Reborn as a Cube Man in the Late Ming Dynasty

Seeing that the magistrate did not speak, Fan Wenshi understood his meaning and felt annoyed, as if he had been humiliated.

But at the same time, he also had reservations.

This person's confidence suggests he might have some powerful connections or a significant background.

Let's be lenient with him for now and wait for our men to gather information before we investigate his background.

Taking a deep breath, Fan Wenshi said without changing his expression, "In that case, it was I who was impolite. I hope you will not take offense, young master."

"I recently heard that your county has beautiful scenery, so I came to visit," Fan Wenshi said, bowing to Meng Yongnian with a glint in his eyes. "I was planning to stay for a few days, but I received news the other day that Your Excellency has encountered some trouble."

Haha, this godforsaken place calls itself scenic? How can you even say that?

Nodding slightly, Meng Yongnian gestured for Fan Wenshi to continue: "Indeed, I have encountered some trouble. I wonder if Young Master Fan has any insightful suggestions?"

finally come!

Fan Wenshi kept glancing towards the door, and finally spotted the figure. Seeing the figure shake its head slightly, he felt relieved.

This person is not worth worrying about!

Fan Wenshi grinned and said calmly, "I have come here today with a good solution that can resolve this matter for Your Excellency."

"Our ancestors have been favored by the country since the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, and have enjoyed prosperity for generations. They still have some savings. I can help make up for part of the tax. Of course, this is not enough, but the family still has some influence and can try to persuade the county magistrate to extend the tax collection period."

He gently blew on the tea leaves, took a small sip, a faint smile playing on his lips, and then spoke.

"This matter is only a temporary solution and not a fundamental one. I hope you will know that I am a descendant of the Fan family of Jiexiu. My ancestors have passed down the family business based on salt administration. I have done a great deal of research in the salt industry and have a small reputation."

"The salt sale in Chengcheng is a plan devised by Your Excellency. I intend to operate a salt business in the city to meet the needs of the people. If I can obtain Your Excellency's permission, I am willing to repay Your Excellency in a suitable way, so that it can be used for the development of the county. As for tax revenue, my family can also temporarily contribute to Your Excellency's expenses."

If all you want is a license to sell salt, then the effort and the reward are clearly mismatched; it's definitely more than that!

Meng Yongnian knew perfectly well what was going on, and he said without hesitation, "What else is there? Tell me everything at once."

Fan Wenshi took out a scroll of documents and presented it to him.

"If Your Excellency approves, this measure will not only ensure stable salt prices, but also bring more revenue to the county treasury."

Fan Wenshi said calmly, "Of course, there's no need for Your Excellency to trouble yourself. As long as Your Excellency nods, I will arrange everything properly."

After only a few glances, cold sweat began to seep from Meng Yongnian's forehead, and his brows furrowed.

He wants to monopolize the salt industry!

This Fan family wants to dominate Chengcheng!

The document above naturally states that by doing so, the county magistrate himself will be able to reap the benefits he receives, and it will only be a matter of time before he pays the taxes, with a surplus to his name.

But Chengcheng has just been ravaged by bandits, and everything in the city is in ruins. If the Fan family is allowed to act recklessly at this time, the lives of the people in the city will only be worse than before.

Can he do that?

"Absolutely impossible!"

Meng Yongnian remained relatively calm, though a hint of determination flashed in his eyes.

I can't let this happen.

"My lord, everything should be discussed," Fan Wenshi said with a confident smile, not waiting for Meng Yongnian. "If you have any doubts, we can discuss it further. Please think it over carefully. Besides me, there's no one else who can help you!"

As he spoke, he glanced at Miao Zhiming beside him, then turned his head away and looked away again.

Meng Yongnian took a deep breath and resolutely continued, "Even if it costs me my official position, I will never agree to let you sell salt independently!"

Upon hearing this, Miao Zhiming instantly understood the contents of the document, and he thought to himself.

Haha, I see. So that's what they were planning. Now it's even less likely that they'll succeed!

