Qinzhou was established as the prefecture and became the capital.

This place now has a population of nearly one million, surpassing Xingyang in Lingzhou and becoming the most powerful city in Daliang after Kyoto.

Attached to Chengjing is Zhongshan County, the birthplace of Lin Qingyuan, a generation of civil servants, and the origin of Pei Yue's title.

This city took six years to build after the founding of the country by Emperor Gaozu. Therefore, the architectural layout is generally modeled after Kyoto, and the regions are divided according to the principle of northern government, southern people, east rich and west rich. Chengjing is a nominal companion capital, and the number of mansions of powerful people is naturally limited.

Compared with Kyoto, it is not as distinct as Kyoto.

In an elegant, exquisite and spacious mansion in Dongcheng, a group of middle-aged men in luxurious clothes were drinking tea and chatting in the flower hall.

Tea is produced from Guzhu Purple Bamboo Shoots in the northwest of Yaozhou. It is said that the annual output is only more than a hundred kilograms, most of which is donated to the palace. Naturally, ordinary people cannot enjoy such treasures, but they are sure to be able to sit in the flower hall.

Not an ordinary person.

"The people in Kyoto praised Pei Yue as if he were a god descending to earth. His business skills, military skills, martial arts, etc. are almost unrivaled. But now it seems that he is just mediocre." A middle-aged man with a rich face said with disdain.

Another person chuckled and said: "Pei Yue was ordered to go to the Southern Zhou Dynasty to welcome his bride. He should not interfere in our local political affairs in Qinzhou."

"Not necessarily. This man is young, energetic and well-known. In addition, His Majesty's trust and respect for him will probably force his intervention. It is best for us to deal with him carefully."

"Brother Xintong is right. This Pei Yue has too much murderous intent. Thousands of people have died at his hands in both the Western Region and Kyoto. This is a lesson learned from the past and we must be on guard against him."

"Why are you so worried? Just now, Duke Kunwu made it very clear that since Pei Yue entered the territory of Qinzhou, the delegation has been traveling at a normal speed. Apart from chatting with Wang Qi along the way, he has not meddle in other people's business."

Having said this, everyone couldn't help but look at the middle-aged man on the main seat, who was called Kunwu Gong by the person before.

His name is Wang E, his courtesy name is Zhaofan, his surname is from Kunwushan, and his surname is from Zhongshan in Beijing. He is fifty-three years old.

There are seven representative aristocratic families in Qinzhou, and the Wang family is the leader. As the head of this generation, Wang E has no choice but to become the core of this group of people.

Wang E put down the tea cup in his hand and said calmly: "Pei Yue is good at military affairs, but it does not mean that he is proficient in everything. Besides, we will not give him the opportunity to do whatever he wants."

His deep eyes swept over the others and said slowly: "Please don't forget that Qinzhou is our foundation. Don't get carried away because of this year's drought, so that you can't distinguish priorities. We just want to take the land and people into our pockets."

instead of watching them starve to death."

Everyone was awe-struck and responded one after another: "Don't worry, Mr. Kun, how can there be such a fool sitting here."

Wang E nodded slightly and said: "You must instruct the officials in the government to try not to cause starvation to death, and to give some food to the villagers from time to time."

The wealthy man who had previously mocked Pei Yue was named Zhao Xin. He smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Kunwu Gong, when will the rice stores we control open to sell grain?"

Wang E said calmly: "Don't be in a hurry, wait until the political leader comes to ask for help before making a decision."

Zhao Xin couldn't help but smile strangely: "The Lord Participated in the Political Bureau was so majestic when he first came. He raided six grain merchants in a row, plus the grain stored in four Changping warehouses. He thought that this could easily solve the disaster in Qinzhou's Seven Prefectures.

, Haha, it’s really just nonsense.”

Except for Wang E, everyone else had a bad impression of Zhao Xin, who was like a nouveau riche. Sun Mingchun, the head of the Sun family, changed the topic and said: "Kunwu Gong, if Pei Yue really helps Han participate in politics, he will force the grain merchants to sell at a fair price.

What about food? Although this young prince is not good at government affairs, his status is too special. If he really wants to do whatever he wants, it will be difficult for anyone to stop him."

It is said that when a scholar encounters a soldier, there is no reason to explain. What they, the core figures of the aristocratic families, fear most is the unreasonable banditry.

