105, Chapter 105 (1/2)

If Du Ke was in a good mood just now, he is in a bad mood now. He looked at the boxes of white silver, some golden gold, some jewelry, etc., and his whole face was black. "Are these all from the bandits' den?" So much silver, not including the money eaten and used by the bandits, so how much would it be if added up?

Du Ke thought of the old guy Yonghe Hou. No wonder he was so active in suppressing the bandits. No wonder the silver found in the suppression of the bandits was directly used as military pay. It turned out that there was quite a lot of silver. Thinking that this silver could be used as military pay, the old guy Yonghe Hou must be in a good mood. However, his mood was not good, because this silver was robbed from the common people.

Qin Fang said, "These were found in the bandit den, but I have taken 40% of them. 30% is used as military pay for the development of the Yunxiang County military camp, and 10% is a reward from the emperor." Qin Fang said this without blushing or getting angry.

Du Ke glanced at him. If he didn't know Qin Fang's thoughts at this time, then he was not worthy of sitting in the position of the Minister of War, and was not worthy of being the emperor's confidant. Qin Fang didn't directly say how much silver there was in the bandit den when he wrote the letter. It seemed that this was his idea. If he said it, would he be able to get so much silver?

Qin Fang also felt a little guilty. After all, this was the first time he did such a thing, and he secretly prayed for luck. If this thing didn't work out, and the emperor didn't agree in advance, but asked the imperial envoy to check the silver first, then he wouldn't get 30%, and his 10% would be gone.

Du Ke had no idea. Although Qin Fang had a plan, Qin Fang's behavior was obviously much better than that of Yonghe Hou who took all the stolen money. However, how could someone from Yongzhou military camp look more like a bandit than a bandit?

Qin Fang added: "I only took 40% of the silver, and I didn't touch the jewelry. Also, these were only found in the bandit's den, not including the county magistrate's warehouse. I went to see the county magistrate's warehouse, but it was not touched. I dare not touch it. Please move on."

Du Ke had a clue when he heard it: "Let's go and see it."

The county magistrate's warehouse was in the county magistrate's bedroom, and there were many soldiers guarding the door. As soon as Du Ke saw the posture of the soldiers, he knew that the situation inside must be serious.

The soldier saw Qin Fang and saluted: "General."

Qin Fang nodded and pushed the door open: "Please come in, sir."

Du Ke and the people he brought walked into the house, Qin Fang followed, and then closed the door. Then Qin Fang walked to the portrait on the wall and took down the portrait. The mechanism was very clever. If you don't pay attention, you will take down the portrait and you won't notice that there is a mechanism here, because the button of this mechanism is used to hang the portrait. So according to normal thinking, who would think that this is a mechanism? Most people think it is a wooden nail for hanging portraits.

Qin Fang pressed the wooden nail inside, and then a wall was moved away.

Du Ke and others walked in and saw three wooden cabinets, and the wooden cabinets were either silver or gold. This amount is several times the 50,000 silver of the bandits.

Du Ke's face was very ugly.

Three years as a clean magistrate, 100,000 snowflake silver. This year, Du Ke has truly seen the meaning of this sentence.

Of course, 100,000 taels of silver is not particularly much in Du Ke's eyes, and his Du family's assets are more than that. However, we need to know the source of this money. Fifty thousand taels were found in the bandit's den, but they were robbed from the common people. For the common people who spend only two taels of silver a year, what does this fifty thousand taels mean? It means that tens of thousands of common people have been robbed, which means that even if there are not tens of thousands of common people, they have been robbed for many years.

In addition, even if you don't count carefully, Du Ke knows that if you convert gold into silver, the money here will add up to hundreds of thousands of taels.

How much of the people's fat and blood was plundered?

No, it may not be obtained by plundering the people's fat and blood. The county magistrate must have used extraordinary means.

Du Ke asked Qin Fang: "Do you know where this silver came from?" His voice was as cold as ice chips.

