nownovels Chapter 69 Undercurrents
Chapter 69 Undercurrents
The inner city of Lin'an.
Although the news of the martial arts examination results caused a temporary sensation, it did not have much impact on the inner city.
This was not because the gentlemen of the inner city had completely disregarded martial arts, but because a greater predicament lingered in their minds and could not be shaken off.
Today, the four major families of the inner city, as well as other smaller families and martial arts graduates, all gathered at the Wei residence, each with a worried expression.
"Alas, while the military examination is in progress, these people are sending out men every day to measure our family's fields, and they even injured some of my loyal servants."
One of the wealthy men sighed heavily.
Immediately, another person spoke up upon hearing this:
"That's right! My family was also surveyed, and Zhang Chuanting even threatened to arrest us if we didn't pay our dues!"
As soon as he finished speaking, many of the wealthy people present had complicated expressions.
Their fields had been measured, which is why they gathered together tonight.
They could sense that Zhang Chuanting seemed to be serious.
Faced with the terrified expressions of the crowd, the head of the Yun family in the inner city slammed his fist on the table in anger:
"Damn it, does he really dare to touch us?"
"Doesn't he know we are the King of Wu's men?"
As soon as the words were spoken, the tense expressions of everyone eased considerably.
Indeed, those who were able to maintain their rule as local tyrants in Lin'an City also had powerful backers, and that backer was the King of Wu.
Who was the King of Wu?
When Emperor Taizu of the Great Yong Dynasty raised his army, he proclaimed himself King of Wu. After establishing the country and establishing the reign title, he enfeoffed his sons, and his most beloved youngest son was enfeoffed back to the Wu region.
Although that was hundreds of years ago, the current King of Wu still wields immense power, and all the landowners in the Wu region must pay him a "protection fee."
"Judging by the time, His Highness Prince Wu should have submitted a memorial to His Majesty by now. I want to see if there is any law left in this Great Yong."
The head of the Yun family narrowed his eyes, quite indignant.
"That's right! At worst, we'll go complain to Grand Secretary Zhou! He's from Jiangnan too, he certainly won't ignore us fellow townsmen!"
Upon hearing this, everyone agreed with the idea.
No matter what, we can't let an outsider take away our ancestral heritage.
Just then, Master Wei clapped his hands, signaling everyone to be quiet.
The crowd quickly quieted down, and seeing this, Master Wei spoke calmly:
"Gentlemen, the amount of land you all own has been compiled by the Registrar's Office. Once the register is completed, what will Zhang Chuanting do when he gets the account book...?" Master Wei looked around at the solemn, fearful, and uneasy expressions on everyone's faces, and then said, "It's hard to say..."
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone looked at each other in fear and unease. Even the other three masters in the inner city, who were somewhat calmer, still showed a hint of anxiety.
"What are we going to do?!"
"Ouch……"
"Master Wei, you're the most resourceful! We're all counting on you. Please give us some ideas!"
Many landlords realized what was happening and asked Master Wei for a decision.
Upon seeing this, Master Wei gave a cold laugh without changing his expression.
"There is a way, but unfortunately... it requires some sacrifice."
Upon hearing this, someone immediately stood up:
"At this critical juncture, what are we afraid of sacrificing? Mr. Wei, please tell us your ideas!"
A group of people followed suit.
Seeing this, Master Wei smiled faintly and stroked his long beard:
"We need everyone to contribute 30% of their farmland and property."
30%!
The expressions of the landlords and wealthy households below changed.
Losing 30% of farmland and industry is a devastating loss!
Even the other three lords in the inner city couldn't help but hesitate.
"What? You think it's too much?" Master Wei sneered.
Some wealthy households dared not look directly at Master Wei, and could only grit their teeth and whisper:
"Master Wei, isn't this price a bit too much...?"
"A lot? Heh..." Master Wei stood up and paced back and forth around the crowd: "Of these thirty percent of the land, one percent goes to Grand Secretary Zhou, one percent to Prince Wu, and the remaining ten percent goes into my pocket. Thirty percent of the land to save your lives? A lot? Are your lives so worthless?"
