Chen Xian calmly said, "At that time, the locusts in the field were increasing day by day. I dared not gamble. The farmers' food supply for the whole year depended on this. I could only be cautious and consult with the village head."
Su Yong was amazed to see that although the man was dressed in coarse cloth with patches, his complexion was unusually rosy and his skin was more delicate than others.
They seem to be in good spirits; it looks like they're doing well.
The rest of the Chen family remained silent, acting as background figures, not daring to make a sound. Erzhuzi was a little better, his eyes constantly scanning the important figures in the county.
Everyone else was too scared to move. Good heavens, that was a local magistrate from the county town, but Dad didn't seem nervous at all.
Chen Gui respectfully asked, "Your Excellency, how much is the grain tax this year?"
Su Yong pondered for a moment.
How much was it in previous years?
Chen Gui whispered, "The previous magistrate required two out of ten to be chosen. Sometimes he would choose three."
Su Yong glanced at the vast expanse of parched land and the scattered bamboo water pipes by the roadside, and chuckled, "Your village solved the water shortage problem on its own a while ago, didn't you?"
Chen Gui: "There's nothing we can do. Since it's not raining, we have to save ourselves."
Su Yong: The people in this village are good. They have ideas, and when they encounter difficulties, they can try to solve them. They can even predict some disasters in advance.
Unlike other villages, where people only report problems and cry their eyes out.
Su Yong said in a deep voice, "Then let's take one out of ten."
Chen Gui's breathing became heavier, and his bitter face instantly blossomed.
"The county magistrate is wise."
He took the lead and knelt down.
The other villagers, except for those who hid in the fields and dared not approach, secretly watched the county magistrate.
Chen Xian's family members all obediently kowtowed.
Judging from the village head's words, this was already an extremely generous treatment.
I might as well kowtow too. There's no need to be too pretentious. Farmers without official titles don't have to kowtow to officials unless they encounter one.
Over there, a constable came running over and shouted, "Sir, the villagers from Guihua Village are having a conflict with the constables."
Why?
“They are unwilling to harvest the wheat early, saying that it is still growing and is currently all green with shriveled ears. Harvesting it now would result in a huge loss.”
Su Yong was speechless and gave him a scolding.
"Weren't they told they were going to have a locust plague?"
"I told them, they said there are some going forward, but they might not come this year, just a few here and there, so don't worry."
Su Yong sighed helplessly, "Take me there."
In comparison, Qingxia Village is much easier to govern than Guihua Village, and government orders have been issued.
Old Li stood up straight, his face showing he was very magnanimous and cooperative with the county magistrate.
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