Just as Zhang Fei was busy trying to get legal aid, a strange wave of public resentment quietly poured into the capital from all directions.

The imperial city was immediately in an uproar.

The ministers were discussing this.

The emperor soon learned of the public discontent in the capital area, and he did not dare to take it lightly.

Chuigong Hall.

"I recently heard that there is widespread discontent in the vicinity of the capital. What is going on?"

Zhao Xu asked with a confused look on his face.

I haven't done anything recently, and there haven't been any natural disasters or man-made disasters around. It's really strange.

Censor Lin Dan was the first to step forward and report: "Your Majesty, as far as I know, the people's resentment in the surrounding areas is due to the land inspection and the payment of deed tax."

Zhao Xu frowned, "Investigating the land and paying the deed tax are all things that benefit the country and the people. Why do the people feel resentful about this?"

...

...

I remember that when the imperial court first announced the need to pay the white deed, the people were very happy.

Wang Anshi immediately stood up and said, "In my opinion, there must be some villain who is obstructing this."

Wen Yanbo said, "Mr. Wang has no evidence to support his claims. It is unfair!"

Wang Anshi immediately said, "Although I have not investigated the matter, if what Censor Lin said is true, there must be a villain who is interfering."

Zhao Yan saw that Wang Anshi was very sure about what he said, but he had not verified the facts, so he could not help but ask curiously, "What do you mean?"

Wang Anshi said: "The land investigation and the payment of deed tax are mainly aimed at the landlords and wealthy gentry, not the common people. If there is any resentment, it should be directed at the landlords and wealthy gentry. It can be seen that the so-called public resentment is also caused by them, and the court does not need to pay attention to it."

Wang Jiefu was truly a man with sharp eyes. He indeed did not send anyone to investigate, but as soon as he heard what was going on, he knew that someone must be interfering.

The tone was very firm.

Lin Dan said: "Mr. Wang only knows one thing, but not the other! The lands of the landlords and the rich are not cultivated by themselves, but rented to tenant farmers.

Although the deed tax is paid by the landlord, the tax is usually included in the rent of the tenants. Now, after the land is checked and the deed tax is paid, the tax is paid immediately. This makes many tenants overwhelmed and resentment arises. "

Wang Anshi snorted, "According to what you say, the court doesn't need to collect taxes?"

"That is not what I meant."

Lin Dan said, "I just think that the court's sudden land inspection and the need to pay the deed tax are too rash and ill-considered. I think what Duke Wen said at the time makes a lot of sense. This matter concerns people's livelihood, and the court should think twice before acting."

Wang Anshi directly responded: "Then let me ask you, should we think twice before paying salaries to the court?"

If the court fails to pay your salaries, you will curse God. But when the court collects taxes seriously, you just act as good people and start to worry about the country and the people. You really know how to be an official.

Lin Dan was also angry, "You are just making up excuses."

Wang Anshi snorted, "I am just discussing the matter at hand."

The tone seemed to be declaring, I've seen tricks like this many times, don't try to fool me.

Sima Guang looked at Wang Anshi with a frown, "If you really want to talk about the matter, you should make it clear instead of covering it up."

Wang Anshi opened his eyes angrily and said, "When did I ever try to hide anything?"

Sima Guang said, "Then let Censor Lin finish his words first."

"I thought he was done."

Wang Anshi muttered something and retreated.

Wang Anshi was sometimes unable to cope with Sima Guang's soft Tai Chi.

Lin Dan glanced at Wang Anshi unhappily, then took out a contract and said, "This is a lease I sent someone to find. Your Majesty, after you read it, you will know why the people are dissatisfied."

Zhao Xu waved his hand, and an eunuch immediately came over and handed the lease to Zhao Xu.

After reading it, Zhao Xu couldn't help but frown.

Lin Dan added: "Your Majesty, although many landlords use white deeds, the real beneficiaries are the tenants, not the landlords."

