Traveling through ancient times.

Chapter 165 Uninvited Guest

Jiang Yizhou didn't learn the news until more than ten days later.

She had reason to suspect that the transfer order was directed at her.

She killed two top leaders of Jiang'an County, and several heads of local tyrants were eliminated one after another.

They had every reason to suspect she had done it, but no proof.

She could not be convicted through legal channels, and assassination through unconventional means was a one-way street.

Even the Viper Gang, which was once feared by everyone in the underworld, was useless in front of Tianshui Tianzhuang and Jiang Yizhou.

They had no way to deal with this tough problem, so the people above were anxious, really anxious.

They watched as her power grew little by little and their original interests were constantly squeezed - for example, the tenant farmers and farmhands who used to have to depend on them for a living, now that they had farms, all flocked to them.

The labor shortage in Tianqi County has reappeared in Jiang'an County. It can even be predicted that in the near future, the fate of those landlords and gentry will be their end.

In addition, these powerful families and nobles were originally local tyrants, and their words were final and they had absolute authority.

But now their authority has been seriously challenged, no, it has actually been replaced by a woman named Jiang Yizhou.

If it was a man they would have felt more or less comforted, but since the other party happened to be a woman they simply used the army to suppress her.

She paced back and forth in the study, her brows furrowed, her mind racing.

——So, how should she deal with it now?

The other party used the army to accuse her of harboring bandits, or simply claimed that this was the bandits' hideout.

How should I deal with it?

Go against tens of thousands of soldiers?

Are you crazy?

Even if you are crazy, you can't do it.

Secondly, the army is just the state’s war machine, in other words, a tool.

The real culprits are the people who issued these ridiculous orders!

Even if it is a real dead end, Jiang Yizhou will not drag the vast majority of grassroots people into the vortex of war.

In this case, how can she break the impasse?

kill?

Thinking of this, Jiang Yizhou's mind suddenly became clear.

This world is ruined, from top to bottom, inside and out.

In this case, let’s rectify the situation at the source!

Wei Ke saw the patriarch's calmness after his anxiety, and he was moved. "Patriarch, have you thought of a solution?"

Jiang Yizhou looked at her and suddenly asked, "By the way, have you solved the problem over there? Is there anything you need me to do?"

Wei Ke paused and replied calmly: "It's all done. Thank you, Patriarch..."

Jiang Yizhou waved his hand, "It's good that it's resolved. The Internal Affairs Department has been officially established. You are the Chief Internal Affairs Officer. You have a lot of things to do every day. You don't have to follow me all the time in the future. I will pass the information to you through internal channels."

Jiang Yizhou was talking about the grudge between Wei Ke and his uncle and aunt.

Back then, her parents were framed by her uncle and aunt and died tragically in the mountains. Then they occupied her house and land, enslaved her, and sold her to a brothel.

The original plan was to collect enough evidence and use the law to make them get the punishment they deserve.

However, after so many years, the evidence has long been lost.

The most important thing is that she is the only one there.

Jiang Yizhou consulted He Jimin specifically for this purpose after he became close to him.

The other party said that it was impossible to convict the two men based on conjecture and verbal testimony alone.

So when Jiang Yizhou went back to Yunshan Farm last time, he took the opportunity to deal with those landlords and gentry and asked Wei Ke to deal with the family affairs and she would take care of the aftermath.

Now, she has finally helped her men to avenge their wrongdoings.

Wei Ke, Liao Qi, and Qi Hao allowed them to focus more on the matters under their charge.

Jiang Yizhou's intelligence network was able to be expanded so smoothly thanks to strong financial support.

After she defeated those officials, businessmen and powerful people some time ago, she made several waves of zero-dollar purchases. Now, the amount of silver in her private treasury is at least 200,000 or 300,000 yuan.

He also took out a large sum of money and invested it to thoroughly establish intelligence networks in various places.

Therefore, Wei Ke's tasks became heavier and more things to do.

In Jiang Yizhou's eyes, Wei Ke is the top manager of the professional intelligence department, not an ordinary maid or servant.

After arranging everyone, Jiang Yizhou was ready to take action.

Xiao Tongzi asked, "You're not really going to kill all those people, are you?"

Jiang Yizhou asked back: "What else?"

For her and Tianshui, this is already a dead end.

