Chapter 551： tax increase

The guard ran in excitedly and said excitedly: "Fourth grandma, the generals and the others have attacked Lin'an City."

"So fast?"

The guard nodded excitedly, "The news from Baili said that Young Master Biao rebelled against a team of forbidden troops and told them to open the city gate."

"What about the second prince?"

One of the guards regretted, "The second prince and Qin Xiang ran away from another city gate. Because they were covered by Xixia cavalry, they couldn't pursue them to the end, but after occupying Lin'an City, the general can ascend to the throne, right?"

"Isn't enthronement quite a target at this time? I think it's more important to settle the war first."

At this time, Rong Xuan was also talking to Qi Xiuyuan about assessing the war and then ascending the throne, otherwise they would occupy Lin'an City and ascend the throne as emperors, which would be the target of public criticism.

Qi Xiuyuan agreed, "The Xixia army has not retreated for a long time. It seems that the progress of the Jin Kingdom is not very smooth. I don't want to recall Haoran, so I will let him toss at the border. The second prince is still in the hands of the Xixia people, and I will kill him. Peace of mind."

Rong Xuan responded and asked, "Would you like to bring Madam and A Ling back to Lin'an City?"

Qi Xiuyuan thought for a while, then shook his head and said, "Let them stay there, it's safer."

Li Jinghua, who was excitedly waiting to return to Beijing, was a little discouraged when she received the news, but Mu Yangling comforted her and said, "Big brother is also thinking of our safety. When the world is stable, big brother will definitely come to pick you up."

Li Jinghua said a little depressedly: "I don't know when the world will be stable."

"I don't know when the world will be stable. The slaves only know that if the eldest grandmother and the fourth grandmother don't care, the place where we live will not be stable."

The two looked up at Chen Ming's family and asked, "How do you say this?"

Chen Ming's family sighed and said, "How about the world is in chaos. In the past, officials would always leave us a way to survive, no matter how greedy they were, but now we can't. The county magistrate is crazy and raised the rent by 30%. Now It's the time of harvesting autumn grain, and it is not enough for us villagers from ten miles and eight townships to hand in all the grain. Now there are smashing pots and irons everywhere, even in our small village, these days, we are also selling our daughters at home. If you don’t have a daughter, you have to give up the pain and sell your son. Our boss still goes to the town to buy meat every day, and from time to time he buys some refined grains, but many people are watching.”

Mu Yangling's eyes widened, "This, the situation has deteriorated into this, why didn't you say it earlier?"

"Isn't this what you and the eldest grandma are worried about in the capital? We, the head of the family, didn't expect the situation to deteriorate like this. Our ancestors lived here, and there has been no such thing for hundreds of years. The most serious rent and tax It's still the military salary that was shared once, but it's not as heavy as the tax..."

Chen Ming's family added: "We're pretty good here. I heard that the farmers in another town are more difficult. Not only do they have to pay the royal court's rent and taxes, but if they have land, the landlord has also raised the rent. Even if you sell all your children, you may not be able to make enough money, and you all lose your home and go out as refugees.”

Mu Yangling and Li Jinghua looked at each other, Li Jinghua hesitated: "Or, tell Chen Ming to be more restrained, and don't forget to go to town, A-Ling, didn't you ask someone to raise chickens and ducks in the front yard? It's also bigger. right?"

"Sister-in-law, those chickens and ducks are not enough to fill the teeth. If it's just us, it's fine to eat more vegetables. Xiaobao and Xiaoxiong are still growing, but they can't lack their food and clothing. Also, Xiaobao is still In recuperating the body, some ingredients have to be bought fresh.”

"Then, let's find a way to provide relief, otherwise if there is chaos here, our family will only be the first to be hit."

The most wealthy ones in the nearby villages are their families.

Mu Yangling thought for a while and shook his head: "No, let's not say that we can't get so much food, but we can get it and donate to a few nearby villages, and people in other towns may also be able to rush over."

"Then what? Moving?"

Mu Yangling looked at Little Treasure and shook his head slightly. Little Treasure was not in good health. The last time he came here from Lin'an City, he fell ill. If he moved again, he was afraid that he would get sick again. She could find a more stable land, and if she moved, where could there be a safer place?

Mu Yangling patted her hand and said: "Sister-in-law, don't worry, the situation is not at its worst yet, and then decide whether to move or not after seeing the situation."

Li Jinghua didn't really want to move, so she could only hold back her temper and wait.

Mu Yangling turned around and asked the guards to check the magistrate of the county and get first-hand evidence of the crime. Evidence is useless."

"Then what do you say?"

"It's better to cut down the magistrate directly and rectify the law on the spot." The guard muttered.

Mu Yangling's eyes lit up, knocked on the table and said, "This is a good way."

The guard stammered: "My subordinate, this subordinate is just talking."

Mu Yangling glanced at him and said, "I didn't tell you to do it."

Mu Yangling turned around and wrote a letter to Baili, assassinating or something, this kind of thing should be done by Baili, and there must be no trace.

Within two days, before the villagers' tax and grain were delivered to the county seat, several announcements were posted at the gate of the city. This year's rent tax was exempted, and the seal of the county magistrate was still on it.

The people in the county were in an uproar. The first impression was that they didn't believe it. After confirming that the seal was correct, they happily spread the news. When the yamen heard the news, the people in the county knew.

It was the remote village where Mu Yangling and the others lived who also heard the news in the afternoon. Naturally, the news was brought back by Chen Ming, who often ran to town.

Not to mention that the villagers didn’t believe it, even Li Zheng and the village chief didn’t believe it either. They came to the mansion to ask Chen Ming. Chen Ming pointed to the sky and swore, “Really, it’s on the door of the county, and many big families in the village say that.”

"No, how could the magistrate suddenly be exempted from tax exemption?" Li Zheng and the village chief were puzzled.

Chen Ming said indifferently: "Whatever he is, we don't have to sell children and daughters in our village, and we don't have to starve to death."

Li Zheng and the village chief were still a little nervous, "If this is fake news, I'm afraid the big guy will have a fun time."

"It shouldn't be possible, the county magistrate's seal is covered, so you can go back on your word?" Chen Ming also hesitated.

But no matter what the situation is, the preparations for the autumn tax have slowed down, and those who originally wanted to sell their sons and daughters also stopped and began to wait and see.

As a result, within two days, Chen Ming brought back another news, "The county magistrate died and was wiped on his neck at home. It is said that the announcement was written by the murderer."

The village chief was stunned, and hurriedly asked, "Does the announcement count?"

Chen Ming shook his head, "There is no accurate word in the county. Since it is not, let's not send it, otherwise the food will be wasted."

"Then, your boss didn't give it away?" The villagers all looked at Chen Ming inquiringly.

Chen Ming shook his head again and again, "No delivery."

As soon as these words came out, everyone's hearts instantly calmed down, and they decided to wait and see.