[R18] Will drink wine – “About Wine” Chapter 229 [English]

Chapter 221 Problem

When Xiao Chiye entered the house, he opened the bamboo curtain and Fei Sheng retreated.Taking advantage of the cool breeze outside, Xiao Chiye put the opened letter on Shen Zechuan’s desk and said, “In the second trial of the Dancheng case, Pan blamed the evil servants in the village and wanted to remove Pan Lin first on the grounds of Pan Yi’s negligence in control.”

Shen Zechuan read the letter and said: “The Pan family embezzled people’s land and left nine out of ten houses in Dan City. As long as you check the Yellow Book of Dan City, you will know that thousands of people were displaced last year. Even if you bring out a bad servant, you can’t stop the gap. Pan Lin is in charge of the taxation of the eight cities in the Ministry of Household Affairs. There is no way he is unaware of how much is missing.”

“Pan’s people in charge of land tax affairs have all been imprisoned,” Xiao Chiye covered the light, “All of these people were bitten to death because of their own obsession, not Pan’s instruction.”

Shen Zechuan gently rubbed the page with his fingertips and said, “Pan Xiangjie, this old cunning guy.”

Pan Xiangjie had seen the power of Hua Siqian and Wei Huaigu, and had already prepared for this day.The Dancheng field tax chiefs arranged by he were all born into the same family, and they had the same interests as the Pan family. Protecting Pan Lin at this juncture was protecting the lives of his own family, so he was naturally willing to keep his mouth shut and take the blame.

Xiao Chiye said: “Since Xue Xiuzhuo dares to attack now, he must have something to do with Pan.”

“He was able to bring Kong Qiu and Cen Yu on board, and he might have Dancheng’s real account book in his hand.” Shen Zechuan thought for a moment, “But he didn’t take it out.”

This case has been interrogated by three departments, and Pan Lin has also been dismissed from his post for investigation. According to the process, as long as Xue Xiuzhuo instructs Liang Miaoshan to produce evidence, they will win. Even if only Pan Lin is removed in the end, it will play a decisive role in the current division of the capital.

“I’ve thought about it, and the only thing that can stop Xue Xiuzhuo from moving at this moment is spring plowing.” The sunlight slipped out from behind and shone on the side of Lan Zhou’s face. Xiao Chiye raised his arm to block it, not allowing it to peek, “The plowing in the thirteen cities of Juexi is about to begin.”

“But there was no disaster in Juexi last year, and the warehouses in the Thirteen Cities were full,” Shen Zechuan said, as if unaware of Erlang’s occupation, “We did not allocate military rations to the five counties of Qidong in winter, but only replenished the Qudu granary. There should be reserves for spring plowing at this time. What is Xue Xiuzhuo afraid of?”

“Of course there is no problem with the original plan,” Xiao Chiye sat on the edge of the table and looked at Shen Zechuan, “What if something goes wrong in it?”

Shen Zechuan understood immediately, he put down his pen and said, “It seems that the Queen Mother wants to use Qi Zhuyin’s dispatch of troops to empty the Juexi granary.”

The only way that Ran can empty Juexi’s granary at this moment is to requisition military rations. If Xue Xiuzhuo insists on going his own way and insists on continuing the in-depth investigation at this moment, Juexi’s spring plowing this year will not be able to proceed. The problem of feeding hundreds of thousands of people hangs over Xue Xiuzhuo’s head, forcing him to retreat without retreating.

“The Queen Mother’s move was to prevent the enemy from taking action later,” Xiao Chiye said. “If Xue Xiuzhuo agrees to the requisition of military rations, Juexi’s granary will be empty. For spring plowing, Juexi must borrow money from the eight cities that still have grain reserves. Then Xue Xiuzhuo cannot offend the family at this moment, heWe have to stop pursuing the land tax and seek peace with the Queen Mother who represents the family.If Xue Xiuzhuo refuses the military rations, there will be no one to replenish the military rations in the five counties of Qidong, and Qi Zhuyin will not be able to send troops.”