Her existence not only threatens their interests, but in a sense, has also shaken their authority and rule.

Jiang Yizhou once heard a saying that the rule of feudal dynasties was never for the service of the general public, but for the service of the rulers themselves.

From top to bottom, official institutions, from laws to the military, all serve the ruler himself.

Once their interests are threatened, everything can become their cannon fodder.

It is obvious that Jiang Yizhou is determined to create a place where the people can truly live and work in peace and contentment in an area where local tyrants abound. This is a provocation to the tyrants.

Behind the powerful are huge and solid interest groups of officials at all levels.

Xiao Tongzi paused for a moment; he had already sensed the host's murderous intent.

However, if she did that, those people would not even bother to put on a show, and would definitely accuse her of treason.

She and everyone in Tianshui Yunshan will be trampled to pieces.

Jiang Yizhou snorted coldly, "You don't think those emperors are really the chosen ones, right? Only he can sit in that position, right?"

"what do you mean?"

Jiang Yizhou said straightforwardly: "Of course, whoever can truly put the interests of the country and the people first will be the one to take charge."

If it doesn't work, kill him. There will always be a suitable one.

As for herself, she also thought about whether she should sit in that seat.

But after thinking about it carefully, there are too many things to deal with, and once I really get there, I'm afraid most of my energy will be spent on balancing the forces of all sides, and there will be no more time to really do anything for the people at the bottom.

Furthermore, with his current status, to reach that position would mean changing dynasties, and the price would be even more bloody than an invasion by barbarians.

Fortunately, I have a strong fist, so I just kill him. It’s the simplest and most direct way.

Just like Magistrate Yang who was transferred to Jiang'an County now, no matter whether he is just pretending or is really an ambitious official, at least he issued several decrees as soon as he arrived to appease the people and give the vast majority of workers, farmers and merchants a chance to develop and breathe.

The key is that no one comes to trouble her anymore, isn't that good?

Of course, County Magistrate Yang is also in a dilemma now. He was demoted, but he was transferred from the originally prosperous Huixian in Jiangzhou to a small county near the border in Zezhou, which was a kind of demotion.

Magistrate Yang was demoted from a wealthy area to a poor and remote county, which was equivalent to being exiled.

It was because he dealt with the nephew of a wealthy landlord there.

In fact, he felt that he was already smooth enough and was adept at maneuvering between those wealthy gentry and high-level officials. Otherwise, he would not have been able to secure his position as the magistrate of Huixian County, Jiangzhou.

In general, for small cases, we try to appease the victim as much as possible and strive for more financial compensation. As for the powerful party, we ask them to pay a little money so that they don't suffer any serious losses.

However, the last case was really too much. In order to seize the land, the landlord's nephew gathered thugs and hangers-on to wreak havoc and harass the farmers in the surrounding area.

Those who refused to sell their land would be allowed to smash their houses or destroy their crops.

In the end, someone died.

County Magistrate Yang felt that he could tolerate other things, but he could not tolerate this matter at all.

This wealthy man had the support of a third-rank official in the imperial court, and he did not have to pay taxes on the land under his name.

They have been hoarding land over the years. It can be said that most of the fertile land in Huixian County belongs to them.

As a result, the county has been unable to collect taxes. The higher authorities have set a quota for the county, and it must collect that much, but these people’s land is not taxed.

Therefore, they can only make up for it from other places, such as sharing it with other farmers.

Magistrate Yang couldn't be so ruthless, he could only deduct as much as possible from other commercial taxes and vehicle and vessel taxes... Even so, it couldn't make up for the deficit.

At this juncture, he met the nephew of the landlord, who used all means to acquire the land, which was extremely heinous.

County Magistrate Yang arrested his nephew and his thugs and ruffians, and sentenced them to death for their bad attitude.

The gentry immediately put pressure on him, and after he reported the matter, the higher-ups delayed their response and even threatened to dismiss him from office.

Just a few days before he was transferred to Jiang'an County, the gentry threatened him that if he did not release his nephew and punish the untouchables who had offended his nephew, he would be in trouble.

Soon after, his family and friends received threats of varying degrees, and everyone was terrified for a while.

This made him feel extremely painful and disappointed with the world.

At this critical juncture, he received a transfer order from his superiors.

