Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 158 The Lord of Hedong Has Arrived

"The Chu Prince's mansion was found to contain 31,400 taels of gold and 6,127,000 taels of silver."

“There are 793,500 mu of farmland and 485 residences in various places.”

"Jewelry and rare treasures, timber and medicinal herbs, spices and coins, antiques and calligraphy and paintings. Rare books have not yet been fully counted."

"39,000 salt permits, more than 30,000 shi of salt, more than 1.2 million shi of grain, and 490,000 jin of firewood."

"The sugar, wax, cloth, leather, silk and satin were countless."

"The ownership of caravans, shops, fleets, mules, cattle, sheep, mountains, lakes, and mines is still being investigated and tallied."

Many people ask why the famine victims didn't go hunting in the mountains and forests or fishing in the lakes during the famine years?

The reason is that these places all have owners.

If you go in without permission, you will be beaten to death by the master's henchmen and servants!

"The number of peasants, servants, maids, and laborers is too large to count."

"Gold and silver seized from the Prince of Huai's residence in Raozhou~~~"

"Gold and silver confiscated from the Prince Jing's residence in Huangzhou~~~"

"Gold and silver seized from the Minwang Mansion in Baoqing~~~"

Looking at the thick stack of documents and books before him, Lin Dao smiled and asked, "Well, are the various princes of the Ming Dynasty parasites on the country?"

Huang Degong lowered his head and remained silent, unable to respond.

"Salt certificate." Lin Dao picked up the salt certificate and examined it. "Openly encouraging the princes to make money by selling salt."

“Taxes.” Then he picked up the files confiscated from the government office. “The taxes collected by the state are not used for the benefit of the people, but are given to the princes for food, drink and entertainment.”

"Several generations, more than ten generations, have multiplied to produce hundreds of thousands of members of the royal family."

"We need to have the best of everything, including food, clothing, and daily necessities, and rely entirely on the support of the people of the world."

"Do the people of the world owe the Zhu family anything?"

"You're making it sound like Confucius's family, why should you!"

Lin Dao patted the desk in front of him and said, "I will use these things for the benefit of the people."

"Watch closely, as long as the distribution is fair, everyone can live a good life."

In the days that followed, Huang Degong witnessed firsthand the joyous redistribution of land among the people of Huguang.

Although the land is nominally rented, the lease has no time limit, and as long as there are people in the family, the lease can be passed down from generation to generation.

Prohibit any form of buying and selling, thus eradicating land annexation at its source.

Every household received enough grain to last until the next autumn harvest, salt, an essential commodity, and cloth for making clothes.

What Huang Degong found most unbelievable was that Lin Dao actually distributed farm tools made of fine iron to every household!

It's all top-quality iron, perfect for forging weapons and armor, yet it's being used on farm tools.

As for fertilizers, we haven't seen any effects yet.

"Let the soldiers collect taxes." Huang Degong was puzzled when he saw the special tax collection department, whose soldiers were all armed and armored, just like warriors. "What are the yamen doing?"

Many people have misconceptions.

It was believed that the main function of the ancient government offices was for upright officials to adjudicate cases and resolve disputes.

In reality, local government offices throughout history were all pretty much the same; their real job was to collect taxes.

We buy everything: grain, money, hay, supplies, beef tendons, timber, lacquerware, leather, and more.

Various resources were collected and supplied to powerful eunuchs.

The next most important task after collecting taxes is education.

To put it bluntly, it was to take care of the scholars and gentry in this prefecture and county.

Going to court is just a side function.

"The government offices are mainly responsible for promoting local development and maintaining local stability."

In a good mood, Lin Dao explained to him, "From now on, the various government offices will be separated and each will be in charge of its own affairs."

"There are special units to maintain public order and crack down on major thieves and bandits."

“There are specialized departments that handle these cases.”

“There are special tax collectors.”

"They are not subordinate to each other and each is busy with their own affairs."

"As for the soldiers collecting taxes you mentioned," Lin Dao said, sitting on the boat and enjoying the scenery on both banks, "those are tax police officers who specialize in collecting taxes."

Tax resistance is an ancient phenomenon.

Especially in rural areas where clan power is strong.

Without sufficient military force, clan powers simply do not take tax collectors seriously.

Without much explanation, Lin Dao pointed to Zhongshan Mountain, which was faintly visible in the distance.

"Jinling City, I'm back."

After a long campaign, sweeping through the forest roads of Huguang, he returned to his loyal city of Jinling.

At this time, commerce in Jinling City had gradually recovered and prospered.

With the loss of those wealthy and powerful individuals who spent lavishly, the economy has been revitalized by a large number of military dependents.

Lin Dao confiscated so much money, and the majority of it was used for military expenses.

He offered his soldiers an exceptionally high salary, unmatched in the entire world.

Each month, a regular soldier's pay alone amounted to as much as ten taels of silver.

With such a large sum of money flowing into the soldiers' homes, it would naturally lead to increased spending.

The military dependents went into the city and shopped everywhere, and the businesses in various shops flourished day by day.

The only industry that has continued to decline is the Qinhuai River industry.

Lin Dao established local garrison battalions in various prefectures, and the local military dependents also led consumption, which boosted economic activity.

"Wild boar skin used to provide subsidies for corrupt officials, and the result was that they spent all their time signing indemnity treaties."

"I'll pay my sergeants high salaries. I want to see who can force me to sign a document of defeat!"

Simply put, Lin Dao transferred the treatment originally given to civil officials and scholars to the soldiers.

Civil officials and scholars cannot defend the country or protect the people.