Juexi not only has to bear the responsibility of Qudu granary, but also Qidong’s military rations. If they are short of food during spring plowing, the various state governments must report the lack of food in their territory to the chief secretary. As the chief envoy of Juexi, Jiang Qingshan has to find a way to make up for the lack of food.Under normal circumstances, the Ministry of Revenue will coordinate based on last year’s harvest conditions. Jiang Qingshan can make an IOU with the chief envoy of the province near the harvest and borrow the grain. At that time, everyone will discuss among themselves whether to exchange the domestic crops or buy them with money.However, at present, only the Eight Great Cities can lend grain to Juexi. If he wants to persuade the Queen Mother to borrow grain after Juexi has been emptied of the granary due to military rations, Xue Xiuzhuo must let go of the Bicheng field tax, and even become the Dancheng field tax.

“You can’t buy food even if you have money. The land tax incident has already been alerted. If you miss it, it will be more difficult to investigate. Moreover, this case has attracted the attention of the Imperial Academy. If Xue Xiuzhuo retreats, the students will also punish him.” Shen Zechuan slowly leaned on the table. “The Queen Mother set up this game wisely. She just moved the chess pieces to make Xue Xiuzhuo’s advance and retreat difficult.”

The Empress Dowager also relied on Shen Zechuan’s influence here. The military rations Shen Zechuan supplied to Qidong were “stolen” by Yan Heru who integrated the Hezhou and Juexi granaries. If Qudu was recruited from Juexi, Juexi had to replenish the military rations twice in half a year. Naturally, the granaries could not afford it.

Xiao Chiye covered the top of Shen Zechuan’s hair and said, “Xue Yanqing, even though he had tried his best, is in a dead end.”

“There is still a way,” Shen Zechuan raised his eyes and said innocently to Xiao Chiye, “If it were me, I would just get rid of the Queen Mother.”

* * *

The snow in Qudu has melted quickly in the past few days, and water is flowing on the eaves along the street. Fortunately, the official ditch was newly repaired last year, and there is no more blockage.The location of Xue Mansion is good, but it is too close to the house next door, and the walls of both houses collapsed.

Xue Xiuzhuo has been living in Dali Temple recently. When he came back to get a change of clothes, he saw that the courtyard wall had been renovated. He asked the supervisor at home: “When was it repaired?”

Xue Xiuzhuo does not pay attention to red tape in running the family. The manager is old, but he is still respectful when he is around. He said truthfully: “The eldest lady came back to visit Brother Jin a few days ago and saw that the courtyard wall collapsed. She went back and mentioned it to the uncle, and the uncle sent someone to repair it.”

Xue Xiuzhuo’s eyes dimmed when he heard this. After thinking for a moment, he felt that his elder brother Xue Xiuyi’s behavior was strange.Xue Xiuyi and Xue Xiuzhuo didn’t deal with each other, and after they separated, they quickly destroyed the remaining family property. Taking Xue Xiuzhuo’s advantage, he worked as a sinecure in the Ministry of Household Affairs and barely made ends meet. Where did he get the spare money to build the courtyard wall for Xue Xiuzhuo?

“Let the accountant pay him back in full,” Xue Xiuzhuo said. “Madam, please don’t visit Brother Jin again if you have nothing to do.”

Brother Jin is Xue Da’s legitimate son. He is eight years old this year.Xue Dala came to ask for it several times, but because he could not see Xue Xiuzhuo, he had to give up.

The supervisor said “yes”.

Xue Xiuzhuo’s baggage is light. He does not wear silk and satin. The most flashy clothes are official robes, which are easy to pack.He often lives in the errand compound, with only a dumb boy around to serve as a pen and ink, and no maids. He usually has a simple life, which is a habit left by the household department and the habit of traveling to the field during work.

After Xue Xiuzhuo finished cleaning up, he was about to return to the mission compound. The supervisor held an umbrella for him and advised him in a gentle voice: “The third master always lives in the compound and there is no one to serve him. The weather has changed suddenly, so he still needs to wear thick clothes.”

When Xue Xiuzhuo arrived at the door, Ya’er stepped forward to take the umbrella and said “Ahhh” to him.Xue Xiuzhuo nodded, indicating that he understood. He turned around and said to his supervisor: “You will take care of the house. My monthly salary will be returned on time. If you see what you can add to the house, just add it.”

