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After all, a magistrate can be replaced, but if the taxes aren’t delivered, the imperial court might question your loyalty.

“Can the peasants of Qingxian City still be squeezed for more money, after paying so much to the Qingxian Society every year?” Lu Xuan asked.

“Lord magistrate doesn’t know the full picture,” Gu Yang explained. “These peasants are adept at deceiving and evading. They always underreport their monthly income and yearly taxes, crying poverty. They all need a good disciplining. ”

“Compared to the family heads like yourself, aren’t they all just poor folks?” Lu Xuan implied something deeper.

“Ah, Magistrate Wu, you’re wrongly accusing me,” Gu Yang sighed. “My large family, with its young masters and mistresses, maids and servants, consumes a great deal every day. Sometimes, we even have to borrow from outside.”

Lu Xuan found it amusing to hear this. Everyone in Qingxian City knew that the three major families were the ones lending at usurious rates. Yet now, they pretended to be so poor that they needed to borrow money themselves. It was nothing short of blatant falsehood.

“May I know if Magistrate Wu has any insights?” Gu Yang inquired.

“Two points,” Lu Xuan pondered for a moment. “First, the excuses of repairing city walls, water conservancy, and suppressing bandits are overused. Let’s find a new one that can bring in more money.”

“What should we switch to?” Gu Yang was intrigued.

“The Black Lotus Cult,” Lu Xuan tapped the table.

Gu Yang gasped at the mention, “This… This… dealing with these Black Lotus cultists is no easy task.”

“Ah, Elder Gu, no need to worry,” Lu Xuan sipped his wine. “Suppression of the Black Lotus Cult is just a pretext; the key is still to extract money from these peasants.”

He paused, “Moreover, the Black Lotus Cult is a significant concern for the imperial court. The court has now allowed local governments to form and train militia units, authorizing officials to act as militia commanders to suppress these cultists. And the funds for establishing and training these militias naturally come from the local area.”

Lu Xuan continued, “To be frank, I’ve been worried about this. Without money, we can’t sustain the militia; without the militia, we can’t suppress the cultists. If we can’t suppress the cultists, I won’t have any notable achievements, and without achievements, I can’t get promoted…”

“There’s no need for further explanation, Magistrate Wu,” Gu Yang solemnly raised his arms above his head and bowed towards the direction of the capital. “Suppressing the Black Lotus Cultists is the emperor’s command. As a subject of the Great Kang Dynasty, I understand that everyone has a responsibility for the rise and fall of the country… I will provide the funds for the militia!” “Elder Gu is truly noble! ” Lu Xuan immediately agreed.

“But…” Gu Yang changed the subject. “Forming and maintaining a militia is enormously costly. I only have modest means and can’t sustain such an endeavor. I’m merely leading the way. To truly fulfill the Emperor’s command, we must rely on the strength of all the people of the Great Kang Dynasty.”

“Master Gu, rest assured, I understand,” said Lu Xuan. He knew what Gu Yang meant – return the money to the gentry as promised and split the peasants’ contributions into three parts for the gentry and seven for the officials.

“I always honor my commitments. What belongs to the Gu family won’t be shortchanged,” Lu Xuan spoke in a low voice. “Moreover, if this is successful, I’ll petition the court to grant Master Gu the title of an External Gentleman.”

“Really?” Gu Yang’s eyes lit up. The title of External Gentleman in the Great Kang Dynasty was a genuine position outside of the official ranks, elevating one’s status above that of ordinary citizens.

Although the Gu family wielded great power in Qingxian City, outside their domain, they were no different from ordinary citizens. They had to make way for local officials and kowtow to the magistrate. They could only rely on the reputation of Qingxian to play tyrants in their town.

But with the status of an External Gentleman, it would be much more convenient to conduct affairs outside their home turf.

Understanding the importance of connections, Gu Yang also knew that people wouldn’t bother associating with him if his status wasn’t high enough.

“The court’s policies have become more lenient, and forming a militia is no small feat. It should be possible to apply for this title,” said Lu Xuan casually.

“Then I thank Magistrate Wu. I will fully support Magistrate Wu’s endeavors,” Gu Yang thought to himself that he had indeed made the right connection. An official with a seal is indeed different from ordinary folks.

“And… what about the second point, Magistrate Wu?” Gu Yang recalled Lu Xuan’s earlier words.

