SFS Chapter 249 Embezzling Public Funds, What a Daring Person!
Chapter 249 Embezzling Public Funds, What a Daring Person!
Many things are obvious even to a child, so Gao Mengli and Lin Xi didn't ask any further questions.
Lin Xi quickly told Ruan Dan to put the iron stove back, and then she started cooking.
At the dinner table, Dou Weiyi inquired about the situation in the village.
Everything was as usual, so there was nothing to worry about. It was just that the winter wheat in the village was about to be planted, and everyone was busy plowing and digging.
"Sir, we plan to transform those hilly areas into terraced fields. We can plant wheat in winter and rice in early summer, which will increase grain production."
While serving rice to everyone, Gao Mengli added to what Lin Xi had said:
"Yes, sir."
Pingyao has a vast area, but it is mostly hilly and mountainous. Planting is concentrated in flat areas and plains, with little arable land and low grain yields.
However, if the hilly areas were converted into terraced fields, it would increase arable land and grain production, ensuring surplus grain for every household and improving their lives.
With the addition of a non-powered siphon pump, water supply in hilly areas during the summer is not difficult.
If every household has surplus grain, they will have money in hand, which will increase consumption and boost the economy.
That's how a considerable amount of commercial tax was accumulated.
Dou Weiyi's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he couldn't help but slap the table in admiration: "Brilliant! If this plan succeeds, it will not only benefit the people, but also be a great contribution to the county government's finances."
Lin Xi quickly pressed down on Dou Weiyi's excited body: "Don't get excited, let us finish."
Lin Xi continued, "Sir, although this terraced field renovation is a good thing, it is a huge project that will consume a lot of manpower, material resources, and financial resources."
The hilly areas are wasteland, and people have to buy them if they want to cultivate them.
Clearing land requires more oxen, but very few people can afford oxen, so land clearing relies entirely on manpower, resulting in even fewer acres being cleared.
Dou Weiyi nodded slightly: "That's true. So what do you mean?"
Lin Xi and Gao Mengli exchanged a glance.
Gao Mengli spoke again: "What we mean is, since you only go to the prefectural city to report on your duties at the end of autumn every year, the entire county's tax revenue will be deposited with you for a year."
Instead of letting the silver gather dust in the warehouse, why don't you take it out and buy more cattle, then rent them out at a low price to help the people reclaim wasteland?
If the people don't have the money to buy land, could you lend it to them on credit, and then collect the money from them after the harvest next autumn?
I just don't know if the adults have the guts.
After all, embezzling public funds is a capital offense!
After listening, Dou Weiyi remained silent for a moment, then lightly tapped her fingers on the table, a resolute glint in her eyes:
"Seeking happiness for the people is the duty of officials."
If I remain inactive out of fear of punishment, merely hoarding wealth while watching the people suffer, what use am I as a county magistrate!
He paused, then looked firmly at Lin Xi and Gao Mengli, "This matter is of great importance and requires careful planning. We must not allow those with ill intentions to find any fault with us."
Lin Xi and Gao Mengli's eyes lit up with joy upon hearing this.
However, even Dou Weiyi's servants didn't have a mansion, and there were more than ten yamen runners in the prefectural government. It was only because he was just a county magistrate without any real power that the two of them dared to trick him into embezzling public funds!
After all, Dou Weiyi also has the families of the remaining soldiers. If these people are used to raise cattle, it will provide an extra source of income for the family!
Dou Weiyi was in charge of the entire county, so entrusting the matter of renting cattle to him was the perfect way to make a little money and accomplish great things.
Therefore, they did not want to get involved in this business, and their goal was to benefit the people, meaning the selling price would not be high.
The cost is very high, making it suitable for a county magistrate to do, but not for a businessman to get involved in.
As long as it concerns the common people, even if it means selling Dou Weiyi, he would happily help them count the silver notes.
After finishing their meal, Dou Weiyi went to Xue Ling's house and took out all the income from the oil mill and the revenue from the public toilet.
This money was used to settle accounts for the production of winter clothes in the village, totaling only three hundred taels.
In a few days, Nan Chang'an will have to take the escort agency to the border to deliver it.
While counting the copper coins, Dou Weiyi asked Xue Ling, "By the way, Ling'er, has there been any letter from over there?"
Xue Ling stepped forward and gently handed Dou Weiyi a cup of tea, saying softly, "Not yet. I estimate it will be a few more days before we receive the message by carrier pigeon."
Her ex-husband has become increasingly audacious since their divorce, committing heinous acts that could lead to the extermination of nine generations of his family.
Salt is a crime that extends to nine generations of ancestors! No matter how many are killed, it's never enough!
But men who are focused on their careers always shine.
For a moment, Xue Ling was stunned by the sight of Dou Wei's single copper coin.
Her family was poor, but they came from farming backgrounds and understood the hardships of ordinary people. He was a good husband and a good county magistrate.
Fifth, Gu, Feng, and Deng, seeing that the two were inside the room, did not disturb them and covered their mouths while laughing happily outside the door.
Their childhood sweetheart is doing something big; how could they not support him?
Xue Ling snapped out of her daze, walked to the door, gently patted Wu Gu Feng Deng's head, and scolded, "You little girls, what are you laughing about here? Instead of wasting your time, why don't you go and help make some winter clothes and see if you can squeeze out some more money?"
Wu Gu Fengdeng stuck out her tongue and quickly replied, "Yes, sister, we'll go right away."
They were certainly not idle!
When they came to the village, they had never held a needle and thread before, so they all went to learn needlework from Jiang Yue.
For the first few days, my hands were covered in needle marks.
Even so, they never complained of hardship or fatigue.
Nowadays, although my needlework skills are not yet proficient, I can still sew something decent.
The group hurriedly went inside to fetch needles, thread, and fabric, then sat together, their fingers flying across the paper, exchanging a few words from time to time.
It costs eight coins to sew a winter coat. They've saved up quite a bit recently, and then they've invested it all in buying winter coats!
It's getting cold, but thankfully there's the iron stove Gao Mengli made. Sitting next to it is so warm!
As they were busy working, there was a knock on the door.
Wu Niangzi quickly put down her needlework and went to open the door: "Doctor Li, you've come in! Please come in!"
Doctor Li bowed and followed him into the courtyard: "I heard that Lord Dou has returned?"
Fifth Sister nodded. "Yes, she's inside. Please sit down, I'll go call her."
Fifth Sister turned and went into the house, saying softly, "Weiyi, Doctor Li has arrived and is waiting in the courtyard."
Dou Weiyi put down the account book in her hand, stood up and went out to greet him: "Dr. Li, what brings you here? Please come in and sit down."
Doctor Li bowed slightly: "I won't go. I mainly came to deliver some medicine for colds and flu."
Only then did Dou Weiyi notice the large box being carried by Dr. Li's two apprentices.
"This?" Dou Weiyi looked at the large box with a puzzled expression.
Nanxing stepped forward: "Sir, these are pills made from herbs that we recently collected with the children from the village in the mountains."
We heard they're sending winter clothing to the border soon, and we were thinking of making extra so you could take them to the soldiers there.
Dou Weiyi's eyes were filled with surprise and emotion. He quickly walked to the box, gently opened it, and saw bottles of pills neatly arranged inside, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.
Dou Weiyi suddenly choked up and couldn't say a word.
Seeing his condition, Doctor Li didn't say much, put down the box, and took his apprentice out.
As soon as they stepped out of the courtyard, they heard Dou Weiyi burst into tears.
Doctor Li smiled and shook his head, returning to his courtyard to continue making pills with his apprentice. After all, there were still a few days left, and he could make some more.