Chapter 1047: Training the Army

Sheng Hong took a sip of wine and couldn't help sighing as he looked at the letter in his hand.

"Alas, I didn't expect Ziyan to have such ability, seizing the power of the prefecture in one fell swoop. Of course, Fan Gong didn't make things difficult for him and was happy to see him succeed. It is truly amazing. Such a big thing, there was no news at all, and it was only explained by the letter from the main branch. This is really..."

After sighing like this, he couldn't help shaking his head again, "This Hua'er is also, not mentioning a word in the letter to the family. I know the taste of the cold bench, is it so easy to sit?"

"At this time, you blame Hua'er instead. We women in the inner courtyard, where do we know many things about you men? I think Wang Yan was afraid that Hua'er would worry, so he didn't tell her these things."

Wang Shi argued, and said dissatisfiedly, "This main branch of the family is really shameless. You say, for so many years, isn't the business all relying on the master's care, which is smooth sailing? Now that they see the son-in-law of our family has become a climate, they actually want to add a concubine. How can this eldest brother open his mouth?"

"Woman's opinion."

Sheng Hong snorted and sighed, "Wang Yan has done a great thing, and he is majestic. Which big family in Hangzhou doesn't want to marry him? Just saying that the main branch went to Hangzhou to do business, and the many storefronts bought, as well as the dyeing workshop and wine workshop, were all taken at the lowest price, which saved at least 50,000 strings of cash. If there were no Wang Yan, even if our Sheng family added 100,000 strings of cash, we wouldn't be able to insert into Hangzhou's business.

Big brother's words are clear. Ziyan's family is not prosperous, so he needs more women to strengthen the family. Moreover, now Ziyan is majestic and has a great reputation. When he was in the capital, there were wealthy families and high-ranking officials who wanted to marry him. At that time, Ziyan refused. What about later?

There will always be people who want to stuff women into Ziyan's inner courtyard. Since that's the case, why don't our Sheng family stuff one in first, and it can help Hua'er, so as not to be bullied by other concubines in the future."

Wang Shi's eyes widened: "Can the master say such words? It really makes me look at you with new eyes. Since the master understands such truth, why do you favor that Lin Qingshuang alone?"

Sheng Hong paused, then waved his hand and said: "I am talking about Ziyan's business, what are you interrupting? You mother and daughter are easy to talk to, go back and write a letter to Hua'er to explain the truth. We all know what kind of person Wang Yan is. Even if there are women in the family in the future, he will definitely not treat Hua'er badly. You should persuade her well and don't let Hua'er drill into the tip of the horn."

Although he knew that Sheng Hong was changing the subject, Wang Shi didn't say anything more. She also knew the measure. If she said more, she was afraid that she would be awkward with Sheng Hong for a few days, and she would run to the courtyard of that little bitch again.

She sighed: "If you don't say it, what else can you do? Women, it's just a bitter life..."

Wang Yan didn't know that his father-in-law was studying adding a concubine for him. Even if he knew, he wouldn't have any expression. It would be nothing more than comforting Hualan well, and there would be no big problem.

It's only a year or so left. Relatively speaking, he wants the women around him to live longer and accompany him more...

He has more urgent things now, because he found that after the toss of the Ever-Normal Granary corruption case, local big families are very wary, but they still lack awe.

In the office, Wang Yan took a sip of tea and gently placed the very precious Jianzhan on the table.

Looking at the trembling new minor official in front of him, he asked lightly: "Are you saying that the Li family and the high monks of Lingyin Temple are willing to subsidize land for the academy, but both want to give less land?"

"Yes, this subordinate has already stated clearly that this is the land marked by the Assistant Prefect, but these two families are unwilling to offer it with both hands... uh, this subordinate misspoke, it is that these two families are unwilling to be kind to Hangzhou scholars, want to bargain, and subsidize a small amount of land and silver, which is not a great kind family."

Wang Yan nodded with satisfaction, then called out "Come here," and the minor official outside the door gently opened the door and walked in quickly.

"Find Zhou Judicial Military Advisor to see me."

"Yes."

The minor official responded, turned and ran out, running all the way. After a while, Zhou Judicial Military Advisor walked in with slightly rapid breathing.

"This subordinate has met the Assistant Prefect."

Wang Yan waved his hand: "Sit down and speak. You sit too, and tell Zhou Judicial Military Advisor about today's situation."

Immediately, the minor official sat down obediently, only sticking to one side of his buttocks, sitting upright. He explained in great detail to Zhou Judicial Military Advisor, who was also sitting on half his buttocks and was a bit nervous, about Wang Assistant Prefect pointing to the foot of the mountain to mark the land, and the Li family and Lingyin Temple actually bargaining.