Lu Xuan smiled but turned to look at Cheng Lingzhu, who played the role of his advisor.

“The second point, of course, is about the Bo family embezzling our lord’s money,” said the advisor.

“Advisor’s words are very true, ” Gu Yang immediately sided with them. “That young Bo Chang is disrespectful, arrogant, and even dares to embezzle Magistrate Lu’s money, utterly conscienceless!”

He bowed deeply, “I am willing to become Magistrate Lu’s sword and behead this traitor!”

Gu Yang spoke righteously, but in reality, he was contemplating how to divide the Bo family’s wealth. The so-called serving the magistrate was all nonsense. As one of the three major families of the Qingxian Society, attacking the Bo family would cost the Gu family dearly.

But if they could bring down the Bo family, Gu, who had exerted the most effort, would surely get the biggest share of the spoils.

“Master Gu’s willingness brings great comfort to my heart, ” Lu Xuan nodded slightly.

Cheng Lingzhu then asked, “Master Gu, what about the surplus from the militia funds?”

“According to past practice, it would be a 30-70 split, with the magistrate taking 30% and our three families sharing the remaining 70%,” Gu Yang pondered. “But since the magistrate is Qingxian City’s hero, we can’t shortchange him. In my opinion, perhaps…”

“No need for that, Master Gu,” Lu Xuan interrupted. “I don’t want a single penny from the militia’s surplus funds. It all goes to Master Gu.” “This…” Gu Yang was stunned by Lu Xuan’s words.

Lu Xuan narrowed his eyes. “But I want half of the Bo family’s estate.” Gu Yang gasped in shock.

Gu Yang initially thought Magistrate Lu Xuan was just being modest, but he was shocked when Lu Xuan made such a bold demand.

The Bo family, a wealthy powerhouse in Qingxian City, had accumulated a vast fortune over generations.

Even half of the Bo family’s amassed wealth over the years would amount to far more than the annual taxes collected from the peasants of Qingxian City.

Gu Yang winced at the thought, but after careful consideration, he came to terms with it. After all, it wasn’t the Gu family’s money to begin with. Besides, with the Bo family not yet toppled, why should he worry about their fortune?

Moreover, with half of it going to the magistrate, there would still be another half left for himself. Most importantly, the Bo family’s land, shops, and businesses – these most valuable assets – couldn’t be taken away by Magistrate Wu Bangde. Once swallowed up by his own family, they would generate endless wealth, far more valuable than mere gold and silver.

“However, even though the Bo family is the weakest among the three, they are still one of the three major families of Qingxian Society,” Lu Xuan said as he poured himself another drink.

“To accomplish this task, we will need Master Gu’s assistance.”

“Magistrate Wu, please instruct me,” Gu Yang’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

The Next Morning.

At Qingxian City’s Yamen.

As soon as Lu Xuan entered the yamen, he saw Lu Ping brewing tea for him.

“Why so attentive today?” Lu Xuan sat in the magistrate’s chair and asked with a smile.

“My lord… You are our backbone, ” Lu Ping said earnestly.

He held a fan in his hand, standing behind Lu Xuan, fanning the magistrate.

Seeing this, Li Ming below thought Lu Ping was indeed a sycophant, no wonder he got promoted. He decided to bring a fan the next day too, as Magistrate Lu Xuan needed to be cool on both sides.

After completing the morning roll call at the yamen, the complaint drum outside suddenly began to sound. Lu Xuan ordered the summoning of the person beating the drum.

Soon, two people carrying a stretcher walked into the yamen, with someone lying on it. It was Gu Feng, who had been beaten with twenty lashes the day before.

“Who stands in the hall, and for what matter?” Lu Xuan frowned.

“Reporting to the magistrate,” Gu Feng gritted his teeth, “I wish to file a complaint against the magistrate.”

“Against whom do you wish to lodge a complaint?” Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow.

Gu Feng took a deep breath: “I wish to file a complaint against you, magistrate ! ”

“How dare you!” Lu Xuan erupted in anger, slamming the gavel. “A mere commoner dares to accuse this official! Bring forth the punishment, another thirty lashes!”

That morning, with the compelling testimony of Gu Feng, who had been beaten into a state of incoherence, the news of the yamen’s fallout with the Gu family swiftly spread throughout Qingxian City..