Chapter 186

Chapter 186

He said with a cold face, "Do you know why I'm here this time?"

Meng Shixin was deeply displeased with Meng Shuping, but at this moment, he understood that he couldn't assert his seniority in front of Meng Shuping, especially with Xiang Feng and the agents of the Military Hall Department present. He could only suppress his irritation and force a laugh, saying, "A while ago, we received a letter from the Earl. I suppose it's about the overdue taxes, isn't it?"

Captain Zheng snorted, "Since you know, why aren't you hurrying to pay the taxes?"

Meng Shixin's body stiffened, and he said awkwardly, "Naturally, but you arrived so suddenly. How can we gather such a large sum of tax money in such a short time? How about this: give us one more day. Can you come back tomorrow?"

Meng Shuping looked at Meng Shixin suspiciously. [He's cooperating so easily—is he still trying to pull a fast one? Well, let him. I haven't quite vented my anger today. A couple of days in jail will straighten him out!]

So he readily agreed, "Then I'll give you one day. Oh, and make sure to call the other clan members over tomorrow."

[Don't say I'm being unreasonable later—I won't go easy on him just because we're relatives!]

Meng Shixin choked, then tried to convince himself: He refused to believe that Meng Shuping could possibly arrest all the clansmen who owed taxes.

After leaving Meng Shixin's place, Meng Shuping began organizing the records of those in Suhe County with overdue taxes. Captain Zheng and his team weren't idle either; they went out to gather information about other prominent local families.

The next day, Meng Shuping and his group returned to Meng Shixin's residence. Upon their arrival, the main hall was already filled with members of the Meng clan. Facing so many people at once, Meng Shuping was extremely nervous. He walked in stiffly, only to see everyone in the hall stand up.

Some greeted Meng Shuping politely, while others wore sour expressions and even snorted.

Since Meng Shuping hadn't met most of them, Xiang Feng introduced both sides: "This is the fifth young master of our Earl's residence, Meng Shuping. He currently serves as the Director of the Board of Revenue, is on good terms with Prince Zhao, and is highly regarded by the Emperor."

"These are several elders of the Meng clan. This one, by seniority, is your grand-uncle..."

A few elders were delighted to see Meng Shuping obediently address them. "Good lad! To become the Director of the Board of Revenue at such a young age—you've truly made something of yourself!"

"Excellent! Excellent! You've brought honor to our Meng family!"

"If my grandson could be as accomplished as you, I'd laugh myself awake in my dreams, hahaha!"

Meng Shuping was so embarrassed by the praise that his face turned red. He could only offer an awkward yet polite smile. At this moment, others who saw how well these few were treating Meng Shuping couldn't help but mock, "Hmph, so what if he's the Director of the Board of Revenue? Isn't he just targeting our Meng family first?"

"Other officials use their positions to benefit their own clansmen, but him? Not only do we get no benefits, but he treats us like this. What's the point of him being an official?"

"Exactly! I've never seen someone so quick to turn against their own!"

Seeing this, those who had just praised Meng Shuping were displeased. "You're in the wrong for delaying taxes, and you still have the nerve to talk? It's not like your families are too poor to eat—why would you skimp on such a small amount?"

"What do you mean by 'turning against your own'? I haven't even scolded you yet for all the trouble you've caused the Earl. Now that the court is cracking down on taxes, must you insist on opposing the government?"

"Tell me, how have you not benefited? Which official who comes here doesn't treat us with respect? If it weren't for the Earl of Anyang, do you think you'd have it so easy?"

Meng Shuping couldn't help but agree inwardly. [Exactly! It's not that I'm criticizing them, but they're no help at all—just causing trouble. How dare they say we haven't brought them benefits? Haven't they caused me plenty of trouble too?]

With so many people around, Meng Shixin wasn't as afraid as he was yesterday. He said sternly, "We're all from the same clan. Does he have to be so harsh? Have other officials ever targeted their own people like this?"

Meng Shuping replied stiffly, "Yes!"

[I knew he'd try to play tricks! I gave him a chance, and he still doesn't appreciate it. He just doesn't know when to quit, does he?]

"Since..." Meng Shixin started to speak but suddenly realized Meng Shuping hadn't denied it. He was stunned—was Meng Shuping tricking him?

He snorted coldly and said, "But the amount is too much. Can't we just pay what's overdue for this year?"

Others chimed in, "Exactly! Just make a show of it. Why be so strict?"

"You're trying to clean us out! If we can't eat, will you take care of us?"

Someone even said with tragic indignation, "You're driving us to death! I might as well dash my head against the wall right now!"

After saying this, he suddenly rushed toward the crowd. Meng Shuping was startled. "Quick, quick, quick! Stop him!"

