Immortal Clan: I have a Tree of Creation

A normal hunter pays hunting tax once a quarter.

It can be based on a percentage of the hunted game or a fixed tax.

Most hunters pay a fixed tax, about five hundred copper coins each time, which amounts to two taels of silver a year.

In all calculations, the hunting tax was only slightly higher than the land tax, and it was not considered an exorbitant tax.

But today...

This Lord Luo accused the Zhou family of poaching and immediately demanded a fine of ten taels of silver.

The Zhou family's life has improved now, and ten taels of silver won't cripple them. In the past, however, a fine of ten taels of silver would have starved them to death.

Only Wang Shuzhen knew that her husband had put in countless hours of hard work to build up a fortune for their children.

Ten taels of silver is far too heavy.

Zhou Yuanyu muttered to himself, feeling very indignant.

"Mother, when did Father poach? There must be a mistake."

Wang Shuzhen quickly hugged her daughter and told her to stop talking.

Those who are family know their own affairs. Since Lord Luo from the Forestry Bureau has come, he must have some basis for his actions.

In the Zhou family's courtyard, quite a bit of snake meat was still drying...

Such a large snake wouldn't appear in Jinyang Village so easily; it could only have been brought back from Anshan.

In fact, the common people rely on the mountains for their livelihood and depend on the mountains for their comfort.

It is perfectly normal for villagers in various places to go into the mountains to cut firewood, dig for medicinal herbs, and even occasionally hunt snakes, rats, and rabbits.

As long as no one sees it, you can take it home and eat it without any problems.

After all, Anshan is so large that it's impossible for the forest rangers to have a hundred eyes to check every place at all times.

But today, this Lord Luo has come knocking on our door with unwavering conviction.

Wang Shuzhen's mind is as clear as a mirror.

The husband, Zhou Chengnan, neither shared the snake meat with others nor made a fuss about it.

The only possibility is that the Zhou family has incurred the jealousy of certain individuals.

"Lord Luo, is it possible to make an exception for this fine?"

Luo Yunfeng remained cold and unyielding, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Ten taels, not a penny less."

"This..." Wang Shuzhen immediately looked troubled.

Fortunately, Zhou Chengnan finally arrived home, travel-worn and exhausted.

Seeing the commotion at his doorstep from afar, he knew something was wrong.

"Lord Luo, Lord Luo..."

"Greetings, Lord Luo!" Zhou Chengnan put on a smiling face. "Lord Luo, what brings you here? Please come in and have some tea."

"No need."

Upon seeing her pillar of support, Wang Shuzhen quickly informed her husband of the situation.

Zhou Chengnan gently squeezed her hand, indicating that she shouldn't worry.

"Lord Luo, I only killed a poisonous snake that was hurting someone. Could you please be lenient with me?"

"You want to deny it?" Luo Yunfeng frowned, seemingly displeased.

"You've misunderstood, sir." Zhou Chengnan still wanted to try and persuade him.

Ten taels of silver is not a small amount; more money can provide more help to the children.

He strode into the house and took out two pieces of snake meat that were drying in the yard, intending to use them to prove his innocence.

"Lord Luo, I killed less than seven pounds of this venomous snake, so I shouldn't have been punished..."

Zhou Chengnan wanted to become a hunter, so he naturally knew something about hunting.

Generally speaking, only animals weighing more than ten kilograms are considered to fall under the jurisdiction of the forestry bureau.

Small hares and mountain mice are not included in this category.

Therefore, a viper weighing over six pounds should be exempt from punishment.

"Hmph." Luo Yunfeng snorted coldly, his patience clearly reaching its limit.

"You've all eaten all the snakes, so you think seven pounds is seven pounds?"

"Lord Luo..."

—Snap...

Luo Yunfeng slapped the snake meat out of Zhou Chengnan's hand.

"I received a report from the people that your Zhou family has repeatedly entered the mountains and forests. Who knows if this is the first time they've poached?"

Zhou Chengnan's eyebrows twitched, his leg muscles tensed, and he was ready to make a move at any moment.

But in the end, he quickly calmed down and suppressed his anger.

Not to mention that Luo Yunfeng represents the Forestry Bureau and the Liang Kingdom government.

However, his own strength was something he could not resist.

