The most arrogant in history

Chapter 795 What a talent!

"Your Majesty, I returned to my hometown to be the mayor twelve years ago because of my military merit." Mayor Wang stood up, rolled up his sleeves, and revealed the scar on his arm:

"I used to be a soldier in the Yinshan Camp, a soldier under the command of Marshal Guan Yong. The scars on my arm were caused by the Huns. But in that battle, I killed two Hun soldiers."

"So you are still our hero. I am so sorry for your disrespect."

Ye Kun clasped his fists and said with a smile: "So, you have been the mayor for twelve years?"

"Actually, it was ten years. And he was the township head."

The mayor sat down again and introduced himself.

His name is Wang Fugui, he is in his early forties and a little younger than Ye Kun.

Ye Kun listened to the situation and nodded, "From what you said, we have done well these years. But I found that there are still people selling their children here. What's going on? Logically, we shouldn't be so poor."

"Your Majesty, the main reason is that there have been too many newborns in the past ten years."

Wang Fugui poured wine for Ye Kun and said, "In recent years, the imperial court has vigorously promoted health propaganda and trained doctors and midwives. There are very few women who die in childbirth and babies who die at birth. Basically, children can be raised after they are born.

The imperial court also strongly encouraged childbirth, and reduced taxes for families with many children, so there were more and more children. A large population means more food. As the saying goes, a teenager can eat his father out of poverty. Children in their teens can also eat a lot.

"Does Yao Laosan's family get any tax reduction or exemption?"

"His family has received tax relief, but they have many children and are still very poor. But we can just wait a little longer. When the children grow up, we can open up wasteland and plant crops."

"No, the court still needs to further reduce taxes in the mountainous areas."

Ye Kun sighed and asked about the education of the children in the mountains.

Wang Fugui thought for a moment and said with a bitter smile: "I dare not deceive the emperor. Only a small number of children in the mountains can go to school. Generally speaking, they will study for two or three years at most and then go back home to work."

Ye Kun nodded: "Those children who have grown up, are they willing to go out and serve in the army?"

Wang Fugui smiled and said, "Most of them are willing to join the army. But in the past two years, there have not been many conscriptions. Many soldiers are building roads in Taihang Mountains, which is considered military service."

Ye Kun learned about the situation while eating.

After dinner, Ye Kun took Wang Fugui to find Yang Quezi, the blacksmith who privately made guns.

As they walked along the road, Wang Fugui said with a smile, "Your Majesty, Yang Quezi often boasts that he used to be your personal bodyguard. Do you know him? His full name is Yang Yewu."

Ye Kun thought about it carefully and shook his head, "I really have no impression of this name. Besides, I have always had a lot of guards around me. Maybe this guy has really followed me before."

Since the uprising in Pingye County, Ye Kun has had countless changes of guards.

How can I remember everyone?

Wang Fugui laughed and said, "I think Yang Quezi is bragging. He said that the emperor is more than nine feet tall, with a body of copper and iron. When he glares, the mountains and rivers change color, and when he stomps his feet, the mountains collapse..."

Damn, am I a monster or Ultraman?

Ye Kun didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "So, Yang Quezi is really bragging."

As they were talking, they arrived at the door of the blacksmith shop.

Yang Quezi was drinking tea in front of the door. When he saw Ye Kun, he was so frightened that he dropped the teapot in his hand, knelt on the ground, and shouted: "Long live the emperor, long live the emperor, long live the emperor——"

Ye Kun smiled: "Blacksmith Yang, do you really know me?"

"Your Majesty, I used to be a soldier in the Zuowei Camp of Zhuo County, and I often saw Your Majesty." Yang Quezi was still kowtowing and shouted, "Your Majesty, why did you come to this remote place?"

"Get up."

Ye Kun said angrily: "Since you have been my soldier, you know that we have abolished the kneeling ceremony."

Only then did Yang Guizi stand up, bend down with his hands hanging down, waiting for Ye Kun's lecture.

Ye Kun's tone also softened, and he asked, "Blacksmith Yang, how many years have you been a soldier? How many years have you been back?"

"Your Majesty, I served in the army for four years. It has been seven years since I came back." Yang Guizi answered truthfully:

"At first, I was transferred to the Zuowei Camp because of my military merits. Two years later, I broke my leg and was transferred to the Craftsmen Camp, responsible for ironwork. Two years later, I retired and returned."

Ye Kun nodded: "Since you have military merits and are disabled, you should get a subsidy, right?"

"Yes, I don't have to pay taxes personally, and neither do I have to pay taxes for my ironwork. I also receive a subsidy of 1,200 kilograms of millet every year, which I will receive until I die."

Yang Quezi smiled and said, "I have to thank the court and the emperor for making sure I don't have to worry about food in my life."

The imperial court has always provided very good pension conditions for disabled soldiers.

For example, people like Yang Guizi do not have to pay grain tax on his ten acres of land; he also does not have to pay taxes if he runs a small business.

There is also more than 1,000 kilograms of food subsidy every year, so there is no problem with food.

Ye Kun nodded: "I heard that the musket you made is very good. I came over to see it."

Yang Quezi was startled and said in a pale face: "Your Majesty, I don't know how to make a gun..."

"Refusing to plead guilty is an even more serious crime."

"Your Majesty, I am guilty!"

Yang Quezi bowed and said, "I did make some muskets and sold them to nearby hunters... Your Majesty, please have mercy on me, considering that I was your soldier..."

Ye Kun waved his hand and asked the guards to search.

Soon, three muskets and several grenades were found in the hut in the backyard of the blacksmith shop!

Ye Kun was so angry that he laughed. He glared and said, "Blacksmith Yang, are you planning to rebel? You opened a weapons factory at home?"

“No, Your Majesty, I made it just for a few bucks and sold it to hunters…” Blacksmith Yang trembled.

"Hand grenade, what are they made for?"

“For frying fish…”

"Your uncle!"

Ye Kun kicked Yang the blacksmith and asked, "Where do saltpeter and sulfur come from?"

"They were all bought. There are merchants in the south who sell saltpeter and sulfur..."

"What about the formula for gunpowder? Who taught you that?"

"Everyone in the army knows the formula for gunpowder. I'll figure it out after some thought."

"You are such a talented guy!"

Ye Kun kicked him again: "Pack up for me. Come back with me to Zhuo County in a few days and work at the Weaponry Research Institute. Study firearms for the rest of your life and don't cause any more trouble for me."

"Ah, Your Majesty, you still want me to take me to Zhuo County?"

"If I don't take you away, you'll rebel, you bastard."

Ye Kun threw down a few gold coins and said, "Leave this little money for your family to live on. If your family is willing to go to Zhuo County, take them with you. I will help you arrange it."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Yang Guizi was overjoyed.

Ye Kun warned Wang Fugui again: "You local officials must also take responsibility. Privately manufacturing guns is a serious crime. You actually ignored what happened right under your nose. It's simply ridiculous! If you do it again, you will be punished together with me!"

Wang Fugui nodded and bowed: "Your Majesty, I remember it. It's mainly because this blacksmith Yang boasted that he used to be your personal soldier, so I didn't dare to touch him..."