Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 103 Xu Jie of Songjiang Prefecture was a local worthy.
"Lord, Lord! Lord, Lord!"

Fang Dingxuan was like a leech; even after being pushed away, he still chased after Yin Zhengmao and blocked his way.

Yin Zhengmao suddenly stopped and looked at the county magistrate who was blocking the road. He couldn't help but frown.

Even though Fang Dingxuan looks frail and is far from being a match for Yin Zhengmao.

However, Yin Zhengmao's guards still gathered around him to prevent him from making any other moves.

"Do you intend to obstruct this minister?" Yin Zhengmao exuded a murderous aura.

However, Fang Dingxuan was clearly a seasoned veteran. No matter how angry the other party got, he didn't respond and always had a fawning smile on his face.

"Your Excellency, you are unaware of the fact that since the implementation of the land survey law and the Single Whip Law, the people of Songjiang Prefecture have been filled with resentment and have expressed considerable dissatisfaction with the imperial court. Your visit here might incite a popular uprising!"

Yin Zhengmao found it amusing: "The imperial court's implementation of the land survey and the Single Whip Law is precisely to alleviate the plight of the common people. How can it possibly incite a popular uprising? As the Minister of Justice in Nanjing, how could I possibly be afraid of the people like a tiger?"

Fang Dingxuan bowed and said, "Your Excellency is unaware that Songjiang Prefecture is not without its people's troubles, but these have already been resolved."

As early as the third year of the Longqing reign, when Hai Gangfeng was serving as the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief and the governor of the ten prefectures of Yingtian, you should know him. He was always an impartial and selfless person. He collected many petitions from the people and had already recovered the land for the people of Songjiang Prefecture.

"Oh? So all the land belonging to the people has been returned?" Yin Zhengmao stared intently at the other party.

"I dare not say any of it," Fang Dingxuan quickly added. "As you know, among the families in Songjiang Prefecture, the Xu family is the most prominent. The Xu family are respected local figures."

However, in the past, Grand Secretary Xu devoted himself to the affairs of the court, which led many of his family members to act recklessly.

However, in the third year of the Longqing reign, upon hearing about the land dispute, Grand Secretary Xu strictly ordered his clansmen to cooperate with Hai Gangfeng to return the numerous fields belonging to the people of Huating County.

"According to you, the Xu family not only has no faults, but has also done something good?" Yin Zhengmao found it amusing.

"This is something I witnessed with my own eyes," Fang Dingxuan continued.

"Since Hai Gangfeng, the fields of Songjiang Prefecture have been clear and peaceful. Whenever there is a disaster, the Xu family will naturally provide great relief. The people have high praise for the Xu family, and everyone says that Grand Secretary Xu is a benevolent, virtuous and respected local worthy!"
If Your Excellency does not believe me, you may ask the villagers.

However."

Fang Dingxuan said somewhat embarrassedly, "Since the implementation of the new policy, the people of Songjiang Prefecture have been full of complaints. If it weren't for Grand Secretary Xu keeping things in check and reasoning with the villagers, there would have been a huge uproar long ago."

Therefore, Your Excellency should be more careful. With such a large mobilization this time, the common people will immediately know that a court official has arrived.

If this causes trouble, it may be detrimental to the Minister.

Yin Zhengmao sneered and said, "You always speak up for that Grand Secretary Xu, you must have received a lot of favors, right?"

He glared.

"I will not hide it from you, the reason I came here is to investigate this matter thoroughly and to give the people of Songjiang Prefecture and Huating County justice for the land survey!"

Yin Zhengmao had initially planned to act in secret.

However, the officials in Southern Zhili were all very powerful and influential, and his intentions were immediately seen through as soon as he made a few moves.

Yin Zhengmao was ultimately a rough man, lacking the shrewdness of those in officialdom.

Seeing this, he simply used overwhelming force to shatter the "benevolence and righteousness" of these gentry!
"Get out of the way! If you block my way again, I'll investigate you as well!"

