In years of famine and drought, their village even rejected fatty meat.

Chapter 86 Land Rental

Having read extensively and seen much of the outside world, Li Zheng knew very well that in the Xia Kingdom, resisting taxes was often seen as a challenge to imperial power, and therefore the crime would be extremely serious, ranging from exile and imprisonment to the death penalty!

If only one person refuses to pay taxes, that's one thing; at most, that person will be exiled or imprisoned. But if the entire Chenjia Village resists taxes...

It would most likely be considered a rebellion by the government, and rebellion... is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family. At that time, the entire Chen family village would probably be wiped out.

"Mr. Li, you make it sound nice, but what can we do if we don't resist taxes?"

A young man stared directly at Li Zheng and asked, "We don't even have enough food to eat, so where would we get the food to pay taxes?"

"That's right! I wouldn't hand over 100 jin of grain even if you killed me!"

"This tax is far too much; we simply can't afford it!"

"Yes!"

"..."

The villagers were well aware of the seriousness of resisting taxes.

But what can you do if you don't resist taxes?

If they couldn't pay the grain tax, their entire family would be exiled to the north to serve in the army, facing a near-certain death. Resisting taxes, on the other hand, would be considered treason by the government, resulting in the extermination of their entire clan...

No matter what you choose, it seems that death is the only option.

Looking at the excited crowd, Chen Dao sighed inwardly.

This is the cruelty of feudal society. Natural disasters had already made it difficult for ordinary people to survive, and the government's exorbitant taxes and levies added another heavy burden to the already bent backs of the people. This was completely leaving the working masses with no way to make a living.

"This……"

Faced with the questions from the crowd, Li Zheng opened his mouth, but did not know how to respond.

In the current situation, he couldn't think of any solution. Resisting taxes meant certain death, and not paying taxes also meant certain death. It seemed that there was no difference between resisting taxes and not resisting them.

"Ugh."

Chen He sighed and looked at Chen Da: "Chen Da, do you have any ideas?"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their hopeful gazes to Chen Da. Currently, Chen Da and Chen Dao's families are the best off in Chenjia Village. Many families in the village cannot even deliver 100 jin of grain, but this does not include Chen Da and Chen Dao.

"no way."

Chen Da said helplessly, "If it were just one or two households, I could help out, but there are 103 households in the village. Even if I took out all the money in my house, I still couldn't pay that much tax!"

Because of his white-feathered chicken business, Chen Da's family had some money and grain, but only some. It was impossible for them to pay all the taxes for the villagers.

"What about you, Daoge'er?"

Chen He then looked at Chen Dao, hoping to get an answer from him.

The young men in the living room were also staring intently at Chen Dao. Nowadays, the villagers no longer regarded Chen Dao as that young lad, but as the most capable person in the entire Chenjia Village.

After all, everyone had seen how well Chen Dao's family was doing, and the fact that he had treated the whole village to steamed buns before made everyone aware of how wealthy Chen Dao's family was.

When people face dire straits, they often hope that a capable person will step forward to help them overcome the difficulties. At this time, Chen Dao became that capable person in the eyes of the villagers.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Chen Dao pondered for a moment and said, "I have a way to help everyone in the village pay their taxes this time, but I have one condition!"

As soon as Chen Dao said this, everyone's eyes lit up.

"Brother Dao, do you really have a solution?"

Chen He asked incredulously, not because he didn't trust Chen Dao, but because what Chen Dao said was simply too astonishing—helping the entire village pay taxes…

It should be noted that there are 103 households in the entire Chenjia Village. Even if we exclude the Chen Jin brothers' family who are buried at the foot of the mountain, there are still 102 households. In terms of grain, that is 102 shi of grain, and in terms of silver, that is 204 taels of silver. Although the Chen Dao family is wealthy, Chen He does not think that his family can produce so much grain and money.

"Brother Dao, just tell us your conditions, and we'll definitely agree to them."

Chen Gou's father, Chen Sheng, said that he trusted Chen Dao very much because of the five jin of sorghum flour that Chen Gou brought home some time ago.

Chen Gou only helped to inform Chen Dao, and he received 5 jin of sorghum flour, which gave Chen Sheng a very deep understanding of the wealth of Chen Dao's family.

If someone else claimed they could help the whole village get through this tax increase, Chen Sheng would definitely be suspicious, wondering if they had ulterior motives.

But since Chen Dao said those words, Chen Sheng felt there couldn't be any problem.

"That's right! Brother Dao, just tell us your conditions, and we'll do whatever you say."

"Brother Dao, as long as you can help us pay this tax, I'll sell my life for you."

"Brother Dao, tell me your plan now!"

"..."

At this moment, everyone's attention was focused on Chen Dao, who became the sole protagonist in everyone's eyes.

Chen Dao, facing the gazes of the crowd, had a calm expression on his face. He didn't think that helping the villagers pay their taxes was a big problem. Selling a blood-feathered chicken would earn 20 taels of silver, and the total taxes of all the villagers in Chenjia Village would only be equivalent to 10 blood-feathered chickens.

However, Chen Dao did not intend to help these villagers for free. He knew the principle that a little help is appreciated, but too much help can breed resentment. Helping others for free might not earn gratitude, but could instead invite hostility.

Therefore, after thinking it over, Chen Dao stated his conditions: "My conditions are very simple. You can rent all the farmland in the village to me for six months. In return, I will help all the villagers pay their taxes this time."

"Leasing land?"

Everyone was taken aback, seemingly never expecting Chen Dao to make such a condition.

For ordinary people, land is undoubtedly the most important property and the most important means of production. If Chen Dao said he wanted to buy their land, even if they were willing, they would definitely be dissatisfied.

But if it's a rental, and only for six months... that would be much more acceptable to everyone.

"Rice Brother".

Chen Sheng asked, somewhat puzzled, "It's freezing cold now, and nothing can grow in the fields. Why are you renting our land?"

It's September now, and the weather is bitterly cold. Even some cold-resistant crops can't grow. Chen Sheng really doesn't know what use Chen Dao has for these fields.

"I have my own uses."

Chen Dao didn't offer any explanation, but instead said, "My condition is this: rent all your land to me for six months, and I can help you pay this tax."

"no problem!"

The young man who had previously said he would resist taxes blurted out, "I'll entrust all five mu of my family's land to you, Brother Dao, as long as you can help me pay this tax."

"I'm willing too."

“My family’s three mu of land can also be rented to Daoge’er.”

"Me too."

"..."

Without a second thought, everyone agreed to Chen Dao's terms. Renting the land to Chen Dao for six months would not be a loss for them, since the weather was cold and they couldn't grow crops, and the land wouldn't produce anything if it just sat there.

On the contrary, lending money to Chen Dao would help his family get two taels of silver to pay the taxes this time, so why not?