Chapter 114
Fu Wei stayed in the county seat for five days, discussing the court's order to increase the annual tax to twice a year, which was a 20% increase over previous years.
I heard that what they are trying to prevent is that after filling their stomachs, the unruly people will have extra money and will think of rebelling. It would be better to let them just think about farming to fill their stomachs.
If you can't pay it, you will be sentenced to hard labor!
The most fatal impact of this order was on the Lingnan region.
After paying taxes to the court every year, the prefect would still have some surplus, but now he is suddenly adding 20%, which means he has to collect more taxes.
But how could he not know what the situation was in the seven counties under his jurisdiction?
Which bastard came up with this stupid idea?
The person who proposed this policy must be out of his mind!
Under pressure from above, he could only pass the pressure on to the county magistrate below.
County Magistrate Zhou privately asked the prefect how Yu County should handle the matter.
After all, it was approved last year that taxes would be paid at the end of this year. If the people were forced to pay taxes in June, I don’t know how many people would lose their families and commit suicide.
Shen Taishou, who had been indifferent to matters for a long time, cursed in his heart and said angrily, "The maximum extension period is three months."
It took County Magistrate Zhou a long time to get three months.
The magistrates of other counties also wanted to ask for leniency, but the prefect simply scolded them back.
After several days of negotiation, except for Yu County, the other six counties still acted according to the imperial edict, and any household that could not pay the money would be required to serve in the army.
Fu Wei had received news from Shen Mingcong early on, so he was not too surprised when he heard this incredible decree.
The person who made this proposal is ignorant of the suffering of the people and only cares about enjoying himself.
The emperor who followed this suggestion was even more stupid and incompetent.
Magistrate Zhou, the magistrate of Cangwu's poorest county, had a gloomy expression on his face. He muttered to himself, "The herbs and beans were only planted not long ago. The herbs won't be ready for harvest until at least next year. Fortunately, the beans have already been planted, and we'll have a harvest in July, so we won't be too stressed out."
Although it didn't force people too much, it probably didn't fill them up.
Thinking of this, County Magistrate Zhou sighed again.
I don’t know how many times I sighed today.
Magistrate Zhou looked at Fu Wei and asked, "Are you sure all those herbs can be sold?"
Fu Wei replied, "It's been very cold and snowy in the north this year, so the medicinal materials are used up quickly. They must be replenished."
County Magistrate Zhou sighed again: "Taxes are already heavy. Let alone reducing them, even if we change it to twice a year, it won't increase them."
Fu Wei was silent for a moment, then speculated, "The sudden change in policy might be due to the unrest in Longxi and Shu counties, but it could also be an excuse to collect taxes and manpower to continue palace construction."
Magistrate Zhou looked at Fu Wei in surprise: "Palace?"
Fu Wei nodded. "Your Majesty previously built the Heavenly Palace, but stopped halfway through, saying that the date was wrong and that they would resume construction at another date. But in reality, it was because the national treasury was empty."
After hearing Fu Wei's words, County Magistrate Zhou remembered the palace the emperor had built a few years ago. His expression instantly darkened, and he felt irritated, but he couldn't lose his temper. "Don't speculate, or you'll get burned."
Fu Wei lowered his eyes: "I understand."
*
Yesterday, a maid from the Li family asked Yu Ying to treat the old lady of the Li family. Today, she went to the Li Mansion in the east of the city to refuse.
After the maid came out yesterday, Yu Ying said that she had work for the Chen family and had to run a shop, so she really couldn't spare the time.
He also said that he would send the notice after the shop opened, and if Mrs. Li's leg disease had not been cured by then, she could come to look for him.
Upon hearing this, the maid frowned and said, "Instead of opening a shop to earn a few cents, it's better to treat my old lady first. If she is cured, I will definitely pay you a generous fee."
The maid's words were a bit disrespectful.
Although Yu Ying had a good temper, she was no pushover. With a gentle smile, she asked, "Young lady, you're just working for the Li family. Why are you so arrogant?"
The maid seemed to realize she had spoken out of turn, but she didn't apologize. She simply rolled her eyes and said, "I was only speaking the truth. If Madam Yu finds what I said offensive, just pretend you didn't hear it."
Yu Ying also had a general understanding of the Li family. They were the noble family that donated the most money this time. No wonder these people dared to look at others sideways.
The little girl was thirteen or fourteen years old. She thought she was superior because she worked for a rich family. Sooner or later, she would be taught a lesson.
"Young lady, you are looking for a doctor for Old Lady Li, not to make an enemy. If I treat Old Lady Li today, considering that I am a female doctor recognized by the county magistrate, and my husband is not a member of the county staff, and I tell Old Lady Li that you are speaking in a strange tone and looking at my face, how do you think the master will punish you?"
The maidservant didn't know the other party's background. When she heard this, her face suddenly changed and she looked panicked. Her chin, which was originally raised, immediately retracted.
"I have offended you just now. Please forgive me, Doctor Yu." Even his arrogant demeanor subsided.
Yu Ying's expression was cold. She said, "When you pass this message back, please tell me the truth. If you exaggerate anything and it reaches my ears, I will pursue it to the end."
The Li family is a wealthy family in Yu County, and it is always bad to make enemies.
The maid quickly responded, "I will tell you the truth, please don't worry, Doctor Yu."
After saying this, Yu Ying turned and left.
