After rebirth, I joined forces with my mortal enemy to seek revenge.

After taking a bite of the steamed cake in his hand, Pei Jiaoran's deep eyes fell on Li Xiujing. Putting down the steamed cake, she put her hands on the edge of the bed, leaned forward slightly, and a faint smile appeared on her lips, "What kind of answer does the governor want to hear?"

Her voice is as soft as spring breeze.

Li Xiujing frowned, seeming to be thinking about how to answer.

Catching the expectation in Li Xiujing's eyes, Pei Jiaoran's smile gradually deepened and she said slowly: "I don't want the governor to die here." She raised her eyebrows and continued: "Because there will be many people if the governor dies. Trouble, this is not beneficial to my career, so I am here. What’s more, I don’t want to be missed by the Li family in Longxi."

As Pei Jiaoran's voice fell, the light in Li Xiujing's eyes dimmed instantly.

Li Xiujing closed her eyes while gathering her clothes and sitting on the bench. In an instant, he opened his eyes and looked sharply at Pei Jiaoran, who was smiling happily on the nail bed.

"If you are afraid of my family, you are not Pei Jiaoran." Li Xiujing raised her eyebrows and smacked lightly, "You came here in person, probably because you have something urgent to discuss with me."

Pei Jiaoran wiped away the smile on his face.

"There are two things that the governor needs to know." Pei Jiaoran sat up straight and said in a deep voice: "First, I killed Zhao Heng, but I have forged evidence that he communicated with Tubo. Second, I plan to report it to the court. I request that Guazhou be exempted from summer taxes this year."

The two taxes are divided into summer and autumn. According to her previous estimates, Jinchang could complete the court's tax collection requirements during this summer's tax season. But she didn't expect that Tubo would be so eager to attack Guazhou in winter. This move not only disrupted all her plans, but also made her very passive.

With Guazhou's free warehouse being burned and war going on, if Fangyuan were to continue to use it for its own use and increase taxes by four liters, it would definitely arouse public outrage. However, how to implement the summer tax and whether taxes should be collected from the people in accordance with the regulations are still issues that Pei Jiaoran needs to consider, and it is also something that Li Xiujing cannot avoid.

She is the head of a county, while Li Xiujing is in charge of the military, government and people's livelihood of the state. Guazhou has just experienced a war and is about to usher in the summer tax. Every decision they make is closely related to the life and death of the people.

"The Jianghuai side has added more troops besides Mo. Nowadays, there are many wars on the border, which costs a lot of money. The imperial army maintained in Chang'an is also a big expense." Li Xiujing sighed, "The imperial court is short of money. , your memorial may not be delivered to the emperor."

Pei Jiaoran frowned upon hearing this.

The so-called "momo money" is a kind of commercial tax in this dynasty. It was established in the fourth year of the present reign. When it was first established, it was stipulated that all public and private trade in Jianghuai Yizhou would require an additional tax of 20 coins for every 1,000 coins traded. Since then, the tax has been continuously increased in the name of subsidizing military expenditures, and it has increased to 50 coins so far.

Originally, the people in Jianghuai and Yizhou were very disgusted with this. When she was the Minister of Household Affairs in her previous life, she also strongly recommended that no more drawings be allowed in this life because of this incident.

"Since the levy was launched in Zhumoqian, the voice of resentment has filled Jianghuai and Yizhou. Now that there is another levy, the people will surely resent the harsh demands of the tooth merchants and the ruthlessness of the government. When the public resentment boils, what will the court do? What!" Pei Jiaoran still frowned, staring at Li Xiujing's every word, "Does the governor think this fire will not burn his head?"

If Jianghuai and Yizhou increase the draw, it will definitely cause public resentment. And she dared to say that the emperor would not stop the idea of ​​increasing the number of rapes because of public complaints. He would spread the fire to the heads of various prefectures and counties.

Li Xiujing looked at her and said warmly: "Of course I know that this fire will burn on my head one day. But when the court is short of money, you can't hand over your note! Even if you hand it over, there will be no news. You and I must implement the summer tax. It’s just a four-liter tax increase, but they can still survive.”

"Can you barely survive?" Pei Jiaoran muttered: "If the state government increases the tax by four liters per mu for summer tax, do the governor think the people will trust the state government and the court again? Emperor Taizong once said that the king's boat can be overturned by the people's water, and the water can capsize it. In the previous dynasty, In the Sui Dynasty, the corvées continued and Goguryeo was forcibly conquered. In the end, the country was destroyed because of popular dissatisfaction! No matter what the summer tax is, I must report it."

