Chapter 666: Chapter 668: Specialty Dishes

Ancient Wen Heng was swamped with work. Although this place was near the border, its neighbors were just a few tiny states that normally wouldn’t dare to cross the line. There was a garrison commander stationed here, but it was a relatively relaxed post.

But the common people here truly lived at the mercy of the heavens.

Before his arrival, the locals had already harvested their grain. Because of the climate, they had also tilled their fields again and planted seasonal vegetables.

"Sir, because our region is hilly, the amount of land the common people own is limited. This is the tax revenue collected this year. We haven’t had time to submit it to our superiors yet."

Ancient Wen Heng flipped through the tax ledger his subordinate had presented. "Why are there still arrears?"

’The expenses and income don’t even balance. This is an absolute farce.’

Assistant Wu Haicong said, "Sir, last year’s harvest was poor, and on top of that, there was damage from wild animals from the mountains.

We couldn’t collect taxes from many areas this year.

This is our only major problem at the moment. If we don’t solve it quickly, we won’t be able to report back to our superiors."

Ancient Wen Heng placed the ledger on the table. "What about in previous years? When you encountered this situation before, how did you handle it?"

Wu Haicong stammered, "It was always strictly enforced. If they couldn’t pay, we’d take their land or possessions as collateral.

But there was no other way. These are the rules set by those above. Even if we wanted to be lenient, we couldn’t bear the consequences.

Over the years, a huge debt has accumulated. Our superiors have already warned us that if we fall short again this year, we will be the ones held accountable."

Ancient Wen Heng raised an eyebrow. "Including me?"

Wu Haicong said, "I wouldn’t know about that.

The deadline for tax collection has arrived this year, but we’ve collected less than half the amount due.

Sir, if we could recover the portion that went missing under Mr. Liu, it would cover most of the previous debt."

Ancient Wen Heng took a deep breath, trying his best to control his temper. "Why didn’t the higher-ups investigate before? How could the tax collection be delayed indefinitely?"

He even felt like he was being deliberately targeted. ’In the past, they weren’t so strict—they were even lenient. Why did their attitude suddenly harden the moment he took over?’

"I do not know, Sir. All I know is that we don’t have much time left. What do you think we should do?"

Ancient Wen Heng spread his hands. "I haven’t even gotten a clear grasp of the situation here, and they expect me to carry the burden of these old debts. That’s unreasonable no matter how you look at it.

I will report this in a memorial to the throne. If someone must be held responsible, then we’ll all be in it together."

’They really think I’m a pushover. It’s true that a higher rank can crush you, but I’m not that easy to bully.’

This warning was clearly aimed at him, and Ancient Wen Heng didn’t mind using Wu Haicong to make his own stance clear.

Wu Haicong said, "Sir, our annual performance evaluations are in their hands..."

Ancient Wen Heng raised a hand to stop him. "The Holy Emperor summoned me before my departure. He has long been dissatisfied with this region’s tax revenues over the years. I’m not afraid of them reporting this; in fact, I’m afraid they’ll do nothing at all.

You just focus on collecting taxes according to the actual records. And while you’re at it, compile statistics on why people are unable to pay."

To be handed such a huge mess right after arriving gave Ancient Wen Heng a headache.

The problems were laid out before him, and he had no choice but to solve them.

&

Jin Qianqian finished setting up the rear courtyard and arranged for the Gu Family members who had come with them to stay in the front courtyard.

Only then did she take her two children out to get acquainted with the commandery city that would be their future home.

"Mother, I like it here," Gu Benluo said, looking at the vibrant colors on the street. "The people here wear beautiful clothes.

Look at all the different colors! And they don’t wear layer after layer like we do back home, where it’s hard to even walk."

Qianqian also liked the climate here. She teased him, "But there are no heated kangs here. You’ll have to sleep under thick quilts at night. Will you get used to that?"

Gu Benluo looked around curiously while replying to his mother, "Mother, the thick quilt is only uncomfortable for a moment. I fall asleep in no time, and when I wake up, it’s already broad daylight. To me, there’s really not much difference."

Jin Qianqian was speechless. ’...That actually makes a lot of sense. You wake up and it’s morning. No point in fussing over it. I must be getting old, to be less open-minded than a child.’

"There looks to be a restaurant up ahead. Should we go see what kind of food they have here?" Gu Benluo suggested, pointing to a small eatery in the distance. He remembered how Jin Qianqian had loved taking them to try local specialties during their journey.

Jin Qianqian patted her stomach. She really wanted to tell Gu Benluo, ’Son, dear, we just left the estate after a full meal. I really can’t eat another bite.’

But Gu Benluo was full of excitement and pulled her along, leading the way.

Seeing their unfamiliar faces and different attire, the pedestrians on the street immediately guessed their identities and quietly made way for them.

"Madam, Young Master, please come in," the waiter said in a local dialect. Although Jin Qianqian and the others didn’t understand him, they got the general idea.

"What special dishes do you have here?" Gu Benluo asked the waiter standing nearby, after looking around the main hall for a menu board and finding nothing on the walls.

The waiter’s face suddenly turned red, and he started jabbering, though they couldn’t understand what he was saying.

Just then, a middle-aged man ran in from the back courtyard. Speaking in accented Mandarin, he said, "This boy doesn’t know how to speak properly. I hope he hasn’t offended you, esteemed guests.

What can I get for you all?"

Qianqian said, "It’s no bother. We’re new here and don’t know what special foods are available. Could you perhaps recommend a few, Shopkeeper?"

The middle-aged man pulled the waiter behind him and said with a smile, "We’re just a small streetside shop. We only make a few stir-fried dishes that everyone likes. If you don’t mind, I can take you to the kitchen and show you."

Qianqian asked, "You don’t have names for your dishes here?"

The Shopkeeper had clearly encountered this situation many times before. He explained calmly, "For guests from out of town, we usually take them to see the actual ingredients.

Otherwise, we’re afraid you might order something you can’t get used to, and it would be a shame to let it go to waste."

An ominous feeling rose in Jin Qianqian’s heart, but seeing Gu Benluo’s curious expression, she had no choice but to brace herself and agree.

"Then please lead the way, Shopkeeper."

The Shopkeeper turned sideways and carefully led them toward the kitchen in the back.

"These are what our chef is best at. These salt-and-pepper bee pupae are our most popular dish. If you’re not used to our local cuisine, you could start with this."

Following the Shopkeeper’s gesture, the mother and son saw a massive honeycomb, densely packed with pupae.

Goosebumps instantly broke out on Jin Qianqian’s skin, and she quickly averted her gaze.

’This damned trypophobia. It makes me extremely uncomfortable.’

As soon as she turned her head, she saw something else: a plate piled high with locusts. If she hadn’t needed to maintain her composure, she would have screamed out loud.

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