However, this county magistrate seems to have some conscience, unlike Zhang Yaocai, and can be used by the immortal lord!

If that's the case, then there's no need to use this opportunity to continue testing.

It's time to leave!

"The Fan family of Jiexiu? Heh, what a big appetite," Miao Zhiming scoffed. "I thought they had some big resources to take on this job, but it turns out this is all they have?"

"Oh, what advice do you have for me, sir? Is it just your words?" Fan Wenshi replied disdainfully.

"Your Excellency, my offer is to pay all taxes owed within seven days and replenish all the remaining grain in the treasury. Not only that, I can also arrange jobs for the people in the city and the famine victims outside the city, and distribute food to relieve the disaster victims!" Miao Zhiming said.

"Hahaha, what a joke! You think you can make up for it all? How foolish and ignorant! Do you even know how much tax a county town pays? How much grain has been stolen from the granary!"

Moreover, given the current state of Chengcheng, if he wasn't mistaken, the grain reserves were already mismatched with the accounts. The bandits had only taken a tiny fraction of what was left, and they still wanted to make up for it completely.

Fan Wenshi's lips curled slightly, and he gently waved his folding fan, his demeanor leisurely and self-satisfied. He nodded slightly, a hint of sarcasm in his eyes, and said, "Don't try to put on a show of wealth when you're not, lest you make a fool of yourself!"

His trusted confidants learned that this person posed no threat, and that meant he was not a threat.

It's impossible for something to go wrong!

He's just a clown, probably just a front man brought in by the magistrate.

Miao Zhiming's gaze was calm as a deep pool, yet it revealed a hint of sharpness that was not easily detected: "I know that you do not believe me, but you can send someone to peek outside the door. I have brought some provisions with me, which I will give to you as a token of my sincerity, regardless of whether the matter succeeds or not."

Were those two carts full of grain and fodder?

Meng Yongnian looked at the clerk, who immediately understood and walked out the door.

"Sir!" Miao Zhiming called out to the clerk, grinning as he said, "Tell the leader that he'll take you to see the grain supplies, and it's not just that little bit."

Could there really be five carts?

The advisor walked out, puzzled.

"Playing tricks!"

Fan Wenshi pursed his lips and muttered to himself, a sudden sense of panic rising within him.

Before long, the clerk rushed in, each step leaving a mark on the ground. His face was filled with excitement and joy, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up, his happiness hard to hide.

"What's going on?" Meng Yongnian asked in confusion.

The clerk, panting heavily, muttered, "Twenty carts, twenty carts!!! I've seen them all, they're all full of grain!!!"

"What?!!"

Fan Wenshi and Meng Yongnian shouted in unison.

Twenty carts full of them? Even if they could only hold one shi (a unit of dry measure) each, that's still twenty shi!

Are all of these gifts?

Are all the bandits these days this rich?

Meng Yongnian looked at Miao Zhiming in disbelief: "Really, regardless of whether the matter succeeds or fails, it will all be a gift to me?"

"One cartload of four bushels, totaling eighty bushels, is entirely given to you, sir, regardless of whether the matter succeeds or fails," Miao Zhiming said, enunciating each word clearly. "This is my sincerity!"

He glanced at Fan Wenshi, a smile playing on his lips.

"As for the conditions, they are very simple. I see that the City God Temple is somewhat dilapidated, and I would like to contribute some money to renovate it. Of course, I also have a simple request: another statue of a deity must be placed inside the City God Temple!"

Miao Zhiming slowly rose to his feet, his movements gentle and graceful, without the slightest haste.

He remained calm and composed as he slowly uttered his farewell words: "Then I will not disturb you any longer. I still have some trivial matters to attend to and cannot stay any longer. Please forgive me for taking my leave now. If Your Excellency has thought it through, you may send someone to Yunshui Inn to inform me."

"Don't doubt my words. I keep my promises, much better than some of those meddlesome guys!"

Having said that, he glanced at the red-faced Fan Wenshi, then turned and left without looking back.

This is,

Crush them!