Chapter 565 Everyone has their own plans
Huang Zixing shook his head and said: "Forgive the people, although Mr. Yan is the official of Danzhou, but in terms of the current local situation, the Haihan people have the absolute upper hand. Even if Mr. Yan wants to punish them, I'm afraid he is just powerless. ?”
Although Huang Zixing's words sounded unpleasant, it was indeed true. The two alternate officials who were assigned to Danzhou were simply mere commanders. There were not even a single official dispatched locally, so what could they do to suppress the rich and powerful Haihan people?
Naturally, Yan Mingjun couldn't verbally admit Huang Zixing's statement. He coughed and said: "I am in charge of the government affairs of Danzhou, but the Huangjiazhuang you mentioned is within the jurisdiction of Fucheng. This is no longer within the scope of my ability." , I really can’t help.”
Huang Zixing understood the situation in Danzhou very clearly. He had been talking for so long, and of course he was not trying to get Yan Mingjun to back him up and punish the Haihan people who had occupied Huang's land. He did not look disappointed when he heard this answer. He nodded and said: "The grassroots people understand Master Yan's difficulties. The grassroots people are not here to redress their grievances today, but just to ask the Lord, how do you feel about the local area after coming to Danzhou?"
Huang Zixing had already asked this question once when he first came here, but Yan Mingjun was not so sure about Huang Zixing's position at that time, so he didn't tell the truth and just talked about it in an official tone. At this time, Huang Zixing asked a second time. This was obviously not a polite comment, but a hope that he could express his true position.
Yan Mingjun hesitated for a moment before responding: "Although the Haihan people have made meritorious service in fighting pirates, their actions in Qiongzhou after the war are still quite unreasonable. I believe that some aspects are still worthy of discussion."
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Yan Mingjun did not dare to speak too harshly. The story Huang Zixing told was true, but there was no circumstantial evidence as to whether the identity he reported was true. Yan Mingjun would not be so stupid as to put himself in trouble for people whose identities were doubtful. Tell everything about your true inner thoughts. But Yan Mingjun didn't want to miss such a dissident who had finally appeared, so he planned to calm him down with words first, and then try to prove his identity later before making any plans.
Huang Zixing shook his head and said: "The grassroots people thought that Master Yan must be a brave person for daring to contradict the Haihan people at the reception banquet. Unexpectedly... this really disappointed the grassroots people."
Li Jin scolded: "You can't comment on how Master Yan does things!"
"It's okay!" Yan Mingjun stopped Li Jin from criticizing Huang Zixing and said kindly: "Chief Huang Shan, you just said that some things cannot be changed by one's ability. Even if you are sitting in this position, There are still many times when I have no choice but to disagree with the Haihan people. It is to safeguard the interests of Ming Dynasty, not for my own selfish interests. I am very sympathetic to the tragedy of Huangjiazhuang that Chief Huang just mentioned, but If you offend the Haihan people for your family's affairs without considering the political stability of Qiongzhou Island, then I think it is not an act of justice."
Huang Zixing said: "Sir Yan, what the Caomin just said is indeed a family matter, but the Caomin represents more than just the people of Huangjiazhuang. After the Haihan people settled in Qiongzhou Island, the victims were not just Huangjiazhuang? They are deeply dissatisfied with the Haihan people and even The people are not the only ones who are angry!”
"Huh?" Yan Mingjun was suddenly moved when he heard this. Could it be that Huang Zixing was not alone, but that there was someone behind him pushing him?
Huang Zixing continued: "Master Yan, please don't think that the Haihan people have the final say on Qiongzhou Island. Although they are rich and powerful, they have not settled in Qiongzhou for a long time, less than four years at a time. They are just rootless duckweeds." . What they are doing now is to use this method to take root in Qiongzhou Island. If they succeed, this place will have nothing to do with the Ming Dynasty in a few years!"
"What Huang Shanchang means is that there are many people in Qiongzhou who have the same thoughts as you?" Yan Mingjun asked slowly and noncommittally.
Huang Zixing said solemnly: "Haihan has been able to expand so fast in just a few years, and it has offended not a few people. What's more, although these overseas Chinese claim to be of Han origin, they have no loyalty to the imperial court at all. They are just forced to With its power, those who are willing to serve the country have no way to do it. ”
Huang Zixing stopped talking in the middle of his sentence and stopped talking. He just stared at Yan Mingjun's face to see how he would respond.
