Chapter 17: I've Paid—What About You?
"Smack!"
"You insolent wretch!"
"Are you trying to rebel?!"
"And you dare wield a knife? Are you planning to chop up these old bones of mine first?"
The newcomer was none other than the old village chief.
He was a man seasoned by grand events. Even now, faced with Hou Wu wielding a knife and exuding menace, he showed not a shred of fear. Lifting his hand, he struck Hou Wu squarely across the face, sending him stumbling.
Blood instantly welled at Hou Wu’s lips, his teeth grinding so hard they nearly shattered, yet how could he dare challenge the authority of the old village chief?
He hurriedly apologized, bowing again and again:
"Uncle Lu, I was wrong, I truly know my mistake..."
As he spoke, he tossed the woodcutter's knife aside.
"Hmph."
The old village chief didn't spare Hou Wu a glance. He turned to address the crowd:
"What’s going on here?!"
In the imperial realm, the 'imperial power does not extend to the villages.'
The founding principle of the Great Qian Dynasty was 'to share rule with the gentry and scholars across the land.'
Though the old village chief was not a true gentry, his influence in Spring Village was undeniable.
At this moment, even Xue An and the official Ma Ye had to show him respect.
Xue An quickly put on a smile, embellishing the story as he recounted the events.
The official Ma Ye supplemented with laughter.
The old village chief’s brows furrowed as he looked to Li Yuanjing.
He was an old fox, and now he understood the situation well. From what he saw, he could protect Li Yuanjing for a moment, but not for a lifetime.
In the end, this matter had to be resolved by Li Yuanjing himself.
Li Yuanjing noticed that a crowd of villagers had gathered to watch the commotion. He cupped his hands and smiled at the old village chief:
"Village Chief, I still stand by my words. I have no issue paying the autumn tax today. But Wang Cuihua, that troublesome woman, and Hou Wu, that rascal, must also pay today!"
"Otherwise—"
"It will not satisfy the people!"
The villagers were no fools. They saw clearly that this group was targeting Li Yuanjing. After all, it was customary for the wealthier households to pay first, and the autumn tax directly affected their own interests. They began to speak up:
"Yes, why should Scholar Li pay first, but Hou Wu and Wang Cuihua do not? What kind of reasoning is that?"
"Exactly! If that's how things are handled, I object!"
"I object too!"
Seeing the villagers' emotions rising and a hint of chaos brewing, the old village chief hurriedly said to Xue An and Ma Ye:
"Gentlemen, if this isn’t resolved quickly, trouble may erupt..."
"Well..." Xue An was unconcerned, but Ma Ye’s face began to sweat coldly.
Since ancient times, what did the authorities fear most?
Foremost was 'gathering a crowd'!
No matter what words followed 'gathering a crowd,' it was never something an ordinary yamen runner could withstand.
Ma Ye glared fiercely at Xue An and said in a menacing tone:
---
"Steward Three, are you not going to make those two rascals pay the autumn tax today as well?! If trouble breaks out, how many heads do you have to lose?"
Seeing Ma Ye so stern, Xue An became nervous. Though he was the third steward of the Xue family and usually acted important, he was well aware—it was only because he was a useful dog, able to earn money for his master.
If, instead of profit, he brought such enormous trouble—
He could imagine without much thought that Master Xue would surely skin him alive.
He quickly turned cold and snapped at Wang Cuihua and Hou Wu:
"You two, pay the autumn tax today!"
"This..." Wang Cuihua and Hou Wu were speechless.
Who could have thought—
The fire would suddenly be turned upon them.
That wretched scholar Li was truly venomous.
Wang Cuihua, being a matchmaker, was more capable than most rural folk. Nearly an ounce of silver for the autumn tax was a lot, but not unbearable for her. She quickly signaled Hou Wu.
Hou Wu was far less confident. He had already blown all the autumn tax money he’d stolen from his wife, Xiugu, at the gambling dens and brothels run by Master Xue in town.
However—
Seeing the frail Li Yuanjing nearby, Hou Wu suddenly regained his bravado.
