In the lobby of the Qian family courtyard, Wu Xiaozi was holding the pipa and slowly twisting it.

She was only 28 years old and was indeed very beautiful, with beautiful eyes wafting. She occasionally glanced at Wang Xiao, and a blush appeared on her snow-white cheeks.

The courtesan on the Qinhuai River is changing year by year. The most popular Nanqu Huamei is no less than Liu Rushi, Gu Hengbo and others.

The reason why Liu, Gu and others are famous is that they are both talented and beautiful, on the one hand, but on the other hand, the men they are involved in.

If you really want to talk about your appearance, even if Gu Hengbo is here, I am afraid that Miss Wu will feel that she is younger than her.

But in Wang Xiao's eyes, the beauties are almost the same.

Although he was only twenty-one years old, in front of this new courtesan, he felt that he was from the previous generation, the generation he played with with her predecessors, and in short, there was a generation gap.

This is probably like chasing stars, and he no longer has the patience to appreciate new idols.

Wang Xiao's eyes always fell on Qian Qianyi's old face.

"The tax arrears... the officials will definitely support this matter." Qian Qianyi quickly expressed his opinion.

This is not the first time he has heard this. When Zheng Yuanhua said this before, he also expressed his support.

Wang Xiao didn't speak, his eyes were quite oppressive.

Qian Qianyi showed his determination and said, "Money and grain are urgently needed by the military and the country. It is necessary to rectify taxes and clean up accumulated problems. But..."

Wang Xiao was not surprised and chuckled slightly as soon as the word "but" was expressed.

Qian Qianyi said: "But when Zheng Yuanhua was in charge of Jiangnan, most of the urge to pay was completed. Most of the tax owed by the gentry in Jiangnan seemed to have been made up."

"Make it up?" Wang Xiao finally spoke, his tone that made people feel unaware of any emotion.

So Qian Qianyi suddenly felt that he was carrying a mountain of Tai.

Under great pressure, he still kept his face calm and replied slowly: "The tax is the most important thing, and the seven governments in Jiangnan are the most wealthy and taxes in Su, Song, Chang, Zhen, Jia, Hu, and Hangzhou. A few years ago, the old taxes were not cleared, and the new taxes were already urgent, and the accumulation of hundreds of thousands of taels was often reached. When Zheng Yuanhua was in power, he repeatedly urged the quota but could not be obtained. Last year, he ordered the Tiecai Army to supervise this matter and tried his best to force the collection. The means were cruel, so most of the accumulation of seven governments had been paid, and the people's strength was already poor."

"Oh, is that?"

"I just heard about this matter. I believe the Ministry of Revenue has registered and the money and grain should also be in the warehouse."

"Oh? Making a book? What about the book? Where is the money and grain in the warehouse?" Wang Xiao asked one after another: "Where has the grain tax accounts that have been owed over the years gone?"

Qian Qianyi is worthy of being the old man. He was not panicked when he heard this. Instead, he looked confused and confused and said strangely: "Is the booklet not in the Ministry of Revenue? If the money and grain are not in the warehouse, it may be used for military supplies."

"Oh? Maybe it was used in military supplies, so this battle was even fought like this."

"I think it was because of the soldiers under the King of Jin's command, and the soldiers and horses in the south of the Yangtze River did not dare to be sharp." Qian Qianyi said: "This matter was supervised by Sun Chong of the Ministry of Revenue and Huang Bin of the Tie Ce Army. The Grand Secretary Ying Sijie should also know, but the subordinate has not handled it, so I really don't know."

Wang laughed and said "hoosh".

The Minister of Revenue Sun Chong had already committed suicide and died, but he had to die sooner or later. When Nanjing City was destroyed and everyone surrendered, Wang Xiao began to liquidate Nanjing officials, and he remembered to martyr Emperor Longchang.

Before this man died, he burned the Ministry of Revenue files clean.

As for Huang Bin who is dead, Ying Sijie has fled.

The tax items accumulated in Jiangnan are quite meaningful to have a death debt.

Qian Qianyi did not show any sign of it, and his face was still frank, saying "resolutely support" and there was no sign of objection.

However, support is very supportive, but unfortunately he didn't understand this matter. All he could do was tell Wang Xiao, "I heard that it seems to have made up for it." He did not say "I will definitely persuade the gentry of Jiangnan."

He did not owe taxes anyway. Not long ago, he even sold the fields cleanly. He usually only bought some elegant objects such as books, stone, antiques, calligraphy and paintings to play with.

Wang Xiao really couldn't get any handle on Qian Qianyi.

This Jiangnan Shilin leader can be said to be free from water.

But Wang Xiao must have come to the Qian family's house for a banquet today. In fact, he gave Qian Qianyi face and also gave him a chance.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have no place to eat, so he would have made a special trip.

If Qian Qianyi had any difficulties, Wang Xiao might be able to understand it even if he spread it out.

It's so smooth... I've gotten over the head and there's nothing to talk about.

At this time, the dishes were not yet fully served, and there were a few delicious dishes on the table. The snow-white fish meat looked very delicious in the red soup. A group of dancers walked into the hall, and their skin was as white as fish meat...

Wang Xiao stood up and said, "Since that's the case, I still have official duties, so I'll say goodbye."

"King of Jin, the banquet has not yet begun, so why not watch the performance specially prepared by Xiaguan..."

Before Qian Qianyi finished speaking, Wang Xiao waved his hand and walked out.

"Forget it, it's too late."

