Chapter Fifty-Nine: Life is Like a Play

  "Director Zhao, Director Zhang, Gentleman Chen, why are you kneeling here? Quickly get up, whatever the matter is, I will take charge of it for you." Lü Haoshan had not yet returned to the yamen when he saw that the front of the yamen was already crowded with people. Three men over fifty years old were kneeling in front of the yamen, and beside them was a group of students from the county school, surrounded by three layers of people on either side. Lü Haoshan did not dare to be slow, so he quickly dismounted his horse and ran to the front of the three men to help them up.

  What needs to be done now is to grasp the power with one hand and win people's hearts with the other. At critical moments, we must not destroy our own Great Wall. In the past, Lu Haoshan thought that life was like a flood, and being in the midst of it, many times he felt helpless, or suffered unexpected setbacks, sank to the bottom, or drifted further away. Now thinking about it, life is more like a big stage, where everyone plays different roles, and some people sometimes need to wear masks to perform.

  There are three people in front of me, and Lu Haoshan also knows them. Two of them are respected village heads from Jiangyou County, also known as village chiefs or village officials, a position that has existed since the Spring and Autumn period. One is named Zhao Wang and the other is Zhang Delai. The third person is a rural gentry member, Chen Dashan, a well-known philanthropist in Jiangyou County, whose full name is Chen Xian. They are also considered important figures in Jiangyou County. During Lu Haoshan's illness, these three people also sent generous gifts, so it would be impolite to neglect them either publicly or privately.

  "We pay our respects to the county magistrate." The three men immediately bowed and said as soon as they saw their host return.

  Lu Haoshan hastily said: "No need for courtesy, why are you kneeling here, this is killing the official, please get up, quickly get up."

  Although Lu Haoshan personally went to help them up, the three of them still refused to get up. Zhao Wang grabbed Lu Haoshan's hand and said: "County Magistrate, sir, the 50,000 people of Jiangyou are in danger. If you don't agree to give them a way out, I won't get up."

  "It's like this, County Magistrate. Now the summer crops have not been planted, and there is no sign of autumn crops yet. The green and yellow are not connected, it's not that we common people don't want to pay taxes, but it's really that we can't afford to pay." Zhang Delai also chimed in from the side.

  "County Magistrate Chen Xian said with a heavy face: "The heavens are not favoring us, and this year, the Dragon King has not smiled for three years. The Jiang oil harvest has been poor year after year, and the common people can be said to be nine out of ten in poverty, suffering unbearable hardships. If we still collect so much tax, I fear that the only way left for the people will be to sell their land, sell their children, this road to death. Heaven has a benevolent heart, please, County Magistrate, have mercy."

  Seeing three people have spoken, a student who came to help on the side also chimed in:

  "The elderly parents, the people of Jiangyou are all counting on you."

  "Yes, elderly parents, I hope the elderly parents will take care of the people and plan a way out for the fellow villagers in Jiangyou. I thank you, sir."

  "The elderly parents are the parents of Jiang You's superior, this time Jiang You will rely on his superiors."

  The crowd was in an uproar, with some people saying that they would rather die than part with the county magistrate. As they spoke, many of the onlookers also knelt down and begged the county magistrate to take charge for them. If someone who didn't know what was going on had seen this, they would have thought that the county magistrate was being transferred away, and the people were reluctant to let him go, wanting to give him a grand sendoff with a farewell umbrella and so on. The scene was extremely moving.

  Looking at those worried old faces, listening to the moving words, and feeling the surging emotions of the crowd, Lu Haoshan couldn't help but sigh in his heart: This county official is indeed a very special profession, as a grassroots civil servant, directly facing the common people, no matter how big or small the matter, they have to face the lowest-level personnel of the Ming Dynasty, it's really a very challenging job.

  Lu Haoshan sighed and motioned for everyone to quiet down. He looked somewhat embarrassed as he said, "So, you're all here because of the tax matter?"

