Near noon, Gu Wen had just finished breakfast when he heard wailing coming from outside the mansion.
Stepping out, he saw a plump merchant from across the street clinging to the legs of an official, surrounded by a group of bailiffs and officials moving things out of his house, as if preparing to confiscate his belongings.
After inquiring through his servants, Gu Wen learned that the Market Tax Bureau was imposing taxes again, specifically targeting merchants with a household tax.
The Market Tax Bureau, responsible for commercial tax collection and managing taxes for all businesses, was led by the Deputy Commissioner of Market Tax.
There were eight such bureaus, each overseen by a low-ranking but influential official, capable of controlling the merchants like ferocious beasts.
As to why it seemed like a confiscation, it was because the tax collectors also needed to supplement their own expenses.
Gu Wen smirked slightly, knowing that the Great Gan was nearing its end, but the deterioration of the situation was faster than he had imagined.
After finishing with the neighbor, the tax collectors headed towards Gu Wen's mansion at noon.
Gu Wen leisurely walked out of the mansion, accompanied by Qin Mianrong and Rong Leng, leading the Wang Mansion guards with drawn swords closely behind.
The clinking of armor and heavy footsteps created an intimidating aura, softening the aggressive atmosphere of the tax collection team.
Especially Qin Mianrong and Rong Leng, from their momentum to their gaze, they were not ordinary imperial guards but fierce soldiers who had returned from the border.
Even if the Great Gan was faltering, the military stationed at the borders still possessed basic combat capabilities; otherwise, the barbarians would have invaded long ago.
Sometimes Gu Wen admired the border troops for being able to withstand the burden under such a faltering court for so many years.
The leading Deputy Commissioner of Market Tax, changing his fierce demeanor from the morning, greeted with a smile, "Ah, Lord Wen, good afternoon."
"Where is the peace? Is the esteemed official here to confiscate?" Gu Wen asked lightly, looking down at the other party from the three steps at the entrance.
His expression was not pleasant because they were here for money, at least not with a smile on his face.
Unbeknownst to them, the subtle emotions stirred a sense of pressure, as if his pitch-black pupils contained boundless coercion, causing the tax collectors to feel more breathless.
An eight-pound rabbit is a meal for an eagle, but an eight-hundred-pound rabbit can swallow the eagle.
To cross species in battle, one must increase their weight.
While the officials indeed had the upper hand over the merchants, not every official was a high-ranking one.
The Deputy Commissioner of Market Tax was just a low-ranking official of the eighth rank, while Gu Wen was one of the few prominent merchants in Longqiao, beyond the official's reach.
Furthermore, the armed guards behind Gu Wen were somewhat intimidating.
"Dare not, dare not," the Deputy Commissioner of Market Tax said with a sheepish expression, taking out a silver ingot and whispered, "Lord Wen, I am just following orders, please be understanding."
"He even needs to bribe me."
Gu Wen found it amusing, but he wouldn't accept the silver to avoid giving them leverage over him.
He pushed the silver back, saying, "Please follow the rules, and I will fully cooperate with the court."
The Deputy Commissioner of Market Tax breathed a sigh of relief, thanking Gu Wen repeatedly in a low voice.
He was not someone who could afford to offend others, especially in Bianjing, where there were influential merchants with connections to the imperial family.
While the Deputy Commissioner knew the other party's identity, there were prominent merchants in Bianjing with status and influence.
Although not high-ranking officials, they were not to be trifled with, especially when they had the imperial guards at their disposal.
Nevertheless, rules had to be followed because the Emperor demanded money, and all the wealthy households in the city had to contribute, including the Prime Minister.
He produced a document and read aloud:
"The Holy Emperor reigns, bringing peace and prosperity to the people. For merchants who hoard gold and silver without regard for the people's suffering, with continuous disasters and external threats, the frontlines are under pressure. Taxes for all businesses shall be increased by thirty percent, and for every excess of ten doors and windows in a house, an additional five taels shall be levied, with no upper limit."
Gu Wen's brows furrowed, even he found it hard to maintain his composure.
He knew the court was here for money and was aware of the court's cruelty, but at this moment, he felt the urge to curse.
Taxing even the doors and windows of houses, how absurd! Why not tax the sky?
In ancient times, mansions were designed for ventilation and light, especially the residences of high-ranking officials, which naturally had more doors and windows, even windows on garden walls.
If fully accounted for, Gu Wen estimated he might have to pay over a thousand taels.
As the tax collectors entered the mansion, each was accompanied by servants and maids to prevent theft.
This time, the tax collectors did not act as ruthlessly as they did in the morning; they conducted meticulous inspections and records without taking anything.
Finally, the Deputy Commissioner of Market Tax, somewhat nervously, reported the total amount, "Lord Wen, a total of twelve hundred taels. I can round it down to a thousand taels for you, what do you think?"
He intended to give Gu Wen some face, perhaps hoping for future favors.
Gu Wen shook his head and said, "No need, let's handle official matters properly."
With a deposit of four thousand five hundred taels, deducting one thousand two hundred taels, there remained three thousand three hundred taels.
After all the outsiders dispersed, Gu Wen and Jiang Fugui were in a room, the latter expressing his frustration without naming names, but the implications were clear.
At this moment, countless voices were raised in anger, not at the heavens but at the situation.
