Lin Zhao not only arrested the Wei family, but also the celebrity Zhou Wenbin who was in cahoots with Wei Chunhua.
But although Zhou Wenbin is a famous person, there are many such famous people in Yangzhou City, and his weight cannot be compared with Wei Chunhua.
In addition, there were several other small salt merchants, all of whom had deep relationships with the Wei family, and their homes were ransacked by Lin Zhao's men.
However, compared to the Wei family, their portions were too small and they couldn't make any splash at all.
But among ordinary people, their weight is greater.
As a result, the city of Yangzhou suddenly fell into a state of panic. Lin Zhao's name changed the color of his face. I don't know how many businessmen hid in their homes on this day, fearing that the door would be knocked open the next moment, and then the whole family would be destroyed one by one.
Arrest him and confiscate his property.
In the evening, soldiers such as Heying garrison and Caobiao went out in full force to assist the Xunyan Censor's Yamen and transported cartloads of confiscated property, gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, calligraphy and paintings to a specially arranged place by the Xunyan Censor's Yamen.
In the courtyard, these things were piled up in several large rooms. Not to mention others, the Wei family alone confiscated a hundred thousand taels of gold, two to three million taels of silver, and countless other jade and jewelry.
In addition, there are dozens of various shops and tens of thousands of acres of fertile land, which is of astonishing value.
You must know that this is just the property of the Wei family in Yangzhou City. As a family that has monopolized the salt industry for many years in the Ming Dynasty, I am afraid that the wealth accumulated in the family's ancestral land will be even more amazing.
Even Lin Zhao wouldn't find it strange if he had thousands of gold and silver.
Of course, Lin Zhao did not let these soldiers run errands in vain. He used the gold and silver contributed by the Cao Gang leader to sprinkle it with a large sum of money. Soon these people all cheered and everyone was happy.
In the study, Zhang Wannian watched Lin Ruhai and Lin Zhao put down the thick statistical account books that confiscated the property of each family, and said with a bit of joy on his face: "Lin Yushi, this time no matter how those people in the court and the local government jump up and down.
, With these tens of millions of taels of property, Lin Yushi will definitely be in the emperor's heart, and his honor and favor will never fade!"
Lin Ruhai smoothed his beard with his hand and nodded slightly.
As a former convict and a doctor of Lantai Temple for many years, he knew everything about the officialdom and knew exactly what the emperor who had just ascended the throne needed most.
As long as these tens of millions of gold and silver are sent to the palace and there is conclusive evidence to support him, those people will not be able to spend it at all.
Even if someone talks too much in front of the Supreme Emperor, can they send tens of millions of gold and silver to the palace?
Just because the letters found by the Wei family involve corruption and perversion of the law, the princes and ministers in the court are afraid that they will rush to sever ties with the Wei family because whoever is implicated in the evidence will die.
This is also the reason why the Yangzhou officialdom became ruthless and silent when they saw Lin Zhaolai.
You must know that the current annual tax revenue of the imperial court is only a few million taels. In addition, the Supreme Emperor has been in power for many years and enjoyed luxury in his later years. He turned a blind eye to the fact that various dignitaries borrowed money from the Ministry of Household Affairs and refused to repay it.
Only one eye left the treasury empty and the money inside was empty.
One can imagine how astonishing these tens of millions of taels of property are. There are not many people in the world who don't love money. Lin Ruhai doesn't believe that the newly enthroned emperor is unmoved when faced with tens of millions of gold and silver.
When Lin Ruhai thought of this, he couldn't help but look at Lin Zhao.
My son is indeed a talented person.
Hit the snake seven inches, and accurately find the biggest flaw among the Yangzhou salt merchants.
The most powerful family is also the family that will least cause backlash.
But if it weren't for Lin Zhao's wise judgment, he wouldn't know how long he would have to deal with these profiteers.
"Zhao'er, what should we do next? What are your chances?"
Lin Ruhai thought for a moment and then asked.
Lin Zhao smiled slightly: "We have already formed a sufficient deterrent to the Yangzhou salt merchants by killing the chickens to scare the monkeys, but after all, the force on hand is not enough to take advantage of the victory to attack, so next we have to attack them piecemeal, bit by bit.
Cut the flesh, and cut it willingly.”
"Oh, you mean to put forward that plan?" Lin Ruhai's eyes lit up and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
Based on his knowledge, he knew that it might not matter to the court if he introduced that plan at this time.
But for those salt merchants, it is a way to cut off life, so these salt rats are not afraid.
Lin Zhao said with a smile: "Once this plan is launched, wealthy merchants all over the world will support it with both hands and feet, but the salt merchants in Yangzhou will completely collapse. As long as we scare them with this plan, not only can they pay enough taxes,
It also allows them to spit out the money they have already put into their pockets.”
"Yes, Zhao'er's idea is really unconventional. I have already submitted a memorial to the emperor to truthfully report your achievements. His Majesty loves talents like a thirsty man and will definitely promote you heavily."
Lin Zhao smiled slightly: "I have experienced the world of mortals and wandered through life. As long as my family is healthy and happy, how can I be appreciated by the emperor?"
Lin Ruhai glanced at him: "Don't you always want to study in the Wenyuan Pavilion in the capital city? The law stipulates that civil servants who are not Hanlin or above, or military officers who are not those with a thousand households or more are not allowed to enter."
"So the official position is still useful." Lin Zhao smiled lightly and said casually.
