Chapter 1503: Source of Power

Xu Jingyi is one of the big families in Chun'an, with 3,000 mu of fertile land and hundreds of tenant farmers. He also has grain shops, herbal medicine shops, silk shops, and other businesses, and his business is very large in Hangzhou.

When the Police Chief Zhang Song, who was familiar with him in the past, directly brought a large number of people to their residence in the county, Xu Jingyi was very confused. He wanted to say two words and ask about the situation, but he didn't expect that this person who used to please him like a dog in the past would not give him any face this time. He gave him a good beating and then arrested his whole family and sent them to the county office.

Under the shade of the trees, Wang Yan sat on a chair, looking at the whole Xu family kneeling there, listening to the report of the head of the Household department.

"Third Master, this time a total of three residences in the county, eight shops, and their grain warehouse were confiscated. There are 2,000 shi of grain, and there are 50,000 taels of silver..."

"Only 2,000 shi?"

Hearing Wang Yan's dissatisfied words, the head of the Household department accompanied with caution: "Third Master, grain also needs to be transported. Our Chun'an is a small county, how can it eat so much grain? Even if all the grain shops in the county are confiscated, it won't reach 20,000 shi..."

Wang Yan's gaze fell on Zhang Song: "Fourth Master, you led the people to confiscate the house. Didn't you find any account books or anything?"

"Yes, yes, yes, where are the account books? Account books!" Zhang Song shouted, asking his men to find several large boxes of account books, "Third Master, the account books are all here."

"Are there no account books that can't be seen?" Wang Yan flipped through the account books and asked casually.

Xu Jingyi, who was kneeling on the ground, laughed instead: "Of course there are, but they dare not give them to you."

"Is that so? Fourth Master?"

Looking at Wang Yan's gentle and gentle appearance with a smile, Zhang Song lowered his head and dared not speak.

Seeing that Wang Yan did not let it go, but was fanning the wind with the account book, the power of silence was displayed in the hall, and many people were sweating profusely, and their eyes could not help but focus on Tian Youlu.

So Tian Youlu had to speak, he coughed: "This... Brother... I don't know why you are looking for this account book that can't be seen?"

"What else could it be for? Of course, it's for money and food!"

Wang Yan snorted, "No matter how big the Xu family's business is, tens of thousands of shi of grain is not a small amount of money. Their family is only a bit powerful in this Hangzhou Prefecture. Without others helping, how can they eat so much grain?

Now is the critical time, so we must dig out this account. We will follow the vine to find the melon, and whoever has grain, we will deal with them. Is my words direct enough?"

"Oh, Third Master, it hasn't reached that point yet. Why make such a big fuss? Our heads can't bear such a big thing. And it's been ten days, and there's no movement in buying fields. The higher-ups will definitely send us food for disaster relief."

Wang Yan glanced at Tian Youlu: "Brother, don't always say such things. Even if food is sent, how much can be sent? It takes time for us to find food ourselves. A month will pass in a round trip.

We have to clear the fields quickly and see what the plan is later. Whether it's planting mulberry trees or food, we can always harvest a season of food before the end of the year, and the common people can eat a little more. Otherwise, how will this year pass?

When the common people rebel, the first one to behead will be you. You don't do things, and you don't let me do things. You say, if I don't behead you, who will I behead?"

Wang Yan's gaze swept across the hall, "Take out the account book, and we can still discuss it. If you can't take it out, then we have to talk about it today. Big family Xu is here, he points to whoever, I will deal with whoever! Whether there is an account book or not, you weigh it yourself."

With a light snort, Wang Yan told the head of the Household department to count the money and food, arrange the food distribution, and then walked out of the county office.

Although the Chun'an county town had been cleaned up, it was not completely cleaned. There was still a layer of mud on the ground, and it was still very uncomfortable to step on.

However, as the Third Master, Registrar Wang naturally didn't need to walk on this rotten road, but rode on a pack horse, with a minor official leading the horse.

In this way, he arrived outside the city, and the common people were busy clearing the silt and stagnant water on the road, while the old and weak were hiding in the shade waiting for their own family members to work to earn food.

The minor officials of the county office were listlessly setting up porridge sheds in the shade, guarding the food. On the side, there were strong village soldiers, holding knives and guarding.

Work-for-relief, now it is time to work. After working, naturally, a minor official will give a sign to prove that this person has worked for enough time, and then queue up to receive porridge with the sign.

Both working and providing disaster relief is a good method that kills two birds with one stone.

"Third Master is good."

"Third Master!"

"Third Master, I heard that there is not enough food in the county! Is it true?"

"It is said that catching Big family Xu is to raise money and food..."

The common people greeted Wang Yan enthusiastically, and even dared to say that there was no food, and dared to ask about the situation in the yamen.

Wang Yan jumped off the horse and found a high place to stand up.