Wang Anshi angrily rebuked: "This is simply nonsense. It is not the land that will benefit.

Lord, could it be the imperial court? Our laws stipulate that taxes are levied on the land, so how can they transfer the taxes to the tenants? This contract should be considered invalid, and the taxes should be borne by the landlords, not passed on to the tenants. "

Wen Yanbo said, "If you regard the contract as invalid, the tenants will have no land to farm. Who are you punishing?"

Then he said to Zhao Xu: "Your Majesty, I think this matter still needs to be considered. Even if the court wants to check the land and make up the deed tax, it should not be rushed. The deed tax can be paid this year, but the tax will not be counted for the time being. Otherwise, many people will be overwhelmed."

The deed tax cannot be transferred to the tenant farmers. Whoever buys the land shall bear the responsibility. But the problem is that once the white deed becomes a red deed, it will naturally enter the tax payment system and be transferred to the tenant farmers.

"Summer taxes can be exempted, but what about autumn taxes?"

Wang Anshi said: "If the deed tax is not paid according to the law after the deed tax is paid, the tax system will exist in name only."

His mind was still clear. The summer tax had already been collected before, and now he was paying the stamp duty, so it might be too late. However, he could definitely make it in time for the autumn tax.

After all, this is not a nationwide phenomenon.

Wen Yanbo said, "Don't exaggerate. This is the land after the deed tax has been paid. The rest of the land still needs to pay taxes normally. How can it be in name only? Besides, this matter was caused by a lawsuit. The court was unprepared, and the people were unprepared. It is reasonable to postpone it for a year."

"If something unexpected happens next year, will we have to wait another year? Year after year, when will we be able to rest?"

Wang Anshih said to Zhao Xu: "Your Majesty, the court collects taxes according to the law. If this can be compromised, then in the future whenever the court collects taxes, it will cause public resentment. We must not set this precedent."

He knew this routine too well. If he took a step back, he would have to take steps back.

Zhao Xu nodded, "Let's investigate this matter first before discussing it."

After seeing this, Wen Yanbo said no more.

After Wen Yanbo and the others left, Wang Anshi angrily left the hall. When he came to the steps, he suddenly stopped. There seemed to be someone standing next to him. He tilted his head and saw who it was, Sima Guang. He asked, "What do you think of this?"

Sima Guang ignored him, his eyes on his nose, his nose on his heart, and he chanted: "The people are not taxed more, and the country has plenty of money. The people are not taxed more, and the country has plenty of money. The people are not taxed more, and the country has plenty of money."

"snort!"

Wang Anshi snorted angrily and rushed away.

Sima Guang raised his head, looked at Wang Anshi's back, and laughed, "I told you long ago that if you rashly increase taxes, the people will inevitably suffer, but you just don't believe it. Now I want to see how you can keep the people from paying more taxes and the country from spending more money."

Zhang Fei knew nothing about this, and he was now immersed in the joy of obtaining new equipment.

"How about it?"

Zhang Fei was wearing a freshly-made beach short-sleeved shirt and large shorts embroidered with an eagle, and a pair of large wooden clogs on his feet. With a click, he made a gorgeous turn in front of Gao Wenyin.

How refreshing it is.

Gao Wenyin said with a strange look on her face: "These clothes can only be worn when sleeping."

Although it was sewed by her, she felt that it was not really beautiful.

"Just stay at home."

Zhang Fei moved his hands and feet, as if he had broken free from his restraints, and felt relaxed all over. Although the summer is now cooler in the morning and evening, not so hot, he is still a little uncomfortable with the clothes of the Song people. He feels uncomfortable when he sweats. Suddenly he remembered something, "Wait a moment."

He skipped to the bedside, squatted down, dragged out a small wooden cabinet, opened it, rummaged for a long time, and took out a ball of red cloth.

"Ma'am, could you make me another pair of these shorts?"

He shyly handed the red cloth to Gao Wenyin.