Yan Mingjun is a smart man, and of course he understands why Huang Zixing only speaks half of his words - he is not sure about Huang Zixing's position, so how can Huang Zixing be reassured about him? If some key inside information is revealed and Yan Mingjun uses this information to express his gratitude to the Haihan people, then Huang Zixing will not be the only one who will be unlucky.
Yan Mingjun took a deep breath and said: "I still have some official business to deal with today. How about I go to Huangshan Chang's academy in two days to have a look?"
"If Mr. Yan can come here, the common people will naturally welcome you." Huang Zixing is also a person who can understand music. He immediately stood up and left again: "Since Mr. Yan is busy with official duties, the common people will leave first. Zhongming The academy is five miles away from the east gate. When Master Yan is coming, please send someone to let him know in advance.”
After sending Huang Zixing away, Yan Mingjun said to Li Jin: "Brother Li, how credible is what Huang Zixing said?"
Li Jin responded: "This is quite simple. Don't you have a few old government officials under you? Find them tomorrow and you will know after asking. This Huang Zixing can open an academy in Danzhou, so he must be a well-known figure."
Yan Mingjun said: "If what he said is true, what should we do?"
Li Jin said: "If what he said is true, then judging from what he said, he is not the only one who wants to drive away the Haihan people. But how easy is it to drive away the Haihan people? The Haihan people's regiment has strong soldiers and horses, even if Even if the guard army is still there, it may not be their opponent. Besides, now that Danzhou has no available troops, how can it deal with the Haihan militia? Is it possible to rely on the village guards organized by the squires? "
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Yan Mingjun shook his head and said: "If we want to fight by force, it is naturally not feasible. The guards army can't even defeat the pirates, so how can they defeat the Han militia across the sea."
Regarding the comparison of military strength on Qiongzhou Island, although Yan Mingjun is not a soldier, he can see it very clearly. Judging from the current situation, if Ming Dynasty wants to re-establish its military establishment on Qiongzhou Island, it may not be something that can be accomplished in a short time. Not to mention that there is no funds for this, even if there is such a sum of money to recruit troops, I am afraid that the Haihan people will come up with various ways to obstruct it. Moreover, he heard the conversation next door in the teahouse mention the treatment of the militia. The military pay given by Haihan was much higher than that of the Weisuo Army. How many people who really wanted to join the army would choose the Ming Dynasty?
Li Jin said: "Without any soldiers, everything you say is useless. I think this guy surnamed Huang is also a braggart and doesn't draft anything. Anyway, it's not illegal to brag, and he hasn't said anything useful after all."
"I think he seems to have some unfinished thoughts and is hiding something." Yan Mingjun twirled his beard and said: "I guess he doesn't trust you and me that much. After all, we are just here. He doesn't know whether he is loyal to the Ming Dynasty or partial to Haihan. He knows, how can he dare to reveal all his details? It is probably a very risky move for him to talk about it. ”
"Then what are you going to do, Brother Yan?" Li Jin asked, "Are you really planning to visit his academy?"
Yan Mingjun nodded and said: "Tomorrow, let's find someone to find out the details about Huang Zixing and Zhongming Academy. If it is credible, we can then arrange to go to the academy. If he really wants to resist Haihan, he can see if there is anything he can use to his advantage. Office." The next day, Yan Mingjun called He Qi to the study and asked him if he knew about the situation of Zhongming Academy.
He Qi didn't know why, but he still replied honestly: "Zhongming Academy is at best a middle-level academy in Danzhou, but the headmaster of that academy is a stubborn old man and has always been unwilling to accept the favors of the Haihan people. Other academies have joined the Haihan people. The popularity of various poetry and literary societies sponsored by Han Dynasty has gradually increased. This Zhongming Academy has always guarded its own territory, and its reputation has gradually become less than that of other academies. In 2006, even the middle schools in that place were a bit weak, and many students transferred to other academies.”
Yan Mingjun asked: "If it's just a literary and poetry meeting, I'm afraid it won't be able to widen the gap between academies, right? After all, the strength of academies must be reflected in the imperial examination."
