In fact, Xu Zhiqian, like Zhang Fei, had never thought about marrying Zhang Fei before. This idea had never occurred to her, but when faced with a choice, Zhang Fei was the only one.
During the two days at home, Xu Zhiqian tossed and turned. She thought about countless choices, but the more she thought about it, the more profound and lingering the relationship between Zhang Fei and her became.
And just now when Zhang Fei asked her personally, she couldn't refuse.
"How...how do you plan to promote tax calculation?"
When Zhang Fei got on the carriage, Xu Zhiqian pretended to be calm and asked.
It was as if nothing had happened just now.
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "You should know that the imperial court will soon collect the summer tax in full, and the county has already sent people to collect it."
"Summer tax?" Xu Zhiqian pondered for a moment and asked, "You just want to use this to promote tax calculation?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "I have this idea. I heard from Lao Qi and others that because the imperial cadastral books were not updated in time, many people had to pay a lot more money, and many landowners had to pay a lot less money."
Xu Zhiqian nodded and sighed again: "Actually, this cannot be completely blamed on the imperial court. The changes in the land of our dynasty are unprecedented since ancient times. This situation may occur even if we don't count half a year."
Zhang Fei said: "I just want to promote our tax calculation by correcting this situation. If you come to us to calculate tax, you can pay a lot less tax. Why don't those farmers come?"
Xu Zhiqian frowned slightly and said, "You want to take this matter to court with the court?"
Zhang Fei hesitated for a while, "This is just a promotion gimmick. As for whether to file a lawsuit with the court, it depends on how the court reacts. I am not so arrogant as to sue the court while eating and sleeping. And I have heard that many honest officials have also complained against
Some laws have been promulgated for this kind of phenomenon, but they are intermittent because of the frequent transfer of official positions."
Xu Zhiqian nodded and said, "That's true. My father also did this when he was the local magistrate. But after my father left office, it was the same as before."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "This shows that this problem is not very serious, and it will not hurt the interests of too many people. In addition, the eyes of the officials in the DPRK and China are currently focused on stopping the second government regulations, and I have just received the imperial plaque.
, I don’t think those officials will compete with me because of this matter.”
Xu Zhiqian nodded slightly, "Actually, those relatives of the emperor have tax exemption rights, and wealthy businessmen such as the Fan family and the Ma family have stored a large amount of land under the name of Xiangguo Temple. It is said that they only need to pay less than two taxes per year.
The incense money made into it.”
Zhang Fei frowned when he heard this: "If I have a chance, I will definitely abolish this damn privilege."
Xu Zhiqian was extremely encouraged when she heard this, and nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, "Is there anything you can do?"
Zhang Fei was startled, and almost confessed his feelings, saying hurriedly: "I'll just tell you that this kind of thing can only be corrected by the court itself."
Xu Zhiqian hummed: "How can the imperial court correct itself?"
Zhang Fei said: "Doesn't Academician Wang want to change the law? Maybe he will do this."
Xu Zhiqian asked: "I've never heard that Uncle Wang wants to be exempted from his privileges. Why do you say that?"
Zhang Fei laughed and said: "You are stupid! The main purpose of Wang Daxi's reform is to improve finances, so taxes must be increased. However, the current tax money has almost collected from the people. If taxes are to be increased, it will not only increase revenue."
Are these people’s taxes?”
Xu Zhiqian felt that Zhang Fei's analysis was really reasonable and said, "Can this be successful?"
Zhang Fei shrugged: "Who knows."
The two of them chatted, as if they had gone back to the past, and had forgotten about asking for marriage.
Unconsciously, the carriage had arrived at the outskirts.
While we were chatting enthusiastically, we suddenly heard someone shouting on the roadside: "The official is killing someone! The official is killing someone!"
Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian looked at each other in tacit understanding.
Another person was heard shouting: "Hoot! You keep shouting. It would be better to call more officials. If you don't pay the tax today, you have to pay it."