When she said she wanted to open a shop, it was not an excuse, it was serious.
It was unknown when Fu Wei would return, and it would take a long time to complete all the various tasks involved in opening a clinic. Besides, she had thought the matter over carefully, so she could make the decision herself without much discussion.
After visiting most of Yu County, I found a place to open a clinic. Although it was a bit remote, it was quiet.
Two floors, single storey.
The rent is paid in six-month installments, 1,300 wen per month.
Yu Ying had learned that a shop on the street, even one with only one storefront, would cost 1,300 wen a month, which was not expensive.
The minimum lease term is six months, and the first payment for six months is 7,800 wen.
This amount was acceptable, so Yu Ying acted immediately and rented the shop.
After renting the place, he came with his sister-in-law and a few apprentices to clean it.
After the cleaning was finished, the eldest sister-in-law asked curiously, "Sister-in-law, how do you want to run this clinic?"
Yu Ying pondered for a moment, then said, "The shop is about 20 square meters. Besides the shop floor, the first floor can only be divided into three compartments of about 2 square meters each, which is more than enough. The second floor is for entertaining guests of higher status, so it naturally cannot be too small."
She pondered for a moment, then said, "Just build two larger private rooms. Reserve a larger area at the stairwell with two small tables and a few chairs, so the servants can rest."
Speaking of this, Yu Ying murmured to herself, "Looks like I need to order some furniture."
This is also a considerable expense.
Including the rent, the total profit will be at least fifteen taels.
Now that she had enough money and connections with the government, Yu Ying dared to do it with confidence.
Yu Ying first went to a carpentry shop to order a medicine cabinet and a simple wooden bed, and even asked the carpenter to build the partitions.
Besides, this medicine cabinet is no different from the one in a medical clinic, and the wooden bed is not big, about the same size as a beauty bed, with a hole hollowed out at the head of the bed.
The clinic not only treats patients but also provides profitable health care services, killing two birds with one stone.
Five identical beds were ordered, all covered with coarse cloth or cotton, so there was no difference between them and no need to make special distinctions.
The three compartments only need a wooden bed and a small table, but the two private rooms above need to be carefully decorated.
Be economical in layout as much as possible and focus on artistic conception.
Fu Wei was good at painting, so he asked him to paint several pictures of red plum blossoms blooming in the snow and bamboo forests, which were used as screens.
When hiring someone to paint, one didn't know how good their skills were, and a good painting would definitely be expensive. She had seen Fu Wei's painting skills, so having him paint would save her money, and she could even let him handle the signboard.
In addition to the screen, place a few high tables in the room, put porcelain jars or vases on them, and put flowers, bamboo, or green pine trees in them.
If there are guests, you can light some homemade incense, and the artistic conception will be created.
Other detailed decorations will be added gradually after these are completed.
It will take at least a month to complete all the furniture and partitions.
While waiting, you can prepare the medicinal materials first, and at the same time, take the time to teach a few apprentices some knowledge. Although they are not yet masters, they must know the most basic methods of dispensing medicine.
As for the massage, she definitely can't do it by herself.
After much thought, Yu Ying decided to get her sister-in-law involved.
I found my elder sister-in-law and discussed letting her learn massage.
Hearing this, Wen Xing waved her hands in panic: "I can't do it. I can't even read a few characters, how can I learn it?!"
Yu Ying said, "Sister-in-law is strong and attentive. She was listening to my lessons with Fu An and the others before. She's already familiar with some of the subjects. How could she not learn?"
Wen Xingruo waved her hands repeatedly: "Although I know, I dare not give massages to others casually. What if I get into trouble?!"
Yu Ying said with a smile, "Of course I won't let you teach me right away. I'll teach you for a while first, and only when I'm sure there's no problem will I let you teach me. Besides, massage is different from treating a patient. Treating a patient takes years, but if I teach you this massage step by step, you can learn it in a month at the shortest and three months at the longest."
Wen Xing was surprised and asked, "So short a time?"
After thinking about it, he couldn't help but hesitate and said, "What if I still can't learn it after my sister-in-law teaches me? Forget it, I won't learn it. I'll just do odd jobs for you."
Yu Ying pondered for a moment and could only find another excuse to persuade her sister-in-law: "This skill can't be passed on carelessly. I'm afraid that someone will learn it, work in the clinic for a few months, and then go out and give massages to people casually. If something goes wrong, the clinic will still be responsible. And what if they quit after learning it? What will we do then?"
Finally, Yu Ying said sincerely, "In my heart, I only feel that my sister-in-law is the most reliable."
No matter how many words you say, they are not as good as this last sentence.
When Wen Xing heard her brother's wife say that she was reliable, her heart started beating fast and she felt a little hot.
Wen Xing's round face flushed slightly, and she whispered, "Since my sister-in-law said so, I'll naturally help, but what if I really can't learn it?"
Yu Ying smiled and soothed him, "Just learn it first. If you don't know how to do it, I won't force you."
Wen Xing thought seriously for a moment, then hesitantly said, "Then I'll start learning first."
She will definitely study hard. If she really can't learn it, she won't drag down her brother's wife.
As for my sister-in-law, everything is settled.
Including her, her eldest sister-in-law, Fu An, and three other apprentices, there were six people in total. However, she was the only one who could see patients. The clinic was not big, but it was enough.
As for other areas that need improvement, we will make further plans when business picks up.
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