Qin Fang felt that the county magistrate was going to be in trouble. "It was obtained from the bandits and from the Feng Family Clinic. The Feng Family Clinic uses cheap medicines and sells them at a low profit. Over the years, the profit has been very considerable. Moreover, the bandits only had 50,000 taels of silver because they had many people and high expenses. But the county magistrate has a small family and low expenses, so he naturally has money."

Du Ke raised his eyebrows: "Small profits but quick turnover?" This description is somewhat interesting.

Qin Fang said: "It means using small profits to attract customers and using multiple sales to increase profits." This is how his wife described him. "Moreover, the medicine of Feng Family Clinic has problems, so the effect is very slow. The slower the effect, the more people buy it, and the more profits Feng Family Clinic makes. However, the people don't know the tricks. They think it is the same medicine as other clinics, but the price is cheaper at Feng Family Clinic, so according to the number of purchases, and compared with the medicine of other clinics, the people think they have made money."

Sadly, they don't know that they have actually lost a lot.

Du Ke said sternly: "People who use the lives of the people to make these dirty money should be killed."

His murderous aura was so strong that Qin Fang and others dared not say a word.

The matter in Huanshui County was quite smooth for Du Ke. When Qin Fang subdued the bandits in the bandit den, the bandits had already confessed. The bandits' confession included the story about the county magistrate, so the county magistrate had no way to deny it. For a man like the county magistrate, happiness may not be shared, but disaster must be dragged down. So when he knew that he had no hope of escaping, he directly dragged Doctor Feng and Feng's Clinic into the water.

Speaking of which, the county magistrate still had some brains. At least Doctor Feng didn't know about his affair with the bandits. He would rather let the bandits ask Doctor Li for help instead of Feng's Clinic. Lest Doctor Feng use this matter to blackmail him.

And now, the bandit leader, the county magistrate, and Doctor Feng are all locked up together. Three people with heinous crimes look at each other every day.

But after Du Ke met the county magistrate, he asked Qin Fang a question: "Qin Fang, do you know why the county magistrate has so much money but is still so thin?"

Qin Fang did not expect Du Ke to be so humorous, he said frankly: "I don't know."

Du Ke smiled: "Do you think he may have starved himself to become thin?"

Qin Fang could not understand this. To be honest, he had not paid attention to this issue before, he did not expect that such a majestic Lord Du would pay attention to such a thing. But: "Isn't it? If he was skinny because of starvation, what would he do with so much stolen money?"

Du Ke nodded: "So, let me tell you why he is skinny. You may not know that some women will pinch their throats every day or eat something vomiting to maintain their slim figure. Then, if they eat too much of this vomiting, they will lose interest in eating. So, after they can't eat, they will become skinny.

This county magistrate has some of these tricks. He has that With so much stolen money, if he eats a lot of meat and fish every day, he will definitely get fat. Once he gets fat, he can't maintain the image of a clean county magistrate. As the saying goes, whether this county magistrate is greedy or not depends on whether he is fat or not. So, he should do this. "

Qin Fang rarely flatters: "Your Excellency is wise."

Qin Fang stayed in Huanshui County for more than 20 days. During these 20 days, Du Ke had already left after handling the affairs of Huanshui County. Qin Fang had to stay here because those sick people had not recovered. Until they recovered, he took them out of Huanshui County and continued on their way.

However, they were on their way, but Yang Haiyan and others arrived in Yunxiang County.

People who have seen Huanshui County, seeing Yunxiang County at this moment, have a feeling of being unable to recover for a long time. The main reason is that Yunxiang County is too desolate, so desolate that standing outside the county town, looking at the collapsed city wall of the county town, can make people suspect that they have gone to the wrong place.

Regardless of whether the county magistrate of Huanshui County was corrupt or earned stolen money, at least on the surface, Huanshui County developed well. No one talked about bandits. There was also a doctor named Feng in the county who was a kind man. Although the county was not prosperous, it was still well developed. If we don't compare it with Huanshui County, we can compare it with the border county, which was also well developed.

