In fact, Shandong was already bustling before Wang Xijue went there.
The imperial court was paying attention to Shandong, and Shandong was also paying attention to the imperial court. After all, this was a big matter. The gentry of Shandong were fighting against the imperial court, and they were also frightened. No one knew what the imperial court would do.
Especially the Kong family. This time, the Kong family didn't give the emperor any face. They were also waiting for the emperor's reaction.
The news quickly spread to Shandong and also to the Kong family. The emperor was personally worshiping Sage Confucius in the capital for seven days. It was a very large scale event.
The news that the emperor was going to worship Sage Confucius in person shocked many people.
For the Kong family and the gentry of Shandong, this was good news.
Everyone relied on Confucius to survive, especially the Kong family. This was definitely a good opportunity for them to gain a lot of prestige.
However, another piece of news was not good. The host of this worship was Kong Shangqian.
Everyone knew about the Kong family. Although the Kong family of the Southern School had always been disliked and had a low sense of existence, they were the true descendants of Confucius!
It was obvious that the emperor wanted to promote the Southern School of the Kong family when Kong Shangqian was mentioned.
When this news came out, the Kong family was the first to be confused.
The Kong family was domineering because of the name of Sage Confucius and the title of Duke Yan.
The reason why all the scholars in the world held the Kong family in high esteem was because of the Kong family's name.
The Northern School of the Kong family was the Kong family, and the Southern School of the Kong family was also the Kong family. They were all descendants of Confucius. As long as the banner didn't fall, it didn't matter if it was the Southern School or the Northern School.
The scholars in the world might have some complaints, but they would never make a fuss because of this.
This was also the reason why Zhu Yijun chose to promote the Southern School of the Kong family. In fact, he wanted to abolish the Kong family.
However, the scholars in the world all held the banner of Confucian disciples and gathered together because of this banner. They couldn't allow the imperial court to abolish this banner.
Once the Kong family was abolished, what would happen to the moral principles of a ruler, a minister, a father, and a son? What would happen to benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust?
As the emperor, Zhu Yijun also needed the scholars in the world to be loyal to him. There were still many benefits of Confucianism.
Once Confucianism was abolished, there would be no more ideas, unless you had new ideas. For example, later generations abolished Confucius and pulled down the statue of Confucius. That was because we had Marxism-Leninism.
Zhu Yijun didn't have such thoughts now. If things got out of hand, people's hearts would go bad.
Judging from the current situation, Zhu Yijun needed Confucian ideology to maintain his rule.
By making a move against the Northern Kong Sect, it was clear that Zhu Yijun was only targeting the Northern Kong Sect, not all the disciples of the Confucian Sect. This was a completely different level of power.
Therefore, when this news came out, not only did it not intensify the conflict, but it also calmed many people down.
Most of these people were aristocrats from Shandong. If the Emperor wanted to punish Duke Yan's residence, what were they?
Especially when Feng Kuan's impeachment memorial reached Shandong, the whole of Shandong was shaken. If the previous news was said to be to scare the Kong family, then the latter news was completely serious. The aristocrats did not dare to make a move, and the Kong family was also scared silly.
Jinan Prefecture, Imperial Envoy Residence.
Wang Yongji sat in a chair and drank tea. He looked relaxed. This was the first time he had been so relaxed since he came to Shandong.
Glancing at Xing Shangzhi and Pi Gan, Wang Yongji put down the teacup in his hand.
"Have those aristocrats been well-behaved these days?" Wang Yongji looked at Pi Gan and asked lightly.
"Sir, they have all been well-behaved!"
Pi Gan also smiled and said, "Their attitudes have softened a lot. Although they haven't paid taxes yet, their mouths have loosened.
I believe that in a few days, they will be more well-behaved. "
Wang Yongji snorted coldly, and the expression on his face also became serious. "In a few days?"
"No, not in a few days!"
Wang Yongji said coldly, "Let's start with Jinan Prefecture. Tell the people below to pass on my words. From tomorrow onwards, Jinan Prefecture will start collecting taxes.
"Anyone who refuses to pay taxes will be treated as resisting the court.
"Investigate those who are hiding in the fields and choose a few who are harming the villages. Those who are rich and heartless will be heavily punished by me.
Those who don't pay the fines within the time limit will have their lands confiscated. Those who resist will be arrested. "
At this point, Wang Yongji turned to look at Xing Shangzhi and said, "Please cooperate with the Imperial Bodyguard!"
Xing Shangzhi rubbed his bald head and smiled coldly. "Don't worry, Sir Wang. The Imperial Bodyguard will definitely cooperate. I've been bored to death these past few days. Now that I have something to do, I can stretch my muscles a little."
Wang Yongji nodded and smiled at Pi Gan. "Pass on my orders. Anyone who voluntarily confesses to hiding in the fields will pay a thirty percent fine.
Tell the people below to be more attentive. If they don't pay attention, I won't let them off lightly. "
"Don't worry, Sir, I understand!" Pi Gan hurriedly bowed.
That afternoon, the imperial envoy's office announced that Jinan Prefecture would begin collecting taxes.
The eastern part of Jinan Prefecture had always been a wealthy district. Many of Jinan's aristocrats lived there.
