The Republic of China: A Letter of Appointment Creates the Most Powerful Warlord

June 14, 1918, Jingshan County.

In the early morning, the people in the city were still busy making a living as usual.

In front of the breakfast shop, a group of idle old guys gathered together again.

"Well, the county magistrate's order is really effective. Since the patrol team was established, all the hooligans on the street have disappeared, and even those opium dens and gambling houses have been closed down."

"Who says it isn't? If things continue like this, good days for our Jingshan County won't be far away. Without those bullies who oppress the people, everyone will be able to live a much easier life."

"Are you satisfied already? I heard that the land the Li family has forcibly seized over the years is being counted. It won't be long before the county magistrate divides up the land. Then, we can become landlords, eat our fill, and lie down on the kang. That's the real happiness!"

"That's right, this new county magistrate is truly amazing. He handles things fairly and doesn't put on airs when dealing with the people."

In front of the square table, an old man wearing a melon-shaped hat and a white coarse cloth shirt full of patches, was holding a pipe in his mouth, taking a puff from time to time, and talking.

"There's just one thing. I feel like the verdict in the elopement case a few days ago wasn't logical. Since ancient times, parents have always been the ones deciding their children's marriages. How could we let those clueless kids make the decision on their own?"

"You don't understand this, do you?" The driver, Old Yu, found time to approach the crowd again, wiping the sweat from his chin with a tattered towel, and said with a boastful smile, "This is called modern marriage, just like those foreigners abroad, emphasizing equality for all and freedom of love.

Even though we old hands have a lot of complaints, the kids down there are actually very happy. There is not a single one of them who doesn't praise the county magistrate for his wisdom.

These days, everything needs to be innovated. If you don't develop, you'll be beaten. Have you forgotten how those foreigners bullied us back then?"

"Well, that's what you say, but this is a rule passed down from our ancestors for thousands of years." The old man still disagreed, tilting his head and sucking on his pipe. "Those kids are so young, what can they understand? They still need adults to help them."

"What are you still talking about ancestors at this moment?" Old Yu's wrinkled face flashed with laughter as he jokingly said, "Don't you think about who will take care of you when you are old?

It's not a bad thing to listen to children's ideas. Why force them to do something that can be discussed? "

"Hey, what Old Yu said is right." The owner of the breakfast shop, in between cutting fried dough sticks, also joined in and expressed his own opinion: "Back then, my wife and I secretly decided to spend our lives together, but his father refused to agree and even claimed that he would sever ties with us.

But in the end, we are still together. We have lived a happy life for so many years. Now that the old man is old, the money for his retirement is paid by me, his son-in-law."

"Hey, that's right, kids..." Old Yu was talking excitedly with a smile on his face when he saw the street suddenly become agitated and everyone was quickly converging in one direction.

"What's going on?" Old Yu pulled an acquaintance and asked curiously.

"Let's go check it out! The county magistrate is about to announce a new policy," the man said excitedly. "It's said that they'll give us all tax exemptions."

"Oh, there is such a good thing?" When Old Yu heard this, he didn't want to do his work anymore. He immediately followed the pace of the main group and planned to go over and take a look.

If taxes could really be cut for everyone, that would be a great thing.

……

At eight o'clock in the morning, at the gate of the government office, the entire road was blocked by people who came to watch the excitement. Some nimble guys, unable to see what was happening in front of them, climbed directly onto the tree opposite.

Soon, Zhang Ye appeared in everyone's sight with several civilian staff.

"Oh, there are quite a lot of people."

Zhang Ye looked at the crowded crowd, grinned, and joked.

"Those who know this is the county magistrate's office, but those who don't think this is a thatched house, and everyone is lining up to relieve themselves."

"Hahaha……"

The crowd watching at the door burst into laughter when they heard this.

Many people who saw the new county magistrate for the first time felt their tense moods instantly relaxed.

Over the years, every county governor had a stern face, as if they owed him tens of thousands of dollars. This was the first time they had seen someone willing to joke with the common people.

"Alright, enough chit-chat. I know what everyone's concerned about. Let's not gather around for too long and delay everyone's passage." Zhang Ye waved his hand for silence and pulled Fang Yu, who was standing beside him, in front of the crowd. "This guy's Fang Yu. He'll be our deputy county magistrate from now on. He'll draft fiscal taxes, including the legal code. Everyone, applaud!"

clap clap clap...

Warm applause followed, and all the people at the scene turned their eyes to Fang Yu, waiting for his speech.

These days, taxation is a big deal. From landlords and tycoons to peddlers, everyone has to pay taxes. In some poor areas, where the government cannot squeeze out any money, it will make changes to taxes.

Taxes were levied on digging wells, farming, celebrating festivals, getting married and having children, slaughtering pigs and chickens, and even collecting manure. The heavy taxes were piled on the people, making them suffer a lot.

Now that the new county magistrate has arrived, what everyone is most concerned about is the issue of tax collection. After all, a new emperor appoints new ministers. The previous county magistrate wanted to drain everyone's blood. The new county magistrate has a good reputation recently. I hope he can have mercy on everyone and reduce some taxes.

"Hello everyone, I'm Fang Yu. The county magistrate and I have spent a long time discussing taxation issues over the past two days, and we've finally decided to make some major changes."

Facing those burning gazes, Fang Yu remained calm and unfolded his prepared plan and began to read it out.

"From today on, all previous tax regulations will be abolished. All businesses, regardless of size, will be subject to a uniform 10% tax based on their turnover."

"As for those who work as laborers, pull carts, or engage in low-level occupations, taxes will be collected based on their monthly income. If the monthly income is less than five dollars, no tax will be collected. If the monthly income exceeds five dollars, a flat 20% tax will be levied!"

"As for the farmers, it's simpler. We'll charge a flat 30% based on the average harvest for that season."

"Apart from the above-mentioned regulations, there are no other tax items. If changes are needed later, the county government will issue another announcement."

"30%? Only 30%?"

As the new rules were announced, the people below were in an uproar. Many people looked confused and couldn't believe their ears.

Is this over?

In the past, county magistrates could read tax regulations for more than half an hour. No one could understand them, let alone remember them.

This is the case. With just three simple rules, not only are the industries clearly divided, but the tax rate is also ridiculously low, making people feel like they are dreaming and not real at all.