106 Reinstating Draconian Taxes

The NPC civil official proclaimed in a ringing voice, “By order of His Excellency the Inspector of Liangzhou, the following administrative decrees are hereby issued:

“1. Village Chief Xiaobai is appointed Pavilion Chief and charged with maintaining public order within the pavilion. All acts of disorder, destruction, and village devastation are forbidden. Large-scale armed clashes between villages are prohibited. Above all, rebellion and treason against one’s superiors are strictly forbidden.

“2. A militia recruitment station shall be established to enlist fifty heroes, loyal volunteers, and warriors as pavilion troops, responsible for safeguarding the pavilion. They shall also remain available at all times for military deployment by the commandant of this commandery.

“3. Travel permits granting passage through the major cities of Liangzhou may be issued, though they are restricted to villagers.

“4. A private school shall be opened as soon as possible, and Three Elders appointed to educate the common people and enlighten their minds, so that even the uncivilized tribes beyond the borders may hear of it and submit willingly.

“5…”

At the announcement that Xiaobai had been appointed Pavilion Chief, the players of Xiaobai Village erupted in cheers, interrupting the NPC civil official.

Though the office of Pavilion Chief was a minor one, it was still a legitimate government position.

The administrative hierarchy consisted broadly of townships, pavilions, and hamlets: roughly one hundred households formed a hamlet, ten hamlets formed a pavilion, and ten pavilions formed a township. The township was headed by an official known as the Grain Officer, while the Patrol Officer handled public security, the Township Assistant collected taxes, and the Three Elders oversaw education and moral instruction. A pavilion had a Pavilion Chief in charge of public order, assisted by a Pavilion Marquis and pavilion troops. The head of a hamlet was known as the Hamlet Leader.

Officials at the township, pavilion, and hamlet levels were generally appointed and dismissed by higher authorities such as commanderies and counties.

These three offices could be assumed by anyone with sufficient prestige; merit points were not required. Each hamlet was a small village, and as Pavilion Chief, Zhan Xiaobai would be responsible for maintaining order in ten such villages.

Zhan Xiaobai was both pleased and troubled. The benefits were considerable. With an official appointment from the Liangzhou Inspector’s Office, he could lawfully “allocate” resources from neighboring villages. The recruitment station would allow him to openly enlist militiamen and prepare an armed force without fearing that he might suddenly be accused of secretly plotting rebellion. The travel permit would let him enter the cities free of charge, eliminating the hefty entrance fees and making trade more convenient.

Yet the series of security restrictions made him feel as though his hands were tied. The prospect of annexing neighboring villages had become nothing more than an empty fantasy.

The NPC civil official paused until the cheering subsided, then continued, “In addition, point five: Twenty percent of the village’s income shall be remitted to the Wuwei Commandery.”

The moment he finished speaking, every player from Xiaobai Village felt their hearts sink. Some even jeered and muttered curses under their breath.

Twenty percent of the village’s income… Was this extortion, or outright robbery?

Zhan Xiaobai asked doubtfully, “My lord, may I ask what is included in this twenty percent?”

The NPC civil official replied, “Grain and oil production, tax revenues, livestock, fishery products, medicinal herbs, tea, and so on. In short, twenty percent of every form of output and income produced within the village must be remitted to the governor’s office of this commandery. Does Village Chief Xiaobai have any further questions?”

The NPC civil official fixed Zhan Xiaobai with a sharp gaze, watching for his reaction. If the slightest hint of discontent appeared, then hmph—the village would be placed on the commandery’s list of villages under special surveillance and given very special attention.

Zhan Xiaobai smiled calmly and said, “I see. It is Xiaobai Village’s honor to make even the smallest contribution to the imperial court. My lord, you have traveled a long way and must be exhausted. Please come into the village and rest for a while. May I ask your name?”

The NPC civil official nodded with considerable satisfaction. At least this village chief understood how to behave.

“My surname is Cheng. You may call me Lord Cheng.”

After such a long journey in the saddle, a cup of hot tea and a brief rest were indeed in order. Accompanied by Zhan Xiaobai and the others, the NPC civil official, several military officers, and dozens of soldiers rode into the village and rested at the newly built mid-level inn. The remaining cavalry made camp outside the village.

Zhan Xiaobai instructed Li Asan to prepare the finest food and wine for the officials. The dog-headed strategist Gou Buli was also sent to accompany them in drinking and use his “special talent” to curry favor with the NPC officials of the imperial court.

