Chapter 34 Jiangzuo Xiao Family
The country people had never seen such a high-ranking official. When they heard that the prefect had also arrived, they all gathered in a circle and shouted "Master".
The former prefect raised his hand, and after everyone fell silent, Deputy General Wang reported what had happened.
When the former prefect heard about the land tax, he already knew what was going on, but he didn't show it. According to the official etiquette of compassion, he allocated funeral expenses to Deputy Wang's family, and asked people to answer the name of the farmer with the largest private property in the area.
Deputy Wang, "Your Excellency, it is Xiao Guan.
The former prefect frowned after hearing this. The Xiao family was a Jiangzuo clan, so why would they buy such a large piece of land on a farm outside Jinxiao City, even comparable to that of a government family?
He originally just wanted to see if there was a wrongful conviction, but he didn't expect to encounter such a big event.
He moved his gaze slightly and met Rong Zhuo's eyes.
The former prefect was slightly startled and almost stepped forward to salute, but when he saw that the Third Prince was only wearing ordinary clothes, he calmed himself down and finished the matter.
Rong Zhuo observed for a long time, then let the flying sword push him back to the courtyard.
Not long after, the former prefect arrived.
"I pay my respects to His Majesty the Third Prince."
Rong Zhuo, "No need to be polite. I asked you to come here to ask what you think about today's incident."
The former prefect reported the situation of Xiao Guan, the largest farmer, in detail. "I'm afraid this matter involves other people. I dare not make a hasty conclusion."
Rong Zhuo also knew the hardships these people had gone through to obtain the title and they all wanted to protect themselves. "You go and do this, I will take care of it for you."
The former prefect's eyes flickered.
Rong Zhuo said, "You don't have to guess. If you can handle this matter, you will definitely be promoted. You don't have to put the credit on me."
The former prefect was ashamed, "It is my blessing that Your Highness has taken a liking to me. Please tell me how to do it."
Rong Zhuo, "First, find out who Xiao Guan works for and why he bought such a large private property. In addition, you secretly buy half of Xiao Guan's private property, and I will pay the money. After that, Xiaosheng Farm will implement the land distribution system, and you will still pay the taxes you should pay."
"Each person is allocated one mu of land. If there are more men in the family, they can contract more. After these fields are distributed, all the crops harvested within a year belong to the farmers themselves, and the term is three years. Farmers only need to pay 10% of taxes every year, but they need to build public facilities when the government needs them, and the term is half a month."
The former prefect was now even more shocked and impressed, "Your Highness wants to improve the land tax system."
Rong Zhuo, "Yes, this will be the test site. Jiangdong is under my jurisdiction. After the private property here is purchased, Jiangdong will also implement the land distribution system at the same time. The difference is that the government will take the initiative to distribute the land."
The former prefect now understood that if this succeeded, he would be remembered for the rest of his life. He was originally born in the countryside, and after graduating from high school, he was favored by his wife, and his father-in-law also tried to stop him, otherwise he would not have become the prefect.
Only after he took this position did he realize how difficult it was to be an official. On one side were his ambitions, and on the other were the people's livelihoods. Caught in the middle is the collusion of aristocratic families.
The slightest mistake could lead to the destruction of his family. He has been a mediocre person over the years and almost forgot the bloodiness in his heart.
He collected his thoughts and said respectfully, "Your Highness is honored to be born in the royal family, but you can look down upon the world. I am ashamed and am willing to serve Your Highness with this identity."
Rong Zhuo knew that he had figured it out, so he said no more, "Come back in a few days."
The former prefect took his leave and when he walked outside the door he ran into Yin Ren who had just returned. The man was dressed in tight clothes and looked exhausted, as if he had traveled a long way in a hurry.
The former prefect took a few more glances, thinking that the Third Prince might have other business here, but he didn't want to ask, so he followed Jin Pei and walked out.
