Chapter 714 The servants are like tigers and wolves
"Uncle, there is nothing to hide in this matter. There are indeed some problems between my husband and I. My husband no longer recognizes me as his student, and I am no longer on duty in the Ordinance Department. The specific reason is
It's a long story. In short, although he doesn't recognize me as his disciple, I still treat him as a master. After all, master and disciple are the same." Lin Jue nodded.
Lin Boyong was silent for a moment, sighed and said: "That's all, although I don't know what the cause was, I believe that you are not at fault. You have your own ideas, and I don't need to say anything. In fact... this is fine. Then
Fang Dunru was very unfeeling towards our Lin family at the beginning. Your second uncle's incident was caused by him. I had some opinions about him at that time. Now he treats you like this and ends the title of master and disciple. You leave the regulations.
The Si Yamen is also a good thing. Nothing good can be done in that Yamen and it makes people angry. It would be better to stay away as soon as possible."
Lin Jue asked with some surprise: "From what my uncle said, I know some things about the Ordinance Department. How did you get so angry and resentful? Tell me."
Lin Boyong said: "You are from that yamen, don't you know? Didn't some kind of "Employment Law" come out? Every household is required to pay money to hand it in. The widows, widowers and lonely households are not immune.
Rich households also have to pay money according to the number of acres of land. After the Hangzhou magistrate issued the order, the whole city was in an uproar, and everyone was angry. Lin Jue, speaking of this, you had made preparations in advance. When you were in the capital, you asked us to reduce the size of the manor's acres.
Hey, I was a little unhappy at first, but now it seems that you got the news early and made arrangements in advance. Otherwise, we would have to pay tens of thousands of taels of silver a year."
Lin Jue was stunned and speechless. He did make adjustments to the Lin family's property at the family meeting in the capital last year. However, the "Employment Law" had not yet been implemented at that time, and Lin Jue did not do it intentionally. Unexpectedly, it happened accidentally, but it happened to be
He had made preparations for this matter in advance. Listening to Lin Boyong's tone, it seemed that he had done it intentionally and had made arrangements in advance. In fact, he had not done so.
"Uncle, don't say such nonsense. If word spread, they think I leaked secrets and neglected my duties in the Ordinance Department." Lin Jue said hurriedly.
"I understand, I understand, this is just what we talked about in private. I didn't say a word to the outside world. Wouldn't it be possible for others to get caught? Don't worry, just know what you know. Don't say it, don't say it.
." Lin Boyong stroked his beard and smiled.
Lin Jue obviously didn't believe it from his tone, but he didn't want to explain too much, lest the description would get darker.
"Uncle, are you saying that we have also implemented the Labor Service Law in Hangzhou? Is it so fast? This law has only been implemented for two months, and it has already been implemented in Hangzhou?"
Lin Boyong clapped his thigh and said, "Isn't that right? After the new magistrate of Hangzhou took office, he sent officials to various states and counties to publicize the money. When the money was collected, the government officials were as ferocious as wolves and tigers. If they resisted even a little, they were thrown into jail. Now they are in jail in Hangzhou.
It was already overcrowded. Ordinary people were the most unlucky and could not resist. The rich were actually not immune. Some people ran up to ask for help, but the answer they received was that there was no leeway in this matter and they had to pay silver, so there was a fuss.
People's hearts are in panic. What's more, after paying any amount of "free money", the labor is still unavoidable. The money is paid and the labor is poor. It is simply an act of exploitation. Some officials took advantage of the opportunity of measuring land to classify the grade and exploited wantonly.
, instead of giving them any benefits, they falsely report the figures of your land, so that you can become the top household and receive more silver. Tell me, what is the court doing? If this continues, isn't it just a matter of anger from heaven and people?"
Lin Jue was horrified. The abuses he was worried about were appearing one by one. So many abuses appeared in a large state capital like Hangzhou, a place where the court paid great attention to, let alone a small local state capital. Two new laws
They are all linked to the performance of local officials. Naturally, local officials will vigorously implement it regardless of the shortcomings. If this continues, what will happen?
Lin Jue frowned, thinking silently, and his face was very ugly. It would be fine if he didn't pass by this time. He was a person who participated in the formulation process of the "Employment Law". Hearing such caution, he felt uncomfortable in his heart.