Gou Buli was extremely intimidated by the officers and soldiers, but with rich food and good wine in front of him, he had no time to worry about it. After unleashing a torrent of flattery, he fawned over the soldiers until they treated him like their own grandfather, rewarding him with generous portions of food and drink.

Once everything had been arranged, Zhan Xiaobai accompanied them through three cups of wine before taking his leave.

Sword Tyrant, Qiushui, Young Hero Chunqiu, A Fei, and the others were waiting anxiously outside the inn.

Zhan Xiaobai hurried out and glanced at them.

Sword Tyrant’s face was as dark as still water. In a low voice, he said, “Xiaobai, handing over twenty percent of all our income is simply too much. We still have to support the population of another village. If twenty percent is deducted and remitted, how will we have anything left for construction?”

A Fei said impatiently, “Big Brother, these people are despicable. At first I thought they had come to give us benefits. Who would have guessed they would open their mouths and try to carve away a huge chunk of our village? Where in the world is there such a good deal for them? If they want money, they can dream on. I’ve only got one life, and I’m ready to fight them!”

Even Qiushui gritted her teeth in anger. “Brother Bai, this burden is far too heavy…”

Zhan Xiaobai said nothing. He simply led them away from the inn and back toward the administrative compound. As they walked, he suddenly let out a cold laugh.

“Do you know how Liangzhou Inspector Geng Bi died?”

The others fell silent.

Though Inspector Geng Bi held a high office, he was completely unknown in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms—not even as famous as one of the nameless soldiers who followed Taishi Ci into battle against Sun Jian. Few players paid any attention to him.

Young Hero Chunqiu had once read Records of the Three Kingdoms and vaguely remembered the story. After thinking for a moment, he said, “I think he was killed by his own subordinates during the great rebellion in Liangzhou. Inspector Geng Bi led the armies of six commanderies against the rebel Han Sui. He appointed the corrupt official Cheng Qiu as his chief administrator, which infuriated both the soldiers and the common people. The Governor Li Xiangru rebelled, and not long afterward Geng Bi’s own subordinates rose up and killed both Geng Bi and Cheng Qiu. Geng Bi’s military aide, Ma Teng, joined forces with Han Sui and raised an army in rebellion, turning all of western Liangzhou upside down. It was only after several important ministers of the imperial court intervened that the situation was brought under control. Ma Teng, Han Sui, and the others also rose to prominence during that upheaval, their names resounding throughout western Liangzhou.”

Zhan Xiaobai nodded approvingly, then said solemnly, “The Qiang and Di tribes of western Liangzhou are destined to rebel. This is one of the central developments of the late Eastern Han period, and it will inevitably happen in the game as well. The harsh taxes and oppressive policies now being issued by the Inspector’s Office are, in my view, very likely the spark intended by the system to ignite a massive Qiang and Di rebellion.

“And we players have been drawn into this hidden chain of events. It is forcing those among us in western Liangzhou who cannot endure the oppression to join the rebel forces of NPCs such as Ma Teng and Han Sui, raise arms, and fight against the legitimate forces of the imperial court.”

“The government of western Liangzhou is currently far too powerful for us to resist. The first bird to stick out gets shot; whoever rises in rebellion first will be the first to be destroyed. The administrative orders issued by the Inspector are not aimed at our village alone. Every player village stands at the same starting line. Once any of them develops into a medium-sized village, it will have to surrender twenty percent of its income.

“Our task is to develop faster and stronger than the other villages in western Liangzhou. We must endure, accumulate strength, and wait for the right moment to rise with the tide.”

Zhan Xiaobai’s words jolted all four of them awake.

Only by enduring, seizing every opportunity, and quietly building their strength would they later possess the capital to challenge the NPC warlords who would rise throughout the realm when the time came. Acting rashly now would bring no benefit to the village.

A Fei grinned. “We’ll do as you say, Big Brother! But tell me—should we eventually become western Liangzhou rebels ourselves and raise arms alongside Ma Teng? Ma Teng, Han Sui, and the others are pretty formidable. We certainly wouldn’t lose out by joining forces with those NPC warlords.”

Zhan Xiaobai gave a sly chuckle but did not answer.

That was not something he could decide yet. Any unforeseen event could alter the decisions he had made. The only thing he knew for certain was that he had to do everything in his power to build up their strength and wait for the moment when they could seize their opportunity and rise.