NOVPUB
Chapter 408: Chapter 411 Deserved to be Cucked_1
The light drizzle that started during the night persisted until the morning rain finally ceased.
Early in the morning, the chimes rang out in Big Willow Village.
This was the village chief’s way of summoning the villagers for a meeting; upon hearing the chime, everyone had to gather at the threshing floor.
Tan Zhenghong thought for a while before saying, "Wife, I guess it’s time to collect taxes. I’ll go and see what’s happening; you just stay at home."
His guess was spot-on: this year’s rental standard was one hundred catties of rice per mu of land, plus a poll tax of twenty catties of rice for each adult.
If paid in silver coin, it was six wen money for every catty of rice.
In recent years, peace prevailed throughout the land, and the weather had been fair. For the average family, the tax was within an acceptable range.
But having to empty their pockets was displeasing to anyone. Naturally, some complaints were unavoidable.
After grumbling, they still had to prepare the grain or money to hand over, waiting for Tie Niu and the government officials to collect from each household.
In truth, no matter which emperor came and went, taxes were an annual certainty. 𝓷ℴ𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝒸𝓸𝓶
The new dynasty had been established for only forty years, and the main goal was for the common people to recuperate and procreate. The tax wasn’t considered high; they could still get by and have full meals, and with that, they were content.
After learning this news, the relationship between Tan Zhengyuan and Widow Xu became even tenser.
They hadn’t even made it home when they began to quarrel.
A month had passed since Widow Xu’s miscarriage, and she was already fit as a fiddle.
Tan Zhengyuan still wore a splint on his arm, putting him at a disadvantage in terms of intimidation.
The reason for their dispute was that Tan Zhengyuan instructed Widow Xu to figure out a way to pay the tax, declaring that no one was allowed to touch the rice he brought back.
"Tan Zhengyuan, if you don’t give me the rice, I will accuse you of coercion!" Widow Xu said angrily.
Damn it, the land belonged to her dead husband, so how did it fall on Tan Zhengyuan to claim the crops?
Wasn’t he afraid of ghosts knocking on his door at midnight?
Tan Zhengyuan snorted lightly, "Many people saw with their own eyes that you willingly followed me home. My mother didn’t let you enter the house, and you were shamelessly insistent. Have you forgotten?"
Thinking back to that scene, he felt even more disdain for Widow Xu.
There was no good in cheap goods, and Widow Xu, who threw herself at him, was even worse.
"The truth depends entirely on my word. Just wait for the village chief to throw you in prison!" Widow Xu spoken venomously.
Tan Zhengyuan was utterly unconcerned, "If that happens, you won’t get away either. If you’re not afraid, then go ahead."
"I’ve been sick of living, and now that you’ve taken my rice, I don’t even have a way to survive. I might as well die earlier," Widow Xu declared resolutely.
After all, she wouldn’t be at a loss - she had someone to take the fall with her.
A chill ran down Tan Zhengyuan’s spine; this damned woman was ruthless!
"What exactly do you want?" Tan Zhengyuan asked, a hint of fear in his voice.
Widow Xu’s lips curled slightly, "Give me one thousand and five hundred catties of rice and compensate me with ten taels of silver. After that, I will no longer bother you."
Being with a man like Tan Zhengyuan, she was better off living in her own courtyard.
At least there, she could enjoy some peace and quiet, free from constant mockery and scorn.
"Have you no shame? You committed adultery, lost your son, and the Tan Family cared for you after your confinement. We have been more than generous, and now you dare to extort me?"
Tan Zhengyuan was truly infuriated, his voice growing louder.
Many onlookers sent glances filled with gossip and whispered among themselves in hushed tones.
Both parties were oblivious to the others; the only thing in their eyes now was their own self-interest.
Mocking him, Widow Xu spat, "Tell me honestly, who took care of whom? Look at you, that ghastly appearance, having no silver, and your ding-ding is as tiny as an embroidery needle. What kind of man are you? You deserve to be cuckolded!"