Zhang Fei was stunned and immediately said: "Stop the car quickly."
Before the car stopped, he got out of the carriage.
"What are you going to do?"
Xu Zhiqian shouted and immediately followed him out.
After getting off the carriage, Zhang Fei looked for his reputation and saw a bald man rolling on the ground beside a vegetable garden on the roadside, shouting for help. In front of him, a government official was holding a whip, pointing at him and scolding him endlessly.
With.
"It really takes no effort at all!"
Zhang Fei was overjoyed and walked over quickly. Just as he was about to raise his hand to stop, a jade arm stretched out from behind to hold him back, "Wait a minute!"
Zhang Fei turned around and said excitedly: "Why are you pulling me? This is a great publicity opportunity. Ahem, no, don't stop me from doing what is right."
But Xu Zhiqian kept holding on to him, "Don't I know your little thoughts? Just wait for a moment."
"Everyone will die if we wait any longer." Zhang Fei was so anxious that he wanted to shout out immediately, "Zhang San is here, corrupt officials will not be allowed to act arrogantly."
Xu Zhiqian said: "Listen to me and wait and see."
At the same time, the man's shouts also attracted some passers-by to watch.
"Okay, Li Popi, you... just wait."
When the official saw that the number of people watching was gradually increasing, he said a harsh word and left angrily.
That's it?
Zhang Fei was immediately dumbfounded and was whipped a few times.
Then I saw the man stood up, patted the dust on his body, grinned at the official, and said with a disdainful smile: "You are such a bird, you still want to ask me for money, and you don't know how to go around and ask about me, Li Laocai."
name."
"How is this going?"
Zhang Fei tilted his head and asked Xu Zhiqian.
Xu Zhiqian explained with a smile: "It's true that there are corrupt officials, but not every common person is honest and willing to be bullied. There are cunning people like these around the capital, and those who want to recruit them
Taxation is not easy!”
The commercial atmosphere in Tokyo is very strong, with people coming and going, and the rulers do not have the environment to tame the people. The people are also very smart and know how to use tricks. Many famous rogues have not paid taxes for most of their lives.
The key point is that many of the people who call for payment are those from high-class households who have gone to serve in government offices without even having a formal establishment. He will not compete with these ruffians, and the other party will die. If he fights with them, he will lose no matter what.
Of course, many rogues don't have much land, and the upper-class households who actually have land don't dare to play tricks on the government.
"I see!"
Zhang Fei nodded, suddenly realizing that Xu Zhiqian was still holding his hand, and immediately shook it with his backhand, "In the future, you will have to hold me when I am impulsive."
Xu Zhiqian quickly retracted her hand and hummed: "You have to be able to hold it back!"
Suddenly I heard Long Wudao behind me: "My lord, be careful."
Zhang Fei turned back to look at Long Wu, who raised his head forward and saw the rogue named Li suddenly walking towards them, looking straight at Xu Zhiqian.
Xu Zhiqian, who can be considered a child of the world, frowned with a look of disgust on her face, but she didn't show the slightest fear.
"This is a little girl!"
The naughty man said with a lewd smile: "Oh! She is so handsome! I, Mr. Li, have never seen such a handsome little lady."
Zhang Fei leaned back and whispered to Long Wu: "You are not allowed to take action until I fall to the ground."
After saying that, he pulled Xu Zhiqian to Li Si's side, then stepped forward and shouted at the rogue: "If you don't want to die, just get away from me."
The rogue looked at Zhang Fei and heard that his tone was arrogant, but it didn't sound like a Tokyo accent. He grinned and said: "I, Mr. Li, have wanted to die for a long time. I have never found anyone who dares to attack. Today you
If you can't beat me to death, I won't be done with you."
This scoundrel plays just because you are afraid of getting into trouble. He is going to die. No one wants to get involved in a lawsuit because of this kind of person.
Except ear pens.
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "What a coincidence! Me too. If you can, hit me!"
