This is the end of July.
The sun is still shining, the temperature is still high, and Dahe Village has officially entered the autumn harvest.
Not only Dahe Village, but all villages in Pingan Town and all counties and towns in Huzhou are harvesting rice in these two days. The busiest half of the month for farmers is here.
On a village road in Huzhou, there were several carriages parked, and several men in official uniforms stood beside the carriages.
The man in front, who was in his forties or fifties, had a majestic look on his face and stood with his hands behind his back: "Drought in the north and floods in the south. Huzhou is located in the middle boundary between north and south, so it cannot be avoided. Fortunately, some counties and towns have discovered water sources and worked together to eliminate locusts. Most of the rice fields have been saved. The situation in Ping'an Town, Baiyun Town, Fenghuang Town in the southwest is good, but there are already refugees in the northeastern boundary of Huzhou, and taxes must be increased this year."
The speaker is the magistrate of Huzhou, the largest official in Huzhou, and further up is the governor of the provincial capital. The governor is a capital official. He is sent by the capital court to check and balance the power of local officials. Magistrate Shen is such an official. Over the years, I have only seen the Governor from a distance once, and I couldn’t really see him from too far away.
"Back to the magistrate, I have asked the chief registrar to reset the tax quota. Except for Dahe Village, the taxes of all other villages in Ping'an Town are between three-tenths and four-tenths." Magistrate Shen lowered his head and said with cupped hands. , "Income has dropped sharply this year, but taxes have increased, so the grain harvest should be the same as the previous year."
When the canal was opened more than half a month ago, he had already informed the villagers that any village that required the county government to solve the water source problem would have to raise taxes this year. Compared with the loss of harvest from the fields, raising taxes is obviously Within the acceptance range of those villagers.
Several other county magistrates looked at Magistrate Shen dumbfounded.
This poor guy just told them how to open the canal, without telling them in advance that they would have to raise taxes.
If they suddenly force more grain to be harvested during this harvest time, the villagers in their jurisdiction will definitely refuse to do it. If there is a ventilation dispute between villages, it will also be a big headache.
However, one-third of the land in Huzhou has no food, and food from other areas must be handed over to make up for it, otherwise the refugees will gather together, and the consequences will be more serious.
Magistrate Zheng bowed his head and said: "Don't worry, Lord Magistrate, the food from Fenghuang Town will be handed over in full."
The county magistrates of the remaining counties and towns have expressed their stance.
The Lord Magistrate touched his beard and nodded: "Exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes are a last resort. This matter must be explained clearly to the people to avoid causing resistance and resistance among the people. Furthermore, during the harvest, bandits will also be prevalent, so guards and patrols must be strengthened within the jurisdiction. , and we must stop merchants from hoarding grain and selling it at high prices..."
A group of county magistrates nodded and took note of all this.
After the Lord Magistrate finished speaking, he left in a carriage. Magistrate Shen was immediately surrounded by others.
"Brother Shen, if you don't take care of the tax payment in advance, you are really hurting us." County Magistrate Zheng sighed, "A group of unruly people in Fenghuang Town are causing trouble for some reason. My hair is going to turn gray. .”
County Magistrate Shen sneered coldly: "Will you listen to what I said? Just like what I said the day before yesterday about leaving rice stubble, you all looked down on me and thought I was talking nonsense. When the locusts are raging next year, You will know if what I said is true."
The county magistrate present did not take this matter seriously.
Although they don't understand things in the fields, they can read books. From reading history books, we can see that for hundreds of years, locust plagues have never occurred for three consecutive years. They have already happened for two years. They will not happen again next year, so there is no need to let them happen again. Farmers leave piles of rice.
Magistrate Shen shook his head. He would suffer a big loss if he only read books and did not listen to what the old farmer said.
He listened to Dahe Village Rizheng and Zhao Cheng twice, and the crisis was resolved both times. This time, he will definitely be able to turn danger into good luck.
He got up and got into the carriage.
Behind him, the county magistrate of Fenghuang Town also followed.
Going back from Huzhou, the two of them traveled four-fifths of the same distance. Magistrate Zheng had his own carriage, but he had to squeeze in with Magistrate Shen.
"Brother Shen, is it really necessary to promote the idea of leaving stubble in rice fields that you mentioned?" This was the first question Magistrate Zheng asked when he came up.
Magistrate Shen sneered: "Today is the first day of the autumn harvest. If you continue to hesitate, you will have no chance to stay when the autumn harvest is over."
Magistrate Zheng and Magistrate Shen were sent to serve as officials in remote and poor counties and towns in Huzhou at the same time. They were both unlucky. After seven or eight years in office, they failed to make any achievements. Seeing that Old Shen was interested in promotion. , Magistrate Zheng was very anxious. He always felt that Lao Shen should have received guidance from an expert, otherwise it would be impossible to break the game one after another.
"Brother Zheng, I am preparing to go to you tomorrow. Since we met today, let me tell you directly." Magistrate Shen said, "Your son colluded with a boy from the Qian family of a wealthy businessman in Baiyun Town at Nanfu Academy. , I just bully those scholars who have no family background, just bully others, how can I bully our students in Ping'an Town? I will report this matter to the prefect after the autumn harvest is over."
Magistrate Zheng's scalp was numb. His son was the most ineffective and always caused trouble. He was sent to Nanfu Academy in the hope that Mr. Academy could discipline him, but basically every few days, the mountain chief would send someone to his county. The Yamen complained that he didn't want to hear anything about his son recently...but Old Shen, this bitch, actually wanted to complain to the prefect.
If the news that he couldn't even discipline his son reached the ears of the prefect, he might not be able to get promoted in his life.
Magistrate Zheng handed over his hand: "Brother Shen, I rarely interfere in the children's affairs. This is indeed my fault. I will catch that kid and lock him up for a few days when I get back."
"The reputation of a scholar is the most important thing. I think Brother Zheng should let your son publicly apologize to the students who were wrongfully expelled to clear his grievances." Magistrate Shen patted him on the shoulder, "Your son and I are about the same age. They are all so naughty. You are luckier than me. You have a wife, who can more or less take care of the unfilial son. Unlike me, I have no virtuous wife and can only do everything by myself."
Magistrate Zheng smiled bitterly. It was because of his wife's doting that his son became lawless and increasingly disobedient to discipline.
His son causing trouble in the academy has become his shortcoming and may also become a weapon for others to attack him. He must pay attention to this matter.
"Brother Shen, don't worry, I will definitely let the unfilial son come to apologize in person."
Magistrate Shen nodded. He really admired Cheng Zhao and didn't want such a person to be dirty.
His son Shen Zheng was actually very smart, but he had no one to guide him. He was too busy, his wife died early, and his mother was too old. Shen Zheng became more and more unruly without restraint.
Coupled with the flattery and support from the people around him, this boy is becoming more and more arrogant. He is not from a wealthy background, but he just imitates the behavior of wealthy young masters.
It's time to give this kid a hard time.
As soon as he returned to Pingan Town, Magistrate Shen sent someone to Nanfu Academy to bring Shen Zheng back.
He said with a serious face: "I'm going to Dahe Village tomorrow. You come with me."
Shen Zheng did not refuse.
The thing he hates most is reading. As long as he doesn't study, he can go anywhere.
