After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 790 - 780: The Calamity of the Clan

"Commander, the officials from the prominent families in Yun City are not short of money. The food and wine you consider excellent are ordinary to them because they often have access to it. Compared to Gou Daojiang’s expenses, they won’t think you are showing much sincerity."

In their eyes, Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi are considered similar figures. They don’t understand Zhao Hanzhang’s daily life and thus use Gou Xi’s lifestyle as a reference.

Zhao Hanzhang thought that spending a lot of money to invite them to dine was flattering, but they just saw it as a simple meal.

Therefore, pursuing elegance is better than pursuing extravagance.

Ming Yu bluntly said, "Commander, you are now the third person in Great Jin, beneath only Your Majesty and Gou Xi. So whatever you personally present, if you claim it’s priceless, then it is priceless."

Zhao Hanzhang understood, "Therefore, the tea I brought is rare and valuable, the tea sets I present are hard to come by and also priceless, the osmanthus cake is common yet elegant, and the peach blossoms have a rustic charm."

Ming Yu nodded with a smile, "Exactly."

Zhao Hanzhang was appreciative, "Impressive, Mr. Ming truly knows how to economize."

The two exchanged glances, both smiling cunningly like foxes.

Ting He hurriedly entered, bowed, and reported, "My lady, Tan Shen and Zheng Xiao, whom you encountered at the General’s Mansion this morning, have sent a message and are now at the gate."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and nodded, "Invite them in. I’ll meet them here at Mr. Ming’s place."

Ting He acknowledged and left.

Zhao Hanzhang explained to Ming Yu, "I went to the General’s Mansion today and coincidentally found them both seeking an audience with the General. They appeared weary, as if troubled by something."

Ming Yu said, "Commander, this is Yun City. I know you have a kind heart, but you should be cautious. Not everyone seeking refuge carries sincere intentions."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "That’s why I need Mr. Ming to help me discern."

Ting He brought in two middle-aged men, who, upon entering the room, knelt without Zhao Hanzhang even speaking, touching their foreheads to their hands in a respectful bow, saying, "Greetings, Inspector."

Zhao Hanzhang was taken aback for a moment and quickly said, "Please, rise. Sit and speak."

This is the Jin Dynasty, where the kneeling ceremony is a heavy etiquette reserved for the monarch, parents, and deeply respected elders; generally, it’s not practiced otherwise.

However, Tan Shen and Zheng Xiao did not rise. Instead, they lifted their heads, keeping their legs together, bodies leaning back, and hands on their knees, thus remaining kneeling.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Ming Yu, indicating the seat opposite her, "Come, sit here. It’s closer for conversation."

Tan Shen and Zheng Xiao exchanged a look and then stood, respectfully kneeling on the seating opposite her.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t waste words, saying directly, "Please speak."

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang ask them to state their case without any suspicion, both men’s eyes brimmed with tears, filled with a bittersweet emotion, deeply moved by why they hadn’t met Zhao Hanzhang earlier.

Tan Shen steadied his emotions before speaking, "Inspector, I am Tan Shen, from Luo’an County in Luo’an. Our Tan Family is a small clan in Luo’an; our ancestors left us with some resources, enabling us to maintain fields for educational purposes, allowing family members to become literate, but that’s all."

His face flushed with embarrassment, yet he continued, "Our Tan Family descends from horse slaves; our ancestors were stable hands in Emperor Heng’s times, later gaining freedom and, by chance, ended up in Luo’an County, working in the county government stables. Because of such origins, our family members have never been graded for official service. During the grading banquet, even minor officials wouldn’t see us, let alone mid-level or major officials."

"Hence, the most accomplished among us is my cousin Tan Jian, who works as a clerk in the county government, an ungraded position. Because of his good work, the County Magistrate promised him the Chief Clerk’s position once it became vacant," Tan Shen continued, "To secure this, his family spent heavily, nearly depleting their resources, so the clan took it upon themselves to handle the matter."

"We spent over 2,600,000 coins to finally secure the Chief Clerk position. However, as soon as he assumed office, additional taxes were imposed, where each citizen had to pay ninety-eight more cents this year than last for each person in the household, meaning a family of five had to pay an additional four hundred ninety cents. Most families have more than just this number of members."

"This tax is too burdensome for the people; they simply can’t bear it. Tan Jian proposed to the County Magistrate to petition for reducing this portion of taxes." With reddened eyes, Tan Shen said, "But these three taxes were personally ordered by the Inspector. How could the County Magistrate dare petition?"

"The county staff demanded village chiefs collect the taxes. I, Tan, unworthy as I am, am one such village chief. Among my governed households, some resorted to selling daughters, some packed up and left overnight, while two families, with no way out, committed suicide together..." Tan Shen said, "These are all fellow villagers, many of whom are relatives by blood or marriage. There was no choice but to prepay for them."

"Our village passed the checkpoint, but what about other places? I am only a village chief and cannot oversee beyond my domain, but Tan Jian, as the Chief Clerk, cannot turn a blind eye."

"He finally persuaded the County Magistrate to seek the Prefectural Governor, who was also reluctant to offend the Inspector and refused to waive the taxes. During that time, the Inspector happened to be hunting near Luo’an County, so the County Magistrate, with Tan Jian, went to find the Inspector. Yet, neither returned from that trip."

Tan Shen wept, "The Inspector somehow heard about me prepaying taxes for the villagers, accused us of hypocrisy and treachery, and sought to confiscate our Tan Family’s property. We eventually depleted our wealth, bribed the people around the Inspector to speak on our behalf, and presented treasures to convince the Inspector that we weren’t prepaying the taxes but rather loaning the money to the villagers at high interest, not seeking favor."

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but grind her teeth and asked, "And then?"

Tan Shen gave a bitter smile and replied, "Governor Wang and Governor Liu attacked Qingzhou, and rebellions arose everywhere in Qingzhou. The Inspector retreated to Luo’an County, certain our Tan Family would also rebel. So he sent troops to surround us, intending to eliminate us as rebels."

Zhao Hanzhang’s face was now expressionless as she asked, "How did you survive?"

"I gave the Tan Family’s lands, houses, and businesses to him. In addition, as the Tan Family had two trade routes and three merchant fleets constantly making profits, we were ’granted amnesty.’ However, the Inspector forbade us from living in Luo’an anymore, relocating my entire clan to Yun City."

Tan Shen said, "On the way, whenever we encountered enemy forces and chaos erupted, we’d seize the chance to flee. But because of our number, we couldn’t escape together. In the process of splitting up, about half escaped, though their fates remain unknown. Of the remainder, aside from those who died on the way due to war or illness, eighty-two people reached Yun City with the Inspector."

"Originally, I wanted to plead with the Great General to permit us to return to our home in Luo’an," Tan Shen solemnly bowed, "but now, I wish to beg Inspector Zhao for mercy, allowing us to resettle in Yu State."