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In this insect disaster, the most severely affected were naturally the lower-class Xuanwu clans who had no way to resist the disaster.
For example, the Zhao and Liu clans.
A rough calculation can make it clear that, based on the previous typical calculation, a reduction of 70% in twenty mu of land would only yield 90 taels of copper income. The tenant farmers would take 30 taels of copper as a guarantee, then there would be 40 taels of copper in taxes, 10 taels of copper in depreciation of plowing oxen, farm tools, and seeds, and 20 taels of copper in insecticide. Only these would make the Zhao and Liu clans not only gain nothing this season, but also have to pay out 10 taels of copper for every twenty mu of land.
For the Liu clan, their several farms add up to just over ten thousand mu of fertile land. Therefore, not only did they not earn a single copper coin, but they also had to pay out 50 Top Gold.
This sum of Top Gold did not include the expenses of the agricultural and sericulture officials, and the total amount paid out exceeded one hundred Top Gold.
It sounds like losing one hundred Top Gold is not a lot, but in fact, they are losing so much that they are bleeding. Because in a normal year, this ten thousand mu of fertile land could bring them a net profit of eight or nine hundred Top Gold this season alone. This back and forth resulted in a net loss of over a thousand Top Gold.
Under normal circumstances, clans like the Liu clan have very high expenses each year, and they can only save an extra five or six hundred Top Gold each year. Just the loss of this one thousand Top Gold has already wiped out their savings for two years.
"There is also fatal news that you may not know, Shouzhe." Gongsun Hui said again, "The Changning Wei government has ordered all clans to pay taxes in grain this summer, and they cannot use gold to pay taxes."
Upon hearing this news, Wang Shouzhe also took a cold breath. This is forcing the lower-class Xuanwu clans to death. In previous years, they could pay taxes in grain or money, as long as they paid the equivalent amount.
But this year, the clans themselves are short of grain. If they really pay taxes in grain, it will add insult to injury to the lower-class Xuanwu clans. However, this does not include the Wang clan and some of their in-laws and allies because everyone has protected their yields this time, and they can still afford to pay taxes in grain.
The real blow is to clans like the Ping'an Liu and Zhao clans. They already have little grain, and paying taxes in grain will empty their storage. What can they do when they are desperate? Of course, they can only transfer the pressure to the lower-class civilians, even tenant farmers.
"The government's order is also understandable." Wang Shouzhe said solemnly, "In the Changning Wei region, there must be an overall shortage of grain. If the government does not use this order to mobilize grain from the clans, there is a high possibility of a chaotic situation in the Wei city."
"Are you intentionally watching the show for the Zhao and Liu clans this time, Shouzhe?" Gongsun Hui asked, "Land consolidation will inevitably lead to chaos, and there may be risks in taking the chestnuts out of the fire for the Zhao and Liu clans.""No!"
Wang Shouzhe's eyes were cold and stern. "Ping'an is the land where Ancestor Zhouxuan killed the ferocious beasts and developed it for a hundred years. How could I let two jackals ruin it? They want to take advantage of chaos and annex our land. Wang Shouzhe won't allow it! This time, I will strike at Zhao's and Liu's clans and show them what I am capable of."
"Wang Shouzhe, you are truly bold. I didn't misjudge you," Gongsun Hui's eyes flashed. "No matter what decision you make this time, I support you. At this critical moment, I will find a way to invite Ancestor Mang to visit our Wang's Clan."
"Ancestor Mang?"
Wang Shouzhe's face lit up. "Madam, can you really invite Ancestor Mang?"
Among the aristocratic families, ancestral-level figures would not easily intervene in disputes between other families, as it could easily lead to larger-scale factional struggles.
Gongsun Hui smiled. "Have you forgotten? Our Wang's Clan's fourth-generation eldest daughter, Wang Lingdie, married into the Gongsun's Clan as the main wife. Ancestor Mang is her biological son and has half of his bloodline from our Wang's Clan, so he is naturally close to us. And don't forget, Ancestor Mang is my grandfather. When he visited his mother's family a while ago, I paid my respects to him. He was very regretful about the battle with Ancestor Long Yan back then, but he was only at the ninth level of Qi Refining at the time and heard the news too late."
After a pause, Gongsun Hui continued, "Ancestor Mang also heard about you from your grandfather and praised you endlessly. He also wants to meet you. I believe that he will not refuse to come as a guest this time."
"Great, that makes it even more stable," Wang Shouzhe was overjoyed. He had been worried that Ancestor Long Yan's health might not be good enough to deter the other side.
