Chapter 245: Exemption from Two Years of Taxes
Once the imperial decree was received, everyone stood up. At this moment, Magistrate Chen cast a wide smile at Eunuch Gui, only daring to open his mouth and call out in a loud voice after Eunuch Gui nodded, “Everyone, there is another piece of good news. This official has also received His Majesty’s decree. As the production site for the new grains, Gutong Village is exempt from two years of taxes!”
The moment these words were spoken, the crowd on the scene instantly erupted into a frenzy.
“How much? Two years?”
“Heavens, are we truly exempt from two years of taxes?”
Looking at this boisterous situation and deeply afraid they might offend the honored guests, the village chief immediately spoke up to stop them. Only after everyone quieted down did he respectfully salute the few dignitaries, asking, “Honored Guest, Magistrate Chen, can we—can we truly be exempt from two years of taxes?”
Magistrate Chen nodded with a smile. “Could His Majesty’s decree possibly be false? The official document will be issued shortly, so just wait for it.”
The village chief was incredibly thrilled. Two years! Two years of tax exemption was enough to change the destiny of their Gutong Village.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace! Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!” The village chief fell to his knees with a thud and began kowtowing heavily.
Seeing this, the villagers also knelt down along with him. For a moment, the voices thanking the Emperor for his grace echoed through the skies above Gutong Village.
Eunuch Gui watched all of this with satisfaction, deciding that he must properly report this to His Majesty upon his return.
Only after the village chief and the others finished kowtowing did Eunuch Gui speak up, “All of you may rise. This servant will certainly convey your reverence to His Majesty when I return.”
“Many thanks, Honored Guest.” The village chief led the crowd to kowtow once more, with utmost sincerity.
However, the one he was most grateful to was still the Wen family. All of this was brought to them by the Wen family and Wen Xiuyi.
Seeing that everyone just stood there blankly after Eunuch Gui finished speaking, Old Madam Luo quickly poked Wen Xiuyi’s waist.
Understanding the cue, Wen Xiuyi cupped his hands and said, “Eunuch, Magistrate Chen, and all the other lords, you have worked hard. Simple meals have been prepared at this student’s home. Please do not disdain it, Honored Guest and Lords, and please move to take your seats.”
Eunuch Gui smiled. “Official Wen, you must refer to yourself as ‘this lower official’ now.”
Magistrate Chen also cupped his hands. “Indeed, Official Wen. You hold the same rank as me now, so there is no need to be so polite.”
Wen Xiuyi gave an awkward smile; he just hadn’t switched out of his role yet.
“Then, Eunuch Gui, Magistrate Chen, please.”
“Please.”
Wen Xiuyi led the two of them toward the Wen family’s new courtyard first. Master Chef Chen and the others were already fully prepared over there. The village chief followed eagerly behind, and the villagers at the back even volunteered to help.
However, they were all refused by Old Madam Luo: “Alright, you’ll only add to the mess. Everything has long been prepared at home. If you go help, do you even know how to help? Don’t turn around and offend the honored guests; we won’t be able to protect you either. Everyone hurry home and do what you need to do. Are you not doing the work in the fields anymore?”
When the crowd thought about it, it was indeed the case. In case they made a mistake anywhere and ended up offending these lords from the capital, they would truly be unable to bear the consequences.
The crowd dispersed like birds and beasts, leaving only the village chief behind. Seeing this, Old Man Wen also kept his younger brother behind.
Second Master Wen was currently scared to death, his legs trembling at the sight of these high officials. Hearing that he was expected to follow them to eat, he was truly afraid he wouldn’t be able to swallow anything.
However, Old Man Wen would not let him shrink back.
“You are Xiuyi’s second uncle, and this is a major event for our Wen family. What are you running away for? Follow me, don’t be a coward.” After Old Man Wen finished speaking, he led Second Master Wen forward with his hands behind his back.
Second Master Wen hunched his back, following sheepishly from behind, stealing glances forward from time to time. So these were the officials from the capital.
