250: Chapter 250 Head Tax

That is correct. The information provided by the Eye of Insight revealed that the woman secretly tailing him was a True Disciple of the Hehuan Sect.

He quickly recalled his memories.

It seemed he had never had any contact or conflict with the Hehuan Sect.

Then, what was her purpose in seeking him out?

Consequently, Chen Hu continued walking toward the General Hall without changing his expression, while secretly contacting Princess Anping via the sound transmission gu.

Princess Anping was delighted that Chen Hu had initiated contact with her.

After chatting for a few moments.

Chen Hu cut straight to the point: "Jingjing, how much do you know about the Hehuan Sect?"

Princess Anping replied: "I have heard a little. They are one of the ten top factions in our Great Yong Kingdom."

Chen Hu asked: "Then what is their reputation like?"

Princess Anping said: "It is a mix of good and bad. The Hehuan Sect possesses two major Cultivation Techniques. If one Cultivates the 'Hehuan Scripture' through dual cultivation and harvesting, the cultivation speed is very fast, but it is impossible to reach the Liangang Realm."

"However, their other Cultivation Technique, the 'Taiyin Foundation Scripture', requires one to remain a virgin. In the early stages, progress with this technique is not as fast as the 'Hehuan Scripture', but in the Late Stage, the progress becomes faster and faster."

"Yet, this technique also has a huge weakness: one must not lose their virginity."

"Once one loses their virginity, not only will their cultivation power be greatly reduced, but they might even drop a Realm."

"And the person who takes their virginity can gain immense benefits."

"Therefore, whenever a female Disciple of the Hehuan Sect who Cultivates the 'Taiyin Foundation Scripture' enters the world, she is sought after by many men."

"After all, once they are captured or married, one's cultivation power can increase significantly."

Hearing what Princess Anping said, Chen Hu instantly recalled that the female True Disciple of the Hehuan Sect tailing him was also cultivating the 'Taiyin Foundation Scripture'.

Princess Anping continued: "Also, the true power-holders of the Hehuan Sect all Cultivate the 'Taiyin Foundation Scripture'. Furthermore, in order to Cultivate, the Hehuan Sect has opened a large number of brothels within the Great Yong."

"The brothels also make it convenient to collect intelligence, so the imperial court and the Hehuan Sect have a cooperative relationship."

"Chen-lang, why are you suddenly asking about the Hehuan Sect? Could it be that you have had a conflict with them?"

Chen Hu replied: "I have not. However, someone from the Hehuan Sect is tracking me, which is why I sought you out to understand the situation."

Soon, Chen Hu arrived at the General Hall of the Fierce Tiger Gang.

However, just as he was about to step through the main gate, he sensed a second gaze spying on him.

Sweeping with his Spiritual Sense, he discovered that the other party was only in the Tendon Refining Realm.

After activating his Eye of Insight, Chen Hu also learned his identity. This person was a spy from the Baishen Cult.

Suddenly, Chen Hu thought of the intelligence he had obtained last night. He instantly understood that this spy was likely tailing him to find his home address.

He did not care about this at all. On the contrary, he hoped that Mo Sanwen would come to seek his own death.

At the Prefect's Office. After the anesthetic wore off, Prefect Yang Ze finally woke up.

As everything experienced in the second dream flashed through his mind, he felt extreme psychological and physical discomfort, followed by a fit of dry heaving.

Just after finishing his grooming and eating something, an official came to report that a messenger had been sent from the Governors Office.

"Show him in!"

Soon, the messenger was ushered into a hall.

"Lord Yang, this is an order from the Governor. Please ensure it is completed. This subordinate will take his leave!"

After the messenger handed a letter to Prefect Yang Ze, he immediately took his leave.

With some confusion, Prefect Yang Ze opened the letter. Soon, he finished reading it. His eyes flickered with light.

The Governors Office had issued an order for him to raise 5 million taels of military funds and 200,000 shi of military grain within three days. If he failed to complete it, he would be demoted by three ranks immediately.

