Starting with the titmouse, seventy-two transformations

Chapter 40 Summer Tax, Enemy (Please read on, monthly votes welcome)

In the blink of an eye, several days have passed.

That morning, Liu Sheng practiced his martial arts in the woods behind the village as usual.

The Eight Styles of the Wind-Splitting Blade, starting with "Evil Tiger Sitting on the Slope," each move appears slow but is actually fast, with a fierce, cold light.

The blade sliced ​​through the air, creating a surge of airflow that produced a deep, muffled sound, like a tiger's roar.

It was as if a ferocious black tiger had appeared on the spot, roaring and howling, pouncing on its prey, and fighting its enemies, exuding a fierce and menacing aura.

With the blessing of "Tiger Bone" and "Blade Heart," he had mastered the "Black Tiger Wind-Splitting Blade" technique to an extremely high level, just a hair's breadth away from comprehending its true essence...

In other words, it is what is commonly referred to as the intent of the sword.

Just then, the ground trembled slightly, catching his attention.

"A large force is on its way..."

Liu Sheng looked thoughtfully towards the village entrance:

"Are they... here to collect taxes?"

A moment later, he returned home, told his grandmother and Yu Niang what he needed to do, and then headed to the village entrance.

The village now has less than one-tenth of its original population.

Few people, little tax revenue.

It's unclear what measures the government will take...

Liu Sheng was very curious!
But soon, he lost his curiosity...

"The county magistrate has decreed that this year's summer taxes shall be collected according to the villages and wards!"

Baishui Village has 113 households and 472 people, and the summer tax payable is 572 taels.

You are given three days to pay the taxes in full, or you will be punished for tax evasion, with severe and swift penalties including confiscation of your property, beheading, exile, and other punishments.

The clerk who read the announcement was over six feet tall, with broad shoulders and a burly build, making his black robe bulge out.

After saying that, he cracked his neck and gave the crowd a disdainful smile:
"You can try to escape, and see if we... can catch you!"

This guy looks familiar...

It's him!

That clerk surnamed Lu who whipped the original owner to death last time!

That day, Master stormed the county government office, beheading countless clerks…

This guy is really lucky; he actually escaped this disaster!
Moreover, he has also developed a strong inner strength and is now a second-level martial artist!
With his head down, Liu Sheng could see his surroundings clearly thanks to his "Hawk Form" talent.

There were eleven clerks who came to Baishui Village this time, except for him, who was a martial arts master...

The remaining ten people were mostly at the stage of minor success or perfection in their cultivation.

From their previous private conversations, they vaguely referred to each other as "senior brother" and "junior brother"...

They are most likely disciples or students of martial arts schools in the city.

"Your village's original headman has died. I'll recommend someone for you so you won't pass the buck..."

At this moment, Lu, the constable, spoke again. He glanced at the crowd and frowned.

There were about ten households, all of them with withered and thin faces, clearly not worth much money.

Until he saw Liu Sheng…

He was tall, with a well-proportioned frame, full muscles, and an imposing presence.

They look like they come from a wealthy family!
It can extract a lot of oil!

Clearly, this guy didn't recognize the boy in front of him.

His eyes flickered a few times, then he pointed at Liu Sheng:
"You're the one. Collect all the taxes from your Baishui Village within three days and deliver them to the yamen."

If you're short even a single copper coin, you'll have to pay the difference out of your own pocket, or you'll be punished according to the law...

The new master is someone who can't tolerate any dissent!

The remaining thirteen households are to share the tax of 572 taels of silver, which is 44 taels per household…

It seems impossible to achieve no matter how you look at it.

So... you're going to kill me, this "pig," and eat my meat?
Liu Sheng lowered his head and remained silent, his eyes filled with coldness.

"Liu Sheng?"

The yamen runner Lu made a few marks on the household register, then suddenly looked up, his eyes widening in realization:

"I remember now. During the land survey, a poor scholar repeatedly obstructed the process and was whipped twenty times by someone. Was that you?"

"Officer Lu has a good memory."

Liu Sheng raised his head, his face showing fear.

"Pah, what a coward. Looks like you're scared after being beaten up last time."

Lu, the yamen runner, chuckled inwardly, completely relieved.

This kid may have gotten much stronger, but he's actually still the same as before...

Coward!
Moreover, now that he has broken through to the second realm, he can swiftly defeat a galloping horse and tear apart tigers and leopards with his bare hands; killing him would be as easy as turning his hand...

You can now proceed with the oil pressing without worry. "Remember, you only have three days. If you fail to pay the summer tax by then, you will be held responsible!"

Lu, the constable, gave a cold threat before riding off with the other constables to other villages to collect the debts.

Once the constables left, the villagers immediately came to life.

