Daily Intelligence System: Don't Kill Me, Honey!

”Alright, a total of twelve fish, including six grass carps, two yellow fish, and four assorted small fish, I’ll charge you a tax of forty-four cents!”

”Next.”

...

The fishermen of Xiantao Town on Mianshui River dock had finished their morning work and were bringing up their catch of the day.

And the first thing upon landing was to pay taxes to the Fishing Guild.

The staff of the Fishing Guild mainly had the task of collecting taxes at this time.

A grass carp could be sold for about eight cents, the Fishing Guild charged a tax of three cents, yellow fish were pricier, selling for twelve cents each, with the Fishing Guild taking a five-cent tax, and assorted fish were generally between nine and ten cents, hence they had to pay a four-cent tax.

In addition, each fisherman had to pay a dockage fee of ten cents a day.

One could say that a fisherman could only net fifty to sixty cents a day, which was roughly equivalent to five to six pounds of grain.

That wasn’t a lot of money to support a family of five or six people.

They also needed to repair nets and boats; it was a state of being neither full nor starved.

And this was a number meticulously calculated by the Fishing Guild’s advisors.

Only this way could they ensure the fishermen would tirelessly fish every day, generating income for the Guild. If they collected less tax, and the fishermen had extra money, they wouldn’t work, and then who would the leaders of the Fishing Guild exploit?

Just like in contemporary society, if everyone’s basic needs were met, no one would work, and wouldn’t that cripple the social system?

Therefore, to get the young corporate drones moving, they’re lured with various enticements: the promise of buying homes, cars, luxury goods—to heighten their desires.

Keep working as laborers!

By the same token, in the eyes of the upper class, the common people of this era were also beasts of burden, to be controlled by every means necessary, ensuring they kept working and accepting exploitation!

The Fishing Guild did this, the Guild Cao did this, and so did the government.

It was a very complete system designed to keep you poor; only in poverty would one strive and generate value for them!

And to break through the barriers of class in modern society was through education.

But in this world, it was through martial arts!

The Fishing Guild’s staff collected the taxes, deftly pocketing the Silver Coins they received, and even when they turned it over, there was a bit of graft.

This was also why everyone envied the position of a Fishing Guild staff member.

In the countryside, becoming a Fishing Guild staff member was akin to passing the civil service exam at the grassroots level. With the Daqian government not governing the rural areas directly, these power vacuums at the grassroots were filled by the various guilds.

”Big Ship Leader!”

A staff member hurried to a pavilion beside the dock.

Inside the pavilion sat a man in his thirties, with an array of seasonal fruits and vegetables in front of him and a cup of hot tea served by an obsequious staff member.

This man was none other than the Big Ship Leader, Zhao Xun.

”Big Ship Leader!”

The staff member rushed over, and Big Ship Leader looked at him and asked, ”What’s the matter?”

”Big Ship Leader, Lu San wishes to see you!”

”Lu San?”

Zhao Xun frowned slightly, ”What does he want? Wasn’t it said that his leg was broken by someone?”

Hearing this, the staff member said, ”He’s brought things with him, a jar of fine wine, and two roast chickens, saying it’s for the matter you agreed to help him with last time.”

Zhao Xun thought for a moment, ”Let him in.”

These days, Lu San had really been taking good care of himself, asking him, Zhao Xun, to take two silver taels from him in order to help him secure a position as a fishery staff member.

Yet his leg was broken, and he was still pondering this matter?

As he thought this, Lu San arrived, nodding and bowing.

”Big Ship Leader! This is for you.”

He said, placing the wine jar and roast chickens down.

”Speak.”

Lu San offered a grin and said, ”Big Ship Leader, do you remember what you promised me last time? Here are two silver taels.”

Zhao Xun glanced at the silver on the table and replied with a smirk, ”Lu San, with those legs of yours, aren’t you making things difficult for me?”

”Yes, yes, Big Ship Leader, you’re right. I was just about to discuss this with you. I have a good brother who really wants to join our fishery. Could you possibly transfer my spot to him?”

”That won’t do.”

Zhao Xun shook his head, ”We don’t have such a rule. No, no.”

”Big Ship Leader, please make an exception...”

Lu San pleaded, while Zhao Xun shook his head, weighing the silver on the table.

After pleading for a long while, he finally relented.

”Sigh, Lu San, it’s only because it’s you. Okay, add one tael, and I’ll do it for you.”

”Ah, this...”

”Is it difficult? If it’s too difficult, let’s forget it.”

”No, no, not difficult. Not at all!”

”Then I’ll wait for your word.”

”Mhm.”

Zhao Xun tossed the two silver taels to Lu San. As Lu San left, limping with his cane, Zhao Xun chuckled at his retreating figure, ”Earned an extra tael of silver just like that.”

Lu San hurried back home.

Lu Qinsi asked, ”How did it go?”

Lu San replied, ”The price went up. That Zhao wants an extra tael of silver from us, otherwise he won’t do it!”

”What? We’re only asking Chen Sanliu for three taels, and you’ve already given it all to him?”

Lu San said with a chuckle, ”The sheep’s wool comes from the dog’s back. I’m going to find Chen Sanliu.”

...

”This isn’t right, Brother Lu San. We agreed on three taels of silver. You can’t just raise the price out of thin air. That’s not right.”

Chen Sanliu obviously didn’t want to pay.

Lu San said, ”Fine then. If I can’t get it done, you figure out another way. I’ll give you your money back!”

”Tsk.”

Chen Sanliu frowned, thought for a moment, went home to search, and could only find one tael and eight maces. He then gave them to Lu San, saying, ”That’s all I have. Brother Lu San, I’m cleaned out!”

On hearing this, Lu San replied, ”Don’t worry, how could I swindle you?”

Lu San left, going home where he laughed to himself; he’d managed to get an extra eight maces of silver, not a bad deal.

”Everyone at home, prepare some wine for me, cook some good dishes, buy a roast chicken. We’ll have a nice lunch, then take an afternoon nap. I’ll go to see Zhao Xun after.”

After saying this, he gave Lu Qinsi two maces of silver.

”Alright, head of the house, I will join you for a drink today.”

...

Meanwhile at the fishery, Zhao Xun was enjoying the wine sent by Lu San and eating roast chicken when he saw a figure approaching from the distance. Quickly moving closer, it turned out to be Wu Zhong.

Zhao Xun immediately stood up, ”Brother Wu, what brings you here? Please, have a seat!”

Wu Zhong glanced at the table, seeing both roast chicken and wine, and remarked, ”You seem to be living it up, kid.”

”Brother Wu, you jest. What brings you here today?”

”Oh, isn’t our fishery hiring two staff members? I’ve finished recruiting. Have them come to you to register tomorrow. Please take good care of them.”

”Ah?”

Zhao Xun was taken aback; such matters of recruitment were normally things Wu Zhong hardly inquired about, usually left for him to decide.

”What, is there a problem?”

Wu Zhong looked at Zhao Xun.

Zhao Xun immediately smiled broadly, ”No problem at all. How could there be any issue with something Brother Wu has arranged? Rest assured, I’ll take good care of it.”