But ideals are full, but reality is very skinny.
Yan An didn't expect that the biggest resistance he faced was not from Zheng Qiao, but from the court officials around him, who obstructed him in various ways.
The reason given is even more laughable -
Only those who have made contributions will be rewarded!
He also said that the people did not think about farming and were lazy and slack, which led to a sharp drop in harvests and insufficient land tax payments. Now they have no food to survive the winter, which is their own fault. If we really think about it, they have not done anything and are guilty! The king showed mercy and did not care about them, but Yan'an actually gave these lazy people food to survive the winter? What would those hardworking and self-sufficient people think
"If you don't reward people for their merits, good deeds won't be encouraged. If you don't punish people for their mistakes, evil deeds won't be feared!" After hearing Yan An's proposal, a court official stepped out. He carefully looked at Zheng Qiao's face. Seeing that Zheng Qiao was not displeased, he continued to argue, "Those lazy and lowly people have no merits or mistakes. What you are doing will only encourage their evil deeds! In the next spring plowing, the diligent people will also neglect their farming work!"
He paused and said, "This will lead to endless troubles!"
Yan An was so angry that his face almost turned blue.
How can you even bring up such a perverse theory
What’s the difference between this and “Why not eat meat porridge?”
Go farming when you’re hungry
If there is no food, does that mean the people will slack off on their farming work
Let them have good land to cultivate!
Yan An looked at the sanctimonious faces in front of him and felt as if his stomach was cramping and he almost vomited.
If he hadn't been cultivating his character and setting a good example for Zheng Qiao, he would have picked up his sword and cut off this man's tongue right now!
This tongue can't speak human language, so just discard it!
Yan Anxin was as clear as a mirror and was certain that there was something wrong with the granary accounts. Otherwise, why would this group of people tacitly unanimously stop him
If the people are forced into a desperate situation, will they still have a way to survive
This one—
The court officials had different ideas.
Some people know, but knowing doesn’t mean they care.
The so-called people are nothing more than a group of ants digging in the mud. No matter how noisy they are, they cannot threaten me.
But if the accounting problems were exposed, Zheng Qiao could make them never see the sun tomorrow! It was easy to figure out what to do! Those untouchables would die, their lives were worthless anyway.
Yan An's expression turned cold.
The murderous eyes and eyebrows are somewhat similar to Zheng Qiao.
Yan Xingning insisted on his own opinion.
The courtiers with guilty consciences came out and expressed their opinions. They criticized or ridiculed Yan An, and their faces turned red and their necks became thick. Zheng Qiao sat at the top, looking lazy and comfortable, as if he was watching a wonderful monkey show, but it was boring after watching it too many times.
How could he not know that there was something wrong with the court officials
I know, but I indulged it.
Zheng Qiao was able to achieve what he has today, defeating the sons of the old ruler of Geng State and ascending to the throne, not only by joining forces with the Queen Mother, but also by using this method to recruit talents and give his subordinates enough benefits. These people are leeches that are countless times more greedy than him, and they will only work for him and die for him if they suck enough blood.
Zheng Qiao carefully read Yan An's various reform plans. Every one of them would benefit the country and the people, but not them.
It is not only disadvantageous but also harmful, damaging their foundation and affecting the profits they have earned. Who wouldn't hate him
Yan'an also wanted to clean up the atmosphere, get rid of these court officials, and advise Zheng Qiao to stay away from treacherous villains and get closer to loyal and good people.
Looking at Yan An who was almost isolated, Zheng Qiao sneered in his heart - his senior brother was taught by his mentor to be too naive and simple, and he didn't know the greed and evil of human nature. When hiring people, he didn't look at their character or talents, but only at what they could do for him, Zheng Qiao.
This continued, angering the court officials. Zheng Qiao was not surprised at all that one day he would receive bad news about this senior brother, such as drowning in a well in the middle of the night, falling into the water, or being accidentally killed by a thief... In short, he died in an "accident"!
Seeing that the argument was almost over, Zheng Qiao interrupted and turned the topic to the allied forces that repelled the rebels in Sibao County. He had been sending people to pay attention to the battle situation there. To be honest, the troops of King Zhui were still a little beyond his expectations.
Especially the fierce general Gong Xichou.
Even though Zheng Qiao was somewhat afraid, he was only afraid. As long as the Pig King did not get the national seal, he had nothing to fear.
so-
Who got the suddenly revealed national seal
Where is it hidden
To reassure himself, he decided to meet the so-called allied army. If any of them could threaten him, he would kill them! The leader was Wu Xian, followed by Gu Ren.
Zheng Qiao didn’t care about what happened after that.
After taking a quick look around, Zheng Qiao didn't detect any suspicious aura from them. He felt a little disappointed, but he still kept his spirits up.
Reward according to military merit.
Wu Xian was the first, Gu Ren the second, and the rest the third. Although they did not get the expected "division of land and title of king", they were all promoted to higher positions and given generous rewards, so it was not a wasted trip. Some people wondered, is this still Zheng Qiao, who is so easy to talk to
At this time, Gu Ren recommended Shen Tang to be the governor of Heyin County - it is called a county, but because there are many small countries in the northwest continent, the overall area of each country is not large after being divided up.
It’s just that the names are too detailed and sound intimidating.
Ha Yoon is really a small place.
In addition to Gu Ren, several other people also came forward to recommend him. Only Wu Xian did not move. Not only did he not move, but he also widened his eyes, looking shocked as if he had been stabbed in the back. His heart was filled with "cordial greetings" to Gu Ren, and he had no idea what he was going to do!
He Yin "rented" it to Shen Tang for free.
