Chapter 255: Chapter 179: The Harsh Government is More Fierce than the Tiger_3
Translator: 549690339
“How heavy was the rain?”
Feng Qing’an knew it was somewhat difficult for a non-farmer to answer this, so he changed his question. The size of the rain, big or small, should be easy enough to remember.
“The several showers there were, were all small, even less damp than if I had urinated on the ground!”
“Mmm!”
Feng Qing’an had a sense in his heart. With this little rainfall, no wonder the wheat seedlings in the field looked so feeble.
“Take me to your home!”
“Yes!”
Zhou Yiyang immediately cheered up. After leading this honorable guest to his own territory, he decided to pull out all the stops to please the other party. He didn’t know if the master preferred beautiful women, but if he had such a need, he could send over all the young concubines his father had wedded.
With the local big shot leading the way, the group traveled smoothly, but before they were halfway there, they ran into some trouble. Probably because Young Master Zhou was so famous locally, as soon as he showed up, someone recognized him.
A group of ragged peasants, women, and even white-haired elders stopped them on the way, and by their side were children of all ages, boys and girls alike.
“Young Master Zhou!”
A frail old man grabbing the arm of Gang Sha, a strapping martial arts soldier who could tear tigers and leopards apart, filled his eyes with a helpless look.
“What are you all doing? Today, I have brought a distinguished guest from afar with me!”
A young man, holding up the old man in front of him, carefully observed Feng Qing’an’s expression. Seeing that the young master’s face was expressionless, he felt a touch of unease.
“If it is a guest of Young Master Zhou, I apologize. But we really have no other choice; we just want to find a way for the children to survive!”
Upon seeing Feng Qing’an, the only one on horseback among the crowd, hope and compliance filled the old man’s eyes. More than just saluting, he was even preparing to kneel.
“Please do not kneel at your age. You can tell me standing up what’s happening! ”
Feng Qing’an quickly dismounted from his horse and helped the old man up. A glance at the crowd behind the old man, particularly the children with puzzled and curious expressions, made the situation abundantly clear.
“Sir, I see you have quite a few men here. Perhaps you’re in need of some serving girls. How about these ones?”
The old man turned around, grabbed a girl who stood no taller than Feng Qing’an’s chest, and pushed her in front of Feng Qing’an. He was about to say something when Zhou Yiyang, whose eyebrows were tightly knit, interrupted him.
“Didn’t you guys just send over a dozen kids to our house not long ago? And now in such a short time, you’ve already spent all the money my father gave you?”
“We dare not spend it! Half of the money we got for the children was taken by the officers the very same day as trader tax. The remaining money is barely enough for us to survive. However, the County Magistrate has imposed a lot more taxes these days. The money from selling the children isn’t enough anymore!”
Desolation colored the old man’s face. The Zhou family was a martial arts family that the County Magistrate dared not provoke. Their yearly taxes were just the regular ones, and all those exorbitant, random taxes were not imposed on them.
Even if they were to become servants or maidservants in the Zhou family, as long as they could eat and stay alive, it was better than starving with their parents.
“Old man, don’t worry for now. First, tell me about these taxes imposed by your
County Magistrate. I might be able to help and get these taxes waived!”
Feng Qing’an offered a gentle smile..
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