"May I ask what brings you here, Adviser Zhou?"
Wu Shuangren's time was precious. He had to train his troops, practice martial arts, and handle many other matters every day. He didn't want to sit here and waste his time with a clerk.
Zhou Zhengqing: "The head of the militia has only been in West River Market for a few months, yet he has already brought the place to order. The merchants are full of praise, and business in the market is booming day by day. When the county magistrate heard about this, he was full of praise."
Wu Shuangren looked at him but didn't reply.
Zhou Zhengqing smiled and said, "I've been working in the government for over a decade and have seen and heard of quite a few heroes. But someone like Militia Commander Wu is someone you probably can't find another like him in Xi Province or Yi Province!"
Wu Shuangren said expressionlessly, "Adviser Zhou, let's put aside the flattery for now. You've come all the way from West River County, you didn't come just to say a few words of praise to me, did you?"
Zhou Zhengqing's smile remained unchanged, and he leaned forward slightly:
"Militia Commander Wu is a straightforward person, so I won't beat around the bush either. I've come here to discuss the matter of taxation with Militia Commander Wu."
"I see."
Wu Shuangren nodded.
West River Market is under the jurisdiction of West River County. According to past practice, the West River County would send people to West River Market to collect taxes.
However, tax collection has always been a difficult task in every dynasty, and it has never been smooth sailing. Having local powerful families collect taxes on their behalf was a fairly 'mainstream' solution.
The current Wu Dynasty even has its own local militias, and local tax revenue has been largely 'outsourced' to these local militias.
In the past, when the Xie Clan Chamber of Commerce, the West River Gang, the Flying Feather Gang, and other forces were in power, the West River County always collected taxes from the four major forces, who then distributed the taxes to the merchants, laborers, and farmers below them.
This is also the open reason why the four major powers collect "fees" from various merchants, which can be described as aboveboard.
Now that West River Market has a new look, after waiting for a month, West River County finally couldn't sit still any longer and took the initiative to send people to contact Wu Shuangren.
Wu Shuangren remained expressionless and said to Zhou Zhengqing, "Adviser Zhou has come from afar, why don't you go and rest for a while?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhengqing quickly stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Thank you, Militia Commander Wu. I will take my leave then."
Wu Shuangren summoned one of his personal guards and instructed him to take Zhou Zhengqing to rest. After the guard had gone some distance, he said to another guard, "Go and fetch Chief Steward Mo and Hall Master Luo."
A moment later, Mo Zhengxing and Luo Heng arrived one after the other.
Wu Shuangren briefly repeated Zhou Zhengqing's words.
After listening, Mo Zhengxing immediately said, "Commander, West River Market route, near the dock, and is a hub for merchants, most of whom are engaged in commerce. Few people farm, so the commercial taxes here are the main source of income."
As he spoke, he gave Wu Shuangren a brief introduction to the commercial taxes of the Wu Dynasty.
Commercial taxes are divided into two types: 'transit tax' and 'residence tax'.
The transit tax was levied on goods transported back and forth, at a rate of 2% of the value; the residence tax was levied on merchants operating in a fixed location, at a rate of 3% of the value.
Merchants in West River Market cannot avoid either of these two taxes.
Wu Shuangren looked at Luo Heng: "How much tax did the Flying Feather Gang pay to the county government every month before?"
Luo Heng thought for a moment and said, "The only tax payable monthly is commercial tax. The Flying Feather Gang has the smallest territory and pays the least, about ten strings of cash per month. The West River Gang and the Xie Clan pay more, followed by the Zhang Clan. Together, the four families probably pay around sixty strings of cash in commercial tax to the county government each month."
"Sixty strings of cash."
Wu Shuangren repeated the number.
This is nothing to him now. Sixty strings of cash are just a fraction of the monthly income of the militia.
Is the group leader planning to pay this money?
Mo Zhengxing asked.
Wu Shuangren looked at him. "What do you think?"
Mo Zhengxing without hesitation, "I think we can pay. This amount of money is nothing to us now, and it's not worth causing trouble with the local government over it."
He always prioritized stability.
Wu Shuangren looked at Luo Heng: "What do you think?"