—Luo Yunfeng is a martial artist in the Marrow Refining Realm, a whole realm stronger than him.

"What, you're not convinced?" Luo Yunfeng said with a half-smile.

He raised his long sword and repeatedly struck Zhou Chengnan's shoulder with the hilt.

The powerful impact caused Zhou Chengnan to stagger backward, his body trembling slightly.

"I'm giving you one last chance. Fine me ten taels of silver. Hand it over quickly and I'll let bygones be bygones."

Do I accept it? No, but that's all we can do.

Just then, Zhou Yuanqing, who was behind Wang Shuzhen, suddenly broke free from her mother's grasp.

He suddenly stood in front of his father, glaring angrily at Luo Yunfeng.

"Stop! You're a bad guy!"

"Don't you dare hit my dad!"

Luo Yunfeng was stunned for a moment, then chuckled.

"Oh?"

Zhou Chengnan was terrified and quickly got up to pull his son behind him.

"Sir...the child is young and doesn't understand, please don't hold it against him."

"Father..." Zhou Yuanqing felt sorry for his father, but his face was also full of resentment.

However, Zhou Chengnan unusually rebuked him sternly.

"Alright, Qing'er, stop talking."

"Shuzhen, bring the children inside!"

Wang Shuzhen didn't dare to delay and quickly pulled Xiao Qing'er over.

"Please wait a moment, sir." Zhou Chengnan forced a smile.

He quickly retrieved the silver; on one side were five neatly arranged small silver ingots, and on the other side... was a small cloth bag.

"Sir, here is the ten taels of silver as a fine. I promise I will never do it again."

As he handed over the silver ingot, he secretly slipped the small cloth bag into Luo Yunfeng's waist.

Luo Yunfeng remained calm and composed, and after a moment's thought, he understood.

He immediately looked at Zhou Chengnan with newfound respect, thinking that this guy was a sensible person.

"good."

"Let's leave it at that. Just make sure there's no more gossip next time, or I won't be able to explain myself."

With the money in hand, Luo Yunfeng's attitude softened considerably.

"Of course!" Zhou Chengnan cupped his hands in greeting.

With the matter settled, Luo Yunfeng did not linger.

He stopped before mounting his horse and instructed, "If you are interested in hunting, come to the Forestry Bureau and ask me to write you a hunting permit."

"With this official in charge, Anshan can come and go as he pleases."

Zhou Chengnan's heart stirred slightly; it seemed that today's experience was not entirely a bad thing.

"Thank you, sir!"

.......

Luo Yunfeng has already left.

The Zhou family returned to peace.

The whole family gathered in the main room, and Wang Shuzhen was filled with worry.

"Cheng Nan, are you alright?"

"It's alright, it's all taken care of." Zhou Chengnan opened his arms and smiled.

His gaze remained fixed on his son.

Qing'er lowered her head, looking very dejected.

Zhou Yuanqing is already over eight years old this year, and he understands all the principles he should understand.

But today, Lord Luo came to question him and bullied his father without any restraint. The scenes just now still left a very deep mark on Zhou Yuanqing's young mind.

In his heart, his father, Zhou Chengnan, was the head of the Zhou family, the most powerful and capable person.

Now, everything seems to have been shattered.

Zhou Chengnan sighed slightly and gestured for Wang Shuzhen to take Yu'er out first.

"Qing'er, come here."

"Father..." Zhou Yuanqing's eyes were fixed on his father's shoulder.

"Dad's fine, not hurt at all." Zhou Chengnan immediately lifted his coat.

"Tell your father, are you still angry?"

"Dad, that bad guy bullied you!"

A hint of tenderness flashed in Zhou Chengnan's eyes as he took his son's small hand and slowly explained.

"He's not a bad person, he's just an official."

"We are all commoners of Liang. Officials are above us, and commoners are below us. There is no benefit in arguing with them."

Zhou Yuanqing fell silent, seemingly pondering his father's words.

Zhou Chengnan continued to strike while the iron was hot.

"Qing'er, your father taught you before that a man should be bold and fearless in the face of danger."

"But what I want to teach you today is how to assess the situation and act accordingly."

"When facing enemies far superior to oneself, sometimes, making appropriate concessions is not a sign of weakness."

Zhou Yuanqing looked up, his eyes wide with confusion, yet he seemed to understand something.