Although the government has made enough efforts to vigorously publicize the benefits of changing rice to mulberry, there are too many bad deeds in the past, so there are very few people who are willing to believe in the government and implement the change from rice to mulberry.

And today is also the day of the collection of the field tax, early in the morning, the official in charge of this item gathered everyone together and instructed: "You must come according to the list, if anyone dares to mess around, this official will not spare it!" Do you understand? ”

"I'll understand!"

In the room, the remaining officials replied loudly, and He Tao was among them.

He Tao was born in a broken family, and his ancestors were also broad, and later when it came to his father's generation, it had completely declined, but fortunately there was still some relationship in the family, plus he could read and write, so he came to this government and became a special tax collector.

Because of his shrewdness and ability to please his superiors, he was promoted soon after, and was able to take people out to collect taxes on his own.

This tax-leviing official is no more than other official positions in the government, and the main thing is that there is less money, more things, and heavy responsibilities!

If the tax is not collected, or the tax collected is different from the original plan, then what awaits their group of officials is the merciless punishment of the boss.

At the least, he will lose his official position and abandon his post, and at worst, he will die!

Therefore, when they collect taxes, they all adhere to the principle that they would rather charge one tael more than one penny! As for whether the person being taxed can pay the full amount of the tax, it is not within the scope of their consideration.

"He Tao, where are you going next?"

At this moment, a colleague on the side stepped forward and asked.

He Tao looked at the list in his hand and responded with a bitter face: "Wangjia Village." ”

"What? Wangjia Village! That's a bunch of people, you're miserable now. ”

When the colleagues on the side heard that He Tao was about to go to the village, their faces were also full of sympathy.

"Alas, it can't be helped, the times are not good, by the way, where are you going to collect taxes later?"

He Tao sighed helplessly and asked his colleagues.

"Lijia Village."

When his colleague heard this, he replied with a fluttering eyebrow.

"It's very easy to collect taxes in this Lijia Village, and this guy is really lucky."

After He Tao finished speaking, an expression of envy, jealousy and hatred appeared on his face.

"Haha, let's not talk about it yet, I'll come back and invite you to drink."

"Hmm."

After He Tao answered, he left this place.

After he truthfully informed his subordinates of the destination of the tax, it was not surprising that he received a wave of opposition.

"Boss, this Wangjia Village is full of Diao people! It is said that the last time the prefect went there, he did not receive any benefits. ”

"Yes, boss, why don't we go to the adult and ask him to change places for us!"

"In this case, the tasks assigned from above will not be completed."

"Last time, Lao Xing didn't complete the task of collecting taxes, and he was beaten so miserably that he couldn't get out of bed for ten days and half a month! Our fate may be even more miserable than that. ”

After He Tao quietly listened to the words of his subordinates, he was also silent for a long time, and thought in his heart: "Yes, this Diao people in Wangjia Village are much more famous!" If the task is not completed, it will be the brothers under him who will suffer. ”

If you go to the chief, with his appetite, I'm afraid it will cost you a lot! He Tao bit his lip tightly and struggled inwardly.

After a long time, He Tao raised his head, turned his gaze to his subordinates, and said in a deep voice: "Well, I'll give it a try, but you'd better not get too much hope." ”

After He Tao finished speaking, he walked away quickly, and then came to the door of the chief's room, and after hesitating for a long time, he knocked on the door.

"Who, come in." From the room came the sound of an ancient well without waves.

He Tao took a deep breath and walked in.

As soon as he entered it, He Tao saluted respectfully: "My lord! ”

He Tao's boss was holding a thick dossier at the moment, and when he saw him coming, he slowly raised his head.

"Oh, it's you! I'm going to look for you. ”

When He Tao heard this, he couldn't help but show a hint of suspicion on his face, and then asked: "Dare to ask your lord to find his subordinates, is there anything you want to order?" ”

"Of course, it's the Wangjia Village you're about to go to!"

After He Tao's boss finished speaking, he put down the file in his hand.

"Wangjia Village!"

When He Tao heard the name of this place, he gradually had a trace of expectation in his heart: "Did the adults say that they want to let others go to Wangjia Village?" ”

And the next words of the boss completely shattered his inner expectations.

"This time, the official received a hint from above, and he had to take extraordinary measures against these Diao people in Wangjia Village! In other words, you can do whatever you want, as long as you don't provoke civil unrest. ”

"Of course, if you do this well, there will be an additional reward! Young people, just exercise more! ”

"This official likes Mencius's words very much, the heavens will descend on the people, you must first suffer their minds, strain their muscles and bones, starve their bodies and skin, work hard, and when you come back, the official will give you a promotion!"

After He Tao's boss finished speaking, he walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder as a sign of encouragement.

And He Tao's whole person was like falling into an ice cellar, stunned in place.

With just a dozen or twenty people in his hands, how can he collect enough land tax from Wangjia Village, which is full of people? This is clearly pushing yourself into the fire pit!

Looking at the boss's earnest expression, He Tao's throat moved, he wanted to open his mouth to refuse, but the words that came out of his mouth were the opposite.

"Yes, my lord, my subordinates obey."

And He Tao's boss was also very excited after hearing that He Tao should do this, and then spoke.

"Okay, this official didn't see the wrong person! That way, you're going to have to collect a third less tax. ”

"Your Excellency, thank you."

At this time, He Tao's brain had completely lost the ability to think, and he could only deal with it calmly.

"Well, that's it, the official has something to do next, you go down."

"The subordinates retired."

After He Tao finished speaking, he turned around and left the room, and closed the door with him.

"Boss, what's going on, what do you say?"

He Tao looked at the expectant expression on his subordinate's face, forced out a smile, and replied, "My lord said that the place has been decided, and it can't be changed for the time being." ”

Hearing He Tao's words, the rest of the people couldn't help but show a look of disappointment on their faces.

Seeing this, He Tao couldn't help but comfort him.

"Well, on the plus side, we can reduce the tax amount by a third! In this way, we can also reduce some conflicts with the villagers, and if everything goes well, we can also get a reward from the government. ”

"Let's go, when this matter is over, after getting the reward, I will invite everyone to drink, and then the girl of Cuixiang Mansion will be up to everyone to choose!"

After He Tao finished speaking, he added another sentence.

"Good!"

Hearing He Tao's words, everyone at the scene quickly mobilized their emotions and said loudly.

……

"My lord, today is the day of the collection of land tax, you see, where should we go to investigate?"

"Let's go to Wangjia Village, I heard that last time, Ma Ningyuan, the prefect of Hangzhou, almost stirred up a civil uprising over there! If you start there, you should be able to get the corresponding message in no time. ”

"Yes, my lord, I'll wait until now."

"Remember, our task this time is only to investigate whether the taxes reduced or exempted by the imperial court have been implemented, and don't ask about the rest!"

Before the brocade guard left, his commander admonished again.

(End of chapter)