Daming: The system rejected my request for salted fish

Chapter 1006

"Master Bao, the one who invited us to the government office today was not the prefect Zhu Zongshan, but the newly appointed Duke of Zhenguo."

"His purpose in coming to Suzhou this time was to promote the equalization of land tax, so he summoned us wealthy merchants and gentry to come with him."

"As for why your son didn't come back, it's because he was left alone by the Duke of Zhenguo, and his current situation is probably not very good."

Hearing that his son was left alone by Wei Wu and was in a bad situation, Bao Guanjiao's heart suddenly tightened.

Just as he was about to ask, he heard Zhou Li's voice coming from the opposite side.

"We don't know much about your son, but we vaguely sensed from their conversation that there seemed to be some personal grudge."

"From what the Duke of Zhenguo said, it can be heard that he targeted Bao Yu to vent his anger on a woman named Qingxia who is under his command."

"If Patriarch Bao wants to know the details, he should be able to find out something from that woman named Qingxia."

After hearing what Zhou Li said, Bao Guanjiao's brows furrowed deeper and deeper, but the doubt in his eyes disappeared.

Seeing the expression on his face, Zhou Li's expression changed, and he immediately asked:

"It seems that Patriarch Bao already has the answer in mind. Could you please tell us?"

"I should tell you about it."

As soon as Zhou Li finished speaking, Bao Guanjiao responded immediately and continued:

"This Qingxia is the boss of the sugar business in Beijing. She is also the vice president of the Sihai Chamber of Commerce."

"My son went to negotiate with the Sihai Chamber of Commerce on our behalf about the road construction, and he went to see this woman named Qingxia."

After hearing what Bao Guanjiao said, everyone present was stunned, but then their faces turned gloomy.

Looking at the expressions on everyone's faces, Bao Guanjiao sighed softly and said helplessly:

"I didn't expect that this woman had a duke standing behind her. We've hit a wall now. Let's figure out what to do!"

As for the road construction, everyone present participated, hoping to unite and seize the cement road.

But no one expected that they would face such a situation. Behind the Sihai Chamber of Commerce stood a Duke of the Ming Dynasty.

So after Bao Guanjiao finished speaking, someone immediately asked a question.

"Master Bao, I'd like to ask why the Duke would embarrass your son over this matter. This is clearly not right."

"Even if we want to get the cement road, it's just a deal. Even if the deal fails, there's no need to create a grudge!"

"Or did your son, when he went to discuss business with someone this time, fall into his old bad habits again and act arrogantly and offend them?"

Bao Guanjiao's expression froze slightly when he heard this, but he quickly concealed it and said:

"My son really does look down on the Sihai Chamber of Commerce. Perhaps his tone was a bit arrogant when he was negotiating the price."

"But aren't we all like this? If it's me, it's probably that woman's fault. After all, she's the Duke's woman."

"Women are petty by nature, so it's normal for them to complain to the government when they've been wronged. Oh, my son, what a tragedy!"

After hearing what Bao Guanjiao said, the person who asked the question became unhappy and said again:

"Master Bao, you can't say that. It was your son who negotiated the deal, and now he's caused us a big trouble."

Seeing that the two sides were about to quarrel, Zhou Li quickly spoke up:

"Alright, there's no point in assigning blame at this point. We can just ask someone about Bao Yu's situation later."

"Two things are most important right now, but before that, I have to mention another matter. Today, the Duke of Zhenguo summoned us to the government office for a discussion."

"There are fifty people in total, but only forty-three showed up. They are from the Gong, Xiong, Li, Zhang, Jin, Wang, and Xu families."

"You may need to be more careful recently. The Duke of Zhenguo said today that he will talk to you later!"

After hearing Zhou Li's words, the expressions of the family representatives who were named immediately became extremely ugly.

However, Zhou Li just reminded them and had no intention of discussing the matter.

So without waiting for these people to ask, he brought up the two more important things again.

"This Duke came to Suzhou for two reasons: first, to build cement roads, and second, to implement the land-based tax system."

"Both of these two things are closely related to everyone here, so how should we respond?"

After Zhou Li finished speaking, everyone in the room fell silent, wondering if there was a way to break the deadlock.

At this moment, Bao Guanjiao cursed with dissatisfaction:

"I don't know which idiot who gave birth to a son without an asshole came up with this national policy, actually combining the Ding tax and the Hetian tax into one."

"The tax exemption for merit has also been abolished. How much more tax will we have to pay in the future, and what about those hidden households that evaded the Ding tax?"

"Without them being our tenants, who would farm all these fields? And hiring people would cost a fortune."

The more Bao Guanjiao spoke, the angrier he became. In an instant, anger rose from his heart and he said in a cold voice:

"Otherwise, let's just go all out. As long as we keep our hands clean, no one will know it's us..."

"no!"

Before Bao Guan could finish his words, Zhou Li suddenly stood up and interrupted him with a wave of his hand.

However, at this time Bao Guanjiao had already lost his temper and looked directly into Zhou Li's eyes and questioned him.

"Why not?"

"If you want your whole family to die together, don't drag us down with you. You actually want to assassinate the Duke of the State. Do you know who the Duke of the State is? His name is Wei Wu!!"

Hearing Zhou Li mention the name Wei Wu, Bao Guanjiao was stunned, and then asked tentatively:

"You, you mean, the Duke of Zhenguo is the Marquis of Changle?"

"That's right!"

After getting Zhou Li's accurate answer, the rage burning in Bao Guanjiao's heart was instantly extinguished like a basin of cold water.

The news that Wei Wu had caused chaos in Japan not only spread in the capital, but had also reached Suzhou.

At first, Bao Guanjiao just treated it as a rumor for fun, but later he found out that it was all true.

This is a ruthless man who can roam freely in the enemy's heartland. I actually want to send people to assassinate him. This is simply courting death!

After calming down, Bao Guanjiao realized that his back was completely soaked with sweat!