The others hurriedly restrained him, then turned to reproach Meng Shuping. "Now you see how serious the consequences are? I told you earlier not to be so harsh!"

"Hmph, it's good that you realize your mistake!"

Meng Shuping was speechless. [At his age, he's still pulling the 'cry, make a scene, threaten suicide' routine? Isn't he ashamed? Does he think I'd be scared by that? Just watch me make him regret it!]

He said expressionlessly, "What I meant was—dashing into people won't kill you; it's more likely to hurt others. He should dash against that wall over there—the chance of dying is much higher!"

Everyone was dumbfounded. They never expected Meng Shuping to say such a thing, as if he were enjoying the drama. Captain Zheng also gloated and ordered his subordinates, "What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and escort him over. What can he accomplish by dashing here?"

Several agents of the Military Hall Department responded loudly, "Yes!"

After speaking, they quickly walked over to the person who had just spoken and tried to drag him away. Seeing they were serious, that person shrank back desperately, while others hurriedly intervened. "What are you doing? Just because you're from the Military Hall Department doesn't mean you can take lives so recklessly!"

Meng Shuping showed a look of disdain. [Weren't you saying you wanted to die? Why are you shrinking back now? Did he think I'd stop him from killing himself?]

The person who had threatened to dash his head turned pale and flushed alternately. After a moment, he put on a pitiful act and said, "Fine, just let me go!"

Immediately, several people around him became indignant. "Aren't you afraid of being driven out of the clan if you push someone to death?"

Meng Shuping said sincerely, "No, I'm not!"

[What can they do to me? How would it affect me? Does he think I'd be threatened by that? Come on, get it straight—who's relying on whom here?]

Seeing that Meng Shuping was so firm and couldn't be manipulated, they changed their strategy. One of them said, "Ping Geer, we really can't come up with that much tax money. Can't you give us some leniency and reduce it by a few years?"

Meng Shuping quietly asked Xiang Feng, "Steward Xiang, do you know him?"

Xiang Feng then explained that person's identity to Meng Shuping.

Recalling the information gathered by the Military Hall Department, Meng Shuping opened the small booklet in his hand and glanced at it. Then he looked disdainfully at the person who had just spoken. "Is it because you gave all your money to your lover, Widow He, that you have no money to pay taxes?"

[I'm not one to criticize, but he has a wife at home and still keeps running outside. Is the wildflower really so much sweeter than the one at home? He's not even that generous with his wife!]

The person who had just spoken turned red-faced and panicked. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

No sooner had he spoken than someone hit him hard on the head. "Well! I've seen you making eyes at that Widow He before, and now you're giving her money! Tell me, have you slept with her?"

That person dodged while arguing, "No! I haven't! I was just looking out for her a bit. When did I give her money?"

Meng Shuping curled his lip. [What do you mean 'no'? 'Looking out for her' all the way to bed—who could be more considerate than him? Look, not only did he spend a fortune on hairpins, but he also gave her fabric, rouge... Should I list more?]

Afraid that Meng Shuping would reveal more, that person quickly said, "Alright, alright, I'll pay the taxes, every last coin!"

Meng Shuping was very puzzled. [Why did he agree to pay the taxes so easily? Is it just because his wife beat him? If he's so afraid, why did he go out looking for trouble in the first place?]

The beaten person grimaced and dodged away. Was it just a matter of getting beaten? If Meng Shuping said any more, he'd never have peace at home again from now on.

Watching that person leave, Meng Shuping shook his head and quietly leaned toward Xiang Feng. "Who is that person?"

After getting that person's name from Xiang Feng, Meng Shuping opened the booklet again and looked. Then he stared at that person in shock. "...You're already this old, and you're still hiding a secret stash of money?"

Hearing this, the others looked at that person in disbelief. If they remembered correctly, wasn't this person the one who called the shots at home? Could it all be an act?

Their eyes lit up as they chimed in, "Second Uncle, why are you hiding pocket money? Don't tell us you've got someone on the side too?"

"Ping Geer, out with it already! What's really going on? You're not involved in something illegal, are you?"

"Exactly, exactly! We're all family here—what's there to hide? No need to keep us in the dark!"

Meng Shuping lowered his head and continued reading, [How come he's the head of the household but still doesn't have control over his own money? Let me see why he's hiding private savings... Oh, I see! He enjoys embroidery and designing clothes but doesn't want anyone to know about his hobby, so he has to spend money on it secretly. Since he doesn't want it known, wouldn't it be great if I exposed it?]

Just as he was about to speak, someone quickly cut him off, "Fine! Since the tax is due sooner or later anyway, what's the point in delaying? I'll go back and get things ready now!"

If people were to find out about his hobby, he'd be utterly embarrassed.

Meng Shuping stared in astonishment as the man left. [I hadn't even said anything yet!]