Chapter 48

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Because he had to supervise the storage, Wang Xian declined Chao Tianjiao's invitation to have dinner at his home. Chao Gongzheng then had the wine and dishes delivered to the warehouse and accompanied him there for the meal.

Chao Tianjiao no longer dared to underestimate this young official. Not only was his father cunning and treacherous, but Wang Xian himself was also remarkably shrewd and capable. Throughout the day, he accurately calculated how much was collected, how much was owed, how much should be stored, and how much belonged to the government, without a single mistake. This made Chao Tianjiao completely abandon any thoughts of deceiving him.

Chao Tianjiao estimated that it wouldn't be long before this young man would take the position of the head clerk in the Revenue Office. They would have a long time to deal with each other, so it was best to mend their relationship as soon as possible. He even had the impulse to use a beauty trap to make him his son-in-law, but unfortunately, Wang Xian was already engaged, which made Chao Tianjiao sigh in regret.

There was no deep-seated grudge between them, and after Chao Tianjiao's deliberate flattery over the past few days, they had long since reconciled. Seeing that the time was right, Chao Tianjiao asked, "Can you help me find out when my son can come home?"

"This roasted chicken is really delicious, where did you buy it?" Wang Xian smiled. "That's the responsibility of the Criminal Office, how would I know?"

"I made it myself. It's rare for you to like it, so I'll bring a couple back for your family to try." Chao Tianjiao forced a smile. "All the people in the Criminal Office are your father's old subordinates, it shouldn't be a problem to ask, right?"

"Alright, I'll ask when I get back after finishing the tax collection." Wang Xian nodded and saw the grain merchant named Zhou Yang come over after weighing the grain. Speaking of Zhou Yang, he was the one who had been put in the stocks half a month ago. Wang Xian had asked him what he had done, and Zhou Yang, feeling depressed, said he hadn't done anything. It was just that the tax collection was approaching, and the magistrate found an excuse to punish him.

It turned out that Fuyang County produced limited grain, and most of the people were engaged in tea cultivation, papermaking, and silk weaving, buying grain to pay taxes. Therefore, during the tax collection season, the grain prices in Fuyang County would soar, and the grain merchants would make a fortune. However, the new magistrate, Wei, was very concerned about the stability of the local people and feared that the soaring grain prices would cause public discontent. He had the two major grain merchants in the county arrested and put in the stocks for three days as a warning...

Whenever this matter was mentioned, Zhou Yang would tear up. Wasn't business about buying low and selling high? It wasn't a famine, and he wasn't hoarding grain. Besides, he hadn't done anything this year... at least not this year, so why was he put in the stocks?

There was no way around it; in this era, merchants had low status. The magistrate wanted to establish his authority and win the hearts of the people, so who else would he target but the merchants? Didn't the people cheer for it?

However, Zhou Yang was truly dedicated. His neck wasn't even fully healed, and he had already come to Shangxin Township to collect grain. He sat down stiffly next to Wang Xian and said, "Young official, your calculations are spot on. In total, it's 43 stones, 3 dou, and 7 sheng of rice, and according to your requirements, it's all paid in silver and cash." He placed a bag of money on the table and said, "Young official, please check."

Wang Xian opened the money bag and saw a 20-tael silver ingot and a few strings of copper coins. He frowned and said, "It's too much."

"It's not too much. The rest is a small token of appreciation for your help." Zhou Yang smiled flatteringly. As a grain merchant, he naturally had to curry favor with a young and promising clerk like Wang Xian.

"Sure, sure, we're friends now." Wang Xian knew that his father was about to go to Hangzhou, and he would have to rely on himself from now on. To get along well in the county, he had to be like Song Jiang, who didn't care about status and made many friends. "Come, I'll toast to you, Chao Gongzheng and Zhou Boss. It's my first time on a business trip, and I don't know anything, so I've caused you both a lot of trouble."

The two quickly raised their cups and drank. Chao Tianjiao smiled and said, "Even though it's your first time on a business trip, your composure and maturity are better than many old hands. It's clear that you are no ordinary person and will surely rise to prominence in the future!"

"That's for sure! When that happens, you must help me out!" Zhou Yang also flattered him.

The three drank and chatted until midnight. Chao Tianjiao invited Wang Xian to stay at his home, but Wang Xian insisted on staying in the warehouse. His previous profession had taught him that when it was necessary to be cautious, he shouldn't be bothered by the trouble. Completing the task safely was more important than anything else.

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The next day, they continued to collect taxes. Shuai Hui and Liu Erhei also came. Actually, Wang Xian didn't have much for them to do; he just wanted them to come for the free meals. During the tax collection, Chao Tianjiao naturally provided meals, and each meal was rich and abundant, so it was a waste not to eat...

After all, they were brothers for many years, and Shuai Hui and Liu Erhei treated Wang Xian's affairs as their own, unlike Qin Shou, who only thought about how to make money for himself. With them keeping an eye on things, Wang Xian saved a lot of energy, but he still didn't dare to be careless and continued to sleep in the warehouse every night.

