I, Sun Shan, and the Imperial Examination

Chapter 1514 Sun Shan indirectly pays taxes for Mayang County

After Prefect Liu retired, his advisor came out and quietly handed him a document.

With a beaming smile, he said kindly, "Magistrate Sun, this is the quota for the second half of this year. Hehe, thank you for your trouble, Magistrate Sun. The Lord has always admired Magistrate Sun the most, and Magistrate Sun has always been the one to relieve the Lord's worries."

"Hehe, Magistrate Sun, the quota is limited, but I'm sure you can raise it. Magistrate Sun, I'll be leaving now. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions."

Then he told Sun Shan that if anything really happened, he could come directly to the government office, register his number, and then he could find someone.

Just as Sun Shan was about to say something, the advisor seemed to have anticipated his words. He took long, thin strides and ran off in a flash, leaving only a thin, bony silhouette behind.

Sun Shan stretched out Er Kang's hand and called out from afar, "Master, Master, don't go..."

After waiting for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the reception room remained empty, not a single person came out.

Sun Shan walked out of the government office with his head hanging low and heavy steps.

Hiding in his study, Prefect Liu patted his chest and pressed, "Master, has Magistrate Sun left yet?"

The clerk nodded with lingering fear: "Sir, Magistrate Sun stayed for a full cup of tea's time before he was willing to leave. Luckily, I hid quickly and was not caught by him."

Prefect Liu and his advisor couldn't help but curse Sun Shan inwardly: What's the use of staying in the reception room? Even if they stayed there overnight, they wouldn't come out.

Magistrate Sun, you should go back and make plans as soon as possible, collect the allocated tax quotas, and complete the task well. Don't let Prefect Liu down.

Prefect Liu asked uncertainly, "Master, do you think Magistrate Sun will be able to complete the task on time?"

The clerk said confidently, "Sir, it can definitely be done. I have already found out that Magistrate Sun has already arranged for people to sell a batch of grain, more than 40,000 catties. He went several more times afterward. I think the grain sold in Yuanlu County was worth at least 200,000, if not 300,000."

Of course, this was a slightly exaggerated statement by the advisor; who would know the exact amount of grain Sun Shan sold?

But none of these county magistrates were seen selling grain, which proves that Yuanlu County had grain.

Haha, as long as there's grain, we can pay grain tax.

Prefect Liu asked in bewilderment, "Why does Magistrate Sun have grain to sell?"

He paused, then frowned and asked, "Could it be that Magistrate Sun has been levying exorbitant taxes on the farmers, thus creating a surplus of grain to sell?"

So many counties have no grain to sell, but Sunshan does; there must be something going on between them.

The clerk thought for a moment and said, "Sir, Yuanlu County has the largest jurisdiction in the entire Chenzhou Prefecture. Although it is mountainous, it is still very large. With more land, there is more land to cultivate, so the grain production is naturally more than that of other counties."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "This time, Magistrate Sun is selling grain in cooperation with the local Wang family, who are serving as county magistrates in the area."

I believe Magistrate Sun and Assistant Magistrate Wang are in cahoots, using more manpower to collect grain taxes. Ha! How can the local farmers of Yuanlu County, who want to evade taxes, possibly escape the combined force of the visiting magistrate and the local assistant magistrate?

"My lord, think about it. In the two years since Magistrate Sun took office, he's always been the first to pay taxes. Collecting taxes so quickly, Magistrate Sun certainly has some skill. No wonder there's surplus grain to sell."

Upon hearing this, Prefect Liu nodded in satisfaction: "It seems that Magistrate Sun will definitely have the means to fulfill the tax quota assigned to him. Hehe, Magistrate Sun is very good."

He then exclaimed, "You're right, sir. Keeping Magistrate Sun in Yuanlu is good for me. This is the first time I've encountered a magistrate who so readily submits his taxes without needing to be urged."

"With Magistrate Sun staying, I'm spared the troubles of another county. Ah, if only the other magistrates were as cooperative as Magistrate Sun, I wouldn't have to worry about paying national taxes every day."

Prefect Liu has decided to stay in office and hopes that his subordinates, who have brought him benefits, will also stay.

Sun Shan was one of them.

Under Sun Shan's jurisdiction, Yuanlu County not only did not cause any trouble, but also actively and proactively completed its tasks. What a useful subordinate he was, working quietly and honestly.

In addition, Sun Shan brought political achievements to Prefect Liu right from the start. Who wouldn't like such a capable subordinate?

Prefect Liu kindly "hinted" to Sun Shan that, in addition to "repaying the favor," the more important thing was that Sun Shan could stay in office and help him manage Yuanlu County well, so that he would have less trouble.

On the other side, Sun Shan dragged his heavy steps back to the post station.

Right in front of him was Magistrate Shen of Mayang County, who had been thinking of him all along.

Magistrate Shen was overjoyed and exclaimed happily, "Brother Sun, you've arrived so early this year? Oh dear, if I had known you were coming early, I would have come even earlier. I haven't seen you for a year, and I've missed you terribly. Brother Sun, tonight we must have a good get-together and drink until we're completely drunk."

When Magistrate Shen's wrinkled and dark face met Sun Shan, it was like a blooming, wrinkled black chrysanthemum.

With a joyful song in my heart, the smile on my face never stopped.

Holding Sun Shan tightly, like brothers who had been separated for many years reunited, he was filled with joy from head to toe.

Sun Shan: ...

Screw you, Magistrate Shen!

This year, one person passed the imperial examination, which caused Yuanlu County's ranking to drop.

More importantly, the tax quota allocated by Prefect Liu, which originally belonged to Mayang County, was instantly transferred to Sun Shan.

In other words, Sunshan was essentially paying taxes for Mayang County.

Don't ask why Mayang County can't pay its taxes.

It was only because of the poor and remote mountains and rivers, the mixed Han and Yi people, the fierce and unruly local people, and the incompetent Magistrate Shen.

Furthermore, Mayang County was originally the lowest of the lowest counties.

Due to a combination of factors, Mayang County has become the number one county in tax arrears for many years!

Magistrate Shen is an even bigger deadbeat in defaulting on taxes!

Sun Shan had already severed ties with Magistrate Shen for some time, and after being forced to pay taxes this time, he was even more determined to do so.

Seeing his smiling face, Sun Shan suffered a heart attack.

With a cold expression, he said, "Magistrate Shen, I'm very busy and have no time. Farewell."

After saying that, he walked back to his guest room without looking back.

Magistrate Shen was dumbfounded. What on earth had happened?

Why is Brother Sun so indifferent?

Although they had only known each other for a short time, they had a deep bond and felt as if they had known each other for a long time.

They especially compose poems and exchange verses, finding kindred spirits in each other.

How could Brother Sun be so cold and ruthless now? Who exactly is sowing discord between them?

Magistrate Shen's personal page whispered, "Master, I just found out that Magistrate Sun went to see the Prefect. Sigh, I bet he got a scolding and was in a bad mood, that's why he acted that way."

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Shen understood.

He stroked his beard and sighed, "Oh dear, no wonder. So he got scolded by Prefect Liu. Brother Sun, you're something else. You can just ignore the scolding."

He muttered to himself: He was often scolded by Prefect Liu, but as long as he said, "I won't listen, I won't listen, I won't listen," Prefect Liu couldn't do anything about it.

The pageboy continued his nonsense, saying, "Master, Magistrate Sun is still young and easily embarrassed. He felt ashamed after being scolded."

She paused, then murmured, "You'll get used to it, you'll get used to it."

He secretly glanced at Magistrate Shen.

Look at his father, getting scolded is a daily occurrence for him. As long as you have thick skin, you're invincible.