They exchanged glances, and finally all looked at Liu Sheng. Some were gloating, some were watching coldly, and a few had sneers on their faces.

The only thing missing was sympathy and concern.

After a moment of silence, Sun Da spoke first, spreading his hands:
“Brother Sheng, my family is so poor we can’t even afford to eat. We can’t pay the taxes. You’d better figure something out yourself.”

The implication was that he wouldn't pay a single copper coin of the forty-four taels of silver allocated to his family.

With him setting the example, other villagers followed suit.

"My family is in the same boat. We've been eating porridge for a month or so. Where are we going to get the money?"

"Your Liu family is wealthy; you helped us get through this. We will remember your kindness!"

"Yes, yes, your grandfather was a scholar back in the day, he must have saved up a lot of money. Let's take it all out and help everyone..."

"I have some things to attend to at home. I'll have to trouble Chief Liu with the summer tax matter!"

In no time, everyone was calling themselves "Liu Jiachang" or "Liu Jiachang," and they all ran away, leaving only Liu Sheng behind.

However, the other villagers banded together and decided that the Liu family would bear the entire burden of the 572 taels of summer tax.

As for whether they can handle it, how they can handle it, and what the consequences will be, they don't care!
After all, by this time, those still staying in the village, apart from the Liu family, were basically all tough nut to crack, rascals, and scoundrels.

"That's fine too..."

Watching their departing figures, Liu Sheng looked up at the sky, his eyes filled with only coldness:
"People may bully good people, but Heaven will not, right?"

……

Dusk.

Mist gradually rose in the forest.

After leaving Erhe Village, Lu and his yamen runners embarked on their journey home.

Compared to their galloping arrival, the group was much more relaxed now, jogging and chatting on the mountain path, occasionally bursting into laughter, startling a few birds from the roadside.

"This is the first time our Qingfeng Martial Arts School is handling matters for the new master, so we must make sure it's done perfectly."

Lu, the constable, slowed down and earnestly explained to his fellow disciples behind him.

He had just entered the inner sect, and his talent was average. Moreover, he was not from a powerful family, so he was not valued and his position was somewhat awkward.

Fortunately, if I perform well on this mission, I will have the opportunity to gain favor with the master.

If he's lucky, a single word from the magistrate can get him a government job and make him a regular constable.

Fortunately, the thug killed nearly 90% of the yamen runners and clerks last time, freeing up a lot of positions, which allowed him to wait for this opportunity.

It should be noted that in the Great Yu Dynasty, yamen runners were also divided into superior and inferior ranks.

Upper-class yamen runners are regular, officially employed personnel. They are recruited or conscripted by the government and receive salaries, armor, and elixirs from the imperial court. They can also accumulate merits to earn martial arts skills.

The three classes of yamen runners were called the three classes of constables, constables, and constables.

They are usually the best among the musculoskeletal martial arts masters.

What defines an outstanding individual?
Capable and well-connected.

The lower-ranking yamen runners, also known as "white runners," were temporary workers outside the official staff, without salaries or benefits such as armor, medicine, or martial arts training.

They served as errand runners for regular soldiers, handling various miscellaneous tasks such as summoning, patrolling, escorting prisoners, and going to the countryside to collect taxes.

These eleven people, including Lu, the yamen runner, were all unemployed.

Despite the lack of salary and other benefits, the position of "white-collar worker" was still highly sought after...

Because they have "power," enabling them to extort, plunder, and exploit the people.

Travel expenses, inspection fees, shoe expenses, food and drink expenses, and so on—all these things combined were enough to make them a fortune.

For example, of the 572 taels of silver that were pinned on Liu Sheng this time, more than 90% will end up in their hands.

Because the government did not have a policy of "paying taxes according to villages and neighborhoods".

That's why there's a folk saying: "When laborers are sent to the countryside, the people can't bear it."

Corrupt and treacherous officials should be killed even if they are innocent.

"Senior Brother Lu is right!"

"I'll do whatever Senior Brother Lu says. This time, I'll definitely help him get a regular military post."

"At that time, we'll have to call our senior brother 'Officer Lu'!"

The constables readily agreed, spurred their horses forward, and loudly praised him, making Constable Lu feel utterly delighted.

"Not at all, not at all, I still need the help of my fellow disciples."

He waved his hand dismissively, said a few words of modesty, and patted his chest to assure them:
"My fellow disciples, rest assured, if I obtain a regular military post, I will do my utmost to help you secure one. In the future, we will support and help each other..."

"roar-!"

Before he could finish speaking, a tiger's roar suddenly echoed from the woods on his left!
Its voice was like thunder, and its murderous aura soared to the sky.

Boundless Heavenly Venerable, I failed to make it onto the list, so this humble Taoist priest will quietly go to the corner and draw a few calming mantras!
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(End of this chapter)