The rogue was stunned for a moment, he must be a member of the same profession, but seeing that this guy was fair, handsome, and had thick hair, he didn't look like a rogue. He immediately rolled up his sleeves and tentatively stretched out his hand to push Zhang Fei.
Zhang Fei flew backwards and hit the carriage hard. He covered his chest with one hand and shouted: "Help! Kill someone!"
This change happened so quickly that Xu Zhiqian was dumbfounded.
The rogue was also confused and looked at his hands in confusion.
Zhang Fei shouted for a moment, then suddenly looked at Long Wu with a question mark on his face.
Long Wu also had a question mark on his face.
Is this guy so dull? Zhang Fei just sat down on the ground.
Long Wu immediately jumped out.
The rogue just reacted, "You're wronged...!"
Before he finished speaking, Long Wu rushed up and scratched the rogue with his claws.
Zhang Fei looked at Long Wu who was like a shrew, scratching and scratching at the rogue, and couldn't help but be stunned. He...isn't he a master?
After a fight, Long Wu finally gained the upper hand and caught the rogue running away with his head in his arms, shouting: "Hey, you! Hey, you! Help! Help!"
Many onlookers, instead of helping, started laughing.
When he shouted, Zhang Fei also reacted, covered his chest, and shouted loudly: "Hitting someone! Killing someone!"
Xu Zhiqian and Li Si were trying their best to hold back their laughter.
"Who's calling for help?"
The official who had just left ran back and asked breathlessly.
Long Wu immediately stopped.
"he!"
Zhang Fei and the rogue pointed at each other in perfect agreement.
The rogue pointed at his scratched face with an innocent look on his face, "Brother, look at what I got from him."
Zhang Fei, on the other hand, politely handed the official a small square piece of paper, "This is Zhang San."
"Zhang San?"
The official was stunned for a moment, then suddenly jumped on the spot and said, "Ear Pen Zhang San?"
Zhang Fei smiled and nodded, "This is my business card."
"business card?"
The official didn't know what it was, so he took it and took a look, but saw Zhang Fei's name, Zhang San in parentheses, the name of Bianjing Law Firm, and its address written on it.
Zhang Fei said: "This man just teased my fiancée and beat me. Fortunately, my servants came to help. Everyone here saw it with their own eyes. Please escort him to the Yamen first. I will send someone to help me later."
litigation."
Xu Zhiqian's cheeks were dizzy and she muttered in a low voice: "What fiancée? I haven't agreed yet."
"Oh, okay...ok."
The official was overjoyed. He grabbed the rogue's collar with one hand and laughed loudly: "Laocai Li, you're done this time. You offended Zhang San."
The rogue seemed to have heard of Zhang Fei's name. He looked at Zhang Fei and said blankly: "Er... Erbi Zhang San?"
Zhang Fei nodded and smiled: "Just stay in there."
"Hey, young man! I'm blind, Zhang Sanlang, please spare my life! Zhang Sanlang, please spare my life!"
The ruffian suddenly started crying.
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "This lawsuit hasn't been started yet, so don't admit defeat yet!"
If we don't admit defeat, I'm afraid there will be no salvation.
When the officer heard this, he understood and immediately dragged Li Laocai away.
Xu Zhiqian walked forward with a smile, "What a misfortune it is for this little rogue to meet a big rogue!"
Zhang Fei glanced at her: "To deal with a rogue, you can only use rogue methods, otherwise why don't you reason with him?"
Xu Zhiqian thought about it and felt that it seemed to make sense.
Zhang Fei suddenly looked at Long Wu next to him and saw a scarlet scar on his neck from the rogue. What kind of master was this? He asked: "Long Wu, what were you doing just now?"
Long Wudao: "I...I'm afraid of beating him to death."
"...?"
Zhang Fei made a muffled sound in his throat and asked: "You...do you often beat people to death?"
Long Wu quickly shook his head and said, "Not often."