Gao Wenyin took it and unfolded it. It turned out to be a pair of red shorts. "Who is this for?"

Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "I can wear it."

This is the pair of shoes that he brought with him through time, but this is the only one he has and he usually doesn’t want to wear it.

Gao Wenyin asked in surprise, "Can Sanlang wear it?"

Could it be that she

Already know that I have a special talent? Zhang Fei said shyly: "These shorts are elastic, just pull them gently, don't use too much force."

Gao Wenyin pulled it gently and asked in surprise, "What is this made of?"

"It should be cotton." Zhang Fei said.

"cotton?"

Gao Wenyin took a closer look and asked, "Huh? What's wrong with the elasticity of the waistband?"

"Oh it's called an elastic band."

"Elastic band?"

Gao Wenyin asked hurriedly, "What is it made of?"

"Uh, don't ask this. Can we do it?" Zhang Fei asked.

Gao Wenyin asked, "Can I wear these pants to meet other people?"

"Of course not."

Zhang Fei said hurriedly: "This is the underwear worn inside to cover up the talent."

Gao Wenyin asked curiously, "What talent?"

Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "You'll know later."

Gao Wenyin didn't think much about it. She took the shorts and looked at them carefully. She said, "If Sanlang still has the elastic band, I can help make it. If not, we can only tie it with a rope, which may not be fixed."

Yes, now there is no elastic band, how to do this thing? If I need to go to the toilet in a hurry, I have to untie several ropes and have to pull my pants. Zhang Fei said frustratedly: "Forget it then."

He reached out and took the panties from Gao Wenyin's hand.

Gao Wenyin said, "It's okay if you don't have it. I can help mend it if it gets torn."

Cloth can be mended, but this elastic band can't remain elastic forever. Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Forget it! Just treat it as a family heirloom and pass it on to your son."

"My son?"

Gao Wenyin was stunned, but she reacted quickly. Her cheeks flushed immediately and she glanced at Zhang Fei resentfully with her bright almond eyes.

Zhang Fei knew that she was shy, so he couldn't bear to tease her any more, and said to himself, "Hide my panties first."

He skipped to the bed, put the ** in the small box, and stuffed it on the bed.

This made Gao Wenyin couldn't help laughing.

Just as he put it away, there was a knock on the door, "Third brother, the benefactor is here."

"Got it! I'll be right there."

Zhang Fei said to Gao Wenyin again, "Madam, I'm going out first."

"ah?"

Gao Wenyin stood up and asked, "Sanlang, are you going out wearing this?"

Zhang Fei said, "I'm too lazy to change. It doesn't matter for this family."

"But no."

Gao Wenyin hurriedly blocked the door and asked, "How can you go out wearing this?"

Zhang Fei blinked and smiled, "Madam, your tone is really like Madam's."

"No, no. I..." Gao Wenyin stamped her feet anxiously, "If Mr. Xu knew that I made these clothes, he would definitely think it was me!"

"You taught me bad things?" Zhang Fei asked uncertainly.

"Um."

Gao Wenyin nodded repeatedly.

She is a traditional woman and cares a lot about this kind of thing.

"Do you have what it takes?"

Zhang Fei laughed and said, "Okay! I'll change my clothes."

After changing back into his long gown, Zhang Fei came to the front yard and saw Xu Zun sitting inside with a serious expression. He couldn't help but step forward and ask, "Father-in-law, what happened?"

Xu Zun glanced at him and sighed, "There is a problem with the payment of the deed tax."

Zhang Fei asked, "What's the problem?"

Xu Zun told Zhang Fei the reason for the incident.

After hearing this, Zhang Fei couldn't help but sigh helplessly: "It's always the people who suffer!"

The imperial court needs money, and the landlords also need money. Where does this money come from?

Xu Zun added: "There are already people in the court who are discussing that the emperor should not have banished Wang Hong to the capital."

Zhang Fei frowned: "If he comes back, I will be in trouble."