Ruins of the past

"Oh? Are you inciting the tenants to sue you?" Chu Qiguang's heart moved, and he knew that this was Hezhi County's move.

Hao Xiangtong continued: "Many of those tenants took the initiative to donate their fields to our family in order to evade taxes in the past. Some of them were even bought by our family. Now they see that they can take advantage and start making trouble..."

Chu Qiguang thought to himself that there must be problems with the procedures for the land acquired by the Hao family through various means such as donation, cheap purchase, deception, etc. Once the Yamen opens up the investigation, they will definitely find out a lot of hidden land. .

Chu Qiguang thought to himself: 'The rich are greedy by nature, and it would be harder for them to spit out the meat in their mouths than to reach the sky. At this time, this kind of big family will definitely not take a step back. ’

However, Chu Qiguang didn't care about this. Based on his current understanding of the Han Dynasty, even if this land reform was successful... it would only extend the life of the royal family for several decades and would not solve the cannibalistic nature of the feudal dynasty.

‘You have to replace me, but this is an opportunity. ’

Chu Qiguang looked at Hao Xiangtong and asked, "Then what do your family plan to do?"

Hao Xiangtong said: "I don't know. I heard that my father and eldest brother are going to the Wu family to talk to the second master of the Wu family about what to do."

Chu Qiguang thought to himself: 'Are the Hao family advancing and retreating together with the Wu family? ’

Chu Qiguang asked: "Can you help me tell your father that I have a way to make the county magistrate retreat."

Hao Xiangtong looked at Chu Qiguang suspiciously: "You?"

Chu Qiguang smiled: "You can ask your father first if the imperial court is going to negotiate peace and trade with the wolf demon."

Seeing Hao Xiangtong's still suspicious eyes, Chu Qiguang said nothing and continued to tell the story. Hao Xiangtong also returned his attention to the story.

Wu Zetian gradually took control of the government and began to implement clearing land and unifying taxes and services throughout the world, using one person's power to fight against the clan nobles and officials at all levels.

Listening to Wu Zetian, a woman in a dangerous environment, facing the doubts of male ministers, the greed of the old emperor, the incomprehension of her parents, and all kinds of slander and rumors from all over the world, but she always moved forward and never regretted it. Hao Xiangtong Gradually, my heart began to surge.

Chu Qiguang said: "Okay, that's it for today. I want to continue reading."

Hao Xiangtong looked at Chu Qiguang with unsatisfied thoughts: 'Oh, this Mr. Chu... doesn't want money nor is he greedy for my beauty. If I can't force him, I can only come and listen to him every day. ’

Seeing Chu Qiguang studying seriously, his previous words were lingering in Hao Xiangtong's mind.

…

The next day, Mr. Hao from the Hao family, his wife, his five-room concubine, his son Hao Yongtai, his daughter Hao Xiangtong, two younger brothers, and a younger sister were all sitting neatly at the dinner table. meal.

This is the rule set by Mr. Hao. Everyone in the family must come together for breakfast every day, so even Hao Yongnian did not dare to stay out overnight and had to go home no matter how late every day.

The eldest son of the Hao family went to Shenjing with his wife, concubines, and children. The second master basically had the final say in the Hao family in Qingyang County.

Hao Xiangtong had been thinking about what Chu Qiguang said yesterday. After breakfast that day, she finally couldn't help but walked to her father.

Hao Xiangtong chatted casually with his father for a few words, and then said casually: "Dad, is the imperial court going to have peace talks with the Northwest Wolf Demon? Are they going to trade with each other?"

Mr. Hao frowned after hearing this, looked at his daughter and said, "Where did you hear the news? It's nothing. Little girl, please don't discuss state affairs arbitrarily..."

Being criticized by his father so early in the morning, Hao Xiangtong went back to the room in shame and annoyance. He even scolded Chu Qiguang in his heart: "I'm so confused! I'm so confused. Why did I just listen to this?" Stop that poor boy’s nonsense.”

"No, I must ask him to speak more chapters next time!"

On the other side, Hao Wen, the second master of the Hao family, criticized his daughter but didn't take it to heart. After taking a short rest, he took his people to the Wu family to discuss the land together.

…

Not long after, in the living room of the Wu family in Qingyang County.

Several principals of the Wu family and the Hao family were gathering together to discuss the matter of the county government's announcement. Among them, Hao Yongtai also followed and, as the eldest son, participated in this family event.

Mr. Wu Ge of the Wu family was sitting in Shenjing with his eldest son, and the head of the family in Qingyang County was Mr. Wu Ge's second son Wu Wei. Wu Wei said with a solemn face: "He Wenyan is coming with bad intentions."

Hao Wen asked: "Then Mr. Wu Ge...can't they think of a way?"

Wu Wei said: "Measuring the land and equalizing taxes are national policies set by the cabinet. I'm afraid it's not easy for my father to directly reach out. We have to find a way ourselves."

"I just didn't expect that it would start from our Qingyang County..." Wu Wei sighed: "I'm afraid someone in the court is targeting my father this time."

Hao Yongtai said in surprise: "Someone wants to deal with Mr. Wu Ge?"

Wu Wei said: "It is still a small matter that our Wu family has lost a few pieces of land, but once word spreads to Shenjing, if someone with ulterior motives adds fuel to the flames, it will turn into a problem."

The Hao family and the Wu family are often married, and they have always advanced and retreated together. After hearing this, Hao Wen nodded in agreement, thinking about his family's land, and then said: "No matter what, we must save Mr. Wu Ge's face. But why didn’t the Ding family come?”

Wu Wei sneered and said: "The Ding family doesn't have much land to begin with. They have focused their efforts on the coal mines and ironware business in Meishan over the years. They will not lose their vitality even if they retreat from the land."

After thinking about it, Wu Wei said worriedly: "No, we still have to get people together and talk one by one. We must have a unified voice and make progress and retreat together."

Hao Wen, the second master of Hao, was still surprised that someone wanted to deal with Mr. Wu Ge. This was the biggest backer of their Hao family, so he couldn't help but make insinuations and wanted to know who was dealing with Mr. Wu Ge.

Wu Wei glanced at Hao Wen for a few times, and finally said: "There is something I won't hide from you. In recent years, the northwest wolf demon has become more and more restless, and has been going south to plunder. Although it has won each other with the northern army, No, but it costs too much military pay.

The southeastern coast was plundered by dragons again, and sea trade was not smooth.

The major military towns in the north are owed more and more military pay every year. The Ministry of Household Affairs has only demolished the east wall to pay for the west wall in the past few years. Not to mention our Lingzhou, even the officials at all levels in Shenjing are already owed several salaries. months.

My father has already communicated with several pavilion elders and wants to negotiate peace with the wolf demon and open up mutual trade. The first is to ensure peace in the north for more than ten years, and the second is to reduce military salaries in northern military towns and reduce the burden on the court. The third is to develop financial resources so that the court can have more money. Only in this way can we free up our hands to conquer the East China Sea Dragon Clan.

But if this happens... I'm afraid some people won't be able to sit still.

Otherwise, how could He Wenyan, a seventh-level magistrate of a sesame-sized county, dare to do this without hesitation? These people are crazy and want to block peace talks and mutual trade. "

Hao Wen listened to the news of the peace talks with a look of surprise, and his mind was filled with what Hao Xiangtong said in the morning: '...Xiangtong...How does Xiangtong know this? ’