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone hesitated, still somewhat unwilling.
Seeing this, Master Wei continued:
"Zhang Chuanting has been sending people to investigate the excavated land outside the city. What if they find evidence and record it in a register?"
"So what if you turn the soil over? Don't forget, once that stuff is planted, you won't be able to grow anything else for years!"
"Everyone knows His Majesty's attitude towards this thing; whether it lives or dies is up to you."
After Master Wei finished speaking, a landlord immediately gritted his teeth and spoke up:
"Thirty percent is thirty percent!"
"We desperately hope that Master Wei will intervene and protect our family business!"
"Yes, we're all counting on Master Wei!"
They all knew that planting those things in the ground was a capital offense!
Paying it would only result in a 30% loss.
If we don't hand it over, Zhang Chuanting might really take action!
It's only a 30% loss! At worst, next year the monthly wages of all the tenant farmers and servants who do odd jobs will be reduced by 30%!
After a moment's thought, the Zhang, Jiang, and Yun families in the inner city all said, "We are counting on Brother Wei."
Thus, the objective has been achieved.
Master Wei coughed lightly and said calmly, "Sir, aren't you coming out yet?"
"You've taken a lot of benefits from us over the years, shouldn't you do something in return?"
"Don't worry, sir. You will receive the same amount you received before, in the future."
As soon as he finished speaking, all the wealthy people present were stunned and somewhat confused.
But soon, everyone saw the figure behind the screen move under the candlelight.
Immediately, a middle-aged man dressed in plain clothes came out.
It was none other than Li Qi, the guard commander who had previously been by Zhang Chuanting's side!
"Master Li!"
The pupils of the wealthy families suddenly contracted, and the other three masters in the inner city also looked at Master Wei in shock.
Some of them knew they had paid "protection money" to this man, while others were unaware. But now, seeing that even Commander Wei had been "turned" to the enemy, they were all shocked.
At the same time, many of them breathed a sigh of relief.
Only Master Zhang watched this scene with a solemn expression, seemingly lost in thought.
……
night.
Zhang Chuanting's troops were on patrol as usual.
Everyone was still a little sleepy when a strange sound caught their attention as they walked to a certain spot.
One of the soldiers looked in the direction of the sound and saw a raging fire burning in the direction of the Bureau of Investigation.
His expression immediately changed, all sleepiness vanished, and he shouted:
"Fire! The Department of Management is on fire!"
……
The next day.
As dawn broke, scattered fires still burned on the ruins of the former headquarters. Morning mist mingled with ashes as many soldiers were taking stock of the losses and carrying out charred corpses.
Zhang Chuanting walked over in his armor, his face grim as he looked at the corpses being carried away.
"Where is Li Lingli, the official in charge of this area?" Zhang Chuanting asked.
"Your Excellency, the one who was just carried away was Li Lingli."
Li Qi, standing to the side, lowered his head and said.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chuanting took a deep breath and walked into the ruins of the former administrative office.
Looking around at the ruins, Zhang Chuanting felt his heart was bleeding.
"Find them! Find as many as you can!" he ordered.
Then, he personally began searching through the ruins.
In a charred wooden box, Zhang Chuanting pulled out a booklet that was still sparking and mostly missing.
But just as he picked it up, the spark turned into a flame and reignited.
Zhang Chuanting kept patting the flames to extinguish them, and then hurriedly opened the booklet.
However, the text above is no longer complete.
"There's no way to prove it when someone's dead." Zhang Chuanting gritted his teeth and sighed deeply.
"Knowing full well that these powerful and wicked gentry are seizing military land, we must not levy taxes when we should, and we must not kill those who should be killed!"
He angrily slammed the booklet, which had reignited in his hand, to the ground.
"Having abandoned my studies to join the army for over a decade, for whom am I fighting? For whom am I fighting?"