After returning to the other courtyard, Xue Rengui and Li Yuanfang were guarding Li Min on both sides.
Xue Rengui asked excitedly: "Your Highness, do you want to act now?"
Li Min shook his head slightly, and then said to Li Yuanfang: "Yuanfang, order them to keep a close eye on the person."
"Yes, Your Highness."
After returning to the room, Li Min couldn't help but frown and think hard.
Xu Hui walked quietly behind Li Min and stretched out her catkins to squeeze Li Min's shoulders.
"Husband, what difficulties have you encountered?"
Li Min sighed and said: "Before coming here, my husband still underestimated the energy of these aristocratic families!"
Xu Hui couldn't help but ask: "Your Highness, the information we have is not enough to convict them?"
Li Min smiled bitterly and said: "Today, I looked through the account books carefully. Although I knew it was a fake account, it was done perfectly by them."
At that time, Sicang joined the army and Zhao Yi saw that Li Min just looked through the account book and threw it aside.
He didn't even let the accounting man next to him check the accounts at all, which puzzled Zhao Yi.
What he didn't know was that Li Min himself was the most powerful audit master in Datang.
Some of the personnel around Li Min were trained by him.
Li Min seemed to be just flipping through it, but in fact it was clear at a glance whether the accounts were true or false.
If there is any fraud in the accounts, although it is impossible for Li Min to see the difference in numbers at a glance, he can definitely tell whether the accounts are false.
But after a quick glance, Li Min discovered that these account books were all genuine.
Of course, these accounts are actually false.
It may seem contradictory, but it is actually very simple.
Really, these are the numbers on the accounts, and there is no falsification in them.
It’s fake. In fact, there are many accounts, but they are not recorded at all.
So if you just audit the account books, you won't find anything at all.
Of course, in fact, Li Min was already planning the business after the commercial tax reform.
We also dispatched manpower early and secretly collected all kinds of information.
Now Li Min has some evidence of tax evasion in his hands.
But based on the analysis of the news sent back in the past two days, Li Min felt that 80% of the evidence had been destroyed by them.
The remaining 10% or 20%, if it really doesn't work, can be pushed to those merchants.
When the time comes, all they need to do is cut off their strong men's arms and punish the merchants.
They actually didn't lose much.
And if this was really done, Li Min could be said to be completely defeated.
If the attack fails, other states and counties can naturally follow suit.
It will be harder to find out later.
Reform is indeed difficult step by step!
This is just a small reform in commercial taxation.
If you want to implement the land equalization system and divide the land into acres, the resistance you will face will be hundreds of times greater than this.
After hearing Xu Hui's inquiry, Li Min couldn't help but tell her about the current problem.
After Xu Hui heard this, she couldn't help but frown.
This matter is indeed difficult to handle!
This is the base camp of the Cui family in Qinghe. They manage Qinghe County like an iron bucket.
Here, they can eliminate too much evidence and traces.
It would be extremely difficult for Li Min to achieve a complete victory here.
After thinking for a while, Li Min said coldly: "Qinghe County is the first stop I chose! This battle must be won! And it must be won beautifully!"
"Is this Cui of Qinghe? You have a good plan, and I have a ladder! Since you do this, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Hearing Li Min's words, Xu Hui couldn't help but asked worriedly: "Your Highness, if you go on a killing spree, will you be criticized?"
Li Min laughed and said: "Hui'er, don't worry, you have to act accordingly as a husband!"
"By the way, can we still contact them now about the shops that they renovated that were ruined and people were destroyed?"
Xu Hui said: "Of course, most of these shops were closed down and transferred due to their remediation. There are also a few who did not cooperate. Their families were destroyed by their remediation, not all of them were killed. However, there are still people who have been raped to this day.
Imprisoned in a prison."
"We can all contact these families now. If my husband wants to see them, we can find them quickly."
Li Min then asked: "Hui'er, do you think that if I let these merchants come out to sue and complain, they will show up?"
After hesitating for a moment, Xu Huicai said: "Husband, I think, except for those businessmen whose families have been ruined, most other people will not dare to come out and complain, right?"
"As long as they still live in Qinghe, they have to fear the revenge of the Cui family in Qinghe!"
Li Min snorted coldly and said: "In Qinghe, the Cui family is more majestic than the imperial power! Don't they dare? No king would give them such courage!"
"Hui'er, among these merchants whose families have been ruined, find the one with the worst character. Then bring their family members to me."
"Yes, husband, I will do it right away."