If he wants to go to the Wenyuan Pavilion in the capital to study, he can go at any time. Why would he care about his official position?
However, without leaving a flaw that can be manipulated, the worldly experience will lose a lot of fun.
You can be invincible in the world, but it's better to be humble in the court!
He didn't want to change the dynasty, so why did the emperor feel so afraid that he couldn't sleep?
"Tomorrow, I'm going to visit the Yangzhou magistrate and ask him to be a mediator." Lin Ruhai said.
Lin Zhao smiled coldly: "Why should the fourth-rank Yangzhou magistrate visit me, the fifth-rank salt patrol censor? I, a lowly Lin Dianshi, brought a few of his men to visit Mu Magistrate, how dare he not give me a grand welcome?"
As he spoke, he was filled with murderous intent.
Lin Ruhai frowned slightly, then relaxed, and smiled: "Zhao'er, you want to put the Salt Patrol Censor's Yamen above all the government offices in Yangzhou!"
There was no life in the words.
Because in the past two months, he had really seen through the evil spirits in Yangzhou officialdom.
Someone with a strong fist must come to deal with them.
After all, I am a scholar, and I am only an official of the sixth grade, so I may not be able to suppress them.
And Zhaoer is extremely brave, with his hands stained with the blood of thousands of people, which is enough to frighten these scheming civil servants.
Thinking of this, Lin Ruhai nodded slightly and said to the several worshipers standing aside: "I ask you gentlemen to keep a close eye on the confiscation of people's property. If anyone dares to reach out randomly, once I find out, don't blame me."
Officials don’t show mercy.”
The worshipers were very respectful at this time. The leader, Li Long, straightened his expression and said, "Don't worry, Master Censor. If anyone dares to stretch out his hand, we will take care of them without the Censor taking action or asking the Dian Shi."
Behead it!"
The sky was getting brighter the next day, and the huge city of Yangzhou actually felt a bit desolate. However, this was due to the aftermath of yesterday's massive arrests by the Yushi Yamen, which confiscated some merchants and wealthy gentry families.
Lin Zhao led Gu Haiquan, Han Wenchong, and a few subordinates on horseback through the long street. Wherever they passed, no one dared to look directly at them. Even if they rode past and their figures were far away, those people would also look directly at the people who were sneaking away.
Pointing and pointing, not even daring to speak loudly.
In front of the gate of Mu Tianyan's mansion, the magistrate of Yangzhou, Lin Zhao and his party stood on horseback.
The two servants in front of the door naturally knew Lin Zhao. Seeing Lin Zhao and his group stopped in front of the house, their expressions changed greatly. One of them hurried away from the house, while the other was cautious and even took a few people with him.
Feeling awe, he walked down the steps and saluted Lin Zhao respectfully: "I have seen Lin Dianshi, but I don't know Lin Dianshi..."
Lin Zhao said calmly: "Go to Tong Bing and tell Lin Zhao, the censor of Yangzhou Yamen, to come and pay homage to the magistrate!"
The man who went in to report was named Mu Changkong. He was a son of the Mu family. He had been an official with Mu Tianyan for many years. He had bright eyes and a very strong mind. Otherwise, he would not have gone out of his way to guard the front door.
But at this moment, he was frightened, his face turned pale, and he couldn't help but tremble when he thought of what he had seen and heard yesterday.
Lin Zhao was ruthless and decisive, and ransacked the homes of more than a dozen salt merchants. Although there was only one big salt merchant, this one was the largest in Yangzhou.
Thinking of Lin Zhao's unscrupulous appearance, and thinking that even two thousand households had defected to his family, was he going to attack their prefect?
Thinking of this, Mu Changkong suddenly trembled, fell to the ground with a thud, and fell several times.
When Mu Tianyan saw his appearance, he couldn't help but frown: "How can you behave in such a panic like this?"
When Mu Changkong saw his master, his expression relaxed, and he couldn't help but fall to the ground, shouting: 'Master, something bad is going to happen, then...then Lin Zhao...Lin Zhao...'
"Lin Zhao!" Mu Tianyan looked stunned and asked: "Are you talking about the little history of the Salt Patrol Censor Yamen, Lin Zhao?"
Mu Changkong nodded repeatedly and said: "It is Lin Zhao who is outside the door, accompanied by Gu Yanei, who guards the Thousand Households in Heying, and Han Yanei, who guards the Thousand Households in Caobiao..."
Although Mu Changkong didn't say it clearly, Mu Tianyan knew what he wanted to say and smiled faintly: "He brought two yamen here. It doesn't seem to be hostile, but he is just a Dianshi... Come here, change my clothes. I
We must welcome this Lin Dianshi!"
Mu Changkong was suddenly startled.
He thought that his master would summon everyone to protect him and at the same time order him to invite Lin Zhao in.
Unexpectedly, he went out to greet him in person.
Is this Lin Zhao's deterrence so great?
There was a sound of footsteps at the gate. Lin Zhao turned his head and saw Yangzhou Prefecture's parents, Mu Tianyan, the prefect of Yangzhou, walking quickly with a smile on his face. Before they arrived, laughter could already be heard saying:
"Hahaha, Mr. Lin is well-known throughout the two rivers. I am like a thunderbolt. Today I can see a young hero like you. I feel much younger!"
Turning over and dismounting, Lin Zhao strode forward, smiled at Mu Tianyan and said: "Your Majesty, you are too polite. It is a junior who has taken the liberty to come here to cause trouble. Your Majesty, please don't take offense!"