The Ming Dynasty: Starting with the border troops, it was overthrown and the Qing Dynasty was destro

Chapter 253 Wealth is insignificant in the face of power

After settling his elderly mother, younger brother, and younger sister in, Wu Xi immediately began preparing to deal with the Liang family.

For this reason, he specifically sought out Chu Shouzheng, the prefectural magistrate in charge of criminal matters and finances.

Wu Xi didn't beat around the bush and asked directly:

"Prefect Chu, what's the situation in Liangjia Village right now?"

Chu Shouzheng, a middle-aged man with a square face, respectfully replied upon hearing this:

"Reporting to the Assistant Magistrate, as Zhao Zanhua instructed, the land distribution in Liangjia Village has been suspended."

"only."

"Just what?"

Chu Shouzhen sighed:
"The villagers of Liangjia Village did not react much to this, nor did they cause any disturbance."

"I sent people to investigate and found that the Liang family distributed a lot of rice, flour, money and grain to the villagers in order to appease them."

“The Liang family has been entrenched for many years and has deep roots. This expense is just a drop in the ocean for them.”

"It was only by providing funds and supplies that the situation was temporarily stabilized."

Wu Xi nodded after listening, his eyes sharp:

"It seems we need to find a way to empty the Liang family's pockets first. Once they're out of money, they won't be able to bribe the villagers."

"Alright, Magistrate Chu, tomorrow you will gather two shifts of yamen runners and seven or eight clerks to accompany me to Liangjia Village."

Although Chu Shouzhen did not understand why, he still replied respectfully:
"As ordered!"

He also wanted to see what this newly arrived top scholar was capable of.

……

The next day, Wu Xi, dressed in a scarlet official robe, led Chu Shouzhen and more than a hundred strong yamen runners into Liangjia Village with great momentum, heading straight for the Liang family mansion.

Upon hearing the news, Liang Tingsi was filled with doubt and unease, but he forced himself to remain calm and went out the gate to greet the messenger.

"Prefect Wu, your presence is an honor! I am so sorry for not welcoming you sooner!"

"I wonder what Magistrate Wu has to offer?"

Liang Tingsi looked like a submissive subject, but before he could finish speaking, Wu Xi interrupted him.

"Master Liang,"

Wu Xi's voice was icy, showing no intention of pleasantries.
"I have received a complaint that your Liang family is keeping servants in private!"

According to the law, commoners are not allowed to keep slaves.

Where are those so-called 'adopted sons' in your household?

"Bring me the family genealogy; I need to check and call out names one by one!"

Liang Tingsi's expression changed, and he cursed inwardly, realizing that this was clearly an attempt to make trouble under the pretext.

"Wu Tongzhi, haven't you gone a bit too far?"

“Using the name of ‘adopted son’ to collect servants and circumvent the law was an unspoken rule among officials and gentry in the Ming Dynasty.”

"If you want to deal with my Liang family, why use this as an excuse?"

"Besides, those are all orphans that I took in out of kindness. I recorded them in the family genealogy and treated them as my own children. They are by no means servants."

Upon hearing this, Wu Xi snorted coldly:
"Master Liang, have you forgotten that Baoning Prefecture is no longer under the jurisdiction of the Ming Dynasty?"

"The commander-in-chief has ordered that, in order to fully guarantee spring planting, all hidden people must be released."

"Whether he is a servant or not, we'll find out after checking!"

Wu Xida waved his hand, leaving no room for argument.
“Master Liang, I advise you to cooperate. First, bring your servants to the front yard, and then bring the family genealogy.”

Surrounded by a group of yamen runners, Liang Tingsi dared not speak out in anger.

If he dares to resist, it won't be the yamen runners who come.

Left with no other choice, he had to order someone to fetch the family genealogy.

Wu Xi and Chu Shouzheng checked the family genealogy, calling out names one by one and carefully questioning them about their daily duties, whether they received wages, and whether they were free to marry and leave the mansion.

