roccoschili Chapter 282 Jia Benzhou Becomes an Official
Chapter 282 Jia Benzhou Becomes an Official
The atmosphere on the streets of Lu County suddenly became tense.
Zhao Sheng gave Li Weiguang a look, and the magistrate immediately understood what he meant and shouted:
"Come here, arrest this man who dared to disrespect his superiors and throw him in jail first. After this trade fair is over, we'll investigate what's going on here!"
The voice was deafening and exuded unquestionable majesty.
Are you kidding me? How dare you be so arrogant and domineering in front of the Prince Consort!
Just when several people were about to push Mr. Jia to the ground, Zhao Sheng suddenly asked:
"Um, Magistrate Li, what exactly does Mr. Jia's family do for a living?"
"Uh~" Li Weiguang felt a sudden panic in his heart, secretly complaining: Damn it, how would I know what this guy does?
"Li Zheng, what does this guy do at home?"
Li Weiguang turned his gaze eagerly to the head of the village, and before he knew it, he shouted out what was in his mind.
The village head came forward tremblingly and said:
"Your Excellency, the County Magistrate, this Mr. Jia owns several hundred acres of fertile land and runs a cloth, grain, and oil business in the city."
"Alas! This was supposed to be a good trade fair, with plenty of business to do and plenty of money to make, but you had to come here and get yourself into trouble, leaving such a good opportunity to make money..."
Zhao Sheng shook his head and sighed with regret.
When Jia Yuanwai heard this, he immediately panicked and shouted:
"Your Excellency the Magistrate, I am willing to participate in the trade fair and can also provide food to the Princess's Mansion for free to support this event."
Zhao Sheng stopped Li Weiguang with one hand and said coldly:
"Forget it. It's too shabby to redeem yourself with just this little money. Just throw him into jail."
"Oh, no, Shangguan, please tell me what you want. I, Jia, will definitely do it even if it means going through fire and water!"
Mr. Jia was so anxious that his face turned red and his neck became thick, and he started yelling at the top of his voice.
"No, I'm afraid if I tell you, you won't agree even if you die." Zhao Sheng said jokingly with a hint of teasing on his face.
Mr. Jia wondered if he would ever get out alive if he was thrown into prison. He fell to his knees with tears in his eyes, begging, "Sir, please tell me something."
"If you are willing to give up all your property, I will keep you safe for the rest of your life. What do you think?"
Zhao Sheng stared at Jia Yuanwai with a sharp gaze and spoke word by word.
"Ah..." Mr. Jia was stunned and exclaimed, "You actually want them all!"
He widened his eyes and looked at Zhao Sheng in disbelief, his mind full of thoughts, why is Shangguan so greedy?
"If you hand over all your property, I'll give you a position as a county magistrate. What do you think? But... you can't be corrupt during your time as an official. I can give you the monthly salary you expect!"
Zhao Sheng folded his hands in front of his chest with a serious expression.
"Ah..." Mr. Jia was confused again. He was given an official position and the monthly salary he wanted. What kind of magical operation was this?
"Just tell me straight out whether you're going to do it or not. Stop looking at me like an idiot." Zhao Sheng's patience seemed to be running out, and he seemed a little impatient.
You know, Lu County is not very land-rich, and the fact that Mr. Jia actually owns nearly a thousand acres of land is enough to show that he has some power. In Zhao Sheng's opinion, as long as a rich man doesn't embezzle, he doesn't believe he can't run a county well.
"What kind of county magistrate can Shangguan give me?" asked Mr. Jia cautiously.
"Well, what do you think, County Magistrate? You're in charge of agriculture and agricultural land taxes."
Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly and asked tentatively.
The county magistrate is just a minor official position of the ninth rank. Although he would lose his land, at least he could keep his life. Moreover, he would get the salary he wanted. Jia Yuanwai thought, it would be better to ask for a high price and see if they could accept his request.
"Then, can you give me a monthly salary of 100 taels?"
