Chapter 197 Secret Room Discussion
"If we can't pay this money, do you know what will happen? The eunuchs from the Transportation Department will report it to the court, and they might even send people to attack us!"
"Fight if you dare! Who's afraid of who? We have 5,000 elite soldiers in Lan County. If anyone dares to attack us, we will fight back!"
The one who spoke was Lu Fei.
Everyone who came to attend the meeting from the military headquarters had a look of approval on their faces!
"How dare you!" Xu Zhenying slammed the table, raised his voice, and glared at him. "If you resort to violence, how is that any different from rebellion?!"
The whole house fell silent in an instant.
Yes, going against the imperial court is tantamount to rebellion.
Who dares to rebel? It's a matter of losing your head!
Xu Zhenying took in everyone's expressions. Everyone had different looks, but Xu Yinxi, Qian Zhenniang and others looked calm.
Xu Yinxi said slowly, "There's no money anyway. We still have 30,000 to 40,000 refugees in Lan County who haven't settled down yet, and we need money right now. It's one thing for the court to not allocate funds, but they're forcing us to pay taxes. How can a court be so disregarding of the lives of its people?"
Xu Degui said, "That's not right. What if the imperial court really sends people to attack us?"
Lian also said, "Two hundred thousand taels is not too little, not too much either. If we can tighten our belts and scrape together a bit, and bribe the eunuchs at the Transportation Department, I wonder if they can give us less."
Huang Cui'e also said: "The people of our Lan County have enough food and clothing, and this is the time when we need them. They have made a lot of money recently, so we ask them to pay taxes! Since the court also has a fixed tax rate, then we should also have a fixed tax rate and directly distribute it to everyone!"
When the merchants heard this, they felt really uneasy.
Instead of making them vomit blood, it would be better to encourage the people of Lan County to rebel!
Wang Yin said, "City Lord, this plan is unworkable. Not to mention that most of the refugees are penniless, even if they were, they still need clothes and food, so how could they afford to pay this tax? Once this fixed tax is imposed, the refugees will surely all flee!"
Xu Yinxi sneered, "So you don't have the money, and you want to rebel but you don't. Do you really think the people from the Transportation Bureau are just here for fun in Lan County? In my opinion, everyone should pay, and the 200,000 taels should be shared among the people. Those who have money should pay more, and those who don't have money should pay less. We have to collect the money in full."
Xu Zhenying glanced at Xu Yinxi calmly.
She was a little surprised.
Could it be that Xu Yinxi saw through her thoughts?
Otherwise, how could what Xu Yinxi said be exactly in line with her thoughts?
Now everyone was silent, as if they were all considering whether to pay taxes or directly confront the court.
Xu Degui gritted his teeth and said, "If there's really no other way, this is the only solution. We can't really rebel."
There was a fleeting look of disappointment in the eyes of Qian Zhenniang and Fang Ningmo.
It would be great if we could take this opportunity to persuade everyone to rebel.
This way, the city lord doesn't have to be so secretive and scheming.
Miao, Lian, and Xiao Huang also nodded.
Xu Zhenying looked around and asked, "What about others? Do they have any different ideas?"
Ming Xiaoshuang was extremely anxious. This was such a good opportunity!
Unfortunately, the Xu family was too timid and didn’t even dare to think in that direction!
If he had his way, they might as well just rebel! After all, they had money, land, and food, so why couldn't they just rise up in rebellion?
Ming Xiaoshuang wanted to speak, but was stopped by Liu Dazhuang who was standing beside him, signaling him not to say anything more.
Ming Xiaoshuang knew that Liu Dazhuang was a rough but meticulous person, and was more cautious and thorough in his work and behavior than him, so he had to keep it to himself.
The merchants didn't even dare to speak.
The more you talk, the more mistakes you make. Now everyone has to bear some of the responsibility. If all the blame is put on them, what can they do?
So they all tacitly pretended to be quails.
"Okay, in that case, we should come up with a way to distribute the tax as soon as possible and publish a notice to let the people know."
Now, the peaceful days in Lan County are completely over.
It is conceivable how shocked the people of Lan County were when they suddenly learned of this bad news.
The people present at the meeting completely hated the imperial court.
After a while, everyone was uneasy.
