Soon it was the end of the month, and the mountain people felt that even the heavens were looking out for them, because the weather had been sunny for several days in a row, which made it very convenient for them to harvest and dry their rice.
After the autumn harvest, all the villages were busy threshing and storing the rice.
After everything was finished, everyone set off together in a lively manner towards the government office. Those who had oxen drove oxcarts, while those who didn't had loads on their shoulders. They were going to pay their land taxes.
In Sanping County, when officials were in office, they would either have to hide or be arrested and forced to work for the government when it came time to pay the autumn grain tax, because they simply couldn't pay the land tax at that time.
If they don't even have enough to eat, how can they afford to pay taxes?
But this year is different. Under Lord Pei's rule, they not only got good grain seeds, but also didn't have to worry about bandits robbing them. Everyone became unusually confident because they finally had surplus grain at home.
Sure enough, as soon as the farm work was finished, everyone took their rice to pay the taxes without the government having to send anyone to urge them.
"Hurry up, you lot! What are you dawdling for? Lord Pei is busy; if you're late, you might not even get to see him!"
The clan chief was unusually cheerful today. Early in the morning, he urged his three sons to quickly load the grain and vegetables onto the oxcart, and then, with the help of his children and grandchildren, he got on the oxcart.
That day, the entrance to the patrol office was unusually lively.
People started arriving one after another from Chen Shi (7-9 AM), and the number of people increased as time went on.
Those who arrived early were mostly villagers from nearby mountain villages. The roads were close and easy to travel, and they got up early, setting off from their homes just as dawn broke, which is how they were fortunate enough to be among the first to arrive.
As soon as Pei Han entered the Second Courtyard, his subordinates came to report excitedly: "Sir, the villagers from the nearby mountains have all come to pay their land taxes today. They say the harvest in the fields is very good, and the rice is very plump!"
Pei Han nodded and said, "Do your job well, be kind to them, and don't be bossy."
At 9:00 AM, Wu Dazhuang ran in again.
Hearing footsteps, Pei Han looked up and saw Wu Dazhuang grinning from ear to ear, which piqued his curiosity. He stopped what he was doing and waited for Wu Dazhuang to speak.
"My lord, Chief Wu has arrived, and he brought many gifts, saying they were specially made for you by everyone!"
Pei Han asked, "Where are they?"
Wu Dazhuang replied, "We were originally waiting at the main entrance, but now we've brought us to sit in the side hall."
Pei Han pondered for a moment, then stood up and said, "Then come with me to see him."
As soon as Pei Han entered the side hall, Chief Wu and the others all stood up, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Your Excellency! We hope you are well!"
Pei Han gestured for them not to stand on ceremony, then personally helped the elderly clan chief Wu to his feet, saying, "Why did you make this trip in person, sir?"
When Chief Wu saw Pei Han, his beard trembled with excitement. Hearing Pei Han speak so politely, he was even more grateful and didn't know what to do.
"Sir, you have done us a great service. As long as my old bones can still run, how could I be lazy? We have harvested a lot of grain and vegetables in the fields this year, all thanks to the seeds you gave us. Here we have picked the first batch of vegetables, and we're sharing them with you to give you a taste of the fresh produce. Please don't look down on these cheap things."
Several bamboo baskets were piled on the ground, filled with vegetables such as greens, winter melon, radish, cowpea, eggplant, pepper, and cabbage. Next to them were two large baskets of rice, which were indeed plump and full.
Pei Han couldn't help but ask, "Did you pick all the vegetables in the house?"
At that time, each family received roughly the same amount of vegetable seeds. Judging by this, Chief Wu probably didn't just plunder all the vegetables in the garden.
Chief Wu quickly waved his hand and replied, "Sir, this was picked by the whole village together. Every family picked the freshest vegetables from their gardens, and that's how we gathered so much."
"I see, that's not too outrageous," Pei Han continued, "And the rice? Was that also collected by the whole village?"
Chief Wu hesitated for a moment, but finally answered honestly, "No, the rice belongs to my family."
Pei Han said, "You didn't grow that much rice. After paying the taxes, what's left is not enough to feed your family and for seed. Take this rice back with you, and leave the vegetables behind. That's your way of showing your appreciation."
After saying that, without waiting for Chief Wu to argue further, he said to Wu Dazhuang, "Take two people and help them carry these two baskets of rice out."
Upon hearing Pei Han's instructions, Wu Dazhuang quickly led his men forward to move the things.
Before Chief Wu could speak further, Pei Han asked first, "Have you all planted your potatoes?"
Chief Wu hurriedly replied, "As instructed by the adults, everyone planted the seeds at the beginning of the month, and the seedlings have sprouted. We've been fertilizing them recently!"
Pei Han said, "That's good. Potatoes have a high yield and mature quickly. They can be harvested in another month or two. They'll be good for cooking or as a staple food. You should all keep an eye on them. I have official business to attend to, so please excuse me."
Chief Wu and the others quickly said, "Sir, you are busy. It's getting late, and we should go back now."
Pei Han said, "No rush. You can have some tea first. It's almost lunchtime. Eat here before you go back."
After saying that, Pei Han got up and left. Before leaving, he instructed the soldiers at the door, "Take good care of them. Take them to the public kitchen for a meal later."
Chief Wu and the others originally wanted to leave quietly, but the soldiers at the door were all watching them, so they had no choice but to sit obediently in place and drink tea and wait for their meal as Pei Han had arranged.
A member of the Wu clan muttered incredulously, "Good heavens, I never thought I'd get to drink tea from the government and eat meals from them soon!"
Everyone present shared the same sentiment and gathered together to chat enthusiastically.
After Pei Han came out, he did not go back to the Second Hospital to work, but went straight back to the small courtyard.
Min Yueqing had just returned and was sitting on the tatami mat drinking tea when Pei Han entered. She couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Aren't you busy today? It's rare to see you come back so early."
As usual, Min Yueqing was sitting very close to Xiao Wei, leaving hardly any space. Pei Han had no choice but to sit down opposite Min Yueqing and briefly tell her what had happened that morning.
Upon hearing this, Min Yueqing couldn't help but feel moved and said, "Actually, the local customs are very upright, and the people are very simple and honest, and they know how to repay kindness."
Pei Han nodded in agreement, "The people here are very hardworking. You rarely see anyone idle. Even the children help with what they can. Every time I visit a village, I see children carrying small baskets and following behind their parents. They are so sensible."
Think of the children in the capital. They are the same age but are already sitting in academies. Many of them are sleeping and causing trouble in the academies.
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