The eldest sister-in-law became rich by farming in the mountains

When it was Xu Yingtao's turn, nearly an hour had passed. Village Chief Zheng and the grain collector informed her of her family's special circumstances, but the other party merely nodded in a perfunctory manner.

"Bring your documents here for me to see." The grain collector's voice was cold and he extended his hand to Xu Yingtao.

Xu Yingtao handed over the thin piece of paper that carried a life.

After checking, the grain collector said loudly: "Our county magistrate is kind-hearted and generous to the people. He knows that your family, an orphan and a widow, has a hard life. He hereby exempts you from agricultural taxes for three years. You only need to pay the head tax. This is a blessing for the people. You should remember the county magistrate's great kindness."

What does it mean to lie with open eyes? This is it.

Xu Yingtao resisted the urge to stab the man, took the receipt, squeezed out a "yes" from between her teeth, and handed over the 720 coins she had prepared early in the morning.

This was the first time she came face to face with the hideous face of feudal society. Faced with corrupt officials who exploited the people, she, who always prided herself on being clever, was completely helpless.

Human life here is as fragile as grass, and it is hard to control the precariousness of the world. The world is impermanent and it is easy to wither. Nothing can be controlled by human beings.

No wonder the ancients said that being an honest magistrate for three years would earn you 100,000 silver coins.

What they are greedy for is not the money, but the bones of the common people.

As soon as Xu Yingtao turned around, she saw a flash of cruelty in Xie Bai's eyes. The look was as sharp as when they first met, which made people feel a chill in their hearts.

She was secretly shocked, not knowing what was going on in the kid's mind. But if the officers saw his murderous look, both of them and even the entire village would be doomed.

Xu Yingtao quickly stood in front of him.

Fortunately, Xie Bai quickly calmed down and regained his usual calmness. He even took the initiative to ask, "Sister-in-law, are we still going to the clinic today?"

"go with!"

She had promised Manager Luo, so she had to keep her promise.

Unfortunately, Manager Luo was not in Jishidiang today, and only Doctor Wen was seeing patients in the hall.

He came to buy spices every day these days, and chatted with Doctor Wen from time to time, so the two sides were basically familiar with each other.

The old doctor put the half pound of peppers that he had packed long ago into Xie Bai's backpack, and then said to Xu Yingtao, "Today, many tax inspectors came to the shop. The shopkeeper is hosting a banquet at Hongbin Tower. I'm afraid they won't be able to return in the short term. If you need anything else, just let me know."

Xu Yingtao understood clearly that these officials not only exploited farmers, but also took bribes from merchants.

Suppressing her anger, she told Doctor Wen about Jiang's condition. Doctor Wen stroked his beard, thought for a moment and said, "I will prescribe two doses of Qingre San for your mother. It can clear away heat, detoxify, calm nerves and open the mind. Boil three bowls of water into one bowl and drink it while it's hot. The symptoms will be relieved tomorrow."

After thanking him and settling the bill, Xu Yingtao asked Doctor Wen to tell Shopkeeper Luo that she would not come to town the next day or the day after tomorrow, and that she would take the chili peppers away when she came the day after tomorrow. Then she left with Xie Bai.

Passing by the butcher shop, Xu Yingtao bought two pounds of meat as usual. Thinking that she would not be coming to the town the next day or the day after tomorrow, she simply bought four pig's trotters.

Seeing the pig offal still neatly hanging on the wall of the butcher shop, Xu Yingtao bought some as well.

The butcher shop's business was bad today, and the butcher was worried about what to do if he couldn't sell so much meat. Seeing that she bought a lot at one time, he simply gave her several dragon bones as a gift.

Xu Yingtao thanked him, put the meat and bones into the backpack, and asked the boss for two lotus leaves to put upside down on the backpack.

As for the pig offal, she carried it.

Xiao Zhou was waiting for them at the town entrance. Seeing that she was alone, Xu Yingtao asked, "Uncle Wen, won't you go back with us?"

"He stayed to help your grandfather. Let's go back first." Xiao Zhou's eyes fell on the pork offal in Xu Yingtao's hand, and she was surprised, "Are you all sold out of the meat?"

Xu Yingtao smiled and shook her head: "No, I just feel greedy."

Little Zhou was shocked. Why would anyone like to eat pig offal?

This thing has a fishy and unpleasant smell. Only poor people who can't afford to buy meat will buy it occasionally to satisfy their hunger. As long as they can make ends meet, no one would be willing to eat it.

It stands to reason that given the current conditions of the second branch of the Xie family, there is really no need to put themselves in such a difficult position.

Xu Yingtao naturally saw through Xiao Zhou's thoughts and smiled slyly: "When I'm done, I'll send a bowl to your house. Auntie, don't rush to eat it."

Xiao Zhou couldn't help but laugh and reached out to touch her forehead.

Xu Yingtao glanced in the direction of the team again and saw that many people were still pouring in. She guessed that Village Chief Zheng would be busy until the evening before he could return home, so she left the town with Xiao Zhou.

The three of them talked as they walked, and when Xu Yingtao mentioned her plan to lead the villagers to make money together, Xiao Zhou suddenly stopped.

"If your grandfather knew, he would be very happy!"

She actually heard everything the old couple was chatting in the yard last night.

At that time, she couldn't help but whisper to the man: "Dad is desperate now, and Mom is right. No matter how capable Yingtao is, she is still a girl in her teens. She is only a few months older than our Yan'er."

Zheng Wen yawned and said, "Don't underestimate that girl. I think she is completely different from the girls in our village. She might have a great future."

Xiao Zhou was skeptical.

It’s not that she looked down on Xu Yingtao, she was just a little girl and couldn’t bear such a heavy burden.

Hearing her say this, Xiao Zhou was both delighted and distressed, and asked, "There are quite a few people in the village, can you really help them all make money?"

Xu Yingtao nodded, her expression becoming more serious: "I still need to discuss the specific details with Grandpa."

Xiao Zhou clapped her hands and said, "Okay, I'll tell your grandfather as soon as he comes back."

When they got home, Mrs. Zhou was just coming out of the main room carrying an empty basket. Seeing the uncle and his wife, she asked anxiously, "How are you? Did the officials make things difficult for you?"

Xu Yingtao handed the pig offal to Xie Li who had run out, and asked her to carry it into the kitchen, and then comforted her: "Don't worry, grandma, everything is fine."

Mrs. Zhou heaved a sigh of relief: "Don't worry, your mother's fever has subsided a lot, and she will be well soon."

Then he asked, "You and Xiaobai haven't eaten yet, right? Wait, I'll go home and bring you two bowls."

Xu Yingtao hurriedly held her back and said, "Grandma, no need. I can take care of it myself. Thank you for making this trip."

"We are all family, it's too formal to say these things." Mrs. Zhou paused and said with some concern, "Cherry, if you are out of money, just tell grandma. We don't need to eat pig offal."

Xu Yingtao was both amused and confused, and explained it seriously again.

After seeing off Mrs. Zhou, Xu Yingtao went into the house to see Mrs. Jiang first. She saw that she looked much better, but she had no appetite. She only ate two bites of the thick porridge and egg custard that Mrs. Zhou brought.

"Cherry, is everything done?" Jiang said weakly.

"It's all done. Go get some rest." Xu Yingtao helped her lie down and felt her forehead. Although it was no longer hot, it was still higher than the body temperature of an ordinary person. She then put a wet towel on her and said, "Go on sleeping. I'll boil some medicine for you."