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Chapter 1105: Chapter 1111: Spit Out Silver
The Government House acted swiftly, by the afternoon the County Magistrate had personally arrived.
He had originally thought that a housekeeper wouldn’t be of much importance, but after the estate had been accounted for, he dared not delay any further.
"Master Tan, Madam, Yue Ming’s family’s assets have been calculated, totaling eight thousand taels, I have brought over the ledgers and silver notes," the County Magistrate said respectfully.
Tan Zhenghong gave a gesture of thanks: "We are grateful for Lord Tao’s efforts."
With Yue Ming’s servitude contracts in hand, this matter could have been handled privately, but since the Bank was involved, it had to be managed by the Guang House.
"This falls under my jurisdiction, it’s my duty to address. By the way, the tenant farmers are strongly demanding Yue Ming’s public execution, might I inquire as to Master Tan’s thoughts on this?"
The County Magistrate expressed the issue that troubled him the most.
The tenant farmers weren’t really a major problem; at most they would only complain, but the Tan Family couldn’t be treated as such. 𝓷ℴ𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝒸𝓸𝓶
Tan Zhenghong was quite amicable: "Since the authorities have been alerted, just follow the law. Whatever decision you make, I have no objections."
"According to the regulations, Yue Ming’s family should be paraded for three days before being exiled."
"Then I will trouble Lord County Magistrate to find them a suitable place," said Tan Zhenghong, his eyes narrowed, for in truth, death was a simple affair, far happier than a lifetime of suffering.
The County Magistrate nodded; he was well aware of the implications.
Exile meant different things for different people; some lived comfortably, while others could only die in misery.
Even if Madam had not given the order, he would have treated Yue Ming’s family well.
While they were speaking, Qiao Duo’er flipped through a couple of pages of the ledger and couldn’t help asking, "Who used to own this estate?"
Yue Ming’s embezzlement of silver was divided into three parts: the former Owner, the Tan Family, and the tenant farmers were all victims.
Now that Yue Ming had regurgitated the silver, it was time to distribute it.
The County Magistrate immediately said, "It belonged to Officer Wen Shu from the Mansion City. After getting involved in Xuan Eagle Mountain Village’s illegal salt case, he was implicated by Master Yu Zheng and his property was confiscated. He is now relegated to the border."
Two years prior, Yu Zheng had purged nearly half the officials of Ning Tian Mansion, an event the magistrate still remembered vividly.
Qiao Duo silently criticized, no wonder they ended up with such a housekeeper.
Master Yu generally imposed lighter sentences; the fact that the former Owner was exiled and his property confiscated suggested he had been highly corrupt, and Yue Ming’s behavior was very much in keeping with that influence.
The former Owner’s share should then be reserved for Qin Longyun, to let him build more roads and bridges.
Not only would this benefit the people, but it would also boost his achievements.
"Would you mind issuing an announcement for me, asking the tenant farmers who have cultivated these two estates over the past ten years to bring their contracts to Yue Ming’s house tomorrow afternoon to receive compensation. For the previous households, the compensation will be thirty wen per mu per year, and for the last two years, eighty wen," Qiao Duo’er kindly requested.
Surprised, the County Magistrate quickly understood.
It was Yue Ming who caused the scandal, but the estates belonged to the Tan Family, and unflattering rumors were bound to spread to some degree.
By doing this, not only would she salvage the reputation, but also engender gratitude among the estate’s tenant farmers for the Tan Family, making the transition to a new manager smoother.
Truth be told, managing such matters isn’t difficult if the people are united, but if they are not, no amount of effort will suffice.
"Yes, I will arrange for this immediately," he responded.
Unaware of the multitude of thoughts the County Magistrate had just conjured, Qiao Duo’er was simply intent on acting in accordance with her conscience.
If she kept this sum of silver, she would become another oppressor of the tenant farmers.
