From then on, the tax collectors treated Xiao Cui differently, did not continue to tease her, and even vaguely admired her.
They were indeed impressed by the strange woman who had such an experience.
Along the way, they directly regarded her as one of their own, chatting and laughing with her, eating at the same table, exchanging some things they had experienced, and telling some strange things that Xiao Cui had never heard of.
Xiao Cui also relied on his excellent social skills to make the first batch of friends working in Zhongdu.
The seven or eight days of journey passed by in a blink of an eye. Xiao Cui, a Shandong girl who had never left her hometown, stepped into the land of Yanyun for the first time and saw the majestic Zhongdu City.
"It's so big! Such a big city? Is this true? I have never seen such a big city! Laiwu County is much smaller than this! It's too big!"
Xiao Cui looked at Zhongdu City and expressed heartfelt admiration.
She once thought that Laiwu County was the largest city, but after seeing Zhongdu City, she realized that compared with it, Laiwu County was basically a comparison between a chicken and a big buffalo. There was no comparison at all.
"Of course, Zhongdu City can be said to be the largest city in the Ming Dynasty. It was recaptured by the Ming Dynasty army from the Jin people."
Qiao Youliang stood beside Xiao Cui and said with a smile: "We Han people have lost this land for hundreds of years. Your Majesty led the Ming army to take it back. Back then, Zhongdu City was not that big, and the city walls were not that high or thick. It was His Majesty who expanded the Zhongdu City and said that the capital of the Ming Dynasty must be imposing, and that’s how Zhongdu became today.”
"There's this thing...are you familiar with it?"
Xiao Cui turned to look at Qiao Youliang.
Qiao Youliang suddenly became proud.
"After all, I was also one of those who followed His Majesty from Shandong to Zhongdu. I had a share of that battle achievement. Everything at that time is vivid in my mind and I will never forget it in this life!"
"Are you a general?"
Xiao Cui asked curiously.
"Well... I am a soldier, but I also fight very hard, so I became a squad leader after the war. I can be considered a junior officer."
"Then why are you a tax pawn now?"
Xiao Cui suddenly showed a wicked smile: "Is it because the Ming army doesn't want you? I've heard that only the elite can enter the Ming army. Ordinary people can't even think about entering. That's why they are victorious in every battle. Is it because you can't do it? So the Ming army doesn’t like you anymore?"
"Are you kidding! I'm definitely an elite!"
Qiao Youliang immediately puffed up his chest to show off his majestic figure: "It's just that before the State Administration of Taxation was established, tax pawns were recruited from the army. It was specially marked that only elites can be selected as tax pawns. Tax pawns are very important. The entire tax capital of the Ming Dynasty We are responsible for collecting, counting, and transporting them, do you understand?"
Xiao Cui knew nothing about this.
"I don't quite understand. All in all, do you think you are very important?"
"What do you mean, I feel that I am very important! The State Administration of Taxation is of great significance to the Ming Dynasty. It almost controls the most important financial source of the entire Ming Dynasty. The operation of the Ming Dynasty court depends entirely on the efforts of the State Administration of Taxation!"
Qiao Youliang said dissatisfied: "Did you know that the State Administration of Taxation now has all the private property files of all high-ranking officials in the entire imperial court? Even if it is a high-ranking official, if he evades taxes, we will arrest him if we tell him to. The State Administration of Taxation has the power to arrest him. Anyone who evades taxes is anyone’s fault.”
"Can His Majesty the Emperor also arrest you?"
"On the day the State Administration of Taxation was established, His Majesty the Emperor came to attend the establishment ceremony in person. He told us on the spot that as an emperor, he has no private property. Royal funds are directly allocated by the Ministry of Finance and reviewed by the State Administration of Taxation in advance. However, some members of the royal family have private property. , all these private properties must be reported and taxed.
If a problem is found, even if it belongs to the royal family, he must be taken down. He will not be considered for Ming Zhengdian punishment, but it is different now. Because His Majesty the Emperor published "Hongwu Political Treatise", according to the newly promulgated royalty law of the Ming Dynasty, he has royalties. income, so His Majesty also has to file tax returns with the State Administration of Taxation. "
Xiao Cui was suddenly shocked.
"You mean His Majesty the Emperor really paid taxes?"
