"You're just running errands with the government, how can you live a free and easy life?
You see, you have thousands of people under your command, and you have established such a large fortune. I heard that you were originally only a third-class baron.
After not seeing each other for several years, he was suddenly promoted to a first-class earl.
It can be seen that you have outstanding military exploits and are admirable. Have you ever participated in the Battle of the Northwest?" Tie Wenjing said.
"I'm embarrassed to say this. In fact, where does the military merit come from? It's just donating some grain, grass and horses to the court. Mr. Zhang from Yanling said that these can be regarded as military merit." Tang Wen shook his head.
"I heard that you donated a lot," Tie Wenjing said.
"Haha." Tang Wen laughed twice, feeling that the iron mirror was ingenious.
"Junior brother, this is your fault." Tie Wenjing said.
"Oh? What did I do wrong? Is it a crime to donate silver to the court to fight the invasion?" Tang Wen looked at Tie Wenjing with a pretended surprised look.
"That's true." Tie Wenjing touched his chin and said, "It's just that, junior brother, you don't know something. Your Samui Island is also the territory of Jiangzhou Prefecture."
"Samui Island is the territory of Jiangzhou Prefecture? Where did we mention this? Isn't it under the jurisdiction of Yanling County?" Tang Wen asked in astonishment.
"Hahaha, junior brother, you are definitely wrong." Tie Wenjing laughed.
"What you said confused me." Tang Wen was really puzzled.
"Master Qin, bring me a map." Tie Wenjing said. A middle-aged man dressed as a master standing next to him nodded and handed over a map.
Tie Wenjing spread out the map, pointed at Koh Samui and said, "Junior brother, look, Koh Samui is located to the east of Xiting Town, which belongs to Jiangzhou Prefecture.
Coming along Xiting Town, we happened to reach the location of Koh Samui Island.
Therefore, half of Koh Samui belongs to Jiangzhou Prefecture and one side belongs to Yanling County.
You see, it’s clearly marked on this picture, I’m not just talking nonsense.”
"I see, junior brother, I really don't know. However, Koh Samui was bought by my ancestors and is my private territory." Tang Wen said.
"Of course it belongs to your Tang family's private territory, but it falls under the jurisdiction of Jiangzhou and Yanling respectively," Tie Wenjing said.
"That's true. Now it seems that you, senior brother, are also my parents." Tang Wen said.
"My parents don't dare. You are a third-class earl, a noble of the Chu Kingdom, and your status is higher than mine. But, junior brother, you can't favor one over the other," Tie Wenjing said.
"How do you start talking about favoring one over another?" Tang Wen was a bit like a monk.
"Junior brother, think about it." Tie Wenjing said.
"Well, junior brother is stupid, I really can't think of anything I can't do to Jiangzhou Prefecture." Tang Wen thought for a while and said.
"Haha, you donated 170,000 taels in Yanling, gained military exploits, and were promoted to the third-class earl. But this Samui Island also belongs to Jiangzhou Prefecture, and the lord doesn't seem to have expressed anything to Jiangzhou Prefecture." Master Qin.
He laughed dryly.
"Master Qin, you can't say that, my junior brother doesn't know anything about it.
If he knew that half of Koh Samui belonged to Jiangzhou Prefecture, he would definitely not be stingy with the money.
They are all fighting against the invasion of foreign enemies for the imperial court. Junior brother is not a person who favors one thing and favors another." Tie Wenjing said.
These two guys were singing and singing, obviously they were here to ask for money, Tang Wen finally understood.
"Haha, back then, pirates burned, killed, and looted my island, Koh Samui, and destroyed my Tang family's home. I wonder where Jiangzhou Prefecture is?" Tang Wen asked with a smile.
"Haha, junior brother, that was all decades ago. Mr. Fuyi back then is long gone, so why should junior brother mention this matter of sesame seeds and rotten millet?" Tie Wenjing said with a dry laugh.
"Yes, we should focus on the present." Master Qin nodded.
"Now, okay, let's talk about the present.
It seems that I have been in Koh Samui for more than half a year, and this is the first time I have seen someone from Jiangzhou Prefecture.
Moreover, when my Tang family moved back, we were robbed and killed twice by pirates.
Fortunately, my Tang family was well prepared, otherwise, everyone in the Tang family would have died long ago.
When the pirates attacked my Tang family, where were the Jiangzhou Prefecture naval forces?" Tang Wen asked.
"You can't say that, Junior Brother Tang, didn't Mr. Fu Yi hear that pirates were attacking the people on Samui Island, so didn't he send us over to inquire?" Tie Wenjing said.
"Yes, we are now seeing that Koh Samui, under the leadership of the Tang family, is vigorously developing water conservancy and building dams and official roads.
