Jiang Sheng had always thought that the ten cents per pound of pork in the county town was two cents more expensive than the eight cents per pound of pork in the town to cover the stall fees, which was already outrageous.
It wasn't until she casually asked at the prefecture city market that she found out pork in Anshui Prefecture actually cost fifteen cents per pound.
Jiang Sheng was about to desperately perform CPR as her eyes were full of question marks. "Is this for real? Is it really that much more expensive? Can I bring pork from the county town to sell in the prefecture city?"
A pure one-third profit margin, who wouldn't be tempted?
True to being the little girl who did business with Zheng Ruqian, her first reaction was making money.
But Xu Mo poured cold water on her enthusiasm. "Do you know why prices are so high in the prefecture city? It's because all the delivery people have to pay a certain amount of fees coming in and out, which is paying taxes. The goods that came in at eight cents have to be sold at ten cents just to break even after taxes, plus other labor costs, etc., so it becomes fifteen cents."
Jiang Sheng was dumbfounded.
Her dream of a one-third pure profit evaporated.
"Why doesn't Xiaoyang County need to pay taxes?" Jiang Sheng couldn't help asking.
"Because..." Xu Mo's face darkened, "Because the caring county magistrate Xu exempted Xieyang County from some taxes."
Taxes were revised every three years, and it just happened to expire at the end of March.
Could those merchants who were used to going in and out of the city gates without paying taxes really accept the sudden five percent tax increase?
Xu Mo chuckled lowly, missing the past.
The siblings left the inn and walked through the market to the front of the prefecture government.
Compared to the few people at the county government gates, the prefecture government gates were much more lively.
There was someone coming to mediate a quarrel, someone coming to angrily file complaints, and some were sobbing and pulling at each other at the gates.
After observing for a while, Jiang Sheng concluded, "Indeed, more people means more lively."
Xu Mo didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
How could they compare? It was clearly because the Xieyang county magistrate was incompetent, and the people knew complaining was useless, so they simply didn't come.
When former county magistrate Xu was in office, the county government gates were also flooded with people, and petty matters were all heard in the grand hall.
Xu Mo chuckled lowly, missing the past.
At this moment, a large group of people suddenly came to the prefecture government gates.
First, the people with petty matters were diverted away. Then, more than ten yamen runners stood on both sides, as if welcoming someone.
"Could it be the prefectural governor is here?" Jiang Sheng widened her eyes excitedly to watch.
Sure enough, a sedan chair carried by four sturdy men gently landed in the distance.
But the person who emerged after lifting the curtain was not the majestic prefectural governor they had imagined, but a...lady.
"Could the prefectural governor be a woman?" Jiang Sheng was very curious.
Xu Mo patted the two little buns on top of her head. "No."
But he didn't recognize who she was either, so he could only watch carefully.
Because of this, they didn't see Fang Heng nearby, whose expression suddenly changed dramatically, and took slow steps back.
He didn't stop until he was curled up in a corner where not even his hair could be seen, before he started breathing heavily.
At this time, a scholar also walked out of the prefecture yamen, respectfully saying, "Madam Wang has arrived, what a rare guest."
The woman who got out of the sedan chair was about thirty years old, with delicate features and proper make-up, dressed typically like a noble lady of the prefecture city. Her every move was full of arrogance.
She slightly raised her long sleeve to cover half her face, smiled lightly, and then said, "I'm here to inquire about the whereabouts of my useless nephew. Have you found him?"
The scholar sighed and shook his head, "There is still no trace of Young Master Fang. It is the incompetence of the yamen that we have been unable to find Young Master Fang's whereabouts. Please forgive us, Madam."
Madam Wang's expression visibly fell, but she quickly composed herself. "Anyway, I have to thank the yamen for helping. He is the only child of my pitiful younger sister..."
The two talked as they entered the yamen.
The sedan chair carriers retreated into an alley to quietly wait.
Jiang Sheng was a little disappointed. "It wasn't the prefectural governor."
"The prefectural governor is busy with ten thousand things every day. How could he possibly come to handle everything himself? Most things are handled by the scholar on his behalf." Xu Mo looked nostalgic. People like former county magistrate Xu who worked diligently were rare.
Even with Xieyang County's small population, county magistrate Xu worked from early morning to late night before returning home, often until very late.
"Then how can we get the prefectural governor to personally preside over the trial?" Jiang Sheng asked again.
Xu Mo fell silent.
Chang Yan beside him softly uttered two words, "Block the road."
Only this way could they talk face to face with the prefectural governor themselves, and only this could cause enough of a commotion.
"Are you ready?" Chang Yan murmured.
Xu Mo had no hesitation and nodded together with Wen Zhiyun.
The former was ready to be beaten, while the latter was ready to save people.
Chang Yan nodded. "Alright, let's observe the whereabouts of the Anshui prefect these next few days."
After saying that, he turned around and saw Fang Heng curled up in the corner.
In his impression, third brother had always been upright and sturdy.
Martial arts training since childhood made him much taller than the twelve-year-old Xu Mo by ten years old, and his posture was never hunched, always straight.
He always held a long stick, ready to hunt like a cheetah about to capture prey.
But at this moment, Fang Heng was curled up in the corner, pale, hunched over. If not for his still neat clothes, he would have looked like a starving little beggar who hadn't eaten for ten days.
"Third brother." Jiang Sheng was startled. "Do you have diarrhea again?"
Wen Zhiyun hurriedly took his pulse. After a long while, he retracted his hand. "No, it's...panic caused by mental discomposure."
This kind of pulse usually only appears when worried or afraid.
The whole family was very concerned and gathered around him.
"Third brother, what's wrong? Tell us if you're uncomfortable." Jiang Sheng said.
"If little third brother feels unwell, we'll go back." This was Xu Mo.
"If third brother is upset, just cry it out." This was Chang Yan.
Fang Heng's pupils gradually focused, his soul gradually returned, and he looked left and right before looking at his family. His usually tough face suddenly showed a trace of terror.
"I...I just saw..."
He choked up.
Jiang Sheng immediately rushed over to pat his back. "Third brother, don't be afraid. We're all here. Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Even if it's a cesspool, I'll go in with you."
Wen Zhiyun pursed his lips and solemnly nodded along.
Chang Yan and Xu Mo beside them twitched their mouths, not knowing whether to chime in agreement or be exasperated.
Fortunately, the little girl's unique warmth alleviated Fang Heng's terror.
Recalling those dark days, he finally mustered up the courage to choke out, "I just saw...the person who locked me up for half a year.
"She's actually...still looking for me."
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