It is conceivable. It is a pity that he was unable to prevent this from happening. It was precisely because of this that he turned against Fang Dunru, and he had indeed tried his best on this matter. But Lin Jue could not completely stay out of the matter. He really
Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru were sweating.
Seeing that Lin Jue's face was solemn and seemed worried, Guo Caiwei smiled quickly and said: "My husband is returning to Hangzhou today, it is the day for our family reunion, why bother talking about these things and just causing trouble? Uncle, my husband is now the executioner of Kaifeng Prefecture.
, you have already been promoted, you don’t know it yet.”
Lin Boyong said in surprise: "Are you serious? Have you got this official position?"
Lin Jue smiled and said, "That's true."
Lin Boyong clapped his thigh and said happily: "That's great. The punishment officer is a fifth-grade official. He has been promoted to the fifth grade so quickly, much faster than your second uncle. Look, the head of the family is so ambitious, and everyone follows him.
The master of the house is eager to learn."
Lin Boyong turned to Lin Chang, Lin Song and others and lectured. Several young masters of the Lin family also looked happy and congratulated them repeatedly.
Lin Boyong smiled and said: "In that case, it is a blessing in disguise. Fang Dunru is blind, but the court knows your ability. The bigger your official position is, the more status our Lin family will have. When will our Lin family stop looking up to others?"
It’s when my Lin family returns to the court. The head of the family must go to the private school to encourage the students in the private school and teach them how to work hard.”
Lin Jue smiled and nodded: "Of course I want to go. Although it may not be to encourage them to become officials, it is just to persuade them to learn more principles and they should go."
Lin Boyong nodded in agreement, and then the few people talked and moved the topic to the family business. Lin Boyong reported to Lin Jue in detail. Since the Lin family shifted its business focus to the Grand Theater and the boat shop, it is true that
It has had a great effect. Since last year, the boat shop business has been affected for a short period of time, but it has returned to normal after the New Year, because people did not realize how much the Lin family suffered due to Lin Bonian's incident, and business partners have also started to reopen.
Restore cooperation.
Lin Boyong vigorously developed overseas trade, and the five sea-going ships that came back at the end of last year brought huge returns. The five sea-going ships made a gross profit of nearly 140,000 taels, and after all expenses, they also made more than 100,000 taels of silver. This year's batch came back
The sea-going ships will also make profits. After the hurricane, there will be another sea trade trip in June and July. It is estimated that for overseas trade alone, more than 200,000 taels of silver will be more than enough this year. The profit of the shipping companies will be stable at around 100,000 taels.
, plus other benefits, this year I have 350,000 taels of silver in my hand.
The Grand Theater's profits are even greater than those of the shipyard. Six to seven hundred thousand taels of silver a year is a sure thing. Adding the two businesses together, the annual repayment of five hundred and fifty thousand is more than enough, and there is still a lot of surplus.
Lin Boyong meant to repay all the extra money and try to repay the loan pledged to the palace in three years. But Lin Jue had other plans in mind and suggested that he only repay the money according to the plan for the time being and use the surplus to prepare for emergencies. Lin Jue was
The head of the family, Lin Boyong, naturally would not object, but promised to make a decision based on the situation at the end of the year.
At noon, a banquet was held in the hall of the Lin family to welcome the head of the family. The banquet was very simple and consisted of home-cooked meals. Only Lin Jue had a pot of wine in front of him, and everyone else had tea instead of wine. Lin Jue finally understood what Xiaohu had learned years ago.
When he returned to the capital, Xiaohu said that everyone in the Lin family was frugal and frugal. Their daily meals were extremely simple and they didn't drink any alcohol. The whole family worked hard and were no longer as luxurious as before. Now that I could see it with my own eyes, it was even more so.
Feeling deeply.
Lin Jue wanted to say that in fact, there is no need to be so frugal with daily expenses. There is no need to be so harsh on the children. However, Lin Jue did not speak after all. The family tradition of the Lin family is changing, and Lin Boyong and Lin Bonian seem to have put in a lot of effort. The children of the Lin family
He is also adapting to this change. He cannot let their previous efforts go to waste. Besides, the Lin family also needs changes, otherwise it will be difficult to overcome the difficulties.
