Republic of China: Guandong Ginseng King

Chapter 297 Wood Tax Office
On the afternoon of the 19th day of the first lunar month, Qu Shaoyang dressed neatly and came to the government office holding a carefully prepared gift.

The servants of the yamen had already received orders from the Taotai. When they saw that it was Qu Shaoyang, they immediately led him to the back yamen to meet the Taotai.

Yuliang read the memorial twice last night and was very interested in the proposals about using explosives to blow up the sentry post and improving the choreography.

So after meeting Qu Shaoyang, he was quite polite. He chatted with Qu Shaoyang for a long time and asked in detail about the contents written on the memorial.

Qu Shaoyang prepared for this meeting for a long time in advance. He had already rehearsed several times in his mind what to say, what not to say, and what to say in detail.

Therefore, when Qu Shaoyang met the Taotai, he was not at all nervous. In response to Yuliang's questions, he spoke eloquently and logically.

The two chatted for more than an hour, and Yuliang was very satisfied with Qu Shaoyang's performance.

"It's rare for Inspector Qu to come to Phoenix City, so why not stay for a few more days.

I will discuss this with others, and if there is a result, I will report back to Inspector Qu as soon as possible."

Yuliang was very satisfied with many of the suggestions made by Qu Shaoyang, but the necessary process had to be followed. It was impossible for him to just nod in agreement after the first meeting.

Qu Shaoyang knew it well, so he said goodbye and left.

After Qu Shaoyang left, Yuliang was very happy when he saw the generous gift Qu Shaoyang had given him.

So he called all the scriptures from the Clerk's Office, the Household Affairs Office, and the Works Office to come and discuss the matter together.

Gao Taiyuan and County Magistrate Chen are good friends. Besides, he has received benefits from Qu Shaoyang, so he will definitely speak for Qu Shaoyang.

As for the other two people, since they had no benefits to gain, they naturally refused to speak for Qu Shaoyang, and they also had many doubts about Qu Shaoyang's suggestions.

In particular, the Gongfang Sutra was opposed to the proposal to use explosives to blow up the sentry post.

He believes that the Yalu River outpost was formed naturally and was the result of the creation of heaven and earth.

How can we destroy the terrain and features that have existed for so many years just because of our own selfishness?

No one can guarantee what consequences the explosion of the sentry post will cause. We must be cautious and not take it lightly.

After hearing what Gongfang Jingshu said, Yuliang was a little hesitant.

When Gao Taiyuan saw this situation, he knew that it would be difficult to deal with, so he suggested that they go back and think about it carefully.

After carefully analyzing the pros and cons, I will reply to the Taotai.

Yuliang thought it made sense, so he asked everyone to go back and discuss it.

Gao Taiyuan left the government office and did not go home, but went straight to the post station.

When they arrived at the inn, they found Qu Shaoyang and told him everything that everyone had discussed after Qu Shaoyang left.

Qu Shaoyang understood what was going on as soon as he heard it. The others were unwilling to give in because they didn't get any benefits.

So, Qu Shaoyang asked Gao Taiyuan to invite all the other masters of scriptures, and Qu Shaoyang held a banquet in the best restaurant in the city.

Gao Taiyuan has received so many benefits from Qu Shaoyang, how could he not help?

So he personally arranged for someone to invite those people.

Because of Gao Taiyuan's face, the other people did not refuse and all came.

In this way, Qu Shaoyang spent some money to treat everyone to dinner and drinks, and also spent a lot of money to hire several more famous brothel girls in Phoenix City to accompany him.

In this way, all those people were cheered up.

The next day, these people changed their tone and no longer opposed Qu Shaoyang's proposal.

In response, Yuliang did not say anything, but only announced one thing, appointing Qu Shaoyang as the general manager of the East Road Wood Tax.

He is in full charge of all matters related to timber harvesting, transportation, taxation, etc. in all mountain and water areas within the jurisdiction of Dongbiandao.

Because most of the mountain areas are located in the upper reaches of the Yalu River and the Hunjiang River, the general office is located in Maoer Mountain.

