I have Immortality In The Cultivation World

Chapter 562: Chapter 314 Favor and Intimidation_2

According to the supervisor’s original words, if we are to arrest, let’s arrest a leading officer, and let’s not let a subordinate official take the fall!

“However, our house is most kindhearted and has covered up this affair, reporting to His Majesty that you all were pressured by that concubine, and only then did you indulge the Mao family!”

“Thank you, Supervisor.”

The response from the Prefectural Magistrate Zeng was the quickest; he immediately stepped out and knelt in the hall, paying no mind to the strange looks from his colleagues.

The other officials involved in the Mao family’s land encroachment case also had no choice but to step out and kneel to give thanks, and in an instant, eighty percent of the officials fell to their knees, with only a mere six remaining seated in their original positions.

Zhou Yi nodded slightly, his gaze turning to the remaining officials.

...

Without needing to speak, they were frightened into sweating profusely, as the situation left no room for choice.

If they dared not kneel today, without needing the Inspectorate to make a move, their peers at Jiajing Mansion would have ousted them, not to mention Prefectural Magistrate Zeng was their direct superior.

“Thank you, Supervisor!”

Ultimately, the six officials could not bear to lose their official hats and left their seats to kneel on the ground.

Zhou Yi, satisfied, waved his hand, and the officials returned to their seats.

“Magistrate Zeng, how many soldiers does Jiajing Mansion have right now? Do not report those fictitious numbers; I need soldiers who can fight!”

The local garrison troops have long been in disarray, a well-known fact with complex causes.

According to the rules of the National Dynasty, a prefecture should have five thousand soldiers, but taking away those drawing pay without serving and those who were old, weak, or sick, it would be good to have three thousand capable fighters.

“Reporting to the Supervisor, Jiajing Mansion is located inland, and during these peaceful times, the prefecture government can’t support so many soldiers…”

Prefectural Magistrate Zeng found three reasonable excuses: “As for those who can fight, including the soldiers at the city gates and those in charge of the granaries, there are about… two thousand?”

Unsure of the actual number, he turned his head to look towards Commander Xie below.

Commander Xie said, “Supervisor, it’s the busy farming season now, and many soldiers have gone home to till the fields. We can only gather a thousand.”

“Hmph, this is truly nonsensical!”

Zhou Yi did not inquire why they were still busy with farming even though it was September and instructed, “In half a month, I want to see five thousand able-bodied soldiers. Can you arrange that, Magistrate Zeng?”

“Yes, it will be done!”

Prefectural Magistrate Zeng vowed, “No need for half a month; I can gather them in five days.”

As long as the government was willing to spend the money, it was easy to gather five thousand able-bodied men, especially since there was no need for large-scale recruitment. Simply calling up the household guards and Protectors from the large families in Jiajing Prefecture would be more than half the number needed.

These Protectors, who practiced martial arts daily, were much more physically capable than the garrison troops and would make fine soldiers with a little training!

“Magistrate Zeng, you have done very well.”

Zhou Yi, who had arrived at the prefectural government, finally showed a smile, “Next year, during the Ministry of Personnel’s evaluation, you will surely rank at the top. If there is a vacancy in the capital, I will be able to serve in court with you!”

Prefectural Magistrate Zeng gratefully said, “I shall never forget the grace of your support, Supervisor. If there is anything you command in the future, I will do my utmost.”

Zhou Yi took the fine wine presented by a maid and raised his cup.

“Gentlemen, let’s drink to your health!”

…

Heavenly Sword Mountain.

Located in the southern part of Jiajing Prefecture.

From the plains, an isolated peak rises, its shape like a sword, towering more than three hundred zhang.

It was late autumn.

The mountainside was covered with red maple leaves, burning like blood and fire under the setting sun.

On this day.

The disciple guarding the mountain gates saw from afar a large crowd coming from the north, rushing forward.

More than five thousand people gathered together, forming a mass so vast that no edge could be seen.

The majority of the arrivals wore the official uniform of prefecture soldiers, while a few wore black attire. Amongst them, there were more than five hundred cavalry, the sound of their hooves thundering like rolling thunder.

“The eunuchs are here!”

The disciple recognized the black-clad imperial cavalry and immediately screamed, rushing to report inside the gate.

The prefecture troops stopped at the foot of the mountain, forming five military formations, encircling the Heavenly Sword Sect in a semicircle.

“I don’t understand military formations, leave everything to Commander Xie’s command.”

Zhou Yi said, “This campaign to eradicate the Heavenly Sword Sect is a major task to quell rebellion. If Commander Xie can achieve his merit, I will certainly ask His Majesty to reward you for your achievement.”

“Rest assured, Supervisor.”

Commander Xie was brimming with confidence, “The Heavenly Sword Sect, all together, numbers no more than three hundred, while five thousand soldiers besiege it. Even a Martial Arts Grandmaster could only flee for his life.”

