have to be compensated for being poor like you." "How do you say compensation?" Li Shun asked.Ruizhi said: "If you return the gift box once, then you kneel down and hold the lampstand once, and we will be even." Li Shun felt that his wife's prank was unacceptable, but then he thought: As long as the wife doesn't mess around, this kind of thing will be fine. What is it.A real man is not even afraid of death, but is he afraid of putting up a lampstand? So he gritted his teeth and agreed.从此，退一次礼盒儿就跪着顶一次灯台。前几天，李顺因公事从远安回到荆州府述职，在家小住，昨儿夜里，又有人登门送礼被他拦了回去。因思着夜深了，夫妻俩还要上床“话别”，瑞芝暂且忍了：今天一大早，李顺起来要回远安县，瑞芝手捏着灯台赶到堂屋里来，嗔道：“怎么，想逃?”李顺嘻嘻一笑道：“好好好，我且先顶了这铜灯台，再上路不迟。”顶了不大一会儿，正巧被金学曾推门进来撞见。 听了这段故事，金学曾心里头酸酸的。来荆州不久，他就听说过李顺的为人，便想着与他结识，只因李顺住在远安县隔了两百多里路，一时找不着机会。昨天他听说李顺回荆州述职，今儿就要回县，他就起了个绝早，寻到这铁券巷来与李顺见面。此刻堂屋里光线渐亮，他端详这位李顺，四十过半的年纪，大概小时候挨饿多了，故身材矮小，全然不像个北方之人，尖下巴颏上一绺胡须也是稀稀疏疏的，只一双眼睛不浮不肿，透出的光芒深沉有力。心里头对他生了几分敬意，言道： “李大人，愚职一到荆州就听说你的大名，早想结识你。” 李顺对这位金学曾也不陌生，他斗蟋蟀赢一万两银子捐给国库以及去礼部查账等事都上了邸报，最近一期邸报上，还登了他去宛平县稽查子粒田得到李太后嘉奖的事，算是官场上的闻人，只是不知他为何大清早登门拜访，便回道： “下官是个懵懂人，总免不了闹笑话，金大人这早跑来，不知有何事承教?” 金学曾说：“实不相瞒，是为税关的事。” “税关的事?”李顺眼珠子咕噜噜一转，“听说金大人一来，就一头扎在账房里，可查出什么蹊跷来了?” “查是查出了一些，”金学曾说着就从袖笼里摸出几张纸来，递给李顺说，“你看看，这是历年来欠银情况。” 李顺接过翻了翻，上面密密麻麻都是姓名，挂寄在诸如榷场税、交易税、田亩税、匠班税等各种税种之下，张三欠几两几钱李四欠几两几钱都标得清楚明自。底下汇总了一个数字：历年积欠总额叁拾贰万肆仟柒佰余两。 李顺把清单还给金学曾，说道：“金大人不愧是查账高手，把税关的一本乱账都理顺了，就这一点，你就比你的前任要强。” 金学曾听出李顺话中有话，问道：“我的前任来时，你还在税关管账?” “刚办完移交，税关就改制了，所以没有和新来的巡税御史大人见上面。” “有一件事情我想问你。” "Speaking." “你在税关管了三年账，为何从来没想到要把账清理一下?” “我一个属吏有多大的胆子，敢冒这个险?”李顺沉默了一会儿，又接着说，“何况，你就是把账查清楚了，又济什么事?” “你是说……” “金大人，你在京城做的那些事，下官从邸报上都看到了，你实心为朝廷办事，不掺一点私心杂念，下官非常钦佩，只是千不该万不该，你不该来荆州当这个巡税御史。” "Why?" “荆州税关去年征税在十大税关中倒数第一，巡税御史撤职，这个邸报上都登了。金大人，你难道就没有想到，你的前任为何落到这个下场?” “我怎么没想到，”金学曾沉下脸来，皱着眉头说道，“不来不知道，一来吓一跳。这荆州城虽小，但要想做点事，却是比京城里头还费周折。” “不然，怎么叫庙小妖风盛，池浅王八多?”李顺说着苦笑了起来，“金大人，及早打退堂鼓吧。” “这怎么成，我向首辅大人立过军令状，大丈夫做事，怎么能半途而废。” 见金学曾较起真来，李顺心里头暗暗高兴。在税关三年，他对其中的黑幕已是摸得清清楚楚，只是苦于自己人微言轻无法处置，他一直盼着有人来捅这个马蜂窝。