Chapter 214: The Born

There are only four days left, and Yizhou City is more than 200 miles away from Mengyin County. Even if it is a fast horse, it will take nearly a day and a night. After the remaining two or three days, where are the bandits who are bound to 800 miles of Yimeng Mountain? If such a thing happens under his jurisdiction, a crime of dereliction of duty and neglecting the punishment is indispensable. If it is not a good cause, a hat that tolerates and carries traitors will be taken down and his life will be difficult to save.

This is not a disaster from the sky! Liang Shun, the magistrate of Mengyin County, was so anxious that he almost burst into tears. He shook his body and almost fainted. He suddenly remembered that the sky fell, and there was a big man holding his back. There was the governor of Yizhou on Mengyin County and the governor of Taoist lord. Why did he panic? To be honest with these, he immediately looked at Cao Yong in tears, clasped his fists and said, "Mr. Cao, what should I do... this... what should I do? Please tell me!"

Cao Yong heard something was wrong, "Rabbits don't eat grass by their nests." The reason why the Yimeng bandits can be repeatedly banned is because the people outside communicate with them and allow them to avoid the encirclement of the army? Even if they want to tie people and ask for food, should they change the place?

He glanced at the person who reported the news and asked, "How many hectares of land are there in the Du Kui family?"

Although Cao Yong did not wear replenishment clothes, he was wearing regular clothes, but the man just saw that even the county master respected the young man, so he did not dare to neglect it. He thought for a moment: "If you come back to the emperor, the Du family is a large household in Mengyin. There is no 100 hectares of land, and there are also 80 hectares!"

If he had entered Beijing two years ago, Cao Yong would not have known the plans for these fields. Now he has several farms, and he often listens to He Mao’s financial report and knows a little about these. If he had good land and had good harvests, he could get two stones per mu, and medium-sized land should have a few bulls of one stone. The land property would be rented to tenants for farming, and the rent ranged from 30% to 40% to 40%.

Even though the crops were reduced due to the impact of drought in the north last year, Du Kui's land had to be at least 4,000 or 5,000 shi. Why do you have to book a thousand stones now? Besides, the young owner who kidnapped this family only demanded a quarter of his family's annual income as a ransom. Isn't this cheap?

*

Jinan Prefecture, Governor's Office.

Governor Jiang Chenxi looked at the diary sent from the capital, and his expression was very excited, and his hands trembled slightly. The diary was a clear edict issued by Kangxi on February 29:

I have read the number of people in the provincial governors and governors, but they have not increased the number of people. They have reported it all. Now the sea has been peaceful for a long time and the household registration is growing more and more. If you find that the number of people increases, the land acres has not increased. The provincial governors and governors should be ordered to see that the number of people in the current money and grain book should not be increased or decreased, and they will always be a fixed quota. The number of people born in the future does not have to be collected...

"'Add to be a child in the prosperous era, and never add taxes', long live the wise man!" Jiang Chenxi was very excited. This emperor was wise. Only those who were ministers could achieve better success. Even if they could not leave their names in history, they would be a prime minister, and it would not be difficult to shine their families.

But after seeing another news, Jiang Chenxi's expression became heavy. Due to the severe drought last year, there was no new grain in Zhili. The Ministry of Households verified that there was surplus grain in Shandong's granary, so he reported to add the grain from Shandong's granary to Zhili warehouse first. After all, Zhili is an important place in the capital, with more officers and soldiers of the Eight Banners and Han Army green camps, so there is no need to lose the supply of grain. At present, it is not the time for grain to enter Beijing.

Jiang Chenxi pondered for a while, sighed, called a few Changsui, and sent them to report the residence to the governor Hou Juguang and the governor Li Fajia. The remaining two copies were sent to the documents to copy them so that they could send the places where they could be published along the prefectures.

The sixth day of the third month is the seventh day when Du Kui's son was tied up in Nanshan Township, Mengyin County. Although Du Kui was ill in bed, it was related to his son's life and death. How could he feel at ease? After hearing his wife mention that someone from the county government came to ask about it, he was so hungry that he didn't faint? But he really didn't have the strength, otherwise he would kick his wife a few times. If the people in the yamen were full and wanted to use the credit for "suppressing bandits" to get promoted and make money, how could he care about his son's life?

