Twenty-five, draw fire from the bottom of the cauldron
On the morning of October 17th, Chen Caozhi, Xie Daoyun and Ran Sheng and a group of more than 30 people left Chenjiawu and headed for Shanyin, the county town of Kuaiji. Shanyin County is 150 miles away from Qiantang and can be reached in two days. This road
Lu Chen Caozhi made a trip three years ago to ask the eminent monk Zhi Mitu to treat his mother's illness. At that time, he went to Xie's Manor in Dongshan, Shangyu.
Xie Daoyun did not ride a horse that day and took an ox cart instead. She was worried that Chen Caozhi would ask her why she abandoned the horse and took the cart. She was happy that Chen Caozhi didn't ask anything. However, Xie Daoyun then thought again: "Chen Caozhi didn't ask her anything."
Asking shows that he knows it all in his heart." Thinking of this, Xie Daoyun was inevitably shy and a little frustrated. No matter how she pretended to be a man, she was still a girl after all.
Qiantang and Shanyin are separated by Yuji County, which belongs to Kuaiji County. Because Yuji County is still in the south and farther east than Shanyin County in Kuaiji City, Chen Cao and his party did not go to Yuji County.
He arrived at the county seat and rushed straight to Shanyin, the county seat.
On the afternoon of the 18th, Chen Cao and his entourage entered the territory of Shanyin County. They saw lakes dotted all over the place, mountains and rivers reflecting each other, and the scenery of all four seasons. Xie Daoyun lifted the curtains of the car window and watched the scenery along the way. This time she could
By the way, I went back to Xie's Dongshan Manor to stay for two days.
Chen Caozhi rode close to Xie Daoyun's carriage, pointed to the large clear lake on the left side of the road and asked: "Brother Yingtai, is this Jianhu Lake?"
Xie Daoyun nodded and said: "In the later Han Dynasty, Ma Zhen, the prefect of Kuaiji, sized up the situation and built the three-hundred-mile Jianhu Lake to store floods on the upper side and reject salty tides on the lower side. During droughts, water would be released to irrigate the fields. In the aftermath of the drought, thousands of hectares of fertile farmland in Shanyin would be flooded early to ensure harvests.
The people will benefit more."
Chen Cao said: "Is Jianhu Lake three hundred miles long? Along the way, there are many people who build dikes and weirs to surround the lake and cultivate fields."
Xie Daoyun responded: "Yes, it has been two hundred years since the construction of Jianhu Lake. At the beginning, the lakeshore was nearly 400 miles in radius. After Yongjia crossed south, a large number of northerners poured into Kuaiji, and powerful people surrounded the lake to cultivate farmland. It is estimated that the current Jianhu Lake and the Later Han Dynasty
It is one less than 30% at that time.”
Chen Caozhi frowned and shook his head and said: "Creating fields around lakes is the most stupid thing. Once there is a rain or drought, the damage will be far greater than the gain from cultivating fields around lakes. You see, we walked all the way from Jiankang and it didn't even rain.
Compared with previous years, this is very abnormal.”
Xie Daoyun frowned slightly and asked, "Is Zizhong worried that there will be a drought in Sanwu?"
Chen Caozhi nodded and said: "Yes, it is very likely that a severe drought will occur. After the severe drought, famine will occur, and the plague will follow."
Xie Daoyun had long said that Chen Caozhi was a person who could predict the unknown. She believed Chen Caozhi's words and asked, "How will Zizhong respond?"
Chen Cao said: "This Jianhu Lake must immediately stop dikes and land reclamation, dig out all the dikes, and restore Jianhu Lake to its original appearance. I will write to Huan Da Sima and the King of Kuaiji respectively to report the hidden treasures discovered during this earth-cutting search."
households, all of which will be used for water conservancy construction this winter and next spring to minimize disaster losses."
Xie Daoyun looked at Chen Caozhi with admiration in his eyes, but asked: "Does Zizhong know the fate of Ma Zhenma, the prefect who built this Jian Lake?"
Chen Caozhi shook his head and said: "I don't know." Then he smiled and said: "Isn't it going to end well?"
Xie Daoyun said: "When Ma Taishou created the lake, many graves and houses were flooded. Kuaiji Hao was strong and powerful, so he framed and framed him, and Ma Taishou was dismissed from his post and imprisoned——"
Xie Daoyun didn't say a word, Ma Zhen died because of the injustice in this case.
