"That's probably what happened." Zheng Yunjie said.
As for whether it was because of the Zhihu riot that triggered the strike at the Suzhou Gongyuan, or whether the strike itself was aimed at the New Deal that was just implemented in the Jiangnan area, because the situation is still unclear, and no one knows.
However, it is true for the New Deal. After all, the levy of business tax is also a New Deal, but this matter is not handled by Xue Tingxiang.
"Your Majesty, the old servant is incompetent, the old servant does not know people well, and he failed to understand the riots in Suzhou in time, the old servant should be damned."
"Damn you, it's not enough to kill you and Li Jinzhong when you make such a mess!"
There was a suffocating silence in the Qianqing Palace, only Zheng Ancheng's kowtow sounded, which made people feel nervous when they heard it.
"The minister said on the same day that this new policy has too many disadvantages, and innovation is okay, but we must pay attention to methods and methods. These scholars are the pillars of the future of the imperial court. "Feng Chengbao stood up and said.
Saying that, he looked at Xue Tingxiang: "Master Xue, this new policy was proposed by you. Now that something like this happens, what do you think?"
Yang Chonghua sighed: "Master Xue is younger, and it's normal to think poorly. If you make a mistake, you can correct it, but the top priority now is how to solve the problem in Suzhou. In this regard, Your Majesty, the old minister agrees with what Master Feng said, It is appalling for the Gongyuan to strike the exam, and it is known to the world that the court's face will be lost.
As the two of them finished speaking, more than half of the more than 20 officials agreed. And Xue Tingxiang only had one person, that is, Zheng Yunjie helped him to say a few words, but unfortunately his voice was not enough and he was suppressed.
It was also a coincidence that Ye Ju, Lin Miao, and Chen Jian all served as local examiners, and there were only a few high-ranking officials who were the mainstay of the reformists, and could only be besieged again.
Emperor Jiacheng suddenly stood up: "I repeat, the implementation of the new policy cannot be delayed. Whoever dares to resist will be my enemy."
His sharp gaze glanced below, and those who received this gaze lowered their heads one after another.
"Xue Shilang did a good job on his errands, and I can clearly see his hard work. This time, it's because the supervisor of ceremonies mishandled his affairs, and it has nothing to do with Xue Shilang. I'm just curious, how can you blame him for everything? , Are you dissatisfied with him, or are you dissatisfied with the implementation of the New Deal?!"
"Sir, wait for panic."
Following this sentence, a lot of people knelt down below. Since most of the people knelt down, those who didn't get involved have to kneel down.
Xue Tingxiang also knelt down.
"Are you panicking? Where are you panicking? Let me see, you are all laughing in your heart now! You group of greedy silverfish, the imperial court has raised you and your family and clansmen, just because the rules of exemption and exemption have been changed, Now it's the fault of the imperial court? Now I'm arguing with me to stop taking the exam. Since I don't want to take the exam, then I won't take the exam. I don't believe it..."
Emperor Jiacheng, who was in the midst of rage, suddenly flushed, and people shook, and he fell backwards in front of everyone's eyes. It was Zheng Ancheng who was quick-witted and quick-witted, and used his body to support him underneath.
"Go get a doctor!"
For a time, the people in the hall turned their backs on their horses.
In the Qianqing Palace, the eunuchs and the maids came in and out.
Groups of people passed by, but none of the kneeling ministers dared to get up.
If Emperor Jiacheng had an emergency today, none of the people present would be able to escape, and he would be so mad that he would not be able to atone for his sin if he went home and wiped his neck.
Fortunately, the imperial doctor came out and said that His Majesty is not in serious trouble, just because of the old problem, and it will be fine to rest for a while.
Emperor Jiacheng suffered from vertigo, which was caused by excessive anger, and it was not serious. All he needed to do was calm his mind, so not only the ministers knew about it, but the imperial physicians had long been accustomed to it.
Since then, the group of officials whose official robes had been soaked in cold sweat for a long time stood up one by one.
I begged to see them, but unfortunately Emperor Jiacheng was too lazy to see them, so he let them retire, leaving Xue Tingxiang alone.
Xue Tingxiang entered the back palace under the guidance of the eunuch.
The bright yellow curtains in the hall are low, and everywhere is magnificent, and there is an air of majesty spreading invisibly.
