Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1205: Confiscation

"The tax hike stems from the Emperor’s decree. Lord Zheng will remain safe if he enforces it. Attempting to shield you will only drag him into peril. Cherish his support while it endures, and cease causing disturbances!" Fearing they might not comprehend, Qin San Lang explained it to them step by step.

Luckily, they all grasped the point. With tears streaming, they pleaded, "Company Commander Qin, we were mistaken; we won’t stir up trouble anymore. We’ll wait obediently for Lord County Magistrate."

Yet some villagers viewed this tax as a bolt from the blue they shouldn’t bear, protesting, "Company Commander Qin, can’t we simply skip collecting this tax? Even borrowing from the new bank to cover it will bury us in debt... Since the Northwest drought hit, taxes across our southern lands have surged. We’re already barely hanging on. Another round will force us to sell our children."

In the end, their distress had them wiping tears nonstop.

Witnessing this, the rest of the villagers began weeping one by one; some buried their faces and sobbed bitterly.

"Granny, don’t cry... Brother Qian is scared."

"Grandpa, if we can’t pay the Silver, will we be sold off? Wuu wuu wuu, don’t sell us. We’ll go find work and earn Silver for the family."

These elders had brought along many children, hoping Lord County Magistrate would show mercy for the kids’ sake. However, the timid children, seeing their grandparents in tears, erupted into loud cries themselves.

Suddenly, wails filled the whole government gate area.

Numerous Government Officials, soldiers, and watching commoners joined the crying. Luo Wu gritted his teeth to hold back, pushing away Northwest memories, yet his eyes still reddened.

Qin San Lang alone kept his face impassive. He gazed at them and declared, "The Emperor demands this tax. Refusing defies his command, dooming your entire clan to execution. Paying is your path to survival. I’ve spoken my piece; now you’re on your own."

Once Qin San Lang wrapped up, he ordered Zhang Zhong and Luo Wu, "You two remain here on guard. Watch diligently; ensure nothing goes awry."

"Yes." Zhang Zhong’s eyes were red too, but his faith in Company Commander Qin was unshakable; he knew he’d never harm the villagers.

Qin San Lang didn’t delay. He strode away, bypassing the government office’s main gate. He circled to the back entrance instead, slipped in from there, and headed straight to County Magistrate Zheng.

County Magistrate Zheng hadn’t slept a full day and night. His eyes burned red, shadowed by deep dark circles. Alongside the Financial Clerk and ten clerks, he sifted through the office ledgers, desperately scraping together Silver for the tax handover.

The exact sum didn’t matter; even a slight easing of the people’s load would suffice.

After two straight days of crunching numbers, they at last completed it.

"My lord, the government office runs no deficit. We’ve even got a surplus of eight thousand three hundred and seventy-four tael of Silver!" The Financial Clerk cried out in joy, though his all-night vigil left his voice raspy and grating.

"Really?!" County Magistrate Zheng seized the account book from the Financial Clerk’s grasp. Spotting the Silver figure at the bottom, he erupted in laughter. "Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. These over eight thousand tael mean the commoners face less tax."

Don’t dismiss eight thousand tael as trivial. Countless county seats in Great Chu operate at a loss; any surplus Silver is a rarity.

Qin San Lang entered the courtyard just in time to overhear, knocked on the door, then stepped inside. He questioned, "Does my lord truly plan to use this Silver to cover the people’s tax?"

"San Lang, you’ve arrived." County Magistrate Zheng lit up at Qin San Lang’s presence. Without his vigilant watch at the government gate over these two days, focused work would’ve been impossible. To Qin’s query, he nodded firmly. "Mm. This Silver will lighten the people’s burden somewhat."

Qin San Lang responded, "It’s but a drop in the ocean; it won’t rescue every soul in the county, and it risks unleashing fatal calamity upon you, my lord."

Just the Kangrong tax amounted to one tael of silver per person, not per family, plus the poll tax and grain tax that had doubled. When divided among all individuals, it reached at least two taels each. Tianfu County, a vast area near Jiangnan, held no fewer than thirty thousand people. How far could slightly over eight thousand taels of silver stretch?

County Magistrate Zheng felt like a bucket of ice-cold water had doused him; his expression turned grim. Yet he understood San Lang spoke to protect him... The Emperor was short on silver, and per the Great Chu Criminal Law, any extra silver in county offices had to go to the Capital with the money and grain taxes.

"I’m certain others will join in. I’ll send a memorial to the Capital first. With Lord Zheng in place, everything will turn out fine~" County Magistrate Zheng’s tone faded weakly by the end.

In this moment, Old Master Zheng needed most to stand solidly with the Emperor. Fail that, and he might forfeit the Emperor’s favor, marking the start of the Zheng Family’s downfall.

All the powerful clans, wealthy houses, and Capital nobles knew the risks of aiding the common folk. Thus, they feigned ignorance one after another, ignored the crisis, and focused solely on their own safety.

"Company Commander Qin, you hail from a peasant background yourself. How can you utter such words? After facing those villagers with coffins and children for two days, don’t you feel heartbroken?" Young and fiery with scholarly zeal, County Magistrate Fang showed deep disappointment at Qin San Lang’s remarks and scolded him sternly.

Qin San Lang stayed calm, giving a brief chuckle before clasping his fists toward County Magistrate Zheng and County Magistrate Fang. "This lowly one thanks both lords for your concern for the people. But using the county office’s silver truly endangers Lord County Magistrate. Having spotted this peril, I must warn of it. What’s more, I’ve prepared a double plan, so my lord won’t need to touch the county silver."

"A twofold solution? What is it? San Lang, tell us now." County Magistrate Zheng’s eyes brightened as he rushed forward to seize Qin San Lang’s arm.

"Raid a house: target the Gao family in Xianggui Town," Qin San Lang declared.

Next, he detailed his discoveries—Old Master Gao’s scheme with Elder Shi to incite chaos at the office, aiming to snatch villagers’ lands and lives for cheap.

"Old Master Gao thrives on dirty dealings; his home overflows with dirty money. Now, amid the tax turmoil, he plots to grab villagers’ fields, sons, and daughters at bargain prices. Raiding his family serves justice and cautions other villains eyeing the people’s assets for pennies."

Qin San Lang gazed at County Magistrate Zheng and added, "The Gao estate in Xianggui Town exceeds ten thousand taels. Raiding it yields far more silver than the office records show."

County Magistrate Fang drew a sharp breath upon hearing this. Staring at Qin San Lang, he backed away a few steps instinctively. "No surprise they call you King Yan. You rascal are no easy opponent."

Ah, San Lang, I just rebuked you moments ago like an elder brother. Don’t hold it against me.

"Hahaha, King Yan? San Lang’s just acting for the villagers’ sake. Plus, the Gao family invited this doom. Without that Gao fool’s sly schemes, we’d lack proof, and the office couldn’t raid them!" Jiang Qi burst in with long strides, slapped Qin San Lang’s shoulder, and declared, "Fine young man, excellent work. I never erred in my judgment—you’re destined for big achievements."