The Fiery Era: Starting from Longxugou

"You'll have to study hard to get into university!"

As Zhao Shi'an spoke, he patted his younger brother and sister on the head. His younger brother was seven years old and in the first grade at Jingzhong Street Primary School. If he didn't skip a grade and continued his studies step by step, he would be able to catch up with the last batch of college entrance examinations.

My younger sister is only four years old. Unless she can skip three grades or more, she might not be able to catch up with the last college entrance examination. If she has tutoring, it won't be a big problem. The problem is that I'm afraid she's not cut out for studying.

Fortunately, there's no need to worry too much if you miss it; there will be another chance when the recommendation system comes into effect.

His family's circumstances would be considered a disastrous start in modern times, but in this era, it was a perfect start. Being a farmer was considered the best and most secure family background, and with decent academic performance, his younger sister had a high probability of being recommended to go to university.

"Big brother, I love reading! I've read 'Chicken Feather Letter' the whole time you bought me!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiaoyue immediately took credit, saying that her older brother had bought her a book called "Chicken Feather Letter" a while ago, and she and her younger cousin finished reading it the same day they got home.

"Our Xiaoyue is so amazing! I'll buy you a few more comic books in a few days, okay?"

Seeing the little girl's excited expression, Zhao Shi'an thought of the huge sum of money he was about to receive and immediately said he would buy her more comic books.

"Big brother is the best!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiaoyue immediately hugged her older brother's arm.

"Brother, could you buy me a copy of 'Journey to the West'?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shijie immediately looked up at his older brother with pleading eyes.

"Buy! We have them all! Haha!"

"Why buy comic books? Aren't they just full of pictures? Honey, don't waste your money!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Guiying began to offer advice.

"Mom, picture books will help my little sister learn more characters, and she'll pick them up quickly when she starts school!"

Zhao Shi'an patiently explained.

"Buy two books and you'll win! Don't buy too many!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Guiying no longer objected, but simply told her eldest son to buy less.

"Mom, you're so good to me!"

Zhao Xiaoyue and Zhao Shijie immediately tried to curry favor with them.

"You little rascal! Eat your food! The noodles are all lumpy!"

Liu Guiying rolled her eyes at her youngest son and daughter as she spoke.

Hearing their mother's words, Zhao Xiaoyue and Zhao Shijie chuckled and picked up their bowls to continue eating.

After lunch and a short rest, Zhao Shi'an took his household registration booklet and the letter he received yesterday and went to withdraw money.

"Big brother, wait for me!"

Seeing her older brother leave with his things, Zhao Xiaoyue guessed that he was going to withdraw money.

"Big brother, I'm going too!"

Zhao Shijie then chased after them.

"You clever little devil! Go and call Xiao Le and Shi Xiong too!"

Zhao Shi'an smiled, and a moment later, the group of five left the small courtyard in a grand procession.

There is a post office, or more precisely, a post and telecommunications office, near Longxugou. You can do business here by writing and sending letters, sending and receiving money remittances, making and sending telegrams.

When I arrived at the post office, it was lunchtime and shifts were changing, but thankfully there were people on duty at the windows.

"You four, don't wander off. I'll buy you candy after we get the money!"

"Big brother, I'm the most obedient!"

Zhao Xiaoyue giggled, knowing that her older brother doted on her the most.

"Big brother, I'll be obedient too!"

Zhao Xiaole was not to be outdone.

"Alright, alright! You all behave yourselves. Shijie and Shixiong, keep an eye on your little sister! I'll be back in a bit!"

As Zhao Shi'an spoke, he took the items to the money window. Lacking experience, he brought everything from the letter, along with his household registration booklet to prove his identity, and handed them over. Then he said:

"Comrade, please withdraw the money!"

"Wait a minute! Let me check the information!"

