Qing Yao

Chapter 172 Even a County Magistrate Needs to Improve
rebel?

Teacher Zhao wants to rebel, but he doesn't have the power to do so right now.

Therefore, this is a frame-up.

There was no actual contact between the two parties. One shouted, "What are you looking at?" and the other replied, "What's it to you?" Then the one who shouted, "What are you looking at?" said, "It's nothing," and ran away.

What's so special about it?

Those useless soldiers in the canal transport office are clearly trying to accuse the canal gang of rebellion!

If you, the Canal Gang, are afraid, then obediently surrender and pay up the money. If you're not afraid, then you can wear this hat if you dare.

This is a bit of a headache.

Rebellion is no joke.

It's a bit like a calculated scheme; how do we break this deadlock?

Zhao An immediately sought help from Lao Ding.

Hearing what his grandson-in-law said, Old Ding became really anxious: "You little bastard, can't you ask for my opinion before you do things? Now look what's happened, the canal transport office has labeled your canal gang as rebels, let's see how you clean up this mess!"

Whatever Zhao An can say, it's simply that things have escalated to this point, so as the grandfather, you shouldn't scold your grandson-in-law for being ignorant or anything like that. Instead, quickly offer some advice.

Otherwise, if his grandson-in-law is killed by the canal transport authorities, how can you, as the grandfather, expect to have a good life?

"What sins did I commit in my past life to end up with a living ghost like you!"

Despite his anger, Old Ding's years as a county magistrate allowed him to quickly set a course for his grandson-in-law and establish a general direction.

"First of all, Yangzhou cannot be allowed to descend into chaos. If the city falls into chaos, your canal gang will rebel even if you don't intend to!"

Old Ding meant that if the uninformed people believed the rumor that the canal gang was rebelling, Yangzhou and the surrounding areas would definitely be thrown into chaos.

Some people who are dissatisfied with the government might actually rebel, and local thugs would certainly take the opportunity to loot and vandalize.

The wealthy would inevitably flee with their families like startled birds, and in that case, regardless of whether the canal gangs rebelled or not, governments at all levels would send troops to quell the situation first.

So, will your canal gang rebel or not?

On the contrary, they await suppression.

If they don't rebel, they'll still face suppression.

Even if they don't completely eradicate your Yangzhou branch, none of the big and small leaders will escape, including you, the young lord dressed in the robes of a seventh-rank official.

If it really comes to that, there are plenty of people who will betray you, Committee Member Zhao.

Therefore, what Zhao An needs to do now is to organize personnel to immediately "lock down" the streets of Yangzhou. If anyone is found to be inciting a crowd to cause trouble, the "spark" must be extinguished immediately. The rumors of rebellion must not be allowed to disrupt the order of Yangzhou.

As long as there is no chaos in the city, the government offices at all levels will not react excessively.

Having served as a county magistrate for several years, Old Ding knew his colleagues' character all too well. They wouldn't let the fire affect their own backsides, and they'd watch the drama unfold until the very end.

"I will send all the able-bodied men in the county to help your canal gang stabilize the market. In addition, I will personally go to the prefect's office to report the conflict between your canal gang and the canal transport office, and try my best to say some good things about your canal gang. As long as the prefect does not favor the canal transport office, this matter can be discussed."

After saying this, Old Ding instructed his grandson-in-law to send people to the prefectural government office, the provincial government office, the salt administration office, and the salt commissioner's office to file a complaint against the canal transport office for repeatedly oppressing the canal workers, withholding their wages and grain, and extorting 100,000 taels of silver.

In short, he compiled all the grievances suffered by the canal gang over the years into materials and sent them by express to all departments in Yangzhou, including the Yangzhou Prefectural School where Zhao An served as a professor.

"It's not that we want these government departments to actually interfere in your canal guild's affairs, but rather to let them know that your canal guild did not rebel, but was forced into a corner by the canal transport authorities, which is why you took some extreme measures, understand?"

