As soon as Kangxi finished speaking, the Huang family members looked unconvinced and tried to argue, but Kangxi gave them the chance, and their mouths were always gagged.
Upon hearing this, the villagers on the threshing floor erupted in uproar. They realized that they shouldn't have had to live such a hard life all these years; it was all the work of the Huang family.
Thinking of this, everyone looked at the Huang family with hatred in their eyes, and then began to curse them, ignoring everything else.
The Huang family members were terrified, and their faces turned even paler.
Over the years, how many people have died because of these tax issues? How many people have been forced into the mountains and never come out again? How many babies have been abandoned in the mountains right after birth because they can't be raised and the adults will die? Because they can't pay the taxes, many people go into the mountains as soon as they get a little older and never come out again.
These are all living, breathing human lives.
It can be said that the Huang family's current dignity is thanks to the blood and lives of the villagers in the surrounding area. I wonder if they have nightmares about it when they wake up in the middle of the night.
If it weren't for the yamen runners stopping them, the villagers would have almost started beating them.
Over the years, they had harbored hatred and resentment, disrespected the government, hated the emperor for not giving them a way to live, and resented the injustice of God. They never expected that in the end, it would be the Huang family who were causing trouble.
Kangxi felt it was about time, so he gave Liang Jiugong a look. Liang Jiugong coughed and said, "Everyone, please be quiet and don't speak."
The crowd then quieted down again.
Emperor Kangxi began, “My fellow villagers have indeed suffered injustices over the years. Our yamen also bears some responsibility for this matter, failing to properly supervise its subordinate institutions. Today, I hereby give you all a guarantee: starting tomorrow, you can go to the yamen to collect the taxes your families have paid over the years. Those without household registration can register. Those under thirty years old will receive the tax according to their age: four qian of silver for each year of age; twenty years old will receive twenty years' worth of silver; fifteen years old will receive fifteen years' worth; and those under thirty years old will receive thirty years' worth of silver, also at four qian of silver for each year of age.”
This can be considered as a partial repayment for the suffering endured by those who are still alive over the years. As for those who have already lost their lives, Kangxi was powerless to help them. He was an emperor, not the King of Hell, and he did not have the ability to bring people back to life.
When Kangxi said this, everyone was incredulous. Could there really be such a good official?
Can I get it back after handing it over?
"I assure you all that this is absolutely true, and you will not have to pay taxes for the next ten years."
This place is truly impoverished; ten years without paying taxes is enough for them to recover.
Kangxi then continued, “If you wish, you can take this money down the mountain to buy some fertile land to cultivate. Living in the mountains will make it inconvenient to come and go, and you will not be easily deceived.”
Kangxi's words showed that he had the people here in mind.
While people in the mountains won't starve, the situation is far from ideal. Going into the mountains is dangerous, and providing education for the children there is also a problem.
If possible, Emperor Kangxi hoped that these people could read some books, at least understand the notices posted in front of the government offices, so that they wouldn't be deceived for decades.
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Emperor Kangxi simply couldn't believe such a thing could happen; it was just too bizarre.
By the time the crowd dispersed, it was already evening. After enduring the scorn and curses of the crowd, the Huang family members were temporarily locked in the woodshed.
That evening, Bian Shun and Bian Yong were noticeably more reserved, after all, there was a significant difference between a wealthy gentleman and a powerful official.
The next day, Kangxi and Youqing decided to return. When they left, the villagers of Pingshan came out to see them off, and a large group of them knelt down behind them.
They don't understand any grand principles, but they know who they should thank.
Ordinary people know in their hearts that officials are not necessarily good; otherwise, there wouldn't be the saying, "The people will not fight against the officials." These are all experiences summarized by ordinary people.
It's not that the people don't want to fight, it's that they can't win. If you don't have good health, you can't even survive a lawsuit against the emperor. It's too difficult for ordinary people to seek justice, and it's too easy for officials to deceive the people.
When I returned, the new magistrate had already arrived at the county office. He had come from the capital at top speed and had just arrived.
This new magistrate is no ordinary person from a small county town who doesn't know the emperor's face. He is a proper Manchu, and his father is an official in the court with a high position. He himself is also very capable. He entered the court through the imperial examination and served in the Hanlin Academy for two years. When his father heard about this matter, he arranged for him to come here.
Although this is a small county town and was not well-known before, at least it has caught the Emperor's eye. If he achieves anything in the future, the Emperor will definitely think of him first.
So, being a minor county magistrate would naturally be a lucrative job.
"Your humble servant Tang Chifei greets Your Majesty."
"Get up!"
Kangxi had some impression of Tang Chifei. Of course, this impression mainly came from his father. As an official in the court, Kangxi always had some close ministers, and his father was one of them. In addition, Tang Chifei was also quite promising, even standing out among the Eight Banners youths who were walking their dogs and playing with their birds.
Tang Chifei has done a decent job at the Hanlin Academy. Now that he's willing to come over, let's see what he's capable of. If he's truly talented, Emperor Kangxi will surely give him an important position in the future.
"You should have learned about the situation here on the way, but there are some new developments. I will have Liang Jiugong tell you about them later. You can decide what to do yourself."
Tang Chifei excitedly replied, "This servant obeys."
Tang Chifei knew this was a test.
Tang Chifei then went out to get busy.
Kangxi and Youqing were able to relax.
"Want to go out for a walk?"
Youqing nodded: "That's fine."
I've run into a lot of things these past few days, one after another, and I haven't been in a good mood. Going out for a walk to clear my head is a good idea.
As they emerged from the government office, the two were dressed in ordinary clothes, and were surrounded by a number of bodyguards.
There are actually quite a few shops in this small county town, and you can find almost anything you need. However, there's one downside: things are too expensive.
Youqing wanted to buy a candied hawthorn to eat, but found that the same candied hawthorn was one coin more expensive in this small county town than in the prefectural city.
As for the reason, Youqing knew it without even asking.
It's still inseparable from those old problems.
The Yuan, Luo, and Qi families practically monopolized the market in the entire county. Although they fought each other, they were surprisingly united in their external relations. Any merchant who stood out would be suppressed and eventually either had to change careers or leave for distant places.
In this small county town, only a few small vendors have a chance to survive. However, due to the market monopoly of three companies, the prices in the county town are already high. In order to earn more money, these small vendors can only sell more expensive items.
Youqing originally planned to eat out at noon, but after hearing that all the restaurants in the county were owned by the Yuan, Luo, and Qi families, she lost her appetite.
On the way back, there was a little incident that made Youqing think that the Yuan, Luo, and Qi families should be destroyed as soon as possible!
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