Fenglin Tianxia – Queen with a Thousand Pets

When Ling Qingyu and his carriage arrived, they received a warm welcome. The neat fields, brand-new small villages, and the happy expressions of the farmers made people feel friendly.

However, this good mood completely disappeared when we sat in the main hall of the village's big house and the local steward tremblingly told us that the government wanted to increase taxes. The total of various increased taxes would take away 50% of the harvest.

Why did it increase so much at once? Han Zong asked solemnly. When he was here last fall, it was only 30%, and it suddenly increased to 20%. This range is too big.

These will be sent from the government after the new year. The steward handed a stack of official documents to Han Xie, and then secretly glanced at Ling Qingyu.

There were more than 20 stewards and village heads sitting in the lobby, all looking very nervous at this time. Although the time here at the Ling family was short, the treatment given was really good. In the first year, they only collected 30% of the rent. It only rose to 50% in the second year. Although it was only 10% less than others, the Ling family also provided seeds and farm tools, which was a lot of money. As soon as the paperwork for this year's tax increase came, some wealthy families around them had already raised their rent. How can the tenants survive with only 70% to 80% of their income? But these are collected by the government. Should the owner be asked to provide money to support the tenants? Many stewards and village bosses are already prepared to increase the rent, and have even done ideological work with everyone before coming. The Ling family is better than other families. The Ling family has sweet potatoes and potatoes. These are high-yielding crops with many varieties. With these, I can always make ends meet.

The 60th birthday of the Queen Mother this year, increased Enke for the first time, paid the silver silk of Liaoning, and the military expenses increased. He slapped it on the table, took a long breath, suppressed his anger, and said slowly: There are really many names.

Do the officials and nobles also need to increase these increased taxes, or all taxes? Ling Qingyu took a sip of hot water and asked.

How can these be added to their heads? Han Zong said with a cold smile. In recent years, taxes have been increasing every year, and now they have reached this point!

Excessive taxation and extortion have always been a precursor to chaos in the country, Ling Qingyu sighed.

Master, how about we also add 10% to the rent? the chief steward asked Ling Qingyu cautiously. This was the first time I met the big boss today, but when I saw Han Zong treating her respectfully, the big boss immediately understood that this was the one who made the decision.

Then we will give out this year's seeds for free? Another steward also asked cautiously. Seeds are also a lump sum of money. Even if it is increased to 60%, the owner will not have much left. If more seed farming tools are produced, it will mean that the owner will have to pay for it.

Now the tenant farmers below have some surplus grain at home. Why don't we let them produce the seeds themselves, the chief steward said.

Han Ye looked at Ling Qingyu. The Ling family did not have an official background and could not qualify for any tax exemption. However, if they really paid in full, even if they received 60% of the rent, they would not be able to provide surplus food. This was inconsistent with the original intention.

Ling Qingyu lowered his eyes, traced circles on the tea cup with his fingers, thought for a long time, and asked: How much food does a tenant family need to survive now?

The stewards and village heads felt secretly in their hearts, thinking that luckily they had made preparations before coming.

Our fields are good. With the improved agricultural tools and seeds provided, we can produce 20% more harvest than other fields. If we are living hand to mouth, then the 20% to 30% harvest has already been achieved, the big manager said.

The basis for calculating taxes is the basis of fields. Do the ridges and miscellaneous fields also need to be taken into account? Ling Qingyu asked.

Of course it can't be calculated. Only the area within the field is calculated. The big steward said.

So, do we have to pay all the taxes in kind, or can we pay them in cash? Ling Qingyu asked.

In the past two years, it was all in kind, but this year, when the government came, they said they could pay it in cash, the chief steward said.

Ling Qingyu and Han Xie looked at each other again, and then said: In this way, we will not increase the rent this year. Next year's rent will depend on the government's situation. This year's seeds cannot be given out for free. You can use Qiuhou's seeds on credit. We will repay it with grain, and then don’t sell this year’s surplus grain to others, we will buy it all at a 20% discount on the market price.”

As soon as these words came out, there was silence in the lobby, and Ling Qingyu said unconsciously: This is the bottom line, we can't give in anymore.

The boss is the Bodhisattva! The chief steward took the lead, and all the stewards and village heads in the lobby got up and knelt on the ground to kowtow.