Wang Yin had been waiting outside the county government office until he saw Wang Sanniang. He then anxiously called out, "Sanniang! My son!"
Wang Yin felt that he was becoming more and more like the lady who doted on her daughter.
In the past, he would not have been able to say such corny words.
Wang Sanniang walked over with a gloomy look on her face and bowed to Wang Yin.
Wang Yin anxiously pulled her hand and asked, "Sanniang, tell Dad, did the City Lord scold you?"
Wang Sanniang shook her head. "No, I'm just worried about the tax issue. I've just taken office and haven't yet launched my grand plans, but the first thing I do is collect taxes. The people will definitely curse me to death. Besides, if the tax is collected, the refugees will probably abandon their fields and leave again. Our newly built Gaoxin Village will be in ruins again. What good will my job as county magistrate be then?"
"Wait..." Wang Yin became increasingly confused. "What county magistrate are you talking about?"
"Me." Wang Sanniang frowned, seeming somewhat dissatisfied with her father's reaction. "The Demonstration New Village has become a county, and I have to take office as the county magistrate this afternoon. Haha, you said I would collect taxes as soon as I took office? I might as well go back to my barracks and be an instructor! I'm so angry! Gu Guihua is really lucky!"
"What?" Wang Yin finally figured it out. He jumped in shock, his mouth wide open, and he covered his chest for a long time before saying, "You, Wang Sanniang, are the county magistrate?"
Wang Sanniang sighed and shook her head, seeming to disdain her father's behavior.
Fortunately, I used to think that my father was knowledgeable and had seen all kinds of storms.
Now I see that I can’t understand what you are saying, as if I’m deaf and blind.
"Oh, forget it, I'll figure it out myself."
Wang Sanniang turned and left.
Wang Yin was stunned for a long time before he reacted and ran after Wang Sanniang's back, "Hey, son, tell me again, are you really the county magistrate? Are you really the county magistrate? You are not bragging? Oh my God, what kind of nonsense is this? My son Wang Yin is actually the county magistrate——"
Xu Yinxi, Qian Zhenniang, and the Fang brothers and sisters exchanged glances, and Fang Xun took advantage of the crowd not noticing to say, "See you at the usual place."
This old place refers to the Moxiang Study where the four of them gathered in the past.
I heard that Fang Xun had already bought the study, and now it is occasionally taken care of by the Fang family.
Originally, the study business was mediocre, but after Pian Fangxun took over, it coincided with the universal education campaign, and the sales of books, paper, and pens and ink increased dramatically. Now the business is booming.
It was noon, and although the visit to the Lan County breeding farm had come to an end, Lan County was still crowded with people. It seemed that since some time ago, there had never been a time when there were no crowds in Lan County.
Whenever you step outside, the people in Lan County seem to be getting more and more every day.
Several people tacitly avoided being seen and heard, and arrived at the study one after another.
There is a private room on the second floor, which belongs to Fang Xun alone. He reinforced the surroundings according to the design of Xu Zhenying's small study. Especially when a small amount of cement appeared in front, he found a way to get some. Now, when people talk inside, almost nothing can be heard outside.
Several people arrived one after another.
As soon as Qian Zhenniang entered the room, she saw Xu Yinxi sitting there drinking tea. After not seeing her for a long time, Xu Yinxi's aura became even stronger. Her every move was calm, yet her sharpness was revealed, making it impossible to ignore her.
Xu Yinxi smiled as soon as she saw Qian Zhenniang. The two of them sat down hand in hand, and the feeling of fighting side by side came back to them.
Qian Zhenniang even teased her, "Xu County Magistrate, what's the difference between being the head of a county and being a secretary?"
Xu Yinxi sighed, "It's even busier and more tiring. I finally understand what the City Lord meant when he said he was exhausted. When I was the City Lord's secretary, he took care of everything, and I just had to do my job. But now, I have to shoulder and solve everything myself, especially in Ye County, where everything is in ruins. Although the people have just been allocated land, everyone is an outsider, and there are still many conflicts. Every day, I'm either busy mediating or attending meetings, working on education, agriculture, and development. Only before going to bed at night can I read a book to enrich myself."
Qian Zhenniang felt distressed, but also a little envious.
Xu Yinxi has become completely independent, but she doesn't know when she will be able to really work for Xu Zhenying.
She still needs to learn and explore!