After saying that, Xu Huiyingying stood up and walked out.
However, there was a hint of smile on her face, and she looked a little bit cunning.
…
That night, a girl was brought into the study.
"Liu Qin, this is the King of Shu. If you have any grievances, just tell them."
"Liu Qin, daughter of the common people, pays homage to the prince! I hope that the prince can uphold justice, avenge my parents, and rescue my brother from prison! Woo woo woo!"
This woman named Liu Qin, dressed in mourning clothes, knelt on the ground and kowtowed.
It seemed that he was extremely sad, and he was whimpering like a cuckoo crying for blood. People couldn't help but feel sad after listening to it.
Xu Hui, who brought her in, couldn't help but wipe away her tears.
Li Min sighed, and then said to Xu Hui: "Hui'er, help the person up quickly."
Xu Hui stepped forward, helped Liu Qin up, and then said to her softly: "Madam, if you don't explain to the prince what happened, how can the prince make the decision to redress your grievance?"
After hearing Xu Hui's consolation, Liu Qin stood up with sobs.
Then Xu Hui personally moved a chair for her to sit down and handed her a handkerchief.
Only then did Li Min see Liu Qin's appearance clearly.
This little girl is only fourteen or fifteen years old.
He looks quite decent.
In terms of appearance, she is even worse than Xu Hui.
But as the saying goes, a woman must be pretty and filial.
Wearing a mourning dress, her eyes were red and there were tears on her eyelashes.
But it can do it to the greatest extent, making men unable to help but feel the desire to protect and care for her.
Li Min asked softly: "Miss Liu Qin, you said you were wronged, but I don't know what happened. You might as well tell me!"
Liu Qin nodded and said: "The girl's family was originally a family of four. The girl, her parents, and her brother depended on the tea shop, so they had no worries about food and clothing."
"Just a few months ago, the imperial court initiated changes and the commercial tax increased to one in ten taxes. However, at the same time, the status of merchants also increased."
"My mother-in-law was very happy when she heard the news. Although the commercial tax has increased, the income of the shop is not bad, but the profit is a little lower."
"But from now on, our status will be the same as that of ordinary people!"
"My mother-in-law also said that my brother will be able to marry normally from now on, and the daughter-in-law of the people can also find a good husband."
Speaking of this, Liu Qin's voice became softer and his face turned slightly red.
As for Li Min and Xu Hui, they couldn't help but look at each other and nodded slightly.
It turns out that despite the increase in business taxes this time around, some businessmen are still willing to accept it.
Scholars, farmers, industry and commerce, the status of businessmen was ranked last, only above the actors and actresses.
However, nowadays, the status of actors has improved.
Which famous film and television actors have a higher status than some scholars?
The status of their merchants is basically at the bottom.
With this reform, the status of businessmen has been greatly improved, making it the same as that of ordinary people.
Many businessmen are grateful for this and shed tears of gratitude.
As for the extra taxes paid, it is acceptable to most businessmen.
Miss Liu Qin then said, "But not long after that, a big event happened in my family."
Hearing this, Li Min and Xu Hui were shocked. They also wanted to hear how Liuwang, the fourth surname, and the officials from Qinghe County were able to take bribes, pervert the law, and disregard human lives!
"The rogue Niu Er found a dying beggar somewhere and threw it into our tea shop. Not long after, the beggar died."
"Then Niu Er blackmailed us, claiming that the beggar was his distant cousin. His cousin died in our shop and was killed by our family."
"People died in my shop, and we couldn't explain it even if we had the words. My mother-in-law and I were also afraid of the negative impact, and if the news spread, it would ruin the tea shop's business."
"Therefore, I am willing to pay the rogue Niu Er a sum of money privately, so that he can keep quiet and keep the matter private."
"Unexpectedly, the bully and the lion opened their mouths and insisted that they want our tea shop, and they also wanted a civilian girl to marry him."
"Of course my mother-in-law refused to agree and was only willing to give him a sum of money. But this bastard refused to let go and insisted on marrying me."
"Brother was so angry that he beat Niu Er, and Niu Er directly reported him to the government. Then he was arrested as a murderer. My tea shop was also confiscated by the government, and my family property was confiscated."
"My mother-in-law was so angry that she was left alone as a civilian girl, helpless and helpless, with nowhere to complain. Wuwuwuwu!"
"If you can avenge my mother-in-law and rescue my brother, the little girl is willing to work hard to repay the prince for his kindness. From now on, the little girl will stay with the prince and serve him for the rest of her life!"