He shoved Fang Dingxuan aside and strode forward.

Fang Dingxuan was pushed and stumbled, falling into the mud, crying and shouting something.

"Your Excellency, you mustn't do this!" "Your Excellency, please be extremely careful!" "Your Excellency~"

But out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a group of people not far away, and a smile crept onto his lips.

Yin Zhengmao hadn't taken more than a few steps when he suddenly stopped and stared intently at a group of people running towards him from not far away.

A captain rushed over, bowed, and reported anxiously, "Sir, a group of villagers are approaching, all carrying farm tools. They seem menacing, and judging by their appearance, they're not here with good intentions."

Upon hearing this, Yin Zhengmao's eyes sharpened as he looked towards the group of ragged villagers.

They raised their hoes, picks, and other farm tools, their anger palpable, and in no time they were upon us.

"My lord, shall we..." The captain's face showed some worry.

Since ancient times, villagers have been bound by family ties and have generally been known for their fierce and unruly nature.

Especially in Southern Zhili, it was common for villages to fight each other over water sources and mountain land.

When dealing with such incidents, the government often relies on local gentry to mediate and resolve them, and rarely initiates any conflict itself.

After all, if mishandled, a "popular uprising" could break out in the area, and local officials would also be held accountable, their careers would be affected.

"Don't panic." Yin Zhengmao reached out and stopped the captains to the side, then took the initiative to go to meet them.

His upright posture and imposing presence in the middle of the road made the originally aggressive villagers feel somewhat intimidated.

At this moment, an old man with a white beard stepped forward and said angrily.

"Who is this sir? Is he here for the land tax collection? The magistrate of Huating County promised us long ago that the land tax in Huating County would still be collected in kind. What is the purpose of your mobilization of such a large force today?"

The Ming Dynasty was characterized by a strong local clan culture, with each village and township having its own elders for management. Coupled with a strict household registration system, the region was extremely sensitive to outsiders.

Before Yin Zhengmao could speak, Fang Dingxuan, the magistrate of Huating County, immediately ran up, blocked the villagers' path, and raised his eyebrows as he spoke.

"You are all incredibly audacious to dare to act so disrespectfully in front of Minister Yin Yangshi of the Ministry of Personnel in Nanjing! Kneel down immediately!"

But the village elder didn't seem to appreciate it. Hearing this, he became even angrier and stared at Yin Zhengmao as he spoke.

"So you are Yin Yangshi? As an official of the imperial court, why are you working for treacherous officials?"

"Xu Youtian, how dare you! Don't talk nonsense!" Fang Dingxuan's voice seemed to tremble as he pointed at the other party and cursed angrily.

But the village elder was not afraid at all and shouted loudly.

"I am seventy-six years old. What if I give up my worthless life? I just want to ask you, sir, why is the court implementing this damned Single Whip Law and why is it conducting a land survey?"

Yin Zhengmao stared intently at the other person and said, "The imperial court is implementing new policies, naturally in order to ensure that ordinary people have a livelihood!"

"What utter nonsense about livelihood! It's all for Zhang Juzheng's benefit! It's all just officials currying favor with the powerful!"

"Master Xu gave us a way out, but Zhang Juzheng is forcing us to die!"

"Xu Youtian!" Fang Dingxuan seemed to be jumping up and down in a panic. "Guards, arrest this man immediately! This man is incredibly audacious! How dare he slander an official of the imperial court!"

"The county magistrate arrested me! I'll risk my life to make these heartfelt words public and seek justice for the people!"

Xu Youtian raised his head, looking completely fearless.

"We demand an explanation!"

Immediately after he spoke, a group of villagers behind him also raised their hoes and brandished them, creating a rather frightening scene.

Yin Zhengmao, being a soldier, was naturally not intimidated, but he still frowned deeply.

　I forgot to set the timer, sorry.

　　The next chapter will be at 8 PM.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)