Looking at Wang Yan, who was drinking tea slowly and only staring at the official documents, Zhou Judicial Military Advisor turned his brain twice.

Although Wang Yan didn't look at him, he still bowed and said: "Reporting to the Assistant Prefect, this subordinate thinks that this style cannot grow. Fan Gong and the Assistant Prefect are dedicated to the people, dedicated to the public, and even more dedicated to our Hangzhou scholars. Such a great kind act should not have been for the Assistant Prefect to send people to beg for fate, but for the two families to take the initiative to do good.

This subordinate has always heard that the high monks of Lingyin are living Buddhas of the world, spreading the Tao, and the people of Hangzhou are sincerely worshiping. The Li family is a local big family, and people often say that it is a great kind family. Now it seems that they are not righteous people, but thin-virtue families.

This subordinate remembers that there are monks who treat tenants harshly, and there are Li family members who seize land. This subordinate thinks that these things are by no means individual cases and should be investigated and punished strictly to rectify the majesty of our government."

Wang Yan still had his original smiling appearance and picked up the teacup: "Zhou Judicial Military Advisor is the blue sky of our Hangzhou, hating evil like a hatred, very good, very good."

Zhou Judicial Military Advisor sensibly stood up and said a compliment, and left the office with the other minor official...

That day, more than twenty people from the Li family's direct and collateral branches were arrested. At the same time, the Garrison troops, who had just returned without success and hadn't rested much, had a training session. More than 500 people, fully armed, including the commander, all ran into the mountain on two legs.

Early the next morning, after checking in, a high-level expanded working meeting was held. The Qiantang County Magistrate, County Commandant, and Registrar all attended the meeting. Prefect Fan Zhongyan attended the meeting, and Assistant Prefect Wang Yan presided over the meeting.

At the meeting, the Zhou-surnamed Judicial Military Advisor with dark circles under his eyes spoke, painfully accusing the temple and the Li family of the crimes they had committed over the years, and condemning the previous prefecture officials for doing nothing. His proposal to vigorously rectify and crack down on the bad deeds of Lingyin Temple, the Li family, and other powerful big families was passed.

The Judicial Military Advisor of the Household spoke, painfully accusing the temple and big families of hiding land and household registration, not following the laws of the dynasty, and causing great harm to the country. His proposal to investigate the land and household registration of Lingyin Temple, the Li family, and other powerful big families was passed.

And once again emphasized the necessity of transforming the West Lake and building a new large academy, and initially discussed the dredging and construction of Hangzhou's water system and land roads. A preliminary plan was listed, and the newly appointed Signatory Judge was in charge, leading the water and works Cao departments to clarify the context of local water systems and land roads, and then discuss specific methods.

Assistant Prefect Wang Yan pointed out that water systems and land roads are all related to people's livelihood...

This meeting was recorded as a document by the Trial Judge, signed by Prefect Fan Zhongyan, Assistant Prefect Wang Yan, and Qiantang County Magistrate, organized into official documents, and submitted to the capital for imperial inspection...

After this meeting, the disaster of the temple and the Li family came.

On the side of Lingyin Temple, the Garrison troops had long been stationed, and a large number of officials ran over to investigate land and population. Wang Yan didn't care about anything else, just spoke according to the ordination certificate. Those without ordination certificates were all arrested, and then identified one by one by the prefecture office. Some were because they couldn't live, so they were settled, and some belonged to putting down the butcher knife, so they had to go to the northwest. The Li family was the same. The commanders who had been working for Wang Yan before brought hundreds of other people and directly surrounded the Li family. Those who committed crimes were arrested, and those who were sued were judged. The land and population cleared out, and the government office had already urgently transferred the tax records of the past ten years, and made up for the difference. If they couldn't make up, they would sell their property, and if not, they would be confiscated as public land in the prefecture.

The land tax of the Song Dynasty is counted, which is about one-tenth. However, big families, through various operations, reduced this tax rate to one-twentieth or even one-thirtieth. Of course, this tax rate is a relatively good proportion, but obviously, it has never been good for the people.

The process was still very smooth. Although local big families were panicked by Wang Yan again, they saw that Wang Yan had no other actions, and they found out the origin of the matter from various aspects, so they were all honest.

This is a real bandit. If you point it out, you have to ask people to give land for free. If you bargain, you have to make people destroy their families. Even the quiet, deep-background temples dare to move. I have never seen such a person.

They didn't gather to oppose, because Wang Yan was only targeting the temple and the Li family.

In the absence of a certain situation, people are actually compromising. Local big families are very majestic, but don't overestimate them.

