Chapter 43, Beating Guo Tu

  "Let's calculate, don't you all understand? I'm talking about the exploitation of their surplus labor and products without compensation. Do you know how much value a commoner can create in a year through hard work, how much grain they can produce? To give an example, a family can produce 500 jin of grain per year, but at least 400 jin are taken away by you, and you don't have to do anything, just collect the ready-made goods. You can live a life of luxury without worrying about food or clothing, look at yourselves, each one of you is well-fed and dressed, which one of these things was earned through your own hard work? It's not like that, it's all thanks to the hard work of these commoners. If it weren't for their hard work, would you be able to sit here reading books, studying, chatting, and enjoying life? Even if I, Xu Feng, were to say something absurd..."

  "The imperial court's land tax is only thirty percent, where does the exploitation come from? It's simply nonsense." The thin scholar retorted again.

  "Thirty percent is indeed taken, but what about the rest? Let me help you calculate: head tax, 200 coins per household per year; adult males also have to pay 300 coins of additional taxes. Even the disabled are not exempt. Children between 1 and 14 years old still have to pay a significant amount of oral taxes. The poll tax for adults is at least 100 coins per person, and even the elderly are not spared. And then there's the imperial court's arbitrary levies, various miscellaneous taxes, labor services, and other taxes... adding all these up, how much is left? Even if the harvest is good, the common people will have almost nothing left after a year of hard work. Gentlemen, doesn't this count as exploitation?"

  Xu Feng's words left the entire audience silent and stunned. Xu Feng continued, "Even if the weather is favorable, at least the common people have something to eat. But you, who are used to a life of luxury and pleasure, do you know what has happened in the northern regions? Let me tell you, everywhere is barren and desolate, not a blade of grass grows, and locusts are rampant, resulting in no harvest. And yet, they still have to pay such heavy taxes. What can the common people do?"

  "What does this have to do with us? Is it the imperial court collecting taxes or something?" a sharp-mouthed young master sneered.

  "I'll screw your mom." Xu Feng's anger suddenly surged, and he rushed to the person's side. In the opponent's momentary daze, a fist full of explosive power ruthlessly smashed over.

  "Bang, bang, bang." Fierce fists, mercilessly falling down, Xu Feng cursed while punching, his furious fists smashing the sharp-mouthed young master, who let out a loud cry, blood spraying wildly.

  "Damn it, don't tell me that your family, apart from the land, has no officials serving in the imperial court and pays no taxes. Do they eat shit and drink northwest wind? The imperial selection system, don't think I don't understand, it's all you aristocratic families, relatives and friends recommending each other, poor scholars have no chance of success. You officials occupy the positions, you occupy the land, and still dare to say you're not exploiting others. Do you take me for a fool?"

  Everyone was stunned. Xu Feng's vicious beating was powerful and full of strength. Before long, the young master on the ground had stopped moving.

  "Let go, let go quickly, Xu Feng, do you want to take someone's life?" Sima Hui had just arrived at the door and saw this scene, hurriedly rushed forward and loudly dissuaded.

  "Damn it." With a loud "ptui", Xu Feng spat out a wad of saliva and cursed, "I didn't want to get angry today, but some stupid bug had to come and provoke me. How disgusting."

  "Ah..." almost got beaten to death, Xufeng still looked so 'wronged', as if all the faults were someone else's, he became Dou E.

  "Right, old man, what's this kid's name?" Xu Feng was so angry that he even forgot to call Mr. Sima Hui, who was left speechless for a moment.

  "Guo Tu of Ying River."

  "Kuo Tu? Hmph, that ignorant fool. See if he's dead or not. If he is, throw him out and spare my eyes the pollution." Xu Feng sneered coldly.

  Guo Tu? He's somewhat familiar, seems like he was under Yuan Shao's command, a minor character who didn't amount to much. The Guo family and Xu Feng dared to make a move, but a small fry like Guo Tu wasn't worth Xu Feng's attention. If it were Guo Jia instead, that would be a different story.

  "Xu Feng, your words today have offended all the noble families. Aren't you afraid? I'm telling you, what the noble families possess is not just land and power, but also public opinion. People's words are to be feared. Once you offend a noble family, everyone will condemn you with their words, and no matter how hard you try to defend yourself, you will eventually be drowned out by the vast ocean of voices." The thin scholar spoke again, this time with an even heavier tone, as if drawing blood, directly striking Xu Feng's weak point.

  "What you said is right, but do you think that even if I don't touch a single hair of the aristocratic families, they will let the Yellow Turbans off? Never! If the poor people want to turn their lives around, it will be a threat to the fundamental interests of the aristocratic families and the imperial court's centuries-old foundation. So, I am on a different path from them and we can't walk together. But don't forget, I can destroy the aristocratic families just as easily as I can support them. In short, those who follow me will prosper, while those who oppose me will perish.

  When the Yellow Turbans become an unstoppable force sweeping across the country, do you think the aristocratic families will still have any control over me, Xu Feng? Right and wrong, justice and evil are written by the victors. The winner is the king, the loser is the bandit - this has been the case since ancient times.

  In the past, my ancestors were just a group of refugees who rose up in rebellion on Mount Liang, but now... Who dares to criticize or slander me? Hahaha..."

  As Xu Feng walked out of the study with maniacal laughter, the people inside were left speechless for a long time, thoroughly shocked by his words.

  "Those who follow me will prosper, those who oppose me will perish. Xu Feng is indeed different from the others, with such a heart and such ruthlessness, it seems that the world has gained another formidable hero." The slender scholar gazed at Xu Feng's receding back, muttering to himself.

  "Guo Jia..." Xun Yu's eyes fell on that young man, and he exclaimed in surprise.

  "This man is well-versed in strategy and tactics, with a ruthless mind and decisive actions, beyond what ordinary people can match. Given time, he will surely grow in power and become unstoppable." Guo Jia couldn't help but praise him.

  "Yes, this Xu Feng, his insight into current events and politics is so thorough, he's truly a formidable figure. Unfortunately, he actually joined the Yellow Turbans, what a pity."

  "What about Huang Jin, didn't you hear him say that? A noble family can be destroyed just as easily as it can be supported. This sentence is a signal. Sending charcoal in the snow is better than adding flowers to brocade. I believe that once this is said, there will be noble families who choose to support Xu Feng. Otherwise, if Huang Jin really gains power, the consequences are unimaginable."

  Guo Jia didn't attach much importance to family background. Although he came from a wealthy and influential family, his own status was humble. Therefore, he had a very clear understanding of the concept of social class. What's the difference between a noble family and a humble one? A noble family can become humble, just as a humble family can become noble. The principle is simple.