Chapter 557 559. Taxation
Now that Gu Wenheng has the emperor's permission, he can take drastic measures.
Conscripting people to build roads, repair canals, and reclaim wasteland... government orders were issued one after another. After the autumn harvest, Lucheng entered the next busy stage.
Thanks to those bandits, they became the new force in his hands.
Wherever there is dangerous and tiring work, they are all contracted.
"We still don't have enough manpower," He Gaofei rubbed the goose bumps on his body. It has been getting colder day by day since the beginning of autumn. "We have to finish the work before it snows. Otherwise, once winter comes, the mud will freeze and the construction period will be delayed again."
He has finally witnessed the power of winter here, and he just wants to finish these things quickly so that he can stay in the yamen for the winter.
Even if I have to go to the government office to do business, it is better than running in the wilderness in the snow and ice.
Gu Wenheng also frowned. Relying entirely on manpower would indeed delay the construction schedule.
But there is no other way. Without machinery, everything can only be done slowly.
"How many prisoners are there in this cell?"
"If it's our government office, there are probably about forty of them, and there should be some in the county offices in various places."
Wu Yichen knew Gu Wenheng's plan as soon as he heard it, but it was still a drop in the bucket.
Gu Wenheng, "No matter how many there are, let them come out first, but don't forget the shackles."
"But there are many desperate criminals here, and I'm afraid they won't obey."
Gu Wenheng, "Then tell them clearly that as long as they work hard, they can get a dish of braised pork every day."
He knew better than anyone what kind of food the prisoners ate every day, and he was just trying to keep them alive.
After suffering for so long, I think those people would be willing to risk their lives for a piece of meat.
"We don't have much money left in our government office..." He Gaofei covered his chest with his hands, feeling waves of pain.
After the autumn harvest, some tax silver was collected in Lu City, but it could not withstand the pressure from Lord Gu!
"Go back and post a notice to collect taxes from the villagers who raise pigs nearby. As long as they supply the pigs to the government office, they will be given a discount to offset their taxes next year."
"That won't do. We can't touch the tax area..."
"Master He, you forgot that I have the imperial edict in my hand. In the past two years, I have the final say in Lucheng."
He Gaofei wanted to persuade him again, but Wu Yichen stopped him.
When they were the only two left, He Gaofei couldn't help but ask, "Why did you pull me just now? This is no small matter. If something goes wrong in the future, none of us can escape.
If you let him do this, be careful that we will be destroyed too..."
"Master He, don't you see it yet? What Master Gu did has its own reasons.
Although doing so is equivalent to prepaying next year's taxes in advance, there is no loss in actual calculation.
It's just a meal, but I have to work so hard for nothing. But the work has been done, so it's not all in vain.
Moreover, as long as these roads are repaired this year, there will be no need to worry about the nearby fishing villages not being able to sell their fish next year.
In addition, after the roads were repaired, these vendors were naturally willing to make more trips, and slowly the city of Lu was revitalized.
Maybe this time Master Gu will really come up with something. Why would you want to stop this obvious prospect?"
He Gaofei calmed down at this moment. "I, I'm just a little worried. If I can't collect taxes next year..."
"You have forgotten the previous imperial decree. Now, as long as we follow the instructions carefully, this may be our chance..."
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Gu Wenheng returned home at night and talked to Jin Qianqian about the pork tax.
Only then did Jin Qianqian remember that there were tens of thousands of kilograms of pork piled up in her space. She had obtained that by acquiring several slaughterhouses one after another. If Gu Wenheng hadn't mentioned it today, she would have almost forgotten about it.
"Well, I do have a lot of pork stored, but I have no excuse to take it out now."
Gu Wenheng, "It's better to keep it, it's not time to use it yet.
However, once I post this list today, it may have some impact on the market here for a period of time.
I think your restaurant will have to look for supplies from further afield."
Jin Qianqian didn't really care. "It just so happens that you have repaired the roads in several villages during this period. I plan to focus on seafood in the restaurant and develop more seafood recipes to indirectly help open up sales."
If her husband wants to do something good for the people here, then she naturally has to follow suit.
She may not be able to do other big things, but she can still have a subtle influence.
Gu Wenheng put his arm around her shoulders and said, “Thank you, my lady.
Thank you for taking so much trouble to think about me."
Jin Qianqian rolled her eyes at him and said, "No matter where you are, you always have to have a career. What's more, what you are doing is to do good deeds and accumulate virtue, so of course I will do my best to help you.
I have read many novels before, and I actually have my own little thoughts in my mind.
Do you think that if we have accumulated enough merits, will we still be able to be together in the next life?"
Gu Wenheng also had a determined look on his face, "That's for sure, whether it's the next life or the next life, I've booked it.
Besides, thanks to my wife, I probably won’t have to worry about my livelihood in this life, so why not do something meaningful.
For our future and the future blessings of our children, I have to be a good ruler."
"Yes, Master Qingtian." Jin Qianqian smiled and pursed her lips. "Now I have an unjust case and I have to report it to you. I hope Master Qingtian can make the decision for me."
"Then you have to tell me, who are you going to sue?"
Jin Qianqian, "Gu Bencan and Gu Benluo, they slept with the young lady at noon today.
When the young woman woke up, she found that the entire bedding was soaked with water.
I just asked them who did it. Gu Benluo looked at Gu Bencan, and Gu Bencan shook his head and denied it.
In the end, both of them looked at me.
I certainly wouldn't want to admit to something I didn't do.
Unexpectedly, the two boys became anxious and started crying, saying that it was not them who did it. The young woman was helpless and finally had to take the responsibility of the incident.
Do you think I was wronged in this matter? "
Gu Wenheng, "Then you don't know which of these two guys has his pants soaked."
Jin Qianqian lowered her voice and whispered in his ear, "The clothes of the three of us are all wet, but looking at Gu Benluo's pants, they are wetter."
Gu Wenheng, "How can this boy act like this? A man should take responsibility for what he has done.
Please rest assured, young lady, I will help you get back your position and make sure that guy won't dare to do it again."
Jin Qianqian, "Then you have to be careful. It is normal for a child this young to have this kind of situation.
He doesn't dare to admit it, and he has his own pride. He can hint at it indirectly, but he can't say it out loud. "
(End of this chapter)
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