When he came to the dragon bed, Emperor Jiacheng was half-reclining on the couch. He was usually high above the ground and he was not angry and mighty. He hid under the quilt and took off his dragon robe. Looking at the gray at the temples, it seems to add a bit of fragility and vicissitudes.
Ordinary people, not gods.
"His Majesty."
"Jiangnan can't be messed up, this matter is left to you to handle, I have someone give you the imperial decree, you bring the Jinyiwei people, the next trip to Jiangnan."
"Yes."
"This matter must be done, I believe you can handle it well, and if necessary, you can use iron-blooded means."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will definitely live up to my expectations."
Emperor Jiacheng nodded and said tiredly: "Go on, I will wait for you to return from Jiangnan Gongcheng."
"I bid farewell to Your Majesty."
After Xue Tingxiang left, Zheng Ancheng came to Emperor Jiacheng.
Emperor Jiacheng didn't open his eyes and said, "I'll remember this for you first, and I'll go to the Department of Penalty and Punishment to receive ten whips."
Where he couldn't see, Zheng Ancheng's old face twitched, he knelt down for a long time, and said, "Thank you, old slave."
Since it was an oral decree from Emperor Jiacheng, no one would take it lightly.
It is said that there are ten whips, and one whip is quite a lot.
And Zheng Ancheng knew that this was done for others to see. Originally, the eunuchs below did not dare to execute the execution, but he forced him to beat him with ten whips.
It's a pity that he misestimated his age. After ten whips, Zheng Ancheng's clothes were soaked with sweat.
A little eunuch told him to find a chariot for him, but he didn't dare to sit, so he was supported and walked through most of the Forbidden City. When I got to the place where I lived, I was busy ordering someone to hire an imperial doctor. During the period, I didn't need to describe the pain in detail.
After waiting for the medicine, Zheng Ancheng planned to sleep for a while, and another little eunuch came to report: "The third prince ordered someone to bring medicine to the ancestors."
Zheng Ancheng frowned slightly, and asked the person to take the medicine.
On the other end, Xue Tingxiang returned home in a hurry after getting the imperial edict.
Zhao'er was full of surprise, and after hearing the ins and outs of the matter, he was worried and packed his luggage.
She wanted to accompany her, but Hong'er was still in the Gongyuan with such a big stall at home, so she could only send him out of the house with thousands of instructions.
Outside the door, Jin Yiwei's people are waiting.
Still an old acquaintance, but now Wei Yunjie, who has risen to a thousand households. When they left Beijing, there was an old acquaintance waiting. It was the one hundred Tao Heiniu from the Jingda Camp who had worked together in the Guangji warehouse with Xue Tingxiang and Wei Yunjie.
However, this guy has also been promoted, and he has been promoted to the general manager.
Emperor Jiacheng was considered thorough this time, probably because he was afraid that Xue Tingxiang would go to the local area and the officials would protect each other, so he deliberately brought his troops there.
A whole thousand people, you must know that the disaster relief in Henan was only given to 3,000 people.
There are mountains and rivers on this road, and it goes straight to Suzhou via the canal. The details of the road do not need to be detailed.
When he arrived there, Xue Tingxiang did not directly bring people into the city, but first sneaked into Suzhou City with a few people.
Although the city suffered repeated chaos, Suzhou City was an important place in the south of the Yangtze River, so there was no martial law on the streets.
Xue Tingxiang was still familiar with Suzhou. He went to Suzhou several times for the Hongchang ticket number. This time, he took someone directly to the Hongchang ticket number, and he also had the intention of inquiring about the news.
Xiang Qingshan was very surprised to see Xue Tingxiang, but he didn't say anything. He first found a place to help them settle, and then asked the reason.
Over the years, Xiang Qingshan has been convinced by the Tailong ticket number, and Xue Tingxiang's position on the coast of the East China Sea does not allow him to have two hearts.
In fact, in the final analysis, he did not follow the right person, and it was the enemy who saved him, otherwise his old life would have been lost, and he would have killed his family. Based on these circumstances, he is naturally loyal to the Tailong ticket number and even Xue Tingxiang.
After hearing Xue Tingxiang's reason, Xiang Qingshan frowned.
