activa-t Chapter 144 Crying Out for Justice Again
Chapter 144 Crying Out for Justice Again
Xue Ming naturally understood the implied meaning. Li Chong was not one to solicit bribes; the reward he wanted was certainly not just money.
As for the most important event in Yanggu County recently, it is undoubtedly the autumn tax.
Unlike the summer tax, the autumn tax is levied on real grain, which is the lifeblood of every family.
Even though Li Chong did not follow the "usual practice" of increasing taxes on top of those imposed by the imperial court, he still needed the cooperation of the local people to collect the taxes smoothly.
"My grain is already stored in the granary. As long as the county magistrate collects the grain, we can take it out and hand it over at any time," Xue Ming said without any hesitation.
Having cooperated multiple times, the Xue family was quite cooperative with Li Chong, the county magistrate.
"Good." Li Chong patted his shoulder approvingly. "If all the wealthy and powerful people in the county could be like Wenzhao and his son, I would have much less to worry about."
Xue Ming immediately replied, "Your Excellency, rest assured. My father has some influence in the county. My Xue family will do our utmost to cooperate with the autumn tax collection and will certainly not disappoint Your Excellency."
"That's good. With such a wise father and son around, I have nothing to worry about."
Having achieved his goal, Li Chong naturally didn't hold back his smiles; at least for now, his impression of the Xue family was quite good.
Taking advantage of Li Chong's good mood, Xue Ming cautiously asked, "Your Excellency, may I inquire about the matter of land reclamation...?"
These days, Li Chong is busy collecting taxes everywhere, and Yang Chengde, who has lost this cushy job of collecting taxes, is naturally not idle either.
Not only did he cultivate relationships with the prefectural government, but he also spent his days leading people to the countryside to measure fields, which was terrifying to watch.
Although he hasn't actually taken action against anyone yet, you can tell from his posture that he's not just putting on a show.
Once the official decree is issued, it will likely be time to bleed money. That's why Xue Ming came to sound out Li Chong's opinion and see if he could handle the matter.
Perfect timing. Even if Xue Ming didn't bring it up, Li Chong was going to talk to him anyway.
"Wen Zhao, I've long planned for this. There seem to be rumors circulating in the county lately; have you heard them?"
Xue Ming seemed to understand: "I've been busy with the affairs of the escort agency, so I'm not quite sure yet."
Li Chong smiled at him and said, "Then go and find out. Everything will become clear."
The old farmer's family was found by the Xue family, and Li Chong had already hinted at what he was going to do. Li Chong didn't need to explain how to push things along next.
To protect their landholdings under the pressure from the state government, they had no choice but to seek help from higher authorities, and that meant relying on Li Chong.
Xue Ming's expression turned solemn, and he clasped his hands in a respectful bow, saying, "I understand."
Li Chong waved his hand, and Xue Ming obediently took his leave.
Rumors circulated among the common people that Fu Shun was seeking out people from all walks of life, and that even the upper-class gentry needed someone to orchestrate things.
When the rumors became rampant, Li Chong produced the actual item, and the rumors ceased to be rumors.
After seeing Xue Ming off, Xie Wenyou, looking curious, walked up to Li Chong and asked, "Brother-in-law, what did you say to Brother Xue? He seemed quite preoccupied."
How could Xue Ming not have something on his mind?
Although he knew that most of the auspicious omens were fake, Xue Ming couldn't help but feel uneasy about personally participating in the forgery and deceiving the emperor, who was high above him.
"Don't ask any more questions, it's all official business."
Li Chong changed the subject, put his arm around Xie Wenyou's neck and said, "You haven't been back for days? Your sister asked me yesterday why you haven't returned to the yamen yet. I can't explain myself to anyone. I have to go back today no matter what."
Xie Wenyou scratched his head: "The escort agency is busy, and I can't get away for the time being."
Li Chong glared at him: "Nonsense! Do you think such a big security escort agency can't do without a kid like you? Come on, come back with me!"
These days, Xie Wenyou has made many friends outside, spending his days chasing after hawks and hounds, and he's having such a good time that he doesn't want to leave.
Young people are most playful. They used to be disciplined by their fathers at home, but now that they're out in the world, no one can control them, so they just let themselves go.
Xie Wenyu complained to Li Chong about this many times, and even suspected that Li Chong was deliberately indulging her younger brother and not wanting him to study hard and make progress.
There was no other way; Li Chong had to personally bring him back today to report to Xie Wenyu.
With Li Chong watching him intently, Xie Wenyou had no way to escape and could only hang his head and agree. He then mounted his horse with Li Chong and headed towards the county government office.
"You've had your fill of playing around these days, it's time to focus on your studies," Li Chong said earnestly. "I'm busy with official duties and don't have time to tutor you, but I've found you a good teacher. Study hard with him, it's time to give it your all."
After saying that, Li Chong felt strange. When did he become the kind of person who persuades others to study?
It feels like raising a son.
But in this era, the saying "Of all things, only studying is noble" is the absolute truth, and encouraging people to pursue education is the right path.
Xie Wenyou didn't object, but just gave a muffled reply, though he couldn't seem to get excited.
Li Chong shook his head and looked ahead.
"That way, I can at least report back to her. But the strategy guide is still not progressing. What exactly is she thinking?"
Despite pursuing Xie Wenyu for so long, Li Chong felt he hadn't made much progress and was always uneasy.
After all, Xie Wenyu had leverage over him and couldn't just let her go unpunished.
"Brother-in-law, when are you and my sister going to have a baby?" Xie Wenyou spurred his horse closer and asked tentatively.
Li Chong smiled bitterly to himself; he wanted to as well.
She still gave Xie Wenyou a sidelong glance: "You brat, when did it become your business to meddle in our marital affairs?"
Xie Wenyou chuckled: "I was just thinking that if my older sister got pregnant, she would be less controlling of me, wouldn't she?"
Li Chong was both amused and exasperated. He shoved Xie Wenyou away, telling him to stay away. If he hit the horse, the consequences would be no less than a car accident.
Xie Wenyou casually complained, "Besides, without an heir, there will always be busybodies who love to gossip. Having a child sooner will shut them up."
"What did you say?"
Upon hearing this, Li Chong frowned: "Who's spreading rumors?"
It's fine to spread gossip about yourself, but if people discover the special relationship between you and Xie Wenyu, it will inevitably lead to speculation.
Li Chong's eyes turned cold as he looked at Xie Wenyou, wanting to know which audacious servant in the back office dared to speak out of turn.
While he was chatting with Xie Wenyou, a disheveled little beggar was staring intently at Li Chong from the shadows by the roadside.
"Father, Mother, I can avenge you now!"
The little beggar muttered to himself, two lines of clear tears streaming down his face.
He raised his sleeve to wipe his face, but the little beggar's face was covered in smears again, and the people around him avoided him in disgust.
The little beggar, disregarding the disgust of those around him and enduring the stench, squeezed his way onto the road.
Li Chong rode his horse into the city, but naturally he couldn't ride at breakneck speed; otherwise, he would have bumped into countless people along the way.
With yamen runners clearing the way, Li Chong urged his horse to move slowly, unable to go fast.
Suddenly, he heard a chorus of curses from the roadside. Before Li Chong could react, a dark figure appeared in front of his horse.
A short man grabbed the reins of Li Chong's horse and shouted, "Please, Your Honor, do me justice!"