  It had to come, and it did. Lu Haoshan noticed that the representatives who were pushed forward this time were not honest and trustworthy village heads, but rather kind-hearted and gentle scholars or country gentlemen who loved their feathers. None of the wealthy merchants were seen, only students who were stirred up to make a plea, and they were all students who had not yet passed the imperial examination. It was clear that these people were pushed forward as cannon fodder. Even Chen Jin, the country gentleman, only had 30-50 mu of paddy fields and two shops in his family, and he was also one of the lesser figures among the country gentlemen. To describe him as a rich household would be an exaggeration. In short, none of the "big fish" made any waves.

  "Yes, sir. We really had no other choice but to come and plead our case. Please, County Magistrate, have mercy on us." Zhang De said as he finished speaking, then kowtowed to Lu Haoshan again.

  "I dare not, I dare not" Lu Haoshan hastily supported him and then looked around at the surrounding onlookers, his face heavy with emotion. "Fellow villagers, please listen to what this official has to say. The Khitan are pressing in on us from all sides, the Liaodong front line is in constant turmoil, those barbarians have surrounded the capital and are threatening the Emperor. This tax was decreed by the Emperor himself and implemented through a policy issued by the Ministry of Revenue. This is a matter of national importance, concerning the very survival of our nation. I am just a lowly seventh-rank official, I truly do not have the ability to change national policy, and the imperial court's policies will certainly not be changed overnight due to something I say. It is not that I do not sympathize with the common people, it is simply that I am powerless."

  As soon as Lu Haoshan's words fell, Zhao Wang, Zhang De, Chen Xian and others were suddenly speechless. The county magistrate said that this was an imperial decree, how could it be managed by a small sesame official like you? The county magistrate also acted according to the edict, and for a while, everyone didn't know what to say.

  The emperor and the Ministry of Revenue were brought out, and everyone immediately fell silent. This move was indeed useful, and Lu Haoshan felt a little proud in his heart. However, he soon continued: "This official knows that the people are having a hard time. The harvest has not been good for two years, and it is indeed difficult to take it all out at once. Therefore, this official has ordered the tax collectors to cancel all the old rules and regulations, such as the 'slanted grain' and 'fire expenses', which will no longer be collected in order to avoid increasing the burden on the people. If anyone extorts money from the people, you can directly find this official, and this official will immediately help the parents of Jiangyou get justice."

  This remark was not only sincere but also loud and clear, leaving the crowd who came to plead with nothing to say. In fact, Magistrate Lu was right. Since the downfall of the corrupt official Chen Gui, the atmosphere in Jiangyou County had undergone a significant change. The clerks were no longer arrogant and difficult to deal with; they were now spirited and efficient, and did not demand bribes or "door fees" and "running fees". These changes were evident to everyone present, who had personally experienced them, and for a moment, they too had nothing to say.

  Taxes are the emperor's orders, and when they arrive at the county magistrate's office, not to mention embezzlement, even the fire expenses will be lost. Who can blame him? In the end, the county magistrate has done his best, and many people say that Jiangyou has waited for many years and finally got a fair and honest official.

  Chen Xian hesitated for a moment, then said with a respectful face: "I know that the great master has always been considerate of the people, but this time is not ordinary, please think of a plan, the more than 50,000 people in Jiangyou are relying on the great master."

  "Jiangyou may be a remote place, but there are also many wealthy merchants in the county. As the saying goes, 'distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors', they are all fellow villagers, borrowing one or two from them to temporarily get through the difficulties, and then repaying when the summer harvest is collected, isn't that a win-win situation? Isn't it better to find them than to find the officials?" Lu Haoshan asked with a puzzled expression.

  "Them?" Zhao Wang's tone was somewhat disdainful, but he was a cautious person and didn't say anything offensive. He just said helplessly: "I'm afraid it's hopeless."