Xu Zhiqian looked at Long Wu in shock.
Li Si also timidly took a step aside.
Zhang Fei nodded, "Understood."
He coughed and looked around, "Zhi Qian, let's look around."
Xu Zhiqian came back to her senses, nodded, followed in small steps, and whispered: "Zhang San, this Long Wu...!"
Zhang Fei said: "He is not a bad person."
Xu Zhiqian asked no more questions.
Now that it's time to collect summer taxes, you can see some officials visiting farmers' homes to collect taxes.
"Brother, I beg you to be kind. Our family really has no money now. Please be patient for a while longer. When we buy the grain and exchange it for money, we will immediately make up for the tax."
I saw a young man standing in his farmyard, speaking to an official in a humble tone.
"You mean, I still have to wait for you. Do you know how busy I am now? Okay, I'll just use your tax deduction for these bags of grain."
"Brother Chao, this is our summer ration! If you take it away, our whole family will starve to death."
"What are you yelling about? I didn't take everything away and leave a bag for you. How can your family of four eat so much food?"
The Northern Song Dynasty also had a two-tax system. The summer tax collected copper coins, and the autumn tax collected grain.
In ancient times, coins were all hard currency, so the currency in the hands of the people was expensive and scarce. Summer taxes were actually more troublesome than autumn taxes. They were often blackmailed by these officials because they had no money.
Xu Zhiqian looked at Zhang Fei and said, "Don't you want to be a hero? Go quickly!"
Zhang Fei was startled and asked naively: "Is this true?"
Xu Zhiqian nodded dumbfounded.
Zhang Fei immediately walked over and asked in a leadership tone: "What's the matter?"
The official looked at Zhang Fei and asked, "Who are you?"
The young farmer also looked at Zhang Fei in confusion.
Zhang Fei said: "That's easy to say! Erbi Zhang San."
"Er... Erbi Zhang San?"
The official took a swallow immediately.
Zhang Fei asked: "How much grain did you say you would get as tax deduction?"
"No...no, no, I didn't say anything just now. I have something else to do, so I'll leave first."
The official immediately ran away in a panic.
This ear pen Zhang San made the officials of Kaifeng Prefecture suffer a lot. How could they not have heard of it?
But the farmer seemed to have never heard of Zhang San. Seeing that the young man scared the official away with just one word, his legs trembled uncontrollably and he cupped his fists and said, "Thank you so much for your help, big brother."
Zhang Fei smiled slightly, took out a small piece of paper and handed it over, "This is my business card."
"Name...business card?"
The farmer took the business card, but he looked confused.
Zhang Fei said: "My name is Zhang San, and I specialize in litigating for the people. If the government charges you more tax money, you can come to me. My address is written on it, and I guarantee that you won't have to pay a penny more in tax."
"Really...really?" the farmer said excitedly.
Zhang Fei smiled and nodded, "Come to me if you need anything. I'll take my leave now."
"Thank you, big brother. Thank you, big brother."
"Easy to do."
Zhang Fei nodded slightly and walked out of the farmhouse.
Xu Zhiqian immediately came over and said, "By the way! What is your business card? Do you have any more? Give me one to see."
Zhang Fei took out one and handed it to Xu Zhiqian.
Xu Zhiqian took it and looked at it, and said with a smile: "Your card is very similar to the door shape of an official, except that the writing on yours is simpler and it is much smaller."
The shape of the door is the post that officials use when paying homage, which is also the business card. However, Zhang Fei's card is much larger, six or seven inches in size. It is rolled up and tied with silk thread.
As she said this, she looked up at Zhang Fei again, "They are illiterate, so what's the use of sending this to them?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "There will always be someone who can read."
Xu Zhiqian asked: "Isn't this your way of promoting tax calculation?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said with a smile: "Yes!"
Xu Zhiqian shook her head and said, "I don't think it's of much use."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "You have to remember one thing, there is no basis for everything you say."