Liu Kezhuang played with the hat and said: "This hat is quite good. I think it must be made of the furs of rare birds and animals. However, the times have changed. Today's officials practice hard and advocate frugality. This hat is out of date, so it is best to throw it away."
After saying that, Liu Kezhuang threw his hat on the ground and turned around and ignored it.
"you,"
When Wang Zhong saw that Liu Kezhuang dared to do this, he was so angry that he bared his teeth and cracked his mouth. However, Liu Kezhuang's identity was the county magistrate, which was not something he could act arrogantly. Finally, he said: "The county magistrate Liu is really powerful. Let's wait and see."
After saying that, Wang Zhong and his men left angrily.
At this time, Liu Kezhuang looked at everyone and asked: "Who among you is the chief registrar? Who is the county captain?"
Two people stood up from behind. One of them raised his hand to Liu Kezhuang and said, "Wu Yan, a humble official, is the chief clerk of Renhe County Yamen. I have met Liu Zhixian."
Another person said: "Li Sanying, who holds a humble position, is the captain of Renhe County and has met the county magistrate Liu."
Liu Kezhuang looked dissatisfied and said: "As officials of the imperial court, you are standing together with the gentry, but you don't even have anyone to talk to, and your position is behind the gentry. Where is the majesty of the imperial court?"
A look of sullenness flashed across the faces of the two of them, but since Liu Kezhuang was not a good person, he did not dare to be presumptuous. He forced himself to laugh along in embarrassment and did not dare to reply.
"Follow me back to the county office."
Liu Kezhuang didn't waste any time and went straight into the county town with a few followers and went to the county government office. Wu Yan and Li Sanying had no choice but to follow behind.
"snort."
A strong man named Li Gui snorted coldly and said angrily: "This Liu Kezhuang doesn't take us and the gentry seriously. Who does he think he is? If the new law is implemented, we will just be day lilies and become cold?"
Ridiculous, ridiculous.”
"Yes, in the past, when the new magistrate came to Renhe, he would have to wait for the help of the gentry before he could secure his position as magistrate. Now that I have come to greet him, he has made a show of himself. Who is he trying to show off to!"
These powerful people were already dissatisfied with the implementation of the new law and were very angry. They originally wanted to make friends with Liu Kezhuang and delay the new law. But now it seems that Liu Kezhuang is more anxious than anyone else.
Several powerful men were furious, but Liao Guiwen smiled indifferently and said, "Everyone, Wang Guangzu has prepared fine wine. I'll go have a drink later. Don't let him ruin our mood."
"Yes, yes, that's what Mr. Liao said."
Everyone said yes, and then followed Liao Guiwen into the city and went to a restaurant to have a drink.
However, when Liu Kezhuang arrived at the county government office, he immediately ordered Wu Yan to show him the household registration book, the farm land book, and the money and grain book in the warehouse.
He also ordered Li Sanying to bring him the information on all the soldiers, militiamen, and government officials who were guarding the city in Renhe County.
The two of them looked at each other and thought that the new county magistrate was not an easy person. He wanted to seize power as soon as he came. They were afraid that life would be difficult in the future.
They complained in their hearts, but they didn't dare to object openly. They nodded in agreement and went down to do it.
After a while, both of them arrived with a pile of brochures.
"You all go down, I will inform you if anything happens."
After driving the two away, Liu Kezhuang carefully read the contents of the booklet. It was dark, but the lights in the study were still on.
"My lord, the people from the Imperial City Department are here."
Liu Kezhuang was looking at it in awe, when a servant came to report it.
"Quick pass."
Liu Kezhuang was excited. When he left Lin'an, he learned from Chen Guiyi that the Imperial City Division had been ordered by the officials and would fully cooperate with the implementation of the new law. The Imperial City Division has now spread throughout the Song Dynasty, which shows how powerful the Imperial City Division is.
The person who came was an old man in his fifties, named Hu Yinglei. He was dressed plainly and simply, no different from an ordinary old man.
The two raised their hands in greeting, and then Hu Yinglei said: "Liu Shijun, a few days before you came, Wang Guangzu summoned the benevolent and powerful to discuss boycotting the new law. They spread rumors that the new law was implemented by the imperial court to collect taxes.
, they are slandering us like this, and the people of Renhe are already very resistant to the new law."
Liu Kezhuang's eyes were sharp and his face was stern, and he said: "Humph, they think they can resist the new law, but in fact they are just blocking the car with their hands. The officials and Chen Shijun have arranged the new law for a long time, so how can they stop it?"
After saying that, Liu Kezhuang warned: "Mr. Hu, please don't alert them first. Keep an eye on them in the dark and secretly collect evidence of their crimes. When Chen Shijun arrives, use thunderous means to kill them all. The worse they will be."
, the greater the deterrent effect, the smoother the implementation of the new law will be in the future.”
Hu Yinglei nodded in agreement, "One more thing. Yesterday, a man came to see Wang Guangzu. The two had a long conversation at the manor. Hu ordered someone to investigate, but they didn't know the person's name. He must not be a native of Renhe."
Liu Kezhuang frowned and said, "Where is this person now??"
Hu Yinglei shook his head and said: "This person was staying at an inn, but suddenly he disappeared this afternoon. Moreover, according to the report from the police, Wang Guangzu also sent someone to observe this person in secret. It seems that this person has quite a history, so you
You should be more careful in your actions.”
Liu Kezhuang nodded, raised his hand and said: "Thank you for your concern, sir. I should be cautious and never give the villain a chance."
Then Liu Kezhuang asked Hu Yinglei about the various clerks in the county government. Hu Yinglei answered them one by one, allowing Liu Kezhuang to quickly have a general understanding of the county government personnel.
While Liu Kezhuang and Hu Yinglei were talking, Wang Guangzu, Liao Guiwen, Guo Jiyi, Li Gui and other powerful people were drinking happily in the Gaosheng Restaurant on the second floor of the county town. Wu Yan and Li Sanying were also there.
Wu Yan said to Wang Guangzu and the others: "This County Magistrate Liu is decisive and fast-moving. He checks the household registration books as soon as he comes. I am afraid that the new law will be implemented soon. I still need to be more careful except for the few officials."
The powerful people present all looked at Wang Guangzu to see what he would say.
Wang Guangzu slowly poured a glass of wine, drank it in one gulp, smacked his mouth, and said: "If he wants to see it, let him see it. I want to see what he is capable of. He is just a county magistrate, what kind of scandal can he make?"
Come."
"That's right, that's right. We, the gentry, have never seen anyone, not even the Prime Minister. As long as those untouchables are allowed to come forward to resist the new law, and we just stand by and watch, is it possible that he can still kill us?"
"It's true, it's true. I'm just watching from behind. Even if the government wants to catch our fault, they can't catch it."
Everyone felt that they were free from worries, so they no longer paid attention to Liu Kezhuang's affairs and drank as much as they liked.
On the second day, Liu Kezhuang summoned a group of people from the county government and said: "Now the government is implementing the law of farmland transfer to households. This law is a good law that benefits the country and the people. You must do your best to implement the new law in Renhe, but
If there is delay or neglect, I will not be lenient."