It seems that the so-called honest people who abide by the law are always bullied by rascals. This honest person naturally has countless ideas of wanting to kill the rascal, but every time there is no action. Until the rascal breaks the bottom line again and again, and cannot break it again. Some people are really cowardly and are bullied to death. Some people are holding knives and want to pursue equality for all living beings.

It is the same for powerful big families, but relatively speaking, Wang Yan is the rascal. He is pressing local big families step by step, approaching their bottom line. The difference is that when they really cannot continue to break the bottom line, powerful big families are unlikely to be cowardly. They must pursue equality for all living beings. Even if they don't have the courage to resist on the surface, they always have to make mischief in the dark.

So when Wang Yan targeted the temple and the Li family, they only thought it was Wang Yan's action to establish power against these local big families after seizing power. The temple and the Li family were just chickens killed.

They tacitly prepared to serve Wang Da Lao Ye well. Anyway, it was at most three years, and it would pass if they endured it. They didn't believe that the person who came would have such strong power as Wang Yan. After all, they have been deeply cultivated in the local area for a long time, and Wang Yan is the first time they have seen such a majestic one.

Of course, they will not sit still and wait for death. They will still launch some relationships to see if they can send this ancestor away, go to other places to harm, and don't toss them.

And the high monks of the temple have already broken their cultivation, and have long submitted a memorial to express their feelings, and found some other high-ranking officials to speak, wanting to take the upper-level route and take Wang Yan down.

Obviously, it is impossible to take Wang Yan down. He is not without a backer. Fan Zhongyan is staying here well. Wang Yan didn't reform, but just wanted some land. What is his mistake?

So Zhao Zhen issued an edict to reprimand, and also fined Wang Yan's salary.

Wang Yan was even more straightforward, directly letting the eunuch who came to reprimand take his memorial, as well as the land and population data of the temple that had been counted, return to the capital and hand it directly to Zhao Zhen, and even asked the eunuch to actually look at it before sending it away.

Then there was no movement. The Buddhist gate does have power, and the position of Lingyin Temple is also very high, but Wang Yan still thinks that it is not cost-effective to raise the flag and rebel at this time, so he is a loyal minister of Zhao Song here, and what can the Buddhist gate do?

Zhao Zhen is old and hasn't been hard, but after reading the data and reading Wang Yan's memorial, he understands that this is digging the wall of his old Zhao family. Moreover, Wang Yan didn't provoke a dispute against the Buddhist gate, but only targeted this one. In such a situation, it is no different from a powerful big family. The Buddhist gate in the world is a family, and it is just talking about it. Other local officials don't have the courage to move the temple, so it just passed like this.

The whole thing had almost no influence, and the temple and the Li family were all handled.

The temple was better. Wang Yan didn't take a heavy hand. After all, he had to consider the attitude of the Buddhist gate as a whole and couldn't offend the Buddhist gate. But basically, it was beaten back to its original form. The original land was all collected as public land, leaving only a small part, which was considered the food for the monks. As for the gold and copper in the temple, they were not moved. They were all big Buddha statues, and they couldn't run away anyway.

The Li family was miserable. Zhou Judicial Military Advisor was upright and unselfish. Those who committed crimes were all severely punished. The land and property cleared out, only a small part was left to some clean people in the family, as well as the female family members. The rest all became public land. The business managed was basically abandoned, and a small auction was opened, which was divided by other landlords. The hidden household registration was re-registered, and the original land was not moved, and rented to them at one-tenth.

After handling the temple and the Li family, Wang Yan simply didn't stop, treated every big family equally, and directly sent minor officials to the door to beg for fate according to the list. This time, naturally, no one would bargain again, and each family paid 5,000 strings of cash.

Wang Yan is also a particular person. The detailed plan for the academy has not even been made, so he first asked people to set up a large stone tablet by the lake of that piece of land, wrote the names of those people himself, and chiseled by craftsmen.

In this way, they will be balanced in their hearts, and Wang Yan is still understanding.

It was also during this period of time that his mountain bandits changed places and robbed a few more times. The local Garrison troops and yamen runners couldn't beat them, and the Garrison troops in the prefecture went out collectively but couldn't find them.

And other county officials and local big families were indignant, so very naturally, Wang Yan personally took command and began to train the Garrison troops.

In fact, other than Qiantang, Wang Yan also handled a large number of them in other counties in Hangzhou during this period of time, because the previous big families and officials all had some connections. Big families allocate assets, which is infiltration throughout the prefecture and various places. However, those with relatively strong strength are still the big families in Qiantang County. Relatively speaking, those in other places are much worse.