If even he, Hou Wu, couldn't scrape together the autumn tax, how could Li Yuanjing, a penniless scholar, possibly manage it?
He sneered:
"Fine!"
"No problem!"
"Li, so long as you, that wretched scholar, pay the autumn tax today, I'll pay mine right away!"
Wang Cuihua quickly chimed in:
"Li Yuanjing, as soon as you pay, I’ll pay too."
With the situation finally under control, Ma Ye and Xue An both breathed a sigh of relief.
Ma Ye forced a smile and turned to Li Yuanjing:
"Scholar Li, what are you waiting for? Pay the autumn tax!"
Li Yuanjing suddenly laughed aloud:
"Ma Ye, I have no issue paying, but if I do, and someone else can't, you must deal with them impartially."
"After all, so many villagers are watching."
As soon as Li Yuanjing spoke, the villagers erupted again.
To put it simply—
Li Yuanjing was far from the only one in Spring Village who disliked Wang Cuihua and Hou Wu.
Only, for various reasons, most could not voice their anger.
Now, with Li Yuanjing leading the charge, they were happy to fan the flames.
Who wouldn’t enjoy seeing Wang Cuihua and Hou Wu humiliated?
Seeing the crowd in high spirits, Ma Ye glared at Li Yuanjing and spat:
"Naturally!"
---
"I, Ma Huan, as a court official, shall enforce the law impartially and speak for the people!"
"Ma Ye is mighty!"
Li Yuanjing raised his thumb to Ma Ye, then casually produced about an ounce of broken silver, displaying it for all:
"Gentlemen, behold—this is my autumn tax for the year, honest and fair!"
"This..."
For a moment, all were struck dumb.
Especially as the early morning sunlight shone upon the bright silver in Li Yuanjing's hand—it was dazzling.
In this era, common folk paid taxes with grain, copper coins, or equivalent goods.
Who had ever seen someone pay so boldly in silver?
Once he saw the crowd’s attention, Li Yuanjing handed the silver to Ma Ye, smiling:
"Ma Ye, please check if the weight is right."
Ma Ye weighed it, immediately realizing not only was the amount sufficient, but there was a little extra.
He understood Li Yuanjing’s intention—the surplus was for him.
Instantly, his demeanor changed, and he praised Li Yuanjing with a smile and a raised thumb:
"A true scholar—Scholar Li, you are indeed capable! Everyone has seen it; Scholar Li’s autumn tax for this year is paid in full, honest and fair!"
At Ma Ye’s words, the crowd buzzed again.
Who could have imagined—
Li Yuanjing, frail and penniless, would be the first to pay his autumn tax in full.
Not only the villagers were stunned—even Yu Niang behind Li Yuanjing was dumbfounded.
Her brother had given her more than three ounces of silver, and after paying Zhang Kun an ounce in advance, there should have been enough left for the autumn tax.
But—
Where did her brother get silver, paying the tax without touching her funds?
Now, as Li Yuanjing finished paying, the yamen runner swiftly recorded it and handed Li Yuanjing a receipt. Wang Cuihua and Hou Wu were thoroughly stunned.
Hou Wu shrieked hysterically:
"Impossible!"
"This can’t be possible!"
"You, Li Yuanjing, are nothing but a penniless wretch—how could you have so much silver? You must have stolen it or robbed someone!"
"Official, official, I wish to report—Li Yuanjing is a thief, this silver is not clean!"
But—
At this moment, everyone looked at Hou Wu as if he were a fool.
If someone else had made such an accusation, it might have been credible. But coming from Hou Wu, the town scoundrel—who would believe him?
Li Yuanjing was truly impressed by Hou Wu’s lack of wit, and he sneered:
"Hou Wu, insult me if you wish, but to slander me in front of so many dignitaries—I cannot let that pass!"
"This silver was borrowed from Wang Youdao, my uncle from Big Ditch Village. If anyone doubts it, they are welcome to confront him!"
"And furthermore—"
Li Yuanjing spoke, not bothering to look at Hou Wu, and respectfully bowed to Ma Ye:
"Ma Ye, I have paid. It is their turn now, is it not?"