Chapter 555: Winning the Hearts of the People

Toyosu is different from the north.

The north was disrupted by wars and disasters, which even caused the northern population to migrate to the south. County magistrates in many local government offices were vacant, making it impossible for Chen Mo to hold a public trial.

But Fengzhou is different. Although it has changed owners several times and has been plagued by wars, the basic order is still there, and the aristocracy and aristocratic families in it still exist.

Besides, King Huai has been ruling Fengzhou for more than two years. Who knows if there are any cancers left for Chen Mo, so Chen Mo wants to use this method to eliminate the cancers in various places in Fengzhou. This is also the fastest way. A way to establish your own prestige and influence in Toyosu.

However, this move also offended the gentry and gentry in Fengzhou and some local gangsters. They united to resist, and even incited the people to initiate riots and threatened Chen Mo to stop the public trial.

In this regard, Chen Mo didn't care about their threats. If they resisted, they would just use the waste and let the new soldiers be responsible for training.

When Chen Mo took over Fengzhou this time, he had no intention of using gentle methods.

There is no way to grab territory without bloodshed.

…

Shan County, Mawang Village.

In April, the sowing in the village has been completed, and manure is being carried to fertilize the fields.

After applying fertilizer, people in groups of three or three washed their feet in the ditch next to the field, then sat on the edge of the field to rest, chat and joke.

"Brother Lin, I told you that Lin Zhong looks rich and can be a master. In my opinion, he will definitely be on the list in this imperial examination."

"Old man Tie, when will you be able to read faces again? Haven't I heard you say before that Lin Zhong is like a pig with garlic stuck in his nose?"

"Haha, yes, yes."

"Fart, when did I say that? Wang Jiejie, don't talk nonsense. It's obviously you who said that Lin Zhong is not good at studying."

…

Although Lin Zhong had only applied for the imperial examination, it was still unclear whether he would be successful or not, but the people in Mawang Village had already begun to fawn over Lin Zhong's father, Lin Xuan, and the others.

You must know that before this, as people with a foreign surname, the Lin family was often ostracized even if they settled in Mawang Village.

The most direct manifestation is to grab water.

Steal water from the fields.

If it weren't for the help of Lin Zhong's cousin Ma Fu, the Lin family would have been bullied to death in Mawang Village, let alone marrying in the same village.

Lin Xuan didn't take these words of the villagers seriously, he just smiled and said nothing.

He didn't show any ridicule, because before the matter was settled, if he was proud in advance, he would be miserable if he fell down later.

After thinking for a while, he instead said: "You are too fond of me. The imperial examination has been suspended for several years. I haven't reviewed my homework for several years. Who knows whether I can pass the exam."

Lin Xuan was laying the groundwork first, so that if Lin Zhong failed to pass the exam later, he wouldn't be too embarrassed.

The man known as the Iron Old Man's eyes flickered, but he did not step down after hearing these words. Instead, he smiled and said: "I see that this kid Lin Zhong is smart, and he will definitely pass the exam."

Of course, as he said this, he wished Lin Zhong could not pass the exam.

People are like this, especially people from the same village who have a foreign surname. Naturally, they don't want to see others living well.

Of course, this is not because the old man is evil-minded. He also cannot bear to see others living in a bad life.

Lin Xuan smiled and shook his head, then took the initiative to chat about other topics, saying: "It's already April, and there are still a few days to pay the ground rent. I heard that the ground rent will increase this year."

As soon as these words came out, the smiles on the faces of several villagers instantly disappeared and were replaced by sad looks.

Since King Huai lost Huaizhou and lost the support of the Xiao family, in the past two years of ruling Fengzhou, in order to maintain the operation of the army, King Huai could only increase the taxes on the people of Fengzhou, plus the layers of officials and petty officials below. If it is imposed layer by layer and falls into the hands of the people, this tax will be very heavy.

And because of the heavy taxes, the villagers of Mawang Village were unable to pay the taxes. Finally, under the coercion of the landlord Liu Yuanwai, they had no choice but to sell their fields to him at a low price.

Those without land would even sell their sons and daughters.

Now the villagers in Mawang Village help Liu Yuanwai farm, and they have to pay a land rent every April.

"Good news, good news"

While the villagers were chatting, Lin Zhong's brother-in-law Wang Chong'er trotted over, met the villagers' eyes, and said: "Liu Yuanwai was beheaded. The Yamen just sent someone over to inform us to go to the Yamen to allocate the fields."

"What, Liu Yuanwai was beheaded?" Hearing this, all the villagers' eyes widened. After Old Man Tie was shocked for a long time, he even said: "Chong Er, are you awake? Yamen Divide the fields for us? I have never dreamed of such a scene."

Not only did Old Man Tie not believe it, but Lin Xuan and other villagers also didn't believe it.

Wang Zhonger came to them, panting slightly, and said: "Is it true? Didn't the county hold a public trial today? It was on the public trial stage that An Guogong's people ordered Liu Yuanwai to be beheaded. Not only It was Yuan Wai Liu, and even the yamen master was cut off. Duke An Guo exempted our county from paying taxes for a year, and also gave us the fields occupied by Yuan Wai Liu. Uncle Shitou and Aunt Teng also went. "

Hearing this, the villagers were shocked and opened their mouths.

Regarding the public trial, the Yamen had previously sent people to notify Mawang Village and asked them to enter the county seat to participate. However, the villagers who did not know a few Chinese characters were not interested, so they only sent a few representatives there. .

But I never expected that such a big thing would happen.

"Chonger, don't lie to me." Some villagers still said in disbelief.

"Whether it is true or not, we will know after we go into the city." Lin Xuan had to wipe the water off his feet and put on his shoes quickly.

...

An hour later.

When the villagers of Mawang Village saw the head of Mr. Liu hanging on the rack, they believed that what Wang Zhonger said was true.

Then they ran to the government office.

At this time, there was a long queue outside the government office, waiting for the land to be divided.

When it was Mawang Village's turn, it was almost dark.

Lin Xuan and others showed their credentials, pressed their fingerprints, signed and sealed, and walked out of the government office with their own land deeds, but they still felt that everything was a little unreal.

At this time, they saw a group of people kneeling in front of the government office. They faced the government office, cried with emotion, and shouted that the Duke of Anguo was the great master of justice.

After asking around and learning that the Duke of Anguo was in the government office, Tie Lao Han grabbed Lin Xuan and the others' hands and said excitedly: "Brother Lin, let's go over and pay our respects to the Duke of Anguo."

"The Duke of Anguo not only killed Mr. Liu, but also exempted us from taxes for a year and divided our land among us. He is simply our second parent and the great Lord of Heaven."

"..."

This situation was also repeated in other counties.