Chapter 445: Chaos in Jiangnan
The entire Jiangnan area was in chaos.

All the prefectures and counties in the south of the Yangtze River under the jurisdiction of the Yingtian Governor's Office, as well as the neighboring prefectures, were in chaos.

The cause of the incident was that the internal struggle in the officialdom, which was originally confined to the provincial government office, suddenly spread to everyone.

At first I didn’t know where the news came from.

It is said that the reason why the Yingtian Governor's Office did this was entirely because the new Prime Minister of the Six Provinces in Jiangnan wanted to clear out the land of the wealthy families and shave the heads of the wealthy families in Jiangnan.

This rumor was a mixture of half truth and half falsehood, but it really scared the gentry and powerful people in Jiangnan.

Originally, when the Yingtian Governor's Office said it would investigate the land and population in each prefecture, although everyone openly criticized the various departments and offices in Nanjing, they still had some suspicions in their hearts that there was more to the matter, and even felt a little uneasy.

Now the truth has been completely exposed.

It turned out that Yan Shaoting, the newly appointed Prime Minister of the six provinces in the south of the Yangtze River, wanted to seize the land of these wealthy families and even shave their heads.

This is even more cruel than the county magistrate who ruined the family and the prefect who wiped out the entire family.

The curses and criticisms were immediately directed at Yan Shaoting, who was hiding in the West Garden in Nanjing.

After all, those rumors are very convincing.

Firstly, Hai Rui, the governor of Yingtian, had never come to Nanjing in the past, but now that Yan Shaoting had come, he came too, and then he had to check the land and population.

Secondly, the Yan family had been corrupt and illegal in the past, and they were good at deceiving their superiors and exploiting their subordinates. The Yan family had a history of illegality, and now that Yan Shaoting had come to Jiangnan, he had endured for a long time, and now that he had started to show his butcher knife, he was following in his father's footsteps.

The above.

Reasonable!

Everything seems so reasonable.

As a result, the gentry and powerful families in the Jiangnan prefecture began to run around, connect with each other, and even started to contact various places and write letters continuously.

As for why other places adjacent to the twelve prefectures under the jurisdiction of the Yingtian Governor's Office also became chaotic, this was entirely a collective panic reaction caused by group panic.

Now that Yan Shaoting is in charge of the affairs of the six provinces in the south of the Yangtze River, what will happen after the governor of Yingtian finishes his work?
It will definitely spread to the surrounding areas.

As wealthy families everywhere began to panic, countless rumors arose one after another.

The core argument is that Lord Yan has set his eyes on their property and hopes that these wealthy families will honestly invest money.

Even underneath this rumor, there was a hidden fact that it was actually the emperor who instructed Yan Shaoting to go south to make money.

Although this word has not spread widely, it has reached the ears of many people.

At this point, the entire Jiangnan region was in half chaos.

As for the other half.

That’s entirely because of Yan Shaoting himself.

As Hai Rui led the Yingtian Governor's Office to vigorously investigate the land and population in various places, the recent issues of Changping Daily were also vigorously promoting and evaluating this matter.

On the surface, Changping Daily is still very fair and objective.

In addition to interpreting the official explanation of the Yingtian Governor's Office, the office now does this mainly to allow ordinary people to have land to farm and ensure that everyone has enough food to eat.

The Changping Daily also reprinted a number of remarks criticizing the Yingtian Governor's Office.

But in general, the Changping newspaper still followed the official interpretation, believing that the Yingtian Governor's Office conducted an inventory of land and population in Jiangnan in order to benefit the people.

Afterwards, the past events and biographies of Hai Rui, the governor of Yingtian, gradually spread among the people.

According to these rumors, Hai Rui was a great judge, a person who appeared only once in 200 years in the Ming Dynasty. He was a figure who could be compared with Di Renjie of the Tang Dynasty and Bao Longtu of the Song Dynasty. He solved cases like a god, loved the people like his own children, and was honest and upright.

Then there are some small stories about Hai Rui when he served as an official in various places to confirm the character of Hai Rui, the governor of Yingtian.

In particular, the origin of Hai Rui's name "Hai Bi Jia" has been widely circulated, coupled with the story of Hai Rui being a filial son.

Such a rumor.

Nowadays, in the Jiangnan area, regardless of whether they have seen Hai Rui or not, ordinary people all believe that this Mr. Hai is here to help them live a good life.

then.

At this time, Yan Shaoting asked someone to spread the news.

To put it bluntly, the Yingtian Governor's Office is investigating the local land and population this time in order to take advantage of the rich and live a good life, so the great Lord Hai will inevitably be slandered and framed by those rich, but our people will certainly be clear-eyed.

Eat rich and live a good life!
Once such tempting words were uttered, the people of the twelve prefectures under the jurisdiction of the Yingtian Governor's Office in Jiangnan immediately became alert.

Although it has not been promoted by the government yet.