Chen Caozhi nodded and said: "This is the same as Shan Xia being dismissed from office by Yu Xi. The powerful right-wing forces cannot afford to offend. Brother Yingtai, don't worry, I won't act recklessly. I will make the best of the situation and act according to my ability. I know what I can do.
To do it is to do it. The poem says, 'Since you are clear and philosophical, you can protect yourself'. You must protect yourself first before you can seek anything else."
Xie Daoyun said: "Zi Zhongdao is not alone, I will help you."
Chen Caozhi immediately bowed and said, "I'm very lucky." He looked at Xie Daoyun and the two smiled at each other. What Zhuangzi said about not being against one's heart must be what he felt at this moment.
After another journey, Chen Caozhi remembered something. The height difference on the horse made it difficult to talk, so he dismounted and walked. He approached the carriage window and asked Xie Daoyun in a low voice: "Brother Yingtai, what should I do if I see someone from Shangyu Zhu's family here?"
explain?"
Xie Daoyun said: "It doesn't matter. My third uncle sent someone to Shangyu in August. People from the Zhu family will not cause any trouble to me."
Chen Caozhi nodded and asked, "Since Dai Shu, the internal historian of Kuaiji, is Mr. Dai Andao's brother, can he recognize you?"
Xie Daoyun glanced at Chen Cao and said softly: "Who else will show up except Zhu Yingtai! Even Mr. Dai Andao may not recognize me."
Chen Caozhi smiled, changed the topic and said: "Going to Kuaiji to review the verdict seems to be troublesome, but in fact it is mainly a battle against the four major surnames in Kuaiji. If these four surnames can be convinced, the rest of the people will naturally be defeated.
"
Xie Daoyun said: "Yes, but it involves family interests. It may be difficult to convince with words alone. It must be supported by legal prohibitions."
Chen Cao said: "That's natural. Which one does Brother Yingtai think we should visit first? The Xie Chen, Yu Yu and Yu Xiaofu mentioned by An Shigong?"
Xie Daoyun said: "Xie Chen, Xie Xingsi, lives in Shanyin. The Xie family in Kuaiji is also a wealthy family. You can visit Xie Xingsi first."
Chen Cao said: "The branch official recommended me to see Wei Sien. The Wei family also lives in Shanyin. How about we go to visit Xie Xingsi and Wei Sien respectively?"
Xie Daoyun was still a little timid about visiting strangers alone. Then he thought: "Since I am an official, I naturally have to be on my own. Is it possible that Zizhong takes the initiative in everything and I only plan behind the scenes?" He then said: "Okay, tomorrow.
Then we went to see him separately."
In the evening, Chen Cao and his party arrived at Shanyin County. Ran Sheng quickly went to the county office to report the news. Daishu, the internal secretary of Kuaiji, led the officials of the county office to come out to greet him. However, the county prime minister Lu Chu, who was directly responsible for the land destruction of the county, did not
Come to greet the envoy of Review Tuduan.
Although it was the first time for Dai Shu to meet Chen Caozhi, he had heard of Chen Caozhi's reputation. Dai Shu's younger brother Dai Kui greatly appreciated Chen Caozhi's music and unique painting skills, so Dai Shu still admired Chen Caozhi.
Feeling quite cordial, he invited the two local envoys to the county office for a banquet. Lu Chu was nowhere to be seen at the banquet. Chen Caozhi remained calm and calmly finished his dinner. After bathing and changing clothes, he ordered the county office officers to invite them.
Lu Juncheng came to discuss matters. After a while, the officer reported back. Lu Juncheng said that night was not the time to discuss official business and asked the envoy to see him at the county government hall tomorrow.
Dai Shu was accompanying him, with an embarrassed look on his face. Although Dai Shu had no intention of obstructing Tu Duan, he would inevitably have such thoughts in his heart. Let's see how Chen Caozhi passed Lu Chu's test. Chen Caozhi was a talented man from Jiangzuo.
As famous as Xie Xuan, he was highly appreciated by Sima Huan. This time he came to Kuaiji to review Tu Duan. If Lu Chu could not be effectively restrained, then the review Tu Duan would not be able to proceed at all. The four major families of Yu, Wei, Kong He were all staring at Chen Caozhi.
