Fenglin Tianxia – Queen with a Thousand Pets

When Ling Qingyu and their carriage arrived, they received a warm welcome. The neat fields, the brand-new small villages, and the happy expressions of farmers all made people feel cordial.

However, this kind of good mood was completely gone when he was seated in the main hall of the village's big house, and the local steward tremblingly said that the government had asked for tax increases, and that all kinds of increased taxes added up to 50% of the harvest.

"Why increase so much at once?" Han Nian asked solemnly. When he was here last fall, it was only 30%, an increase of 20%, which is too big.

"These are sent by the government after a year." The steward handed a stack of official documents to Han Mian, and then peeked at Ling Qingyu.

In the lobby, there were more than 20 stewards and villagers, and their expressions were very nervous at this time. Although the time here is short, the treatment is really good. In the first year, only 30% of the rent was collected. It only rose to 50% in the second year. Although it was only 10% less than others, the Ling family also provided seeds and farming tools. This was a large amount of money. As soon as the tax increase document came this year, some wealthy people around had already raised the rent. From 70% to 80%, how can the tenants who only have such a small income survive, but these are collected by the government, should they let the owner pay the tenants? Many stewards and villagers are ready to increase rent, and even before they come, they have done ideological work with everyone. The better part of Ling's family is that there are sweet potatoes and potatoes in Ling's family. These are high-yield crops. Some of this can always make ends meet.

"The Queen Mother will celebrate her sixtieth birthday this year. Enke will be added to pay for the silver silk of Liao. The military expenses will increase. Tsk tsk tsk, the emperor’s birthday, the birthday card, and Ying Fengsi will be added." He slapped it on the table, took a long breath, suppressed the anger, and slowly said: "It's really a lot of names."

"These increased taxes, or all taxes, should the officials and honoraries also increase it?" Ling Qingyu asked after taking a sip of hot water.

"How can these be added to them?" Han Yan said with a cold smile. These years now, the annual taxation has been increasing, and now it has reached such a point!

Excessive levy has always been a precursor to the country's chaos, Ling Qingyu sighed.

"The master, or, let's add a 10% rent?" the chief manager asked Ling Qingyu carefully. This is the first time I saw this master today, but seeing that Han Mian treated her respectfully, the chief manager immediately understood that this was the one who was in charge.

"Then this year's seeds are we still free?" Another steward asked carefully. Seeds are also a lot of money. Even if it reaches 60%, the owner will not have much left. If there are more seed farming tools, the owner will have to pay.

"Now the tenants below have some surplus grain at home, it is better to let them out of the seed." Da Guan said.

Han Yan looked at Ling Qingyu. Ling's family had no official background and would not be eligible for any tax exemption. However, if it was paid in full, there would be no surplus to provide even if the rent was 60%, which was not in line with the original intention.

Ling Qingyu lowered his eyes, circled his fingers on the teacup, thought for a while, and asked, "How much food does a tenant family need to make ends meet?"

The housekeepers were dark in their hearts, thinking that they were all prepared before coming.

"Our fields are good. We now have improved farming tools and seeds. They can harvest 20% more than other fields. If we make a living, then 20% to 30% of the harvest has been made." Da Guan said.

"The basis for calculating taxes is the basis of the fields. Should those ridges and miscellaneous fields also be included?" Ling Qingyu asked.

"Then naturally can't be counted, only the area of ​​the field." The chief steward said.

"So, for the taxes, do we need to pay all the goods in kind or can we pay them with money?" Ling Qingyu asked.

"The first two years were in kind, but this year, when the government came, they said that they could pay with money." The chief steward said.

Ling Qingyu and Han Mian looked at each other again, and then said: "In this way, we won't add rent for this year. Let's look at the government's situation for rent next year. This year's seeds can't be given for free. You can use the credit model to use the post-autumn rent. The grain will be repaid, and then, this year's surplus grain should not be sold to others. We will purchase all of it at a 20% discount on the market price.

As soon as these words came out, there was silence in the lobby, which made Ling Qingyu unconsciously say: "This is the bottom line, you can't let it go."

"The boss is a Bodhisattva!" The boss took the lead, and the bosses in the lobby all got up and knelt on the ground.