A martial arts expert could easily kill ten soldiers, yet when soldiers form a military formation, they can easily eliminate eleven martial artists.

Having said that, Commander Xie reined his horse into the military formation.

It had been over a month since Zhou Yi entered the government office, and after some basic training, the five thousand soldiers now understood the flag commands.

“Kill! Kill! Kill!”

With three successive shouts, the army formation marched toward the Heavenly Sword Sect.

The steps were slightly disordered, but they maintained their formation and presented an impressive sight.

Zhou Yi rode on his horse, watching the army advance, and couldn’t help feeling his blood surge with excitement.

“These are but five thousand garrison soldiers. That person up north, said to command three hundred thousand, what kind of might does he possess? If he truly raises his banner in rebellion, Daqing might not fall but would surely be wounded at its roots!”

His thoughts racing, Zhou Yi pondered how he could utilize the King of the Northern Defense to achieve his goals.

In this world, there are no eternal enemies. Zhou Yi’s current stance against the north was solely due to the needs of the Orthodox Emperor. The day those needs ceased or if someone else took the throne, he could fully cooperate with the King of the Northern Defense.

While deep in thought, the official beside him, the Prefecture Governor, inquired.

“Inspector, why does His Majesty want you to eradicate the Heavenly Sword Sect?”

Indeed, the descent of the Inspectorate bore the banner of the Orthodox Emperor, and a royal command was essential. Otherwise, mobilizing troops could be construed as treason.

“Mr. Zeng, you are mistaken. His Majesty didn’t command me to destroy the Heavenly Sword Sect…”

Zhou Yi pointed to Heavenly Sword Mountain and said, “The mountain occupied by the Heavenly Sword Sect, have they paid taxes?”

The Prefecture Governor, confused, responded, “Certainly not, after all, martial sects from jianghu founding schools on mountains have never paid taxes before.”

“According to the laws of the National Dynasty, taxes must be paid!”

Zhou Yi said coldly, “By destroying the Heavenly Sword Sect, I’m offering other sects a choice: either pay taxes obediently or have the Imperial Court reclaim their land.”

“I see.”

The Prefecture Governor frowned deeply and said, “Inspector, collecting taxes from these sects will not be easy.”

The martial prowess of jianghu sects is formidable, and tax collectors dare not climb up the mountains to demand payment, for fear of mysteriously falling off cliffs or becoming food for the wolves and tigers in the mountains.

“Heh, heh, heh…”

Zhou Yi chuckled weirdly, “I have secured an imperial decree with His Majesty. If any sect reports another for evading taxes, they can be exempted from an equal amount of land tax.”

The sects of jianghu are not united, and it’s common for different schools to have deadly feuds, not to mention the sworn enmity between the forces of good and evil.

Once this rule is announced, they will inevitably report their enemy sects to each other.

Even if some call for unity against this, it won’t work. Human nature is inherently selfish and greedy, and no matter what, they will end up reporting on one another.

“Inspector, you are truly wise!”

The Prefecture Governor pondered carefully and found the strategy increasingly ingenious, “May I take some inspiration from this approach?”

Zhou Yi asked, “What kind of inspiration are you referring to?”

“Inspector, at present, assessing farmland is fraught with difficulties. Those wealthy families do everything to hide it. With limited government officials, the investigation and processing are extremely troublesome, allowing many to slip through unnoticed.”@@novelbin@@

The Prefecture Governor continued, “I would like to write a memorial to His Majesty, just like what the Inspector has done. Anyone who reports concealed farmland can have a corresponding amount of their tax obligation waived.”

Zhou Yi shook his head, “Absolutely not!”

The Prefecture Governor asked, bewildered, “Why not?”

“The lands occupied by these sects were originally untaxed, so anything the Imperial Court can collect from them would be extra revenue.”

Zhou Yi explained, “This policy of tax exemption for reported farmland will inevitably lead to exploitation, resulting in many fields being untaxed, which defeats the purpose of the land assessment!”

The Prefecture Governor scratched his head in frustration, “I am slow-witted; please enlighten me, Inspector.”

Zhou Yi glanced at the man, not bad for someone schooled as a scholar, more eloquent than the eunuchs from the Directorate of Imperial Servants. With the intellect of the Prefecture Governor, how could he not have a thorough plan?

Zhou Yi shook his head, “Absolutely not!”

The Prefecture Governor asked, bewildered, “Why not?”

“The lands occupied by these sects were originally untaxed, so anything the Imperial Court can collect from them would be extra revenue.”

Zhou Yi explained, “This policy of tax exemption for reported farmland will inevitably lead to exploitation, resulting in many fields being untaxed, which defeats the purpose of the land assessment!”

The Prefecture Governor scratched his head in frustration, “I am slow-witted; please enlighten me, Inspector.”

Zhou Yi glanced at the man, not bad for someone schooled as a scholar, more eloquent than the eunuchs from the Directorate of Imperial Servants. With the intellect of the Prefecture Governor, how could he not have a thorough plan?