He had heard of Jiang'an County before, where two county magistrates had died in succession.

At first he thought that this place was just like his, controlled by local tyrants, and those who did not comply with their interests would be killed.

After learning more about it, I realized that the situation here seemed to be a little different from his.

What surprised him even more was that he discovered that the source of the high-quality seeds he had asked people to buy was actually in his own Jiang'an County - Jiang Yizhou.

After he came here, he secretly investigated and understood the people's sentiments. He found that although Jiang Yizhou was from Tianqi County and a woman, she had established two farms and created huge industries.

Not only the people living around the farm benefit from the farm, but even many people in Jiang'an County also benefit from the existence of Tianshui Farm.

For example, it has not rained since the beginning of spring this year, and the weather is even drier than last year. People have a vague feeling that drought is coming again.

Drought and flood are a cycle that happens every five to ten years. God is so capricious.

Many merchants have raised the prices of grain, some even doubling them.

However, "Yunshan Grain Station" has always maintained stable prices, guaranteed quality and continuous supply.

Of course, in order to deal with those speculators who deliberately buy large amounts of grain and then resell it, real-name registration is implemented here, and each household is limited to purchasing 50 kilograms per month.

Even so, it is not ruled out that there are middlemen, but it greatly increases the difficulty for them to resell.

Furthermore, due to the drought, many lands cannot be cultivated and there are many idle people.

In the past, this situation could easily lead to chaos.

But the farm continued to recruit workers at this time, absorbing a large amount of surplus labor - to dig the canal.

Food and accommodation are provided, and the salary remains the same as before, ten cents a day.

County Magistrate Yang suddenly felt that it was the right decision for him to be transferred to this place.

He planned to pay a formal visit to the head of the Jiang family, Jiang Yizhou, after he had finished the tasks at hand and everything was back on track.

... Jiang Yizhou now only wanted to nip the upcoming "trend" in the bud, and did not have any extra thoughts to pay attention to the new county magistrate. As long as he did not make things difficult for her, that would be the greatest help.

As night fell, just when Jiang Yizhou was ready and about to set off, an uninvited guest arrived at the farm.

A group of more than thirty tall horses drove straight into the farm and galloped on the smooth concrete road.

They were all dressed in fine clothes, with wide cloaks over their heads and hoods covering their heads.

When they arrived at one of the courtyard gates, one of them approached the gatekeeper and shouted coldly, "Open the door. My master has something important to discuss with your master."

It happened that Shu Tong was on duty today. He didn't care whether the other party was powerful or not. Without the order of the head of the family, not even a mosquito could fly in.

The man drew out his sword with a loud bang, and murderous aura instantly filled the air.

These people kill people as easily as crushing an ant. They were showing the highest respect to you by speaking politely to a doorman just now, but you refused to accept my toast. So you guys should be rude.

The leader hummed, "Wait."

The man quickly sheathed his knife. The leader continued, "We are guests here, so we must not be rude to the host."

Then he said in a tone that seemed polite but was actually commanding: "Please ask this young man to quickly tell your master that a distinguished guest has arrived and has important matters to discuss."

Shu Tong hated these kinds of people who pretended to be so high and mighty the most. What kind of noble person was this? He didn't even send in a visiting card in advance and he still didn't dismount even when he reached the gate of the courtyard.

The key point is that he was wearing a cloak and had his hat brim pulled down. What kind of noble person needs to be covered so tightly?

He was about to refuse, but then the door behind him opened with a bang, and the homeowner's calm voice came: "Since you are already at the door, come in."

Shu Tong snorted, waved to the other two men and stepped aside.

Except for six men in cloaks who stayed outside, the rest followed the leader on horseback and entered through the gate one after another.

Just as these people entered, the door slammed and closed automatically.

The six people outside were shocked and felt that Master Kang's trip was too risky.

At this moment, the horses were paddling their hooves and snorting nervously, and they could not help but tighten the reins and try to control the horses.

Accompanied by the sound of hurried running, a group of guards in uniform appeared from nowhere, holding machetes and surrounded them.

"What are you doing? Do you know who we are? Put down the knife quickly..."

"No matter where you come from or what you are, when you arrive at Tianshui Farm you should follow the rules of Tianshui. Get off your horses and follow us obediently, or we will cause trouble for everyone later."