While this pleasant transaction was going on, suddenly a group of people gathered around.
Both parties were shocked.
Salt Owl even rose up to resist.
No matter in which dynasty, salt lords were punishable by death, so they were naturally desperadoes.
"Fire the arrow——"
Hurrah!
Hundreds of arrows were thrown, wounding more than a dozen people at once.
The Salt Owl team was instantly in chaos.
Immediately, the officers and soldiers rushed to kill the salt owl. The salt owl was defeated and all of them were captured.
It was over in a moment.
At this time, Xia Wanchun Shi Shiran came over. Regarding the dead and injured salt owl, he couldn't live together at all, and said condescendingly: "A group of rentiers deserve to die."
"Take them all."
Xia Wanchun was a little more magnanimous towards those salt men. After all, they were all eating royal food.
Pan Zhuo stood aside and said with admiration: "It's really a good idea to dispatch patrol battalions from other counties."
Xia Wanchun nodded slightly: "Tianjin Mansion is relatively close to Cangzhou. I asked them to take the overland route, so they were delayed for a few days. Otherwise, these birdmen would have been captured long ago."
After a busy night, King Xia Wanchun returned and directly took control of the entire Changlu Salt Farm.
At this time, with thousands of salt cubes from the salt field in hand, he didn't need to be afraid of the Cangzhou government office at this time.
And it is indeed right to start with the salt field.
Xia Wanchun understood everything in an instant.
As expected, he is a murderer for profit.
Changlu Salt Fields There are hundreds of miles of salt fields in Cangzhou, and the coastline is covered with salt fields.
Under such circumstances, local collusion has become commonplace.
The salt ticket method was to auction salt. As long as there was money, everyone could become a salt merchant. This cut off the monopoly of the big salt merchants, expanded the market, and the court gained great benefits.
But everything is profitable.
The official salt is still high, so buying private salt has become normal.
Because official salt has a prescribed price, while private salt is dark salt and cannot be seen in the light, so the price is only 20 to 30% of official salt.
As a result, Changlu Salt Farm has been recruiting salt farmers in recent years to expand production. Then, in addition to the prescribed salt quota, the remaining salt is sold to salt merchants for private profits.
Therefore, on the canal where people come and go, in addition to the official salt ships, at least 20 to 30% are private salt traders.
In this way, since ancient times, catching salt lords and banning illegal salt can only treat the symptoms but not the root cause. The key lies in the salt field.
As long as those officials continue to commit corruption, the salt lords will not be cut off, and private salt trading will never be banned.
Of course, for ordinary people, official salt is not only unpalatable, but also very expensive, so private salt is the best choice.
As a judge, the pedantic Goude is not only responsible for administering justice, but also has supervisory responsibilities over the local area.
Therefore, after discovering something fishy in the salt farm, he wanted to investigate thoroughly and report it to the court. Naturally, people who were interested in salt consumption discovered it and poisoned him.
"Judge Gao is a good judge!"
After Xia Wanchun understood the general situation, he couldn't help but be filled with emotion.
If it is an ordinary official, he will generally ignore it, but if he is a little responsible, he will report it to the court and wait for someone to accept it.
Like Gaode, you investigate on your own and only prepare to report after getting tangible evidence. It's too late.
In this way, he could only write something down and put it in a secret box to show it to the emperor.
A few days later, the imperial edict arrived.
A large number of officials, including the Hejian magistrate and the Cangzhou magistrate, who were involved in eucalyptus smuggling in the salt works or had unfavorable inspections, were all dismissed from their posts and exiled to Luzon.
The salt patrol censors who directly made plans to kill Gao De were transferred to salt transportation envoys and other officials, their homes were ransacked, they resigned, they were sentenced to death, and they were executed.
His family was exiled to Luzon.
From the magistrate to the local magistrates and local officials, hundreds of people were investigated and punished, thousands of people were exiled, and Cangzhou was emptied out.
It can be said to be the largest eucalyptus in Shaowu.
This caused huge waves throughout Hebei.
The governor of Hebei also committed unfavorable supervision and was forced to resign, ending his official career.
The Metropolitan Procuratorate was also not immune. Several censors were demoted and went to work in local places.
If the public is concerned about corruption, then in the officialdom, people are focused on the lack of official positions.
Zhengguan and Zuoerguan are both popular and popular to many people.
Especially the salt farm, even if you don't smuggle salt, you can make a lot of profits every year. It is a good choice for those who are preparing for retirement.
Xia Wanchun then brushed himself off, hid his identity and reputation, and left Cangzhou.
