Chapter 172 Game
"Master, master, outside, outside..." While everyone was talking, the butler ran out of the door.
"What's going on outside?" the second child asked.
"A man who claimed to be Zhou Yi brought someone to the door, and said that if he was not allowed in, he would break down the door!" the housekeeper said anxiously.
"What, he dares!" The seventh child was about to go out angrily, but the second child suddenly stopped him: "Stop, what can you do when you go out!" "
Then let him insult people like this? Didn't you hear that?" He leads a parade full of people, if the patriarch is treated like this by him, can you stand it?" Lao Qi said angrily. "Then what can you do when you
go out? Master Zhou even dares to arrest Qi Guogong. Do you think you can resist?" Yes, Patriarch Zhongli stood up abruptly, looking towards the gate with a frosty face. "It's too deceiving, he dared to knock on the door of our Zhongli's house..." The rest of Zhongli's family trembled angrily. "Yo, they're all here!" Before they could take any action, the door had already been knocked open, and Zhou Yi led the people to the front of the hall, with a faint smile on his lips: "Patriarch Zhongli, come with me! " Patriarch Zhongli looked at Zhou Yi with gloomy eyes, "Master Zhou, you are so courageous!" Zhou Yi shrugged: "Uncle Zhongli, don't say that, I am actually very timid, even a All mice are afraid, but I actually like to follow the rules, if everyone follows the rules, I don't have to force myself to be brave. Let's go, don't force me to use force!" The patriarch Zhongli stood still He only looked at Zhou Yi with a dark look, but the other members of Zhongli's family were furious, especially Zhongli's seventh son, who was already very irritable. Now that he was so provoked, he immediately yelled: "Zhou Yi, you are considered a Anything dares to touch our patriarch..."
Before he could finish speaking, there was a bang in the yard, and it turned out that Zhou Yi raised a firecracker and fired a shot into the sky: "Patriarch Zhongli, according to the general business law, the amount of tax evasion you have done this time is huge, which is enough to cover it." I have been in prison for decades, and this officer came here with a holy order. If you dare to resist, it is okay to kill you on the spot. If you don’t want to lose your life in vain, just go with this officer. How to judge!" Zhou Yi no longer had a smile on his face at this moment, and he spoke every word with great force.
After speaking, he took a few steps forward, and the subordinates behind him also took a few steps forward. They didn't notice it before, but now as the people on Zhou Yi's side stepped forward, the people detained in the middle were also revealed.
The pupils of Zhongli's family shrank suddenly: "Qi Guogong, Zhang Guogong, Lin Guogong, Yuhou, Lord Fu..." The dozen or so people in the middle were all well-known princes and nobles in the capital.
"You... how dare you..." Patriarch Zhongli received a huge shock when the facts were before his eyes. It's true, it's true, it's true...
These thoughts raced back and forth in his mind like wheels. run over.
"Go, invite Patriarch Zhongli out." Zhou Yi smiled lightly, and told the guards behind him, "If anyone dares to resist, they can be killed directly. Anyway, their tax evasion is worthy of a death sentence!"
His voice was not high, but among the members of Zhongli's family, it was like falling into an ice cellar. Lao Qi, who was the loudest at the beginning, also quieted down at this time, and he quietly moved his steps back two steps.
Seeing that the patriarch was about to be taken away, the rest of the Zhongli family subconsciously said: "Patriarch..." The
patriarch Zhongli bowed his hands: "He dare not do anything to me."
Just like that, the head of another family was taken away.
The members of the Zhongli family looked at each other: "What should we do now?"
The second child frowned and thought for a while: "The patriarch is right, since Master Zhou has arrested so many people, we don't have to worry too much, the patriarch is definitely not dead. Worry, what to do next, let's see what Mr. Zhou's request is."
On this day, the entire capital city was turned upside down by Zhou Yi's actions. He actually arrested all the patriarchs of the aristocratic families who had not paid taxes, and walked around the capital city several times.
On this day, the people in the whole capital also watched enough gossip, wherever Zhou Yi led the team, there would be lively onlookers.
"It's them, why are they so shameless? They're still princes..." "
I heard that the court has set commercial taxes from the very beginning. This time they went to sea and made a lot of money, but they still think about not paying taxes. , What a thick-skinned, too greedy."
"No, you know how to search us common people, now it's all right, fell into Mr. Zhou's hands, bah..."
The common people relied on their large numbers, and all kinds of speeches They said it without taboo, no matter where they went, there were always people pointing fingers at them.
If it wasn't for remembering that these people have different identities at any rate, I was afraid, and I might throw rotten leaves.
Of course, the mood of the masters who are surrounded by the people is not so good. They were born with golden spoons in their mouths and lived the lives of masters. Pointing and pointing...
They all covered their faces with their hands, wishing they could shrink into the cracks in the ground.