Wang Yan stomping his feet in Hangzhou can scare them to death.

County officials are also the same. Qiantang County Magistrate has been adjusted by Wang Yan, and other county magistrates who are only managed by the prefecture and do not belong to the central government are naturally simpler for Wang Yan to handle.

Although there are various messy things, compared with the past, the most basic criminal cases in the government office have soared. The days of the local people are much better. Wang Yan suppressed local officials and local big families, and the two big mountains that harmed the people were basically cut in half, so the people's days are naturally better.

As for the remaining part, which is larger, the other big mountain, it is necessary to directly dry the Zhao Song court, which is the other big mountain, to solve the problem.

As for the remaining, much larger portion of the mountains, one would have to directly finish off the Zhao Song imperial court—that other great mountain—before the problem could be solved.

Some are dry and thin, some are stupid and fat. Some are drooping their heads without spirit, and some are afraid of Wang Yan's majesty and drooping their heads. Some are clean, some are sloppy. All of this, not one is missing.

Garrison troops are a very special existence. There are those who know martial arts but have no chance to go to the Imperial Guard, and those who have been eliminated from the Imperial Guard, and those who have become refugees because of some natural disasters and have been absorbed into the Garrison troops. The composition is complex, the combat power is limited, and it mainly belongs to the engineering team.

Because it is not that you can join the Garrison troops by pulling a refugee over, you must have work in your hands. Either you are strong, or you have skills...

Wang Yan strolled around unhurriedly, and then returned to the front of the queue. He didn't speak, just waved his hand, and the officials waiting behind separated into several teams, and rudely shouted at the thousand people to separate according to the original establishment.

Immediately, they were registered one by one, the purpose is to distinguish the skills of these people, and determine different destinations according to different situations.

Now the small treasury of the prefecture office is very rich because of the raid, and arranging these people, as well as the rest of the Garrison troops scattered in various counties, is no problem. There is land, there is money, everything is fine.

Just like this, until it was divided into several teams, Wang Yan walked to a group of people who looked relatively strong, but had skills

Thus, until they were divided into several squads, Wang Yan walked before a group of men who looked relatively sturdy and shouted loudly: "To suppress the mountain bandits and protect the borders and the people, I, this official, have taken charge of the bandit suppression myself. However, the garrison troops are incapable of the task, and training is the primary matter. None of you possess skills in carpentry, iron smelting, or construction; your physiques are merely passable. Some are even so fat and lazy that they can barely move—how can you travel long distances into the mountains to suppress bandits?

Therefore, it is necessary to weed you out. I order you to run seventy *li* around the city, limited to two hours. Those who qualify will remain in service and receive generous treatment. Those who do not qualify will be dismissed from the garrison troops. Those dismissed need not worry; I have recently confiscated many properties and have gained much public land. I will distribute it to you for farming, with a tax of one-tenth.

Now, run!"

After Wang Yan finished speaking, he watched them quietly.

Before long, sturdy men darted out. Immediately, the others reacted and hurriedly began to run. Those dismissed from the ranks were given land, and those who remained would naturally be even better off—this was a very simple truth.

"Do not take offense, Assistant Prefect; they are just mud-legged peasants who cannot understand your elegant words." The commander of the local garrison troops approached, fawning as he spoke these flattering words.

He was also the highest-ranking military officer in charge of the local garrison troops. This position required a high-ranking military official dispatched by the Bureau of Military Affairs, after all, he commanded three thousand men. But clearly, he was a good-for-nothing.

However, the garrison troops were under the jurisdiction of the prefecture, and since Wang Yan was here, his superior was Wang Yan. This commander did not have the ability to obstruct Wang Yan like the Signatory Official Zhang. Even if he did, given eight guts, this commander would not dare to do so now.

"The battalion commanders, lieutenants, and commandants in the army are all running around the city; what is Commander Liu doing here?" Wang Yan tilted his head and glanced at him sideways.

Commander Liu's expression instantly turned sour, because Wang Yan truly did not take him seriously at all.

He forced a smile and said: "This subordinate does not understand the Assistant Prefect's meaning; I ask that you speak plainly."

Wang Yan shook his head, too lazy to look at him again, and just waved his hand casually, saying in a flat voice: "Take him down, confiscate his property."

As he finished speaking, the few battalion commanders waiting in the back—whom Wang Yan had previously approved and who had not participated in the running selection this time—walked over very decisively. They gagged him, kicked his legs, and then he was trussed up like a dumpling and taken away.

Gathering the troops together was the greatest use of this Commander Liu.

Wang Yan walked over with a smile to the other group of people who were anxious but possessed skills and had been separated out...