"The authorities are going to raise taxes. Since village schools are being established everywhere, the court plans to levy a 'Village School Tax.'"
"Where did you hear that? Wasn't it said that from now on there would only be a one-in-ten agricultural tax, with all other taxes and labor service abolished?"
"My wife's younger brother's maternal grandmother's family's third uncle's grandson works for the Liu Family in the city. He heard the Liu Family members saying it privately, so there's no mistake." The middle-aged man deliberately lowered his voice and glanced around, as though afraid someone might notice him. Only then did he continue, "Just think about it. Why else would the authorities say they're starting village schools? Establishing so many schools requires books and teachers to instruct the students. All of that costs money. Do you really think a few hundred coins would be enough to open a school?"
"If they don't levy taxes, where will the money for all that come from?"
An old farmer carrying a hoe said anxiously, "This, this, this isn't what they promised. Wasn't it supposed to be one tax in ten? How can they change it just like that? The land rent has already risen to four in ten this year. If the court raises taxes again, then, then we won't be able to survive."
"Reducing it to one in ten was nothing more than buying people's loyalty. Now that things are peaceful, of course they'll raise the taxes. When has it ever been otherwise? I'd say they'll probably think of some other tax to add in the future."
Conversations like this were taking place everywhere in Jizhou, and even throughout the entirety of Liu Bei's domain. The great families used their influence, which reached down to the most basic levels, to spread