At the same time, Qu Shaoyang also served as the Yalu River defense inspector, responsible for the security and defense along the Yalu River. In other words, Qu Shaoyang did not need to come to Phoenix City to work, he could just stay in Maoer Mountain.

Of course, after taking over the job of general manager of wood tax, Qu Shaoyang had to travel between Andong and the upper reaches of Yalu River and Hunjiang River. In any case, he would be busy.

This appointment was proposed by the Taotai himself, and others also understood that this was a real intention to make use of Inspector Qu.

As the saying goes, one should be grateful if one eats from someone and be grateful if one receives something from someone. These people got a lot of benefits yesterday, so it is naturally difficult for them to object when it is their turn to express their opinions.

"Mr. Gao, please go and invite General Manager Qu to come. I want to announce the appointment in person."

Yuliang looked at Gao Taiyuan and said.

Gao Taiyuan did not dare to delay and immediately came out of the government office and went straight to the post house.

"Sir Qu, come quickly and follow me to the yamen. There is good news." Gao Taiyuan said happily when he saw Qu Shaoyang.

Qu Shaoyang was a little confused, thinking, what good could possibly happen?
At most, the governor agreed to his proposal to blow up the sentry post. What else is there?

"Sir, has the Daotai agreed to the request?"

Gao Taiyuan pretended to smile mysteriously and said, "Don't ask. Hurry up and change into your official uniform and follow me. You will know when you get there."

Qu Shaoyang saw that he couldn't get any information out of him, so he simply stopped asking, quickly changed into his official uniform, followed Gao Taiyuan out of the post house, and headed straight for the government office.

When I arrived at the study in the back hall, I saw the Taotai and several sutras there.

When everyone saw Qu Shaoyang, smiles appeared on their faces, and several scriptures even nodded to Qu Shaoyang.

Qu Shaoyang hurried forward and saluted, "I greet the Taotai and all the gentlemen."

Yuliang glanced at Gao Taiyuan and saw Gao Taiyuan shaking his head at him, so he knew that the other party did not leak the information, so he nodded.

"Inspector Qu, after discussing with the other gentlemen, I unanimously agree with the suggestions in your memorial.

I hereby announce the appointment of Qu Shaoyang as the General Manager of Timber Taxation in the Eastern Province, responsible for all matters related to timber harvesting, transportation, taxation, etc. within the territory.

Yuliang did not keep anyone in suspense and announced the appointment directly in front of everyone.

Qu Shaoyang was completely dumbfounded.

He just wanted to use the name of the government to do something beneficial to the Mu Ba and Mu Gang. How did he become the general manager?
General Manager? What kind of position is a General Manager? What rank? Would he be wasting his time?

No, it can't. The timber tax is the bulk of the tax revenue in the East Road.

Today, all timber harvesting and taxation affairs in the Yalu River and Hunjiang River basins are under the charge of the General Office, and its authority should not be small.

Moreover, the oil and water are also quite large.

But that's not right. Based on Qu Shaoyang's understanding of the officialdom, shouldn't the Taotai arrange for a confidant to be the general manager and let Qu Shaoyang be the assistant?

Why did they just let him be the general manager? He made no arrangements.

Just as Qu Shaoyang was thinking about it, Gao Taiyuan came over and reminded him.

"Sir Qu, why don't you thank the Daotai quickly? The general manager of the wood tax department is from the eighth rank. Congratulations on your promotion."

Qu Shaoyang came back to his senses and quickly saluted Yuliang, "I am a dull and clumsy official, but I am grateful to the Taotai for not abandoning me and for promoting me.

I am deeply grateful and will do my best to perform my duties in the future and will never let you down. Thank you for your grace."

Yuliang waved his hand and nodded with a smile at Qu Shaoyang.

“Although General Manager Qu is young, he has rich experience and is proficient in all processes of timber harvesting and transportation.

When I hire people, I always choose the virtuous and capable, and never hire mediocre people.

Do more work and gain more experience in the future. If anything happens, I will support you."

(End of this chapter)