Drive to the Tang Dynasty, where supplies are refreshed daily!

Chapter 27: Paying Back Taxes!

Zhang Mingde sighed, "Jinniang is right. Even if we believe Xiao Ran and he's fine, what about Erniang's family?"

"If we want to take in clients, the family has to be in good standing first. My second aunt's family owes three years' worth of taxes. What are we going to do about that money?"

“The three siblings can’t afford this money, so we can’t just pay for it ourselves, can we?” Zhang Mingde said helplessly, as the amount of money was quite substantial.

Another point is that we can't start this trend. This time, we paid for Zhang Erya's family, and other families in need will definitely want Zhang Mingde to pay as well.

“Grandpa, that young man looks kind and has a good personality. More importantly, he doesn’t seem like someone who’s short of money. Why don’t we have him pay the taxes he owes?”

Zhang Mingde nodded, "Alright, let's see how it goes first!"

Zhang Mingde felt that Zhang Jinhe's words made sense. Xiao Ran was a source of labor and might be able to help the Zhang sisters escape poverty, so he wouldn't have to worry about the two sisters anymore.

Every year after the autumn harvest, when the imperial court collects taxes, it is the time that gives Zhang Mingde the biggest headache.

It's hard to keep them. Some families don't refuse to give them; they just don't have the money, and it's really difficult for them.

"Even if we get past them, the village head will have a tough time!"

Zhang Jinhe said with a smile, "Then it has nothing to do with us. They can't bother Grandpa anymore. Grandpa has done everything he could."

"The girl is right!"

Inside the main room, Xiao Ran watched Third Sister eat pastries.

This kind of thing is very attractive to children in this era.

"It's Second Sister and Third Sister who have arrived," an old voice rang out.

Zhang Jinhe helped Zhang Mingde into the main room.

Xiao Ran and Zhang Erya pulled San Niang to her feet.

"Grandpa!" Zhang Erya called out, calling him "Grandpa" instead of "Village Chief" because it sounded more intimate.

"Grandpa!" Xiao Ran and San Niang also called out.

Zhang Mingde's temples, peeking out from under his blue headscarf, were already as white as snow, and the deep wrinkles on his forehead, like plow marks, made his eyes appear exceptionally deep.

Although he was old, his back was straight, his silver beard was neatly combed, and the wrinkles around his eyes when he smiled seemed to hold the warmth of years gone by.

But when his gaze swept over Xiao Ran, there was a sharp scrutiny hidden beneath the kindness, just like the old locust tree at the village entrance that had weathered many storms, its bark worn but its trunk strong and resilient.

"Sit down, sit down and talk." Zhang Mingde's voice was filled with affection. Apart from Xiao Ran, everyone else was his junior and related by blood.

Zhang Mingde looked at Xiao Ran, clearly not wanting to approve the application.

They don't seem like ordinary people from the Tang Dynasty.

Zhang Mingde would not hesitate for a moment if Xiao Ran had long hair and wore coarse linen clothes.

"Young master wants to apply for household registration and rely on his stepmother's family, is that right!"

"Yes, I'll trouble you, old man Muramasa, to help me out."

"Now that the court is encouraging the pacification of the barbarians, it is no problem for the young master to apply for citizenship. Second Madam's family also needs help, and I am happy for the young master to stay. However, the court also has its rules."

Xiao Ran immediately sensed that something was amiss.

“Old Man Muramasa is right. We must follow the rules of the imperial court.” Xiao Ran nodded.

"Well, that's a bit of a problem. It's not that I'm trying to make things difficult for you," Zhang Mingde said helplessly.

“Uncle Village Chief, I don’t know much about the situation or these things. Please enlighten me.”

"The conditions for registering a household registration are not only that the client's background must be clean. The young master's background is naturally fine, but the head of the household also has requirements. The second aunt's family has been in arrears on taxes for three years, including this year!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ran understood what he wanted to do.

"Taxes can be owed for so long?" Xiao Ran was shocked. He had seen in movies and TV dramas that officials didn't care about you; if you didn't pay, they would whip you.

