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This was both because even if they pawned everything, they still couldn’t afford it and also in order to evade taxes, since the amount of tax was based on the number of family members, they decided to reduce their household numbers.

One must admit, the County Magistrate who imposed these extra taxes was truly no better than a beast!

“Yes, the tax is indeed too high, we farmers would be unable to afford it even if we had to sell our children!”

Hearing Feng Qing’an evaluate it this way, the old man couldn’t help but shed tears.

“Old man, do not worry, I will go to the county government office and talk to your County Magistrate. As of today, these taxes can probably be canceled!” Feng Qing’an smilingly comforted him.

“My lord, can you really persuade the County Magistrate to stop taxing us?”

One of the households was still skeptical, the joy came so suddenly that they dared not believe it.

“Whether it can be done or not, we will find out in a couple of days. You all go home with your children. If the tax is abolished, then you can raise these children well!”

Feng Qing’an told this group of poor people to take their children home.

“Thank you so much, kind sir!”

“Quick, bow to the nobleman!”

Even though they had doubts in their hearts, since Feng Qing’an had said so, these peasants didn’t have much left to say. It was just a matter of waiting for a couple of days. After paying their respects with kowtows and bows, they made way for Feng Qing’an and his party to pass through.

“Young Master, are we going to the county government office to confront that damned County Magistrate now?”

After distancing himself from the villagers, who were still in the process of bowing and paying homage, Zhou Yiyang, who now understood how dire the common people’s living conditions which he could see almost every day were, couldn’t help but ask.

“No, first take me to the nearby villages, I want to see what the actual situation is. ”

“Yes, sir!”

This time, the Young Master Zhou was willing to act as Feng Qing’an’s guide.

The former was simply unaware of the sufferings of the ordinary people. However, when he truly witnessed it, he was deeply moved.

Although his family held significant power locally, no matter how influential, they could not intervene in the government’s taxation. They could only ensure that those absurd taxes are not levied on their family. Thus, Young Master Zhou genuinely hoped that Master Feng could abolish these unreasonable taxes.

For the rest of the day, Feng Qing’an and his party visited a few villages in Pingwu County, seeking information from the villagers. Since Job Master Zhou, a local celebrity, was with them, Feng Qing’an’s inquiries went smoothly.

“Damned Official, he’s truly a damned Official!”

“He deserves to die!”

After roughly understanding the situation, Feng Qing’an’s party, from top to bottom, sported faces of rage, spouting curses. Even the two-hundred-year-old housekeeper, Zhao, couldn’t help but clench his fists, constantly touching his water-fire stick.

As Feng Qing’an had guessed, the Pingwu County Magistrate, who was capable of imposing the canal tax and the irrigation tax, naturally wouldn’t only stop there. Even though most of the people depended on farming to make a living, there were others who engaged in different trades.

The woodcutters who chopped wood in the mountains were made to pay a firewood tax, the fishermen by the water were levied a fish tax, the ones who had orchards had to pay citrus grove tax, those who brewed liquor were taxed a community wine tax, those who had shops were made to pay a shop tax… Today, Feng Qing’an got to truly experience what it means to impose excessive taxes and levies, it was virtually leaving people with no way to survive. “Young Master, shall we go to the county government office now?”

Although they were fairly angry about the exploitation the local people were subjected to, how they should act still depended on Feng Qing’an. The brains of these martial artists were quite clear, and they hadn’t lost their rationality to momentary rage.

Despite the County Magistrate exploiting the people, if an outsider attacked him, it would be seen as challenging the authority of the government and violating the laws of Da Jin, regardless of whether they were Martial arts experts or in the Mixed Element Realm, they would be hunted down.

“Considering your age, you must have witnessed spoilt, arrogant, and unscrupulous young lords, right?”

Feng Qing’an, looking at the group of martial artists before him full of fiery energy, asked with a smile.

“Of course, we’ve seen such people. But what are you planning, Young Master?” A glint of anticipation flashed through Housekeeper Zhao’s eyes.

