Chapter 599: Eighth Rank Preaching Pei Zongli(3)_1
Old Pei took advantage of the situation to win people’s hearts, registering the villagers’ land under Pei Zongli’s name so it could be exempt from grain taxes.
Many people feared that their fields would be taken for good, so they didn’t trust the arrangement and were reluctant to register.
There were a few households close to Old Pei’s House, and after some persuasion, they agreed. Pei Zongli was now an official, after all, and when he got promoted and made his fortune, silver would be no object—why would he covet their few acres of land? Although they had sweet potatoes to stave off hunger, they could only eat coarse grains; they dared not touch the fine wheat flour, which was all turned over as tax. But by registering under Pei Zongli’s name, they wouldn’t need to pay the grain tax annually, saving so much grain! They could finally enjoy bread and noodles made from white flour!
Some people were active; others were hesitant.
In any case, things were bustling around Old Pei’s House.
Pei Lizheng also made an appearance to offer a few words of congratulations.
Grandma Pei even brought gifts. "We are all of the Pei surname, one clan. Before, they just ran a little shop and did business. But now that Pei Zongli has become an official, who knows how many years it would’ve taken Pei Qin and the others! If Old Pei’s House holds a grudge and takes action against us, you won’t be able to continue as Lizheng either!"
Pei Lizheng genuinely feared for his position as Lizheng and did not stop her from sending gifts to curry favor. Since Pei Qin taught them how to make rice noodles, they too had helped her quite a bit, so things should have been even.
The villagers in town were indignant on behalf of Sister Peiqin and her brother. "Could it be just like the rewards that were mistakenly given out? Did they give the official position to the wrong person!? Many in our town are better at growing sweet potatoes than that Pei Zongli!"
"Who knows! Their family must have used silver to find some connections, and that’s how they snatched the position!"
"Now that they’ve snatched this official position, I’m afraid they might use some sinister means to harm people again!"