"This man said that the county government officials were causing trouble while collecting taxes, and the old man couldn't handle it, so he asked me to bring some skilled people over."
Sun Wuming's face turned pale instantly.
He had just been arguing with Grandpa Zhang, and then Hu Qing and the others shut the door on him.
Actually, these are all minor issues that arise when collecting taxes in rural areas.
Tax collectors are always annoying.
No one will honestly hand over their money; they'll always find some reason or condition to recoup their losses.
Just like what Old Master Zhang said about giving compensation money.
So many years have passed, how could an old man possibly ask for several thousand taels of silver back just by opening his mouth?
They were just deliberately creating difficulties, waiting for the county government to say that the tax revenue would offset the cost.
But Song Liyun's words were different: "Tax officials are causing trouble, we need a few skilled fighters... what for?"
Grandpa Zhang's expression also turned serious.
The people will not fight against the officials; even if they want to resist taxes, they must have a reason.
Song Liyun seemed not to notice Sun Wuming's expression, and continued with a cold snort: "Paying taxes and consuming grain is a matter of course."
The construction of bridges and roads, the soldiers' salaries, and disaster relief all require government funding. Since the people do not pay taxes, where will the money come from?
"Suijin Town isn't above the law; why would they go against the imperial tax laws? This person must be deliberately sowing discord."
After she finished speaking, Sun Wuming's face lit up: "That makes sense. Small streams converge into the sea. If everyone stops paying taxes, the national treasury will be empty, and there will be no money to build bridges, roads, and cities."
Old Master Zhang's face showed anxiety.
Song Liyun was unaware of the insatiable greed of the tax collectors in Qili County. They would tear off a piece of flesh at the slightest smell of blood, and it was not easy for them to agree to pay taxes.
He quickly said, "Miss Song, the government abandoned us first. They are lining their own pockets and even taking money from the dead."
Song Liyun's words were not an agreement to pay taxes; she was merely trying to appease Sun Wuming.
Now is not the time to discuss these deep-seated hatreds or unresolved issues.
She pressed the knife against Yang Kaiquan's neck and said sternly, "What are those people you brought in for? Where are they?"
Yang Kaiquan was still trying to deny it: "I don't know what you're talking about... Ah! Ah ah!"
With a swift movement of the knife in Song Liyun's hand, blood was instantly drawn. Yang Kaiquan screamed like a pig being slaughtered: "Murder! Murder! Master Sun, save me!"
Sun Wuming brought four constables with him. These men could not stand idly by while Song Liyun committed violence in front of them.
Before they could even approach, Song Liyun had already sheathed her sword and kicked Yang Kaiquan to the ground: "If you don't tell the truth, I'll chop you up."
Yang Kaiquan raised his hand to touch his neck and found only a bloody line, just broken. He then realized that the Rouge Tiger was trying to scare him.
He crawled to Sun Wuming on all fours, grabbed the tax collector's leg and cried, "Lord Sun, save me!"
Then he turned to Song Liyun and said, "Those people are here to see you. You don't even know what trouble you've caused at Tianxiang Restaurant. Besides, Manager Mi and the others were brought by Master Sun. It has nothing to do with me."
Oh no!
Upon hearing that it was someone coming to find her, Song Liyun's mind went blank.
She informed the garrison, assuming it was just bandits from Qili County who had infiltrated.
Now that the other party is coming for him, and considering that Yang Kaiquan wants Han Ming to leave as well, Baolin Residence must be in danger.
Hong Jingtian had said he wanted to capture the Song brothers.
Even if Han Ming were left at home, he would be alone and no match for four people.
At this time, Hu Qing and the others had already gone to help Xue Zhuang, leaving only a few old people and Sun the tax collector staring at each other in the Broken Gold Guild Hall.
Clearly, these people were frightened by Song Liyun's actions of drawing a knife, slitting her throat, and kicking.
Of all these people, only the people from Suijin Town had ever seen Song Liyun kick Xue Zhuang's gossipy mother-in-law away.
Sun, the tax collector, had never seen Song Liyun before, much less such a shrewish woman.
Not knowing what to say, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.
The four constables were seasoned veterans of the county government. As long as Sun Wuming didn't speak, they didn't react to anything they heard or saw, and remained as passive as quails.
Song Liyun glared at Yang Kaiquan hatefully: "I'll deal with you, you traitor, when I have time."
After saying that, she turned around and rushed out, secretly vowing that if anything happened to Xiao An, she would definitely burn Tianxiang Tower down.
Just then, several horses came galloping over from the west end of the town.
Behind the horse followed a large group of people, including Hu Qing and Xue Zhuang, who also grabbed a chubby, unfamiliar middle-aged man.
The rider saw Song Liyun galloping wildly on the road from afar, and with a spur, he rode ahead of her.
"Miss Song, what happened? Why are you running?" the man shouted loudly.
Song Liyun was extremely anxious when she heard the familiar voice. She looked up and saw Uncle Luo, the bearded commander, with several horses following behind him.
"Lord Centurion, hurry! Thieves have broken into my house, and Xiao An and the others are in danger at home."
Upon seeing that it was Commander Luo, Song Liyun was overjoyed and immediately cried for help.
"Hmph, these things really don't take my Broken Gold Guard seriously."
"Men, go all out! Don't let any of them escape! Capture them for me!"
Luo Baihu's eyes blazed with fury. He slapped his horse's belly, galloped past Song Liyun, and headed straight out of the town.
Several horses followed closely behind him.
Seeing the soldiers from the garrison rushing to Baolin Residence, Song Liyun felt much relieved.
She called out to the cavalry, "Commander, thank you!"
He shouted and took off chasing after them.
After that, Xue Zhuang, Hu Qing, and the others didn't realize what had happened.
Upon hearing her shout, a horse that had already run hundreds of meters ahead suddenly turned around nimbly and, under the rider's control, galloped past Song Liyun in a graceful arc.
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