Chapter 666668. Special Dishes
Gu Wenheng was busy. Although this place was close to the border, there were only a few small countries next to it. Normally, people would not dare to cross the line. There were guards here, but it was relatively easy.
But the people here really depend on the weather for their livelihood.
Before they came, the grain had already been stored in the warehouse. Due to the climate, the land had already been turned over and seasonal vegetables were planted.
"Sir, because we are located in the hills, the people have limited land. These are the taxes paid this year, and we haven't had time to hand them over yet."
Gu Wenheng looked through the tax book presented by his subordinates, "Why is it still owed?"
It's really a joke that the expenses can't even be balanced with the income.
Wu Haicong, the assistant official, said, "Sir, last year was a bad year, and the wild animals in the mountains also caused damage.
Many places are unable to collect taxes this year.
This is our only problem at the moment. If we don’t solve it quickly, we won’t be able to deliver on our mission.”
Gu Wenheng put the account book on the table and asked, "What about previous years? How did you deal with this situation in the past?"
Wu Haicong was a little hesitant when speaking, "That was all enforced by force. If you can't pay, you can use your land or other things as collateral.
But there is nothing we can do about it. Even if we want to relax the rules set by our superiors, we are unable to do so.
We have already accumulated a large amount of debt over the years, and the higher-ups have said that if we owe more this year, we will be held accountable."
Gu Wenheng raised his eyebrows, "Including me?"
Wu Haicong, "The official doesn't know what will happen next.
It’s tax payment time this year, but less than half of the taxes have been collected.
My Lord, if the missing part of Mr. Liu can be recovered, it can offset most of the previous debts. "
Gu Wenheng took a deep breath and tried his best to control his temper. "Why didn't the higher-ups pursue the matter before? And why can the tax collection be delayed forever?"
He even felt that he was being targeted intentionally. In the past, the attitude was not so coercive and was rather lenient, but as soon as he took over, the attitude became tough.
"I don't know, but we don't have much time left. What do you think we should do?"
Gu Wenheng spread his hands and said, "I haven't even figured out the bottom of this place yet, and you want me to bear the old debt. This doesn't make sense no matter how you talk about it.
I will file a memorial on this matter. If there is any responsibility, then everyone will be held accountable."
He really thinks he is a soft persimmon. Although a higher-ranking official can crush a person, he is not so easy to bully.
It was obvious that these words were directed at him, and Gu Wenheng didn't mind using Wu Haicong to express his attitude.
Wu Haicong, "Sir, our annual evaluation is in their hands..."
Gu Wenheng raised his hand to stop him from continuing, "The emperor summoned me before he left. He has long been dissatisfied with the tax revenue here over the years. I am not afraid that they will expose it, but I am afraid that they will sit on their hands and do nothing.
Just collect taxes according to the real records, and remember to do some statistics to find out why there is a situation where taxes cannot be paid. "
This created such a huge mess that even Gu Wenheng felt a bit of a headache.
The problems were in front of him, and he had to solve them.
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Jin Qianqian arranged everything in the backyard, and also arranged for the Gu family members who came with her to live in the front yard.
Only then did he take his two children and begin to familiarize himself with the county town where he would live in the future.
“Mom, I like it here.” Gu Benluo looked at the bright colors on the street, “The people here wear beautiful clothes.
You can see many colors, and it’s not like we wear layers upon layers of clothes, which makes it hard to walk.”
Jin Qianqian also liked the climate here and teased him, "But there is no heated kang here, and you have to cover yourself with a thick quilt at night. Can you adapt to it?"
Gu Benluo looked around curiously. He still had to deal with his mother. "Mom, I was only uncomfortable with the thick blanket for a moment. It didn't take me long to fall asleep. When I woke up, it was already dawn. For me, the difference is really not that big."
Jin Qianqian: "..." What you said makes a lot of sense. When I woke up, it was already daybreak. There is really no need to dwell on this issue. I am really old, and I am not as open-minded as a child.
"There seems to be a restaurant up ahead. Let's go and see what food is available here?" Gu Benluo thought that along the way, Jin Qianqian liked to take them to try local specialties, so he pointed to a small restaurant not far away and suggested.
Jin Qianqian touched her stomach and wanted to tell Gu Benluo, "Son, we just ate and left the house. We really can't fill our stomachs anymore."
Gu Benluo was in high spirits and pulled her forward.
Seeing the unfamiliar faces and the different clothes they were wearing, passers-by on the side of the road immediately guessed their identities and quietly made way.
"Madam, please come in, young master." The waiter spoke the local dialect. Although Jin Qianqian and the others didn't understand it, they roughly guessed it.
"What special dishes do you have here?" Gu Benluo looked for the menu in the lobby, but found that there was no such thing on the wall. So he simply asked the waiter standing next to him.
The waiter's face suddenly turned red and he started chattering away, saying something inaudible.
At this time, a middle-aged man ran in from the backyard, speaking in awkward official language, "This kid doesn't know how to speak, and he offended the noble man.
I wonder what you guys need?”
Jin Qianqian, "It's okay. We are new to your place and don't know if there are any special foods here. Could the shopkeeper introduce some to us?"
The middle-aged man pulled the waiter behind him and said with a smile, "We are just a small street shop. We can only make a few stir-fried dishes that everyone likes. If you don't mind, I can take you to the kitchen to introduce you to it."
Jin Qianqian, "Don't you have any names for the dishes here?"
The shopkeeper had obviously encountered many such situations before, and he calmly explained, "For guests from other places, we usually take them to see the real thing.
Otherwise, if you guys can’t eat it, it will be a shame to waste it.”
Jin Qianqian had a bad feeling in her heart, but seeing Gu Benluo's curious expression, she could only agree.
"Then please lead the way, boss."
The shopkeeper leaned sideways and carefully led them to the kitchen at the back.
"These are what our chefs are best at. The salt and pepper bee pupa is also the most popular. If you are not used to our dishes, you can start with this."
Following the shopkeeper's instructions, the mother and son saw a huge beehive, which was densely packed with bee pupae.
Jin Qianqian instantly got goosebumps and looked away.
This damn intensive care unit made her extremely uncomfortable.
As soon as she turned her head, she saw something else: a plate of densely packed locusts. If she hadn't had to keep her composure, she would have wanted to scream.
(End of this chapter)
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