Everyone’s gaze imdiately converged on Scholar Hu, as if saying, "Mr. Hu, don’t be afraid, we are behind you, ask him outright what he’s really up to, we will deal with him directly!"
Scholar Hu hastily stood up, clasped his hands in respect, and then sat down, slowly starting: "These past days, I have had several scholarly exchanges with Xu Jieyuan, from which I benefited a lot. After going back and thinking it over, Xu Jieyuan is truly like a living star in our Jiangning Prefecture, his words and deeds all have profound anings. If you ask for my opinion, I can only say that just the subtle and grand anings in Xu Jieyuan’s county exam essays are enough for to study for half my life. If there are any ingenious insights, they would be Xu Jieyuan’s..."
He seed full of admiration, evidently still savoring the aftertaste of Xu Qing’s county exam essay, shaking his head and appearing utterly intoxicated.
Everyone imdiately felt disheartened.
Xu Qing smiled faintly and said, "Mr. Hu praises too highly. Let it be, I also understand that you all want to clarify why I called everyone here, what the matter really is."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief seeing Xu Qing returning to the main topic.
However, at this point, they also saw clearly the dubious nature of the people around them. Despite Xu Qing being one person against many, they had no reason to fear him.
But the conversation just now forced them to admit that they were fragnted.
Hence, after a montary relaxation, they couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
Furthermore, the distance between their seats made it even harder to whisper, increasing their anxiety.
Fortunately, Xu Qing didn’t allow the atmosphere to cool again and continued: "I am young and lacking in virtue, I wonder what I did wrong on regular days to incite the elders here to wish dead. Please enlighten ."
As he spoke, a chill seed to spread through the hall.
Everyone couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat.
This was indeed a trap.
Xu Qing slowly said, "Elders, don’t be afraid, all of you have respectable statuses, this place is the Governnt building, how could I possibly harm you? I just want to have an honest discussion with you all."
These people, so were Scholars, others had the good fortune of family elders, and so had close relatives still serving in the court, inherently respectable people.
Seeing Xu Qing’s tone soften, they grew bolder.
Mainly because Xu Qing was cunning.
From the last battle at the Golden Ray Monastery, they knew how formidable Yan Kong and Xu Qing were in combat. Besides, Xu Qing not only had his own reputable status but also a powerful background.
If everyone joined forces, they naturally wouldn’t fear.
The problem was that while these people were fine with underhanded tricks, facing Xu Qing directly, no one wanted to, fearing Xu Qing would disregard the rules and implicate their entire families.
Even if Xu Qing paid a price for it, what good would it do their own families?
The pain of the knife falls on oneself, others won’t care how many cuts you’ve endured, or how painful it is.
Since Xu Qing initiated the talk about the issue, things would be easier.
Soone took the cue, "Xu Jieyuan, our Jiangning Prefecture is the land of fish and rice, bustling with business. There are so matters I didn’t want to ntion, but we all need to have food to eat from such a large pot."
Everyone quickly agreed, finding it reasonable.
Xu Qing chuckled, "So, it seems I blocked everyone’s path to wealth, hence you spread rumors and incited the villagers to offer land, causing troubles, right?"
"No, absolutely not." Everyone shook their heads in denial.
Xu Qing: "You dare to do but not admit, I understand. However, this has also alerted . By the rules, each Scholar of this country is to have four hundred mu tax-free, and each Scholar with a doctoral degree two thousand mu. So of you are Scholars, others have doctoral degrees, and so benefited from nepotism, everyone has their ans.
This ti I’ll speak plainly, what you should have, you must have, what you shouldn’t, I suggest you honestly return it after you go back. I’ve already suggested to Lord Prefect that Jiangning Prefecture must conduct a land survey; otherwise, the court’s tax burden here will only increasingly fall on the common folk, making their lives ever harder, while the taxes collected by the court will only diminish."
"What..." Everyone was in disbelief at Xu Qing’s words.
They had rely incited the people to offer Xu Qing land, not expecting him to self-impose a survey.
Xu Qing could have hidden the land and population like them, reaping benefits for his descendants. What was he thinking?
Without land and population, Xu Gongming, what would you sustain those people with?
Don’t think you have enough hidden wealth to command!
Xu Qing’s words hit their lifeline, triggering an imdiate response from the crowd, soone spoke up: "Surveying the land, that’s a major matter, Xu Gongming, without consulting with , aren’t you afraid of causing chaos in Jiangning Prefecture?"
"You’re young and impetuous, let’s pretend we didn’t hear what you just said, think carefully. Are these things you can decide alone?"
"Aren’t you afraid the chaos would trouble Magistrate He? He is due for promotion next year, if troubles arise because of you..."
"Switching from rice to mulberry in Jiangning Prefecture has already displeased many scholars of South Zhili, the court has already received nurous petitions criticizing the switch, you must be aware."
"Managing a great nation is like cooking a small fish, handle it with calm. Xu Gongming, you’ve misread the Saintly Books..."
"As for the tax-free land in Jiangning Prefecture, it’s not just us involved, there’s also the Imperial Manor, nobles, and many rich rchants and traders, do you think with your solo efforts, Xu Gongming, you could plead for the commoners?"
"Xu Jieyuan, you have a family and business too. Even if you’re not afraid of these affairs, you should consider your family..."
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