Right now, the problem was Chai.
What was he supposed to do?!
In truth, the choice was very simple. There were only two choices: pay the fine or not pay the fine.
Paying the fine was one hundred and ten thousand taels. Not only was it painful, but he couldn't take out so much money in a short time!
If he didn't pay, the land would be gone.
In the past, he could get back the land confiscated by the authorities with some effort. But now, with the way the tax office was acting, it was impossible to get it back.
Although the Chai Clan had so much land, it was bought without spending money. Some were bought in cash, while others were seized by force.
Some took advantage of people's difficulties in times of disaster, while others gave out high-interest loans that people couldn't pay back and could only use the land to pay off the debt.
All kinds of methods and generations of people had been used to accumulate this land.
If this land was lost in his hands, Chai?
He felt that he wouldn't have the face to see the Chai Clan's ancestors.
Thinking of this, Chai?
Immediately, he was overcome with anxiety and fell down stiffly.
Pi Gan furrowed his brows, while Xing Shangzhi smiled, reaching out to take the notice of punishment.
"I don't care if you really fainted or just fainted. Send the fine to the tax office in seven days.
Otherwise, the hidden land will be confiscated. Let's get this out of the way first. "
Xing Shangzhi didn't fall for this. He couldn't wait for something to happen so he could have a chance to make a contribution.
"Let's go to the next house!" Leaving behind these words, Xing Shangzhi didn't care about the Chai Clan's chaos and directly left with his people.
That day, Xing Shangzhi and Pi Gan went to 16 restaurants, and each one of them was a ticket.
Of course, not every house had as much as the Chai Clan, but they all had tens of thousands of taels. The entire Jinan prefecture immediately became lively.
Countless gentry were alarmed and contacted each other. Some directly ran to the magistrate's office.
Those with high status ran directly to the inspector's office.
Wang Zongmu was also a shrewd person. Was this something an inspector like him could participate in?
Ever since news of the Kong Clan spread, Wang Zongmu understood the confidence and boldness of this young Son of Heaven.
He had to push this matter forward no matter what. No one could stop him.
Therefore, Wang Zongmu simply went into hiding and announced that he was sick and bedridden.
While this place was in chaos, the Revenue Department didn't stop. They issued a new notice. Any Jinan aristocrat who hid their land could report to the Revenue Department within seven days and pay a thirty percent fine.
When this news came out, many people heaved a sigh of relief and rejoiced.
In this world, there was no need to worry about the amount but the unevenness. If they were to directly impose a 30% fine, everyone would still be unhappy. But now, with the Chai Family leading the 16 aristocratic families, many people felt fortunate and even gloated.
Originally, he had to pay ten thousand taels of silver, but now, he only had to pay three thousand taels of silver.
All of Jinan was in chaos, and so was Qufu, perhaps even more so.
The Kong Family was well aware of what they were relying on. When Kong Shangqian was hosting the Confucius Birthday Sacrifice, the Kong Family had already realized that something was wrong.
But in less than two days, the situation took a turn for the worse once again. Someone accused Kong Shangxian of tampering with the genealogy and pretending to be the Kong Family's eldest son.
The truth of this matter couldn't be said. After so many years, no one could say clearly.
The accusation was that they colluded with the Meng Yuan Empire. They flattered the Meng Yuan Empire and even sent the Kong Family's daughter to the Meng Yuan Empire.
Of course, some people could see that someone was pushing this, but so what? Who dared to say?
Even a fool knew who was pushing this. Smart people could also see that the Emperor was targeting Kong Shangxian's family, so it didn't matter.
Qufu, Kong Family's residence.
Kong Shangxian was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. He paced back and forth in the room with an anxious look on his face.
When he saw the housekeeper come in, he quickly greeted him and said, "How is it?
Did the eunuch agree? "
The housekeeper quickly said, "Master, no. Eunuch Xu said that he caught a cold and is not feeling well. He is already bedridden."
Kong Shangxian was so angry that his body was trembling. What occasional cold? What physical discomfort? Just a few days ago, he was still running around energetically, wandering around the Kong Residence all day long. Now, he actually dared to say such things. This clearly indicated that he didn't want to accept his invitation.
"Are you keeping an eye on the second branch?" Kong Shangxian asked with a cold face.
The second branch that Kong Shangxian mentioned was not his second brother or his second uncle, but Kong Sicheng's family.
This time, the impeachment was about the inheritance of Kong Sicheng's family. Now, Kong Shangxian must not let them speak.
Kong Shangxian was sure that Kong Sicheng's family would not make trouble. If he gave them a chance, they would.
No matter what the truth of the matter was, of course, his ancestor Kong Sihui pulled Kong Sicheng down from the title of Duke Yan.
Over the years, it had been his family who had held the title of Duke Yan, and it was also his family who had unlimited glory.
How could Kong Sicheng's family not be jealous?
How could they not want to pull him down?