Beyond the Qianjing County, many eyes turned towards Bianjing, while within Bianjing, numerous commoners gazed towards the imperial palace.
Blamed by thousands, cursed by millions, one could not help but wonder how long it could last.
After taking a few sips of tea, Gu Wen calmly said, "It's not us who should be in a hurry."
Throughout the history of dynasties, the process of founding a nation varied greatly, but the scene of its downfall was eerily consistent.
Extravagance from the top to bottom leads to plundering from the people; as the people rebel, they turn to the merchants.
Now that they had reached the merchants, the next step would be struggling to suppress rebellions, granting autonomy to various regions, and the rise of feudal lords.
With the frontlines under pressure, unable to drive away even the barbarian cavalry that had penetrated the interior, if they entrenched themselves in Zezhou County, it would be equivalent to seizing control of the Central Plains as in the past.
-
Zezhou County.
Smoke signals pierced the sky and the earth, laborers pushed stone-throwing carts stuck in the mud, giant stones ignited with oil flew overhead, crossing one military formation after another, amidst the fire, countless faces showed fear, anger, and madness.
Boom!
A giant stone landed on the city wall, creating a breach, but like a stone thrown into the sea, it was quickly drowned out by the sounds of battle.
In the heart of Zezhou County's largest city, Ze City, within a mansion.
The County Magistrate of Zezhou was bound to a chair, a hand emerging from the darkness pinching a black bug and inserting it into his nostrils, followed by a series of agonizing screams.
The next day, the County Magistrate of Zezhou defected to the barbarians, causing numerous aristocratic families to turn against each other.
Bianjing's frontline received continuous victorious reports, with officials riding back from the outskirts daily, shouting about how a certain general had defeated the enemy.
It was unclear whether the high quality of the Great Gan relay stations allowed them to shout so loudly even after traveling such a distance.
-
Water House.
Gu Wen was reviewing the account statements; last month, the Water House had an income of eight thousand taels, excluding various miscellaneous costs including wages, totaling one thousand taels.
Additionally, they had sold a year's worth of water receipts at half price yesterday, amounting to five thousand taels, bringing the total to twelve thousand taels.
With a lift of his pen, Gu Wen swiftly recorded the figures, smoothly adding up to twelve thousand taels!
Jiang Fugui, watching Gu Wen's less-than-pleasant handwriting, praised, "Marvelous! Absolutely marvelous."
Gu Wen chuckled, "Where's the marvel?"
"A golden hand, worth ten thousand taels with each stroke!" Jiang Fugui, rarely eloquent, exchanged a knowing smile with Gu Wen, the unspoken understanding between them.
If merchants like them only relied on fixed salaries and profit-sharing, they might not even be able to sustain a comfortable life, similar to court officials.
Without a bit of greed, a sixth-rank official could only ensure his family's basic needs were met.
However, Gu Wen and Jiang Fugui had never been stingy when it came to the Wang Mansion's income; loyalty to the sovereign was not in their vocabulary.
With a profit of two thousand taels, Gu Wen took fifteen hundred taels, while Jiang Fugui took five hundred taels.
The latter shook his head, saying, "Oh, I didn't do much, you can just give me a hundred taels as a token. This money doesn't fall from the sky; an ordinary family only earns ten taels in a year."
Earning a thousand taels was the starting point for Longqiao's profits, the epitome of luxury and indulgence.
Yet, they were merely servants to the nobles, the real earners and spenders were always the nobles.
With a mysterious smile, Gu Wen said, "Indeed, there are many things I need you to handle."
"After the tasks are completed, I will reward you then."
With a deposit of four thousand five hundred taels, picking up one thousand nine hundred taels, there remained five thousand six hundred taels, expanding the wealth through various means!
At night, in Longqiao.
No commoners passed by, only distinguished carriages and nobles gathered.
A carriage came to a stop, and Qin Mian, the armored driver, alighted first, then respectfully opened the curtain, saying, "Lord Wen, we have arrived."
From the shadows emerged a pair of profound eyes, followed by a figure clad in plain black attire, adhering to the court's regulations for merchants.
Gu Wen stepped down from the carriage.
Among the guests and merchants passing by, the beautiful courtesans, and the numerous gazes converged on Gu Wen.
In Longqiao, where the elite gathered, it was rare to see someone with armed guards and armor, let alone a noble.
However, Gu Wen received such treatment, even the Court Secretary dared not claim to have armed guards protecting him in Bianjing, a sign of great favor.
Even though only he knew that, compared to protection and prestige, it felt more like a shackle.
The whole place fell silent, then the attendants from various taverns rushed over, eager to invite Gu Wen.
Gu Wen's reputation in Longqiao was at its peak; with a word, he could crush numerous black-market traders in the teahouses.
Without the intervention of top-tier nobles, he was the undisputed leader of Longqiao.
This title was coined by well-wishers, but it had never been misused.
However, the top-tier nobles would never intervene, as they all needed each other, both for money and reputation.
Zhao Feng spent tens of thousands of taels each year, known for his integrity.
Entering Qianfeng Tower, Gu Wen made sure to leave a record, letting Zhao Feng know he had visited the establishment.
The attendant at the teahouse regained his senses and shouted, "Lord Wen, welcome to Qianfeng Tower!"
Many books are becoming hard to find, so cherish them while you can.