But what happened to Yunxiang County? The city wall collapsed. Is there no one to take care of it? What did the county magistrate do? Could it be that because Yunxiang County was not at the border, the city wall did not need to be used to defend against the enemy, so it was allowed to collapse like this.

Lieutenant Lu came to Yang Haiyan: "Madam, is this Yunxiang County?"

Yang Haiyan didn't know. Although she had read in the geological magazine before that Yunxiang County was a relatively remote and poor place, everything in front of her limited her imagination. Because no matter how remote or poor it was, she didn't know that even the city wall of the county was like this?

Let alone whether the imperial court would intervene or not, even if the news reached the imperial court, would the county magistrate of Yunxiang County still have his head?

Yang Haiyan got off the carriage: "I don't know, you can ask the yamen runners at the city gate." They looked at the map and asked people all the way here, so it should be correct.

Captain Lu: "Yes."

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In fact, the yamen runners at the city gate were afraid when they saw the large group of people coming, as many as 2,500 to 600 people, because they were afraid that they were coming with bad intentions. But they still came over boldly: "Excuse me...Excuse me, is General Qin Fang here?" The county magistrate said that the generals of the court would bring people here to settle down. Since there were more than 3,000 people, they should be easy to recognize. Captain Lu had just taken a few steps when he saw the yamen runner coming over. When he heard the other party asking this, he cupped his fist and said, "I am Captain Lu Zhide under General Qin. General Qin was delayed in Huanshui County because of the court affairs. In addition, hundreds of our people were sick and had to stay in Huanshui County for treatment, so the general asked us to bring these two thousand people here first."

When the yamen servant heard this, he breathed a sigh of relief. Although it was half a month's journey, these people would arrive after a month. The county magistrate was naturally worried about an accident. As soon as the county magistrate was worried, they and the others would be talked about, so they would walk a short distance nearby every day to wait for General Qin's large group to arrive. "I've seen Lieutenant Lu. You are finally here. The county magistrate is waiting for you. Please come quickly."

Lieutenant Lu said: "Don't worry, the general's wife is accompanying us this time. I went to ask my wife earlier."

As soon as the yamen servant heard that the general's wives had arrived, he hurriedly said: "There's no hurry, no hurry." Even so, other yamen servants had already run back to the county yamen to inform the county magistrate.

Lieutenant Lu came to the carriage and said, "Madam, these government officials are waiting for the general here under the orders of the county magistrate. We are invited to go to the county government. Do you think?"

Yang Haiyan said: "First send people to set up tents here to settle the people who came with us, and then go to the county to buy food. Everyone is tired from the journey and needs to eat." The county magistrate is only seventh grade, Qin Fang is fifth grade, and Qin Fang is fifth grade. When Fang was ordered to come, naturally the county magistrate came out to greet him. How could he come to visit him? Even if Qin Fang is not here now, the airs must be enough.

Yang Haiyan didn't know if the county magistrate planned to give Qin Fang a show of authority, but as Qin Fang's wife, she naturally had to stand up for Qin Fang. It's impossible for her to visit her today. Either the county magistrate will come out to greet her, or everyone will disappear. It depends on who can endure it.

However, considering the situation of the city wall, she also expected that the county magistrate would come.

Captain Lu heard Yang Haiyan's words and immediately called everyone to gather. He arranged for most people to set up tents and some people to go to the county town to buy food.

Only Aunt Yu and Aunt Hong were around Yang Haiyan, while Aunt Fan and Aunt Lian stayed with Qin Fang. Aunt Yu can only do rough work and cannot take charge of herself. Aunt Hong also has a child, so it's inconvenient. Speaking of which, Hong Datou is really amazing. Such a young child has not been infected by the cold. After some people were infected during that period, the number of infected people gradually increased. Uncle Hong and Aunt Hong were worried to death because of Hong Datou.