I left Qianjia Villa all the way, and outside was the street view of Jinling in the evening, which was quite pleasing to the eye.

The weather in late September is gentle and soft when the wind blows.

The people in the court here are also so soft, and their words and actions are like practicing Tai Chi, with spring breeze and rain.

Wang Xiao's patience was also consumed little by little.

He thought he had already given Qian Qianyi a great shame, not only to avoid the embarrassment of surrendering to the Qing court, but also to continue to act as a hypocritical leader to become the leader of the Shilin.

Today I went to the banquet specially to give me enough face.

Unfortunately, he gave Qian Qianyi the opportunity to be his like-minded partner, but the other party just wanted to be a friend of wine and meat.

Wang Xiao only had a four-character comment in his heart to such a person. Although these four words seem a little crazy, he rarely uses them.

——Not polite.

~~

Liu Rushi stood in the attic in the distance and watched the King of Jin leave the villa with his guards.

Although she didn't understand why the King of Jin left immediately after the banquet was held, she could still guess that he had disagreements with his own minister.

Liu Rushi then went down the attic and walked towards the lobby.

It is getting dark very quickly in autumn, and just a short while, the night falls.

A maid in the hall lit the lamp, but saw Qian Qianyi sitting there with a sad face, as if she was a little lost.

He looked at the lights, sighed, and murmured.

"White-headed lights and shadows in the cold night, a game of chess is seen in the Six Dynasties."

"My husband has another good sentence." Liu Rushi said, leaping over.

She walked from outside the door to Qian Qianyi and took more than ten steps. If she had to write a few good sentences to respond to him, but today she would not have such confidence.

After all, the few lyrics of the guest who just left were all earth-shaking and famous works of the ages. She felt that if the couple were in harmony with each other, they would be a bit of a show of their own skills.

There is nothing to say about this strange thought, but Liu Rushi could hear the meaning of nostalgia in Qian Qianyi's poem.

After the couple talked for a while, Qian Qianyi couldn't help but sigh at his side room.

"The King of Jin wants to urge him to pay the taxes. Although I deal with him today, I am afraid I will lose his valuation."

Liu Rushi comforted, "Then my husband doesn't have to worry about his career anymore? Fortunately, the world will be stable in the future, and it can be said that he will retire after success."

"What I regret is not my career, but I am worried about another disturbance in Jiangnan." Qian Qianyi said: "That's why this urge for quotations is to quotations and quotations. Now the situation is unstable and should be the main focus, but the King of Jin is eager to quotations. Isn't it a good policy? If you fish in the pond and have no fish next year, wouldn't it hurt?"

He stroked his long beard and sighed in a tone of worrying about the country and the people: "The taxes in Jiangnan are heavy. In addition to the necessary taxes and services, the various schools are even more diverse. Even famous families often fall into difficulties due to heavy taxes. It was difficult for them to slow down a few days ago. Now that the collection of debts is collected, it is inevitable that the people will be given the name of autocratic... "

However, Liu Rushi no longer responded to Qian Qianyi as usual.

She remembered that Zheng Yuanhua wanted to collect tax weaving, and her husband and wife discussed this matter. At that time, she was worried that the reform would not be fundamental, and the tax weaving would eventually fall on the poor weaving foreman.

But now the situation is obviously different.

She usually communicated with Dong Xiaowan and Li Xiangjun, and had a little understanding of the situation in the north... Therefore, she didn't quite agree with Qian Qianyi's saying that "the tax recovery is a fish and the people."

Simply put, those who can owe taxes are capable of buying the clerks. What does it have to recover the taxes?

What’s ridiculous is that at that time, the gentry in Jiangnan rebelled against Zheng Yuanhua, and it was obvious that it was to attack Zheng Yuanhua’s “authoritarianism”. However, in the end, the Zheng Party fell and the only policy left was to retain the prime minister and the matter of pursuing the tax arrears was left unresolved.

Liu Rushi's two husbands are the magistrates of the world, so how could they not see the tricks clearly?

She restrained her tone and slowly advised: "If my husband wants to do something, he can take on this matter with all his might; if he is worried about offending his relatives and friends, it is better... retire and retire. Can I accompany you to love the mountains and rivers?"

Even though she said so, she was still tactful.

What she actually wants to say is that if Qian Qianyi wants to make progress in his career in the future, he must be brave enough to take responsibility. He does not want to offend others, does not want to take responsibility, but he still wants to be a high-ranking official and a great scholar. How can such good things happen in the court?

If you use four words to describe it, it is "the failure to advance and retreat".

Liu Rushi didn't dare to say it better. She thought Qian Qianyi could understand it.

However, Qian Qianyi did not understand her meaning, or he was unwilling to understand it.

He believed that as the leader of the Shilin in Jiangnan, he had the first to lower the flag and led all officials to surrender. This was a contribution; after surrender, he worked diligently and stabilized the current situation, which was also a contribution.

In terms of reputation, identity, credit, talent, and qualifications, Wang Xiao should value himself instead of being more capable and asking himself to support him to recover taxes.

I have recovered the tax arrears today, and I will definitely bring the new law in the north tomorrow.

How many people will they offend? They are all relatives, friends, old friends, famous families, and nobility to destroy the reputation they have saved for no reason here.

In short, Wang Xiao did this matter too mean and merciless.

Qian Qianyi was extremely disappointed and could only hope to come to Beijing to meet Emperor Jianwu as soon as possible, hoping that the emperor would take power and organize the court...
To be continued...