  When disaster strikes, those wealthy landlords become particularly active, because this is a great opportunity for them to make a fortune. With little money, they can achieve many things through usury, and the interest rates are much harsher than usual. Those peasants who cannot survive, in order to find a way out, are forced to accept contracts that may bind them for life. The saying "distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors" is true, but one must also consider what kind of person the neighbor is.

  When Zhao Wang spoke, he was full of resentment. His words also resonated with the onlookers, who shook their heads and had some anger in their eyes.

  Lu Haoshan didn't know about these situations, but actually, this was intentionally said to highlight his own greatness and nobility with the heartlessness and greed of those landlords, which would achieve the best effect. Seeing the peasants' faces full of disdain, Lu Haoshan knew that the plan had succeeded in one step.

  Not bad, the action is in place, and the expression is also impeccable. Lu Haoshan thought to himself: If placed in a later generation, it's estimated that he can make a living in the entertainment industry without starving.

  "This matter is a bit difficult to handle, and the county government is also having a hard time." Lu Haoshan said with some difficulty.

  It's a bit difficult but not impossible. The three people present were all clever, and as soon as they heard that the county magistrate hadn't made up his mind, their faces showed joyful expressions. Zhao Wang immediately said: "We beg for your mercy, sir. As long as you can help the people of Jiangyou get through this difficulty, we will always remember your kindness and build a temple to pray for your blessings."

  "Please, sir, do justice for the people of Jiangyou." After Zhao Wang finished speaking, he kowtowed to Lu Haoshan again. The people present also loudly requested along with him, and many civilians knelt down, instantly filling the entrance of the county government office with a sea of black heads.

  Lu Haoshan hastily said: "The Liseng Temple is also a fatal blow to the local officials, it's absolutely impossible. Everyone please get up, what virtue and ability does this official have? The villagers and elderly look at him with such importance, it's really unbearable. Let's discuss the matter slowly, first get up and then talk." While speaking, he went to support the oldest Zhao Wang.

  "If you don't answer me, I'll lose face as an old man and won't be able to get up again," Zhao Wang said loudly.

  "The grown-ups won't agree, so we won't get up either." The crowd followed suit.

  "Alright, alright, I'll admit it. You may rise and speak." Jing Hao Shan pretended to grit his teeth and nodded in agreement.

  As soon as they heard that the county magistrate had agreed to think of a way, everyone began to praise the county magistrate and stood up with a hint of a smile on their faces.

  Zhang Delai cautiously asked: "I don't know if you have a good strategy to deal with this crisis."

  "This official will write a letter to the superior officer to report the situation, and truthfully inform them of the difficulties faced by the people of Jiangyou, asking them to reduce or exempt the taxes of Jiangyou, at least giving them more time to prepare." Lu Haoshan said calmly.

  "Adult" Chen Xian said with some worry: "Last year, the early harvest in various places was heard to be easy to give birth to children, but the imperial court only exempted 20% of the taxes. I'm afraid that even if we tell the truth, it will be of no use."

  Lu Haoshan nodded and said, "This is just a method. In fact, after that taxation order was issued, I couldn't eat or sleep well, searching my mind every day. Recently, there have been some clues, otherwise I would be ashamed of the high expectations of my fellow villagers."

  "Please, sir, don't hesitate to instruct." Zhang Delai broke the pot and asked to the bottom, fearing that this Lu County Magistrate would use delaying tactics.

  "The government will act as guarantor and borrow money from wealthy gentry to pay in advance, which can be repaid after the summer harvest."

  Chen Xian shook his head and said, "The word 'profit' is on their minds, it's just the government taking the lead, but I'm afraid they won't agree so easily. Even if they do, it's just to save face, they won't really lend a hand, most of them are just going through the motions."

  Lu Haoshan's expression turned solemn, and he said in a serious tone: "In that case, we'll have to resort to the last trick. We'll use the official land as collateral and raise funds from capable rural landlords to help alleviate the burden of Jiangyou's people."

  Everyone's face changed: What, official fields?