But little did he know that Hong Datou was alive and well. Uncle Hong and Aunt Hong were happy, and Yang Haiyan was happy. She also raised Hong Datou with a bowl of goat's milk every day to keep him healthy. She also hoped that he would be well.

Yang Haiyan's eyes stopped on Mrs. Niu and Mrs. Kun and Zhang. After a while, she withdrew her eyes again.

Before the tent was set up and the people who went to buy food had not returned, the county magistrate Yang Shunlei came over with the chief secretary Song Wenbing and Bai County Cheng. In fact, County Magistrate Yang had no intention of giving up his power to Qin. In fact, he had been waiting here for several days and never saw the three thousand people brought by Qin Fang. He didn't know when Qin Fang would arrive. , that’s why I didn’t come out to greet him. How could he, a county magistrate in a down-to-earth place, show his authority to a general with soldiers in the fifth rank? Is he a local snake? Just rely on these shrimp soldiers and crab generals in the county government? Magistrate Yang does not have this confidence.

Yang Haiyan stood beside the carriage and led Magistrate Yang over.

Magistrate Yang knew that General Qin was not here, but Mrs. Qin also had a fifth-grade imperial edict, which was higher than his rank. Moreover, he already knew the origin of General Qin. Even if he was the county magistrate of a poor place, there were always a few people he knew. Knowing that the imperial court was going to transfer a general to defend the city, he always wanted to get to know them. Unexpectedly, he and Mrs. Qin had some connections, which was unexpected.

Magistrate Yang said: "Yang Shunlei, the magistrate of Yunxiang County, has met Yiren with the county's chief clerk and chief secretary Song Wenbing."

Yang Haiyan returned the courtesy and said: "I have met Mr. Yang, the Prime Minister of Bai County, and the Chief Registrar of Song Dynasty. The general has some things to do in Huanshui County, so I am on my way with some people. The general has something to say first, and these people will be settled here first. Outside the county, we will make arrangements after the general returns. Mr. Yang can discuss some matters with Lieutenant Lu."

Magistrate Yang: "Yes. Pleasant. The general's mansion has been renovated and cleaned. You can enter the mansion at any time."

This was a surprise for Yang Haiyan. Before lunch was ready, she said: "Then I will go to the ‌‌ and ask Magistrate Yang to lead the way. Of course, if Magistrate Yang is busy with county government affairs, he will send someone to me Just lead the way.”

Magistrate Yang: "I'm not busy, I'm happy to invite you."

Yang Haiyan hummed, and then said: "Aunt Yu, Mrs. Kun and Zhang, you come with me. Captain Kun, you can also bring your personal guards with you."

"yes."

Yang Haiyan: "Let's go on foot. This will be our home from now on. We can see the local customs here along the way."

County Magistrate Yang: "Yi Ren is thoughtful, but there is really no place in Yunxiang County for Yi Ren to appreciate it." Speaking of this, he sighed.

Yang Haiyan noticed that there seemed to be something hidden in his words, but she didn't ask.

Magistrate Yang added: "Speaking of which, Xiaguan and Yiren may have some connections."

These words made Yang Haiyan curious. She glanced at him and she really had no impression of this person: "Please Mr. Yang, please help me clear up my doubts."

They walked in the front, followed by the county magistrate, the chief registrar, Kun Shi and others.

Magistrate Yang smiled and asked, "Yiren comes from the family of Taifu Yang who was executed two years ago?"

Yang Haiyan was stunned and remembered the name he mentioned when he introduced her. Are you from the Yang family? "If so, it can really be regarded as some kind of fate. It's not a connection, but we can meet each other in this way, which can be regarded as fate.

After listening to Yang Haiyan's words, County Magistrate Yang understood that she was acquiescing, so he explained: "Xiaguan is a descendant of the Yang family who was born in the fifth service, but the relationship is too far away. There is not much contact between Xiaguan's family and the Yang family. But in the past, in my hometown It also took advantage of the children of the Yang family, so after Xiaguan passed the imperial examination, he was placed in a relatively good place. After the incident in the Yang family the year before last, the Xiaguan family was not implicated and died, but Xiaguan was still involved. I’ve been transferred here, but speaking of it, it’s a blessing to still be an official and save my life.”