He really knew some news about this matter, although he was a ticket number and had nothing to do with those weavers. After all, he was a businessman and a member of the Suzhou Chamber of Commerce.
And Xiang Qingshan's status in the chamber of commerce is not low, but he didn't get involved in this matter.
If it is said that the Zhihu riot was originally out of righteous indignation, and then attacked the tax office, it was really planned by someone secretly, and this person was a member of the Suzhou Chamber of Commerce. It is also that Li Jinzhong is not a thing, causing people's resentment to boil, everyone can't live any longer, and naturally there will be trouble.
Naturally, local officials are also indispensable. Otherwise, the government should have come forward when people were killed. How could they wait until they attacked the tax office.
Now, under pressure from all parties, those who were arrested are being treated not badly. They are offered food and drink every day.
As for the matter of the scholars' strikeout, Xiang Qingshan did not know what was going on, only that someone in the dark was actually taking the lead.
As for who it is, I don't know at all.
Xue Tingxiang was not surprised by this.
If even Xiang Qingshan, an outsider, knew about it, then the person behind it wouldn't be able to keep his head. Now this incident has alarmed the court, no matter who it is, after the dust settles, he can't afford to walk around.
For the next few days, Xue Tingxiang took people to live in the place arranged by Xiang Qingshan. Every day, he went out to investigate various places. He also disguised himself and went to the gate of Suzhou Gongyuan to see. On the day, I was already exhausted, and at this time I was able to hold on, all relying on one breath.
After another two days, Xue Tingxiang left the city again and led people into the city from the bright side.
The prefect of Suzhou, Bu Yanli, hurriedly came out to meet him, and then welcomed the group to the Suzhou government office. Not long after, Governor Su Song Wu Heren also arrived in a hurry.
Xue Tingxiang did not say much to the two, and went directly to the Suzhou Gongyuan.
In front of the Suzhou Gongyuan, hundreds of candidates sat on the floor.
After such a long time, these scholars have long forgotten what is insulting and gentle, some have clothes under their bodies, some directly spread a straw mat, and all of them are unkempt.
In August, the autumn tigers are fierce, and these people smell sour and rotten, which can be smelled from a long distance.
Most of the time, they don't feel the smell when they are in the dung heap, but these people are at ease. They are all exhausted and haggard.
"Brother Fang, what do you think the court will do with us?" a candidate asked in a low voice.
The one called Brother Fang seemed a little irritable. Hearing this, he immediately reprimanded: "Can you not say this."
The examinee was reprimanded and was very aggrieved: "I am, I am not afraid, you said if the court..."
"I'm afraid what are you doing here? We're here for the sake of righteousness, the so-called killing one's own life, sacrificing one's own life for righteousness, we are fighting for the sake of thousands of scholars, you must have the courage to do your part, if you don't fight, you should go home quickly Either way."
"But after all these days, the court has not made any movement at all."
"Don't people from the capital need time?"
"This, this is also true."
There are many more conversations like this.
The reason why these gentlemen are impulsive is just out of a sense of loyalty. When they really suffered and suffered, it was too late for them to regret it in their hearts, but because they were holding on to their face, they wished that the people of the court could hurry up and they could go home.
Of course, there are also more resentments in their hearts, and this resentment has been squeezed to a critical point with the passage of time.
A burst of neat footsteps suddenly sounded, but someone came to surround them.
Then look at the person's dress, round neck armor, holding an embroidered spring knife. And the person at the head was actually wearing a flying fish suit, and it was the famous Jin Yiwei.
"It's Jin Yiwei!"
It is probably that scholars are born with a sense of fear of Jin Yiwei. When they see these Jin Yiwei, many people show panic.
Soon, the Jinyiwei separated from it, and a man in a scarlet python robe walked out from behind.
This man was about thirty, with a gentle appearance, elegant demeanor, and a sense of resoluteness. He walked quickly, and there seemed to be fatigue between his eyebrows, as if he had worked hard for many days, but he could not get rest.
He quickly came to the front of the people and looked around at these scholars, with sorrow, regret, condemnation, and many, many other things in his eyes.
