But just as the old village chief knelt, Wang Ping quickly stepped forward to support him and said sincerely, "Old village chief, there is no need to do this. How can I bear such a great gift?"
Although the old village chief who was supported by Wang Ping was very moved, he still firmly wanted to kneel down. After all, as an ordinary citizen, it was a great honor for him to be saluted by court officials. How could he not respond with the highest etiquette?
Wang Ping knew what the old village chief was thinking. Before becoming a university student, he was just an ordinary citizen in Kaifeng. The prestige and intimidation of court officials among ordinary people was deeply ingrained. Even the wealthy merchants in Kaifeng could not help but feel awe when facing officials, let alone ordinary people in these remote areas.
Wang Ping explained softly, "Old Village Chief, I understand how you feel, but I truly cannot bear such courtesy. In this world, apart from Heaven, Earth, the Sovereign, Parents, and Teacher, no one else can receive such a great gift, except for Heaven and Earth, our parents, and Your Majesty. So if you insist on doing this, it will only embarrass me."
The old village chief was a little hesitant at this time, but if he did not complete this ceremony, even if the young official in front of him was approachable and did not make a fuss with him, it would be inevitable that the officials in the county government would use this as an excuse to attack Tuba Village in the future.
While the old village chief was thinking of a solution, Wang Ping said, "If you insist on returning the favor, then I can just do what I did just now. You should know that in Kaifeng City, even if we meet a high-ranking official, we don't have to kneel down and bow. We can just clasp our fists and bow."
Seeing Wang Ping's insistence, the old village chief stopped talking and returned the greeting, his respect for the young official growing even stronger. The people who had already knelt were called up by the yamen runners who had arrived with Wang Ping.
After such courtesy, the old village chief also had some good feelings towards the young official in front of him. After all, he must not be a very evil person if he can be so polite to them, the peasants.
As if he hadn't heard what the yamen runner had said, the old village chief asked tentatively, "I wonder if this gentleman is coming to our Tuba Village to ask us to pay this year's taxes?"
In fact, even if the imperial court did not recognize the tax exemption policy originally promulgated, if Tuba Village really asked them to pay this year's taxes, they would pay them. After all, sweet potatoes and corn, two high-yield crops, were promoted for planting by the imperial court. Without the sweet potato and corn seeds issued by the imperial court, Tuba Village would not have such a bumper harvest.
However, Tuba Village had just experienced the baptism of war, and even if there was restored arable land, there was not much property and labor. After being burned, killed and looted by the invaders, there was not much property and labor. If the court really wanted to collect taxes, then even if there were two crops with high yields this year, the lives of the villagers would become extremely difficult.
Of course, they did not dare to openly oppose the court's decision. After all, without these two crops, many villagers would likely starve to death this year.
Just as the old village chief and the people were lost in their thoughts, Wang Ping smiled gently and said, "Don't worry, old village chief. We're not here to collect taxes. Your Majesty, out of compassion for the people, has allowed us, students who have learned how to store and process sweet potatoes and corn, to travel around the country to teach our skills. This will prevent the food in your homes from being spoiled and wasted due to improper storage."
The yamen runner who was accompanying him saw that he had just explained the purpose of his visit, but the old village chief still asked such a question and said angrily: "You peasants really think that our current emperor is a tyrant who goes back on his word? His Majesty said he would exempt you from taxes and he won't take it back! How dare you question his majesty's golden words? You are so bold!"
The yamen runner's voice suddenly rose, and he glared at the trembling crowd before him with a stern, official gaze. As soon as he spoke, the villagers of Tuba Village paled with fear. Their doubts, just moments before, were instantly replaced by overwhelming fear. Many of them fell to their knees, their legs weakening, and they pleaded for mercy, "Sir, please calm down! We dare not! We dare not question Your Majesty!"
The old village chief also hurriedly bowed, his voice trembling, "Sir, please calm down. This old man and I, the villagers, have absolutely no such intention! It's just... it's just that in thousands of years, there has never been such a bountiful harvest, nor such magnanimous grace. For a moment... for a moment, I was terrified, afraid that I was too unlucky to bear it..."
Seeing this, Wang Ping hurried forward and supported the old village chief again. He nodded slightly to the yamen runner, his tone gentle but clear, overcoming the runner's intimidation: "Please stand up, fellow villagers! Brother Yamen runner, you are too kind. Your Majesty's decree is as clear as the sun and the moon and cannot be changed. Tax exemption is tax exemption, and there is no way to withdraw it! We are here today for a matter of vital importance to you all: to teach you how to preserve this abundant harvest!"
The yamen runner didn't really want to intimidate these innocent people, but oftentimes, when dealing with certain matters, he had to be the tough guy to intimidate the situation. Otherwise, if the villagers saw the young agricultural official being so easygoing, some would inevitably feel contempt for him and act violently to gain more benefits. Some with ulterior motives might even disregard the court's orders.
Another point is that his villainous behavior can better reflect Wang Ping's approachable, generous and benevolent image, which will make the people more convinced and grateful. In this way, Wang Ping can better implement the will of His Majesty and better complete the task.
The last point is that anyone with normal emotional intelligence would know that he was paving the way for Wang Ping. Although an agricultural official like Wang Ping does not hold a high position now, he is also an official from the imperial city of Kaifeng. If he becomes successful in the future, he may also get corresponding benefits. This is simply a good thing that kills two birds with one stone.
Although Wang Ping was only a student studying agriculture, his months of university study had taught him a great deal about the ways of the world. Seeing that the people had completely settled down, he knew now was the time to show his worth. The yamen runners stopped talking as they looked at the people. They knew that the people now considered Wang Ping their protector and would dutifully follow his every word.
Wang Ping began, "Fellow villagers, our village should have grown the two kinds of immortal grains His Majesty distributed this year. I believe everyone's harvests are quite good. His Majesty sent me here specifically to help you learn how to properly store these immortal grains. If any of you don't need to store too much at home, you can sell your excess grain to the court. The court will purchase it at a very fair price."
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