Chapter 490 Pingyang Prefecture
Baoqin's mother also smiled and said, "Pan'er and Baochai have both found happy marriages, so you should rest assured. The Xia family is as wealthy as ours, and the Marquis of Guanjun is a young marquis. You will enjoy a happy life in the future."
This was clearly to Aunt Xue's liking. She drank a glass of wine, pulled Ma aside, and said, "Sister, you're right. I was worried that our children wouldn't find a good match, but I never imagined this match would be destined. Isn't that a blessing for our Xue family?"
"Especially my precious daughter. The Empress came in person when we exchanged gifts. This is an honor our Xue family has never had before!"
"As for my sister, there's no need to worry!"
"With Baoqin's grace and intelligence, and the fact that she's Cong's adopted sister, it would be enough for her to marry into a wealthy family. It's just that the Mei family is unlucky. Given the Mei family's status, if they want to marry into another family, they have to see if our family is willing!"
"It's time to get Tad'er ready! Tad'er is so much better than a wretch like me. Wouldn't it be easy for him to find a good girl to marry?"
Ma smiled and said, "It is thanks to your care that we, my sister-in-law, have taken care of us. Otherwise, our family would still be in Jinling, not knowing whether we will live or die. Moreover, Ke'er and Baoqin's marriage is also a matter that requires your help."
"Of course!" Aunt Xue agreed without hesitation. "I'll ask around and see if there are any suitable candidates in Shenjing City. We can discuss this matter later."
Baoqin ate her food with her mouth pouting, showing no intention of speaking. Baochai beside her was also a little distracted, not knowing ...
Jia Cong's army rested in Hongdong County for half a day, and early the next morning they set out again towards Pingyang Prefecture.
As they were marching, a scout arrived to report, "Greetings, General. General Shi Nai, the commander of the front army, has an urgent report!"
Jia Cong took the letter, glanced at it, and couldn't help but sneer, "Since I left the Divine Capital, this Emperor's Sword has never been stained with blood. It seems that someone wants to test the sharpness of my sword."
"Marshal, what happened up ahead?" Jiang Zining, who was standing by, couldn't help but ask when he heard this.
Jia Cong threw the letter to Jiang Zining. Jiang Zining looked at it for a moment and then shouted angrily, "This Pingyang Prefecture prefect is so bold! His Majesty has already issued orders to all prefectures and cities regarding the amount of food and fodder they need to prepare. Yet, Fan Zhuang has only provided 30% and is even making all sorts of excuses. He's simply asking for his own death!"
In addition to the Ministry of Revenue supplying food and fodder to the army, all prefectures, counties, and districts along the route also had supply responsibilities. The amount of food and fodder provided wasn't arbitrary, but rather calculated by Lin Ruhai based on local grain production, disaster risk, and the army's needs. Of course, slight deviations in the supply amounts weren't impossible; after all, it was very likely that some areas would have over-consumed food and fodder due to insufficient grain production or consumption.
Moreover, the supply quantity mentioned in the original document was a bit excessive, because they were afraid that there would be problems with the food and fodder somewhere and it would not be supplied according to the quota.
Just like the various prefectures that Jia Cong passed through on his journey, some had insufficient grain production, or were affected by floods, rain, etc., resulting in the supply being only 80% to 90% of the full quota. Jia Cong asked someone to verify and found that it was true, so he naturally would not blame him. He just needed to find a place with high yields to make up for it.
However, Pingyang Prefecture only gave out 30%, which was obviously intentional.
There have been no floods, continuous rains, or other incidents in Pingyang Prefecture this year, and the grain output is similar to previous years. How dare this prefect do this? Is he tired of living?
What made Jia Cong laugh and cry the most was that the prefect was thinking of inviting him to a private meeting.
After thinking for a moment, Jia Cong said to Jiang Zining, "Marquis Pingyuan, you must go to Pingyang Prefecture immediately. Since Fan Zhuang wants to see me, I will listen to what he has to say."
Jiang Zining immediately received the order and led his troops to rush towards Pingyang Prefecture.
At sunset, Jiang Zining returned and entered Jia Cong's central army tent. He reported, "General, the prefect of Pingyang Prefecture, Fan Zhuang, wishes to see you!"
"Bring it in!"
After a while, a man in a fourth-grade crimson official robe followed Jiang Zining into the big tent!
"Your humble servant, Fan Zhuang, the prefect of Pingyang, pays homage to the Marquis of Guanjun!"
"Is Magistrate Fan here to deliver food and fodder to me?"
Fan Zhuang was stunned for a moment, then stepped forward and said with a smile, "My Lord, I have already prepared the food and fodder. However, this year, the harvest has been poor across Pingyang Prefecture, and gathering the food and fodder required for the army is truly challenging. Therefore, I have emptied the government granaries and even borrowed a considerable amount from wealthy families and mansions. Therefore, I hope that Your Majesty will be considerate of this. The people of Pingyang Prefecture will surely be grateful for your kindness."
"Prefect Fan, are you going to let my 100,000 soldiers march on empty stomachs?"
"I dare not!" Fan Zhuang smiled. Seeing that only Jiang Zining was guarding the door, he stepped forward again. A thick stack of silver bills in his sleeves lightly fell on the table in front of Jia Cong.
"Although it's only 30% of the share, it's enough for the Marquis' army to advance to Hezhong Prefecture and Jingzhao Prefecture."
"Our Pingyang Prefecture is not comparable to Chang'an. When we arrive in Jingzhao Prefecture, are you still worried about not having enough food and fodder?"
Jia Cong flipped through the banknotes in front of him. "Prefect Fan is quite generous. One hundred thousand taels of banknotes are still not enough to cover the 70% of the grain and fodder owed."
"My Lord..."
Jia Cong waved his hand to stop Fan Zhuang from speaking, "You should have received the imperial decree earlier."
"I received it!"
"What did His Majesty say in the decree?"
"His Majesty has ordered the Marquis to pass through various prefectures, counties and prefectures. All places should prepare corresponding food and fodder to supply the army. If there is any delay, the Marquis can deal with it on his own!" Fan Zhuang said nervously.
"The Emperor's Sword bestowed upon you by His Majesty has never been stained with blood since it left the Divine Capital. It is an honor for you, Lord Fan, to sharpen the Emperor's Sword as a prefect."
"My Lord!" Fan Zhuang looked horrified. He had not expected that Jia Cong was such an ignorant person.
Isn't that how it always is? Take 30% and return 100% to the court, with the profits shared by both sides. Otherwise, why would he give Jia Cong 100,000 taels of silver? But why doesn't Jia Cong understand the etiquette of officialdom? That silver doesn't belong to any one family, so wouldn't it be best to get some benefits?
"Jiang Zining!"
"I will be here!"
"Order the army to rest in Pingyang Prefecture for a day, arrest this man and interrogate him thoroughly. I want to see who dares to lay a hand on the military rations! Tomorrow at this time, south of Pingyang Prefecture, I will see blood!"
"I have received your order!"
Fan Zhuang wailed and wanted to beg for mercy, but Jiang Zining didn't give him the chance and simply stepped forward and dragged him out.