He Qi responded: "Your Majesty, you are really wise. The Haihan people not only support these activities, but also set up various scholarships in various academies. Anyone who has excellent grades in the academies can apply for this scholarship, which is awarded every six months. As few as ten taels, and as many as hundreds of taels! As long as students study in these colleges, they will have the opportunity to receive generous rewards. Those colleges that do not set up scholarships, such as Zhongming Academy, will naturally not be able to retain people. .”
Lord Yan Ming said: "It is human nature to attract people's hearts with money and silk. However, it is really inappropriate for the Haihan people to use this to pollute the academy, a place of education! In this way, this quiet place has turned into a business full of the smell of copper. How can so many students devote themselves to studying in this field? ”
Although He Qi disagreed in his heart, he still nodded in agreement. In his opinion, there is nothing wrong with being able to study and earn money. Especially for children from poor families, this is an excellent way to earn income.
Yan Mingjun continued: "Only students who can resist this temptation have the possibility to become great talents. This behavior of the Haihan people can actually get rid of those students with unstable minds."
He Qi responded: "What you say makes sense, but the places where Haihan people spend money in the academy don't stop here."
"Anything else?" Yan Mingjun asked in astonishment. These tricks played by the Haihan people are actually not particularly novel. In normal times, wealthy businessmen would sponsor various academies. However, the Haihan people were more generous and their funding targets covered a wider range.
He Qi said: "In addition to these scholarships, Haihan will provide a certain amount of subsidies during the examination period to students in academies funded by Haihan who need to take the provincial examinations or general examinations, which are called 'nutritional fees.'" For candidates who need to go to Guangzhou to take the exam, Haihan will provide a special express boat to Guangzhou, and all expenses for the return trip will be waived. Even the food and accommodation during the exam in Guangzhou will be included. For a scholar from a poor family, it is simply irresistible!”
Yan Mingjun himself passed the imperial examination, so of course he knew how much it cost to go to the provincial capital to take the examination. Qiongzhou Island is located overseas. It takes several days to cross the sea by boat to get to Guangzhou. The cost is more than that of candidates from prefectures and counties near Guangzhou. Out-of-town candidates from poor families often have to borrow travel expenses to take part in the examination, and they may not be able to pass the examination. The Haihan people have taken care of this part of the expenses, which is indeed an excellent way to win people's hearts.
Yan Mingjun said: "Haihan people have invested so much money, and they are not afraid that they will not be able to get it back?"
He Qi responded: "If we talk about money, it is indeed impossible to get it back. But the hearts of the people have been taken away by Haihan little by little. Even for those students who failed the exam, the Haihan people paid high salaries to hire them. They go to schools in Sanya to teach. In the past two years, at least hundreds of local scholars have accepted Haihan’s employment and gone to Sanya in the south to work for them.”
Yan Mingjun nodded slowly and said: "Then if Zhongming Academy doesn't follow Haihan's tricks, then over time, these students will be almost gone, right?"
He Qi responded: "To be honest with you, your lord, although there are many local academies in Danzhou, in the past year or so, most of the academies that are unwilling to cooperate with Haihan have closed down. What your lord said Even if Zhongming Academy does not close down, it is probably not far from the end.”
"What's Huang Zixing's reputation?" Yan Mingjun continued to ask.
"This... I'm sorry that I really don't know." He Qi lowered his head and said, "If you want to know about this person, please allow me one day to go and find out."
Yan Mingjun nodded and said: "Well, hurry up and deal with this matter and call back tomorrow. By the way, this matter cannot be publicized outside."
He Qi agreed and walked straight to the east of the city after leaving the temporary state office. After passing the Yuanzhou Yamen Management Committee, He Qi suddenly turned into a branch road and then entered a courtyard with an open door.
"Stop, what are you doing?" Although there was no one guarding the gate, as soon as He Qi stepped into the courtyard, two gray-clad militiamen stood up and shouted at him.
He Qi quickly stopped and responded: "The villain is He Qi, the state government official. If there is any situation, he must report it to the chief!"
"Wait here!" One of the militiamen turned around and went in to report, while the other stayed where he was and stared at He Qi.
After a while, the militiaman came back and said, "Follow me!"
As He Qi stepped forward, another person reached out to stop him: "Don't you understand the rules?"
(End of chapter)