Luo Heng cupped his hands in greeting. "It's entirely up to the militia commander. Even if we don't pay, West River County can't do anything to us. Does the Zhang Clan dare to bring their militia over to fight us?"
It was common for local tyrants to collect taxes on behalf of the government and then pocket the money.
Therefore, Luo Heng did not consider this a big deal.
Wu Shuangren smiled and said, "I can pay the money, but assisting the government in collecting taxes is the job of the local militia. Since we are helping the county government of West River County fulfill the responsibilities of the militia, how can we be left without a formal title?"
Luo Heng's eyes lit up. "Does the head of the militia mean that we should take advantage of the opportunity to pay commercial taxes and ask the West River County for official recognition?"
"Right."
Wu Shuangren picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip. "As for the commercial taxes, I can even double what the West River County used to collect. But there's one thing: the West River County militia needs a change!"
After agreeing on the matter, he sent someone to invite Zhou Zhengqing over.
Zhou Zhengqing entered the council hall again and greeted the three men with great humility.
"Adviser Zhou, please have a seat."
Wu Shuangren pointed to the chair from earlier.
"I've thought about what you just said, Adviser Zhou. Regarding the tax collection, I can have someone cooperate with the county government to collect this money in West River Market. Business in West River Market is more prosperous than before, and the commercial taxes collected can be higher than before."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhengqing's face lit up with delight. He quickly stood up and bowed to Wu Shuangren, saying, "Militia Commander Wu is truly wise and understanding. On behalf of the County Magistrate, I thank you, Commander Wu!"
Wu Shuangren to interrupt him, "But I also have a condition."
Zhou Zhengqing looked up at him. "Militia Commander Wu, please speak."
Wu Shuangren: "Helping the county government collect taxes is what the militia should do. Since I've helped with this, shouldn't the county government show some appreciation?"
Zhou Zhengqing was taken aback. "Does Militia Commander Wu mean that you also want to be a commander in our West River County?"
Wu Shuangren picked up her teacup and took a sip. "Is that not allowed?"
Zhou Zhengqing looked troubled. "With Wu Tuan's talent, he's more than qualified to be the head of our West River County militia! But you're not from West River County, and you're not even from Xi Province..."
Wu Shuangren looked at him. "I am currently in Xi Province, doing business within the jurisdiction of West River County, and I also help West River County collect taxes. How can I not be considered half a West River County?"
"This..."
Zhou Zhengqing was speechless for a moment.
He was usually eloquent, but at this moment he was at a loss for words.
"These are the conditions. Go back and ask the county magistrate, and also have him discuss it with the other officials. Give us a reply as soon as possible."
Wu Shuangren said.
Zhou Zhengqing bowed again and said, "I will return to the county government immediately and convey Militia Commander Wu's message to the county magistrate and the other officials."
He was then escorted out of the city.
Inside the council hall, Mo Zhengxing habitually began to worry. "The leaders of the local militias are all locals, and the Zhang Clan has deep roots in West River County, having established their militia for over a decade. To suddenly replace a militia, or even a stranger as its leader, would be very difficult."
Wu Shuangren looked at him and laughed, "I'm asking for an exorbitant price, waiting for the other party to haggle over the price. Third Master, you're used to doing business, how come you didn't think of this?"
Mo Zhengxing suddenly realized. "So, what does the commander-in-chief mean?"
Wu Shuangren: "We can find a local to fill the position of militia leader for now, as a temporary measure. As long as we seize the title of militia leader of West River County, that's fine."
"The regimental commander is brilliant!"
Luo Heng, who was standing to the side, exclaimed in admiration.
Mo Zhengxing remained silent, staring blankly at Wu Shuangren.
A similar thing was done when Mist Hidden Temple sent Hong Fan to Bo County.
This moment is just like that moment back then.
But everything is completely different now!
103 Famous generals of the world, unparalleled Hegemon-King
When Zhou Zhengqing returned to West River County, it was already dark.
The carriage stopped at the back gate of the county government office. Zhou Zhengqing got out of the carriage, straightened his long gown, and entered the county government office through the back gate.
He didn't return to his duty room, but went straight to the back office.
Passing through two gates and around a long-dried-up pond, one could see a light on in the study of the rear office in the distance. A shadowy figure was reflected on the window paper, leaning crookedly against something.
