Wang Shouzhe's father-in-law, Liu Gaowang, shot him a sharp look.
Though you have good relations with people from the Academy, how could Ping'an Town possibly absorb forty thousand people all at once?
Chen Dewei of the Donggang Chen Clan also looked at Wang Shouzhe with some concern. Ping'an Town's total population was only forty thousand now, wasn't it?
Fang You'an looked deeply at Wang Shouzhe, a trace of emotion in his eyes. "Junior Brother Shouzhe, I have seen your determination to solve this problem. But forty thousand people are simply too many. We can still think of other solutions."
Fang You'an had come this time to undertake a major assignment. As the Chief Inspector, if he failed to oversee the disaster relief properly, it would affect his future prospects. How could Wang Shouzhe's cooperation not move him?
"Senior Brother You'an, if there is a problem, it must be solved." Wang Shouzhe said solemnly, "Over the past two years, our Wang Clan has stored some grain. If we purchase more from elsewhere, we can barely sustain forty thousand refugees for a year or two. It just so happens that Ping'an Town needs to dredge its waterways and reinforce its riverbanks during those one or two years. Overall, our territory is still short of manpower."
"Good. Since Junior Brother Shouzhe has such resolve," Fang You'an said, "I will run around on your behalf and strive to exempt Ping'an Town from taxes for three years. Junior Brother may collect the full tax as usual and keep it for your own use." Since he had spoken of this, he naturally had some confidence in making it happen. It was also a way of repaying a peach with a plum.
"Thank you, Senior Brother You'an." Wang Shouzhe cupped his hands in apology.
"What spirit, what