"understand!"

Zhao An nodded repeatedly. As expected of a county magistrate, Old Ding's professional qualities were quite good. After thinking for a moment, Old Ding instructed his grandson-in-law to send more helpers to the Gaoyou section, making it appear as if they were actively salvaging the sunken ship and clearing the waterway, while simultaneously preparing to resist reinforcements from the canal transport authorities.

If the canal guilds can't hold on on their own, then the canal transport authorities will have no more scruples.

Only when forceful methods fail will the canal transport authorities consider softer approaches.

"By the way, I heard that the Governor will be coming to Yangzhou the day after tomorrow. When that happens, you can arrange for the women and children of your gang to block the road and file a complaint. With everyone watching, the Governor will not be able to refuse to accept your complaint. Once the Governor accepts the complaint and sees that your gang has indeed not rebelled, he will definitely report it to the court."

Old Ding was certain that once the Jiangsu governor reported this, he would definitely have a verbal dispute with the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner. The interruption of the canal would indeed affect the New Year's goods and income of the high-ranking officials in the capital. With the pressure from these factors, the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner would surely be reprimanded by the emperor.

"Wow, Grandpa, you're so tall and strong!"

Besides being tall and strong, Zhao An really couldn't think of any other way to praise Lao Ding.

"From now on, tell me before you act. Don't just do things on your own. You've only been an official for a few years. You don't know anything about the ways of officialdom."

Old Ding looked annoyed.

"Yes, yes, Grandpa is right."

Zhao An must have looked like he had learned a lesson and was reflecting on his actions.

Just as he was about to do as Lao Ding instructed, Lao Ding suddenly said, "You shouldn't get involved in this matter. Go back to the academy and be a proper professor."

Zhao An was in a dilemma: "I am the young master of the Canal Gang, and I initiated this matter. If I don't step in, what will the gang think of me?"

"Don't you still have me, your grandfather?"

Old Ding looked very serious. "In a couple of days, the county magistrate will personally negotiate with the canal transport authorities to try and secure some favorable terms for your canal transport guild."

Ok?
Zhao Anxin became suspicious; Lao Ding didn't seem like the type to cause trouble for no reason.

Old Ding felt a little embarrassed by his grandson-in-law's gaze, so he coughed lightly and said, "You people from the canal gang are also citizens of this county. Since this matter occurred within the jurisdiction of this county, how can this county sit idly by and let its citizens be bullied?"

"."

Zhao An stared intently at Old Ding, looking him over and over again. "Your Excellency, what exactly are you planning?"

"If you're so smart, why are you doing something so stupid!"

Old Ding stopped pretending. "If such a big matter could be resolved by your grandfather, what would the higher-ups think of me? What would the Emperor think of me?"

"Your Excellency, are you trying to use this opportunity to get promoted?"

Zhao Anxin was filled with admiration. Old Ding had actually managed to seize an opportunity for promotion from this incident. He truly deserved the title of the "Sleeping Dragon" that Zhao Anxin had been eyeing.

Old Ding was a little embarrassed by these words. He walked up to his grandson-in-law and gave a wry smile: "I'm almost fifty years old. Do you want me to stay a county magistrate forever? It's a rare opportunity for your grandfather to show off. You wouldn't refuse, would you?"

After speaking, he explained why it was necessary to do so.

Because Ding Chengen was a county magistrate, an official appointed by the imperial court.

With court officials involved, the nature of the matter would inevitably be downplayed.

To put it bluntly, Lao Ding wanted to take this opportunity to cultivate a persona of loving the people like his own children, speaking up for them, and not being afraid of powerful figures.

"If His Majesty is in a good mood and promotes me a few ranks, then we won't have to spend money to buy official positions, right? Wouldn't it be better to save that money for you and Instructor Song to buy official positions? At the very least, we can use it to pay the interest."

Old Ding's considerations were very thorough and comprehensive.

(End of this chapter)