Zhou Zhengqing walked to the door and first smelled a strong odor of alcohol wafting from under the door. He sighed and raised his hand to knock on the door.
"Come in."
The voices inside were muffled and slurred, tinged with drunkenness.
Zhou Zhengqing pushed open the door and entered. The study was dimly lit by only an oil lamp. On the table were several dishes of leftover food, a pot of wine, and a wine cup.
Guo Jiwang, the magistrate of West River County, leaned back in his chair with one leg draped over the armrest, his boots still on.
He was thirty-five years old, of medium build, with an average appearance, prominent cheekbones, a wisp of beard on his chin, and a wild and unruly air about him.
Squinting to make out who it was, Guo Jiwang grinned. "Zhengqing's back? Come, come, sit down and have a drink with me."
Zhou Zhengqing didn't sit down. He walked to the table, moved the wine pot aside, and stood opposite Guo Jiwang: "Sir, you were drinking when I left. It's been several hours."
"When you left, it was morning wine; now it's evening wine."
Guo Jiwang argued vehemently, "Morning wine is for energizing, evening wine is for health. How can they be confused?"
Zhou Zhengqing, too lazy to argue with him, cut straight to the point. "Sir, I've seen that Wu Shuangren."
Guo Jiwang poured himself another glass of wine, brought it to his lips, and drank it all in one gulp. He put the glass back on the table, sat up straighter, and put his leg down from the armrest.
Tell me.
Zhou Zhengqing sat down on the chair next to him.
"He's very young; judging from his appearance, he should indeed be seventeen this year, as the rumors say. But his speech and actions don't seem like those of a young man... I tried to flatter him, but he remained unmoved, which shows he's shrewd and calculating, a man of inner pride. Sir, I think he might not be a puppet pushed out by someone; he might be the real person in charge!"
"Oh?"
Guo Jiwang raised an eyebrow.
"The way his bodyguards and several subordinates looked at him and the way they spoke to him showed genuine respect; it didn't seem like an act."
Zhou Zhengqing recalled.
Guo Jiwang picked up the wine pot and poured himself another cup. This time he didn't drink it immediately, but held it in his hand and slowly turned it around.
"Interesting."
He said, "I originally thought this young man was just someone pushed out as a figurehead, but I never expected that he would actually be the one in charge?"
"Yes, I think so."
Zhou Zhengqing nodded in agreement.
Guo Jiwang brought the wine glass to his lips, took a sip, smacked his lips, and suddenly smiled:
"To have established such a presence at seventeen and taken over the entire West River Market, you're not much less capable than I was back then."
These words sounded arrogant, but Zhou Zhengqing found them perfectly normal.
The young man before me was already a renowned talent in the entire prefecture at the age of seventeen, even reaching the ears of the Emperor! At the age of twenty-two, he passed the imperial examination with flying colors, becoming famous throughout the capital!
In comparison, seventeen-year-old Wu Shuangren was not as stunning.
Guo Jiwang down his wine glass, looked out the window, his eyes already somewhat glazed. "I've been in West River County for five years. All I've seen are good-for-nothings and good-for-nothings who are all talk and no action, ambitious but useless. Finally, an interesting one has come along... Go on."
Zhou Zhengqing began, "When I entered the village, I saw them training in the drill ground. As instructed by the adults, I took a few more glances."
"How?"
"I saw several square formations that were perfectly aligned, both horizontally and vertically; they were indeed very neat and orderly."
Zhou Zhengqing gestured in the air with his hands, "Then they did it one movement at a time: lifting their legs, taking steps, swinging their arms... The trainers seemed to require everyone to do exactly the same thing: the height of the leg lift had to be the same, the amplitude of the arm swing had to be the same... Ultimately, the goal was to make everyone's walking movements exactly the same."
"Later I encountered several patrolling militia groups, and the way they walked was indeed like they were all cut from the same mold."
Zhou Zhengqing looked puzzled. "But I really don't understand, what's the point of training troops like this?"
Guo Jiwang's hand, holding the wine glass, remained still as he fell into thought.
Have you heard anything about the battle at West River Market?
Guo Jiwang didn't remain silent for long and changed the subject.