Warlords: Conquer the world from the county magistrate

Chapter 259 Ouyang Yi

"The Ouyang family." Zhuang Jiwu put down his chopsticks and said.

"The Ouyang family has been on a downward trend. Last year, the heir to the family passed away due to illness, which seems to be a long way off."

"If we hadn't taken control of Nanchuan, I'm afraid other families would have already taken action against the Ouyang family. Even so, these families have suppressed the Ouyang family openly and covertly."

Seeing Zhuang Jiwu's detailed explanation, Fang Jianan smiled and said, "I'm afraid you're talking about the Ouyang family for more than just this reason."

Zhuang Jiwu coughed lightly and did not feel embarrassed when Fang Jian saw through him.

"Yes, Ouyang Yi, the eldest grandson of the third generation of the Ouyang family, is now working in the Nanchuan government, and he has repeatedly expressed the Ouyang family's willingness to submit."

Fang Jian did not comment on this. With his current strength, it would not have much impact on him whether these big families submitted to him or not.

After dinner, Fang Jian said, "Jiwu, I'll leave the affairs of these major families to you."

"Those who are willing to cooperate, if you like them, don't bother with them as long as they don't break the law in the future."

“If they are unwilling to cooperate and have not committed any wrongdoing in the past, as long as they do not violate government decisions in the future, we will give them a chance.”

“We need to establish a regime with a sound legal system so that people can understand the law and use it to protect themselves.”

"There is no absolute fairness in this world, but our laws must be fair. Law enforcers may be unfair, but no matter how high or low, everyone should be equal before the law."

"So, you must also supervise the courts and the police in the future to ensure that law enforcement officers do not have any problems."

After saying this, Fang Jian looked directly at Zhuang Jiwu and Tao Yunong. Tao Yunong's intelligence department could serve as a supervisory agency, but there had to be a supervisory agency within the government.

Thinking of this, Fang Jian said, "We will set up a regulatory agency within the government and name it the Discipline Inspection Bureau. Jiwu, you will be in charge of the Discipline Inspection Bureau for the time being."

"Yu Nong, your intelligence department must also do a good job of intelligence work and not let go of officials who are derelict in their duties or abuse their power."

"Yes, Commander." The two men quickly stood up and answered.

After a few more words, the two left, and Fang Jian walked around the backyard for a while. There were not many entertainment activities in this era, and Fang Jian did not like watching plays or listening to music, so he was naturally very bored when he had no official business.

Zhuang Jiwu returned to the provincial government building nearby, where the top provincial government officials were waiting.

Seeing Zhuang Jiwu walk into the hall, everyone came forward to greet him, "Governor Zhuang."

"Okay, follow me." Zhuang Jiwu nodded slightly and led everyone to his office.

After sitting down, Zhuang Jiwu looked at everyone and told them some of what Fang Jian had requested. Of course, he only talked about local issues and did not tell them about the matters targeting the big families in Nanchuan.

After all, among these people, there might be someone who is loyal to the big family, which would be bad for the big family.

After listening to Zhuang Jiwu's introduction, the director of the Civil Affairs Department immediately said, "Governor Zhuang, after finding out these problems, how do you plan to deal with them?"

"Of course we will deal with it strictly and severely." Zhuang Jiwu said, looking at the Director of Civil Affairs with a meaningful look.

This Director of Civil Affairs was also an old man from the previous dynasty. He was very good at judging the situation during the chaos in Nanchuan. He not only preserved his wealth but also maintained his status.

After the Nanshan Army entered Nando, this man decisively surrendered. Zhuang Jiwu did not make things difficult for him and still let him serve as the chief of civil affairs.

The director of the Civil Affairs Department smiled and said, "Governor Zhuang, now that Nanchuan has been newly annexed, the people's hearts are not stable."

“To treat these officials so hastily will not only chill the people, but will also affect the normal functioning of the government.”

Zhuang Jiwu sneered, "Director Liu, if we deal with these parasites, the people will only cheer and jump for joy, how can they be disappointed? As for affecting the normal operation of the government, you can rest assured about that."

Zhuang Jiwu was also very displeased with these old remnants. In the previous few months, Zhuang Jiwu focused on other things and did not interfere too much in Nanchuan's political affairs.

Needless to say, when these problems arose, provincial officials must have concealed them.

The Civil Affairs Secretary defends these people so much. I wonder if he is involved or is simply trying to protect them.

However, this is not important to Zhuang Jiwu. In the past few months, Zhuang Jiwu has secretly recruited some local intellectuals in Nanchuan. On the surface, he said that he was recruiting teachers, but in fact he did not cultivate political talents.

Just like Nanshan, it is no problem to send them out to deal with the situation after a short period of training.

After arranging the monitoring task, Zhuang Jiwu let the others leave and left Ouyang Yi behind.

Seeing the others leave and leaving him alone, Ouyang Yi felt a little uneasy. Among these big families, only the Ouyang family has a legitimate son serving in the government.

Moreover, Ouyang Yi was somewhat unsure about Governor Fang's attitude towards the big families.

Seeing Ouyang Yi's reserved look, Zhuang Jiwu said with a smile: "Director Ouyang, don't be nervous."

"Governor, just tell me what's on your mind. If you want to take back the land, our family is willing to donate the land to the government." Ouyang Yi took a deep breath and said bluntly.

Nanchuan had also heard a little about Nanshan's policies. After the five major families were destroyed, their lands were divided up.

The remaining small and medium-sized landowners also sold their land to the government, which redistributed it to farmers.

In Ouyang Yi's opinion, the land in Nanchuan will probably be taken back by the government.

Zhuang Jiwu shook his head: "The land belongs to the Ouyang family. We will not take it back by force. We are the government, not robbers. As long as you abide by the law, your property will be protected by the government."

Seeing Ouyang Yi's puzzled expression, Zhuang Jiwu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so he could only explain:

"You are worried because most of the landowners in Nanshan have sold their land to the government."

"The reason why those landlords sold their land was because Nanshan stipulated that all land rents must not exceed 30%, and agricultural taxes must be borne by the landlords. In addition, a contract must be signed with the government. If the land rent exceeds the contract, a fine will be imposed."

“If the landowner cultivates the land himself or hires someone to cultivate the land for wages, the wages paid must not be lower than the minimum wage for workers.”

After listening to Zhuang Jiwu's explanation, Ouyang Yi suddenly understood. In other places, landlords collected more than half of the rent, some collected 60%, some 70%, and some 80%.

If the regulation is not more than 30%, the agricultural tax will still be borne by the landlords. Which landlord would be willing to be the scapegoat?

As for hiring workers to help with farming, although the income will be higher, the operation is also very troublesome, and workers are not like tenants.

Thinking of this, Ouyang Yi asked: "Why would the landlords in Nanshan sell their land to the government if they can just leave it vacant?"

Zhuang Jiwu: "Even if the land is vacant, taxes will be paid. If the land is vacant for three years or more, a fine will be imposed."

With these regulations regarding land, Francis Xavier was not afraid of landlords owning land and buying and selling it privately.

The reason why ancient dynasties collapsed and could not collect money was, first, because they were mainly based on agriculture, and second, because some large families were exempted from taxes or evaded taxes.

With a sound tax law, as long as the country has a strong military, those who evade taxes can be punished.