Anyone found to be inconsistent in their words and deeds, or who is clearly engaged in servant work and has no freedom, is recorded on the spot.

After a whole day of work, Wu Xi and his group managed to find eighty-six so-called adopted sons from the Liang family.

Wu Xi glanced at the record and snorted coldly:
"Master Liang, what else do you have to say?"

"According to the law, anyone who owns a slave shall be punished with one hundred strokes of the cane."

“Your Liang family has a total of 86 slaves, totaling 8,600 sworn brothers.”

“I’m kind-hearted, so I’ll round it down to eight thousand five hundred zong. Who in your Liang family will pay for it?”

Upon hearing this number, the Liang family members present felt their legs go weak.

Eight thousand five hundred battles—even a body made of steel would be shattered to pieces.

Seeing the group of constables around him, brandishing their fire and water sticks and glaring menacingly, Liang Tingsi steeled himself and stepped forward:

"Prefect Wu is joking. No one can afford to endure 8,500 lashes. How about changing it to a fine?"

This is exactly what Wu Xi was waiting for.
"No problem, three taels of silver per battle, I'll charge you twenty-five thousand five hundred taels."

"Cash or cash?"

Liang Tingsi was so angry that he puffed out his beard and glared at his opponent:

"Is your water and fire stick made of gold or silver?"

"If it's a fight of three or five, why don't you just rob it?"

Wu Xi shrugged, looking completely indifferent.
“Alright, if you think it’s too expensive, Mr. Liang, then we can find someone to take it.”

"I've brought over a hundred strong constables with me this time, and they're all experts at administering corporal punishment. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Hearing the young man's threat, Liang Tingsi almost ground his teeth to powder:

"Hey Wu, don't think you can do whatever you want just because you've got a powerful backer."

"Let me tell you, the Ming Dynasty is not dead yet."

"Aren't you afraid that one day the royal army will arrive and you will all be reduced to ashes?"

Wu Xi waved his hand, clearly impatient:
"Mr. Liang, you should take better care of yourself."

"Twenty-five thousand five hundred taels of silver. You have ten days to pay the fine to the state government."

"For every ten days of overdue payment, an additional 10% penalty will be imposed!"

"If the payment isn't made in a month, the soldiers guarding Jianzhou will be coming." Liang Tingsi stared intently at Wu Xi, gritting his teeth as he squeezed out the words:
"Good! Good! Good!"

"Twenty thousand taels of silver is something my Liang family can afford; consider it a tribute."

"Take care, Magistrate Wu! I won't see you off!"

After saying that, he turned around, flicked his long sleeves, and angrily left the front yard.

Wu Xi watched Liang Tingsi's departing figure and couldn't help but sneer.

Old man, you've lived so many years in vain.

Without the protection of power, even if your Liang family has mountains of gold and silver, I will empty them all.

just wait.

He waved his hand and gave orders to the group of constables behind him:

"Take all these Liang family servants back with me. I want to interrogate them tonight!"

Inside the punishment room of the prefectural government office, the lights were on.

Dozens of Liang family adopted sons were imprisoned here.

Wu Xi sat behind the table, looking at the people below the hall with eyes as sharp as lightning:

"Tell me everything."

“You have been slaves to the Liang family for many years, so you must know the Liang family’s affairs very well.”

"Confess everything you have to say, and I might spare you this time."

Upon hearing this, the Liang family's adopted sons below the hall all stiffened their necks and refused to speak.

Wu Xi wasn't in a hurry; he beckoned to the yamen runners:
"Go, bring over the leg clamps and loosen up these heroes' muscles."

The constable nodded, and soon, several pairs of clamps were put on everyone's hands.

Seeing this, Chu Shouzheng, who was standing nearby, spoke up to remind him:
"I'll give you one last chance. But let me tell you, the torture isn't the end of it."

"Right now, the quarries and logging sites deep in the Bashan Mountains are short of manpower. If you still dare to be stubborn, just wait to work yourselves to death in there."