"This official's surname is Xue, the official is the second-rank servant of the household department, and he is also the prince's young master appointed by His Majesty, and he is the host of this new policy. This time, this official was ordered by the Holy Order to come to solve the problem of the Suzhou Gongyuan's examination strike. If you have any dissatisfaction, you can tell it to your heart's content, this official is here to listen. Listen to what you, the future pillars of Dachang, are dissatisfied with the court, so much so that you even regard the scientific examination as a child's play, in front of the sage Confucius, Desecrate the Gongyuan."
This is a bit too serious. If these scholars were killed, they would not dare to disrespect Confucius.
However, these scholars are not illiterate people, they are not so easy to fool, and there are many people who can speak well.
"Since your lord is an official of the imperial court, we are also ambitious people. The imperial court has repeatedly said to the scholars in the world that the imperial court will not fail to take scholars, and now it is a disgrace to me and the people! The adults should give the students an explanation."
"Brother Xu is very true."
The person who spoke was a scholar in his mid-twenties, and he was quite arrogant. He was one of the candidates who stung the exam this time, and his name was Xu Kepu.
"What is Sven, what is it that makes you feel that it is degrading to the gentleman, is it possible that the reduction or exemption of the preferential tax will make you feel that it is degrading to the gentleman? When you read the book of sages and sages, in the end, it is for the sake of reading and understanding, and it is for self-cultivation and family care. , or read it for profit." Xue Tingyan smiled, but his eyes were full of coldness.
This Xu Kepu still wanted to answer, but was pulled by a person beside him.
The man holding him was a gentleman in his forties, with thin cheeks but a calm demeanor.
He bowed his hands to Xue Tingxiang respectfully, and said, "Your Excellency is an official, and the official word is two words. Students and others are ashamed. But I am here on behalf of thousands of scholars from all over the world. Knowing the hearts of the people and the will of the people, don’t let the world’s scholars feel cold.”
I have to say that this person is much more talkative than that Xu Kepu, and no one dares to ignore it with the big hat of scholars all over the world. If you say a word or a half wrong, it is enough for scholars all over the world to scold you.
In fact, Xue Tingxiang could have a lot of words to repay it. He even had the confidence that just with words, he could make this person so ashamed that he couldn't see anyone, and he wished he would jump the Suzhou River to end it.
But he can't say, can't say.
It seems that Suzhou is just one place, but in fact, all places are staring at it. Among them, there are always people who contribute to the flames, and many people are even waiting to make trouble. He has to be cautious, so as not to smear people and cause chaos. , he came here to fall short of success.
It seems that this person's cold words touched the hearts of many scholars, and some scholars below cried: "Your Excellency is an official, and you are paid a salary, so you can't understand people's feelings. Although students and others are living workers, they used to reduce or exempt 80 acres of land. The tax can still be used to make a living, this time the preferential exemption is reduced, but there are less than ten acres left, and the tax on ten acres of land is only less than two stone, I wonder if the two stone reduction can support a family?"
"Students and others need to spend money to purchase the pen, ink, paper, inkstone, and books and books that they consume every day. Students and others have been studying the books of sages and sages all year round.
Saying that, these scholars actually started to cry from below.
At this time, a Jin Yiwei came to Xue Tingxiang and whispered, "Sir, we have arrived."
Xue Tingxiang glanced at the following people and said, "Bring them here."
Soon, Jin Yiwei's people came with some farmers.
At first glance, these peasants have been working in the fields all year round, with dark and rough skin, ravines on their faces, and short brown clothes with coarse cloth.
Especially those hands, the knuckles are thick, the fingers are dry, and the nails are all black. This is the trace of digging food on the ground for many years, and there is no way to wash it off.
"You say that you have the ability to speak well, eat the king's salary, and speak for the court. If that's the case, listen to what these old men have to say."
There are about a dozen peasants in this group, and they have never seen the world, and they are a bit cramped in such an environment where everyone is watching.
At this time, an old man in his fifties walked out, his back was a little hunched, and the deep folds on his face were traces of the vicissitudes of the years.
He was born with misery. It is said that the appearance is born from the heart. In fact, this statement makes sense. I am always worried because of the hardships of life all the year round.
But today, on this bitter face, there is a kind of peaceful smile, which looks very strange, but it makes people feel a sense of fate and safety.