Arriving at the new house, the main gate opened, and the tables, chairs, and benches in the courtyard had long been set up. Master Chef Chen was bustled about with the assistants from Zui Xian Tower in full swing.
Wen Xiuyi said to Eunuch Gui and Magistrate Chen, “Eunuch Gui, Magistrate Chen, this is my parents’ courtyard. Let the others take a brief rest here. Would the two of you please follow this lower official to my home?”
The two had no objections. Eunuch Gui ordered the others to rest and eat here, then followed Wen Xiuyi away.
Old Man Wen left his other two sons here to play host, but these two couldn’t even speak properly. In the end, Xun Feng came out to save the day.
“Old Master, go ahead. I’ll accompany the Second Master and Third Master to host them here.”
With Xun Feng around, Old Man Wen felt at ease.
Wen Xiuyi led Eunuch Gui and Magistrate Chen through the doors of his own home. The moment she returned, Wen Yao changed her clothes and plunged into the kitchen. Old Madam Luo, Nanny Du, and the others helped out in the kitchen, while Wen Xiuyi was responsible for hosting them.
Once they were seated, Eunuch Gui spoke up, “Official Wen, before coming here, Prince Fu specially instructed this servant that upon arrival, I must certainly send regards to Official Wen, the Old Master, and the Old Mistress.”
Wen Xiuyi nodded with a smile. “It is rare for the Prince to keep us in mind.”
“Someone come,” Eunuch Gui shouted outside, and a little eunuch immediately ran in to await orders. They only heard Eunuch Gui say, “Take some people to the horse carriage and move the items Prince Fu had this servant bring over.”
“Yes.”
The little eunuch turned and ran off. Only then did Eunuch Gui say, “Before departing, Prince Fu had this servant bring some items for Official Wen, saying that since he couldn’t come in person to congratulate Official Wen, he had this servant deliver the gifts on his behalf.”
Deeply moved in his heart, Wen Xiuyi thought that Li Fu was truly a great friend.
“Many thanks to the Prince, many thanks to the Eunuch.” Wen Xiuyi offered another round of official thanks.
Soon, the little eunuch led people to carry quite a few large and small boxes into the courtyard. Eunuch Gui led Wen Xiuyi over, and they opened the boxes right in the courtyard.
Inside were the four treasures of the study, silks and satins, gold, silver, and jewelry of every kind. Looking at it made Magistrate Chen envious, and it caused the village chief’s eyes to widen.
Standing together with Old Man Wen, Second Master Wen almost couldn’t keep his footing, but fortunately, he was hauled up by Old Man Wen.
“This is the gift list. Official Wen, please check it, otherwise if anything is missing, this servant won’t be able to account for it to the Prince upon my return.” Eunuch Gui handed a gift list to Wen Xiuyi.
Wen Xiuyi accepted it. It was impossible to count it at this time anyway, so he put the gift list away directly, saying, “What are you saying, Eunuch? There is no need to count, no need to count. Everyone, please help move the items to the storeroom. Thank you for your hard work.”
Wen Xiuyi quickly had the items moved away. With so many valuable things displayed in the courtyard, even he felt anxious.
The few men went back inside to sit, drink tea, and chat while waiting for Wen Yao to prepare the meal. Eunuch Gui was also dutiful and conscientious, inquiring a great deal about the corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, as these were all to be noted down to report back to His Majesty.
Wen Xiuyi chatted with him for a while before suddenly thinking of the tax exemption.
A good amount was also planted on Qiu Rongrong’s manor. Since she took such good care of his daughter, could he perhaps do something in return?
After pondering for a moment, Wen Xiuyi decided to ask directly. He was just a farmer after all; if he ended up annoying the other party, the worst case scenario was that he could just brush it off by saying a country bumpkin didn’t understand so much.
“Ahem, Eunuch Gui, Magistrate Chen, this lower official has a matter I wish to ask. If there are other places also cultivating these three new grains along with us, can their taxes also be exempted? Or is it only exempt for our Gutong Village?”
