The carriage stopped in front of the city gate. Xue Qi jumped off the carriage first and then helped Qin Yuyang down.
At that moment, two men were leaning against the wall at the city gate. Upon seeing someone arrive, they immediately stepped forward and unceremoniously extended their hands, saying, "Entry tax, five taels of silver per person."
"An entry tax?" Xue Qi was greatly surprised.
He had never heard of charging taxes for entering the city alone. Shouldn't taxes be levied on goods? He found it absurd.
"This is the rule of Qihuai County," Qin Yuyang said in a deep voice.
At this moment, someone recognized Qin Yuyang, "Sister Qin, why did you come back alone? Didn't the adults come back with you?"
When they were in Qihuai County, Qin Yuyang would occasionally stroll around the streets with Tang Huan, so quite a few people knew her.
"Yes, I'm just here to take a look around. I'll leave in a few days."
The man who spoke asked curiously, "Sister Qin, people are saying that the lord went to the capital and became a high-ranking official there, and that he may never come back. Is that true?"
"Who told you that?" Qin Yuyang asked in return.
"Everyone is saying that the lord has been missing for many days. We all know that he went to the capital after receiving the imperial decree. We are happy that he has been promoted and made a fortune, but we are also a little reluctant to see him go."
"Lord Tang will come back."
After saying that, Qin Yuyang gestured to Xue Qi, asking him to hand over the city entry tax.
Xue Qi walked over with a sullen face, and the other person said, "Sister Qin doesn't need to pay the city entrance tax, but you need five taels of silver."
Five taels of silver was nothing to Xue Qi; he just couldn't accept having to pay to enter the city. But after he paid the money and entered Qihuai County, he was already dumbfounded before he had gone very far.
Clean, tidy, wide, and bustling streets.
Strangely dressed passersby with excellent spirits.
Strange and wonderful things being sold everywhere.
There are also towering buildings rising from the ground.
"This is Qihuai County?"
Xue Qi was stunned.
Although he had heard Qin Yuyang's introduction beforehand, he still found it hard to believe that Qihuai County was such a prosperous place.
It was just a county after all, but now it seemed more prosperous than most cities.
Whether it was the capital of the Qin Dynasty or the capital city today, it is inferior to Qihuai County in some aspects.
Along the way, the novel shops left Xue Qi speechless.
Entertainment city.
Bathhouse.
Amusement park.
...
All of these were places he had never heard of before; to Xue Qi, it was like a completely new world.
Of course, what shocked him the most were the people he saw along the way.
Everyone seemed happy, with smiles on their faces, and they greeted the neighbors who passed by in a warm and friendly manner.
Under Qin Yuyang's introduction, Xue Qi learned about one of the biggest features of Qihuai County: its elderly welfare system. She also learned that many goods and foods from outside Qihuai County originated from here.
Led by Qin Yuyang, the two visited several factories in Qihuai County.
From breweries to paper mills and textile factories.
In addition, there were steel mills that were not allowed to be built privately, and everything developed in a grand and imposing manner.
Xue Qi, who had previously been skeptical of the welfare system, was now relieved and understood that Qin Yuyang was right; Tang Huan did indeed have the opportunity to help them.
Even if it's just a minor county magistrate position.
Despite holding such a lowly and insignificant official position, this person accomplished many remarkable things.
"Food, daily necessities, even military supplies—Tang Huan is truly fearless, daring to do such things behind the emperor's back. No wonder you said his wealth is immeasurable..."
"His money came from alcohol, food, and daily necessities. Although he had people secretly making weapons and armor, he never sold them to outsiders."
Qin Yuyang didn't explain much about this matter. Even locals from Qihuai County couldn't visit certain factories. If Qin Yuyang hadn't been Tang Huan's maid, she wouldn't have had the chance to get close.
At this moment, Xue Qi's doubts about Tang Huan vanished, and she became excited instead.
He quickly caught up with Qin Yuyang, "Princess, do you think Tang Huan, besides forging armor, also secretly trains soldiers?"
Since they dared to do so many treasonous things behind the emperor's back and the court's back, it's not impossible for them to train troops.
After hesitating for a moment, Qin Yuyang nodded, "You should have seen the group of workers that Tang Huan brought from Qihuai County in the capital these past few days, right?"
"I've seen them. They're all tall and strong, and they work with ease and comfort, without even needing to rest."
“They are nominally workers, but in reality, they are mercenaries that Tang Huan brought from Qihuai County.”
"mercenary?"
Qin Yu explained, "It was a name that Tang Huan came up with himself. As the name suggests, these people can be hired by anyone as long as they are paid enough. They are well-trained, strong, and can handle any task."
Qin Yu then asked, "Do you think that if Tang Huan needs these people to risk their lives for him someday, they would do it?"
These words made Xue Qi ponder, and after a moment he nodded vigorously.
At the same time, I felt a pang of heart palpitation.
Xue Qi had seen that group of people from afar. They worked on the South District project without any delay. If what Qin Yuyang said was true, they were no less capable than the soldiers.
"Mercenaries will do anything for money, and Tang Huan has money to his name..."
Qin Yuyang ignored Xue Qi's surprise and complicated emotions, and continued:
"Moreover, I suspect that if Qihuai County encounters trouble, not only the mercenaries, but also the people in the city will rise up in rebellion."
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