In the end, he was betrayed by a traitor, died heroically, and the ending was considered perfect.

It is a pity that the surrendered Donglin Party members manipulated public opinion and wrote him as a great traitor in the "History of the Ming Dynasty".

The influence continues to this day, and the reputation of this treacherous minister cannot be washed away.

"Ma Qing, as the governor of Fengyang, I order you to supervise the land improvement process in the thirteen counties of Fengyang's five states.

There are also eight guards and one school for land reform and the grain that should be handed over. If any major problems are found, I will hold you accountable!"

"My lord, I obey the order..."

Ma Shiying trembled all over, his lips trembled a few times, and he had no choice but to accept the order!

The officials and gentry of the Ming Dynasty were not completely tax-free. Strictly speaking, both officials and gentry in the Ming Dynasty were required to pay taxes.

However, land tax exemptions for officials and gentry are limited to a certain number of acres.

Even with this kind of exemption, officials and gentry could include the occupied military and civilian fields into the exemption.

Even if there are thousands of acres of land, there may be only a few dozen acres of land in the tax-free registration book. This is a common practice in all dynasties.

Some powerful officials and gentry have too much land and not enough connections to register it as preferential land.

They will do everything possible to evade the collection of taxes and grain, pass all the taxes on to the tenants, and increase the rent of the tenants.

Because of this, it has been very difficult for all dynasties to clear land.

Investigating the sponsors may even be life-threatening. There are too many interests involved.

Zhu Cixiang continued to say coldly:

"Ma Shiying, we must inventory all the land in Fengyang Mansion as soon as possible!

There were eight guards and one station, and according to the distribution system set by the imperial court, officers were allocated as much land as they should be allocated.

All the extra land will be confiscated, and all the land belonging to the fleeing military households will also be confiscated!

As long as the land is deserted, it must be checked!

The investigation tasks were all assigned to the officials and generals of the 13 counties in the 5 prefectures and the 8th Guards Station.

I'll tell you the ugly story in advance, if by the time of autumn planting, the inventory hasn't been completed yet.

When the time comes, you will be removed from your posts, and the officials in charge of the prefectures, counties and health centers below will have their homes confiscated and beheaded!"

Zhu Cixi wanted to take back all the farmland annexed by the army and give it all to the military households and the people.

As well as the mergers and hidden fields between officials and gentry, we must investigate them to the end.

Ma Shiying broke out in cold sweat on his forehead and back, and his heart was trembling.

Although the workload of checking the fields is heavy, with his authority, it can be completed within the specified time.

What he was afraid of was that Emperor Shenwu's actions would cause the entire southern gentry and garrison officers to riot.

Destroying people's wealth, such as killing their parents, if the emperor does this, he will offend many people.

All the wealthy and powerful families in the five prefectures and thirteen counties of Fengyang Prefecture will be offended, as well as the eight generals in Fengyang...

Ma Shiying secretly complained that although the young emperor was extremely smart, he had too little social experience.

This operation was as fierce as a tiger's and gave Ma Shiying the feeling that the young emperor was seeking his own death...

He said cautiously:

"Your Majesty, do you know what happened to Hou Dingguo, the commander of Fengyang Guards in the seventh year of Chongzhen's reign?"

Zhu Cixi sneered. He was a time traveler with a system, so of course he knew about this.

In the seventh year of Chongzhen, Hou Dingguo, the commander of Fengyang Guard, relied on the power of the garrison eunuch Yang Ze to oppress the military households.

The soldiers from the military household killed Hou Dingguo in Xiguan Village, Linhuai, and then defected to the bandits. A month later, they turned around and helped the bandits capture Fengyang...

Ma Shiying wanted to use Hou Dingguo's incident to remind him not to push the people in the guard too far, as that might make them rebel.

Zhu Cixi smiled coldly:

"Rebellion? I don't want it. After the National Guard Army destroyed the Jiannu, I am worried that I have nowhere to use it!"

Ma Shiying couldn't help but secretly took a breath, Emperor Shenwu was determined to clean up Fengyang Eight Guards.

Thinking about the great things this little evil star had done in the capital, he knew that the sky in Fengyang was about to fall...

Ma Shiying did not dare to speak anymore, so he could only bow and accept the order and retreat.

Zhu Cixiang said coldly again:

"Land reform is imperative. Fengyang's five prefectures, thirteen counties and eight counties will implement it starting from tomorrow. Anyone who slacks off will be killed without mercy."

When Zhu Cihong said this, he suddenly looked at the guard eunuch Wang Xueming. Wang Xueming suddenly trembled all over and hurriedly lowered his head.

Can you avoid it by lowering your head? Of course not, Zhu Cixiang said calmly:

"Wang Daban, I will give you a chance to make up for your merits. You personally lead the guards to investigate the land of the Imperial Tomb Guards. They must be thoroughly investigated. All slackness and resistance will be punished by killing you...

"

After Zhu Cixiang finished speaking, he waved his sleeves violently, and Hu Bao screamed in a hurry:

"Retreat!"

…

After retiring from the court, Ma Shiying immediately began to arrange for the investigation of officials and government servants.

At the same time, he edited a copy of the book and sent it to Nanjing and Anqing respectively.

Let Shi Kefa and the others be prepared to appease him, and don't let Emperor Shenwu be killed in Fengyang. That would be a big sin...

Although Emperor Shenwu was surrounded by the National Protectorate Army and Imperial Guards, Fengyang Guards Station and the southern gentry and landlords were not easy to mess with.

They are definitely no match for Emperor Shenwu on the surface, but they are also experienced in plotting behind the scenes.
Chapter completed!