Chapter 95: Clearly Here to Kill Me
ind, big brother I mean, since our benefactor wants to buy a brick kiln, he definitely wouldn't have time to manage it himself. He needs someone to take care of it for him, and I happen to know how. Y...Liu Xilai, Yang Lin as the shopkeeper, there is no conspiracy indeed, just want to find another big tree to rely on.
After half a lifetime of servitude in the Liu family, now that he has obtained his freedom document, it is practically meaningless to him.
He had no children, so he didn't have to worry about his descendants. Therefore, whether he was enslaved or free, as long as he could find a good master who could provide for him with food and clothing, save some money, and live comfortably in his old age, it would be enough.
The shopkeeper is already in place. Just go and pay thirty taels of silver, and tomorrow you can bring the shopkeeper to town to rent a house and open a shop.
"The shop's name is Yang's Commercial Enterprise. It opens in three days. For now, they only sell paper. A transport team will deliver goods every day. You must keep track of the accounts, and every three days, you'll hand over the report once."
After explaining the shop matters, Liu Xi left.
However, just as the sun was about to set, a message arrived.
The government has come to collect taxes!
At the beginning, some villagers ran to Yang Lin. He was still doubtful at that time.
Although the summer tax is due these two days, who would come to collect it in the evening
As more and more villagers came, including two who were beaten by the yamen officers, Yang Lin also realized that something was wrong!
Soon, the patrol guards also brought news.
"Master, many government officials have come outside. There are at least a hundred of them, with dozens entering the village and the rest waiting outside!"
Zhao Fugu, who came to consult Yang Lin, also realized, "This is going to be a problem!"
Yang Lin frowned slightly and said, "Third Uncle, you brought everyone here, no matter what they're up to. Anyway, I promised yesterday that I would pay this year's summer tax for everyone!"
"Great!"
Zhao Fugui responded and, accompanied by a few people, went door to door to notify everyone.
"My husband, the visitor is not well-intentioned! They're most likely coming for us!" Li Yuyao said.
Yang Lin nodded, pondering deeply while calculating carefully.
"Coming to collect taxes at night is definitely not on the up and up. They're trying to catch us off guard."
"And to mobilize so many people, it must either be Magistrate Wu Yong or someone from the Zhou family and the Zhao family!"
"We just gave the Zhou family a warning a while back, so this time it's most likely the Zhou family and Zhao family behind it."
As for how they would deal with me…
Yang Lin pondered for a moment again, furrowed his brows and muttered to himself, "According to what I just heard, the tax collectors this time were quite unreasonable, as if they were deliberately looking for trouble. Coupled with the fact that they mobilized so many people to wait outside the village, it's not hard to guess."
"They want to bully the villagers with underhanded tactics, pushing me to my limit and forcing me to act. Then they'll frame me!"
For example, beating up officials or even resisting taxation.
"My lady, do you understand the law What is tax evasion"
Yang Lin looked at Li Yuyao.
Li Yuxiang's face changed immediately: "Tax evasion is a serious crime, ranging from light to severe. The most severe punishment is immediate execution!"
She, of course, was intimately familiar with the laws of the Great Reign. Some clauses were even modified by her with her father the Emperor.
At this moment, thinking of the charge of tax evasion, Li Yuyao couldn't help but frown.
Because she understood, this was a ploy!
Even if they knew what they were going to do, there was nothing they could change.
The common people are inherently at a disadvantage when facing officials.
Now people are intentionally looking for trouble, admitting it is a major tax evasion crime!
Do you deny it If you dare to resist, that is rebellion!
Anyway, the official's words are like "two mouths" - no matter how they say it, the other party is always right.
"So, whatever happens, we must make the most thorough preparations and worst-case scenarios."
"Qing Yi, you go and gather all the guards. Issue ten crossbows and have them set up an ambush in front of and behind the house!"
Now, there are thirty crossbows and six hundred arrows produced, but besides training, the crossbows are usually stored in Yang Lin's own warehouse. Of the entire guard unit, only Zhong Tao can carry a crossbow at any time. “Let’s try our best to endure later.”
"If the other party is truly too much…"
"Let's do this!"
Yang Lin looked at the crowd of women.
He held no reverence for the government officials of this era, nor for the imperial court itself.
Whoever does not offend me, I do not offend. It is best to live peacefully and safely in this little village.
But if he is truly pushed into a corner, then he won't hesitate to play dirty!
"Understood!"
All the girls nodded in agreement, each with a burning determination in their hearts.
Li Yuyao, however, suddenly thought of something and hurriedly asked, "What about the package I gave you to keep last time"
"Oh, what's in the dry well out back"
Yang Lin asked in confusion.
Could it be that there's anything in that package that could oppose the government
After much deliberation, Yang Lin could only think that perhaps Li Yuyao came from an official family. There might be some kind of heirloom in her bag related to her identity, such as a token from a certain family. As long as she took it out, all the constables and officials would obediently submit...
But, does that kind of thing really exist
"Wait for me!"
"Don't act impulsively before I get back!"
Li Yuyao didn't explain, leaving only that sentence, and with her purple clothes, she hurried to the backyard.
Indeed, there's a problem!
But Yang Lin didn't think much about it.
If Li Yuhua has a backup plan, that would be best.
But no matter what his next move is, you must be prepared.
The only one who can truly protect you is yourself!
It didn't take long for all the villagers to arrive at Yang Lin's house.
As night descended, the area outside the Yang family's gate was illuminated by torches.
Besides the villagers, there were also dozens of tax collectors and Zhou Kun and Zhao Deyi, who were a little lost at the moment.
For this day, they had been preparing for a long time. They were resolute, tonight no matter what, they would eradicate Yang Lin!
Therefore, although Zhou Kun had been frightened by Yang Lin last time, thinking that success or failure depended on this battle, he still gritted his teeth and went to Kaoshantun village in person.
This time, they were very well prepared.
Besides mobilizing almost all the third-class government officials from the entire Jianghe County, they also took out twenty bows and arrows from the storeroom. Furthermore, everyone was armed with a sword, claiming it was for tax collection, but it was clearly a ploy to kill!
However, events soon took an unexpected turn.
After entering the village, they went from house to house according to the plan to collect taxes. During the process, they deliberately provoked and beat two villagers.
I thought that once these matters reached Yang Lin, he would quickly come over to interfere.
But the result was that Yang Lin not only didn't come, but the villagers all went to Yang Lin's house!
Helplessly, they had no choice but to follow.
As soon as Zhou Kun arrived at the gate, riding a tall horse, he deliberately shouted: "You peasants, what are you doing gathered here Dare you defy the tax"
No matter what Yang Lin is trying to do, he puts his hat on first!
Their taxes, I will pay!
The crowd parted, and Yang Lin walked out flanked by a group of young men.an old man with white hair who happened to be passing by saw the signboard "One Wen for a Sheet of Paper" standing in front of the shop. He was surprised and said to Liu Xi who was closing up, “Are yo...