Lin Jue took the initiative to remove the drinks in front of him and ate two large bowls of white rice, which was considered to be the end of the feast. After the meal, everyone chatted for a while. Lin Boyong got up and went to the boat dock to supervise the unloading. Lin Quan, Lin Chang, Lin Song and others
Everyone has something to do, so they disperse.
Lin Jue and the little princess returned to the small courtyard to take a nap. The couple had some intimacy. The little princess got up from a nap for half an hour and ordered the carriage and horses to get ready to go out. Lin Jue was going to the palace to meet his father-in-law Guo Bing.
The Lord naturally followed and went to see his parents whom he had not seen for many days.
The carriage was driving slowly on the streets of Hangzhou City. The couple in the carriage were talking in low voices. When they reached Zhonghe Street, two teams of livery officers ran past the carriage. They were wearing different clothes, one team
The government servants in soap clothes had the word "Changping" written on their backs, and the other team of government officials in black clothes had the word "recruitment" written in white on their backs. They were quite menacing.
Lin Jue felt strange, so he ordered Xiaohu to drive and follow. Soon after, the two teams of more than a dozen government officials stopped in front of a shop in Cha Street. The house had no time to close the door, so it was surrounded by people. A moment later, there was a
A loud cry.
Lin Jue stopped the carriage and got out of the car to check. He saw two teams of servants moving things out of the shop. Tables, chairs, benches, pots and pans were all moved out. A man was twisted by several government servants and yelled at.
The woman sat on the ground crying and howling.
"Why are you crying in mourning? Is it reasonable for your family to not repay the government loan when it is overdue? That is the court's money, so you don't have to pay it back if you borrow it? Do you think the court's money is free for you to spend? If you don't pay back the money,
I will move your belongings to pay off the debt." A government servant cursed angrily at the woman.
The woman cried: "We didn't want the silver back then, but you insisted on giving it to us. Last year we gritted our teeth and paid back the two cents, and we will pay back this year. We have to pay back twelve taels of silver for ten taels of silver. Our husband and wife have a small business.
Selling some fruits makes less than three taels of silver a month. We have to support the mother and children at home, so who has any money left? It’s okay for us to live a more miserable life. We never borrow money at high interest rates.
It's an obstacle to the government. Why are they forcing us to borrow money?"
"Eh? You are a woman who doesn't know what's good and what's good. The imperial court's Fang Pingcang loan bank allowed you to tide over the difficulties, but you say such a thing. Lord Yan and Lord Fang in the court have been worried about you people, but you don't Do you appreciate it?" the Yamen servant scolded angrily.
"Who do we care about Mr. Fang and Mr. Yan? Who do we ordinary people know about him? But please don't disturb us. Thank God. The twelve taels of money have already been given to you. My husband and I didn't dare to touch a word. Now we are asking for it again. What's the money for?" cried the woman.
"Hey! You are telling me what you are saying. The ten taels of silver have been used by you for four months. Don't we need to pay interest? Do you want to pay? If not, your man will be put in jail." The officer threatened loudly.
"How can I give you money if you don't have money? I'm a good official, but I really don't have money to give you. Please have mercy. My husband is the backbone of the family. If we take him away, our mothers will starve to death." The woman begged bitterly. road.
"Bah, I'm just talking nonsense to you, moving things and arresting people." The yamen servant finally stopped talking to the woman and waved his hand.
A government official wearing a "recruitment" uniform smiled and said: "Old Chen, leave some things for us. Your Changping warehouse has been moved away, and I can't pay any more. Their family still owes five taels." Where's the exemption money? Your two or three taels of silver are nothing."
The yamen servant from before laughed and said: "Old Wang, whoever among us is quick will get the job. Didn't you guys take the lead on that house on East Street? Don't give face to anyone else. The quickest to get started on official business comes first."
"Okay, in that case, I won't be polite. Brothers, grab something for me." The recruitment officer waved his hand and shouted. Several officers in black rushed in and started grabbing things, and it made a big fuss for a while.
The onlookers shook their heads and sighed, but they were so impressed by the arrogance of the government officials that they did not dare to say anything.