"I heard that it is true. Not long ago, His Majesty the Emperor personally went to the State Administration of Taxation to file tax returns. The news spread throughout the State Administration of Taxation, but I was not present. I went to Shandong to collect taxes. It is a pity."
Qiao Youliang sighed and said: "But no matter what, the emperor's tax payment is of great significance to our State Administration of Taxation. Even His Majesty the Emperor has taken the lead in paying taxes. Who else dares not to pay taxes? He can bear the consequences of not paying taxes. ? Anyway, so far, the State Administration of Taxation has not found anyone who has evaded taxes."
"Oh, that's how it is."
Xiao Cui nodded, his respect for Su Yonglin rising to a higher level.
An emperor who can lead by example is worthy of admiration no matter what.
In this way, she looked forward to seeing His Majesty the Emperor even more.
After entering Zhongdu City, Xiao Cui separated from the tax collectors. The tax collectors said goodbye to Xiao Cui one after another, and then told her to go to the State Administration of Taxation to report their names to them when they were free.
Xiao Cui agreed one by one, and then followed Wang Kun, deputy director of the Zhongdu Renaissance Association headquarters, who came to greet her to the headquarters of the Zhongdu Renaissance Association.
"Comrade Xiao Cui, the chairman has told us a lot about you. We all admire you and are waiting for you to come over."
"President?"
"Don't you know? It's His Majesty the Emperor. He is the chairman of the Renaissance Association."
Wang Kun smiled and said, "Generally, outsiders still call you Your Majesty or officials. People in the Renaissance Association call themselves Chairman. We also use the term "comrade" internally to show that we are united and there is no distinction between high and low, so you don't have to worry about it. For my position as deputy director, just call me Comrade Wang Kun."
"May I?"
Wang Kun smiled.
"Of course. It makes me happier if you call me comrade than director."
"Okay, I understand, Comrade Wang Kun."
Xiao Cui shouted somewhat unfamiliarly.
Wang Kun nodded happily and led Xiao Cui into the office area of Fuxinghui Zhongdu headquarters.
This is a large courtyard-style building with a wall outside and several large two- and three-story buildings surrounding a large open space. Many people are walking around in a hurry, holding papers in their hands. , entering different buildings, looking very busy.
Xiao Cui followed Wang Kun and walked in step by step. As she walked, she noticed a lot of eyes and people looking at her.
She quickly lowered her head and followed Wang Kun into a certain house, climbed up to the third floor, and came to Wang Kun's office.
Entering the office, Wang Kun poured Xiao Cui a glass of water, asked her to sit down, and then told her about Su Yonglin's arrangements for her.
"The chairman has arranged temporary accommodation for you, and has also arranged all aspects of food and clothing for you. The chairman will come to help you with the membership procedures in person. He is quite busy now, so you have to wait for a while. He Said that he would personally be your introducer.
After you complete the formalities and officially join the revival association, you can try out the work content of the drama troupe. If you are satisfied, you can join the drama troupe. At that time, you will be assigned a house and residence in Zhongdu, and you can live in Zhongdu. and worked.
If you feel satisfied by then and can live well in Zhongdu, you can also bring your family to live with you. The Fuxing Society can provide your mother with a simple job, and your nine-year-old brother can also live in Zhongdu. Enrolled in Meng Xue Tang. "
Wang Kun's words surprised Xiao Cui.
"My brother... can also go to school?"
"Of course, although there are still many places where it has not become popular, according to the law, every Ming child can go to school and be literate. However, the court currently has insufficient funds and cannot spread such a large stall. It can only be done one by one. This is where the chairman feels helpless."
Wang Kun smiled helplessly: "The chairman wants to do many, many things. He often says in front of us that he is very annoyed, why can't such good things be achieved immediately and be done quickly? If it is possible, he even wants to Schools were built all over the Ming Dynasty overnight.”
"How much will it cost?"
Xiao Cui was very surprised: "When I was working in the factory, I heard people say that it costs a lot of money to build a school. There is only one school in Laiwu County. My family is poor and I want to send my younger brother there. Before, I ...The father wouldn’t let him go, saying that the money for going to school would be better off giving him a drink.”
"I have also heard about your father. He is completely unqualified and unworthy of being a father."
Wang Kun sighed: "But it will be fine in the future. Comrade Xiao Cui, you must respect yourself and strengthen yourself. Your family will be proud of you."
"I will."
Xiao Cui nodded and expressed his determination.