Looking at Pei Yue's past behavior, this person is nothing more than a bandit leader wearing an official identity. These people in the hall are not afraid of an upright gentleman like Han Gongduan. Even if the other party is determined to kill people, they have all kinds of tricks.

No matter how unsatisfactory the means are, you can still grovel and show weakness.

But Pei Yue was obviously different. If he sided with Han Gongduan and went on a killing spree, there really wouldn't be many people in Qinzhou who could control him.

Wang E said disapprovingly: "This is neither the border nor the capital. He dare not instruct his soldiers to act recklessly, otherwise His Majesty will not agree. If Qinzhou is in chaos, the five states in the south will not be at peace. How can Your Majesty attack the Southern Zhou Dynasty?"

Just now I asked you to be nicer to the villagers, and that’s why.”

Everyone nodded in response.

Wang E continued: "If he dares to raise the butcher's knife, we can incite the people to resist. The mere Marquis of Zhongshan cannot bear the crime of provoking a civil uprising. In short, you should hide the food during this period and tell the people to keep their tails between their legs and be a good person."

, don’t give the killer star any clues, and try not to let the people starve to death. I will negotiate with Han Gongduan on the remaining matters."

The remaining family heads nodded in conviction and said, "I will obey Duke Kun's instructions."

…

Beicheng, the imperial envoy's headquarters.

In the Government Hall, Han Gongduan, who participated in the political affairs of the East Government, put his hands behind his back and stared at the map of Qinzhou hanging on the wall with his brows furrowed.

Before leaving Beijing, he knew that the trip would not go smoothly, but he never thought that it would become such a difficult situation step by step.

The reason why Qinzhou is different from Yuzhou and Dengzhou is that Chengjing is the capital of Daliang and the core of the five southern states. After nearly a hundred years of accumulation, the aristocratic families in this city have spread their tentacles in all directions. This year's severe drought has given people

This gave them an excellent opportunity, that is, they could legitimately use their hoarded grain to exchange for land in the hands of the people.

In this era, fertile land is the best wealth.

In order to achieve this goal, or to make more money, grain merchants will definitely control the price of rice to continue to rise.

Han Gongduan led a thousand imperial troops to Qinzhou, and used thunderous tactics on the charge of hoarding. Within five days, he ransacked six medium-sized grain merchants and cut off more than a dozen heads, which immediately shocked everyone.

Fourteen days ago, rice prices fell sharply, and the market has not risen since then.

A new problem arose. Starting ten days ago, only a few grain stores were open in Qinzhou, and all the grain was quickly bought by the people.

Now Han Gongduan can only rely on the food from the four Changping granaries to provide relief to the people, but how long can this last?

"Your Excellency, I would like to see you from Chengjing Prefecture." A follower's voice sounded outside the door.

Han Gongduan frowned and said, "No."

The attendant was slightly startled, then lowered his head and said, "Yes, sir."

Logically speaking, Chengjing Prefecture Yin is also a big shot in this area. In terms of official rank, he is only lower than Qinzhou Governor. However, Han Gongduan dislikes him. The reason is that this Prefecture Yin is so versatile that everyone can

I didn't want to offend, so I was respectful to Dongfu's political participation, but I also greeted the local dignitaries with a smile all the time.

Han Gongduan knew who his enemy was, and he could determine who was behind the grain merchants in Qinzhou without any investigation.

Song Ximeng, the governor of Qinzhou, was a scheming old official who never wanted to show off easily, and Lu Qi, the governor of Chengjing, was an extremely smooth wallflower. Han Gongduan lived a very difficult life during this period.

The situation in Qinzhou was like a quagmire. No one dared to openly disobey Han Gongduan's orders, but the people below always had various excuses to evade the situation, but those excuses could not find any fault.

After a long silence, Han Gongduan suddenly said softly: "Here comes someone."

A burly man walked in from outside the door, bowed and said: "Please give me your instructions, sir."

There was hesitation in Han Gongduan's eyes. It was difficult for him to agree with Pei Yue's method of doing things. However, thinking of those ordinary people who had good looks, he hesitated for a moment and then gritted his teeth and said: "Go tell Pei Yue that I agree with his approach.

The responsibility rests with me!"

"The villain obeys your orders!"

"Just go."

Han Gongduan exhaled a breath, his eyes became cold and firm.
Chapter completed!