On the second day after arriving in Ezhou, Tang Ning sent out all the officials he brought with him.
There are many types of official assessments. Each of them is responsible for one item, and the results will be available within two days at most. Afterwards, based on the comprehensive investigation results of these people, the final evaluation grade will be given.
The assessment results are divided into three levels and nine levels, from top to top, top to middle, top to bottom..., to bottom to top, bottom to middle, bottom to bottom, a total of nine levels. Those who are above are promoted or rewarded, and those who are below are dismissed or demoted.
As far as the civil servants are concerned, as long as local officials do not make any major mistakes, they can all receive average or above-average evaluations. Without rewards or punishments, the civil servants will be at ease.
In the evaluations of the Jiangnan states, there are very few people who fail the exam. Even if they know that there are a lot of tricks in some aspects, considering many factors, the officials in the Ministry of Personnel will turn a blind eye.
In terms of population, Ezhou is located in the south of the Yangtze River, with abundant products, no war, and no major fluctuations. The social security is also good. As for other minor items, there are no major mistakes.
In the assessment of Jiangnan officials, the most important thing is naturally taxation.
In addition to agricultural taxes, Ezhou also involves commercial taxes and mining taxes.
Especially the mining tax. Ezhou is rich in copper mines, and the mining tax accounts for a large part of the total tax revenue. As the last assessment item, Tang Ning sent two people to go.
After making these arrangements, he walked out of the room and happened to see Yu Shi Zhongcheng.
Tangning looked at him and said, "Master Qi, remember to pack your things tonight. We will set off tomorrow."
Censor Zhongcheng looked at him and asked in surprise: "Where are you going?"
Tang Ning glanced at him and said, "Of course I'm going to the next state. Isn't two days enough for Lord Qi and Governor Yu to reminisce about the past?"
There are many prefectures like Ezhou in the south of the Yangtze River. If he delays each one for two days, when will he be able to see..., when will he be able to find those rebels?
Censor Zhongcheng looked at him with suspicion on his face.
Tangning's performance in Ezhou was so calm that he found it incredible.
I thought he would seize the opportunity of Ezhou and make a big fuss, but he did nothing and let go of some obvious problems.
In previous years, he might not have thought too much about it, but this time His Majesty changed the candidates for Jiangnan many times, and he chose Tang Ning. If he said that he came to Jiangnan for no other purpose, I would kill him to believe it.
And his real purpose is not difficult to guess.
Although Jiangnan was rich and provided a large amount of tax money to the court, this was only relative. The vast majority of the silver still flowed into the hands of the wealthy families and gentry in Jiangnan. The court had been planning to collect this money for a long time.
"I understand." He looked at Tang Ning, secretly feeling wary in his heart, and turned around and left the inn.
A moment later, the Governor's Mansion.
Governor Yu looked at him and asked in surprise: "He is leaving tomorrow?"
"Believe him and you'll be doomed." Censor Zhongcheng sneered and said, "He just wants you to relax your vigilance. I'm afraid he has already started taking action secretly."
A look of surprise appeared on Governor Yu's face and he said: "So that's it. The two men he sent have already gone to the copper mine..."
Censor Zhongcheng looked at him and asked: "Is there something wrong with the copper mine?"
Governor Yu smiled and said: "How could there be a problem with the copper mine? Anyone who says there is a problem with the copper mine has ulterior motives. Over the years, these people with ulterior motives have never had a good end..."
…
"Your Majesty, my subordinates and Wang Zhanggu went to the official treasury today..."
Tangning was packing her things in the room while listening to a report from a certain palmist.
Tangning looked at him and asked casually, "Is there a problem with business tax?"
"It's all an old problem." The clerk nodded and said awkwardly: "The wealthy gentry engaged in business in Jiangnan colluded with the government to hide half of the goods, so that they only had to pay half of the business tax.
They have been like this for many years. If the imperial court wants to impose a forced conscription, the officials sent here will not end well..."
In fact, Tang Ning had heard about these things when she was in the Ministry of Household Affairs. Jiangnan had the support of many ministers in the court and made a big fuss about taxation, which was considered rampant. In recent years, there have been natural disasters and wars, and the treasury was empty. Chen
All Huang Man wanted was money, but these wealthy gentry in the south of the Yangtze River were all extremely rich...
However, in Tang Ning's view, this was just because the court's methods were not tough enough.
Any wealthy family or any noble family is not worth mentioning in front of the state machine. It is just that the court is unwilling to pay the price of chaos in the court. Jiangnan has close ties with certain officials in the court, and one move can affect the whole body. Once there is chaos, there will be no
So easy to settle down.
Even Chen Huang didn't want to do anything, so he naturally didn't want to provoke him.
After listening to what Zhang Gu said, he just waved his hand and said, "Go pack your things and set off tomorrow."
Zhang Gu was immediately relieved. He had also heard of Mr. Tang's reputation, and was worried that he would be stubborn and try to get involved in Jiangnan's affairs, which would cause misfortune and implicate them. Unexpectedly, he actually knew the seriousness. It seemed that they were taking the next step.
The journey down should not be too tiring.
After all, a strong dragon cannot defeat a local snake. In this Jiangnan, it is better for them to be more honest and careful.
Tang Ning packed her things and was about to go out to see the scenery in Ezhou. Suddenly, a clerk ran in from outside the door and said in panic: "Master Tang, it's not good, something happened to Xu Zhanggu..."
Xu Zhanggu was one of the two petty officials sent by Tang Ning to verify Ezhou's mining tax. He was fine when he left, but now he was lying on the bed, unconscious. Although his head was wrapped with gauze, there was still a trace of oozing fluid.
Bloodstains.
Tangning had a sullen face, looked at the other person beside the bed, and asked, "What's going on?"
The junior official who went with him said in a panic: "Sir, when my subordinates and Xu Zhanggu came back from the mine, a rock suddenly fell from the mountain and hit Xu Zhanggu..."
An old man with a white beard by the bed withdrew his fingers from Xu Zhanggu's wrist, shook his head and said: "I have already given him an injection. If he can wake up at this time tomorrow, it will not be a big problem. If he can wake up at this time tomorrow, it will not be a big problem."
If you can't wake up now, you may never wake up..."
After the doctor left, Tang Ning looked at the clerk and asked, "Is there a problem with the copper mine?"
The clerk gritted his teeth and said, "Sir, Ezhou has been withholding and concealing mineral taxes for many years. The officials have always turned a blind eye to this. This time they attack Xu Zhanggu, they must give it to us."
warning..."
As soon as he finished speaking, another voice came from outside.
The governor of Ezhou came in from outside and asked with concern: "I heard that an adult was injured. How is his condition?"
Tangning looked calm and said, "Whether his life is in danger or not, we will find out tomorrow."
"Why are you so careless..." Governor Yu sighed with regret, then looked at Tang Ning and said, "I heard that Mr. Tang will be leaving tomorrow. It's such a pity. I still want to spend a few more days as a landlord.
Where is friendship..."
"Since Mr. Yu is so enthusiastic..." Tangning looked at him and said with a smile, "Then I'll stay for a few more days."
The expression on Governor Yu's face froze. After a moment, he smiled twice and said: "Although I also want to keep Mr. Tang for a few more days, the official business of the court cannot be delayed. Mr. Tang can leave with peace of mind. This sir, just
Stay in Ezhou to recuperate..."
Tang Ning shook her head and said, "I cannot live up to your sincerity..."