Xue Xiuzhuo stopped riding in a sedan chair after being promoted and walked back and forth. After giving instructions, Yu’er held the umbrella and turned around into the drizzle.When they arrived at the errand compound, they saw that Liang Miaoshan had been waiting for a long time.

“Sir Yanqing.” Liang Miao came down the steps to greet Xue Xiuzhuo.

Xue Xiuzhuo sent Ya’er away and said to Liang Miaoshan, “Go in and talk.”

Liang Miaoshan slowed down a few steps and followed Xue Xiuzhuo into the house.The lamp was lit in the room, but the charcoal basin was empty. When Liang Miaoshan sat down, he felt that the chair was cold.He had seen this room while he was waiting. It was plain and simple. The only valuable thing was the posthumous writing of Mr. Yao hanging on the wall. Other than that, the tables, chairs and benches were all ordinary objects.

Who would have thought that Xue Xiuzhuo could afford the Qidong military salary?

“Chongshen doesn’t have to be formal,” Xue Xiuzhuo opened the window, sat down, and said warmly, “Are you here for the Dancheng field tax case today?”

Xue Xiuzhuo is tall and straight, and his manners are generous, which makes people feel like spring breeze.He is now also an important minister of the capital, but Liang Miaoshan feels very comfortable in his presence.He has neither the arrogance of a child from an aristocratic family nor the restraint of a member of a humble family. It is easy for people to like him when he talks casually.

“Yes,” Liang Miaoshan took out the tightly wrapped account book in his arms, “I am here just for the Dancheng Tian tax case.”

Xue Xiuzhuo is waiting for the next chapter of he.

Liang Miaoshan went on to say: “Last time, the Queen Mother ordered Miss Hua to return to Ning, and the commander-in-chief had to accompany her father. In my humble opinion, this is urging you to do so.”

The Queen Mother summoned Qi Zhuyin to the capital at this time, just to put pressure on Xue Xiuzhuo. The army ration recruitment was still pending, and time waited for no one.

Xue Xiuzhuo said: “The cabinet has drawn up a ticket to allow the commander-in-chief to send troops to the Qing Mouse Division, but the Queen Mother has been reluctant to approve it. Now that the commander-in-chief has entered the capital, it is not entirely a bad thing.”

Liang Miaoshan said: “But the matter of military ration recruitment is pending. If it is delayed any longer, I am afraid it will delay the spring plowing in Juexi.”

Xue Xiuzhuo didn’t rest for several days, which was why he was having trouble.He and Jiang Qingshan worked hard to sort out the accounts of the thirteen cities in Juexi, just to prevent Juexi from being displaced like the eight major cities. The Queen Mother took advantage of He’s weakness, which was really difficult to move.

Today Liang Miaoshan did not come to see Xue Xiuzhuo, and Xue Xiuzhuo also wanted to see Liang Miaoshan. He said: “Chongshen is also in charge of the important salt tax affairs in Hezhou and Juexi. Why don’t you tell me the details of Hezhou.”

This is because I want to borrow food from Hezhou.

Liang Miaoshan looked troubled and said: “I have spoken frankly. It is really difficult for you to borrow grain from Hezhou. This year, Hezhou has a good harvest, but the official grain is provided to the capital, and the rest must be used for spring plowing. We can only borrow people’s grain from the Yan family. That Yan Heru is very difficult to deal with, and he is rich, and he may not be willing to lend money. I am afraid that he will take advantage of the situation and ask for something else, which will ruin the soup of Hezhou.”

Xue Xiuzhuo fell into deep thought.

he The problem now is food, not money. The most important thing is that even if you have money, you can’t buy food.If he is now worried about the salary of Qidong army, he can also raise tariffs in Hezhou and Juexi to scrape money from merchants, but what is lacking is food.

According to Hai Liangyi’s plan, Jiang Qingshan was transferred to Zhongbo for recovery. Some food will be available this year. When the time comes, some food will be collected from Huaizhou. It will not be difficult to provide military rations.However, Zhongbo is now Shen Zechuan’s territory, and the Cihuai tea business line has cut off a considerable part of Dazhou’s grain.

“When the marshal enters the capital,” Xue Xiuzhuo said, “I will talk to the marshal.”