Pei Jiaoran's attitude was very firm and he had no intention of continuing to discuss the matter with Li Xiujing.

"You must push yourself to the forefront? Jia Gonglu has already set his sights on you, and this memorial will only serve as a reminder for you." Li Xiujing lowered his face and spoke in a bad tone.

"How did the governor know that this was my reminder?" Pei Jiaoran raised his lips and chuckled, "As a county magistrate, what's wrong with begging the court to reduce taxes to protect the people? Besides, I have a way to skip this memorial. Jia Gonglu appears where he should appear. He has not yet covered the sky with one hand in the court."

Although she has always been dissatisfied with the imperial government's finances, she also knows that this matter cannot be shaken by her alone. She also understands that in order to maintain the operation of such a huge empire, she must have sufficient financial resources.

But increasing the number of draws is not a good idea.

She didn't want to see the court end up boiling down public dissatisfaction because of the endless increase in punishment.

Outside the big tent could be heard the footsteps of patrolling guards, while inside the tent there was only the crackling sound of candles burning. Both fell into their own silence.

"So, who are you going to write to? Duke Changli may not be able to help you in this matter."

"I have no intention of writing a letter to my mentor. Don't worry about the governor, I have my own way." Pei Jiaoran said warmly.

Li Xiujing had nothing to say. She seems like a shrewd businesswoman.

He was included in the plan every time, but only in the outermost circle. He could not get into the core of her plan. There's no way to even know what she wants to do.

However, there is one thing: the county magistrate does not have the right to report directly. Pei Jiaoran's ultimatum will come to him first. After he has read it and confirmed that there are no problems, it will be handed over to the Commander-in-Chief, and then passed on layer by layer. But where he ends up is indeed beyond his control.

"The governor can't stop me. Besides, you'd better stay away from this muddy water." Pei Jiaoran frowned and smiled, his eyes sharp, "If I go up to the dense forest, no one can stop me."

Looking at Pei Jiaoran, who was sitting on a bed wrapped in a felt blanket, Li Xiujing felt a surge of complex emotions, as if she was hiding heavy memories from the past.

"I didn't want to stop you. This matter is also my responsibility. I'll also sign the secret. Even if I want to blame you now, you shouldn't have to shoulder the responsibility." Li Xiujing said with a smile.

Pei Jiaoran raised his head and stared at Li Xiujing, then suddenly turned his head to look at the candle that was almost burning out.

"Does the governor have to be a moth to the flame?"

"Why do you want to win over me and at the same time be wary of me?"

"What is the governor talking about? I don't understand." Pei Jiaoran curled his lips, "It's late at night, isn't the governor sleepy?"

Holding her hand hidden under the blanket, Li Xiujing spoke in a calm tone, "Didn't you agree to be an ally? But sometimes your attitude really doesn't sound like an ally." After a pause, he continued: "Lock me in Why is it outside of your plan?"

The heat is insulated from the blanket.

Pei Jiaoran suddenly stretched out his other hand, put it on Li Xiujing's hand and held it firmly.

"The governor's hands are so warm, but unfortunately they are not what I need." Pei Jiaoran said with a smile.

Her hands were not warm, and her fingertips were purple. Being held by her hand, Li Xiujing's expression froze. After regaining consciousness, he didn't dare to make any move, as if he was afraid that if he was not careful, she would disappear from his side.

Greedily absorbing the warmth from Li Xiujing's hand, Pei Jiaoran slowly closed his eyes.

"Where does the governor plan to rest?"

Warmth and coolness blended together, Li Xiujing looked at Pei Jiaoran. There was a trace of melancholy in his eyes, and the feeling of emptiness in his heart seemed to become heavier.

"You sleep here while I go and squeeze in with He Liang and the others." After saying that, Li Xiujing took back her hand and stood up to walk out. When she reached the door, she suddenly stopped and asked, "What are you going to do with Zhao Heng?"

"The evidence is conclusive, the governor need not worry."

After getting the answer, Li Xiujing opened the curtain and walked out.

The already empty camp became even quieter. Pei Jiaoran sighed and lay on his back.

No matter how warm his hands are, they can't melt the ice.