Originally, in his eyes, the Wu family might only have a cannon fodder-like status, but now he had to look at the other party with a higher regard.
A family that could possess a siege bed crossbow was capable of walking sideways even in the late Sui Dynasty.
With the help of this thing, their plan to kill the emperor can take another step forward.
It's the day.
Taking advantage of the golden waterway of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Qinhuai Road, Ctrip Chumo, Fang Yiai, Luo Wu, and Luo Zhang, plus a hundred-man guard force, have arrived at the busiest ferry in Hangzhou, Tangxidu.
The entire ferry was very lively. In addition to the boats passing by, there were also a large number of helpers staying at the ferry. As soon as the official ship stopped, several helpers moved closer to the direction where Qin Huaidao was staying.
"Officials, do you need help? A few villains are strong and the wages are low. It's definitely a good deal."
Several more helpers came forward and said, "Officials, they are not cheap. If you hire us to help, we will give you a 20% discount, so you only make a profit without losing money."
However, Qin Huaidao waved his hand to indicate that he had no goods to move. Seeing that there was no goods to move, the helpers dispersed.
As for the 20% discount on wages, he didn't believe it.
The police force that Luo Wu had dispersed had already reported the news. In name, these helpers were competing for discounts, but in fact, the prices had been unified in secret. No matter who hired them, the price was actually the same. If they were regular customers, they would usually pay the same price.
The market price is fine, but if it's a new face like Qin Huaidao, the price must be higher.
Originally, there were not so many helpers on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. However, the Cao Gang was wiped out, the manpower on the river was reduced sharply, and the labor prices also increased. This prompted many strong men to join here to earn some money to support their families.
As for whether any of these helpers have special identities, such as dead soldiers or rebels, we need to investigate further.
To be on the safe side, Qin Huaidao did not get off the ship and only ate dry food on the ship. The garrison found some food and asked people to test the poison in advance. After making sure it was safe, they brought it from the ferry to the ship for everyone to eat.
When he learned that an official ship was arriving, Li Yufang, the governor of Hangzhou, hurried over with his subordinates. He had long heard that His Majesty was sailing to the south of the Yangtze River, but the court did not give him a formal order, so he did not dare to prepare in advance and only left manpower behind.
The major ferries secretly observed and confirmed that His Majesty had arrived at Tangxi Ferry before coming.
Because His Majesty went on a secret tour this time and did not take the initiative to reveal his identity, it would be difficult for him to undermine His Majesty's intentions in person.
On the official ship.
Luo Wu reported to Qin Huaidao: "Li Yufang, the governor of Hangzhou, is waiting outside with his officials, asking to see His Majesty."
Your Majesty got on the boat, Brother Qin got off the boat, Luo Wu is already proficient.
"Hangzhou Governor?" Qin Huaidao was a little displeased. These Jiangnan Province officials could not find anyone when they had something to do. They were obviously wealthy and prosperous, but they were in debt year after year even when they were paying taxes. On the contrary, they came diligently when they had nothing to do.
He still dares to bring many officials here. Doesn't this mean that there is no silver in this place?
How many of the great Han people could have allowed him, the governor of Hangzhou, and his officials to come to see him? Didn't this clearly tell the people that an important person was here?
When the people gather, how can the rebels do something evil?
Thinking of this, Qin Huaidao became very angry: "What is he here for? Let him go!"
"No." Luo Wu cupped his hands and was about to walk out when Qin Huaidao suddenly remembered something and added another sentence.
"Wait a minute, let Li Yufang get on the boat alone. I have something to ask him."
Now that you're here, don't think about leaving easily.
When Li Yufang learned that his majesty had summoned him, she was overjoyed. She hurriedly boarded the boat and bowed her head: "Li Yufang, the governor of Hangzhou, pays homage to your majesty. Long live your majesty. Long live your majesty."
Qin Huaidao signaled him to stand up, and then said: "I have already said in Chang'an that scholars, farmers, workers, and merchants are equal. I don't think there is any need to kneel down in the future. Li Yufang, you don't need to kneel down when you see me later. Do you understand?"
Li Yufang shook his head and said: "I don't dare. Your Majesty is the common ruler of the world. All Han people must kneel down and worship. Moreover, the ceremony of kneeling and worshiping is the majestic ritual of the emperors in the past. It will be implemented after being reviewed by the Ministry of Rites and approved by Your Majesty. If the humble minister can't do it easily,
If you salute, even if Your Majesty is not responsible, the Taoist government and the Ministry of Rites will hold you accountable, so this is absolutely unacceptable."
Seeing that Li Yufang was unwilling, Qin Huaidao did not force it, but he still took the matter to heart. After returning to Chang'an, all the cumbersome matters such as etiquette also needed to be changed.
"Okay, I won't force you. Since you are here, I will ask you about the government. How many households are there in Hangzhou, and how much are the taxes, money, and food?" If you want to ask, naturally it is the most important question.
Li Yufang replied: "Hangzhou is Shangzhou, with a population of more than 100,000 households. As a rule, the annual tax, silver, and grain is converted into silver taels, and after deducting the state government's expenses, it can reach about 2.6 million taels. However, your Majesty exempted taxes and corvees at the beginning of the year.
The specific amount of commercial tax will not be fully known until the end of the year."
"Okay." Qin Huaidao kept nodding. In the Tang Dynasty, there were more than 360 prefectures, with 40,000 households, which could be called Shangzhou. Hangzhou alone had more than 100,000 households. Its scale was rare in the world. As for taxes, money, and grain,
The average amount of silver received by each state is about 11 million taels. Hangzhou alone has 2.6 million taels, which is more than twice that of other states.
No wonder some people say that Suzhou and Hangzhou have been big investors in silver since ancient times. This is indeed the case.
After hearing this report, Qin Huaidao's eyes were condensed: "Do you know how the land of Suzhou and Hangzhou has been in arrears with silver taxes before the founding of the Han Dynasty? After the commercial tax is changed this year, will these taxes and silver be paid back?"
For Qin Huaidao, he could waive the money for the people, but the previous debts of these officials must be recovered. Even if the debts were from the Li and Tang Dynasties, they could not be left alone.
Otherwise, such a large amount of money may be used by these people for certain purposes. If it flows into the pockets of the rebels, the consequences will be disastrous.
Seeing the change in His Majesty's attitude, Li Yufang was so frightened that he knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty has learned clearly that Wei Chen has never defaulted on silver taxes. Hangzhou is the core of the imperial court, and countless pairs of eyes are staring at it. Wei Chen dare not
In the chaos, the annual silver tax is handed over to the Taoist government on time. As for whether the Taoist government has transported it to the treasury, I really don’t know."
"Oh? Are you at the Taoist Office?" It seems that there is something fishy in the Jiangnan Taoist Office and I have to investigate. The matter is serious and it is an old settlement. It seems that after passing through Hangzhou, it is time to go to the Taoist Office.
The headquarters of Jiangnan Road is in Yuezhou, which is not too far from Hangzhou, but this official ship cannot be used.
Then, he asked Li Yufang: "I heard that there are thieves in Hangzhou with the intention of doing harm to me. Have you heard anything about it?"
"This?" Li Yufang suddenly hesitated.
It's not that he doesn't know about the alliance of prominent families in Baoxue Villa. He can also guess what the other party wants to do, but these guesses cannot be confirmed. In addition, the combined strength of these eighteen prominent families has far exceeded that of his Hangzhou mansion.
, as long as the other party does not mess around, the two parties have business transactions and get along normally, everyone will be safe and sound.