Get up, what are you doing? Ling Qingyu quickly put down the tea bowl and helped him up.

The stewards and village bosses got up and were still whispering to each other. No one expected that the boss would not increase the rent, which was equivalent to the owner admitting the loss.

I still have to tell you a few things. After everyone was seated, Ling Qingyu said: The first is to continue to think of ways to increase production, and the second is to conceal something when calculating taxes. Can this be done? Seeing the stewards nodding in understanding, he continued: Tell everyone, clear the field ridges and miscellaneous fields, and plant sweet potatoes, peppers, etc.

After Ling Qingyu finished speaking, there was a discussion. Seeing that both the steward and the village head could understand, Han Ju said: The head of the family has also decided to build schools and roads. It will be enough for each family to contribute their own efforts. After the schools are completed, the children can go to school for free. , we all have a certain amount of free quota for the books and ink used for studying. If there are promising children who have passed the examination and are willing to continue their studies, the Ling family will select the best and provide financial support.

Ling Qingyu sat in his seat and accepted the group kowtow again, and said hurriedly: Get up, everyone, this is really embarrassing me.

If something happens to the leader, he will go through fire and water without hesitation. A younger steward knelt down and said.

Others who had already stood up knelt down again, and then repeated his words stumblingly.

Ling Qingyu glanced at Han Zong, helped the young steward up, and said, Some trivial matters are not worthy of your treatment.

The master thinks it's a trivial matter, but to us it's a matter of reincarnation. The young man said.

Have you read a book? Ling Qingyu asked, speaking in such a formal tone.

After studying for two years, I left because my family had no money. Can I go to the school as the head of the household? the young man asked shyly.

As long as you have the desire to learn, you can do it. Ling Qingyu said with a smile.

After the important matter was finalized, other matters were handed over to Han Zong, and Ling Qingyu returned to the room decorated for her.

The house is a specially built blue brick house with slates on the floor. However, the furnishings in the room are very simple, including a bed, a chair, and a table.

Ling Qingyu sat on the bed, frowning slightly.

What? Yan San stirred the brazier and asked.

I feel like I'm so hypocritical. Ling Qingyu said with a self-deprecating smile.

Yan San was a little surprised and turned to look at her doubtfully.

What I did today was actually to win people's hearts. I said it so grandly, but it was actually just for the last sentence. To win people's hearts with favors, what else is it if it's not hypocrisy? Ling Qingyu said. It seems that all her actions are like a virgin, but in fact, everything has her own plan. The rent will not increase only this year, and she will not lose much, but she can buy them at a low price. The purpose of building a school with the remaining food is to control public opinion and brainwash. If something unexpected happens in the future, these people can be her help, not to mention the benefits that can be brought if someone among them enters the official career. In fact, everything has their own selfish motives. , and expected that doing so would win people's hearts, but when she was thanked so sincerely, she felt guilty.

Qingyu. Yan San stood up, walked to her side, then knelt down again, held her hand and said, I told you, I have been wandering outside as long as I can remember. Remember?

Ling Qingyu nodded.

If you don't ask me to study at that time, just give me a bowl of rice and I will do whatever you ask me to do. No matter what the reason is for doing these things, they do get the opportunity and benefits to survive through this. It is normal for them to be loyal to you. If they betray you under such circumstances, it will be a death penalty. Yan San looked directly into her eyes and said.

You mean, it's normal for me to do this? Ling Qingyu asked.

Yes, if you do something without expecting anything in return, can you keep doing it? Yan San smiled.

Ling Qingyu deeply believed that, yes, although it is so noble to just give without asking for anything in return, I am definitely not noble. I will only treat you very well, so I ask you to be very kind to me. This is only right!

Then Yan San, what do you want from being so kind to me? Ling Qingyu, who noticed something was wrong, asked with his eyes widened.

This is what I want. Yan San smiled and leaned close to her, kissing her lips gently.

But didn't you plan to die without letting me know before? Ling Qingyu began to settle old scores.

Ah, that's because I have already received my reward. Yan San took another peck.

What's the meaning?

That time in the crater, those days you forgot, we were always together. Yan San smiled, and before her eyes widened and started to get angry, he blocked her mouth deeply.