Chapter 14 Harsh government like tigers, officials slippery like oil
Chapter 14: Harsh government is like a tiger, officials are slippery like oil
Of course, what Shen Daqing is afraid of is not Shen Tang and Liu Xiangling. What he is afraid of is the force behind them. For some reason, he was contaminated. So, the only way is to completely drive Shen Tang and Liu Xiangling out of Shenjia Village. To be able to settle down.
What's more, whether it was the incident in the ancestral hall or the fight for water, Shen Tang had greatly damaged his face. How could he not hate Shen Tang to the bone?
In the early morning of the next day, a small official in soap clothes came with three or five quick hands and entered Shen Daqing's home. Soon, a horrifying news spread quickly.
The county government began to collect "account money".
In fact, ordinary people have become numb to taxation. They are like the leeks raised by the imperial court, cutting them off one after another. As long as they are careful not to break the roots, they will always gain something.
However, this time it is different. In previous years, the amount of this bill for a family was only about a few dozen cents. Although it was painful, it did not hinder it. However, this time, it is said that it has doubled several times, reaching two hundred cents. number.
If it was only two hundred coins, that would be fine. But, where are the copper coins in a farmer's home? Almost everyone has to rely on grain or other things to make money. With this calculation, the people are at a disadvantage. Two hundred coins, I'm afraid it would take three to four hundred or more worth of goods.
This is worsening the situation for most already extremely poor families.
And this rumor was finally confirmed by Shen Daqing not long after. Moreover, the new news was more detailed. If any family could not pay the bill, then some men would have to serve in the military.
Military service is definitely a terrifying thing for the common people. Don’t you see, how many men have left their hometowns, only to return home with only withered bones?
Shen Tang naturally heard the news, but he didn't care. After all, it was only a few hundred pieces of text. Even if it was twice as much, he could easily take it out.
Under the guidance of Shen Daqing, the clerks and several Kuaishou walked past each family. In an instant, the whole mountain village was filled with cries and noises.
It was nearly noon, Shen Daqing and the tax collector came to Shen Tang's home. For some reason, there were many people with different looks behind them, hiding outside the courtyard and whispering to each other.
"Tang Shen, we're at your house." Standing in the courtyard, Shen Daqing said coldly.
"Pah!" A small cloth bag was thrown directly in front of Shen Daqing. Shen Daqing picked it up and opened it, and then sneered a few times.
"This is not the right amount of money!"
"Wrong?" Shen Tang frowned. In the bag was the four hundred copper coins that had been prepared.
"Listen carefully!" Shen Daqing took a step forward and said quietly: "You should pay thirty-two taels and four hundred yuan. Now, the difference is huge."
Hearing Shen Daqing's words, Shen Tang laughed instead of being angry, and said sarcastically: "Thirty-two taels? I remember each person had 200 liters. I wonder where these thirty-two taels came from?"
"If it were just your family, it would naturally only be 400 yuan. However, the fight for water a few days ago was precisely because you took the initiative, which caused insufficient watering in our Shenjia Village. This year's food production will definitely be reduced. All of this is caused by you. Is it necessary? Let the whole clan bear the responsibility for you?"
"So, after discussion, you will bear half of the family's taxes to offset the losses you have caused to Shenjia Village."
Although Shen Tang had known what lies Shen Daqing would say, this explanation still left Shen Tang stunned. Now he knew that there were such shameless people in this world.
"Discuss? Why haven't you discussed it with me?" Shen Tang said coldly.
Shen Daqing smiled proudly, "The clan elders have already discussed it, and almost all the clan members agree. If you don't believe it, just ask. As long as more than half of the clan members agree to pay for it themselves, then you only need to pay Four hundred texts."
At this moment, Shen Tang finally understood that Shen Daqing was a conspiracy. With the tax money and rumors of military service, he drove the entire clan to death. Then, he stabbed lightly and tied the entire clan to his side. .
For most people, it is better for Shen Tang to be unlucky than to have his family destroyed. Although everyone knows that Shen Daqing is making excuses, looking at the evasive eyes, Shen Tang Then he knew that even if he could find more than half of the people, even three or five, there would be nothing he could do!
After all, what does the life and death of Shen Tang's family have to do with them?
"Shameless!"
After the crowd, Shen Ming rushed over quickly, "Shen Daqing, what does this matter have to do with Cousin Shen? No matter how much it is, there is no reason to ask Cousin Shen to pay? And you! That day, if it weren't for Cousin Shen, Brother, go ahead, you don’t know how many people will be killed or injured, you just don’t care, but now you are forcing cousin Shen to death, where is your conscience!”
Shen Daqing had a sneer on his face, while the others looked away. Even a few who felt guilty did not dare to speak when they thought of the situation at home.
Looking at everyone with hatred, Shen Ming drank again: "I will pay for my share myself, there is no need for cousin Shen."
"good!"
Shen Daqing didn't care at all, "That leaves thirty-two two hundred dollars!"
Reaching out his hand to stop the furious Shen Ming, Shen Tang said calmly: "What can I do if I can't hand it over?"
"Can't hand it over?" Shen Tang's calmness made Shen Daqing deeply resentful. In his opinion, Shen Tang should kneel down and cry bitterly to beg him. Of course, even so, he would not let him go like this. Shen Tang.
"If you can't pay it, you will be resisting the tax. When the time comes, you will be taken away by a few adults, slapped on the wall, and served in the military!" The soap-coated clerk lazily spoke and answered.
brush!
Shen Tang turned his head and looked sharply at the clerk. "Are you sure the tax is two hundred cents?"
The clerk was startled, took a step back in a hurry, and then said angrily: "Of course, do you think I can arrange this kind of thing?"
The evasion in the clerk's eyes was noticed by Shen Tang. He had long suspected that there was something wrong with the two hundred cash tax. After all, in his memory, this kind of tax was only a few dozen cash at most. Furthermore, if it was true, If we collect it truthfully, wouldn't it mean that most people will be forced to death? Even corrupt officials will never kill the goose that lays the goose to get the eggs. Maybe this matter was caused by this petty official and Shen Daqing.
It is said that the magistrate who destroys the family is the governor who destroys the family. In fact, it is not that troublesome. It is just a matter of raising a hand for a small official to force a villager to death. No matter how clean your official is, it will be hard to resist the slippery official. Oil. Petty officials who have no scruples can cause more harm to the people than superior magistrates and governors.
Before, he was just too lazy to cause trouble, but now he was called to his door and he had to deal with it.
"Two hundred coins? Then I'd like to ask the county magistrate if he wants to force the person to death!"
Shen Tang's cold voice made the clerk shudder.
As Shen Tang thought, this matter was indeed caused by him and Shen Daqing. Now that Shen Tang was forcing him, how could he not panic? Although today's county magistrates are not as clean as water, they can still be considered upright.
If the magistrate knew about this, wouldn't it cost him his life?