Chapter 217 Confrontation
"That's right!" the middle-aged man sighed. "As soon as the new county magistrate arrived, he said he wanted to check the land and re-register it. He said the previous records were inaccurate and there were many omissions."
"Will taxes increase?" Feng Lan asked with concern.
"Of course!" another villager chimed in. "They said they'll collect taxes based on the actual acreage of land, not a single acre less."
After hearing this, Feng Lan felt even more uneasy.
Most of the farmland in their village is mountainous and barren, so the yield is already low. If taxes were collected based on actual land area, many families would go hungry.
Just as he was thinking about it, the door of the county government office opened and a young official walked out.
The man looked less than thirty years old, and had a gentle appearance, but his eyes were sharp.
"Fellow villagers, I am the new county magistrate, Wang Zhiyuan." He stood on the steps and spoke in a loud voice. "Starting today, this county will restructure its tax system. I hope you will cooperate actively."
The people in the audience were whispering and talking among themselves.
Wang Zhiyuan continued, "I know everyone has concerns, but please believe that this is for everyone's benefit. Only fair and reasonable taxation can give the county more money to build roads and bridges and benefit the people."
The words sounded nice, but Feng Lan always felt something was wrong.
She carefully observed Wang Zhiyuan's expression and found that his eyes were a little vague when he spoke, and he didn't seem to be truly serving the people.
"If you have any questions, please feel free to raise them." Wang Zhiyuan looked around. "I will definitely consider it seriously."
An old farmer raised his hand tremblingly, "Sir Wang, our village's land is all mountainous, and the harvest is poor. Can we reduce or exempt some of the taxes?"
Wang Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Old man, you're wrong. Everyone is equal before the law, and the same applies to the tax system. You can't avoid paying taxes just because the harvest is bad. Wouldn't that be a mess?"
The old farmer was choked and speechless.
Feng Lan couldn't bear it any longer and stepped forward. "Master Wang, I'd like to ask, what is the basis for the new tax standards?"
Wang Zhiyuan looked at Feng Lan, a strange look flashing in his eyes, "Madam, who are you?"
"I'm from a nearby village, my last name is Feng," Feng Lan replied calmly. "I want to find out more about the situation for the villagers."
Wang Zhiyuan looked at Feng Lan and found that although she was dressed simply, her manners and conversation were not like those of an ordinary peasant woman.
"Mrs. Feng, the tax standards are formulated in accordance with the regulations of the court and are absolutely fair and reasonable." He said it in an official manner.
"Then can you show us the specific documents?" Feng Lan pressed. "After all, this concerns the livelihoods of thousands of households, so the people must have an idea of what's going on."
Wang Zhiyuan's expression changed. "Mrs. Feng, are you questioning me?"
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
"I'm not questioning Lord Wang's intentions," Feng Lan said calmly. "I just want the villagers to understand more clearly so they can cooperate with your work."
Wang Zhiyuan sneered, "Cooperate? Madam Feng, that sounds nice. From what I see, I'm afraid you're looking for trouble, aren't you?"
The people around became nervous, fearing that they would anger the new county magistrate.
Feng Lan remained calm. "Lord Wang, that's a harsh word. I'm just a woman, what right could I have to find fault with? I just wanted to ask, since you said you're taxing land based on the actual acreage, does that mean the tax rate for mountainous land is the same as for fertile farmland?"
Wang Zhiyuan's eyes flickered. "Of course it's the same. Everyone is equal before the law."
"That's strange." Feng Lan shook her head. "I remember the imperial tax law clearly stipulates that mountainous land, fertile farmland, and paddy fields have different tax rates. Lord Wang, is this a one-size-fits-all approach that goes against the rules?"
The people in the audience nodded as they listened. Although they were illiterate, they still knew this basic common sense.
Wang Zhiyuan's face changed, "Mrs. Feng, what do you know about tax law?"
"Although I'm a woman, I've at least read a few books," Feng Lan said slowly. "Besides, I just came back from the provincial capital a few days ago and discussed this issue with Governor Qian."
As soon as he heard the name of Governor Qian, Wang Zhiyuan's attitude changed immediately.
"Do you know Mr. Qian?" His tone was obviously much more polite.
"I wouldn't call it acquaintance, just a brief encounter," Feng Lan said calmly. "But Lord Qian did praise the people of our village for their simplicity and honesty, saying they were good subjects of the imperial court."
Wang Zhiyuan cursed inwardly, he didn't expect that this village woman had such a relationship.
"In that case, how about we go into the yamen and discuss it in detail?" Wang Zhiyuan forced a smile.
"Okay." Feng Lan nodded. "It just so happens that I have something to ask Master Wang."
The two men entered the county government office, and Wang Zhiyuan had tea served with a smile on his face.
"Mrs. Feng, there were so many people talking outside just now. If you have anything to say, we can talk slowly now."
Feng Lan picked up the teacup and took a sip. "Master Wang, let me be frank. What is the purpose of your re-measurement of the land this time?"
Wang Zhiyuan avoided looking at him. "Of course it's for fairness and justice, to make taxation more reasonable."
"Really?" Feng Lan put down her teacup. "Then let me ask you, before you came here, did you understand the actual situation in this county?"
"This..." Wang Zhiyuan stuttered.
"I heard that you were transferred from Shangjing?" Feng Lan continued to ask.
"Yes." Wang Zhiyuan nodded.
"Then you know that we have droughts here nine out of ten years, and that life is already difficult for the people?"
Wang Zhiyuan stopped talking.
Feng Lan saw him like this and already had an idea in her mind. "Master Wang, with all due respect, I'm afraid your re-measurement of the land this time isn't for fairness and justice, but for some other purpose, isn't it?"
"What do you mean?" Wang Zhiyuan's face darkened.
"The meaning is very simple." Feng Lan stood up. "You want to fill something by increasing taxes, right?"
Wang Zhiyuan slammed the table and stood up. "How dare you! A woman like you slander an official of the imperial court!"
Feng Lan remained unmoved. "Master Wang knows whether I have slandered you or not."
"Someone come!" Wang Zhiyuan shouted, "Catch this troublemaker!"
Several yamen runners rushed in, but when they saw Feng Lan's calmness, they hesitated.
"What? You don't dare to take action?" Wang Zhiyuan said angrily.
"Lord Wang, are you sure you want to do this?" Feng Lan asked calmly, "I just said that I just met with Governor Qian a few days ago."
Wang Zhiyuan's expression changed again and again, and finally he waved his hand, "Everyone go down."
The yamen runners retreated quickly as if they had been pardoned.
"Mrs. Feng, what exactly do you want?" Wang Zhiyuan asked gritting his teeth.
"What I want is very simple." Feng Lan sat down again. "Collect taxes according to the court's regulations and don't make things difficult for the people."
"Impossible!" Wang Zhiyuan flatly refused. "Tax matters are not something you, a woman, should be able to dictate!"
Feng Lan laughed, "Master Wang, you're not going to accept my toast and you're going to have to drink a penalty."
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