Fortunately, I waited for a few days with fear. Yesterday, when Mengyin County Magistrate Liang Shunzheng came back from Yizhou, he did not intend to get into trouble. He even signaled to ask the person who went to find out the news that everything was to save the life of the eldest son of the Du family and let the Du family not worry.

As dawn was dawn, in the courtyard of Du's house, the servants who had gotten up early to clean the courtyard found letters shot in from outside and hurriedly handed them to the master's wife. Du Kui read it and wrote that the Du family asked the Du family to transport the grain to Yelongling twenty miles away. The Du family was waiting for the news that the mule cart had been prepared, carrying a thousand stones and more than 100,000 kilograms of grain to Yelongling.

In the Mengyin County Government Office, the Mengyin County Magistrate Liang Shunzheng woke up early and his face was also worried. He wondered whether the Du family could bring people back safely. He sent someone to stare away outside the Du family's house, but was not allowed to approach or follow, so as not to cause misunderstandings from the kidnappers and endanger the life of the Du family's young master.

Although Liang Shunzheng was a little cowardly, he had been reading sages for half his life. When he remembered his experience at the Yizhou Daotai Yamen that day, he was really angry. How could the powerful and noble children think about sympathizing with the people? That Daotai was so good. After entering the study for a while, he not only did not intend to take action after coming out, but he also warned Liang Shunzheng not to be troubled.

Liang Shunzheng, the magistrate of Mengyin County, waited for most of the day, and his mood was as gloomy as the gray sky.

It was not until late at night that the sent yamen runner hurried back and panted and replied that the servants of the Du family had already changed into filial piety clothes. The Du family master was seriously ill and the Du family master was gone!

A thunder sounded outside the window, and the sky became darker and a thunderstorm came immediately.

*

Yizhou, Taotai Yamen, study room.

Cao Yong stood in front of the window and looked at the spring rain outside. He returned to Mr. Zhuang and said, "If the son of the Du family said, would there be no way out for him? Maybe..."

Mr. Zhuang shook his head: "Furuo, Furuo, there is something strange about this, and you are also aware of it. I guess there is another inside story. Do you think they have to make a reminder for us and think about food! They are establishing their authority, and they want other rich gentry to know that the "Yimeng bandits" cannot be messed with. If they want it, they have to prepare food. If someone from the government accidentally knows or joins, it will be the fate of the Du family!"

Cao Yong's mind was full of fog, and he started to sort out the development of the matter from scratch. The Du family's only son was kidnapped, and the news of the kidnapping was leaked, and someone came from the yamen...

He looked at Mr. Zhuang and asked, "Sir, there have been people collecting grain in Yizhou in recent years. Where has the grain gone? We sent people around to inquire, but there is no news to come back now!"

Mr. Zhuang touched his beard and his face looked very heavy. Since ancient times, it has been not a good thing to associate with the garrison of grain. But today, it is not like chaos is about to be born?

*

The capital city, within Chongwenmen, Ning Chun’s mansion.

The front yard is usually not a place where women should stay. But today, the head of the mansion, Niu Hulu, was wearing a red flag dress and sat upright in the hall, raising his chin high, and there was no joy or anger on his face.

She said coldly: "I didn't hear it clearly, you servant, say it again!"

In front of her, Ning Chun's confidant, Sui Lin Ding, kowtowed in tears and said, "Grandma, the Ministry of Justice has just heard news that our master, the old man, the second master, and the third master are gone!"

Niuhulu clasped the chair handle hard: "Is the crime I want to make up 'I committed suicide for fear of the crime'?"

Lin Ding is not only Ning Chun's Changsu, but also Ning Chun's milk brother. Ning Chun's biological mother left early and didn't have close friends with her half-brother. She only has the best choice for her family and is not treated as a servant.

Lin Ding had nodded and could no longer speak in tears.

Niuhulu looked at the deserted hall and courtyard, and a wry smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. He was also a high-ranking official, and his father-in-law and her husband were charged with a ignorance. After three days of imprisonment, the mansion became lonely.

If it weren't for her, the head of the family, she would have had a fight with her father-in-law. Now that people are gone, I don't know how many people will cry.

Seeing that Niuhulu's face was not sad and only cold, Lin Ding couldn't help feeling a little disheartened and said in anger: "Grandma, even if the uncle... there is something that can't be sorry for grandma. After all, he has a married couple with grandma, and now he is gone..."

Niuhulu murmured, "Yes, now there is no one? What can I do, what can I do?" As she said that, her voice couldn't help but sharpen: "I will naturally collect bones for him and handle the funeral for him!"