Every move——
Chen Caozhi showed no signs of embarrassment and asked Dai Shu, "Dai Neishi, how many subordinates do Lu Juncheng have under his command?"
Dai Shu called the master to record the events and asked him about it. He replied that Lu Juncheng had eight official officials and seven casual officials. These were all according to the official system of the county.
Chen Caozhi asked the officers to summon all the fifteen people. Lu Chu relied on the strong power of his family and the clear support of the Yu family, Wei family, and He family. Lu Chu did not have to come to see Chen Caozhi, but
These officials under him, as well as casual officials, dare not not come. The county has received the edict from Shangshutai and Situ Mansion, and the local envoys have the power to arrest those who violate the regulations and send them to the court for trial——
Fifteen official officials and scattered officials under Cheng Luchu of Kuaiji County gathered in the veranda hall. Chen Caozhi told Dai: "In Dai's internal history, reviewing the soil judgment is the first priority. These fifteen official officials, scattered officials since
From today onwards, you will obey the orders of me and Vice Envoy Zhu, and we will return to our respective posts after the Tujuan review is completed."
Dai Shu was stunned for a moment, and then he understood Chen Caozhi's intention. He secretly praised in his heart that this was a plan to remove the firepower from under the cauldron, and said: "Lu Juncheng is in charge of soil destruction, and his subordinates have been dealing with the county soil destruction for more than a month.
To settle matters, now Chen Zuojian has come to this county to review the matter, and these subordinate officials should obey Chen Zuojian's orders."
Chen Caozhi bowed to Dai Shu, then looked at the officials under his seat and said: "Everyone, Gengxu was cut off from the land, and the people who visited the households must be strictly prohibited. Kuaiji County is a large county in Jiangdong, but as of the eighth century
At the end of the month, there were only 2,185 hidden households reported to the Tuduan Department. I think there are more than these hidden households in Shanyin County. Today, Vice Envoy Zhu and I are here to review Tuduan. If we cannot find two
If there are more than 1,000 people living in seclusion, I will resign in accordance with the order to persuade them to retire. If you all blame each other during the review of Tudu, fail to comply with orders, delay in doing things, and despise Tudu envoys, I will exercise my powers in accordance with the law."
The fifteen official officials and casual officials present here naturally understand what Chen Caozhi said about exercising their powers in accordance with the law. The envoy has the power to cut off the soil and obstruct it, and arrest those who violate the prohibition immediately and send them to the court for trial.
Moreover, now is an extraordinary period for the implementation of the merger of officials and provinces. Officials who have nothing to do during the civil war will be the main targets of the merger.
Several officials expressed their determination to fulfill their duties, obey the orders of the two local envoys, and never dare to slack off.
An official named Zhang said: "Chen Zuojian, the Kuaiji wealthy family has always been tyrannical. If Chen Zuojian ordered us to search out a certain number of hidden households before we can fulfill our duties, then I am afraid that we will be dismissed from office, because even if we are small
Officer, is it possible to enter those large manors for inspection? Even if they are inspected, they cannot be inspected. Those manors cover an area of thousands of hectares, and there is no place to hide people in the mountains and rivers. I hope Chen Zuojian will learn from it."
This official surnamed Zhang is a close confidant of Lu Chu, and he thinks he is telling the truth. The other officials and casual officials also echoed: "Yes, yes, you want me to search, and we will search every year or two."
Not more than a few households away.”
Chen Cao said: "It is the duty of Deputy Envoy Zhu and I to persuade the wealthy families to hand over their hidden households. This does not require you to worry about it. You only need to be ready for dispatch at any time, prepare your household registration, and handle the daily affairs of Tuduan. If you are not summoned,
When it arrives, it will be judged as obstructing the soil."
When all the officials heard what Chen Caozhi said, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
The official named Zhang said, "What if Lu Juncheng summons us for something?"
Chen Caozhi said calmly: "Don't you understand? From today on, all the subordinates of Lu Juncheng will obey the orders of me and Deputy Zhu. They will return to their respective posts after the Tuduan review is completed."
Chen Caozhi's words were cold and solemn. The official named Zhang lowered his head and responded: "Yes."
