Chapter 67: Here to ask for money
"It's okay." Tang Wen waved his hand.
"I'm just running errands for the government. How can I live as freely and carefree as you do?
Look, you have thousands of men under you, and have built up such a large family business. I heard that you were originally only a third-class baron.
After not seeing him for a few years, he was suddenly promoted to first-class earl.
It can be seen that you have made outstanding military achievements, which is admirable. Did you participate in the Northwest War?" Tie Wenjing said.
"I'm embarrassed to say this. In fact, there is no military merit. I just donated some food, fodder and horses to the court. Lord Zhang of Yanling said that these can be counted as military merit." Tang Wen shook his head.
"I heard that you donated a lot." Tie Wenjing said.
"Haha." Tang Wen laughed twice, feeling that the Tie Wen Mirror came ingeniously.
"Junior brother, this is where you are wrong." Tie Wenjing said.
"Oh? Did I do something wrong? Is it a crime to donate silver to the court to fight against invasion?" Tang Wen pretended to be surprised and looked at Tie Wenjing.
"That's right." Tie Wenjing touched his chin and said, "But, Junior Brother, you don't know. Your Sumei Island is also the territory of Jiangzhou Prefecture."
"Island Samui Island the territory of Jiangzhou Prefecture? How can this be said? Doesn't it fall under the jurisdiction of Yanling County?" Tang Wen was stunned and asked.
"Hahaha, junior brother, you are not wrong at all." Tie Wenjing laughed.
"You've confused me." Tang Wen was really puzzled.
"Master Qin, bring me the map." Tie Wenjing said. A middle-aged man dressed as a master standing next to him nodded and handed over a map.
Tie Wenjing spread out the map, pointed at Samui Island and said, "Brother, look, Samui Island is located to the east of Xiting Town, which belongs to Jiangzhou Prefecture.
Coming along Xiting Town, you will arrive at Koh Samui.
Therefore, half of Koh Samui belongs to Jiangzhou Prefecture, and the other half belongs to Yanling County.
You can see it is clearly marked on the picture, I am not making it up."
"So that's how it is. Junior brother, I really didn't know that. But, Koh Samui was bought by my ancestors and it is my private territory." Tang Wen said.
"Of course it belongs to your Tang family's private territory, but it is divided into the jurisdiction of Jiangzhou and Yanling." Tie Wenjing said.
"That's right. Now it seems that you, senior brother, are also my parent official." Tang Wen said.
"My parents dare not. You are a third-class earl and a noble of the State of Chu. Your status is higher than mine. But, junior brother, you can't favor one over the other." Tie Wenjing said.
"You're favoring one over the other. Where does this come from?" Tang Wen was a little confused.
"Junior brother, please think about it carefully." Tie Wenjing said.
"Well, I am stupid and can't really think of anything I have done to let down Jiangzhou Prefecture." Tang Wen said after thinking for a while.
"Haha, you donated 170,000 taels in Yanling, won military merit, and were promoted to the third-class earl. But this Samui Island also belongs to Jiangzhou Prefecture, and it seems that the Lord has not expressed anything to Jiangzhou Prefecture." Master Qin said with a dry laugh.
"Master Qin, you can't say that, my junior brother was unaware of that.
If he knew that half of Samui Island belonged to Jiangzhou Prefecture, he would definitely not be stingy with that little bit of money.
We are all fighting against foreign invasions for the imperial court, so I am not the kind of person who favors one over the other." Tie Wenjing said.
These two guys were singing the same tune, obviously coming to ask for money, and Tang Wen finally understood.
"Haha, back then, the pirates burned, killed and looted on my Samui Island and destroyed my Tang family's homeland. I wonder where Jiangzhou Prefecture is?" Tang Wen asked with a smile.
"Haha, junior brother, that was all decades ago. The Lord Fu Yi back then is no longer with us, so why bother bringing up such trivial matters?" Tie Wenjing said with a dry laugh.
"Yes, we should focus on the present." Master Qin nodded.
“Now, well, let’s talk about the present.
It seems that I have been in Koh Samui for more than half a year, and this is the first time I have seen someone from Jiangzhou Prefecture.
Moreover, after our Tang family moved back, they were robbed and killed by pirates twice.
Fortunately, our Tang family was well prepared, otherwise, all the members of the Tang family would have died long ago.
When the pirates attacked our Tang family, where were the Jiangzhou navy?" Tang Wen asked.
"You can't say that, Junior Brother Tang. Didn't Lord Fu Yi hear that pirates attacked the people on Koh Samui, so he sent us here to inquire?" Tie Wenjing said.
“Yes, yes. Now we see that under the leadership of the Tang family, Koh Samui has vigorously developed water conservancy, built dams and official roads.