Now that this memorial had given them a chance, it would be strange if they did not make a scene.
Not to mention others, if it were him, Kong Shangxian felt that he could not help it, so Kong Shangxian asked people to keep an eye on them.
The housekeeper quickly promised, "Master, don't worry. I will keep an eye on them!"
Kong Shangxian breathed a sigh of relief. He stood there thinking with an uncertain expression. After a long while, he sighed and said, "Forget it!
People have to bow their heads when they are under low eaves. Come with me to see that eunuch! "
In fact, Kong Shangxian had already written letters everywhere to mobilize his connections, but Kong Shangxian also knew that the final decision on this matter was with the emperor.
If the emperor did not relent, it would be useless for anyone to plead for leniency, and his high profile would be gone.
In Kong Shangxian's heart, he felt that as long as he supported the officials and the gentry, things would still be fine.
His family had been Duke Yan for so many years, since the first year of the Daming. The emperor would not abolish him unless it was absolutely necessary.
All the scholars in the world supported him. As long as he gave in, the emperor would not say anything.
It was just that this time, he would have to suffer a little. When Kong Shangxian thought of lowering his voice to a eunuch, he felt sick in his heart.
But now, he had no other choice but to put down his pride.
After thinking for a while, Kong Shangxian said to the housekeeper, "Ask someone to prepare a generous gift for the eunuch later."
The eunuch loved money. Kong Shangxian believed that he would definitely know what to do if he gave enough benefits.
At the same time, Kong Shangxian was secretly hating in his heart. It was just paying taxes. Why did he have to make such a big deal out of it?
Xu De had been living a good life these days, and nothing went wrong every day. As for Kong Shangxian, Xu De was ready to vent his anger this time.
For so many years, he had never been so angry.
After he entered the palace, he served Feng Bao and became Feng Bao's godfather. Although there were many dirty things among the eunuchs, no one dared to disrespect him.
Later, his godfather died, and he became the confidant of the Imperial Majesty.
All these years as a factory manager, Zhang Jing and Zhang Cheng had to be polite when they saw him, but Kong Shangxian dared to disrespect him.
He actually dared to not see him. This time, if he did not slap Kong Shangxian in the face, he would be letting down the eunuch's reputation of seeking revenge for the smallest grievance.
So what if he was a eunuch? A eunuch was also a human with dignity and face. Did he really think that anyone could disrespect a eunuch?
What was a eunuch? He was a servant of the emperor. Slapping a eunuch in the face was equivalent to slapping the emperor in the face.
If he dared to slap the emperor in the face, he should be prepared to lose his life.
"Eunuch, Duke Yan is outside asking to see you!" The little eunuch came in to report, emphasizing the word "ask".
At this time, Xu De was sitting on a chair with a ruddy face. He did not look sick at all.
He waved his hand and said with a faint smile, "Let him in!" At this time, Xu De did not even want to say the word "please".
Not long after, Kong Shangxian walked in from outside. He had adjusted his smile for a long time, but the moment he saw Xu De, his face froze.
Xu De just sat there, holding a teacup and drinking water. He had no intention of getting up.
When he saw Kong Shangxian, Xu De said indifferently, "Isn't this Duke Yan?
Why are you so free today?
Do you think that I'm taking over your Kong family's land? "
"It doesn't matter. I'm going to move out today. A eunuch like me living in Duke Yan's Residence is a disgrace to Duke Yan."
Xu De's words were not polite at all, with a peculiar tone unique to eunuchs. Coupled with his arrogant sitting posture and the expression on his face, it was really infuriating. It made people want to cut this guy with a knife.
Kong Shangxian cursed Xu De's eighteen generations of ancestors in his heart, and a smile that was not much better than crying appeared on his face.
Seeing that Xu De had no intention of letting him sit down, Kong Shangxian didn't mind. He found a chair and sat down. He said with a smile, "Father-in-law, what are you talking about? Is it because the servants didn't serve you well?
I will punish them severely later. "
Xu De glanced at Kong Shangxian and said with a smile, "What Duke Yan said is right. People should know their duty. You have to think clearly about what you should do and what you shouldn't do. The Imperial Majesty often said, 'People should know their duty.' What do you think, Duke Yan?"
These words were extremely harsh and could not be considered an insinuation. He was just provoking Kong Shangxian.
Kong Shangxian's face suddenly turned red. He really wanted to flick his sleeves and leave, then ask someone to throw this damned eunuch out.
But Kong Shangxian also knew that this could not be done!
He could only nod awkwardly and say, "Your Majesty is a wise ruler. Everything you say and do is natural."
Without waiting for Xu De to speak, Kong Shangxian directly gave the housekeeper behind him a look.
The housekeeper hurriedly came up with a tray. Before he could go forward, the little eunuch next to Xu De had already walked over and reached out to take the tray. Then, he turned around and placed it on the table next to Xu De.
Xu De reached out and lifted the red cloth covering it. He took a look inside and smiled.