Staff member Sun Bing took the package, opened it, and carefully checked it. First, she looked at the royalty notification, then the bank draft, and finally the household registration booklet. After confirming that everything was correct, she looked up at Zhao Shi'an and said:

"The information is correct! I'll withdraw the money for you right now!"

"Okay! Thank you!"

Zhao Shi'an thanked the staff and waited patiently. Soon, he received seven 50,000 yuan bills and three 10,000 yuan bills from them, totaling 380,000 yuan.

"Comrade, if you've confirmed everything is correct, please sign here!"

Sun Bing turned the bill over and pointed to the back.

"Okay! Alright!"

Zhao Shi'an put away the money and signed his name neatly and efficiently!

Just as I was about to leave, I suddenly realized something: it seems that the royalties weren't taxed. In modern times, royalties over 800 are taxed.

In this era, not a single penny of the 38 yuan in royalties was deducted. He naturally didn't believe it when he said it didn't reach the tax threshold!

After all, the average worker's salary in that era was only two or three hundred thousand yuan, so 38 yuan in royalties far exceeded that amount.

Thinking of this, Zhao Shi'an asked curiously:

"Excuse me, comrade, are royalties tax-free?"

What taxes are levied on royalties?

Sun Bing glanced at Zhao Shi'an, puzzled, then immediately asked:

"Why are you suddenly asking about taxes?"

After saying this, she stared intently at Zhao Shi'an. There were many spies these days, and many people were exposed because of a trivial matter. Could the person in front of her be one of them?

"Hey! Isn't this normal? My family farms. You say farmers have to pay agricultural tax for growing vegetables, and businesses have to pay taxes too! Why shouldn't writing articles be taxed? Are you implying that writing articles isn't taxed?"

Looking at the nervous staff, Zhao Shi'an thought to himself that people in this era are really vigilant, and he would have to be more careful in the future.

"You're right! Royalties are indeed tax-free!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Bing realized it was a false alarm, but she didn't completely relax. She had already noted down Zhao Shi'an's information and would report it later. She would rather go through the trouble than give the spies any opportunity.

"They really don't have to pay taxes! These writers are so lucky! Their royalties are already quite high, and they don't have to pay taxes. Their royalties can buy them a yard. Farmers work themselves to the bone all year and don't even earn much money!"

This is so unfair! I have to write a letter to complain! Especially those great writers, they need to set a good example!

Zhao Shi'an was furious upon hearing this, partly feigning anger, and partly genuinely wanting scholars to pay taxes!

Although the specific standards for royalties in this era are still unknown, even a newcomer like him can earn 100,000 yuan per thousand words, let alone those famous writers.

He searched for relevant information in the school library but found nothing. He said he would go to Xinhua Bookstore to ask when he bought comic books for his younger siblings in a few days. If that didn't work, he would have to go to the city library or newspaper office.

"Comrade Zhao Shi'an, what you said is absolutely right! I support you!"

Sun Bing strongly supported Zhao Shi'an's idea after hearing this. Her monthly salary was only a little over 200,000 yuan, which was less than the manuscript fee these writers received for writing an article!

However, while we support it, we still need to continue reporting it!

"Thank you! I'll start writing the article as soon as I get back!"

Zhao Shi'an put the money away and left the window, then left the post office with his younger siblings!

He was still shaken by the experience of almost being mistaken for a spy, but fortunately, he was upright and had nothing to fear from investigation. After this incident, he needed to be even more careful.

"Xiaoli, can you take my place?"

After watching Zhao Shi'an leave, Sun Bing gestured to his colleagues behind him.

"Hey! They're here!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaoli quickly replaced Sun Bing, who immediately went to report to her superior after leaving the counter.

"Director, just now..."

Sun Bing immediately revealed Zhao Shi'an's situation in detail!

"Do you have any information about him?"

"Yes! I've written it all down! Please take a look!"

Sun Bing then handed over Zhao Shi'an's information.

"Okay! I'll have the neighborhood committee investigate this thoroughly later!"