The two were just talking when Fang Xun and Fang Ningmo walked in, with another person behind them.
The two people in the room stood up in shock.
Fang Xun explained somewhat helplessly, "They've been following us, and our whereabouts have been exposed. I had no choice but to bring them here."
Xu Yinxi nervously exchanged glances with Fang Xun, who understood. Just as he was about to speak, Ming Xiaoshuang spoke first, "Fourth Miss Xu, stop making faces. Since I've followed you here, it proves that I already know everything."
Liu Dazhuang smiled apologetically, "I saw you guys arguing about something when you left the county government office, so I followed you out of curiosity. Gentlemen, I'm afraid it's not appropriate for others to know what we want to discuss, so why don't we go in and talk?"
Several people sat down.
There was only one window open in the room, and one could faintly hear the hustle and bustle of traffic outside.
Ming Xiaoshuang saw that everyone was facing a formidable enemy and sneered, "Alright, stop pretending. I know the city lord is planning a rebellion."
Xu Yinxi and others were shocked. They didn't expect that Ming Xiaoshuang could see through the city lord's thoughts.
Qian Zhenniang was curious: "How did you know?!"
Ming's small double eyelids twitched.
Damn, it turns out that these little foxes know everything, except Ming Xiaoshuang!
Fortunately, he was more careful today and tried to trick them with words as soon as he entered the house. Unexpectedly, the fish really took the bait.
From this, it seems that Xu Zhenying really intended to rebel.
Ming Xiaoshuang confirmed this, suppressed his inner excitement, and put on a calm face, "Isn't it obvious? Otherwise, why would the city lord maintain so many soldiers?"
Xu Yinxi sighed, "If even Brother Xiaoshuang can see through it, then the City Lord's thoughts won't be hidden for much longer."
Ming Xiaoshuang was unhappy. "Ms. Xu Si, do you know how to speak? What do you mean even I can see it? I've seen it a long time ago, okay? I just didn't say anything!"
Several people smiled, and Xu Yinxi said rather dotingly, "Okay, okay, Brother Xiaoshuang is wise and brave, with a keen eye. He has seen through the city lord's thoughts long ago!"
Ming Xiaoshuang said with satisfaction: "That's pretty good."
This joke made the few people seem to have returned to the days of their initial exile.
Although we were short of food and clothing at that time, I still feel happy when I think about it now.
"Let's get down to business. What do you think of the fixed tax?" Fang Xun interrupted, a look of worry on his face. "Why can't I figure out what the city lord is thinking? What exactly is her plan? Do you have any thoughts on it?"
Xu Yinxi shook her head. "I don't know what the city lord is thinking, but I think this is the best opportunity. Once the fixed tax is distributed, it will undoubtedly arouse opposition from the people. If we can timely guide this anger and secretly let it burn more vigorously, perhaps we can unite and raise the banner of rebellion."
"No, we don't know the City Lord's intentions yet. What if we add unnecessary details?" Fang Ningmo disagreed. "I think it's better to stay still and see what the City Lord does first."
Qian Zhenniang said, "I don't know what the City Lord is thinking, but at today's meeting, I feel like most people are still terrified by the mention of rebellion, especially the Xu family. They are not on the same page with the City Lord."
"They naturally seek profit and avoid harm." Xu Yinxi's smile was cold, and only in front of a few of her former companions did she reveal a hint of her true nature. "Ultimately, they want the current wealth and status, but they don't want to take any risks. But investment and risk are always proportional. If they don't want to take the slightest risk, how can they achieve great things?"
Fang Ningmo sighed, "Don't blame them, it's human instinct. Not to mention the Xu family, I guess the Fang family also thinks the same way. After all, there are not many people in this world who dare to truly rebel."
"Don't you know? I just feel sorry for the City Lord's painstaking efforts! It hasn't been easy for her to get to where she is now, but no one in the Xu family can truly understand her ambitions. It's really sad!"
Fang Xun said, "Yinxi, from what I hear you seem to have some ideas about fixed-rate taxation. Could you please tell me more specifically how we can proceed in secret?"
Ming Xiaoshuang just listened to them calmly the whole time.
He had to lament his own shallowness once again.
The city lord is right, people really need to read more.
Look, Qian Zhenniang’s political sensitivity is now much higher than mine!
