Farming and reading family

There was indeed another reason, because the powerful people in the capital liked these two kinds of strange stones, and the Tao family wanted to use it as a stepping stone.

But the main reason is that the Tao family is a hollow family. Although the Tao family seems to be getting stronger and stronger, in fact, the previous industries are not enough to support the extravagant life of the family's disciples.

In addition to the previous incident with Concubine Jing, the Tao family spent a lot of money to deal with it, and now they urgently need new ways to make money.

It just so happened that Tao Meiyu brought the Mogu Stone and Linglong Stone to them, and this matter became a natural outcome.

After reading the letter, Gao E thought about it for a long time. She felt that something was wrong with the Tao family.

But she didn't know the Tao family well, so she needed to discuss the specific problem with Xu Boyan.

Now she sent people to help Xu Boyan kill Tao Zhiyu, and she also received the 40,000 taels of silver. She and Xu Boyan are already in the same boat.

Thinking of this, there was no need to waste any time, so after lunch, he asked Lu Qingluo to drive to He County.

When she arrived at the yamen, she heard that Xu Boyan had gone to Yueyuan and was not sure when he would be back, so Gao E had to go to Yueyuan to find Xu Boyan.

When they arrived at Yueyuan, Gao E first found Jin Ruyi, and then sent the waiter to report to see if Xu Boyan was convenient to leave.

Jin Ruyi looked at Gao E uncertainly: "Why do I feel like you and Lord Xu are getting closer?"

"Really?" Gao E thought about it and it was true.

Jin Ruyi thought so. "But you have so many businesses, and now you're in charge of the Chen family, the richest man..." She stopped abruptly. "By the way, the gentry of He County are hosting a banquet for Mr. Xu today. Didn't they tell you?"

"Why are you telling me?" Gao E felt puzzled.

Jin Ruyi felt that Gao E sometimes made common-sense mistakes: "The gentry banded together to entertain the local magistrate. They must have something to discuss. They're trying to isolate you."

Gao E didn't care about being isolated, and she didn't want to associate with those people: "What's the problem with that?"

Jin Ruyi didn't know what to say. Just then, the waiter came in with Xu Boyan. Jin Ruyi stood up and saluted.

Gao E also stood up, and Xu Boyan raised his hand to motion her to sit down.

Jin Ruyi looked at the two people and her eyes flashed: "You two can chat, I'll go over there and offer a glass of wine." She said and stepped back.

Xu Boyan turned his head and watched Jin Ruyi leave, then sat down on the chair opposite Gao E and asked, "What's the origin of this Jin family?"

"Everyone must have a background?" Gao E said with a smile.

"To be so good at business, except for rare geniuses, it is all due to family influence." Xu Boyan was very sure.

Just like the people in Baotou Village, even if they were given the property of the richest man Chen, they wouldn't be able to keep it, let alone run it better than before.

"I'll tell you later." Gao E didn't explain immediately. "I want to talk to you about something else today."

"explain."

"Logically speaking, the Tao family has such a huge fortune, why would they be interested in a few strange stones?" Gao E was puzzled.

"Are those some strange stones?" Xu Boyan wanted to laugh when he heard Gao E say that.

"They didn't know how many there were, so they just sent people to Hexian County." Gao E felt that this was not a problem of quantity.

Xu Boyan listened to Gao E's words and thought about it seriously: "Nowadays, Dachang is relatively stable. The court values ​​civil officials over military officials. Scholars like to collect and play with rare stones. Strange stones are a rare commodity among them."

"The Tao family spends a huge amount of money on gifts every year, so they might want to use the rare stones to make up the difference," Xu Boyan guessed.

"That's it?" Gao E was a little uncertain.

"Then what do you think it is?" Xu Boyan asked back.

"I think... the Tao family may not be as glorious as it seems." Gao E guessed.

Xu Boyan frowned when he heard Gao E say this.

"Haven't you heard? When a family begins to decline, it will become extremely cruel and capable of doing anything." Gao E analyzed.

Xu Boyan sneered: "You really think highly of him. They were extremely vicious from the beginning, they didn't become vicious because they started to decline."

"Let's be objective." Gao E felt that Xu Boyan's analysis of the Tao family was not objective enough. "The Tao family has been so prosperous today, and there must be reasons for it."

Xu Boyan couldn't be more objective: "It's nothing more than a gathering for profit."

Gao E's biggest mistake was wanting to talk to Xu Boyan about this matter, but others didn't understand the Tao family at all.

Xu Boyan looked at Gao E's speechless expression and said, "But you are right. The Tao family may be on the decline."

The Tao family is on the side of the prince. As long as the new emperor is not the prince, the Tao family will be the new emperor's prey.

Gao E felt that if Xu Boyan continued to make such subjective assumptions, the two of them would not be able to continue talking about the Tao family.

"By the way, do you have to pay the tax?" Xu Boyan suddenly said.

"Tax package?" Gao E paused, knowing that such a system did exist. "How do you say that?"

Xu Boyan smiled and said, "The gentry of the county have come together to host a banquet for me today just for this matter."

Tax farming was originally the act of merchants buying out the tax revenue of a certain commodity. At the township level, even the land tax was monopolized by the gentry.

The government offices in various places were also happy to see this happen. After all, there were only a few people in the government offices, and the bulk of the burden was still borne by the local gentry. As long as there was enough grain stored in the warehouses, it would be fine.

The gentry must have gained a lot of benefits in this process, and as long as the situation was not too serious, the county government would not intervene.

Gao E suddenly realized: "What does Master Xu mean?"

"It's done this way everywhere." Xu Boyan knew there was something fishy going on, but he had no intention of changing it. "I don't have the energy to bother with it."

Gao E knew Xu Boyan was going to let things take their own course: "I won't get involved. My taxes should be paid directly to the county government, right?"

"As long as your taxes are not covered by others, you are responsible for them yourself," Xu Boyan reminded.

"Is there someone who wants to take over the taxes on my land?" Gao E looked at Xu Boyan.

Xu Boyan smiled and said, "You are in charge of the business of the richest man in He County, and there are too many people who are jealous of you."

"Then I can only rely on Master Xu." Gao E saluted. "I will make sure to shoot all twelve arrows."

Xu Boyan couldn't refuse this bribe.

The two chatted about this and Xu Boyan left. Jin Ruyi hadn't returned yet, so Gao E went to the waterside pavilion to feed the fish and continued to think about the Tao family.

Tao Zhiyu's body was destroyed by Xu Boyan. It took time for the Tao family to react, and in the end, there was no evidence.

If the evildoers still have the intention to send more people, it will take time. As long as she can wait until the gathering is over, the Tao family will have to think twice before making any move against her.

As for the matter of the eldest princess that Xu Boyan was planning, he just told her to wait, but she didn't know how long she would have to wait.

"Do you want to stuff the fish to death?" Jin Ruyi came back and saw Gao E feeding the fish with great emotion.

Gao E turned to see Jin Ruyi coming back: "I thought you were just avoiding me, but you actually went to toast?"

Jin Ruyi pulled the futon and sat next to Gao E: "The three-year tax exemption period in He County has expired, so you'd better be careful."

"Why?" Gao E put the can of fish food aside. "I can't live like I'm facing a great enemy every day."