“When my elder brother clinched first place in the imperial examination, I had mentioned my wish to become an unconstrained official someday who needn’t worry about food or drink. Hearing this, my parents and my teacher scolded me, and my desire was deflated.

Today, as I reflect on the past, I suddenly want to fulfill that desire, and become such an official just once, though wreaking havoc in the countryside isn’t that big a deal. I want to make a scene in the county government office. I wonder if you are willing to be my henchmen? To be my minions?”

A look of reminiscence appeared on Feng Qing’an’s face, and he continued speaking slowly. Initially, the issue wasn’t that severe, and he could have persuaded others with good words, but after understanding the situation, he felt that he should act as a spoilt, unscrupulous young lord once.

“We are willing to do as per your wish and dare not oppose it!”

A faint smile appeared on Steward Zhao’s face as he bowed, and the other martial artists were all rubbing their fists and palms, their faces showing signs of eager anticipation.

“It’s my honor to be Young Master’s hired muscle.”

“Young Master, I excel in the skill of beating people up. Once we get to the county government office, please feel free to instruct me!”

“I’m also willing to be Young Master’s henchman!”

Young Master Zhou’s eyes also revealed a sense of excitement. Riding over to the county government office was something he wouldn’t even dare to think of. If he did it, it would be tantamount to rebellion. But the man in front of him is an exception.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Get me back to your manor immediately, arrange a good horse for each of us, change into tough clothes. Henchmen should look like henchmen!”

“Yes, sir!”

Zhou Yiyang was invigorated. He once again led the way, briskly guiding the group back to his home.

The Zhou family mansion was not in the county town, but in a huge manor outside the town, encompassing several low hills. As Feng Qing’an and his group entered the manor, they saw a bunch of cleanly dressed kids running past them, laughing and playing. Several maids were chasing behind them, shouting loudly. “Big young master! ”

Sighting Zhou Yiyang entering the manor through the main gate, the maids immediately stood still and greeted him respectfully.

“Never mind me. Just watch these little rascals, don’t let them cause any trouble, or have any accidents!”

Young Master Zhou waved his hand, and the maids quickly chased after the children who had already run off.

“These are your family’s children? Your Zhou family is indeed flourishing!”

One of the martial artists surveyed the vast estate that stretched farther than the eye could see and watched the children laughing and playing everywhere in the manor. Feeling awestruck, he commented.

“Not at all! These kids were sent by the people from the surrounding villages. My father, no matter how capable, wouldn’t be able to produce so many!” Zhou Yiyang explained.

“You mean people sell their children to your family and the Zhou family raises them like this?”

Steward Zhao asked incredulously.

“Oh, these are the young ones. For the slightly older ones, my father has also invited a private school teacher and arranged for a martial arts teacher. Whether they want to learn to read and write or practice martial arts, it’s all up to their liking!”

Zhou Yiyang replied as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Is your family running a charity? Can you afford to support so many people?” The bear-like martial artist couldn’t help asking.

“Well, it’s not really a big deal. You might think there are lots of kids, but the meals for dozens of kids don’t even equal up to one martial artist’s. It doesn’t cost much money!”

Zhou Yiyang replied nonchalantly,

“Actually, my father didn’t intend to support them forever. He’s told me that if their parents manage to get through their hardships and want to take their children back, we’d let them.”

“Zhou Yiyang!”

As Feng Qing’an strolled through the Zhou manor, he suddenly called out while watching the playing children. “Ah, Young Master, what do you need?”

“Catch!”

Feng Qing’an flicked his hand, throwing two small booklets into Zhou Yiyang’s arms. Young Master Zhou took a look and saw that they were both copies of “Yunlan Secret Plan,” but one was the middle volume, and the other was the last.

“There’s a middle volume?!”

Young Master Zhou was dumbfounded. Only then did he become aware of the complexities of human nature. But he was also puzzled. “Why are you rewarding me with this now?”

“It’s what you deserve..”