Xie Yu looked at him in astonishment, "Shopkeeper, how do you know I work under Wang Zhongtang?"
Yang Ge shrugged and replied indifferently, "I’m actually not keen on knowing these trifles, but someone regularly sends me the court newspaper. I can’t help but know even if I don’t want to!"
Xie Yu suddenly understood and sincerely bowed, "Shopkeeper, you are truly talented. I am far beyond compare!"
The four words "far beyond compare," he said with utmost complexity.
After pondering for a moment, Yang Ge said, "I’ve heard bits and pieces about your family’s situation. As for intentions, whether you and Miss Xie are truly innocent, only you both would know. But as for actions... you and Miss Xie, both of you are commendable. At least you’re doing your best to make amends. Although, righting wrongs doesn’t cancel out past mistakes, the willingness to amend is commendable."
He had been home for quite some time and had only seen Miss Xie from the Xie Family three or four times. He knew she always was in Luting County treating the illnesses of the poor and dispensing medicine, venturing out early and returning late every day, and even going into the mountains to gather herbs monthly. The scent of the Xie Family’s medicine could be smelled even in his home.
Xie Yu looked at Yang Ge incredulously, as if he couldn’t believe such words would come from his mouth.
For a moment, he was so moved that he trembled all over.
"To be able to hear such words from the Shopkeeper in this lifetime, Xie Yu..."
He clutched his fists tightly in secret, struggling to calm his turbulent emotions, "I am sincerely in awe!"
Even if the Emperor had decreed a pardon for his family’s crimes, it wouldn’t compare to Yang Erlang’s comment.
Yang Ge sighed and shook his head, "I don’t even know what to say... just keep your heads down and work hard, don’t think about anything else, maybe one day you’ll wake up and suddenly feel at peace."
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He made a "please" gesture toward the dining table, "The food is getting cold, eat quickly."
After speaking, he turned and walked downstairs.
Xie Yu watched his back and suddenly said, "Lord Wang has tasked me with inspecting the tax affairs in Jiangzhe, Shopkeeper, could you offer me a word of advice?"
Yang Ge paused his steps and looked back at him, "Inspecting tax affairs in Jiangzhe? Are you just inspecting the taxes of the common people, or both officials and the populace?"
Xie Yu remained silent.
Yang Ge burst into laughter, "With such a messed-up job, you still have the nerve to ask me for advice?"
Xie Yu began to speak concisely, "I will return to the capital immediately and request Lord Wang to reform the tax system. If the tax system isn’t changed, no tax officers will be sent south."
Yang Ge was skeptical, "Will Wang Jiangling listen to your words?"
Xie Yu responded, "As long as it makes sense, Lord Wang is willing to listen to anyone... especially your words!"
Yang Ge chuckled and shook his head, "The court is too high for someone like me, a common man, to interfere..."
’I’m afraid I won’t be able to resist beheading all those officials who neglect their duties!’
Xie Yu, of course, did not know the words he had left unsaid, but even just the first half was enough for him to feel that he had neither the right nor the qualification to comment... His capabilities and courage were recognized by everyone, it wasn’t his place to comment.
After rubbing the wooden handrail of the stairs in deep thought for a moment, Yang Ge said, "Tax reform is a major issue. You and Lord Wang don’t need to rush, think it through thoroughly, strive to get it right the first time, and avoid launching it hastily then having to make changes along the way or abandon it halfway."
"Oh, and his earlier implementation of the ’Single Whip Law’ was indeed a good policy, but don’t let the excellent current situation dazzle you, it is still necessary to proceed one step at a time... A crafty expert once said, eat your rice one bite at a time, drink your liquor one sip at a time, if you stride too wide, ’crack,’ you can easily tear something!"
"But then again, if reforming the tax system can achieve a fair and impartial tax payment from both officials and citizens... I might actually give you a plaque to carry to Jiangzhe."
Xie Yu perceived the finer implications and excitedly clasped his hands and bowed, "On behalf of Lord Wang, I thank you, Shopkeeper, for your noble intention!"
He was clear in his heart, as long as this man supported their tax reform trial in Jiangzhe, the matter was almost certainly a success!
"Don’t get too excited yet, you should first relay my exact words, without missing a single one, to Lord Wang, he should understand the weight of my words."
After he spoke, he waved his hand and leaped down several steps to the ground floor, just in time to catch Zhao Miao, who was eavesdropping.
He stretched out his hand and precisely grabbed Zhao Miao, who tried to run away, "Look at that, you’ve even learned to eavesdrop!"
Zhao Miao wrapped her arms around his ’devilish claw,’ indignantly shouted, "If I didn’t eavesdrop, how would I know about your hidden affairs?"
Yang Ge was stunned for a moment, then flicked her forehead with the back of his hand, "Young lady, don’t you even have a gatekeeper for your mouth? Should you really yell about hiding a mistress? Because you shouted it out, doesn’t everyone know that I am concealing a mistress now?"
Zhao Miao’s eyes widened, and she covered her forehead in disbelief, looking at Yang Ge, "You actually shamelessly admitted it?"
Yang Ge feigned surprise in response, "Yeah, a man should marry when he’s of age, and a woman should wed when she’s of age, what is there not to admit?"
Zhao Miao pouted, and tears immediately welled up in her eyes.
Yang Ge released the grip on the back of her neck and disdainfully grabbed her sleeve to wipe her tears, "Why are you crying? Such a crybaby!"
Zhao Miao, hearing this, immediately cried louder, "But I am just a woman!"
Yang Ge grabbed her hand and lightly slapped it against her mouth, turning her wailing into muffled cries, "Alright, alright, stop crying. When you get married one day, I’ll make sure to give you a big red envelope, and you can marry into your husband’s family with pride..."
Just then, someone was seen moving at the inn’s entrance.