Chapter 156: The Man, Duan JinjiangChapter 429 Things Are Getting Too Difficult

Not only that, Weihai also had money to strengthen its coastal defenses. While other places had fishing bans preventing fishermen from going out to sea, the waters near the coast were still open. On average, fishermen near the coast could go out to sea for about a hundred days a year, which was considered good. However, fishermen in Weihai could go out to sea for over two hundred days a year because Weihai invested in its coastal defenses. Even the invading forces from Japan knew to avoid Weihai.

Li Chen was taken aback.

If Su Jinpa's account is true, then the exorbitant taxes and levies in Weihaiwei seem to have nothing to do with Zheng Bao Rong's own greed.

"How did you know that so clearly" Li Chen asked.

Su Jinpa smiled slightly and said, "Zheng Baorong donated his post back then through a distant relative. At first, his father refused, but after he knelt in front of the door for a day and night, his father reluctantly wrote a letter of recommendation and sent it to the Ministry of Officials and the Ministry of Household Affairs."

"After all, he was still the magistrate of a prefecture. Even if he had money, such a high position couldn't be obtained without someone in the court recommending him, nor could it be bought. It's just that many years have passed and I forgot about it. Hearing Zheng Baorong's name brought it back to me."

"From what you're saying, this Zheng Baorong is really worth checking out."

Right now, Li Chen is really short-handed. If Zheng Bao Rong is truly as talented as Su Jinpa said, then he would be a valuable asset.

available.

As for the specifics, Li Chen still needs to see it in person and learn more about it before making a decision.

And at this time, the residence of the Weihaiwei Prefect.

The backyard of the mansion is witnessing a scene akin to a lion's roar in Hebei.

“Mr. Zheng, when others take office, they get fatter and richer with each passing day. You are different. You've gotten fat, but all the weight is on your body. Your wealth has diminished instead of increasing. While others in positions of power exploit their authority for personal gain, regardless of the complaints from the people, as long as things are settled above and below, even the Jade Emperor wouldn't be able to do anything about it.”

Even those who are incorruptible, living a simple life and serving as honest officials, even if they themselves eat coarse food and wear plain clothes, at least gain the love and respect of the people.

"Look at yourself! You've done so much, yet you've earned nothing but the scorn of the people and no real benefits. What is the point of being an official if this is all it brings"

The servants in the mansion heard the roars, each lowered their heads and remained silent, pretending not to hear.

Over the years, everyone has gotten used to it.

Everyone knows that the magistrate is a henpecked husband, and being scolded by his wife like this has become commonplace.

In the study, the stout and corpulent Zheng Baorong let out a sigh and said to the woman with her arms akimbo and scowling before him, “You shrew, what do you know I have my reasons for doing things. You just mind your own business.”

"I take care of my own affairs"

The woman was indignant and started laughing, pointing at Zheng Baorong's nose. "Your Zheng family is a prominent clan, yet you have turned on your own! Back then, your grandfather desperately wanted to secure an official position for you. We had to help out by contributing 100,000 taels of silver because he couldn't afford it. Everyone hoped that you would become an official and bring prosperity to both families. But you became an official and instead turned against your own people! Every year, you extort taxes from us, taking all the hard-earned money we make. And now you expect me to manage my own affairs"

"I can't take it anymore, you know!"

Zheng Bao Rong angrily said, "I'm doing this for the good of Weihaiwei. If it weren't for these years of taxation and construction of sea defenses, my family, your family, and all those wealthy households wouldn't be so prosperous."

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!mark of General's Mansion on the carriage, Hou Yushu bolted after it."Wait a moment!"Hou Yushu ran frantically to the carriage and flung his arms out to block it.The carriage driver was startled and q...