Stepmother in charge: Making a fortune through farming and raising her children to fight back

"No... there's no need to check."

Shopkeeper Yang wiped the sweat from his forehead imperceptibly.

County Magistrate Wang looked at him meaningfully. "I'm afraid we have to check it out. It just so happens that the grain in the warehouse is low recently, and the brothers in the yamen don't have to go out to distribute grain. We can take out those account books that have been hidden in the bottom of the box and check them carefully."

"No, no, no." Shopkeeper Yang immediately responded, "I will donate the extra food at home when I return, and I will also send you two thousand taels of silver, hoping to help the victims rebuild their homes."

As soon as these words were spoken, all the merchants below breathed a sigh of relief.

Two thousand taels of silver.

This is not just two hundred taels. How many of them can't make this much profit in a whole year, and the Yang family has evaded so much tax in the past two years alone. No wonder the Yang family is considered one of the richest businessmen in Yunding County.

At the same time, they were also extremely grateful.

Fortunately, they don’t earn much and don’t have to evade taxes, otherwise it would be everyone here who would be ripped off.

At this moment, after receiving a satisfactory answer, County Magistrate Wang turned his gaze to the two people on his right.

"Master Wang, Master Zhang, your Wang family sells salt, and your Zhang family sells grain. If it weren't for the government's covert protection over the years, I'm afraid... this business would be difficult to continue."

"Now that the Yang family is willing to contribute to the people of Yunding County, I believe that you two who make a living by selling grain and salt will spare no effort to make your own contributions, right?"

Master Wang: “…”

Master Zhang: “…”

They thought that if Manager Yang was severely chopped off, they would be spared, but they didn't expect that the knife that belonged to them would come so quickly.

The two of them were thinking very fast at this moment, calculating the profits of their own business this year and how much money they should pay to avoid being exploited by Wang Xianling.

If you spend too much, it seems like you are very rich.

If I don’t go out enough, I’m afraid it will be difficult for me to walk out of this door today.

After all, to do this business, both families have to ask the government for help. If they offend them today, they will probably have a hard time in the future.

Shopkeeper Yang, who was standing by, felt much more relieved upon hearing this. He smiled and took a sip of tea, "Brother Wang, the material you're wearing is a rare floating luster brocade, right? It's said that only a few pieces are produced each year. I didn't expect to see it on you today. You're truly lucky."

"The jade pendant that Zhang's nephew wears around his waist is of a rare quality. If we pawn it, the problem of refugees outside the city will surely be solved..."

Mr. Wang and Mr. Zhang simultaneously cast a resentful look at Manager Yang.

I don't see you talking so much on other days, but today you are talking a lot in front of the county magistrate, which makes you look very talkative.

There was no other way. Since things had come to this, the two of them had no choice but to agree to donate 3,000 taels of silver each to the victims and hand it over to the county government before today.

The rest of the merchants were trembling with fear, some could not even hold their tea cups steadily, for fear that their life savings would be lost.

Everyone silently lowered their heads and looked at their tea bowls, fearing that they would be the next one to be called.

At this moment, an older businessman suddenly said, "Sir, I have a question. I don't know whether it's appropriate to ask it or not. I hope you can answer it for me."

"You say." County Magistrate Wang looked at him leisurely.

"Since all the merchants in the city have gathered here to raise money for the victims, then logically speaking, all merchants in our county should contribute their own efforts. So... shouldn't the people of Ruyi'an also show their support?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the merchants who had not been named nodded as if they had found their saviors.

Ruyi Anren was personally appointed by the emperor and receives a salary every month.

What's more, everyone has heard of the blankets in their village. One blanket can be sold at a sky-high price. And his newly opened wine shop, even people passing by know how expensive it is. I'm afraid he has made a lot of money.

Now at this critical moment, it is only natural to do our part to help the people in the city.

Some of their ordinary merchants can offer two or three thousand taels of silver, so Ruyi'an must at least offer three thousand taels of silver to convince the public.

County Magistrate Wang looked coldly at the people who were supporting him. They all remembered that waiting would make them bleed more.

"I'm sure you've all heard about this. A new recipe came out yesterday. Have you tried it? How effective is it?"

"Someone in my family has used this prescription. Although it's been replaced with honeysuckle, the medicinal power remains the same. In fact, it clears away heat and reduces fever faster." Shopkeeper Yang bowed and said, "According to the doctor, this prescription was created by a miracle doctor. May I ask, sir, where this miracle doctor lives? I will definitely visit him someday when I have time."

"That's right, we also want to meet a few people with such great magical powers..."

The master sneered, "This newly improved prescription was presented by Ruyi'an. After discovering the illness in Qinjia Village, she tested the medicine on herself to help the villagers. The reason she didn't come today is because the people in a village were waiting for her..."

"When she discovered the efficacy of the prescription, she immediately dispatched someone to the county government office, hoping to save more people from danger. During this difficult time, she personally tested the medicine and cared for everyone day and night. Eventually, she fell ill and is now bedridden at home... Now, I'm just asking you to pay me some money, but who are you all putting on such a front for? A seventh-rank Anren almost lost her life."

Everyone present was stunned.

This new prescription was actually sent by Ruyi'an at the cost of his life.

This……

They had previously visited Ruyi'anren when they opened the tavern. When they recalled it now, all they could think of was her gentle smile and kind greetings.

Even a person like Qiping'an has such awareness, while they...

Just as they were in a dilemma, a figure walked in from outside. It was the eldest master of the Xu family who had been imprisoned before.

He faced the crowd and spoke with awe, "As someone who owns a business in Yunding County, I have long considered Yunding County my second home. Now, in this time of crisis and suffering, I, Xu, am willing to do my part to help the people of Yunding County. I am willing to donate 5,000 taels of silver, and I hope that you can help the victims as soon as possible."

Master Xu looked righteous at the moment, but my heart was bleeding.

Because he had caused a scene at Yun Zhenzhen's house before, he had not been released until now. His wife had visited him several times but was unable to persuade the county magistrate.

Now that they have caught the opportunity, they have to test his sincerity and see if he is determined to repent before considering whether to let him go back.

If I don't spend a lot of money today, I don't know when I can release him.

There's no other way. Every day he stays here means the family business will be delayed, and the loss of money will be even greater. If the second son comes back and finds out, he will insist on taking all these properties back. Just think of it as spending money to buy peace.