Let's offer up the benefits and see if the highly paid soldiers can do it.

The people of Jinling City came to greet him, and there was a lively exchange of pleasantries.

Qian Qianyi was nowhere to be seen in the crowd.

The troops returned to their camps, and Lin Dao also returned to his residence. Chen Yuanyuan and the others came out to greet him warmly, each one dressed in their finest attire and smiling radiantly.

Dong Xiaowan personally cooked a table full of delicious dishes.

The girls teased, "With the master not at home, you play cards all night long and sleep until the sun is high in the sky."

"My sisters want to eat your delicious food, but no matter how much they beg you, they won't listen."

"As soon as the king returned, he started preparing the soup the night before."

With the girls helping out, Lin Dao understood their unspoken meaning perfectly.

He nodded in satisfaction. "You've worked hard. You'll be rewarded tonight."

Dong Xiaowan's pretty face was full of strange expressions. "Master, a new lady has come to the house. It would be better to take care of her first."

Upon hearing this, Lin Dao immediately frowned.

"What newcomer?"

"Lord Hedong has arrived." Bian Sai interjected from the side, "Mr. Muzhai personally delivered it; it's been almost a month since it arrived."

"This is utter nonsense!" Lin Dao said angrily. "Quickly send someone to summon Qian Muzhai and take him away."

"When Mr. Muzhai brought He Dongjun here, he said so," Kou Mei explained from the side. "His health is failing, and he has returned to his hometown to recuperate. Please do not search for him any further, sir. The only thing that will come to Jinling City again is a skeleton."

"He's such a braggart!"

Lin Dao scoffed, "Someone with an itchy scalp and cold water dares to threaten me."

"Master," Li Xiangjun offered a teacup, "there's been a rumor going around that you intend to gather all eight beauties of Qinhuai."

"It is said that Xin Chengbo and others have been threatening, bribing and intimidating Mr. Muzhai all day long."

"He was terrified and had no choice but to abandon He Dongjun."

"My reputation~~~" Lin Dao laughed angrily. "These good-for-nothings can't help with anything important, but they're very good at these crooked tricks."

"This is ruining my reputation!"

"Besides, Ma Xianglan is long dead, how could she possibly gather all eight beauties?"

Bian Sai reached out and pulled his younger sister Bian Min over, saying, "Those busybodies took the place of the girl."

"That's all."

Lin Dao waved his hand and said, "Go and tell Liu Rushi to go on her own."

"I'm really not that kind of person!"

Dong Xiaowan, who had a decent relationship with Liu Rushi, went to the backyard to deliver Lin Dao's decision.

Before long, Dong Xiaowan returned. "Master, Lord Hedong says he wishes to see you."

“What’s the point of meeting her?” Lin Dao refused. “If we actually met, it would damage her reputation.”

The girls looked at each other, finding the old man's words somewhat ridiculous.

Once someone is sent to the mansion, what reputation can they possibly have?
Dong Xiaowan went to the backyard again.

When she returned, she looked somewhat flustered. "Lord Hedong said that if the master doesn't see her, she will die in the house!"

Lin Dao's good mood was completely ruined by this eccentric couple.

He put down his bowl and chopsticks, stood up with a sullen face, and walked to the backyard.

When he strode in at the courtyard where Liu Rushi was being housed, several maids hurriedly bowed.

The door was open, and Lin Dao went straight inside.

Liu Rushi stood there gracefully, holding a gold hairpin in her hand.

The last time they met, Lin Dao still needed Qian Qianyi's help, so he took the initiative to visit him and give him gifts.

After many days, when they met again, everything had changed and their identities had drastically altered.

"This matter has nothing to do with me."

Lin Dao got straight to the point: "I have never implied or explicitly told Qian Muzhai to do such a thing."

"He was cowardly and believed the rumors."

"I know," Liu Rushi said through gritted teeth. "I was blind to have chosen such a coward!"

Lin Dao shrugged. "In that case, go wherever you want."

"Does the General mean for me to die?" Liu Rushi smiled sadly. "If that's the case, then I'll die."

Having said that, he raised the gold hairpin in his hand and stabbed it into his neck.

He darted forward and snatched the golden hairpin away, Lin Dao angrily demanding, "What are you doing?"

"Everyone in and around Jinling knows that I was sent to the Marshal's mansion by Qian Muzhai."

"Now that I have been driven out of the manor by the commander-in-chief, how can I possibly live with myself?"

"It would be better to be dead."

Lin Dao was speechless; this was being blamed on him.

He wanted to ignore everything, but Liu Rushi was too strong-willed and threatened to kill herself.

Lin Dao casually put away the gold hairpin and asked directly, "What do you want? Just say it."

“Since I was given to the General by Qian Muzhai, I am naturally the General’s person.”

With two lines of clear tears falling, Liu Rushi met Lin Dao's gaze without fear and said, "If the commander-in-chief sends me away, then I will die."

"Row."

Lin Dao didn't waste any time and said, "Then stay."

"But I can tell you in advance that I have a bad temper."

If you can't take it~~~

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Rushi in front of him had already blossomed into a radiant smile: "Master, I am yours from now on."

"Don't even mention my bad temper. Even if I were beaten, scolded, or even killed, I would accept it."

"I only ask that you do not send me away."

Despite the tears on her face, she smiled charmingly.

Lin Dao seemed to be deep in thought.

The woman in front of him is most likely just going with the flow.

Thinking of this, he didn't lose his temper. Instead, he smiled and said, "Okay, let's go eat first."

"When it's time to rest, I'll let you know just how bad my temper really is!"

(End of this chapter)