"Fellow villagers, there is indeed not enough food. But don't be afraid, we always have a way. Today, we confiscated Big family Xu's house and got 2,000 shi of grain, which is enough to eat for a few days. The Emperor has a plan. After such a long time, the news of our disaster here must have reached the Emperor's ears, and the food for disaster relief must be on the way. So there is no need to worry about the food problem at all."

Wang Yan waved his hand and said, "In addition, I also want to tell other big families in the county, you are also Chun'an people. Now that Chun'an has suffered such a disaster, it is not good to close the door and live your own life.

I hope that the big families will be good common people and good merchants of our Chun'an, and have the spirit of dedication to save the family from disaster. After all, your ancestors made money from the fellow villagers here, and now it is time for you to repay. I hope you make the right decision. Fellow villagers, say, should they?"

"Should! Should! My family used to have 30 mu of land, now only 5 mu are left, all mortgaged to Big family Liu."

"Yes..."

Wang Yan shouted, and everyone responded.

Lack of food is a fact, and the common people have heard about the lack of food. It is impossible to cover up the facts. At this time, admitting that catching Big family Xu is for food is to stabilize the hearts of the people. Then he said that the big families in the county should take the initiative to contribute, which gave the common people peace of mind.

Anyway, the big families can't run away, and the food is there. It can definitely cope for a while. There is a huge difference between not having enough food, being about to run out of food, and having run out of food.

As for the panic of the big families, that is not a problem that Wang Yan should consider.

Wang Yan rode the horse again and went to another place to patrol.

"Third Master is good." A strong man with a bare chest grinned and greeted Wang Yan.

"Dazhu, didn't I ask you to lead the brothers to maintain order? Why are you working too?" Wang Yan looked at him kindly.

This person is Qi Dazhu, an ordinary farmer in Chun'an County, who made a name for himself because of this disturbance. He led the strong men to fight the flood and provide disaster relief, killed Japanese pirates with Qi Jiguang, served as a personal guard for Qi Jiguang, stood guard for Hu Zongxian, and made friends with Hai Rui. Later, because he was simple and honest, and had a good body of ape arms, bee waist, and mantis legs, he was valued by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, joined the Northern Town Fusi, and became one of the Thirteen Taibao, and even kowtowed to Jiajing.

For an ordinary farmer like him, it is truly a great blessing, and he has reached the end.

Qi Dazhu smiled honestly: "Everyone works together, and it's faster. And there is no order for us to maintain. It's all our own home. Everyone works seriously, and no one is lazy or sabotaging."

"This is well said, your own home, you have to build it with your heart." Wang Yan patted Qi Dazhu on the shoulder with satisfaction, "We are now clearing the road first, and then let everyone go back to clean up their own homes. When the time comes, I will study and see if I can think of a way to let everyone build a new house with the least money."

"What? You want to build a new house for me?" Qi Dazhu widened his eyes and shouted, "Everyone heard it? Third Master said, he wants to build a new house for us!"

"Really?"

"Blue sky official!"

Wang Yan waved his hand with a smile: "I am not a big official. Our original big official was caught and beheaded. It is estimated that there are worms now. Building a new house for the fellow villagers, but it is not free. You definitely still have to spend money, but it is to let you spend as little as possible. Dazhu, you kid look honest, but you have a lot of heart."

Qi Dazhu smiled foolishly, pretending not to understand: "Third Master, how can building a house be cheap? Even if it is stone and yellow mud, it is not easy to find so many stones. And even if it is stone and yellow mud, the house beam must be useful wood. The wood that can be used as a pillar is not cheap."

"Then you prepare and find wood that can be used as a pillar. You don't need to worry about other materials. Every household can afford to build a new house, right?"

"Hiring someone to build a house always costs money, Third Master." Someone added.

Wang Yan slapped the person on the back of the head: "Are you stupid? Everyone has no house, help each other build it, what money do you spend?"

The man grinned and covered the back of his head, smiled foolishly, and said nothing more.

"I promised you things, as long as I am still here, I will definitely do what I say. If I am not here, many things I can't manage."

Wang Yan said loudly, "Alright, the top priority is to clear the silt and stagnant water. We will talk about building houses later. Dazhu, if you have any problems, find me at any time. Also, if anyone comes to our county to sell food, control them and bring them to see me."

"Yes! Third Master!"

"All go to work."

After looking around in all directions and dealing with many things on the spot, he returned to the county office after dark.

The whole Xu family kneeling on the ground during the day, and the many minor officials and village soldiers holding knives and sticks were all gone, and the inside was very quiet. The wind blew the leaves with a rustling sound, there were cicadas buzzing, and even toads croaking.

"Brother, you are finally back, everyone is waiting for you." Tian Youlu led a group of people and hurried to greet him.

Wang Yan looked at the heads and brains in the yamen and said strangely: "Brother, with such a battle, what is it for?"

"Third Master, you have been in office for half a month, and we subordinates haven't set up a banquet to welcome you. It's really not right." Zhang Song accompanied with a smile, all flattering.