Especially Qi Guogong, at this time, he is still wearing obscene clothes, walking on the street so frankly, it is almost more uncomfortable than killing him.
It was not just ordinary people who watched them.
Zhenghou and Wuhou were sitting on the second floor of a restaurant, looking at the team passing through the street, they looked at each other with complicated emotions.
"I didn't expect..." Marquis Wu sighed first.
Zheng Hou said silently: "Yeah, who would have thought of it." Who would dare to think that way? He originally expected that Zhou Yi would forcefully come to collect taxes at most. He really never dreamed that Zhou Yi would dare to make such a big fuss. The movement is coming.
If you imagine that they are also in the parade team at this moment, with their skins on the ground like this, I'm afraid they want to die. Zhou Yi is really a snake. After the meritorious deeds of these aristocratic families, they rely on their ancestors as Dayue, He has made great contributions to the royal family, but this is not only a reliance, but also a bondage. After the meritorious service, he has now become a moth who relies on the court's tax revenue. What's more poisonous is that Zhou Yi published all the lists on the Dai Viet Times, making a fuss. Everyone in the world knows that, after what merits are they talking about, the aura on their bodies has completely turned black now! Marquis Wu sighed and poured a glass of wine, and after taking a sip, he sighed infinitely and said: "Marquis Zheng, thanks to you dragging me to pay the tax, otherwise I would be the only one among all the people today, if so If so, what face will I have to meet my ancestors after I die!" Zheng Hou also picked up his glass and took a sip: "This time Qigong and the others have encountered a hard problem, but I am more curious about how the emperor would do this. His will?" Zheng Hou said after thinking about it. "You said it was the emperor's intention." Marquis Wu was taken aback, and he leaned closer to Marquis Zheng, and said in a low voice. Zheng Hou looked around, and then said: "This is natural, otherwise how could Zhou Yi dare to make such a bold move, but what I can't figure out is whether this is the original intention of the emperor, or Zhou Yi Instigated..." "Then according to what you say, it must be the emperor's intention. If the emperor doesn't want to do something, no matter how much Zhou Yi encourages it, it will be useless!" Marquis Wu frowned and thought for a while. Zheng Hou nodded, "It makes sense." At the end he sighed: "Qi Gong and the others are still thinking about it, since the emperor has long been thinking about our family because of the land tax, but due to tradition, we can't find it." Cut, I have to be patient, but now, business taxes are different, all the rules are newly established, and business taxes have already accounted for the majority of tax revenue, how can the emperor tolerate us making a special case, after all, the consequences of land tax are there. Now! Zhou Yi has done all the preparatory matters for the emperor, and everyone in Dayue knows that the aristocratic family has evaded taxes, and the ready-made reasons are there, so why would the emperor not use it!" "Then what do you mean... "
"Zhou Yi is just a knife in the emperor's hand!" Zheng Hou sighed and said with a sigh. I believe that Duke Qi and the others will figure this out after going through this incident. After all, they were only fascinated by the high tax for a while.
After hearing this, Marquis Wu quickly poured a glass of wine to Marquis Zheng: "Thank you Marquis Zheng for your suggestion." "
Oh, there is no need for such politeness between you and me." The two clinked glasses and drank it down.
The matter is indeed as Zheng Hou guessed, the emperor has long intended to do something to the family, but the family and people with fame are exempted from land tax. Of course, if Emperor Chongzheng made a slight move, it would definitely arouse fierce backlash from the aristocratic family and courtiers.
But the business tax is different, just like what Zheng Hou said, this is the only established rule, Zhou Yi has already laid the foundation for Emperor Chongzheng, anyone who engages in business activities must pay taxes.
Without an established tradition, those who want to evade taxes will have no reason to do so. Emperor Chongzheng will naturally have no scruples when he takes action.
If it is left alone this time, the commercial tax will fall to the same level as the Hetian tax.
For the implementation of the New Deal, Zhou Yi naturally did not want to see this result. As for the emperor, 70% of the treasury's income now depends on commercial taxes. He did not want to see things go on like this even more than Zhou Yi.
Therefore, Zhou Yi's seemingly reckless actions all coincided with Emperor Chongzheng's thoughts.
As for Emperor Chongzheng's intention to use him as a sword, Zhou Yi didn't care, only those who have ability are qualified to be a sword. Anyway, he also took advantage of Emperor Chongzheng's intention, didn't he?
After Zhou Yi arrested these people, he handed them over to the Ministry of Punishment. The Minister of the Ministry of Punishment was about to faint. He hurriedly stopped Zhou Yi who was about to walk away: "Master Zhou, Master Zhou, wait a minute, you... what are you doing?" What are you doing, you brought all these people to me, what do you ask me to do?"