As soon as Yin Ren came back, he presented Mr. Duan's letter and spread out the article written by Xiao Yuan, the playboy from Jiangzuo.
Rong Zhuo's guess was correct, Wang Jian did not lie.
Xiao Yuan used his article to replace his place.
Mr. Duan also wrote in his mind that Xiao Yuan was the cousin of the Second Prince's wife.
Mr. Duan communicated with Prime Minister Zuo not long ago, saying that the test paper of Xiaosheng Farm was marked. Later, someone found someone to copy Wang Jian's test paper and changed it to Xiao Yuan's.
Rong Zhuo burned the letter. He thought that the subordinates of last year's Gongju (the official in charge of the imperial examination) must have been bribed. They were able to replace the test papers in the autumn examination (those who passed the examination were called Juren). Their methods were extraordinary.
"Yin Ren, the Left Prime Minister has arranged for someone to meet you in Jiangzuo. Go to Jiangzuo tomorrow and find out who Xiao Yuan has been in contact with since he passed the imperial examination. Also, pay attention to the relationship between him and the Second Prince's wife, and make sure to find out who is behind this."
Although Yin Ren was tired, he also knew that this matter was of great importance, "Yes."
Chu Sishui looked at Yin Ren who was coming and going in a hurry, and knew that Rong Zhuo might not be able to finish it all in a short time, so she picked up a few books and started reading.
Deputy Rong's family next door had already set up a funeral. A group of people were playing music and singing funeral songs, and the atmosphere was much sadder.
Lu He brought over the washed fruit cut plate and said, "Miss, this country funeral music won't last long, please be patient for a while."
Chu Sishui shook her head. "It doesn't matter. Everyone gets old one day."
"Funerals in the countryside usually last for a few days."
Lu He, "Usually it takes three days, but it's so hot right now, I'm afraid it will only take one day to carry it up the mountain."
Chu Sishui thought that it was common sense that people in the countryside couldn't afford ice. "We are all neighbors, so we are destined to meet. You can send some funeral money over later."
Lu He nodded, and seeing that she was not interested, she didn't bother her anymore. She took the money and went to Wang's house.
Deputy Wang, Wang Gui and Wang Nan were all dressed in white and were receiving my mother's family members. They didn't notice Lu He at this moment.
As the eldest son, Deputy Wang worshipped along with the funeral music and burned some paper money.
The men and women in the village were also helping. Granny Wang, who was in charge of traffic, saw her and pushed Deputy Wang.
Deputy Wang recognized Lu He immediately. It was they who rescued her at the post station that night. Seeing her coming to pay her respects again, he bowed sincerely.
"My dear sir, you are such kind people. I will come to thank you in person after the funeral is over."
Luhe returned the greeting and did not stay any longer.
On the second day, Chu Sishui was still asleep when she was awakened by a burst of firecrackers. Rong Zhuo was busy until three o'clock last night, and the two of them had not spoken to each other yet. In a daze, I heard a clear voice, "I'm afraid the funeral will be held today."
Chu Sishui came to her senses and said, "Let's go see him off as well. We can just watch from a distance at the door."
Rong Zhuo originally thought that she might be scared, but now he felt that it was okay.
The two called Lu He in, changed into plain white clothes, ate a simple breakfast, and opened the door.
People in the countryside are more loyal and righteous, so today everyone wore plain coats and followed the coffin procession to send Wang up the mountain.
White papers were flying and birds were chirping. This was the first time that Chu Sishui felt the passing of people in ancient times. She thought that ordinary people from ancient times to the present had lived just for a meal. If she had not been lucky enough to marry Rong Zhuo, if she had been an ordinary farmer, she would probably have lived like that for the rest of her life.
I used to think that I was omnipotent, and that I could achieve something no matter what in this backward time and space.
Now she no longer thinks so. The thousand-year-old feudal ethics weighs on an individual for a lifetime. If there is no one who speaks for the people and looks down on the common people, then being a farmer will be a life of pain.
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