I was a conman in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 73 The City Entry Tax Must Not Be Stopped

Chapter 73 The City Entry Tax Must Not Be Stopped

These past two days, the people of Hanshan County have been filled with worry. The town entrance tax has been stopped! Their daily income of sixteen copper coins has vanished. Ordinary people rely on these sixteen coins to make a decent living. The cessation of the town entrance tax is like taking their lives!

The people went to Cheng Benqing, hoping that he could persuade Wang Qingtian to continue collecting taxes in the city.

After meeting Wang Wenzhou, Old Cheng came out dejectedly, cupped his hands to the people, and said, "A few days ago, Lord Wang inspected dilapidated houses in the rain, got soaked, caught a cold, and fell ill. He is now bedridden. Lord Wang said that he does not want to stop collecting taxes in the city, but the magistrate has already given the order, and he dares not disobey."

Upon hearing this, the people all shook their heads. Lord Wang was trying to benefit the people by introducing an entry tax into the city. However, the prefectural magistrate of Hezhou rejected it with a single order.

At this moment, someone in the crowd whispered, "I heard that Wang Qingtian caught a cold, which was not a big deal. The reason why his condition is so serious is because he saw the magistrate's order and became so angry that he was overcome with rage."

Geng San patted the shoulder of the person in front of him and whispered, "It's your turn."

The man immediately shouted, "The city entrance tax cannot be stopped! The city entrance tax benefits the country and the people. How can such a good deed be stopped! Mr. Cheng, you should take everyone to the prefectural government and plead for the people!"

“Mr. Cheng, you are a highly respected elder, you should take the lead in this matter!” someone echoed.

Cheng Benqing nodded solemnly and said, "Alright! I will get started on the preparations right away!"

Cheng Benqing traveled around, and for a time, a storm was brewing in Hanshan City.

Wenwang Temple was the temporary accommodation for Hanshan Academy.

Pan Lin cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Fellow villagers, I have invited you here because I have something to tell you. The school will be closed from today!"

"Mr. Pan, you have to think of something! My child has just learned a few words, and the school has closed down. My child has been crying at home all day!"

"What will happen to so many children?"

"How could Wang Qingtian's measures to benefit the people be stopped by a corrupt official?"

Pan Lin waved his hand, signaling his parents to be quiet, and said regretfully, "I met Lord Wang yesterday. He was bedridden and so ill that his speech was slurred. Lord Wang said that even if the city tax is suspended, the school cannot be closed! He is willing to provide financial assistance! I am deeply moved by Lord Wang's dedication to the people!"

Pan Lin wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes and said painfully, "There are thousands of children in the school, and their lunch fees alone cost three taels of silver every day. It's a bottomless pit that can't be filled! No matter how rich Lord Wang is, he can't sustain this for more than a few days. Ultimately, it's because the city entry tax cannot be stopped!"

"Yes!"

"Lord Wang is truly a good official!"

"Lord Wang is truly devoted to the people!"

The parents' sentiments were all heartfelt.

Pan Lin suddenly raised his voice, his expression righteous as he said, "The decision to close the school was made privately by my colleagues and me! It has nothing to do with Lord Wang! I have decided to go to the prefectural government with my colleagues to plead for the people!"

After Pan Lin finished speaking, more than twenty school teachers stood up and shouted in unison: "The city tax benefits the country and the people! The corrupt official has decisively ordered the cessation of the city tax. As students, we cannot sit idly by!"

"We're also going to Hezhou City to get an explanation from the Prefect!"

"Yes! I'm going home right now, and I'll take my son with me!"

Parents expressed their opinions one after another. Children's education, regardless of the era, is always a parent's primary concern. What will happen to the children if the schools are gone? How could parents not be anxious!

Outside Hanshan City, at the construction site of the labor camp.

Li Jinshui looked at the more than a thousand workers in front of him and said regretfully, "Everyone, today's wages will be paid later. This is the final payment. Starting tomorrow, construction will be suspended!"

"what!"

"Master! Why?"

The workers stared in astonishment. These workers were all from poor families. Although their daily tax payment of sixteen coins was gone, they still earned fifty coins a day working on the construction site—a high-paying job in the Ming Dynasty. Suddenly, their jobs were gone. How were they going to support their families?

"Alas!" Li Jinshui sighed and said mournfully, "I am a businessman, and I also want to make money! I'm not afraid to tell you, once this labor camp project is completed, I can earn more than a thousand taels of silver. But now the city entry tax has been suspended, and the government has no money to pay for the project."

"Please go and beg Lord Wang to let him resume collecting the city tax!"

"Yes! How can the city entry tax be stopped!"

Li Jinshui waved his hand and said, "I also went to plead with Lord Wang yesterday. To be honest, I've been the one who advanced the funds for the project. Lord Wang is bedridden and has repeatedly apologized to me. I understand that orders from superiors cannot be disobeyed. Lord Wang is just a minor county magistrate; even if he loses his post, he cannot disobey orders!"

"The root of all this is an order from the Prefect. I have decided to go to Hezhou City to ask the Prefect for payment for the project. If you all want the project to continue, you can come with me to Hezhou. As long as the money is available, the project will continue," Li Jinshui said.

"Boss! I'll go with you!"

"I'm going too!"

"Go to Hezhou! We need silver!"

The workers were in high spirits.

Zuihualou.

Wang Wenzhou crossed his legs, and Sheng Lan peeled grapes and fed them to him.

"How's Xiaoqiang doing? Have you mobilized everyone?" Wang Wenzhou asked.

"Young Master, Geng San, Pan Lin, Li Jinshui and others have just sent someone over with a message. They've taken care of things there," Wang Qiang replied.

"Where are the yamen runners?" Wang Wenzhou asked.

"Chief Ma said that as long as the young master gives the order, the brothers will go through fire and water!" Wang Qiang replied.

Wang Wenzhou nodded with satisfaction and asked, "What about logistical support? Is Li Yinshui ready?"

“Brother! Clerk Li said that the matter you instructed has been completed,” Sheng Liang replied.

Sheng Lan glared at her nephew resentfully. "You child, you have no manners! How can you be just like your uncle, so unprofessional! How can you call your uncle 'Uncle'? Where's your elder brother?"

"By the way, young master, I saw the eldest young master today!" Wang Qiang said.

"Young Master? Who is that?" Wang Wenzhou was completely confused.

"Ah... Wang Wenhua!" Wang Qiang thought to himself, "Young Master, what's wrong with you? You don't even remember who the eldest young master is?"

Upon hearing the name, Wang Wenzhou suddenly remembered. It was his cousin!

"This order from the Prefect is very strange! It might just be Wang Wenhua's doing!" Wang Wenzhou said irritably.

“Young Master, I also think it was the eldest young master who was behind this! When I met him, he was with Ma Deyun and a few others, chatting and laughing, and they seemed to be very familiar with each other,” Wang Qiang said.

Wang Wenzhou didn't have many memories of Wang Wenhua. His cousin looked down on him, and although they both used to live in Nanjing, they rarely saw each other. Wang Wenhua's arrival in Hanshan was definitely to cause trouble, all for the title of Earl of Xinjian. Wang Wenzhou smiled bitterly; the Ming Dynasty was almost over, what use was this worthless title?

Wang Wenhua, don't mess with me! In my territory, it's easy for me to deal with you!