But the free people in these twelve states now have their eyes light up whenever they see those wealthy families, and they wish they could go up to them immediately and take a few bites of their meat.

It’s a good way to vent the anger for Master Hai Qingtian!

The people were simple and honest, and their deeds were praised as a good thing for a time.

then.

In the Jiangnan area, the last half of the chaos was made up.

It was a complete mess.

"Yan Shaoting is now completely reckless and wants to disregard peace and throw Jiangnan into chaos!"

"I want to write a petition! I want to impeach him!"

"Sun Duxian, we are all officials in Jiangnan. You are the head of the Fengxian. How can you sit back and watch Yan Shaoting stir up a civil uprising in Jiangnan and bring about a disaster? Duxian should take the lead in submitting an impeachment petition!"

Nanjing Garrison Office.

The garrison eunuch Chen Hong was sitting on the main seat with a frown on his face.

Yang Zongqi, the governor of grain storage in Nanjing, has already invited many wise men to submit a petition to impeach Yan Shaoting.

Sun Zhi, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Nanjing Censorate, who was named, silently raised his eyes to look at Yang Zongqi, but did not speak in response.

Nanjing Minister of Personnel Wang Yongbao and Minister of Revenue Zhang Shunchen looked at each other and silently looked up at the eunuch Chen Hong who was guarding Nanjing.

The Minister of Rites, the Minister of War, and the Minister of Works avoided the question, but it was clear that they were all unwilling to take the lead.

As for the Minister of Justice, old man Zhao Dayou finally waited for the court to approve his request to retire before he collapsed. The cabinet waved its hand and released the long-ill Minister of Justice of Nanjing to return to his hometown.

Then none of the remaining Nanjing officials were willing to be the first to stand up and resist.

Yang Zongqi looked at the indifference of those present with a dazed look on his face. He was about to shout at them angrily, but after a light sigh he just returned to his original position.

He sat down slowly and seemed a little absent-minded. After he sneered at himself twice, he slowly spoke: "Everyone, you and I are officials in the court, and we can't avoid such things. Now I don't need to say more, you should understand that Yan Shaoting's real purpose this time is to clear the land."

After finishing speaking, Yang Zongqi looked around and couldn't help but sigh.

Because everyone had a look of understanding on their face.

They knew very well what Yan Shaoting was going to do, but they were unwilling to bring people to confront Yan Shaoting head-on.

Yang Zongqi continued, "Everyone has their own considerations and choices, and I, Yang Zongqi, will never blame you for this. However, if we really do nothing, I am afraid we will let down countless people."

At the end, Yang Zongqi's voice finally became threatening.

And he finally stood up. Yang Zongqi looked at the Nanjing Minister of Personnel Wang Yongbao and Minister of War Hu Song who were present.

"Wang Butang!"

"Hu Butang!"

"You two families are both in the twelve prefectures in the south of the Yangtze River under the jurisdiction of the Yingtian Governor. This time, Yan Shaoting has tied up Hai Rui to investigate the land and population. Are you two really going to sit back and watch them take away all your land? Or can you withstand the requests from your former students and old friends, or the resentment and criticism in the future?"

After finishing speaking.

Yang Zongqi then looked at the Nanjing Minister of Rites Yin Tai and the Minister of Works Lin Tingji who were present.

He sneered, "If I remember correctly, Yin Butang is from Yongxin, Jiangxi, and Lin Butang is from Minxian, Fujian. They are both under the jurisdiction of Yan Shaoting, the Prime Minister of the six provinces in the south of the Yangtze River. Over the years, you two have also had a group of students and old friends who have followed you in your official careers and are spread all over the country. After Yan Shaoting has finished handling the affairs of the twelve prefectures under the jurisdiction of the Yingtian Governor's Office, will he continue to check all the land and population in Guangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang, Huguang and other places? Let everyone present here and their relatives and friends clear out the land?"

Yang Zongqi turned around and looked at the people sitting around him.

He sneered and shook his head continuously.

"Everyone, now is not the time to make your own plans. It is now a matter of life and death!"

"If we continue to play along and pass the buck here, not only will we lose our family fortune, but we will also have no place to stand in Jiangnan and be cursed by countless people!"

Yang Zongqi really couldn't figure it out.

Although he was worried at the beginning that Yan Shaoting would find out the problems in the grain storage office, he was determined to deal with Yan Shaoting.

But now when anyone with a discerning eye can see it, these people are still indifferent.

Yang Zongqi looked at them one by one, but these people still didn't say a word.

He couldn't help but look anxious: "Everyone, I don't understand why you are so silent and frugal with words? Do you think that if you push me, Yang Zongqi, out and let Yan Shaoting chop off my head, you can calm his anger? And make him stop checking the land and population in the area?"

Yang Zongqi looked sad: "I really don't understand, it's obviously a matter of life and death for us and those relatives behind us, but you guys just do this.