Pan Zhuo, who cooperated, could only be recommended as the general magistrate of Cangzhou County due to his status as a scholar.
Before leaving, Pan Zhuoyi said goodbye: "Xia Gong has left. I don't know when we will see him again."
"Imitate your brother-in-law and be a good official."
Xia Wanchun chuckled and said: "I would rather be pedantic than opportunistic."
Pan Zhuo nodded fiercely.
In fact, in Yuquan Mountain, Zhu Yixi saw hidden details:
The amount of smuggled salt has exceeded one million stones, reaching 1.29 million.
One stone salt requires one silver coin, which means its scale exceeds about two million coins.
What an exaggeration.
The tax revenue of Guizhou Province is only two to three million.
Such a huge profit was siphoned off by the entire Cangzhou government, causing the imperial court to suffer losses.
But Zhu Yixi saw the follow-up:
"When you find a cockroach in your home, those hidden corners are already full of cockroaches."
Behind Shaowu's prosperous age, how much darkness is buried?
Corruption is a stubborn disease that cannot be cured.
"Since there are cockroaches, they must be killed."
Zhu Yixi became ruthless. For those corrupt officials, his favorite was to confiscate their homes and send them into exile.
Not only can you benefit from internal funds, but you can also have a group of high-quality immigrants.
Qin, Qi, Liao, etc. have been coveting it for a long time.
All of a sudden, inspections were launched from all walks of life. The Supervisory Office had been reformed and the censorship team was established, which was perfect for showing off its power.
However, for the imperial court, a happy event was enough to wash away all the mess.
The princess gave birth to a son, weighing six kilograms and three taels.
For a time, the government and the public were in joy.
Even the emperor, who had been solemn for many days, smiled.
According to convention, princes and grandsons cannot be given a famous name without enlightenment in reading, so they are nicknamed Yue Geer.
Needless to say, there is a corresponding reward.
There is a festive atmosphere everywhere in Beijing.
Naturally, it was not possible to grant amnesty to the whole world. Because of this, the emperor rarely issued several edicts, hoping to be kind to the world and bless his eldest grandson.
The first step is to universally absolve the people of money and food owed by Shaowu eighteen years ago, which will benefit the world.
The second is to exempt people in various parts of Hebei from owing official rent.
The third way is to show favor to close relatives, bachelors, school masters, Hanlin officials, and frontier ministers who can "actually promote the country", and either receive promotions or promotions, or bestow rewards, or give preferential awards.
The fourth path is for the Ministry of Internal Affairs to build 199 social schools across the country to benefit civilian students.
Although this is not as good as Amnesty for the World, it is a real benefit and makes people excited.
For a time, countless people prayed for the emperor's eldest grandson.
…
At this time, it was far away in Europe.
The mission has been in the Netherlands for many months and already knows it well.
On this day, the embassy was completed.
This time the embassy adopts a combination of Chinese and Western models, with a Ming style that is very different from Europe, and has attracted the attention of many passers-by.
It covers an area of more than ten acres and can accommodate two to three hundred people. It can be said to be large in scale.
"Ambassador, the Archbishop of Rome has arrived."
At this time, Minister Dong Ren walked quickly and walked quickly to the courtyard.
Sure enough, a black-haired Roman wearing a long robe came into view.
He is in his 50s, has thinning hair, a long nose and dark eyes, and a kind face.
This look does look like a missionary.
"The archbishop is a Jesuit."
Han Mi on the side said softly.
As a member of the Imperial Guard, in the past few months, with a large amount of money, he has initially established an espionage system in various European countries.
To put it bluntly, there is no national consciousness in the whole of Europe. As long as you pay a lot of money, you can buy any news.
More importantly, the European courts are basically a hornet's nest. Without eunuchs, the confidentiality system is close to zero.
Therefore, in Europe, especially in the Netherlands, everything can be lacking, but money is absolutely indispensable.
"Your Excellency the Archbishop."
Dong Ren smiled and said: "I have already informed your Majesty that you can set off immediately."
"This is what it should be." The archbishop said softly, speaking slightly awkward Chinese. It looked like he had done his homework.
In response, Dong Ren's smile became more sincere.
The archbishop smiled and said: "Rome is the center of Europe, why should the mission be stationed among the pagans?"
"The Netherlands has many ships, which is convenient." Dong Ren said casually: "What's more important is that this is the seaside, so it is very convenient for trade and other things."
Although the Papal State has lost its former prestige, some of the battles against Rome are still exaggerated. Who allowed there to be so many bishoprics in various places?
In the German region, known as the Roman Cow, nearly 30% of the land is occupied by the church. Among the hundreds of princes, the bishops occupy a large part.