"My lord, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Everything can be dealt with according to the law. The evidence is ready-made. There are not only the records of the third division, but also the signatures of all the masters. Oh, look at me, I forgot, there is more than this Well, it was also published in the Da Viet Times, all the people in Da Viet are witnesses, with such solid evidence, don’t you know how to judge the case?” Zhou Yi said with a smile. Looking at Zhou Yi's smiling face, Shangshu of the Ministry of Criminal Affairs felt furious, wishing to smash him flat with his fist. This is all about your business department and these uncles. Why are you talking about the Ministry of Criminal Justice? Zhou Yi couldn't control so much, and before he left, he asked: "My lord, I have also invited the emperor's imperial decree. You have to watch these masters in prison. If something goes wrong, such as someone who accidentally releases someone back After entering the mansion, then..." Zhou Yi did not finish speaking, and gave Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment a blank space for his imagination. The Secretary of the Ministry of Criminal Affairs watched Zhou Yi leave, and then stamped his feet impatiently: "What is this all about, the ones he sent are not criminals, these are all ancestors, how dare I sentence them! !!" Zhou Yi sent him to the Ministry of Punishment, then turned around and went to find Emperor Chongzheng. Emperor Chongzheng was painting, and Zhou Yi knelt there, but he ignored him until he finished painting a painting, and Emperor Chongzheng snorted: "Is Mr. Zhou majestic enough today?" "Your Majesty." Zhou Yi sucked it . Sniffing: "Today, I was almost scared to death, and my hands are still shaking!" He raised his hands up, and they were trembling slightly. Emperor Chongzheng took a look and scolded: "Are you still promising, but you are just catching a few tax evaders, is it worth your fear? " However, if he had really shown that he was not afraid of anything just now, Emperor Chongzheng might have another thought. "Your Majesty, those are not ordinary people. Those are the Duke, the Marquis, and even the Prince. If it weren't for the fact that this matter is of great importance, the court cannot back down, my humble minister, my humble minister..." He raised his head and whispered He glanced at Emperor Chongzheng: "I don't dare to take care of me."
"What are you afraid of? You still have me. They have eaten their hearts and dared to take revenge on you?" Emperor Chongzheng slapped the table "angrily".
Zhou Yi started moaning.
"Just say anything, is your throat blocked?"
"My minister heard from others that you don't dare to touch these people easily..." His voice was like a mosquito, and he spoke very fast.
But Emperor Chongzheng heard it clearly, and his face suddenly became gloomy: "Zhou Yi, do you know what nonsense you are talking about?
" I also heard it from others, Weichen didn’t think so..."
"Who said that?"
"They all... said so." Zhou Yi knocked his head on the ground, and whispered in a trembling voice: "Of course, Weichen is If you don't believe it, your majesty is sitting on the world, under the whole world, is it the land of the king, the shore of the land, or the prince, the majesty, you are just kind, but, after all, their status is noble, humble minister, humble minister is just a courtier , I am very timid, if it is not for the sake of the emperor and the court, I really would not dare to touch this matter." Emperor Chongzheng was
angry at first, but after hearing Zhou Yi's words, he laughed softly : "Are you timid? I didn't see that you were timid. Even if I gave you the order, it was just to let you catch one or two typical models. You are fine. Now I have caught them all, and you have given me pain." Such a big basket, now you still have the face to come here to cry, are you timid?" Zhou Yi heard Emperor Chongzheng say that he was only catching one or two models, and his eyes almost rolled to the sky: No wonder, you handle it at your own discretion If this is what I mean, I will screw my head off and kick it as a ball. Zhou Yi seemed to be stunned: "Your Majesty's will means this, but I don't know, so what should I do now? How about letting them...let them go?" Zhou Yi asked tentatively. Emperor Chongzheng glared at Zhou Yi: "I caught you all, so why let me let you go! In vain, I thought you were smart, but you are just an elm head!"
Zhou Yi wiped his face and muttered: "Didn't Yu Mu's head be selected as the number one scholar by the emperor..." "
What did you say! Tell me again!" Emperor Chongzheng leaned forward pretending to be surprised.
Zhou Yi hurriedly smiled and said, "No...no, what I said about you is correct, but I am too stupid to understand what the emperor meant, and caused such a big mess for you, the emperor. , Your Majesty, what should we do now?"
"You caught the man, so it's up to you to figure out how to deal with the aftermath, go down, and wake up your head."
Zhou Yi naturally rolled away in a hurry.
As soon as he left the imperial study, Emperor Chongzheng picked up a brush and drew heavily on the paper: "Aristocratic family, hmph, your glory is only bestowed by my Zhu family. Didn't it mean that I dare not touch you? Just want to move!" Even his favorite Zhou Yi is so afraid of these aristocratic families, it seems that the royal family has fed the courage of these aristocratic families too much, making them forget their duty.