Mr. Jia plucked up his courage and asked tentatively.
"Um, Magistrate Li, how much is your monthly salary?"
Zhao Sheng turned around and looked at Li Weiguang.
"Me? A monthly salary of thirty taels is already the highest salary in Dingzhou."
Li Weiguang replied quickly.
You should know that the seventh-rank magistrate of Luancheng can get a monthly salary of thirty taels of silver, and also receive twenty taels of cotton, fourteen taels of silk, and twenty shi of millet every year.
"So, Mr. Jia, you want the monthly salary of three county magistrates. You are really greedy!" Zhao Sheng frowned and said to himself.
When Jia Yuanwai heard this, his face instantly changed color and he said hurriedly:
"You can give me less, that's fine with me."
He was really scared. If he was thrown into jail, his life would be in danger. He could ask for less money, but he still had a shop and could still make a living.
"I think I can give you a hundred taels. However, since I've given you such a high salary, you absolutely must not make mistakes. Otherwise, if I find out that you're not doing good things while in office, I'll not only revoke your official position, but I'll also take your head!"
Zhao Sheng had a serious expression and spoke to Jia Yuanwai with a sharp look in his eyes, his tone full of warning.
"What?" Mr. Jia looked incredulous. The changes were so huge that he was completely at a loss.
Seeing that the atmosphere was almost set, Zhao Sheng frowned and said with a more serious expression:
"According to the reward and punishment system for Luancheng officials, if you serve diligently within three years, there will be guidance for land rewards. At that time, you can get back what you lost."
"Ah," Mr. Jia was very excited. He didn't expect that there would be such a good thing.
"If you agree, go and complete the transfer procedures immediately. I will arrange for the appointment documents of the county magistrate for you right away."
Mr. Zhao was too lazy to explain further and urged directly.
Mr. Jia's original name was Jia Benzhou. He wasn't a bad person by nature, but he had a bad problem: he liked to make friends with people from the underworld, but he was reluctant to spend money. As a result, he could only interact with those low-class thugs on the street.
He survived a catastrophe and even managed to become a county magistrate. The most important thing was that he still had a monthly salary of 100 taels. Who would believe this if they told others about it? Although Jia Benzhou endured the immense heartache in his heart, he still gritted his teeth and went back to handle the handover of the confiscated land.
"My dear Prince Consort, it's not appropriate to give him such a high salary!"
Li Weiguang, who was standing by, witnessed Zhao Sheng's entire operation and couldn't help but ask.
"He has about 800 mu of land, and his annual income is about 3,200 taels of silver. After deducting costs, he still has 1,500 taels. Giving him 1,200 taels, and he can also work for us, isn't that a good deal?"
Zhao Sheng analyzed in an orderly manner with a firm gaze.
"Ah, you can calculate it this way!"
Li Weiguang opened his mouth in surprise.
"If not this way, how else can we calculate it?"
Zhao Sheng sneered and was speaking when he suddenly saw Liang Dong peeking out of the door, so he walked over.
"Is there something wrong?" Zhao Sheng asked.
"Well! It's like this. Many foreign craftsmen have come to this street, hoping to take on work, and they've come into conflict with some of the local craftsmen. This situation is not easy to handle."
Liang Dong looked embarrassed.
"These locals work based on their real abilities. Whoever has the ability takes the job. Why would there be any conflict?"
Zhao Sheng's face turned ugly in an instant and he said angrily.
Afterwards, Zhao Sheng and Liang Dong hurried to the place where the controlled craftsmen were being held, only to see a group of people kneeling on the ground with their heads bowed.
"Everyone, get up."
Zhao Sheng really couldn't stand seeing the people kneeling in front of him, so he shouted at the people on the ground.
"We are all craftsmen. What's the point of fighting each other for a little profit?"
After everyone stood up, Zhao Shengfa asked.
The craftsmen kneeling there looked at each other, then lowered their heads, and no one dared to speak.