Among them, the Chai family, who lived in Willow Alley, was very famous in the area. It had to be known that there were several members of the Chai family who were officials outside.
The worst was the county magistrate, and the most powerful was the administrative commissioner. No one in Shandong dared to provoke them.
But that afternoon, a scene that no one expected appeared. The tax servants and the Imperial Bodyguard came to the Qian family. There were no less than ten of them.
Every one of them carried a knife, and some were even carrying a crossbow.
For a moment, the entire eastern part of the city was in chaos. Countless wealthy families were frightened.
The head of the Chai family was called Chai Xiu.
It was said that the Chai family's ancestors could be traced back to the Song Dynasty. It could be said that they had a long history.
In the Chai family's courtyard, a man was running wildly, not even caring that he had lost one of his shoes.
Chai Xiu?
Seeing the housekeeper run in, his face darkened.
As a fifty-something year old resident, Chai Xiu took the rules very seriously.
When he saw the housekeeper run in, his slender eyes instantly narrowed into slits. It looked like there was only a slit left.
His lips also sank, and he scolded, "What a scandal!"
Chai Fu had no time to care about his master's anger. He hurriedly said, "Master, something happened. The Imperial Bodyguard and the people from the Tax Department have surrounded our mansion!"
As he spoke, Chai Fu swallowed his saliva, gasped, and then said, "There are a lot of people, all with knives, and some with crossbows."
Hearing Chai Fu's words, Chai Xiu couldn't sit still anymore.
He couldn't sit still any longer and threw the rules to the back of his mind.
He suddenly stood up from the chair and said loudly, "What did you say?
The Imperial Bodyguard and the Tax Department have surrounded our house? "
Although he was frightened, Chai Xiu calmed down a little.
His family wasn't an ordinary family. Not anyone could bully them. His son, Chai Bian, was now the Minister of State.
He glared at Chai Fu.
Chai Xiu said angrily, "What are you panicking about? Let them in. I want to see what they want to do."
In fact, there was no need for the Chai family to invite them. The people from the Tax Department and the Imperial Bodyguard had already walked in.
The leader was a big bald man, wearing a flying suit without a hat.
Then he sneered and touched his big bald head, saying, "You are the head of the Chai family, Chai Bian?"
"That's me!"
Chai Xiu didn't stand up and asked directly, "Who are you?"
Seeing this, the Imperial Bodyguard behind Xing Shangzhi took a step forward, "Our master is the commander of the Imperial Bodyguard, Lord Xing. You old man, how dare you not kneel in front of our master. You must be tired of living."
When the Commander of the Brocade Uniform Guards heard this name, he was stunned.
Hearing this name, Chai Xiu's pupils shrank.
This name was too famous in the Great Ming Dynasty. There was no one who didn't know of it. It was enough to stop children from crying.
Although he was frightened, Chai Xiu still had a straight face.
But this time, he didn't sit down. He stood up and cupped his hands towards Xing Shangzhi, "So it's Lord Xing. Chai Xiu?
Greetings, Lord Xing! "
It was impossible for him to kneel.
Chai Xiu was also a scholar. How could he kneel to Xing Shangzhi?
Seeing that the officer behind him wanted to say something, Xing Shangzhi waved his hand and scolded, "You have no manners. This is not a place for you to speak. Step down!"
Then he turned to Chai Xiu and said, "My men don't know the rules."
Chai Xiu?
What else could he say? He changed the topic, "Lord Xing, what business do you have with my Chai family today?"
Xing Shangzhi took a step to the side and gave way to Pi Gan behind him. He said with a smile: "I am under His Majesty's imperial edict to assist the Tax Bureau. Today, it is the Tax Bureau that is looking for Master Chai. I am only bringing the Jinyi Guards to protect him."
Chai Xiu's expression changed.
What do you think the Chai family is? A bandit's nest?
You want to ensure his safety?
But Chai Xiu?
He could only curse in his heart. He couldn't say it in front of Xing Shangzhi.
Pi Gan took a step forward and looked at Chai Xiu.
"Lord Chai, the Tax Department is here to collect taxes. During the investigation, we found that your Chai family has hidden four pieces of land. There are two pieces in the west of the city. One is 1500 mu of high class land and the other is 700 mu of high class land."
"The two pieces in the north of the city, one is 800 mu and the other is 400 mu. Both are medium class land."
"According to the Tax Department's regulations, a fine of half of the land price will be imposed. According to Jinan prefecture's land price, high class land is 80 taels per mu. The fine is 40 taels per mu.
The Chai family has hidden a total of 2300 mu of land. The fine is 92,000 taels. "
"Medium class land is 40 taels per mu. The fine is 20 taels per mu. The Chai family has hidden a total of 1200 mu of land. The fine is 24,000 taels. This time, the Chai family has to pay a fine of 116,000 taels."
After saying this, Pi Gan closed the booklet and smiled as he took out a piece of paper.
He said, "This is the notice of the fine. Lord Chai, please sign it."
Chai Xiu?
Hearing Pi Gan's words, Chai Xiu's body swayed. His face turned pale and his whole body started to tremble. The fine is 116,000 taels.
Thinking of this number, Chai Xiu's face twitched.