Chapter 548: Increase Tax

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Guard One ran in excitedly and said excitedly, “Fourth Madam, the general and the others have attacked Lin’an City.”

“Already?”

Guard One nodded excitedly. “Bai Li sent news that it was Young Master Zijin who instigated a group of imperial guards to open the city gate.

“What about the Second Prince?”

Guard One said regretfully, “Second Prince and Prime Minister Qin escaped from another city gate. Because of the West Xia cavalrymen’s protection, they couldn’t chase them to the end. However, if we successfully occupy Lin’an City, General can ascend the throne, right?”

“Wouldn’t ascending the throne make him a target now? In my opinion, it s more important to quell the war first.”

At this moment, Rong Xuan was also telling Qi Xiuyuan to quell the war before ascending the throne. Otherwise, if they occupied Lin’an City and ascended the throne, they would become the target of public criticism.

Qi Xiuyuan agreed. “Seeing as the West Xia army hasn’t yet retreated, it seems that the progress of the Jin Kingdom isn’t very smooth. I don’t want to call Haoran back anymore. Let him continue fighting at the border. Since the Second Prince is still in the hands of the West Xia people, I’ll only feel at ease when he’s killed.”

Rong Xuan agreed and asked, “Should we bring Madam, Ah Ling, and the others back to Lin’an City?”

Qi Xiuyuan thought for a moment and shookhis head. “It’s safer to let them continue staying there.”

Li Jinghua, who had been excitedly waiting to return to the capital, was a little discouraged when she received the news. Mu Yangling comforted her and said, “Big Brother is being considerate of our safety. When things stabilize, Big Brother will definitely come and pick you up.”

Li Jinghua said gloomily, “I don’t know how long it will take for the world to return to stability.”

“I don’t know when the world will settle down. I only know that if Eldest Madam and Fourth Madam continue to leave things be, our place will definitely be unpeaceful.”

The two looked up at Chen Ming’s wife, “What do you mean?”

Chen Ming’s wife sighed, “Why else would the world be in chaos? In the past, no matter how greedy the officials were, they would always leave us a way out. Now, it’s not the case anymore. The county magistrate has gone crazy and raised the rent tax by 30%. Now is the time for autumn grain. Even if the villagers in our surrounding villages hand over all the grains, it won’t be enough. Now, people everywhere are selling everything they have. Several in our small village have even been selling daughters these few days. Those who don’t have daughters at home even resort to selling their sons. Because our family head still goes to town every day to buy meat and fine grain from time to time, many people have their eyes on us.”

Mu Yangling’s eyes widened. “The situation already worsened to this extent?

Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“Isn’t this what you and the eldest lady have been worrying about, the situation in the capital? Our family head didn’t expect the situation to turn out so badly either. Our ancestors have lived here for hundreds of years without such incidents. The most severe tax collection was once for the apportioned military pay, but even that wasn’t as heavy as the current taxes…”

Chen Ming’s wife continued, “We’re still better off here. I’ve heard that the farmers in another town are suffering even more. Not only do they have to pay the imperial taxes, but the land-tenants also had their rents raised by the landlords. The amount of grain isn’t small; even selling their children might not cover it, so many have abandoned their homes to become refugees.

Mu Yangling and Li Jinghua looked at each other. Li Jinghua said hesitatingly, “Why don’t we ask Chen Ming to keep a low profile and not go to town for a while? Ah Ling, didn’t you ask someone to raise chickens and ducks in the courtyard in front? They’ve gotten bigger, right?”

“Sister-in-law, that bit of chicken and duck isn’t even enough to fill the gaps between our teeth. If it’s just us, we can just eat more vegetables. But considering Little Treasure and Little Bear are still growing, we have to make sure they’re well-fed and well-clothed. Also, since Little Treasure is still recuperating, we have to buy fresh ingredients.

“Then, let’s think of a way to provide relief. Otherwise, if this place falls into chaos, I’m afraid our family will be the first to suffer.”

Their family was the richest among the nearby villages.

Mu Yangling thought for a moment and shook her head. “No, let’s not talk about the fact that we can’t take out so much grain. Even if we can, if we donate to the nearby villages, the citizens of the other towns might rush over upon findingout.”

“So what do we do? Move?”

Mu Yangling looked at Little Treasure and shook her head slightly. Little Treasure’s health was not good. The last time they traveled here from Lin’an City, he had already fallen sick. If they moved again, she was afraid that he would fall sick again and result in a deterioration of his health. Moreover, this was already the safest place she could find. Where else could possibly be safer?

Mu Yangling patted her hand and said, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry. The situation isn’t the worst yet. We’ll observe the situation before deciding whether to move.”

Li Jinghua did not really want to move, so she could only remain patient and continue waiting.

Mu Yangling turned around and looked for the guards. She asked them to investigate the county magistrate and get the evidence of his crimes. Guard One said, “This might be useful two years ago. Now that the world is in chaos, who would care about this? Fourth Madam, this evidence is useless.”

“Then what do you suggest we do?”

“We might as well kill the county magistrate on the spot as punishment for his crimes,” Guard One muttered.

Mu Yangling’s eyes lit up. She knocked on the table and said, “That’s a good idea.”

Guard One stammered, “I-I was just saying.”

Mu Yangling glanced at him and said, “I’m not asking you to do it.” Mu Yangling turned around and wrote a letter to Bai Li. Assassinations and whatnot should be done by Bai Li. He would definitely not leave any traces. In less than two days, before the villagers’ tax grains could be sent to the county, a few announcements were posted at the city gate announcing this year’s rent tax was waived. The announcements were even stamped with the county magistrate’s seal.

The entire county was in an uproar. Their first feeling was disbelief. After confirming that the seal was authentic, they spread the news excitedly. By the time the bailiffs heard the news and rushed over, the entire county had found out.

Even the remote mountain village where Mu Yangling and the others lived heard the news in the afternoon. Naturally, the news was brought back by Chen Ming, who often went to town.

Not to mention the villagers, even the junior Officer and village chief didn’t believe it. They specially came to the large residence to ask Chen Ming. Chen Ming pointed to the sky and swore, “It’s true, it’s true. There s an announcement at the county entrance. Many rich families in the village say so.” “That shouldn’t be the case. Why did the county magistrate suddenly exempt us from taxes?” The junior officer and village chief were puzzled.

Chen Ming replied nonchalantly, “Who cares? In any case, our village no longer needs to sell our children or starve to death.”

The junior officer and village chief were still a little nervous. “If this is fake news, I’m afraid everyone will be happy for nothing.”

“I don’t think so. It’s stamped with the magistrate’s seal. How can he go back on his word?” Chen Ming also started hesitating.

However, no matter what the truth was, the preparations for the autumn tax slowed down. Those who had wanted to sell their children also stopped and began to wait and see.

Two days later, Chen Ming brought back another piece of news, “The county magistrate is dead. Someone slit his neck at his home. It’s said that the murderer wrote the announcement.”

The village chief was stunned and hurriedly asked, “Does the announcement still count?”

Chen Ming shookhis head, “We don’t know for sure yet. Since there’s no guarantee, let’s not send it first. Otherwise, the grains will be wasted.” “Then, your boss didn’t send it either?” The villagers looked at Chen Ming inquisitively.

Chen Ming shookhis head, “No.”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone’s hearts instantly calmed down. They decided to wait and see.

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