The Daily Life of a Rich Peasant's Boy in the Imperial Examination

The harvested vegetables were so good that neither humans nor pigs could eat them all, so they were all taken back to the yamen and asked to be dried by Madam Wang.

Now that the yield of green vegetables can be increased, the next step is to experiment with millet.

The government office had official farmland, and Sun Shan planned to set aside a piece of rice field as an experimental base.

If there is a complete crop failure or the yield is poor, you will have no choice but to pay out of your own pocket to make up for the loss of grain.

After Sun Shan returned to the yamen, he went into the "office" to work.

Everyone is busy with the summer harvest these days, so the entire yamen has become empty.

Production is always the top priority, and the government's main annual income depends entirely on land taxes.

In fact, this main source of income is quite unreliable and depends entirely on the weather. Besides, how much tax can be collected from the land?

The harvested grain is not worth much. If it is collected, it should be subject to commercial tax.

It's not easy to collect business taxes. Many unscrupulous businesses evade taxes, and it's very difficult to catch them.

Even if they were to find out, the complex relationships behind it would make it even harder to collect the tax. So they could only focus on the visible land tax and try their best to collect it.

Sun Shan sat in the chair and fell into deep thought.

It would be best if the government office had its own business and did not rely on taxes from the people for its livelihood.

Just like a large state-owned enterprise, it is a major taxpayer. It is equivalent to 21 Wei or 28 Xun.

Sun Shan urgently hoped that the government would have such a state-owned enterprise so that it would not have to exploit the people repeatedly.

Sun Shan thought about it and decided that he needed to test the bird droppings several times before he could officially promote it.

Once promoted, the government will definitely earn a lot of income.

The second thing that can be utilized is the annual service, which is free labor and must be used well.

It is not known whether the "new tax" reform of the previous emperor was a spring breeze or a winter wind, and it did not blow to Yuanlu County, so the people here still have to serve.

Speaking of the new tax policy, Sun Shan vaguely felt that it was cut in half.

Otherwise, why can’t I blow it through no matter how hard I try?

Thinking of this, I can't help but sigh.

The previous emperor started reforms late and died early. The new emperor currently seems to be pursuing stability and has not taken any major measures.

It seems that this policy will most likely die, or even change its form during revisions.

Low-level officials like Sun Shan, who were far away from the central government, were minimally affected.

If I had not gone to the capital again, I might not have known about the "new taxes" at all.

Sun Shan thought of Lord Zhou.

He was demoted to southern Yunnan because he raised objections. Now the reform has not been implemented yet. He is really a victim of abuse.

Sun Shan shook his head and stopped thinking about it.

At present, the main purpose is to make money so that the government office’s treasury is full, and also to make a small fortune for myself to use as a dowry for my little fat sister.

It’s early July.

The summer harvest in Yuanlu County has gradually started and ended.

The weather was good this year, with no wind or rain. Moreover, when we were drying the grain, the sun was shining brightly, and the grain dried up in no time, which was surprisingly smooth.

Sun Shan was delighted to see this. He collected the grain from the fields and stored it in the warehouse. Everything went smoothly for him. He couldn't wait to set off firecrackers to celebrate.

The people in the yamen were also smiling happily, because the grain was being stored in the warehouse, which meant that wages could be paid on time.

Hehe, everyone lives in peace and safety.

Sun Shan also walked to the front line to watch the people harvesting. The farm tools they used were already very mature.

The only difference was that iron was too expensive, the quality of the reapers varied greatly, and of course there were no pedal threshers.

There is no way. The industry has not developed to this level. Even if we know the principle, we cannot do it.

In addition to supervising the summer harvest of the people, the yamen was also responsible for distributing some agricultural tools.

For example, hoes, sickles, etc. Of course, these are often obtained by well-connected households first.

Sun Shan had just arrived and was experiencing the summer harvest for the first time, so he turned a blind eye and continued everything as usual.

Seizing power needs to be done step by step. Seizing power too suddenly may cause a strong backlash from officials.

Sun Shan was not as time-poor as the late emperor.

Sun Shan has plenty of time.

Not long after the summer harvest, we prepare for summer sowing.

Sun Shan asked for a large piece of government-owned farmland for his experiment.

County Magistrate Wang asked doubtfully, "Sir, what do you want so much official land for? If you can't collect the land tax, I'm afraid..."

Sun Shan said bluntly, "If the grain tax collected in previous years is insufficient, I will make up for it."

County Magistrate Wang: ...

What else could he say?

Mr. Sun said that taxes were paid on time. As for whether the fields were left abandoned, planted with fruit trees, or raised with fish, as long as the taxes were paid, the task was completed.

County Magistrate Wang suppressed his doubts and nodded, saying, "I understand."

When Sun Shan selected his official fields, he deliberately chose conspicuous places so that the people nearby could know how his official fields were cultivated and fertilized.

If the bird droppings are useful and the yield increases, the people living nearby will know it at a glance.

If one citizen knows it, it is equivalent to the citizens of the entire county knowing it.

Seeing the increase in grain production, anyone who is not a fool will come to inquire about the news.

This is absolutely free advertising.

Of course, if there is no difference in output, or even a reduction, then just pretend nothing has happened.

At most, people would talk about it a few times.

In the blink of an eye, it was mid-July, and the college entrance examination was not far away, so the students who were taking the exam became busy.

The department that handles the procedures has been looking forward to this because it is a good opportunity to increase revenue.

Sun Shan thought for a moment, then went to see Instructor Deng and asked, "Instructor, how many people from Yuanlu County are taking the college entrance examination this year?"

The literary style of Yuanlu County is slightly stronger than that of Huangyang County, but it is located in western Hunan, surrounded by mountains and hills, so it cannot be that strong.

Teacher Deng said, "Sir, there are about 50 people going to Chenzhou Prefecture to take the college entrance examination this time."

50 people means there are 50 students.

Compared with wealthy places, it is pitifully small, but much more than Huangyang County.

Sun Shan thought for a moment and said, "This time, the county government will send guards to escort the students to Chenzhou Prefecture. If students need it, they can come to you to register."

Teacher Deng was stunned, his eyes lit up, and he asked in disbelief, "Sir, are you saying that the government will send people to send students to Chenzhou Prefecture to take the college entrance examination?"

Sun Shan nodded seriously and said, "Yes, the government will send someone to escort you."

After a pause, he added, "No money."

Teacher Deng's hands trembled as he said excitedly, "Sir, are you serious? You won't charge any money? Are you escorting them there and escorting them back?"

It takes three days to walk from Yuanlu County to Chenzhou Prefecture. The road is not far, but the mountain road is rugged and I am afraid of encountering bandits and wild beasts on the way.

Every time they went to Chenzhou Prefecture to take the exam, the travel expenses were a considerable expense, and many poor children found it difficult to take the exam due to their lack of money.

Sun Shan said confidently, "We won't charge any money for either trip. This time, the government will send someone to escort them to Chenzhou Prefecture."

The time for this college entrance examination is scheduled for mid-to-late August. The late rice has been planted, so Sun Dali and others can escort the students to Chenzhou Prefecture.

Sun Shan and Instructor Deng determined the round-trip time for the escort.

Set off ten days in advance and return to Yuanlu County three days after the exam.

If you want to wait for the results, stay here by yourself and then find someone to form a group with to go home.

The government won't wait until the results are announced before returning.

Who has ever used a pedal thresher?