vstars Chapter 186 Partners
Chapter 186 Partners
Li Qiongying and Hu Rongrong exchanged a glance, then picked up their teacups and took a sip.
"Is there something more to this than meets the eye?" Lin Ziping continued to ask.
Li Qiongying put down her teacup: "Do you know where the tax revenue of the Great Zhou Dynasty is determined?"
Lin Ziping nodded. He had studied the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty several times since he arrived in this era.
"This was drafted by the Ministry of Revenue, allocated to various prefectures, and then further refined by the counties," Lin Ziping recalled.
Li Qiongying nodded: "So this means that the Ministry of Revenue and the prefectures only need to receive a fixed amount of tax grain each year, and as long as the reported amount is within the scope stipulated by law, the capital and the prefectures don't care what name it is collected under or how it is collected."
“Yes,” Lin Ziping replied.
This is also why he fabricated the different tax rates for coarse and fine grains to Magistrate Wei.
There are too many tax collection lists in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and they vary from county to county. There are even many that are not recorded at all, so there is no way to verify their authenticity.
In addition, Lin Ziping used Ji Xun's name as a shield, and even the mountains and rivers were afraid that Magistrate Wei would confront him.
It was originally thought that after Magistrate Wei learned about the differences between the two types of grain, he would appropriately control prices and lower grain prices.
To his surprise, grain prices did not decrease; instead, they provided him with an idea to levy more taxes.
Lin Ziping now feels like he's shot himself in the foot.
Suddenly, Lin Ziping seized upon the word "fixed" in Li Qiongying's words.
Since the amount of grain collected by the imperial court is fixed, it means that this year's tax is the same as last year's. So what about the surplus tax grain this year?
The people I met on the street after meeting Li Qiongying and Gao Chi at Fuchunlou last time seemed to have come from the county government office. Could it be that the extra tax grain in the carriage was the same one?
Thinking back to when they followed the group and they disappeared, the place where they lost track of them was near Hu Rongrong's house.
The Hu family were also grain merchants.
……
Lin Ziping rubbed his head, feeling like his CPU was completely burned out.
He glanced around the room, his eyes darting around.
Now that you have business partners, why overthink it? Just ask directly.
Thinking of this, Lin Ziping recounted the incident of those people disappearing near the Hu family's residence that day, discussed the county government's attitude towards grain requisition, and shared his own speculations.
"I didn't expect Officer Lin to be so bold and meticulous, able to deduce the general situation from such trivial matters," Hu Rongrong said.
Lin Ziping waved his hand modestly and laughed repeatedly, "Not at all, I just happened to be lucky."
“That’s right, the Hu family did sell surplus tax grain to the county government. Not only tax grain, but the Hu family was also involved in the mining of Maomao Mountain,” Hu Rongrong said.
"I see." Lin Ziping looked enlightened, but frowned and said, "But why weren't you recognized on Cat Mountain? You are the only heir of the Hu family."
Hu Rongrong gave a mocking smile: "The only offspring? My father has two children from his concubines. The younger one is almost ten years old, and the older one is my father's most capable steward."
"That old man puts on a show of missing my mother and doting on me like a precious gem. Just thinking about it makes me sick."
“He’s an adopted son-in-law, but my grandfather and mother didn’t look down on him and let me take his surname. They even agreed to change the name of my grandfather’s family to Hu after his death. If it weren’t for me… if it weren’t for me… I’m afraid I would have been deceived by him for the rest of my life.”
……
Hu Rongrong spoke through gritted teeth.
Lin Ziping sensed the resentment emanating from Hu Rongrong, silently poured her a cup of tea, and tried his best to minimize his presence.
"Alright, Rongrong," Li Qiongying said calmly.
Hu Rongrong stopped abruptly, picked up the tea in front of her and drank it all in one gulp, then took out a handkerchief and sobbed softly.
After a moment, he looked up and smiled sheepishly, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Officer Lin."
Lin Ziping shook his head and poured her another glass of water: "It should all be over now."
Hu Rongrong was taken aback, then smiled brightly: "Yes, all of that is in the past now."
Lin Ziping looked at Li Qiongying and asked, "Miss Qiongying, do you know what went missing from the county government office last night?"
“Silver, official silver from mining,” Li Qiongying answered directly.
This explains why I saw Magistrate Wei and the county government leadership kneeling before Gao Chi at Fuchunlou this morning.
"Did Ji Xun and the others come here for this matter as well?" Lin Ziping asked.
"Young Master Lin is so direct." Li Qiongying smiled.
Lin Ziping nodded seriously: "Now we're all friends, and there's no need for friends to hide anything from each other. Also, I'm a straightforward person, so please don't mind me."
Li Qiongying nodded seriously: "That's right, Ji Xun has joined the Ministry of Works and has been assigned to take over the mining at Maomao Mountain."
"Are there other forces involved in Li Zhen and his group's affairs?" Lin Ziping changed the subject and returned to the topic of Li Zhen and his group.
Li Qiongying said, "Yes, His Majesty is getting older, and the princes are also at the age where they can take on responsibilities."
Li Qiongying spoke cryptically, but Lin Ziping understood immediately.
The most attractive location in the world has been fought over fiercely throughout history.
From this perspective, it was indeed inappropriate for Li Zhen to go to Gao Chi.
If exploited by malicious individuals, it could become the trigger for riots.
Gao Chi may also die in this riot.
With minimal cost, eliminating a competitor is a win-win situation.
Or perhaps Gao Chi survived, but the impact wouldn't be significant.
The blame for mismanagement could be placed on Gao Chi, making it a point of deduction in the eyes of the Da Zhou leadership team.
With one side gaining and the other losing, the chances of others winning increase even further.
The people who might be assigned to handle the Fuchun riots later have already been arranged.
Lin Ziping's hand, hidden in his sleeve, was rubbing his index finger and thumb together.
It seems this time travel story is of the political intrigue type.
"So the other princes were also involved in these matters?" Lin Ziping asked, his clear eyes wide.
Li Qiongying raised her teacup but did not answer; all her answers were contained in the tea.
"What will happen to Li Zhen and the others?" Lin Ziping asked, his voice clearly filled with worry.
“If you’re lucky, your wishes might come true; if you’re unlucky, you might just fade into obscurity,” Li Qiongying replied. “But it’s hard to say about those who go to collect grain.”
This answer was expected and has now been confirmed; Lin Ziping fell silent.
"Oh, right, I just heard people outside say that someone was beheaded on the street ahead," Hu Rongrong said. "They said these people preyed on the people, disregarded the law, and falsely conveyed orders from the county government."
"Is it Qi San and the others?" Lin Ziping asked Li Qiongying.
Li Qiongying nodded.
Lin Ziping's vision went black, and he only managed to stay upright by leaning against the back of the chair.
What kind of predatory treatment of the people, disregard for the law, and false orders are these?!
These are the ones who take the blame for the county government.
No wonder she was wearing a face mask back then.
No wonder they had to fight in public at the city gate.
All of this is the groundwork laid for the present.
"Miss Qiongying, what's the situation outside?" Lin Ziping asked.
Li Qiongying said, "I don't know either, but Young Master Lin, rest assured that this place is safe."
He thought of the mouth movements Qi San made to him at the city gate.
I simulated it repeatedly in my mind.
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck!
That means run!
Why are you running?
Why run?
My mind was filled with countless thoughts, and I couldn't make sense of them for a moment.
No one spoke inside; only the sound of burning charcoal could be heard.