In the voting of the Holy Roman Empire, the Pope holds three votes: the Archbishop of Mainz, the Archbishop of Cologne, and the Archbishop of Trier.
The majesty of Rome was entirely supported by France and Spain.
He would really be a fool if he left the Netherlands and went to Rome instead of being close to him.
"Although there are many heretics here, the Archbishop can leave at any time."
Dong Ren saw his ugly face and said hurriedly.
"That's good." The archbishop said softly: "This is a country where everyone regards money as life, and even puts money above God."
"Don't get lost here, my minister."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Dong Ren did not care about this.
Having been in Europe for so long, he already knows a lot about the situation here.
In the eyes of many people, heretics are more hateful than heretics.
Northern Europe, including the Netherlands, is home to heretical Protestantism, and is naturally disgusted by Catholicism.
In essence, as a Confucian, Dong Ren feels the same way.
After the birth of Wang Yangming's Xinxue, the great Confucian scholars of the Ming Dynasty regarded Xinxue as a ferocious beast. They hated it even more than Taoism and Buddhism, and wished to destroy its human flesh.
Because the heretics cannot replace themselves, but will arouse their own unity, while the heretics will replace themselves and seek their own interests.
At that time, the three martial arts sects destroyed Buddhism, and with the help of civil servants, Buddhism was completely established.
Among the three religions, Confucianism is the most dominant.
"Quick, where are the things?"
Later, Dong Ren couldn't wait to come to the stables and saw the tall horses brought from France.
Sure enough, he saw several behemoths.
Han Mi explained softly: "This horse is called a Shire horse. It is six feet tall and weighs six to seven hundred kilograms. It is twice as heavy as a Mongolian horse."
As he said this, he actually became a little excited: "If you train this kind of horse and put on armor when the time comes, it will turn out to be a heavy armored cavalry that takes the world by storm."
"Your Majesty asked us to transport some fine breeds back to the country. This kind of war horse is the most suitable."
Dong Ren listened to his words and walked quickly.
As an envoy, his most important achievement was to complete the tasks assigned by the emperor and then be transferred back to the Ming Dynasty for promotion and fortune.
Obtaining high-quality seeds was one of his important tasks during his trip to Europe.
Sure enough, he came to the stables and saw the huge Shire horse.
It is nearly six feet high, and without a saddle, it would be difficult to get on it.
Its size is comparable to two Mongolian horses.
Dong Ren was very happy. He walked over cautiously, fearing to disturb the giant creature: "Sure enough, only exotic species exist in foreign lands. This reminds me of those strange beasts in the Book of Mountains and Seas."
"Seeing this horse, I can't help but wonder if those physical beasts really exist in the world."
However, he cautiously took two steps closer, but this huge beast did not even take two or three steps back.
He looked extremely timid and scared.
"This horse?"
Dong Renqi said.
The groom who was feeding the horse on the side said a lot, and translated: "This horse is called a Shire horse. It is timid and gentle by nature. Everyone uses it as a draft horse."
"You can touch it now."
The groom comforted him for a while and then said.
Dong Ren and Han Mi looked at each other.
Such a huge creature turned out to be a showman, gentle and timid.
How can such a horse fight?
Even the most ignorant person knows that the various noises on the battlefield are not something that a gentle horse can deal with.
As a heavy cavalry horse, the horse must be brave.
This Sharma can only be used as a draft horse.
Dong Ren felt very regretful: "What a pity for such a horse."
Han Mi took a deep breath: "It can also be used as a draft horse. A giant horse of this size can pull a lot of things."
Immediately I asked about pulling weight.
The interpreter translated: "It can probably pull about three thousand kilograms of cargo."
"Many Shire horses are used as working cattle among the people. Whether they are plowing fields or transporting goods, they are extremely easy to do."
"Three thousand catties——"
Dong Ren looked shocked, and then his eyes were full of excitement.
Good guy, livestock usually weighs three to five hundred kilograms, and a thousand kilograms is the top. Three thousand kilograms is simply unimaginable.
"On the battlefield, draft horses are sometimes more important than war horses." Han Mi said seriously.
Later, the two of them learned that the Sharmas were basically in England, and the number of Sharmas in France was less than one-tenth of the number in England.
If you want to introduce horse breeds, going to England is the best choice.
"England."
Dong Ren suddenly thought of the Black Death city and the restored King Charles.
"The war is not over yet."
Han Mi said in a deep voice: "There are many dangers on the sea now, but let's talk about it after a while."
"Yes!" Dong Ren sighed: "But just Sharma is actually not enough."