As soon as Zhou Yi came out of the imperial study, he skillfully wiped away his tears.
Even though he was beaten up by Emperor Chongzheng, but the face of a person will naturally develop after practice. Emperor Chongzheng scolded him not once or twice, and he can scold him, which shows that Emperor Chongzheng regards him as himself Man, this is good news.
After messing with these aristocratic families, if Zhou Yi is really single-handed, he will naturally be in trouble, but isn't this the biggest boss also thinking about it!
As long as Emperor Chongzheng's mind is in line, he will naturally not be afraid of troubles on the surface, but he is already prepared for troubles in the dark.
Zhou Yi strolled back to the Zhou Mansion, but the capital was completely erupted because of today's events.
Because of the arrest of these people, Zhou Yi could be regarded as stabbing a hornet's nest. Those who went to Emperor Chongzheng to intercede with those people and those who gave Zhou Yi eye drops came and went like flowing water.
"Your Majesty, Lord Zhou is so courageous. How could he humiliate them like this after Duke Qi and the others have made great contributions? Zhou Yi did this, and those who didn't know thought it was the emperor's will. In the eyes of others, this is not Did it chill the hero's heart?"
"..."
Pleadings for such reasons came one after another. At first, Emperor Chongzheng was willing to listen, but later on, the more he listened, the more irritable and angry he became. Okay, okay, you guys They all come to intercede for these people, does this world belong to their old Zhu family, or to these aristocratic families who are proud of their achievements?
The more these people came, on the contrary, it strengthened Emperor Chongzheng's determination to stop the prestige of these aristocratic families.
Zhou Yi went back to tease his son, and was ordered by Emperor Chongzheng to go to the palace the next day. This time, his signal was very simple, to teach these people a lesson as much as possible, and he was awarded a sentence of interrogation with the third division. The purpose of this case, moreover, is his master, with the third division as his assistant.
Zhou Yi took the imperial decree and went back to study it. After another day, he showed his plan to Emperor Chongzheng, who expressed his satisfaction.
Zhou Yi knew the bottom line of Emperor Chongzheng.
When he was doing these things, he did not obstruct him at all, and the news that Emperor Chongzheng asked Zhou Yi to preside over the case naturally leaked out.
As soon as he came out, everyone knew why the emperor didn't want to see those who went to intercede. It turned out that this was what the emperor meant!
For a while, those who were just following the trend and planning to step on Zhou Yi felt a little regretful.
Didn't they hear that the emperor only asked Zhou Yi to deal with one or two models, and Zhou Yi arrested so many people without authorization, so they wouldn't be reckless to intercede.
"Who revealed that Zhou Yi violated the emperor's will?" These people asked in confusion.
"I don't know, and I don't know how it got out."
If Zhou Yi heard it, he would definitely giggle and giggle. I'm sorry, it must be him! If there weren't so many people asking for mercy, how could Emperor Chongzheng's fear of these families be deepened!
The more Emperor Chongzheng feared these families, the smoother his plan would be, and the safer he would be.
Emperor Chongzheng wanted to use him, so naturally Zhou Yi could also use Emperor Chongzheng, just each other.
"Zhou Yi, Zhou Yi, open the door for me." It was already evening, and Zhou Yi was taking a rest in the courtyard with his little fat man in his arms, when there was a knock on the door of Zhou Mansion.
Qingzhu, who was standing by the side waiting, immediately frowned: "Who is so courageous, young master, I'll go and have a look." "
Well, let's go."
"Hey, hey, hey, how can you force your way... "After Qingzhu went out for a while, three young men broke in.
Zhou Yi saw them, asked Qingzhu to move the chairs and pour tea, and greeted them with a smile: "Uncle Guo, Young Master Qi, Young Master Ma, why are you here, please sit down quickly." "Zhou Yi, do you know why we are here?
" Right, how could you do this, we are friends, if we were friends, how could you just arrest Brother Qi’s father?" Tong Baobao started to yell as soon as he sat down, but Qi Qu was holding tea slowly. Taste slowly.
"Uncle Guo, it turns out that you are here for this matter, but I respected the emperor's will, and there is nothing I can do about it. Do you want me to resist the order?" "Then...then..." Tong
Baobao He shook his head, held back his head, and said after holding back for a long time: "That's true."
"Master Zhou." Qi Qu's voice was cold: "I know you are working for the emperor, I can't comment, I just want to ask, is my father's matter serious? ?"
Zhou Yi shook his head resolutely: "It's not serious, anyway, it will definitely not endanger your life."
Qi Qu was relieved when he heard this.
Only then did he look at the little fat man in Zhou Yi's arms, and Bao Dun'er turned his round eyes and looked at the three of them curiously.
"Zhou Yi, is this your child? It's so fun!" Tong Baobao exclaimed to Baodun'er as if he had discovered a new world.