"Ahem!"
Liu Qin's words made Li Min cough.
In ancient times, there was really nothing wrong with repaying life-saving grace with one's own body.
But Li Min doesn't like this trick.
Especially, this king’s wife is right beside me.
Liu Qin probably thought that Xu Hui personally brought her in and moved a chair for her, treating her as a maid?
Li Min couldn't help but said to Liu Qin: "Miss Liu Qin, please stay in this other courtyard. I will send people to investigate this case. As long as it is verified that what you said is the truth, I will handle it impartially and give you a reward."
justice."
Liu Qin said quietly: "Daughter of the common people, please thank the prince in advance!"
Li Min waved his hand, and a maid led Liu Qin down.
After Liu Qin went down, Li Min and Xu Hui couldn't help but look at each other.
Both of them saw the look of helplessness in each other's eyes.
Both of them believed that Cui of Qinghe must be behind this matter.
But they are very cunning.
Even if we knew it was blackmail by a rogue Niu Er, there wasn't much evidence to prove it.
Even the government's penalty could not find any major problems.
What makes them even more helpless is that even if this case is investigated, it will have little to do with commercial taxes.
But they are using these means to greatly reduce this year's commercial tax through continuous tax evasion.
What a good idea!
Xu Hui couldn't help but sigh and said: "Your Highness, even if this case is investigated, it has nothing to do with the commercial tax case!"
Li Min smiled coldly and said: "Hui'er, don't worry, this case will definitely be related to commercial tax!"
"In this way, you can find all the cases where families have been destroyed and people have been killed, and let them come to me to redress their grievances."
"Okay, husband."
Early the next morning, ten shop survivors, whose families had been destroyed, came to the other courtyard where Li Min was staying to complain.
The officers and soldiers who were arranged by the Governor of Qinghe, obviously to protect the safety of the patrolmen, but actually to monitor the patrollers' every move, could not help but be shocked.
Quickly drive these people away.
But at this time, Li Yuanfang stood up, stopped them, and called in all those who had complained.
These officers and soldiers could not help but secretly complain.
Isn't it obvious that someone is monitoring these damn grievance people?
How did you let them escape?
And he even alerted the inspectors and called them all in?
They did not dare to neglect and promptly reported the matter to Cui He, the governor of Qinghe.
After Cui He learned the news, he was surprised, but not very scared.
They have already handled these cases from beginning to end.
Those scoundrels have been silenced by them long ago.
As long as they insist on not telling the truth, all cases will be ironclad and there is no possibility of a crime being committed.
Cui He still has a certain degree of confidence in those naughty mouths.
Therefore, although I don't know what method the inspector used, he found so many people in such a short period of time.
But as long as there are no problems with the case, he can just go with it.
…
A piece of news soon caused a sensation throughout Qinghe County.
The inspection envoy sent by the imperial court, His Royal Highness the King of Shu of the Tang Dynasty, took over eleven cases that resulted in the death of people.
And there will be a public trial three days later, and everyone can watch it at that time.
This news made the entire Qinghe County start to boil.
The King of Shu, Li Min, had created countless miracles and was an almost god-like existence.
Up to now, there are still jokes about King Shu's trial being circulated in Goulan!
Unexpectedly, three days later, they would be able to feast their eyes on the King of Shu's trial again.
And the cases being tried are all life cases that have already been decided.
This news caught Cui He, the governor of Qinghe County, and others by surprise.
These eleven murder cases were actually concocted by them behind the scenes.
Of course, they did not only do eleven cases.
But there are only these eleven cases, which have caused many families to be ruined and lives lost.
Of course, their original intention was not to reach this point.
However, errors will inevitably occur during implementation.
The case of human life is also a trouble for them, but it is not impossible to solve.
And now, not only did the King of Shu accept these eleven human life cases, he actually wanted to hear them publicly in three days.
This made the entire Qinghe Cui clan take a breath of cold air.
Did the King of Shu master something? He actually tried it in public?
Of course, all the scoundrels the King of Shu arrested were the murderers they were looking for, and they were all local ruffians.
But these people are all cutthroats and have a very tight-knit tone.
In three days, is King Shu really sure that he can pry open their mouths?
And it’s still a public trial?
Mr. Cui of Qinghe, for a while, couldn't figure out what kind of medicine was sold in King Shu's gourd.
But now, it is difficult for them to intervene.