If Ancestor Mang was willing to come and stay for a few days, would the two old ancestors of Liu's and Zhao's clans dare to act rashly?
Wang Shouzhe and Gongsun Hui talked for a while before saying their goodbyes and leaving.
At the same time, striking at Zhao's and Liu's clans was a huge matter that required careful planning and scheming. Otherwise, one wrong move and they could be blinded by a goose.
Intelligence!
It was the foundation of two armies' confrontation.
Wang Shouzhe called Wang Zhong over. Wang Zhong's strength was not strong, only at the fourth level of Qi Refining. But recently, he had gradually discovered that this person had a calm personality and handled things properly, and his mind was also very agile.
"Greetings, Master," Wang Zhong bowed after entering the room.
"No need for formalities. You haven't had a chance to reunite with your family yet, and I'm already asking you to do something. I'm sorry," Wang Shouzhe said.
"It's not hard to do something for my master," Wang Zhong's spirit was very high, and his eyes lit up when he heard he was going to do something."It's not just a matter of the clan leader's generosity, but the Wang Clan feels prosperous every time the clan leader takes action. The relationship between the clan members and the main family is one of mutual gain and loss.
Wang Shouzhe smiled and explained what he needed to do.
Wang Zhong thought for a moment and said seriously, "Clan leader, intelligence work is not my specialty. I recommend a clan member – Wang Mei. She is only twenty-three years old, but her cultivation has reached the third level of Qi refining. She is also very good at disguising herself and collecting clues."
Wang Shouzhe neither agreed nor disagreed and sent someone to summon Wang Mei to personally assess her.
In no time, Wang Mei arrived and bowed nervously, "Greetings, clan leader."
Wang Shouzhe looked her over and found her appearance unremarkable, forgettable even. However, her figure was good, curvy and athletic, indicating good explosive power.
Interested, he asked, "Wang Zhong said you are good at disguising yourself and have a keen mind. Can you tell me more?"
"Yes, clan leader," Wang Mei said calmly. "I am indeed good at disguising myself."
"Oh, you're quite confident," Wang Shouzhe laughed. "Can you show me?"
Wang Mei agreed but needed to prepare first. Wang Shouzhe was intrigued and allowed her time to prepare. Once she left, he began to plan the mission in detail.
It was not a complicated mission, just a small business operation, something that happened all the time on Earth. However, Wang Shouzhe planned it meticulously, realizing it was a rare opportunity that could not be missed.
One by one, the steps of the plan took shape…
"Greetings, clan leader," a deep male voice sounded.
Wang Shouzhe turned around and saw a stranger, a male clan member standing before him. He was not tall but had a dignified bearing, fair skin, and a handsome face with a hint of scholarly air.
"Who are you?" Wang Shouzhe did not remember having such a clan member. He frowned.
"Clan leader, I am Wang Mei," the male clan member changed his voice to a female one, causing Wang Shouzhe to be surprised and even gave him goosebumps. He exclaimed, "Your technique is unique and interesting."
Hearing the clan leader's praise, Wang Mei was overjoyed and said, "Please wait a moment, clan leader. I'll change again."
An hour passed.
When Wang Mei appeared again, Wang Shouzhe was stunned, and so were Wang Zhong and Wang Gui.At this moment, appearing before them was a graceful and slender young woman. She was dressed in thin silk, wearing lotus flower shoes, and holding an ancient-looking flower umbrella in her hand. With each step, she swayed gracefully, and a faint fragrance wafted through the air.
What was most astonishing was that her face had become more beautiful, with rosy lips and cheeks, and her long hair tied up. She looked like a stunning beauty.
She bowed gracefully, her voice soft as a spring: "Mei Mei pays her respects to the clan leader."
"Gulp." The young servant Wang Gui on the side swallowed his saliva, his eyes staring straight ahead.
Wang Shouzhe, on the other hand, was well-traveled and quickly regained his composure. At the same time, he was amazed in his heart, as this woman's makeup skills had reached the level of perfection. Compared to the monstrous makeup skills he had seen on a certain music app in his previous life, it was no less impressive.
Wang Mei's makeup skills were comparable to those monsters on the music app, which greatly shocked Wang Shouzhe. After all, Ping'an Town was just a rural area within the countryside, and the younger generation of the Liu and Zhao Clans had never seen such a scene before.
Perhaps with Wang Mei's little trick, the intelligence would soon follow.
…