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But Du Jia didn't need to think so much. He was not a member of this system and had no taboos or constraints. He would just say anything about corrupt officials like Wang Ying, and he didn't even have to report it.

In addition, the old man also realized that Du Jia was really considering the people, otherwise Wang Ying’s family’s property would be more than one million yuan? He was not a fool who didn’t know the use of money, so he just moved it away, so why should he stay in the treasury?

Excited, the old man forgot that he had not agreed to Du Jia, and asked excitedly: "Okay, I did a great job. This thief should have been punished long ago. The sooner the public trial, the better, so that the people in the city will be happy."

After saying that, he remembered that he seemed to be a prisoner. He couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. Du Jia smiled and said, "Since Mr. Wang is willing, you are the prefect of Dezhou Prefecture now. You can decide on such a thing yourself, so why bother ask me?"

Wang Lan asked in disbelief: "This, have you really handed over this Texas to me?"

Du Jia said casually: "Yes, otherwise? Does the old man think I would joke about such a big thing?"

Although Wang Lan is loyal, he is not a fool. A fool cannot sit in his current position. He also would not believe that Du Jia spent so much effort, consumed a lot of money and food, took on such a huge risk, and finally spent so much effort to lobby himself. The purpose is to live a carefree life for the people of this city, and he does not want any benefit. If he really does this, he will not be a saint but a fool. Such a fool will soon be eliminated.

So he simply showed up and said, "Du, um, Du Yishi, I've said it straight, what is the purpose of taking down this Dezhou Prefecture? You won't ask for nothing, tell me so that I can feel at ease, otherwise I might have insomnia at night."

Du Jia smiled and said, "Only a saint or a fool can do such purely harming oneself and benefiting others. I am neither, so I will naturally not seek nothing, but Mr. Wang should not worry. My request is actually very simple - at least much less than the court. First, Dezhou Prefecture must swear allegiance to me; second, I want 10% of the city's income as tax every year; third, I can recruit soldiers here - of course, it will not be forced to collect, but will give you salary, and it will definitely be more than the court's original gift."

Wang Lan listened carefully with her ears, then saw Du Jia not talking for a long time and asked, "Is it over?"

"It's over."

"That's all?"

“That’s all.”

"This, this, how is this possible?" The old man was completely shocked. Du Jia's conditions were not too high, but too low. The old man was originally responsible for the tax review in the city. How heavy is the tax here? Naturally, the Qing Dynasty. When the Song Dynasty was first established, it was only a tax of one bull per acre per year, which did not seem heavy, but you should know that there are also a series of miscellaneous taxes, such as charity warehouse tax, agricultural instrument tax, cattle and leather horn tax, intermediary tax, silkworm salt money, quilt money, market money, etc. Together, the people worked hard for a year, at least more than half of the harvest would be taken away.

Later, it became more and more stringent. Salt, tea, wine, minerals and other aspects were taxed. In addition, a lot of labor service was released - of course, money could be used instead, so that 60% or even 70% of the people's income had to be paid. As for the artist Huizong of this dynasty, it was even worse after taking office. Huashigang made the world complain. After a whole year, the people found that all the harvest was not enough to pay taxes. Therefore, they were forced to be displaced and even their families were destroyed, which led to so many thieves coming out.

Of course, the old man hates thieves, but he also understands that the root cause is due to these heavy taxes. If everyone can live and work in peace, how many people are willing to go to the dangerous life of licking blood on the knife and fearing. He has also repeatedly written to him to be exempted from some taxes and labor, but what's the use of a mere 5-rank magistrate? Who would listen to him?

In his opinion, as long as the taxes are reduced to less than 60%, the people can barely survive; if they are less than 50%, they will have a little savings; if they are 30% or 40%, they can add chicken legs every day. As for the lower, he doesn't dare to think about it. After all, there are so many officials to support, and who will pay for the luxury life of the emperor and the powerful?

But Du Jia only has 10%! What is this concept? If it can be implemented, he will be confident that he will double the prosperity of this Texas city in less than three years, and will increase the population by 30% in ten years, and even compete with Tokyo in twenty years.

Therefore, he really couldn't believe that what would Liangshan rely on if that was the case? If they wanted to resist the imperial court, they would definitely need a large amount of money and grain population. How could such a small tax be supported?

As if he guessed the old man’s idea, Du Jia smiled at him and said softly: “Old Wang, do you think that charging such a little money is not enough for us to copy it?”

Wang Lan nodded immediately: "Yes, from the perspective of the people and me, of course I wish I could pay less, but how can the counterfeits grow and how can I resist the imperial army? I think this can be discussed again. I think if it can be reduced to 30%, the people will be grateful."

He himself didn't know it. Before he knew it, he had already regarded himself as Du Jia's subordinate and regarded Texas Prefecture as a subordinate of Liangshan, so he made such a suggestion. Du Jia laughed in his heart but did not say it out loud, and patiently explained: "Old Wang, what you said is very true. If you keep paying 10% of your taxes in the future, it will definitely not be enough. But after all, Texas is the first cunning under my rule. I must let it set an example so that more places can invest.

Secondly, the people have lived a hard life over the years. Let everyone breathe and recover well. Anyway, I am not the kind of bandit who can run away with just one vote. What I value is a longer future. In fact, if the city develops well in the future, my income will naturally increase. For example, if Mr. Wang can triple the income of this city, wouldn’t it mean that I have taken 30% of the current one? And if the people get the benefits, they will naturally support my rule. This is much more useful than shouting any slogan. Mr. Wang said, “But?”

(End of this chapter)
Chapter completed!