Her eyes were rounded and she stared at Lin Ding: "He has always been close to you, but now he is gone, what are your plans?"

Lin Ding's face became a little more hatred when he heard this, and he clenched his fists and said, "I am wronged. Even if I have fought for this life, I will ask for an explanation for you!"

Niuhulu held the corner of his mouth and said mercilessly: "How can you, a lowly slave, ask for an explanation and who will ask for an explanation? It's just a waste of your life!"

Lin Ding hammered hard: "Can you go in vain?"

Niuhulu looked at Lin Ding and said, "You slave is right. Since I am his wife, what should I do for him! If you are not injustice, I will treat it. If you still think about his kindness to you, then I have a big thing to entrust to you!"

Lin Ding knew that Niuhulu and Ning Chun had a dissatisfaction relationship, but because she was the heroine, she had always been respectful. Seeing her so cold, her husband was so cold that he didn't have a circle of red eyes when he died, and he had to arrange for himself to do other errands. Is there anything more important than collecting the uncle?

Niuhulu has always been arrogant. Although he saw Lin Ding's dissatisfaction, he disdained to explain and said, "Two nights before he was imprisoned, Ruqiu was serving in his room. If God opened his eyes, Ruqiu might already have his master's flesh and blood. Since you have received the news, it is probably not long before the other rooms will be separated! At that time, you will take advantage of the chaos to send Ruqiu out of the mansion and leave the capital! If Ruqiu is not pregnant, everything will be with you. "Lin Ding" will die suddenly tomorrow. In the future, you will be Chen Liu released from our mansion. I have already asked someone to make up the identity document today!" At this point, he paused: "If the heavens are pitiful and Ruqiu has his master's blood and has been given birth smoothly, then you will send the child to Mr. Cao in Shandong."

Lin Ding became more and more confused as he heard it: "Grandma, why don't Ruqiu stay in the mansion? I really have a man and a half woman, so grandma has a hope!"

When Niuhulu heard Lin Ding was full of concern, he was a little moved, but he was not on his face. He just said, "You must be careful about this matter. If you stay in Beijing in such a bright way, what if you have three or two shorts?"

Lin Ding has experienced great changes in the past few days. Hearing what Niuhulu said, he also agreed with her arrangements, so he solemnly kowtowed her three times as a farewell.

As expected by Niuhulu, everyone in the mansion knew about the Ministry of Justice after a long time, and people were in panic.

Ning Chun's stepmother has always been unable to speak since she came in, but this time she was invited by Niu Hulu to the hall. Although several housekeepers had arranged the matter, the servant's mourning clothes could not be collected for a while, and they were in a mess.

Ning Chun's stepmother had no husband and two sons, her face was yellow and her eyes were red and swollen. Seeing Niuhulu sitting in the hall in red, she didn't care about accusing her for a moment.

After Niuhulu waited for her to sit down, she pushed the account book and keys in front of her to Ning Chun's stepmother.

Ning Chun's stepmother is not unfamiliar with these, because she was in charge of Niuhulu before entering the door. If it were the past, she would have been inexplicably happy. Now that her son is gone, there is nothing to fight for.

What hope does a woman in the world have to rely on without her husband and son? Now there are only a few widows left in this family, not even a supportive portal. What else can she do besides crying?

Seeing that Ning Chun's stepmother had been in a few days, her hair was mostly gray, and her expression was muddy. She didn't even look at the account book and the key. She sighed in her heart and called in a low voice: "My mother!"

It was the first time she called her stepmother-in-law like this more than two years after entering the house. Ning Chun's stepmother was very surprised and thought she had heard it wrong, so she turned her head to look at Niuhulu.

Niuhulu pointed at the servant maid in the yard and said, "Mom, now you are like this. Just send me what you want to leave! My wife has been sent to the Ministry of Justice to pick up the body of my father-in-law and the others back!"

Ning Chun's stepmother nodded in tears and asked someone to take the family list. Except for a few families who have always been loyal and unwilling to leave at this time, the others cried, handed over the money for redeem, and took the contract and left.

Niuhulu called two servants who left behind to mourn Lin Ding, a loyal servant who committed suicide by "devouring the Lord" in the open space in the east courtyard.

Ning Chun and his father and brother's bodies were taken back from the Ministry of Revenue that night, and the soul was stopped in the front yard.
Chapter completed!