Gu Ren recommended Shen Tang to be the governor of Heyin County
Then why borrow your own money
But Zheng Qiao was right above him, so even if he had a lot of complaints to make, he had to hold them in, which made his face look ugly.
Zheng Qiao frowned slightly: "Shen Tang? He didn't come?"
The spy sent back news about Shen Tang early in the morning.
It is said that this man could fight with Gongxi Chou, who was a 15th-rank junior official, for hundreds of rounds. He was also a good-natured person, and he was very poor. He took in more than 1,800 refugees. He also borrowed 1,000 people from Wu Xian and went to He Yin slowly.
Zheng Qiao received the news and thought the information was wrong.
How could Shen Tang fight back and forth with the 15th-rank Shao Shangzao? Later, it was learned that Gong Xichou and Shen Tang had a personal relationship and frequently communicated on the battlefield, so it was probably a fake match. In addition, Gong Xichou's surname made it possible for him to trap the Swine King.
Zheng Qiao understood.
Shen Tang was capable, but not as terrifying as the outside world had said. In addition, he was a good-natured man with good intentions. With more than 1,800 elderly, weak, women and children dragging their feet, Zheng Qiao did not have much guard. However, he still had to ask what he should ask.
Gu Ren's answer was similar to what he thought - the reason why Shen Tang didn't come was simply because it was not easy to travel with more than 1,800 people. These people could not keep up with the speed of the army, and they wanted to catch up with the spring plowing next year. After much deliberation, he decided to go to He Yin first.
Zheng Qiao glanced at Wu Xian's ugly face.
Yes!
Although the allied forces were a mob in his eyes, if too many ants gathered together, their bites would hurt, so it would be better to let them have conflicts and alienate each other. Just by looking at Wu Xian's uncontrolled expression, he knew that he probably didn't know about this.
hehe-
Zheng Qiao praised him a few words and ordered a banquet.
Yan An, however, was particularly bothered by Shen Tang's absence.
"This person may be a serious threat."
Zheng Qiao sneered: "Big trouble? Because he didn't come?"
Yan An frowned and said, "If it were any other situation, it wouldn't matter if he came or not, but the national seal appeared in Xiaocheng and disappeared inexplicably, and he made excuses not to come, then it would be suspicious. This boy took in more than 1,800 old, weak, women and children. Was it out of kindness, or something else?"
It is also possible that they are using these refugees as an excuse.
A hint of ridicule appeared on Zheng Qiao's handsome and feminine face: "Brother, do you mean that this twelve-year-old boy got the national seal?"
Yan An said: "It's possible."
Zheng Qiao smiled.
He laughed at Yan'an for not understanding the national seal.
Yan An was worried about Zheng Qiao's arrogance.
No matter what, Shen Tang's status was determined.
Except for the alliance leader Wu Xian, no one was injured!
Bang bang bang bang, Wu Xian slammed the table loudly, abandoning his years of self-cultivation and roaring angrily: "Gu Ziyi, you are so hateful! He is repaying his favor, why did he intercept mine?"
Qin Li was not surprised to hear the news, and even felt that it was as it should be - Shen Tang had an "evil schemer" Qi Yuanliang under his command, and this guy was the best at backstabbing!
He said: "It may not be Gu Ziyi who is causing trouble."
Wu Xian angrily asked, "Who else could it be if not him?"
Qin Li: "Pray for Yuanliang."
It must be Qi Yuanliang’s evil idea!
On the one hand, he said that he would "lease" He Yin and tricked Wu Xian to send some people over. On the other hand, he colluded with Gu Ren and asked Gu Ren to recommend Shen Tang as the governor of He Yin. When Wu Xian asked about it later, Shen Tang could make excuses and refused to admit it!
Wu Xian could only suffer in silence.
Because it was Gu Ren who recommended him, Shen Tang "didn't know" about it, so don't expect Shen Tang to move out when the "lease period" is over.
Wu Xian tasted it carefully, waved his hands and said, "No, no, no, this must be Gu Ren's doing!"
He believes in Master Shen’s character!
Qin Li: “…”
My own lord doesn’t understand Qi Yuanliang!
A few days later, in a bandit camp in Heyin territory.
With a flick of the sword, the head was lifted up by the rush of blood, and then rolled to the ground. The dead man's eyes were wide open, and he died with his eyes open. The young man thrust the blood-stained sword into the chests of several other people. As the bodies fell to the ground, the village fell into silence.
"Who else is dissatisfied?"
"Kill this little bitch to avenge the boss!"
A scarred burly man rushed forward with a knife in hand.
Before he could get close, the young man cut off his arms with two swords.
The strong man fell forward due to inertia, and hit the edge of the young man's sword accurately. The sword cut through iron like mud, and it cut the strong man's neck smoothly without any stagnation. The young man stepped on the warm blood under his feet and sneered: "Are there still people who refuse to accept it?"
The bandits were terrified by what they saw.
Some people even swallowed loudly and nervously.
From the middle of the mountain to the bandit camp, there were corpses and blood all along the way. This beautiful young man killed his way up. All the brothers rushed over, but they didn't even look at him, and his head fell off. They killed all the way to the main hall of the bandit camp and beheaded the bandit leader.
"I allow you to say 'I don't obey' to me now, and I will give you a quick death. If you surrender to me and then say 'I don't obey', your fate will be worse than death!" The young man raised his chin slightly. Although he was not tall, his eyes looked down on me.
"Oh? No one's here? That's good!"
At this time, a man named Zhang Sheng, who was among the bandits, suddenly raised his arms and shouted, "Boss!"
"Big Boss!"
"Big Boss!"
The others hesitated for a few seconds in shock.
They also raised their arms and shouted "Boss"!
The sound started with rustling sounds, and eventually became continuous and deafening, echoing throughout the entire bandit camp.
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