"Understood. Hongmen Banquet, right?" Wang Yan nodded knowingly, but what he said was heart-stabbing words.

Not only did he say it, but he also had actions. He turned to the minor official who had defected to him and said, "Go, call Qi Dazhu for me, let him bring people, hold weapons, and surround the county office for me. If I have any accidents, slaughter everyone in the county office, and let them find their own way to survive."

"Yes, Third Master!" The minor official responded, ignoring the obstruction of others, turned and ran, going straight to notify.

"Oh, brother, what are you talking about? How could we have such great courage, how could we dare to do such a thing?" Tian Youlu's face was red and his ears were red, "It's really a welcome, it's really a welcome."

"Yes, Third Master, you have been so tired recently, we also want you to have a good rest." Zhang Song echoed.

Wang Yan laughed, walked into the middle hall of the county office with his hands behind his back. It was a place for discussion, and at this time, a large table had been set up, with various dishes, chicken, duck, fish, and meat.

"It's already this time, it's hard for you to arrange such a table of food." Wang Yan washed his hands and face, and after yielding, he still gave the main seat to Tian Youlu and sat down beside Tian Youlu.

He directly tore off a chicken leg and stuffed it into his mouth. When he took it out, it was a clean bone. He ate with his mouth full of oil, and it was delicious.

After drinking a glass of wine poured by Zhang Song, Wang Yan said: "What is your plan?"

"Third Master, harmony brings wealth." Tian Youlu said, "It hasn't reached that point yet..."

Wang Yan looked at the jailer surnamed Wang: "Is Big family Xu dead?"

The jailer Wang shook his head repeatedly: "No, no, Third Master, how could I do such a thing? The whole Xu family is fine, not a single hair has fallen."

"Then it's hard for me to handle." Wang Yan used chopsticks to pick up fish meat, "You hide the account book and don't hand it over. And you don't kill the whole Xu family to destroy the evidence. And at this time, you spend the silver in the yamen to set up such a deadly meal to invite me. What are you doing? Ah? Drag me into the water?"

Wang Yan waved his hand, stopping Tian Youlu's sophistry.

"I'm not on the shore, and I don't want to go into the water. I said it very clearly. Now I want money and food. You don't want me to lift the lid and climb up to the higher-ups. Actually, I don't want to do that either. How big is my head? Where is it enough for the higher-ups to harm?

If it's real, you stuff hundreds of taels of silver into my room and report me for corruption together, I can't help it. You also gave the higher-ups a knife, and they just happened to cut my head."

"No, no, brother, how could we do that?"

Wang Yan said: "Possible or not, I don't want to know, and I'm not afraid. I've already said it, so I'm still afraid of your framing? Speaking of which, you don't give the account book, don't let me lift the lid, and don't give me money and food. What exactly do you want to do? Ah?

Don't tell me more. Either you find money and food for me, or you take the account book for me, and I will find it myself. Besides that, there is no other way."

So the faces of the crowd became ugly...

They couldn't understand why Wang Yan was so hard, why he wanted to oppose all of them.

Wang Yan looked at everyone's dangerous eyes, still eating and drinking, and said with a smile: "Actually, I didn't think about dying together. Those who have a relationship with you can not be investigated. Everything I do is for money and food, for stabilizing the hearts of the people in Chun'an. If killing one of you can solve this crisis, you don't have the chance to sit here.

Now the number is too large. You are all a family, and you spend a lot of money. Even if I confiscate your home, how much money and food can I confiscate? Why should I have trouble with you?

As a result, you still don't believe me, thinking that I want to take your handle. Didn't I directly interrogate Big family Xu during the day? Why do I have to have an account book? I am giving you a chance to turn over a new leaf, and you don't cherish it.

Fourth Master's courage has also grown, and you dare to look at me with narrowed eyes? Want to kill me? Hmm?"

Wang Yan slapped Zhang Song away with a big slap, "Today, let's confiscate your home first! Come..."

"Third Master!" Qi Dazhu walked in with a knife, no longer honest, but fierce.

"Go, take the brothers and confiscate Fourth Master's home for me."

"Brother! Brother!" Tian Youlu pulled Wang Yan's sleeve, "Can't do it, can't do it..."

"If everyone gives me such a face, how can I stand in the yamen in the future? Who will listen to me? Hmm? Qi Dazhu, what are you looking at? Why don't you pull Fourth Master home and let him take the brothers to see where the money at home is?"

"Yes, Third Master!" Qi Dazhu didn't hesitate at all, grabbed the collar of Fourth Master, who was high and unreachable in the past, and dragged him out...

The hall was extremely quiet, only the sound of Wang Yan eating meat and drinking wine.

And the three account books on the table...

Daily thanks to the big brothers who tipped, voted for monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, and silently read the book for their strong support! ===== CHAPTER 1504 =====