"In the fourth year of Zhenguan, the area suffered a disaster. It wasn't just Erniang and her family who were in debt; many people were in debt. However, most people made up for it in the fifth year of Zhenguan, or at least made up for part of it, even if they didn't make up the full amount. Sanniang's family, due to their special circumstances, not only didn't make up for it, but they also didn't pay in the fifth year of Zhenguan." Although it wasn't explicitly stated, this special circumstance was probably related to Zhang Erya's 'cheap old man'.

"Now it's time to pay taxes, and we've been in arrears for three years!"

Zhang Jinhe, who was standing nearby, said, "Second Aunt and the others don't need to pay taxes this year."

Zhang Mingde realized his mistake and said, "I was confused. I really don't need to pay taxes."

Because there are no male descendants in Zhang Erya's family!

Since 'Cheap Old Man' is gone, we don't need to pay, and neither does Zhang Dalang, who is already a death row inmate.

Although they don't have to pay, the two sisters don't have much grain on their twenty acres of land, and it's a problem for them to even feed themselves, so it's unrealistic to make up for the previous debt.

Zhang Erya knew about tax arrears, but she didn't know that being a dependent was related to this.

Hearing this made me feel a little sad and guilty, and I felt sorry for Xiao Ran.

The Zhang sisters currently lack the grain and money to pay the outstanding taxes.

In other words, Xiao Ran still needs to find a solution.

"It's a small problem. We can make up for whatever we owe," Xiao Ran said casually, and he really didn't take it seriously.

Although he doesn't have a single penny to his name right now, Xiao Ran can sell some things.

Xiao Ran's straightforwardness surprised Zhang Mingde and Zhang Jinhe, who thought he was trying to shirk responsibility, or that he was going to complain about being poor and miserable.

Zhang Erya felt even more guilty and lowered her head even further.

Zhang Mingde's face lit up with joy. "Young man, you are sensible and responsible, which is truly rare! You are so promising at such a young age!"

"This is what I should do. I caused trouble for Grandpa before, but it won't happen again." Xiao Ran was also worried that Muramasa would make things difficult for him and not approve the application.

But when Xiao Ran heard that the Zhang siblings owed taxes, he knew he was safe.

“I don’t know how much I owe. I would appreciate it if you could tell me, Mr. Village Head, and preferably calculate it and convert it into cash.”

It involved food, cloth, and corvée labor; it was very troublesome.

"Young master, please wait a moment while I go and check the previous records to calculate the total." Zhang Jinhe's impression of Xiao Ran had improved somewhat.

I don't know about the others, but at least Xiao Ran isn't a stingy person, and he's not petty.

"Thank you for your trouble, madam. We'll go back first to prepare the money and provisions, and send them over later. We'll follow the imperial court's regulations and pay the taxes we owed. We'll also trouble the village head, old man, with the matter of registering our household."

"No problem, no problem. I'll prepare the guarantee letter and the village head's application right away." Zhang Mingde didn't mince words, afraid that Xiao Ran would change his mind.

Judging from Xiao Ran's attitude, he won't have to worry about the Zhang siblings' taxes anymore.

Zhang Mingde was in a difficult position when collecting taxes. He had to assist the village head in collecting taxes, but he also had to consider the kinship with his relatives. The Zhang siblings were indeed in a difficult situation, and sometimes Zhang Mingde had to suffer in the middle.

"Thank you, Grandpa Muramasa!"

"This is what I should do, but young master, you should know that whether this matter can be accomplished is not up to me. It must be reported to the village head, who in turn must report to the county magistrate, and finally the county magistrate will make the decision."

“Uncle Muramasa, I understand.”

This is a disclaimer made in advance, in case Xiao later causes trouble for him because the review was not approved.

“good good”

"Grandpa, we're going back now." Xiao Ran led the Zhang sisters away.

Zhang Mingde and Zhang Jinhe escorted the three to the door and watched them walk away.

"This kid is quite extraordinary!" Zhang Mingde stroked his beard.

(End of this chapter)