Wu Xi nodded in agreement and chimed in:
"Hmm, the quarry is not bad."

"The commander-in-chief instructed us to ensure the success of spring planting and to carry out water conservancy projects within the mansion, as there is a shortage of stone materials."

"I see that you guys are all in pretty good shape. The commander is kind and doesn't make you work for free; you get paid every day."

Upon hearing this, the people below the hall turned deathly pale with fright.

They can grit their teeth and endure some torture, but is Bashan a place for humans?

Not only are poisonous insects everywhere, but tigers also roam freely inside.

You have to be alive to get your wages!
One of the adopted sons could no longer bear it and scrambled to the table, kowtowing repeatedly.

"My lord, spare my life! I will tell you everything I know!"

"That old bastard Liang Ting Temple, he...he colluded with the monk Kongyin of Nanchan Temple, taking advantage of the severe drought and famine of the past two years to secretly lend out a lot of money at exorbitant interest rates."

"Many people borrowed money at exorbitant interest rates and couldn't repay it, so they had to use their land as collateral."

Upon hearing this, Wu Xi's gaze sharpened:
"Nanzenji Temple?"

"How come I've never heard of it before?"

The adopted son hurriedly replied:

"Your Excellency! That old fox is very cunning; he never shows himself."

"He had that bald thief Kongyin lend money at exorbitant interest rates under the guise of a temple."

"As far as I know, there are two account books. The Liang family keeps one, and the other is in the hands of the monk Kongyin."

"I...I'm willing to lead the way!"

A cold smile curled at the corner of Wu Xi's lips:
"Very well, you are pardoned!"

"You lead the way and help me find the account books."

The adopted son, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, thanked him profusely and stepped aside.

Wu Xi turned his head and looked at the other adopted sons below the hall:

"Is there anyone else who needs to confess?"

"I will only stay here for one night. Tomorrow at dawn, anyone who cannot provide any useful information should immediately report to the quarry."

Upon hearing this, everyone hurriedly surrounded them and, like spilling beans, revealed all the dirty deeds the Liang family had committed over the years.

Wu Xi and Chu Shouzhen, along with their clerks, worked all night long, and the recorded confessions and clues piled up on their desks.

Chu Shouzheng flipped through the records, a hint of regret in his eyes:
“Occupying government land, monopolizing lawsuits, concealing people, and evading taxes are all serious crimes.”

"It's a pity that no one has a bloody record against them."

Wu Xi understood what he meant. If there was a conclusive murder case, he could immediately request the mobilization of a large army and rightfully uproot the Liang family!
Wu Xi stroked the file and shook his head:

"It doesn't matter."

"These charges are enough to bankrupt the Liang family."

"Isn't he rich?"

"I want to see what Liang Tingsi will use to feed the villagers of Liangjia Village after these fines are paid."

Having obtained conclusive evidence, Wu Xi, along with Chu Shouzheng, stepped into the Liang family mansion once again.

The atmosphere in the lobby was somber.

Wu Xi sat in the main seat, with a pile of dossiers and account books confiscated from Nanchansi Temple in front of him.

Although Liang Tingsi tried to remain calm, his face was already ashen, and the Liang family members behind him were even more terrified.

Without wasting any words, Wu Xi directly threw the confessions of the monk Kongyin and his many adopted sons of the Liang family in front of Liang Tingsi.

He also emphasized the crime of illegal lending, and with the addition of other offenses, the amount of the fine would be staggering.

Faced with irrefutable evidence and a group of menacing constables, Liang Tingsi dared not deny it any longer.

Wu Xi then issued an exorbitant fine, totaling 280,000 taels of silver for all the crimes found.

This amount would almost empty the Liang family's coffers, and they would have to sell a large number of farmlands and shops to raise the money.

Although Liang Tingsi was furious, he could only grit his teeth and accept the exorbitant fine in the end.

(End of this chapter)