Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 206 Public Sentiment (Part 1)

Dong Dalang quickly took over the warehouse, and Wang Erhe was not spared any leisure either, becoming Dong Dalang's deputy.

Dong Dalang did not show favoritism and took Wang Erhe under his wing, teaching him how to do accounting.

Wang Erhe was certainly not stupid; he was one of the most clever soldiers in Pei's army. Since Dong Dalang was willing to teach him, he settled down to learn.

The Pei family army is growing stronger every day, and their territory will continue to expand, so there will always be a shortage of capable people. Wang Erhe is not tall and is naturally thin, so he won't get ahead in leading troops in battle. However, becoming the logistics manager is a good career path for him.

Pei Qinghe observed this and praised Gu Lian, saying, "Wang Erhe is indeed a clever person."

Gu Lian raised an eyebrow and smiled, the scar on her face seemingly dancing in the air: "General, are you going to switch careers and become a matchmaker?"

In private, Pei Qinghe was quite easygoing and didn't put on any airs. Hearing this, she smiled and said, "That depends on your wishes. If you're not willing, or if you have someone else in mind, just tell me."

Most of the women who came from bandit strongholds now have husbands who have married into their families and have children.

As the leader of the Pei family army, Pei Qinghe was concerned about the stability and cohesion of the troops. A military camp full of bachelors was not a long-term solution.

Why are the discipline of the Fanyang Army, Liaoxi Army, and Guangning Army so poor that they are difficult to control once they are released?

Why is the Pei family army so disciplined and never bullies women and children?

Strict military discipline was one factor, but more importantly, the Pei family army included female soldiers, and there were many women in Pei family village. The soldiers all longed to get married. Those who already had wives and children were even more obedient and settled.

For women who wanted to get married, having a husband and children meant having a home of their own. Women in the Pei family army held a high status, and most were brought in by their husbands' families. Getting married was not a difficult thing for them.

There were also women who did not want to get married, accounting for about 30% of the total. Pei Qinghe never forced them.

Knowing Pei Qinghe's temperament, Gu Lian remained silent for a moment before saying, "To be honest, General, when I left Black Bear Stronghold that day, I swore a solemn oath in my heart that I would never want a man in this life."

"The general gave me a foothold, taught me martial arts, and taught me to read and write. My mind became more and more agile and clear-headed every day. I was able to make a name for myself in the Pei family army through my own abilities."

"The general is like an eagle soaring in the sky, with lofty aspirations. If I follow the general, perhaps one day I too can lead troops independently and become a general."

“Wang Erhe followed me all the way to Beiping County, and I am not unmoved. However, I still have no plans to take a son-in-law at the moment. Let’s wait and see! Perhaps in two or three years, I will change my mind.”

Pei Qinghe gave Gu Lian a deep look: "Have you explained this matter clearly to Wang Erhe?"

Gu Lian nodded: "It was made clear before we came to Beiping County. He still insisted on coming, so I let him have his way."

Winning over Gu Lian's unwavering heart is no easy task; Wang Erhe will have to wait and see!
……

In the blink of an eye, Pei Qinghe had been in Beiping County for over a month.

It's harvest season.

Pei Qinghe rode his horse around the boundless fertile fields outside Beiping County. Pei Yun was busy recruiting soldiers, Gu Lian was training troops in the military camp, and Pei Yan accompanied him.

Over the years, people have come and gone in Pei Qinghe's life, but Pei Yan has remained by her side from beginning to end.

“The fields in Beiping County aren’t cultivated very well.” Pei Yan, who spends all day with Pei Qinghe and is constantly being lectured with a slap on the back of the head, has become much sharper than before: “They’re not even as good as the wasteland that our Pei Family Village has reclaimed.” The wheat is sparse, overgrown with weeds, and the ears of wheat are shriveled.

Pei Qinghe frowned and said in a low voice, "The Beiping army has been gone for three years, and several bandit groups have emerged here. The people have no peace at all, so how can they farm in peace?"

Even if grain is grown, a lot of it still has to be paid in taxes.

The land tax in Jingchao was determined based on the amount of land owned, and it was one-fifth of the total tax, meaning that 20% was handed over to the central government. However, how much tax was collected at the county and prefecture levels depended on the greed of the officials. Various taxes were levied, including poll taxes and seedling taxes, among many others.

In the past two years, the imperial court has fallen, and the country is in chaos. While each army outwardly submits to its own master, in reality, they have carved out their own territories and become local warlords. Everyone wants to maintain an army and increase their own power, and everyone wants to plunder wealthy households and oppress government officials, ultimately shifting the burden onto the common people. The counties of Yan Commandery pay only 30% of their taxes, which is already the lowest in the north.

Last year, Beiping County paid 50% of its land tax. The government also frequently levied additional taxes.

Pei Yan snorted angrily: "I always thought that Prefect Tang of Yan County was a greedy and insatiable parasite. This Prefect Shen is no better."

Pei Qinghe sighed softly, "Yes! It's like this everywhere; it's rotten to the core. There's only one way to let the people live in peace."

Overthrow the corrupt old government and establish a brand new dynasty.

Pei Qinghe didn't say the last sentence.

Pei Yan used to be outspoken and had been reprimanded by Pei Qinghe many times, so she has become much more restrained now. At least she knows to look left and right to make sure there are no outsiders around before saying, "That King Qiao is no good. He hasn't done a single good thing since he occupied the capital. And that Tao Wudi, he even cooked human flesh for military rations on the road. Bah! Such people are not worthy of sitting on the dragon throne at all."

"Qinghe is a true war goddess sent from heaven; she will surely one day rule the world."

Pei Qinghe glanced over and said, "Don't talk nonsense!"

Pei Yan chuckled.

"General!" Prefect Shen rushed over upon hearing the news, his forehead covered in sweat and his face full of obsequious smiles: "Why did you come to the fields in person, General? It's dusty here, and the people here are all filthy; there's nothing to see. You should just go to the government office and wait to collect the land taxes."

Pei Qinghe glanced at Prefect Shen and said calmly, "Farming is of paramount importance. In Pei Family Village, everyone has to work in the fields during the autumn harvest. This general is no exception."

Prefect Shen met with a tough challenge, and his head nearly swelled up from the thud.

Then, General Pei said, "I heard that Beiping County collected 50% of the land tax last year. I wonder where all the collected land tax was used?"

Prefect Shen's heart tightened, and he cautiously replied, "Reporting to the General, half of the taxes collected by Beiping Prefecture last year were handed over to Bohai Prefecture, and the other half remained in the government office. The imperial court has nothing, but the officials and runners in the government office still need to be paid their salaries."

Pei Qinghe twitched the corners of her mouth, but there was no smile in her eyes: "You don't need to say these official words in front of me anymore."

Prefect Shen was once again rebuffed and reluctantly agreed.

Pei Qinghe continued, "I will not pursue the past. Starting this year, Beiping County shall not increase taxes for any reason, and land tax shall only be collected once a year. It shall not be apportioned based on the number of people, but shall be verified based on the actual amount of land, and tax shall be collected at 30% per mu."

"Go and draft a notice and post it. Find some clever bailiffs to read the notice to the people, so that everyone knows about the collection of 30% land tax."

(End of this chapter)