Yang Haiyan sighed, the Yang family's matter did not involve any innocent servants, so how could it not be a blessing for the servants? So it had to be said that Qi Guo's laws were much more humane than the laws in ancient China that she knew. Although she and Magistrate Yang didn't know each other, having this level of relationship did bring some distance between them. She could see that Magistrate Yang was trying to get close to him, so she naturally had no reason to push him away. After all, he was one of the local gangsters here. "I see, there really is some connection there. Originally, I was a little scared when I left my hometown and came here, but now that I know that you are an old friend, I feel a little more at ease."

What she said was a bit of a sign of weakness. After all, she is young, ‌ 18 years old, so it is not embarrassing to say these words.

Magistrate Yang said: "If General Yihe needs help from his subordinates, just ask." Magistrate Yang also knew that he would never get ahead. Unless he has great merits, even if the emperor does not pursue the children of the Yang family who have come out of the fifth server, the imperial court will not use them seriously.

In contrast, Qin Fang is different. A twenty-two-year-old fifth-grade general, his future is limitless. Therefore, Magistrate Yang is willing to hand them over in advance.

While they were talking, a group of them arrived at the gate of the general's mansion.

The entrance to the General's Mansion is very large, and the two stone lions at the entrance are very majestic. The main reason is the shape of the house, which covers an extremely large area. Yang Haiyan asked: "It's not easy to get to this yard."

County Magistrate Yang said: "This turned out to be the palace of Prince Liang. Twenty years ago, after Prince Liang passed away, because he had no heirs, everything was taken over by the imperial court. Now General Qin has been transferred here, and the imperial court asked the subordinates to directly transfer the former Liang Dynasty to the palace. The palace was renovated into the general's palace."

Yang Haiyan mentioned Prince Liang to Qin Fang a month ago. She had also seen it in a geological magazine, but she did not expect that this was Prince Liang's palace. Prince Liang was not favored, so his territory was not good either. But no matter how bad the territory is, there are still some counties better than Yunxiang County. Why did Prince Liang choose this place for his palace? Yang Haiyan was confused, so she asked directly: "Yunxiang County looks quite... barren. How come the King of Liang, a majestic prince, built his palace here?"

Magistrate Yang naturally knew about this, and it was not a secret in Yunxiang County twenty years ago. So he said happily: "Because King Liang likes hunting, there are a lot of prey in the big mountain in the southeast of Yunxiang County, so King Liang simply built the palace here. It is said that when King Liang started hunting, he would It was in that mountain for ten days and a half. Moreover, this was the territory of King Liang, so the mountain naturally belonged to King Liang. For this reason, there was a time when the hunters were not allowed to hunt there. I thought ‌.”

Yang Haiyan did not expect that it was for this reason that Prince Liang built his palace here for hunting, which shows that he was very keen on hunting. However, as a prince, no matter how bad his territory is, no matter how unfavored he is, no matter how poor Yunxiang County is, no matter how hard he is, he still has enough to eat and wear. Therefore, the poor conditions in Yunxiang County do not affect him. Why does he care about this? "I see."

Magistrate Yang continued: "It is said that King Liang died young and left no heirs twenty years ago. He died because of a serious injury while hunting."

Yang Haiyan said: "So that mountain is quite dangerous. Come on, let's go into the house and take a look."

The group of people entered the general's mansion. Although the mansion was large and the construction was quite luxurious, it was built twenty years ago after all, so the mansion was still quite old. Magistrate Yang ordered people to repair it, but only the leaking areas were repaired. More than 90% of the areas were left untouched. The county government has no money to move.

Therefore, after they came in, they looked at this mansion and saw it was a depressed mansion.

However, Yang Haiyan liked it very much. She turned to Kunshi and said, "After lunch, let's move the things into the general's mansion."

Kunshi: "Yes."