"Someone, go and invite Advisor Zhang Yang here!"

But as soon as the words left his mouth, Prefect Yang Ze remembered that the dog, Advisor Zhang Yang, had already fled Linjiang Prefecture with his family.

"Forget it, go call Chief Constable Xu Shiyou over!"

Looking at the servant standing quietly before him, Prefect Yang Ze immediately corrected himself.

Before long, Chief Constable Xu Shiyou arrived and bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Prefect."

"Chief Constable Xu, please sit!"

"Many thanks, Prefect!"

"This is a letter sent by the Governors Office. Chief Constable Xu, take a look!"

Chief Constable Xu Shiyou took the letter and began to read it carefully. Soon, his expression changed: "Prefect, to raise five million taels of silver and two hundred thousand shi of grain in three days—isn't this making things difficult for us?"

Prefect Yang Ze feigned helplessness and said: "You have seen it; this is a death order from the Governors Office. If I cannot complete it, I will not be able to keep my position as Prefect. At that time, your days will likely not be easy either. Therefore, there is no room for negotiation; this matter must be completed. So, Chief Constable Xu, how do you think we should collect these five million taels and two hundred thousand shi of grain?"

"This subordinate is dull-witted. Why not call the heads of the six departments to discuss it?" Chief Constable Xu Shiyou was silent for a moment before offering his suggestion.

"Good!"

Soon, the heads of the six departments of the Prefect's Office were summoned.

After understanding the situation, the head of the Revenue Department said: "My Lord, we can distribute the burden. Our Linjiang Prefecture has over seven million people; we only need to collect one tael of silver per person to easily raise five million taels. Furthermore, we can also levy donations from the Inner City families and the various Gang factions. The excess silver can be used directly to purchase grain from the Hu Family. As far as this subordinate knows, the Hu Family has hoarded quite a lot of grain."

"This will not do!" Chief Constable Xu Shiyou frowned and said: "The monthly income of an ordinary family does not even reach one tael of silver. If each person is allocated one tael of silver, wouldn't that force them to sell everything they own? How will they live in the future?"

"If the commoners are not allocated a share, we cannot expect the Five Great Families of the Inner City and the various factions to donate everything. Even if we are willing, they certainly will not be!" the head of the Revenue Department said in a deep voice.

"That is correct. Which of the Inner City families or those Gangs are easy to deal with? If we do not make the commoners donate silver, they will use that as an excuse, and we probably won't be able to collect a single tael of silver!" another department head chimed in.

"Chief Constable Xu, this Prefect knows that you care for the commoners, but hasn't the Governors Office issued a death order? If we cannot raise the silver and grain, we will all be stripped of our official caps. So, let it be this way: first, send people to collect taxes from the commoners. Collect it by head count, one tael of silver per person. Anyone who dares to resist, arrest them and throw them into the jail! Also, send people to contact the Inner City families and the Outer City Gangs to probe their stance. After we have collected the taxes from the commoners, I will invite them to a banquet and have them donate some money and grain!"

"Yes!" everyone replied in unison, accepting the order.

After Chief Constable Xu Shiyou walked out of the meeting hall, he immediately contacted Chen Hu via the sound transmission gu and informed him that Prefect Yang Ze was about to impose a poll tax on the commoners in the city.

Upon learning this news, Chen Hu frowned slightly, hesitating in his heart: should he stop this?

This silver and grain were being collected by the Governors Office. However, knowing Prefect Yang Ze's character, he would certainly not stop at collecting just five million taels and two hundred thousand shi of grain.

He would definitely take advantage of this opportunity to line his own pockets.

After pondering for a while, Chen Hu felt it was unnecessary to stop Prefect Yang Ze from raising the military funds and grain. However, he absolutely could not allow him to embezzle. Therefore, he could certainly send someone to threaten Prefect Yang Ze; if he dared to embezzle, he would take his dog life.