Xu Yinxi habitually lowered her voice and said, "What I mean is, at this time, we have to rely on the power of the propagandists. Don't we have propagandists in every village, specifically to convey policies? They can also be used to spread our new ideas at this time. Think about it, after the fixed tax quota is distributed, the people will definitely complain about the Great Zhou court. We can add some fuel to the fire and spread some rumors, saying that the eunuchs from the Transportation Bureau are coming and demanding a bribe of at least 100,000 taels, or that they need to offer young women. We must thoroughly ignite the anger of the people and make them feel that their only way to survive is to rise up in rebellion!"
"Why go through so much trouble?!" A voice came from behind the door, and everyone's face changed drastically. Liu Dazhuang immediately drew his sword and attacked!
There is someone else!
Fang Xun strode open the door and saw Hu Wei standing outside, smiling in an unfathomable way.
Almost instantly, Xu Yinxi and Fang Xun acted decisively and said at the same time: "Brother Dazhuang, kill him!"
Hu Wei is not one of theirs, and he is cunning and weird. We cannot let him know the secrets of the city!
Hu Wei took a step back, the smile on his face disappearing instantly, as if he had not expected that Xu Yinxi and Fang Xun were young but so vicious that they came to take his life without any reason, time or occasion!
Hu Wei, on the contrary, felt relieved. Xu Zhenying indeed had many talented people under his command. These two were only in their teens, but they had such means and determination. It was conceivable that Xu Zhenying would achieve great things!
Hu Wei immediately shouted, "I have a way to make all the people in Lan County rebel!"
Fortunately, there were not many people on the second floor, otherwise, with Hu Wei's words, they would have been sentenced to death.
Liu Dazhuang looked at Xu Yinxi and said, "Why don't we listen to what he has to say first?"
Xu Yinxi and Fang Xun exchanged a glance, then nodded. "Come in! If you can't come up with a plan today, don't even think about leaving! Brother Xiaoshuang, hold the door!"
Hu Wei wiped the sweat from his forehead and walked into the house with some fear.
As expected, Ming Xiaoshuang immediately closed the door from the inside, and then he and Dazhuang stood on both sides of the door to prevent him from escaping.
Hu Wei looked at the young and immature faces in the room, and remembered the two men's unhesitating shout of "Kill", which forced him to put aside his contempt.
Hu Wei calmly sat down under such pressure and said, "There's no need to be so wary of me. I'm just a scholar, and I'm already old. I have no chance of winning if we fight with force."
Xu Yinxi sneered at him and said, "Stop talking nonsense and tell me why you followed us."
Hu Wei smiled faintly, his expression rather sage-like. "Everyone was completely bewildered by the City Lord's meeting today. I noticed you were all arguing with each other in the hall, and I figured you must have something to say privately, so I followed you out of curiosity. But don't try to silence us. As for the City Lord's rebellion, since I dared to enter this room, I naturally have no intention of reporting him. On the contrary, the court is corrupt, treacherous officials are rampant, and chaos is imminent. Of course, I, Hu Wei, must make plans early."
Xu Yinxi had no good face towards Hu Wei, who betrayed Li Datou and was good at flattering him.
Not to mention that Li Datou killed so many people in Ye County, they had no way of knowing whether Hu Wei was responsible or not.
This old man is smart and dangerous, and really scary.
No wonder the city lord has always been on guard against and using him.
But her expression was so calm that it was hard to tell what she was feeling.
"Let's take a step back and say, if I were truly loyal to the emperor and patriotic, I wouldn't have followed Li Datou in rebellion in Ye County. In these troubled times, the capable should be given positions. It's better when the world is in chaos! Only when the world is in chaos can people like me, whose talents are not appreciated, have the opportunity to make great achievements and go down in history!"
There was a hint of madness in Hu Wei's eyes, which frightened Xu Yinxi and others.
The room was silent for a moment before Xu Yinxi's voice was heard: "You just said...how can we force the people to raise the banner of rebellion?"
"It's very simple." Hu Wei's eyes flickered. "Do you know where the city lord got the food when Lan County ran out of food in March this year?"
Xu Yinxi frowned. She vaguely remembered that the city lord had said that it was Hu Wei who provided the information, but he didn't say much else.
Several people waited quietly for the next words.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