"We are not from Jiangnan, but from Kaifeng, Henan. Although we all carry a Nan, Henan is different from Jiangnan. We are in our hometown, and we have never been out of Kaifeng in the farthest place. We have long heard that Jiangnan is rich and truly come here. When we get here, we have an eye-opener.”
Mostly standing by themselves, these young people are sitting on the ground, the old man seems to feel a little uncomfortable. After thinking about it, he sat down opposite the group of scholars.
After sitting down, he took out a dry tobacco pouch from his waist, stuffed shredded tobacco in the tobacco pot, lit it, and started smoking dry tobacco.
The shredded tobacco was of inferior quality and had a pungent odor, but it offset the sour smell of the nearby sweat.
"The reason why we came to Jiangnan this time is thanks to the blessing of Master Xue. Master Zhang said that some scholars think it was wrong for the imperial court to implement the new policy, and now there is trouble in Jiangnan, Master Xue alone will take you people. No way, I was besieged by you badly. Mr. Xue is a good official. When he went to Henan for disaster relief, he killed many corrupt officials and implemented the new policy. He has done a lot of good things for our people.
"Just like last year, after we paid our taxes, we had a lot of food left over. We cut a few catties of meat for the New Year and even made a new padded jacket for my little grandson. These are all benefits of the New Deal. It is said that there are a lot of people in the book, and if you make trouble, maybe this new policy will not work, which is not possible, so we all volunteered."
"Yes, we are all volunteers, and we can't let you schoolboys ruin a good thing." The farmers said in a loud voice.
"People say that those who read books can reason, and we are here to reason with you. Although we are from the countryside, we can't reason, but we can speak slowly, and we will always make it clear. One day. It's obviously a good thing for the country and the people, how can it be a bad thing in the mouths of you group of readers, I can't figure it out, old man."
A man next to him interjected: "Uncle Tian, let me tell you, these students have had too many good days, and they have tossed it out. They left it to us to plant for two days, and they promise not to make trouble."
"Who doesn't know that the old men who are studying have a good life, and the family eats a lot of meat. If we want to eat a lot of meat, we have to tighten our belts to save a few days.",
Saying that, another peasant was tired and sat down beside Tian Bo. People who don't know think that this is a rural ridge, not a sacred place like Suzhou Gongyuan.
When one of them sat down, a dozen or so farmers all sat down, posing as if they were chatting in the countryside.
Unlike those scholars, who sat on the ground and had to spread something, these peasants really sat on the ground. Some people feel that sitting on the ground is rubbing their buttocks, so they take off their shoes and sit under their buttocks.
The big foot was exposed, and he didn't wear socks. Looking at the foot again, it was black and dirty, and there were many wounds on it, all of which were wounds left by going to the ground all the year round.
These people, and even all this in front of them, are simply an insult to these gentlemen, all of them are glaring and covering their noses, as if these people stink more than them.
"Hey, they still think we are smelly. It seems that they are smellier than us."
It was said that these scholars were immediately flushed with anger, and became angry with shame.
One of them stood up and said angrily: "Master Xue, you don't need to look for these people to insult us. You brought them here. Who knows if they were ordered by you!"
"You mean that this officer deliberately bribed people to deceive you?!"
Xue Tingxiang stared at this person closely, just when this person couldn't bear the pressure and the cold sweat broke out on his forehead, he suddenly smiled and said, "Well, then you can wait, not only the people of Henan, but also the people in Henan. There are people in Shanxi, Shaanxi, Hebei, Shandong and other places, but the journey is far and near, and they can't come so fast. For those of you who have read the book of sages in vain, this official does not need to deceive."
As he said that, he looked around at everyone and said, "This official accepts the supervision of the people of the world. If these people are forced by this official, I will resign to thank the people in the world. In addition, the new policy has been implemented in many areas in the south of the Yangtze River. , this official will let people advertise it widely. Anyone who is willing to come can come and discuss the reasoning with these scholars.
"In the past, Lv Zuqian held the Goose Lake meeting, discussing the way of psychology and psychology, and now I have Xue Tingxiang holding the Suzhou Tribute Academy meeting, discussing whether this new policy is suitable for implementation, whether it is beneficial to the country and the people, or is it harmful to the country. What? You can come here regardless of your identity, and I, Xue, will greet you with a sweeping couch!"