I guess they will vigorously reclaim wasteland and grow crops. Lord Fu Yi will definitely be very happy when he returns this time.
If you need any help, just tell me, and Lord Fu Yi will find a way for you." said Master Qin.
"Okay, then I'll just make a small request." Tang Wen nodded.
"Junior Brother Tang is a meritorious official of the court. He donated money and grain to fight against foreign invasion. Please tell me. Lord Fu Yi will definitely do whatever he can!" Tie Wenjing said with a determined look on his face.
"My personal guard Qiao Xiao, Tang Wen, was arrested on trumped-up charges by Kang Qingfeng, the leader of the Yanling branch of the Six Gates, just because he had a fight with a couple of idlers in Yanling County.
According to investigation, it was because Kang Qingfeng wanted to find a location for a branch office in Yanling County, and he had his eyes on Qianyefang of my Tang family.
My Tang family was asked to donate 100 acres of land as a branch of the government office, and I, Tang Wen, agreed.
However, Kang Qingfeng only reported his military achievements based on the estimated price of the mountains.
An acre of mountain land costs a few taels of silver, but Qianyefang is located in the prosperous area of Yanling County. Can the price be the same?
This was clearly bullying, and Qiao Xiao had been locked up in Yanling County Jail for several months, being tortured by Captain Kang every day.
He is very loyal to me, Tang Wen. If Qiao Xiao can't come out, I won't even have someone to protect my safety.
How can I have the heart to farm and pay taxes and silver to the court?" Tang Wen said.
"Six Gates..." Tie Wenjing was stunned for a moment, frowned , and then asked, "Haha, didn't this happen in Yanling County? Lord Zhang is the official of Yanling County, and we in Jiangzhou Prefecture cannot intervene rashly. Otherwise, we will be hated."
“But Qiao Xiao is from the Tang family on Koh Samui, as you all said.
Does half of Koh Samui belong to Jiangzhou Prefecture?
Qiao Xiao is also from Jiangzhou Prefecture, so if anything happens to him, Jiangzhou Prefecture certainly has the right to intervene." Tang Wen said.
"You must have consulted Lord Zhang about this matter?" said Master Qin.
"Even if I look for him, Lord Zhang can't do it." Tang Wen said.
"Haha, even Lord Zhang can't do it, so this matter is very difficult to handle. However, if you show your attitude, we will report the matter truthfully to Lord Fu Yi." Tie Wenjing said.
"Yes! You donated 170,000 taels in Yanling. If you donate again to Jiangzhou Prefecture and make more military achievements, Lord Yi of the prefecture will recommend you for merit and you can be promoted to the second-class earl." said Master Qin.
"The second-class earl heard that he wants to donate 300,000 taels." Tang Wen sneered.
"If you pledge to donate, Lord Fu Yi will appeal this matter to the Provincial Six Fans Hall on your behalf." said Master Qin.
"Are you sure?" Tang Wen asked.
"I will try my best to explain this matter to Lord Fu Yi." Tie Wenjing said.
"Okay then. When Qiao Xiao is released, I will donate him to Jiangzhou Prefecture." Tang Wen nodded.
"These are two different things . You are making things difficult for the Jiangzhou Prefecture." Master Qin's face immediately changed and he looked at Tang Wen coldly.
"Master Qin, three hundred thousand taels, not three thousand taels, that's half of my Tang family's assets.
Once the money is donated, the thousands of people in my Tang family will have to live frugally.
Otherwise, this year won’t be over.” Tang Wen said.
"You write a petition and I will hand it to Lord Fu Yi for you. However, I hope Junior Brother Tang will keep his word." Tie Wenjing said.
"It has been written a long time ago. Yiwu, go ask Ge Ziyun to get it." Tang Wen said. Luo Yiwu nodded and soon brought the petition.
After reading it, Tie Wenjing put it away and stood up.
"Since you two are here, why don't you have dinner before leaving?" Tang Wen said.
"No, we have work to do and we have to rush back immediately.
However, Junior Brother Tang, Lord Fuyi is also here for the war in the northwest.
We are all working for the court, I hope you can understand." Tie Wenjing said.
"Of course I understand. I, Tang Wen, am also from the imperial court." Tang Wen nodded and said, "However, you two have come from afar, and Senior Brother Tie is still my senior brother. I cannot let you two return empty-handed. Since you two do not want to eat, then come with me."
Tie Wenjing glanced at Master Qin and followed Tang Wen out.
"Senior Brother Tie, what do you think of these tents?" Tang Wen asked, pointing at the tents along the lakeside avenue.
"It seems to be different from what we use in the army." Tie Wenjing took a look.
"Let's go in and take a look." Tang Wen said with a smile and led a few people into the tent.
