Chapter 12: The Grain Tax Incident
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Zhao Mang paid no heed to the words, simply pressing forward in silence. Threats from Jiang Shan held no sway over him. It was only when Jiang Shan mentioned that his sister was in their hands that Zhao Mang finally turned to look at him. Narrowing his eyes, he fixed his gaze on Jiang Shan.
“What do you mean?”
Jiang Shan wore a smug expression. “What do I mean? Obviously, I mean exactly what I say. You’d better come quietly with me to the Camp Land Office.”
“The Zhao family has been delinquent in paying the grain tax for too long. That’ll land you all in prison.”
“Do you think you can run?”
Zhao Mang knew the Zhang family matter wouldn’t end so soon, but he hadn’t expected it to come this quickly. Suppressing his urge to kill on the spot, he followed Jiang Shan to the Camp Land Office.
Inside the office, the Zhao family members had long since been seized by Wu Zhuo’s men. All knelt inside the main hall.
Madam Li watched as Zhao Mang barged into the office and immediately began to wail, “Mang, where did you put the silver for the grain tax?”
“Yesterday you said you were going to pay it, didn’t you?”
Zhao Mang ignored Madam Li’s baseless chatter and glanced around. His sister was nowhere to be seen.
Frowning, he asked coldly, “Where is Qin Zhenzhen?”
Hearing this, Jiang Shan shouted angrily, “How dare you, soldier! Kneel down at once. The Camp Land Official is speaking to you!”
“This isn’t your place to be so arrogant.”
Li Huai’an at the table didn’t even look up, continuing to deal with the paperwork in front of him.
Wu Zhuo stepped forward and slowly spoke, “West City, Jiumu Village, Zhao family—fifty acres of fertile land, tax due: five taels of silver.”
Zhao Mang was immediately irritated. “Our Zhao family only has fifty acres of land. Why is the grain tax five taels of silver?”
Li Huai’an finally looked up at Zhao Mang. Wu Zhuo immediately caught on.
“Five taels is five taels—this is not up for debate.”
“If the Zhao family cannot pay the grain tax, then everyone goes to prison.”
Hearing such a severe punishment, Madam Li burst into a rage, and the Zhao family members grew anxious.
“Mang, you’d better bring out the money.” Madam Li cried.
“How can you stand by and let this whole family suffer for you?”
Second Madam Xiao joined in, “Yes, Mang, you can’t just watch us die like this.”
“Zhenzhen is still in their hands.”
Her sharp words struck Zhao Mang’s sore spot. Hearing their shameless accusations disgusted him beyond words. Unable to bear it any longer, he decided he would no longer hold back.
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His rage uncontrollable, he slapped Madam Li hard across the face.
“Where did you put the money for my land? Where did the grain harvest for this year go?” he shouted.
“And where did the money from selling the daughter go a few days ago?”
“Now you come here whining about poverty? Have you lost your mind?”
Madam Li, struck by the slap, seemed to break down and blurted out, “Sold it! Sold it all! What land do you have left? It’s all been sold to the traders.”
“Your little patch of land isn’t even enough for our eldest brother’s daily needs. Your fourth house sacrificed two people, didn’t they?”
“Why should we support so many of you?”
The Zhao family members were shocked beyond belief by Madam Li’s reckless confession, which made no sense at all. They were also stunned that Zhao Mang would strike their Madam Li, utterly disregarding morality and propriety.
But since they were all tied to the Zhao family, they came forward to reproach Zhao Mang. The hall erupted into chaos.
Li Huai’an at the table frowned in impatience. Wu Zhuo understood immediately and shouted angrily, “What’s all this noise for? This is an official office, not your home.”
“If you can’t pay the silver, you’ll go to prison immediately.”
“Guards! Take the Zhao family members to jail.”
Zhao Mang was already disgusted and distressed by his family’s behavior. As the officials continued their babbling, his anger flared.
He stepped forward and slapped Wu Zhuo’s face hard. Wu Zhuo felt a tremendous force, his head snapped to the side, and blood sprayed from his mouth, landing on Li Huai’an’s paperwork.
Not satisfied with just one strike, Zhao Mang strode over to Li Huai’an and grabbed him like a chick. Li Huai’an was utterly caught off guard—he was not used to such treatment—and could no longer remain as still as a mountain.
He had not expected Zhao Mang to be so reckless as to assault him, an official. But Zhao Mang was like a cornered beast.
Zhao Mang threatened, “Hand over my sister, or I’ll break your throat.”
A furious man spitting blood, wearing a mask—no one would be spared.
Zhao Mang no longer cared about rules. After killing Zhang Mo, he had become more unrestrained.
Pressing harder, Li Huai’an gasped in pain and quickly begged, “Young brother, please wait! Don’t be so reckless.”
“That’s how you get your sister brought here!”
Zhao Mang watched as Li Huai’an’s face swiftly changed.
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He was amused by the sight.
Below in the hall, Jiang Shan and Wu Zhuo were flustered, “Zhao Mang, you reckless fool! How dare you attack an imperial official?”
Li Huai’an turned to Wu Zhuo and loudly ordered, “What are you waiting for? Bring this young brother’s sister here at once.”
“Can’t you read the situation?”
Then he turned to Zhao Mang and tried to soothe him, “Young brother, be careful with your actions. She’ll be here in a moment.”
The Zhao family members below were already terrified. The Camp Land Official was a high-ranking officer they could only look up to. Zhao Mang’s offense was beyond anything they understood.
They cowered in corners, silent.
Within half a cup of tea’s time, Qin Zhenzhen was brought before the hall. Fortunately, they had not harmed her excessively; otherwise, Zhao Mang might have left the entire Camp Land Office a scene of carnage.
Zhao Mang was furious. He had only been out one night, and his sister was nearly lost again. He had truly had enough of this so-called family. If he could get free, he would split from them for good.
Just as Zhao Mang was about to use Li Huai’an to escape, Xiao Han arrived with the battalion commander, Zhao Wuji.
Zhao Wuji was short, with a triangular face, prominent cheekbones, and a distinctive mustache that made him look sharp and clever. The two entered leisurely.
Zhao Wuji spoke in a familiar tone, “Zhao Mang, didn’t I tell you to join the barracks already? How come you’re here instead?”
“Could it be the Camp Land Official bribed you to work under him?”
Hearing this, Zhao Mang regained some composure and released Li Huai’an. He walked over to Zhao Wuji and said calmly, “No, it’s mainly that the Camp Land Official came looking for the Zhao family members. It has nothing to do with me.”
Then he called to Qin Zhenzhen, “Sister, come here.”
Li Huai’an’s men hurriedly released Qin Zhenzhen.
Once Zhao Mang let go, Li Huai’an resumed his usual calm demeanor. Hearing Zhao Mang’s explanation, Li Huai’an took the opportunity to back down gracefully.
“Battalion Commander Zhao, what you say is fair. I have no habit of taking what belongs to others.”
“If she’s under your command, then you may take her.”
“But the Zhao family’s grain tax must still be paid. Zhao Mang is not responsible; to whom should I claim? How should I report to my superiors?”
“Besides, how could I manage the land of the soldiers under me?”
At this moment, Xiao Han, quietly standing aside, took out a document from his bosom. Holding it high, he loudly declared, “The document confirming Zhao Mang’s separation from the Zhao family has already been drawn up.”
“The grain tax of the Zhao family should be the responsibility of the Zhao family members, not someone else.”
“Moreover, Zhao Mang is already the squad leader of the beacon tower at Dunzi Peak in West City. Naturally, he is exempt from taxation.”
“The Zhao family’s accusations against him are utterly baseless!”
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