I turned the cold palace into a paradise

Chapter 159 Tax Refund 2

Koi County.

County Magistrate Song couldn't help shuddering when he got off the carriage. Normally at this time of day he should be drinking wine and burning silver charcoal in the county government office.

Now he is forced to give gifts to the peasants. If he were to say, this rebellious Prince Yue is sick! He has money but doesn't enjoy it himself. He even has to refund taxes and give gifts to the peasants. He really has money to burn!

Led by the village head, Cherry County Magistrate Song and others began to visit every household.

The first house we visited was the one the village head said was the poorest family in the village. The man had died, leaving behind a sick old mother and a wife and daughter.

Cherry and her companions knocked on the door, but no one responded, so they pushed open the gate and walked in.

There was a violent coughing sound from inside the house, and the woman's anxious questioning voice: "Mom, what's wrong with you? Don't scare me!"

"Ahem... ahem! It's okay, kid. It's an old problem. It's better for him to die. When the time comes, you don't have to stay here. Take Xiaobao and find a good family to marry... It's my son and I who are unlucky... and he's also a burden to you and your mother!"

"Mom! Don't say that... Xiaobao and I can't live without you!"

"Grandma...don't go! Don't go! Wuuuuuuuuu..." A child seemed frightened and cried.

"Li, please sell the coffin I prepared. Use the money to buy some food to get through the winter... When I'm gone, just roll me up in a blanket and dig a grave."

"Mom... don't say that! If I hadn't paid the tax, I wouldn't have ended up like this... Oh my God! Open your eyes and look at the world! Wuuwuwu..."

From the room came the sound of a woman crying in despair, a child crying in fear, and an old man sighing.

Cherry glared at Magistrate Song fiercely.

County Magistrate Song touched his nose with a guilty conscience. What? I am also following orders...

Cherry was afraid that something bad might happen to the person inside, so she knocked on the door quickly: "Is anyone inside?"

The crying inside stopped, and the woman responded with sobs: "Who is it?"

"From the county government."

All the noise inside stopped abruptly. Then the door opened, and the woman saw that the county magistrate had come to her house in person. She felt that this matter was not a small matter, so she knelt on the ground and said in despair: "Sir County Magistrate! We really don't have any money left. If you want to take it, take my life!!"

"No! Take my life! Cough cough! I don't want to live anymore!" The old woman also coughed and struggled to get up.

Yingtao quickly helped the woman up and said, "We don't want anyone's life. You misunderstood. We are here today to return your money."

"Refund... refund?"

The woman looked at Magistrate Song in disbelief, then quickly lowered her head.

"What are you waiting for! Hurry and move your things in!"

The woman watched the officers carry two bags of rice and a quilt into the house.

I stood there in a daze for a moment.

"The Chengnan Prefecture has a new prefect. The new prefect, Master Yue, has asked every county government to return the pre-tax money collected to everyone, and also give you some things for the winter." He said as he opened the booklet.

"Little sister Yang...your family paid 800 coins in taxes. Now I will return the money to you. County magistrate, please count the money!"

"Oh! Okay!" County Magistrate Song came to his senses, took the money from his subordinate, counted out 200 coins for himself, and handed the rest to the woman.

"The old lady is sick, right? County Magistrate Song heard it outside the door just now, and he said that he would give you another two taels of silver so that you can see a doctor!" After saying this, he looked at County Magistrate Song with a forced smile.

County Magistrate Song almost vomited blood. Looking at Yingtao's threatening eyes, he quickly forced a smile, took out two taels of silver from his purse and handed it to the old woman reluctantly: "Yes, you, take good care of yourself and see a doctor!" Woo woo woo... his heart was bleeding.

"This...how can this be possible?" The old woman didn't dare to answer.

"You should accept the good intentions of the county magistrate! By the way, the prefect also said that there will be a three-year tax exemption starting now, so don't worry, live well and raise your children well!"

"Really...really?"

"Of course, notices will be posted in the next two days," said County Magistrate Song.

Seeing that County Magistrate Song admitted it himself, the woman and the old woman immediately burst into tears and knelt down to them again: "Thank you, Mr. Prefect, thank you, Mr. County Magistrate! You have saved the lives of our entire family..."

This time, County Magistrate Song also knew to step forward and help them. Then he said goodbye to them. Unexpectedly, as soon as he walked out of the yard, the old lady came out tremblingly with something in her hand.

"Ma'am, why did you come out?"

"My Lord County Magistrate, young lady, and the officer, you have worked hard in this heavy snow. Our family doesn't have much, and we don't know how to repay you. This is the lunch we made at home that we haven't eaten yet. Take a couple of bites. At least it's warm..." He said as he handed them two black pancakes somewhat embarrassedly.

"There's nothing left at home. This is all I have. It's not enough for me to share..."

"It's okay, we're not hungry." The officers waved their hands quickly.

Yingtao thought that County Magistrate Song would not accept them, and was about to take both cakes away, but County Magistrate Song took one cake and thanked him.

I couldn't help but be a little surprised, and took another pancake. I took a bite and said, "Yes, it's still quite hot! I just haven't eaten yet. Thank you, grandma! Okay, you should go back quickly. Look, your daughter-in-law is here to pick you up."

"Okay, okay! County magistrate, young lady, officer, please be careful on the road."

Cherry was afraid that they would stay outside, so she and County Magistrate Song quickly got on the carriage.

I saw County Magistrate Song holding the cake and still in a daze.

He then asked, "Are you not used to the food? That's right, how could you officials ..."

Before he finished speaking, County Magistrate Song put the cake to his mouth and took a bite. He finished it in two or three bites.

"Let's go to the next one." County Magistrate Song said outside.

After saying that, he turned and looked at Cherry.

Cherry also met his eyes, and then a smile appeared at the corner of her lips...