Li Erlang actually discussed this year's tax situation with County Magistrate Zheng today.
Because County Magistrate Zheng disliked the flattery in official circles, he was gradually squeezed out to the barren land of the northwest.
When he first arrived here, County Magistrate Zheng found that he had basically no say here.
If you want to find out or investigate something, you will either be blocked by various excuses or fooled by petty officials who pretend to obey your orders but actually disobey your will.
When County Magistrate Zheng learned from Li Erlang that various fees were imposed on top of the tax silver he had collected, he became extremely angry. However, he had no power in the place and had to be cautious in doing things.
He knew that he had been deceived by many things since arriving in Rongcheng. Those veteran officials had been here for hundreds of years, their ancestors and their fathers had been here for generations. With such a long time, as long as they cultivated their foundation with care, their roots would be much deeper than his own.
Their fathers worked here, and when they retired, their sons took over their positions. These petty officials knew much more about many things than he, the parachuted-in county magistrate.
Those who originally wanted to surrender to the county magistrate eventually had to succumb to the power of these people.
The term of office of a county magistrate is no more than three years, but those minor officials were born and raised here. As the saying goes, the county magistrate may come and go, but the clerks remain. It can be seen that Zheng, the parachuted-in county magistrate, was constrained in many things.
Today, Li Erlang talked about this matter with County Magistrate Zheng and expressed his worries. Li Erlang was worried that the wealthy gentry would hoard the grain they bought and sell it at a high price when the villagers had no food and there was a shortage of food.
This was exactly what County Magistrate Zheng was most worried about, and Li Erlang unintentionally hit the nail on the head.
Li Erlang looked at the worried-looking Zheng County Magistrate and told him what he had discussed with Li Yan yesterday. "Zheng County Magistrate, my brother-in-law is about to go south. I want him to explore there to see if there are any high-yield crops suitable for our area. If there are any, I want him to bring some back and try."
After hearing this, County Magistrate Zheng immediately perked up. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "That's a good idea. I'll take part in this as well. When he goes south, let me know. I'll find two people to accompany him and investigate!"
Li Erlang agreed.
Looking at his daughter, who looked like a little adult, Li Erlang said with relief, "I have spoken with County Magistrate Zheng today and asked your uncle to look for high-yield crops suitable for our area when he goes south! County Magistrate Zheng has already agreed to let the two of us go south with your uncle!"
Li Yan was delighted to hear her father say this, "Dad has yamen runners accompanying him, so you should be assured of my safety this time, right? Just let me go. It's not like my uncle knows what I mean by potato!"
Li Erlang had no choice but to compromise when he saw his daughter's determined face. "I'll talk to your mother about this matter and then make a decision!"
Hearing that her father didn't refuse her outright, Li Yan happily took Li Erlang's arm and said coquettishly, "Father, please talk to Mother and let me go with my uncle! I will take good care of myself. Don't worry about you and Mother!"
Lin's voice came from outside the door: "You are a girl, how can I not worry?"
Li Yan winked at Li Erlang, signaling Li Erlang to help her speak.
Li Erlang stepped forward and held his wife's hand: "Wanniang, Yan'er is also my daughter. I feel the same way as you do, but the child has her own ideas. We can't keep her by our side forever!"
"But Yan'er is still a child!"
Before Lin could continue, Li Erlang continued, "Which of the barren hills our family bought and the silver we earned wasn't done by Yan'er? Besides, I've already told County Magistrate Zheng that he'll send two yamen runners to accompany us on this trip."
Looking at the father and daughter who were singing the same tune, Lin realized that it was useless to object any further, so she turned and left.
Li Erlang looked at his wife who turned and left, and glared at his daughter.
Li Yan smiled and gestured to Li Erlang to quickly chase after her mother.
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