Moreover, the things they know about these scoundrels are extremely limited. Even if they were to open their mouths, it would only be a life-threatening lawsuit.
It has nothing to do with business tax matters, let alone their Qinghe Cui family.
Therefore, although the Cui family is a little worried, they are not really afraid.
…
At this time, the people around Li Min didn't think anything was wrong.
The prince has never been unsure of his battles.
Since the prince wants to do this, he must be absolutely sure.
Xu Hui, on the other hand, was worried about it.
"Husband, if there is a public trial, what if they don't confess after three days? Or they originally confessed, but then regretted it?"
"There are so many people watching outside, and it's not easy to torture and extract confessions. If something goes wrong, I'm afraid it won't end well!"
Hearing Xu Hui's words, Li Min couldn't help but smile and said: "Hui'er, just don't worry, I am sure that they will not regret it when the time comes."
"Of these eleven people, even though a few may be able to survive, it is absolutely impossible for all of them to survive!"
Xu Hui couldn't help but asked curiously: "Husband, what method are you going to use to get them to confess?"
Li Min smiled slightly, and then ordered to Li Yuanfang beside him: "Yuanfang, please order eleven cells to be arranged. They should be well soundproofed so that no outside sound can be heard at all."
"Then all the windows and doors are sealed so that no light can be seen and no sound can be heard inside. After the arrangements are made, the prisoners are thrown in each room."
"No matter how they shout inside, you are not allowed to pay attention to them, and you are not allowed to say a word. Remember, this matter is very important, and you must keep an eye on it!"
Li Yuanfang was a little puzzled and couldn't help but ask: "Your Highness, how long will they be detained?"
"Three days."
"Three days? Aren't there going to be interrogations in three days? During these three days, we didn't torture them or interrogate them?"
"In three days, will they confess?"
In Li Yuanfang's opinion, the reason why His Highness stayed for three days was for public interrogation.
They will definitely be interrogated within these three days, and after everything has been brought to light, they will be interrogated publicly.
But now, His Highness is just being detained for three days.
During the public interrogation three days later, they must have gritted their teeth and refused to admit it, right or wrong?
In this case, Your Highness can't end it at all?
Hearing Li Yuanfang's question, Li Min couldn't help laughing and said: "Yuanfang, just do as I say. Not everyone of these eleven people can bear it."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Although Li Yuanfang didn't believe it, just three days of detention would make people confess honestly.
I don't think this method is of any use.
But since His Highness arranged it like this, Li Yuanfang strictly carried out Li Min's order without hesitation.
Li Min certainly had an idea of whether it would work or not.
From their perspective, they were simply detained for three days.
In fact, only Li Min knew how cruel this punishment was.
In a time when there is no light at all and no sound from the outside world can be heard, the sound of your own heartbeat and the sound of gastrointestinal peristalsis are infinitely amplified.
That kind of absolute silence can drive people crazy.
Over five days, 99.999% of people will have a nervous breakdown.
Three days is probably enough time for people to collapse.
This punishment seems to have been created by the Nazis during World War II.
In modern times, there is a laboratory with a sound insulation effect of 99.99%.
It is said that no one can stay in there for more than forty-five minutes.
Of course, it is impossible to find such a laboratory in Datang.
But three days is enough for them.
Not long after, Li Yuanfang followed Li Min's instructions and arranged eleven cells.
These cells are originally underground and have good lighting control.
As for sound insulation, since these are places where heavy prisoners are held, the sound insulation effect is also quite good.
Li Yuanfang then commanded the soldiers to block all the gaps.
Then, Li Yuanfang ordered the soldiers to imprison the eleven scoundrels into these eleven secret rooms.
These scoundrels were originally very fearful after being caught.
Although they claim to be heroes, they will not even frown in the face of life and death.
But what they are facing now is, after all, His Highness the King of Shu!
The unpredictable legends about His Highness the King of Shu made them very afraid.
But now, after His Highness the King of Shu captured them, he just imprisoned them?
Hum!
Is His Royal Highness the King of Shu nothing more than that?
Bang!
Soon, the iron door was closed from the outside, and the room suddenly fell into darkness.
And with the iron door closed, even the sound seemed to be blocked out.
There was silence in the room, except for the faint sound of my own heartbeat.
However, at this time, these eleven scoundrels actually wanted to laugh.
What is this King of Shu doing?
He didn't naively think that heroes like them would be afraid of the dark, right?
If you lock them in this small dark room, will they be so frightened that they tremble?