On the seventh day, all 2,800 stones of tax grain were collected and shipped to the county. Wang Xian finally breathed a sigh of relief. Without changing into clean clothes, he immediately went to the county office to report.

In the former Li Sheng's office, Zhang Sihu poured Wang Xian a cup of tea and smiled, "You must be tired after these few days."

"Thank you for your concern, but sitting and collecting taxes isn't tiring." Wang Xian, however, didn't take the opportunity to show off and remained respectful. "Fortunately, I didn't fail in my mission. All the tax grain from Shangxin Township has been collected." He then handed over the ledger with both hands.

"Really?" Zhang Sihu was somewhat surprised. "The households that were reassessed, did they have any objections?"

"Yes, they did, but I had the others pay first, making the reassessed households feel isolated. Then I told them that the reassessment was on a rotating basis, and after this year, they would have at least nine years of peace. During these nine years, other households would also be reassessed, and no one could escape." Wang Xian answered, "They thought about it and eventually paid up."

"Good." Zhang Sihu clapped his hands and smiled. "This move seems simple, but it shows a deep understanding of human nature. It seems you can handle the position of clerk!"

"Thank you for your cultivation, sir!" Wang Xian said with gratitude. "I will do my best to assist you and solve your problems!"

"Very good!" Zhang Sihu smiled even more broadly. "I didn't choose the wrong person!" As if he had done a great deed...

"Also," Wang Xian placed a heavy bundle on the coffee table and opened it. "This is all the loose change and extra."

Seeing the seven silver ingots and several strings of copper coins, each string containing 100 coins, Zhang Sihu was somewhat surprised. "So much?"

"Here is the list." Wang Xian pulled out a piece of paper from his boot and handed it to Zhang Sihu.

Zhang Sihu took it and examined it carefully, seeing that every income of every day was listed clearly. After finishing, Zhang Sihu praised, "Chao Tianjiao and Zhou Yang are both old hands, but you didn't let them cheat you of a single coin. It seems I can rest assured!"

"Perhaps they just didn't dare to cheat for various reasons." Wang Xian humbly said. "I actually don't know much and hope you will guide me more."

"Ha ha ha..." The highest level of flattery was like Wang Xian's, subtle and making the recipient feel good. Zhang Sihu couldn't stop smiling. "Now I'll teach you something. What you should keep for yourself, you don't need to show to your superior. Everyone knows what's going on."

"I don't know what to keep and what not to." After being tormented by Li Sheng, Wang Xian knew how important a supportive superior was. Therefore, he said without any scruples, "And the opportunities are given by you, so it's only right that you handle it."

"Ha ha, the rules can't be broken." Zhang Sihu smiled. "Put the copper coins away. If you feel bad about it, treat the Revenue Office staff to a meal, and you'll feel better."

"Thank you for your guidance, sir!" Wang Xian repacked the copper coins and left. He actually wanted to leave half for Zhang Sihu, but that would make him seem too experienced, which didn't fit his image as a new recruit and could raise his superior's suspicions.

Back at the office, the clerks congratulated him. Shangxin Township was the first of the seven grain districts to complete the tax collection, so the position of clerk naturally fell to the clerk in charge of this area—Wang Xian, at the young age of 28, had become the superior of these old clerks after less than a month in the office. This made them both flatter and envy him.

This was still a position he earned through competition, so no one could say anything. If he had gotten the position just by reporting someone, there would have been many complaints...

However, no matter how many flattering words were said, they were worth nothing. The clerks discussed where to go to treat their future superior to a meal.

Wang Xian insisted on paying for the meal himself. The clerks knew he had just made a fortune, so it was only right for him to pay, but they didn't dare to let their future superior spend money.

After much discussion, they decided that Wang Xian would treat everyone today to celebrate his success. When the official appointment came, they would celebrate again. This wasn't just a formality; it let everyone know that the future Clerk Wang was not a stingy person!

This was very important, especially for clerks who only cared about money. It didn't matter who they followed, what mattered was how much they could benefit...

At noon, Wang Xian had Qin Shou book three tables at Zhou's Restaurant. There was no choice, as the Revenue Office had many people. This was even with six teams not yet back...

In the afternoon, Wang Xian invited Zhang Sihu and Xun Clerk, but both declined. It was understandable; the former was a leader and had to maintain his dignity, while the latter was in a bad mood because he didn't get the position and was somewhat resentful of Wang Xian, not wanting to mix with him...

However, for the clerks, it was better that the superiors didn't attend, as they could drink and have fun more freely. After work, a group of clerks in white robes came to Zhou's Restaurant and drank until midnight. Wang Xian, as the host and future superior, naturally became the target of toasts. His drinking capacity was average, and he couldn't refuse, so he was overwhelmed by the continuous toasts. Despite Wu Wei blocking many for him, he was still drunk and had to be carried home...

Everyone at home was already asleep, but when they heard the commotion, Wang Gui got up and quickly opened the door to have him carried in.

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