Divorced woman with child travels through time

Of course, no one was happier than Uncle Hu. He ate well, slept well, and wore new clothes, making the New Year atmosphere especially strong. Chen's Village was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations everywhere, with green ropes and red flowers, exuding joy. Red-dyed firecrackers hung from the fallen leaves of the winter trees, making them particularly beautiful. Moreover, there were many children laughing and playing here and there, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

The most important thing is that there's wine and meat every night, and a large group of men drinking, bragging, chatting, and playing cards. With food, drink, and entertainment, he's become somewhat oblivious to his surroundings and has lost his sense of self-satisfaction. However, every night when he gets home, he's nagged by Aunt Hu, which makes him quite sober. He feels bad about letting the whole family eat and drink for free for so long, so he usually gets up early to help Brother Nie and the other men sweep the yard and do chores. He doesn't complain or complain at all, and occasionally he learns some martial arts from Brother Nie and the others, practicing his rudimentary skills with great enthusiasm.

Aunt Hu cooked with Sister-in-law Nie and sat on the heated kang to teach Lulu and Xiaocao and the other girls how to do needlework. She lived a fulfilling and respectable life.

Having made a fortune this year, Chen Wenfang realized that money really can make anything fun. She led everyone in a crazy festivities. Even if it wasn't just buying New Year's goods, hanging peach charms and beating the spring ox were just as interesting. There was also the temple fair, which was truly a sight to behold, with red flags waving and crowds of people. There were all sorts of food, drinks, and games, including monkey shows, iron flower performances, and opera stages. Chen Wenfang was not short of money, so she would throw money at every stall she visited. Everyone welcomed her and showered her with auspicious words, making them all incredibly happy.

The only strange thing was that, after returning home, Chu Yi said something to Da Xiong, who then pestered Wang Erniu and Chen Wenfang at the family dinner table, with everyone as witnesses, leading a group of children, insisting on signing indentures. He threatened to kneel and refuse to get up if they didn't sign. After much deliberation, Wang Erniu and Chen Wenfang finally agreed, as it was to give the children an identity. They also promised that if the children grew up and wanted to leave, they could always return the indentures. This incident shocked Aunt Hu again. How could Chen Niangzi be so kind-hearted? Little did she know that there were many bad people in the world, and even more ungrateful wretches...

After the New Year, Wang Erniu led everyone up the mountain to pay respects to their ancestors. Then they went to the town to gather information and buy goods in preparation for opening for business on the sixth day of the new year. On the fifth day of the new year, they brought news that Magistrate Ouyang had not waited for the people to see him off on the eighth day. That night, he quietly led his family away and was about to take up his post as the magistrate of Jianning Prefecture and Fuzhou County.

The person about to be transferred here is Zhou Zhengyu, the magistrate of Linxia County. It is said that the people privately call him Zhou the Skinflint.

Chen Wenfang was a little worried. A new broom sweeps clean, and she wondered what kind of trouble this ruthless man would cause.

She soon understood why Zhou Bapi had come on the eighth day of the lunar new year, as soon as he heard that Magistrate Ouyang had left and that he would normally take office after the Lantern Festival. The prominent gentry of Dali Town came to visit him, inviting him to meals and giving him gifts, and he accepted them all with a smile.

Chen Wenfang and his group were not among those who gave gifts. It wasn't that they weren't tactful enough, but rather that they couldn't accept the opportunistic nature of these people who had changed their tune just a few days after Magistrate Ouyang left. Of course, they themselves couldn't do such a thing.

Once the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month was over, Zhou Zhengyu immediately revealed his true colors and issued his first decree: a head tax. As the name suggests, each household would be taxed per person. If a household had five people, that would be five coins per person, totaling twenty-five coins. It wasn't a large sum, and it was probably just a test of public reaction. This was the first step, and the people below were buzzing with discussion.

Chen Wenfang also found it strange. Since Magistrate Ouyang took office, these exorbitant taxes had long since disappeared. He had heard that Lord Li hadn't taken him with him, and that he was still in control of the local government offices. Furthermore, Zhou Bapi had brought over thirty private soldiers; a fierce battle was inevitable.

Sure enough, some good people took the lead in paying taxes. Of the local gentry and common people, only one in ten paid. Chen Wenfang was one of the nine who didn't pay. The majority were those who had treated Zhou Bapi to drinks and given him gifts. They complained that the new magistrate Zhou was really inhuman. He had already eaten and given gifts, and in the end, he still wanted to collect taxes.

Rumors spread, inevitably reaching Magistrate Zhou's ears. He flew into a rage, "Fine! These unruly people! I only fed and drank with them because I respected them, and it's only right that they give me gifts! How dare they mock me and refuse to pay taxes! Guards, issue my order: tomorrow, add tolls for bridge crossings and other expenses! They've rebelled! These unruly people..."

For several days in a row, the county government issued several decrees to increase taxes, which aroused public anger. People banded together and refused to pay taxes. Ah Li did not expect that this Zhou Bapi was like a fool, directly resisting the tax increase and leaving behind a mess. He insisted that Ah Li lead everyone to collect taxes from each household.

How could Ah Li face these people who usually greeted him so warmly? He could only decline, saying he was unwell. In any case, none of the people under Magistrate Ouyang had done their job, or they were all outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant; no money was collected.

For over ten days, apart from the initial payment from some timid gentry who paid a small amount after the first decree, not a single copper coin was collected. Magistrate Zhou was furious and dispatched his private army. Like wolves and tigers, they began collecting taxes from the poor, smashing doors, stealing chickens, causing chaos and widespread suffering. The once bustling market was deserted, and the county town, usually teeming with activity, was now almost deserted.

However, the taxes levied on the poor are always just a drop in the ocean. This week, the county magistrate still focused on these large merchants, sending soldiers to talk to them one by one. In short, he kept telling them that they couldn't avoid the taxes and that they would be collected sooner or later.

The merchants were furious and joined forces with local gentry to devise a plan. This time, Chen Wenfang did not refuse and attended the meeting as well.

Chen Wenfang's restaurant wasn't particularly big in the county town. However, it was usually the busiest, and because of her good reputation, everyone gave her face. As soon as Wang Erniu and Chen Wenfang entered, everyone looked at them.

"I wonder if Madam Chen has any solutions to this matter?" The president of the chamber of commerce, who had failed to get the money last time, spoke up this time without holding a grudge.

Chen Wenfang glanced at Wang Erniu, who then gripped his hand and tightened his grip.

Chen Wenfang began, “We’ve had people interview this magistrate. He’s been in office in Linxia County for three years, and he’s been ruthless, extorting money from the people with all sorts of exorbitant taxes and levies, emptying many people’s pockets before transferring the money to us. If we open this tax collection point for him, I’m afraid we’ll have to leave with half our fortune before we can leave. Besides, he still has three years left in his term. Do you all think our meager assets can withstand three years of his extortion?”