It is estimated that there will be vigorous efforts to reclaim wasteland and grow grain and land. Mr. Fuyi will definitely be very happy when he returns this time.
If you need any help, just ask, Mr. Fuyi will find a way for you." Master Qin said.
"Well, I will make a small request." Tang Wen nodded.
"Junior brother Tang is a hero of the imperial court. He donated money and food to fight against the invasion of foreign enemies. Please tell me, whatever Mr. Fuyi can do, I will definitely do it!" Tie Wenjing said with determination.
"My personal guard Qiao Xiao, Tang Wen, was arrested by Kang Qingfeng, the helmsman of the Yanling branch of the Six Gates, on unfounded charges just because he had a fight with one or two idlers from Yanling County.
According to the investigation, it was because Kang Qingfeng wanted to find the address of the branch office in Yanling County, and he set his sights on my Tang family's Qianyefang.
They asked me, the Tang family, to donate a hundred acres of land to serve as a branch of the Yamen, and I, Tang Wen, agreed.
However, Kang Qingfeng actually only reported the battle merit based on the mountain price estimate.
An acre of mountainous land costs a few taels of silver, but Qianbafang is located in a prosperous area of Yanling County. Can the price be the same?
This is clearly bullying, and Qiao Xiao has been in Yanling County Prison for several months, being tortured by Captain Kang every day.
He is very loyal to me, Tang Wen, and if Qiao Xiao doesn't come out, there won't even be anyone around me to protect my safety.
How can you think about farming and paying taxes and money for the court?" Tang Wen said.
"Six doors..." Tie Wenjing was suddenly startled, frowned, and immediately asked, "Haha, didn't this happen in Yanling County? Mr. Zhang is the parent official of Yanling County, how can we in Jiangzhou Prefecture
You can't interfere rashly. Otherwise, you will be hated by others."
"But Qiao Xiao is from the Tang family on Samui Island, didn't you tell me that?
Does half of Koh Samui belong to Jiangzhou Prefecture?
Qiao Xiao can be considered a native of Jiangzhou Prefecture, so if anything happens to him, Jiangzhou Prefecture will certainly have the right to intervene," Tang Wen said.
"You must have approached Mr. Zhang about this matter?" Master Qin said.
"Even if we look for it, Mr. Zhang can't do anything." Tang Wen said.
"Haha, Mr. Zhang can't even do it. It's very difficult to handle this matter. However, if you show your attitude, we will report the matter to Mr. Fu Yi truthfully." Tie Wenjing said.
"Yes! You donated 170,000 taels in Yanling. If you donate again to Jiangzhou Prefecture, and then perform military exploits again, Mr. Fu Yi will ask for merit and fame for you. When the time comes, you can be promoted to a second-class earl."
The master said.
"Second uncle, I heard that I will donate three hundred thousand taels." Tang Wen sneered.
"If you pledge the donation, Mr. Fuyi will appeal to the Provincial Liufan Hall on your behalf," Master Qin said.
"Are you sure?" Tang Wen asked.
"I will try my best to explain this matter to Mr. Fu Yi," Tie Wenjing said.
"Okay, when will Qiao Xiao be released and when will I donate it to Jiangzhou Mansion?" Tang Wen nodded.
"These are two different things. You are making things difficult for Jiangzhou Prefecture." Master Qin immediately changed his face and looked at Tang Wen coldly.
"Master Qin, 300,000 taels, not 3,000 taels, that's more than half of my Tang family's property.
Once donated, the thousands of people in my Tang family will have to live frugally.
Otherwise, I won’t be able to survive this year." Tang Wen said.
"You write a complaint and I will hand it to Mr. Fu Yi for you. However, I hope Junior Brother Tang can keep his word." Tie Wenjing said.
"It has been written long ago, Yiwu, go and ask Ge Ziyun to bring it over." Tang Wen said, Luo Yiwu nodded, and soon brought the paper.
After looking at the mirror, Tie Wen put it away and stood up.
"Since you two are here, let's leave after dinner." Tang Wen said.
"No, we have official business, we have to rush back right away.
However, Junior Brother Tang and Lord Fuyi are also fighting for the northwest war.
They are all doing their best for the court, I hope you can understand." Tie Wenjing said.
"Of course I understand. I, Tang Wen, am also a member of the imperial court." Tang Wen nodded, "However, the two of them came from afar, and Senior Brother Tie is still my Senior Brother. I can't let them return empty-handed. Since the two of them are unwilling to eat,
, then come with me."
Tie Wenjing glanced at Master Qin and followed Tang Wen out.
"Brother Tie, what do you think of this tent?" Tang Wen asked, pointing to the tents along the lakeside avenue.
"It seems different from what we use in the army." Tie Wenjing glanced at it.
"Let's go in and have a look." Tang Wen smiled and led a few people into the tent.