"Or is it that among the six provinces in Jiangnan, dozens of prefectures and hundreds of counties, and countless officials in Nanjing, I am the only one who is doing this for my family? You are all honest officials! You are good people who abide by the law!"

Yang Zongqi's questioning and cursing shocked everyone present.

no doubt.

At this moment, Yang Zongqi has already gotten beyond the nature of only planning for his own future.

He is really working hard for everyone and for their families.

Seeing that the people present were all looking at him sideways, it was not known whether they had nothing to say or were speechless because they were scolded.

Yang Zongqi just sneered, and finally looked at Nanjing's Minister of Revenue Zhang Shunchen: "Mr. Zhang! Although your ancestral home is in Shandong, you are not from Jiangnan, but don't forget that your in-laws are a famous scholarly family in Jiangnan, and one of the most wealthy families in Jiangnan. The land at home can also be called half a county!"

This statement came out.

Zhang Shunchen's face suddenly changed.

"I don't know what nonsense you are talking about!"

Everyone also frowned.

Originally Yang Zongqi was just giving subtle warnings, but now he is pointing fingers and scolding people.

Yang Zongqi just smiled: "When the news was spread before, you didn't stop it and opposed it, thinking that Yan Shaoting would return. Now, who would have thought that he would play a bigger game, and the people outside are now eager to eat you and me alive. Are you still thinking about making peace with Yan Shaoting at this time! Or do you think you can bow down to him and be humble?"

No one responded in the hall. It was silent except for Yang Zongqi's questioning.

above.

Chen Hong frowned and looked around, then whispered, "Why is there no one in the garrison?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone reacted.

Eyes were wandering around the hall, completely forgetting that no one from the yamen was present today.

"I guess... I guess they feel that they share the same destiny with the country, so they are looking for other ways, such as submitting a petition to the imperial court..."

Someone speculated quietly.

Yang Zongqi felt dead in his heart, and today he was filled with grief and anger. He couldn't help but sneer, "Maybe I have already surrendered to Yan Shaoting before you all!"

He was speaking sarcastically.

It was probably a satire on the people present today, who would soon bow down to Yan Shaoting.

at last.

Yin Tai, the Nanjing Minister of Rites, who was present, spoke slowly: "Why not... draw a line with Yan Shaoting? He and the Yan family can't really offend everyone in the world. Each of us should bring out a list. If he can avoid it during the eviction, we won't force him to clear out other households' land..."

As soon as these words were spoken, many people present immediately nodded in agreement.

Yang Zongqi's face was gloomy.

This group of people didn't want to go against Yan Shaoting, nor did they want to suffer any harm, so they had to take a step back and beg for cooperation from Yan Shaoting!
It's all gristle!
Yang Zongqi felt increasingly disappointed.

Minister of War Hu Song said: "The Loyal and Brave Bandit Suppression Camp has already recruited all its members, and is now training day and night in the Grand Parade Ground at Zhengyang Gate. Once Yan Shaoting gets angry, the army will arrive in no time..."

Everyone trembled.

The emperor's order, the king's law, the strict family, and the army.

All these factors combined together led to this group of people constantly engaging in behind-the-scenes tactics, hoping to reach some degree of reconciliation and cooperation with Yan Shaoting.

Minister of Industry Lin Tingji glanced at the people around him and laughed: "Then let's follow Minister Yin's suggestion and find someone to talk to Yan Shaoting? In the final analysis, he is also working for the emperor, so he naturally has to make some trouble so that he can return to the capital with a sum of money. We... those people outside have been well fed and well-drinking for so many years, it's time for them to give some back to the court..."

Yang Zongqi suddenly became annoyed.

I work so hard and make plans with all parties, all for the purpose of uniting the people of Jiangnan.

Not bad now.

These people are still thinking about protecting themselves first and abandoning those who have no background.

Yang Zongqi frowned: "Everyone! Are you really not afraid of being ridiculed by outsiders for doing this? Or do you think those people outside will listen to you? Don't forget that rumors are spreading outside now, and the people are in chaos!"

"Chaos? There won't be any chaos! The disobedient wealthy families will have their property confiscated! The common people who dare to cause trouble will all be exiled! I don't believe that we can't do these things without the Minister of Justice!"

The Minister of War Hu Song, who was originally worried about the more than 3,000 troops under Yan Shaoting, was now murderous and did not take those wealthy families and common people seriously.

Yang Zong glared angrily, then let out a long sigh.

He suddenly waved his sleeves in public.

"You just keep seeking peace and protecting yourselves!"

"When Yan Shaoting has eaten you all up step by step, no one will say that they are sorry to each other later!"

"I won't deal with you anymore."

"The road ahead is long and we have to rely on ourselves for the best!"

After saying this, Yang Zongqi clasped his hands together, raised them, and walked away as everyone stared at each other in bewilderment.

…………

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