"Get up, what's this for?" Ling Qingyu hurriedly put the tea bowl and lifted the person up.

The steward and the banker were still whispering to each other when they got up. No one thought that the boss would not increase the rent. This meant that the owner had recognized the loss.

"I still have to tell you a few things." After sitting down, Ling Qingyu said: "The first is to continue thinking about increasing production, and the second is to conceal a little when calculating taxes. Can this be done?" Seeing that the stewards nodded intently, they continued: "Tell everyone to clear out the ridges and miscellaneous land, and plant sweet potatoes and peppers."

After Ling Qingyu finished speaking, the following was a discussion. Seeing that both the steward and the banker could understand, Han Shao said: "The owner also decided to build a school and a road. It is good for these families to contribute their own efforts. After the school is completed, children can enroll for free. We all have a certain amount of free matching for the books and pens used for reading. If there are promising children who pass the exam and are willing to continue their studies, the Ling family will also choose the best funding."

Sitting in the seat, Ling Qingyu accepted the group's head again, and said hurriedly: "Get up, everyone, this really hurts me."

"If something happens at home, you can go through fire and water." A younger steward said on his knees.

The others who were already up knelt down, and then repeated his words bumpingly.

Ling Qingyu glanced at Han Mian, helped the young steward up, and said, "Some small things are not worth it for you."

"The master thinks it's a trivial matter, but for us it is a re-creation of the same body." The young man said.

"Have you read a book?" Ling Qingyu asked, speaking so quietly.

"After two years of studying, I didn't go to the house if I had no money. The head of the house, can I go to that school?" the young man asked a little shyly.

"As long as you have the heart to learn, it's all right," Ling Qingyu smiled.

The major event was finalized, and the other matters were handed over to Han Yan, and Ling Qingyu returned to the room that was arranged for her.

The house is a specially built blue brick house with slate on the ground, but the furnishings in the room are very simple, a bed, a chair, and a table.

Ling Qingyu was sitting on the bed, frowning slightly.

"What?" Yan San asked, setting the brazier.

"I think I'm so hypocritical." Ling Qingyu laughed at himself.

Yan San was a little surprised, turned his head and looked at her suspiciously.

"What I am doing today is actually buying people's hearts. It's so high-sounding, but it's actually for the last sentence. What is hypocrisy to win people's hearts with grace?" Ling Qingyu said. It seems that these behaviors of her are like the Virgin, in fact, each of them has its own plan. The rent will not increase only this year, and she will not lose much, but she can buy them at a low price. To build a school, it is to control public opinion and brainwash. If something happens in the future, these people can be her help, not to mention the benefits once someone enters the official career. In fact, everything has its own selfishness. She also expected that this would be able to buy people's hearts, but when she was so sincerely thanked, she felt guilty.

"Qingyu." Yan San stood up, walked to her, then squatted down again, holding her hand and said: "I told you that I have been wandering outside since I remembered. Remember?"

Ling Qingyu nodded.

"If you don’t let me go to school at that time, just give me a bowl of rice and I will do whatever you ask me to do. No matter what reason you do these things, but they do rely on this to get the chance and benefits of survival, for It is normal to ask them to be loyal to you. If they still betray you in this situation, it will be a capital crime." Yan San looked into her eyes directly.

"You mean, it's normal for me to do this?" Ling Qingyu asked.

"Yes, if you do something without asking for anything in return, can you stick to it?" Yan San smiled.

Ling Qingyu thinks so. Yes, even though it is noble to just give and not ask for rewards, he is definitely not noble. If I treat you well, I ask you to be very good to me. That's right!

"Then Yan San, what do you want for me to be so good?" Ling Qingyu asked with a widened eye when he realized it was wrong.

"This is what I asked for." Yan San smiled and leaned close to her, and kissed her lips gently.

"But didn't you plan to prevent me from knowing that I was going to die?" Ling Qingyu began to turn over the old accounts.

"Ah, that's because I have already been paid." Yan San pecked again.

"What do you mean?"

"At the crater, for the few days you forgot, we have been together." Yan San smiled, and before she opened her eyes and started to get angry, she closed her mouth deeply.