但为了谨慎起见，他故意泼冷水： “金大人，事有可为可不为者，荆州税关之事便是不可为者，你何必赌这口气呢?” 金学曾见李顺一味推诿不肯道出真情，心里头一急，竞身子一挺，大声叫道： “李顺!” “下官在。” 李顺猝不及防嚇得身子一颤，几欲跪下，金学曾指着他的鼻子斥道： “本官今天来，是向你稽查税关欠税之事，你若再不配合，本官就上折子参你。” 李顺一昕这话，反而满不在乎地笑了起来，答道：“要参就参。”说罢一拂袖子抽身要走。 金学曾赶紧把他扯住，问道：“话没说完，你怎么能走?” “你不是要参我么?” “那是一时的气话，”金学曾咧嘴一笑，顺手拿起那只铜灯台，晃了晃说，“李大人，你若再不肯指点迷津，本官也要跪灯台了。” 金学曾说罢，真的朝地上一跪，把那只铜灯台顶到头上，李顺正说上前拉他，赶巧儿他老婆这时候从里屋一步跨了出来，看到这情形，顿时笑得前仰后合。 “你捡到银饼子了，这么开心!”李顺朝老婆吼道，看到老婆这样不顾体面，他着实恼了。 金学曾这时已从地上爬起来，高举那只铜灯台对瑞芝说：“嫂夫人，听李大人讲，跪着顶灯台专治偏头痛，我正好也有偏头痛的毛病，故跟着李大人学这偏方。” “什么，治偏头痛?”瑞芝一愣，问丈夫，“是你说的?” “是呀，这不是你家的祖传秘方么?”李顺没好气应了一声，又问，“早膳可弄好?” “好了，金大人，请去餐厅随便用点。” 金学曾早已是饥肠辘辘，随李顺去餐厅吃了一碗葱花油面，吃完回到客堂坐下，李顺正色说道： “金大人，你既下决心捅这个马蜂窝，下官送你三句话。” “在下承教。”金学曾挪了挪凳儿。 “第一句话，打蛇不要被蛇咬。”见金学曾愣怔，李顺解释道，“税关里的巡拦承差，大部分屁股底下坐的有屎，你若翻老账，这些人要么打横炮搅你的局，要么使绊子制造麻烦。” “在下记住了，第二句话呢?” “荆州真正的逃税漏税，并不在什么田赋银和匠班银这些常设科目上，这些税牵涉千家万户，朝廷额有定规，想逃也不容易。再说，此中税制多有不合情理之处，官府逼收，苦的是老百姓。” “依你说，真正的逃税漏税在哪里?” “榷场税。” 凡官府专控物品指定交易者，称为榷场，真正的大宗利润都产自榷场商贾，因此，这税关也称为榷关。金学曾一直对榷商逃税心存怀疑，但几个月查下来却不见一点蛛丝马迹，李顺一提，金学曾叹道： “在下知道榷场猫腻甚大，但账上却查不出来。” “如果账上查得出来，你的前任也不会被革职了。我送你第二句话，要查账外账。” “账外账，”金学曾眼睛一亮，问，“上哪儿查去?” “查榷商的来往账目，”李顺沉吟了一下，又道，“常言道，十商九奸，商贾之至奸者，莫过于勾结官府。你金大人名声在外，恐怕还没到荆州，这些榷商们就早有防范了。” “谢谢李大人指点，我金某就是钻天入地，也要设法查出一个账外账来：” “好，但愿魔高一尺，道高一丈，”李顺也兴奋起来，“再说第三句话，不过，下官先得申明，这件事你可做可不做。” “做何事?” “牵住牛鼻子。” “牛鼻子，”金学曾咂摸了半天，又问，“谁是牛鼻子?'李顺并不直接回答，而是四下里瞧瞧看清了无人偷听，这才压低声音问道： “金大人，你知道荆州城中最大的偷税户是谁?” “是谁?” “是当今首辅大人的令尊。” “你是说张老太爷?” “正是。”李顺的口气不容置疑，“隆庆二年，当时的江陵知县赵谦把长江边上一片无人认领的荒田作为礼物送给张文明，这片荒田有一千二百亩，张老太爷得了这块田，只收谷米不交赋税，也不摊丁，这是多大的一块肥肉哇。” 金学曾倒吸一口冷气，愣了半天，才喃喃自语道：“这种事情怎么会发生在他的身上。” “怎么，为难吧?” “是。”金学曾点头承认。 李顺摇摇头，说道：“你一进咱家，咱就劝你找门路回京城，为的就是这层。你想想，首辅家里的事，谁敢乱插手，太岁头上动土，那后果是什么?话又说回来，若真的把张老太爷这块骨头啃动了，其他的难题儿，还不是小菜一碟?” 李顺的话句句在理，金学曾不住地点头，这时候大门外有人高喊： “这里可是李大人的家。” “正是。”李顺起身答道。 只见一个人气喘吁吁跨进门来，焦急地问：“请问李大人，金大人在不在贵府上?” 金学曾认出是税关承差， 承差一见他，连忙禀道：人把张老太爷打得血流满面，连忙踅出客堂，问：“你有何事?” “金大人，出了大事了。咱税关的当街昏死了过去。” “什么?哪个张老太爷?” “就是首辅的令尊大人。” 金学曾闻讯大惊，朝李顺匆匆拱一拱手，飞也似地随着承差跑去了。