After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 695 - 687: The Benefits of Being Good-Looking

Chapter 695: Chapter 687: The Benefits of Being Good-Looking

Zhang Xie readily had someone move money and grain to pay taxes, but Xiahou Yan remained motionless. Seeing Fu Tinghan’s calm demeanor, he asked, "Mr. Fu, what if I just refuse to pay?"

Fu Tinghan said, "I would have no solution."

Xiahou Yan sneered, "So these laws are meant for honest people like Jingyang? If we pay, it harms our wealth, but if we don’t, we aren’t harmed either? I thought Lord Zhao would send troops to capture and kill those of us who refuse to pay."

Fu Tinghan replied, "Embezzling taxes on a large scale can indeed lead to execution, but considering Mr. Xiahou’s current wealth, you won’t reach that threshold even if you’re indebted for a lifetime."

Zhang Xie also became curious, "Is there nothing the government can do about those who owe taxes?"

Fu Tinghan smiled, "That’s not the case. According to the law, the government will issue requests and reminders. Today’s visit is merely a request. If the homeowner still doesn’t pay, the government will send a formal notice as a reminder, and if they still don’t pay, they will be reminded again."

Zhang Xie asked, "What if they still refuse to pay?"

"Then they will be listed as untrustworthy individuals. Their name will be posted publicly, and they will face difficulties in obtaining government approval for property, land, and various trade qualifications. In severe cases, their passage might be blocked, and if resistance persists, they might be imprisoned," Fu Tinghan said. "However, this entire process takes three to five years, allowing ample time for them to consider and arrange their taxes. Lord Zhao remains quite tolerant and generous." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Xiahou Yan clutched his chest. What tolerance and generosity? He barely heard anything after the first statement, "They will post notices to inform the world."

As scholars, who doesn’t care about reputation?

Even if one isn’t a scholar, no gentleman of this era disregards reputation, and merchants value their credibility immensely. If labeled untrustworthy, how could they face living in this world?

This is a figurative assassination!

Xiahou Yan stamped his feet, exclaiming, "Zhao Hanzhang is killing me!"

Like Xiahou Yan, many paid their full taxes directly due to fear of this law, yet some didn’t even need a visit to be reminded of the law.

Upon seeing Wei Jie humbly sitting with lowered eyes, when he began to speak, the other party accepted immediately, without even checking the bill, instructing their family to prepare money and grain according to Wei Jie’s reported figures.

Who would let someone like Wei Jie mention money and grain, which they considered foul-smelling matters?

Thus, Wei Jie’s efficiency in collecting dues was exceptionally high.

Zhao Erlang and others were slightly less efficient, but those who visited saw their young and handsome faces and, despite being displeased, refrained from angry outbursts.

The old clerks who followed behind Zhao Erlang and others to tally records couldn’t help but secretly shed tears.

When they went to collect taxes, it was common not to see the homeowner, let alone withstand verbal abuse. Even if their words were the same, was it merely because they lacked status?

This time, they sent interns from the Imperial College, young lads and ladies who were merely clerks in the county government, yet all were good-looking.

Old clerks scanned the faces of those sent for collection and felt a pang of sorrow, so it was all about appearances?

That evening, taxes overdue by more than a month were collected nearly completely, and Zhao Hanzhang nodded in satisfaction. "Indeed, this era highly values appearances."

Throughout the historical records of each dynasty, nearly every significant figure had descriptions of their looks, especially during the Wei Jin period, where descriptions were more frequent and specific.

In certain dynasties, some individuals who were awarded noble titles or ministerial positions might lack descriptions of their appearance. But in Wei Jin, even those with minor fame had extensive introductions to their looks.

She privately tallied that nearly everyone awarded an official position or title was attractive.

Currently working under her, Wang Xing’s appearance was just average.

This average isn’t to say he’s ugly, but he looks like an ordinary person. His father, Wang Rong, disliked him intensely. During this time, Zhao Hanzhang observed Wang Xing handling affairs and found him practical, though lacking literary talent, he was proficient in managing people.

Such a person was so despised by his father? Clearly, it was because he wasn’t attractive enough.

Imagine if he had Wei Jie’s appearance, even without poetic talent, being from a lesser lineage, he wouldn’t have been despised by his father so.

How much does Wang Rong despise him?

He had only two sons. The eldest son died at nineteen due to his behavior, leaving only the illegitimate Wang Xing. Yet, he preferred Wang Xing to be adopted by his deceased brother and chose an heir from clan relatives to inherit his estate, rather than having his biological son do so.

Zhao Hanzhang, now curious, whispered to Wang Si Niang, "Is this cousin of yours not from your uncle?"

Wang Si Niang lowered her voice, "Of course he is. Although cousin Xing is ordinary in appearance, his eyes are particularly striking, instantly recognizable as Wang Family lineage. His mother was exceptionally beautiful."

"How did he end up like this?" Zhao Hanzhang asked, "I haven’t seen your uncle’s young appearance, but as one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, his beauty is renowned."

Wang Si Niang’s eyes lit up, pulling her along, "I was also curious about this as a child and secretly asked my brother, who then took me to meet cousin Xing’s maternal uncle."

Zhao Hanzhang: "And?"

"Cousin Xing somewhat resembles him," Wang Si Niang sighed. "His mother, Mrs. Qiao, came from a rural background and after joining the Wang Family, her entire family depended on her. Thus, my uncle looked down on them, leading to his disdain for cousin Xing."

"I used to think my uncle wasn’t wrong, believing the Qiao family, relying on a daughter making a living as a concubine, lacked dignity and was beneath notice. But after witnessing countless plights and separations during this great disaster, I realized their actions were undignified, yet what choice did they have as life’s burden engulfed them?"

"If he despised the Qiao family, why keep them nearby, seeing them as eyesores?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "It would be better to set up farmland for them in the countryside, spare some money so they can be independent and live well. Wang Xing would be less influenced and the father-son relationship would not be so despicable."

Wang Si Niang softly hummed, "My uncle is too miserly to do that."

Once again, Wang Hufeng, who had lowered his eyes as if he couldn’t hear, coughed heavily.

Wang Si Niang sat up straight, no longer leaning against Zhao Hanzhang.

Wang Hufeng lifted his gaze towards Zhao Hanzhang, picked up the book in his hand, and said, "Lord Zhao, the rest period is over, we should begin class."

Zhao Hanzhang felt a slight headache but nodded in agreement, "Yes, please proceed, teacher."

Zhao Hanzhang made a trip back to Chen County, where Mrs. Wang noticed her daughter’s unfamiliarity with their family lineage. Thus she brought the lineage records kept in their family shrine, instructing her to memorize them.

While she was memorizing them, Zhao Ming happened to see her.

Zhao Ming suddenly realized that Zhao Family’s past teachings to Zhao Hanzhang were lacking in many respects.