Why marry someone when you are reborn?

Zhu Qing finally subconsciously didn't believe it: "We don't have any money in our account——"

"I'll find someone to collect it. If I can't find anyone, I'll pay for it myself." Xu Yun was still firm.

Having said that, Zhu Qing finally understood why Xu Yun dared to come.

There is no other reason, just a lot of money.

Zhu Qing had a complicated expression.

Xu Yun waved his hand: "Okay, go do something else. Don't forget the banquet in three days."

Zhu Qing subconsciously said: "The money for the banquet——"

"The government has no money, and I have no money either. Let's just prepare a decent banquet. Don't be too extravagant." Xu Yun gave some instructions and then left.

Zhu Qing was choking and looked dazed.

This new county magistrate...I can't tell if he is rich or poor, but he must be really stingy.

Xu Yun didn't explain and just went about his own business.

The banquet was held as scheduled.

Everyone is here.

But everyone looked at Xu Yun, then at the three shabby cold dishes on the table, and they were all a little silent - the quality of the table could be determined by the cold dishes alone. There was really not a single meat dish!

Xu Yun did not feel embarrassed, and walked cheerfully to the seat of honor, bowed to everyone, and said apologetically: "The government office and I are both poor, and we really can't prepare any good dishes to entertain you."

After saying this, Xu Yun got straight to the point: "I don't plan to collect the taxes you owed me before."

Everyone was shocked, but also happy - why didn't you give it before? If it's delayed for so long, it will really be a huge sum!

Without waiting for everyone to smile, Xu Yun said, "But starting from today, the taxes twice a year, spring and autumn, must be paid. And they must be paid on time, without any delay. Is that okay?"

The captain of the guard standing behind Xu Yun silently waved his knife forward, making it very conspicuous.

Everyone saw it clearly: ...it seemed as if Magistrate Xu didn't give us a chance to say no.

Some people do not believe this: "If there are really difficulties, do we still need to force them to do so?"

Xu Yun smiled and said, "Of course not. For those who can't afford food or clothes, we not only exempt them from taxes, but also provide subsidies. But you can't cheat. Once you are found out, you will be fined double the amount."

She even kindly explained: "Do you know what forced punishment is? It's when a group of people rush into your house and just move everything. It's like a house search. If you resist, it's obstruction of public service. If you get hurt or even killed by accident, it's your own fault."

The false smiles on everyone's faces slowly cracked, and everyone looked at Xu Yun's gentle smile as if they had seen an evil ghost.

Xu Yun raised his cup, drinking tea instead of wine, and said with a smile: "I think you are all well-known figures, you should not do such a thing that would make people laugh."

Pretending to be poor to get money or something...

Everyone can only reply: No, no, of course not. Hehe...hehehe...

After talking about the autumn harvest, Xu Yun talked about another important matter: "I plan to run a free school. I have brought teachers with me. But I don't know where to find the money for the venue, the teachers' food and living expenses, and the tables and chairs for the students--"

She glanced at every rich-looking person present, and her attentive look told all that she was thinking.

Everyone: ...The new county magistrate feels like a bandit!

Xu Yun smiled and said, "I plan to build a stone wall in the school, and write the names of the donors on it. In this way, no matter who it is in the future, as long as they can read, they will know who donated and who made contributions to the opening of this school!"

"You can donate money or materials."

Xu Yun also sighed: "Speaking of which, this is also the first free school in China."

The implication is: you will definitely become famous in the future.

The school is famous, and the person who donated to the school...how could he not be famous?

For a moment, many people fell into deep thought.

How to say it, Xu Yun's move was an open conspiracy.

But everyone knows that this is a way to cheat money, yet they can't help but be tempted.

We are not short of money. Who doesn't want to have a good reputation? This will benefit future generations!

Xu Yun added: "For the first batch of donations, the ranking will be based on the number of donations. The more donations, the higher the ranking. After that, it will be based on time."

This is still an open conspiracy.

Some people are indifferent, while others are ready to take action.

Xu Yun didn't waste any words and threw out the third crucial sentence: "In the future, when the court selects officials, it will not only select those with good literary talent, but also those with good family background. Only those with no criminal record within three generations can be officials. If the conditions are the same, those whose families have made contributions to the court will be selected for the best."

Is family background important?

Of course it matters!

But it doesn’t mean that you can become an official just because your ancestors were officials! It only works if your family is truly a meritorious family!

However, Xu Yun did not say whether donating the school counts as an achievement.

Let them figure it out on their own.

After finishing these important matters, Xu Yun looked at the village heads and said, "Remember to bring up the list of children you have counted. This time we will only consider age. Then, I will have people choose the smartest one from each family."

After a pause, Xu Yun emphasized: "Don't differentiate between men and women. As long as they are of the right age, they will all be counted."

The village heads looked at each other and had no choice but to agree.

After discussing the three important things, Xu Yun had nothing else to do and just invited everyone to eat and drink - the meal was ordinary, but it would definitely be enough to fill everyone up.

This banquet was more of a notification meeting than a banquet.

Anyway, after the meal, there was no chance to win over any feelings, and everyone was in a complicated mood.

Moreover, because Xu Yun was a woman, all the means of pleasing her were not very effective for a while.

Persuading people to drink? Not appropriate.

Sending someone to serve? Not appropriate.

Go up to him and call him brother? That's even more inappropriate.

Moreover, Xu Yun spoke in a clear and straightforward manner without any detours, which made people a little afraid to approach him - what if they ended up embarrassing themselves?

Maybe we can think of a solution in private. Everyone thought so.

When the banquet was over, Xu Yun said to the gentry and wealthy people: "If you are embarrassed to donate directly, and you are afraid of appearing to be deliberately competing with others, you can also send it secretly. I will decide the ranking myself."

She smiled sincerely: "This way, it can better prove your sincerity. It's not just for fame."

Everyone's feelings became even more complicated, and they felt that Xu Yun was not an easy person to get along with.

Although Xu Yun's intentions were all clear, he was speechless! He couldn't refuse!

Now, it’s really hard for them to decide how much to donate!

There are too many of them. It's inappropriate to overshadow others, and it might even make enemies.

It's not right to be completely outdone, that would make people laugh -

It's so difficult! Everyone thought so in their hearts, and suddenly missed the last county magistrate who was stabbed to death.

The one who comes now is not as easy to get along with as that one!