In years of famine and drought, their village even rejected fatty meat.

Chapter 807 The Land Where Immortals Descend

After Yang Zheng rebelled and overthrew the imperial court's rule in Liangzhou, he immediately abolished a series of exorbitant taxes and levies, and reduced the grain tax to about 30% in one fell swoop!

Don't think this percentage is high. During the reign of the imperial court, grain tax in Liangzhou was as high as 50%. In addition, they also had to bear a lot of corvée labor and exploitation by officials and landlords, which made them suffer terribly.

That's why so many people in Liangzhou were willing to support Yang Zheng when he rebelled. The people of Liangzhou had long hated the rule of the imperial court and were eager to see a change of dynasty!

In short, Yang Zheng's relatively low tax collection rate is one of the fundamental reasons why the people of Liangzhou are willing to support him!

At this moment, the officials told Wu Laoshi that if he took the government's grain, he would have to pay more grain tax. This stirred up some unpleasant memories for Wu Laoshi, making him suspect that Yang Zheng, or rather the government of Yongliang County, might be trying to raise grain tax...

"Officer."

Old Wu asked cautiously, "Aren't these grain seeds free? Why is the grain tax being increased?"

Upon hearing this, the official patiently explained, "It was not easy for Commander Yang to obtain these grain seeds. He bought them from Chenjia Village at a high price. Commander Yang cares about us common people, and we common people cannot let Commander Yang suffer losses, right? Therefore, everyone who receives these grain seeds must hand over 50% of the first crop to the government, and the remaining 50% is theirs."

Upon hearing this, Wu Laoshi immediately did some mental calculations. If the grain could really yield 2000 jin per mu as the official said, then paying 50% as grain tax didn't seem unacceptable.

After all, the grain he used to grow only yielded less than 300 jin per mu. Even if he only handed over 30%, he would only have less than 200 jin left. But the grain distributed by the government could yield 2000 jin per mu. Even if he handed over 50%, he would still have 1000 jin left. Wu Laoshi could figure out which was better even with his bare feet.

"Officer, is it only the first harvest that requires us to hand over 50% of the grain?"

"That's right! The first batch will be taxed at 50%, and the grain tax will then be reduced back to 30%."

"That's alright!"

Wu Laoshi nodded thoughtfully.

The official continued, "Alright! I'm going to inform the other households now. Whether you want to collect the grain seeds or not, you can think about it yourself!"

"Alright! Take care, officer!"

After watching the officials leave, Wu Laoshi's wife came over from the kitchen and asked, "Laoshi, are we going to plant the government's grain seeds?"

"Of course we should plant them!"

Without a second thought, Wu Laoshi replied, "That's a crop that can grow 2000 jin of grain per mu. I'd have to be crazy not to plant it!"

The wife nodded. In fact, she was also inclined to plant it, since the yield of 2000 jin per mu was too attractive to farmers.

Even if 50% of the grain produced has to be handed over to the government, each mu of land can still keep 1000 jin for the family. This is definitely a deal that cannot be more cost-effective.

"Tomorrow I'll go to the government office to collect the grain seeds. If these seeds really yield as much as the official said, then our family's good days will begin!"

With a broad smile, Wu Laoshi said, "If such high-yield grains can be planted and harvested successfully, then the family will no longer need to scrimp and save. Both adults and children can eat their fill. The surplus grain can be sold to buy other necessities, and even occasionally some meat for the children. Life will be wonderful..."

Just thinking about it makes Wu Laoshi feel incredibly happy!

Wu Laoshi's wife also beamed with joy, exclaiming, "Laoshi, Chenjia Village is truly amazing! They can produce such high-yield grain seeds!"

"Yes!"

Old Wu nodded, deeply agreeing: "That Chen Family Village might be a place where immortals descended to earth, otherwise how could there be an endless supply of chickens and ducks, and such high-yield grains!"

Wu Laoshi had heard about the wonders of Chenjia Village long ago, but because he had little connection with the village, he only listened to it as a story.

Only now did he realize that the wonders of Chenjia Village could benefit him, and he immediately felt an immense fondness for Chenjia Village.

…………

…………

As officials went door-to-door to deliver the notices, the once quiet Yongliang County suddenly became bustling with activity on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

"What?! A grain variety that yields 2000 jin per mu? Is that true?"

"Of course it's true! The officials came to our door in person to inform us, how could it be false?"

"This is incredible! 2000 catties of grain per mu (unit of land area)? I never even dared to dream of it!"

"If we could grow this kind of grain on our land, wouldn't my whole family never have to go hungry again?"

"Not having to go hungry is nothing! If we can really achieve a yield of 2000 jin per mu, we'll have more grain than we can eat!"

"Great! With these seeds, we'll never go hungry again!"

"That Chenjia Village is truly amazing! They have such high-yield grain varieties!"

"Thank you, Commander Yang! Thank you, County Magistrate! Thank you, Chenjia Village!"

"..."

The news that Yang Zheng brought back high-yield grain seeds was like a bombshell in Yongliang County, bringing immense joy to countless people in the county!

For the impoverished people of Yongliang County, nothing is more important than high-yield grain seeds. With high-yield grain seeds, they can harvest more grain and feed their families.

No one in Yongliang County will go hungry anymore, and no one will starve to death. Everyone will benefit from the high-yield grain crops!

On this day, thanks to the high-yield grain varieties, the entire Yongliang County seemed to have an extra touch of the New Year's atmosphere. The faces of the people in the county were no longer numb, but full of excitement, and everyone seemed to see a bright future!

The next day, the Yongliang County government office became bustling with activity as countless people from the county flocked there, so many that it felt like there wasn't enough room to squeeze in.

"Officer, how do I collect these grain seeds?"

"Don't rush! Line up! Come one by one to collect your rations, you'll all get your share!"

"okay!"

Under the direction of the officials, the people lined up and went forward to receive the grain seeds.

Soon, the first person to receive the precious wheat seeds appeared.

This man, who was about thirty years old, walked out of the county government office with his head held high, amidst the envious glances of the crowd, carrying a bag of grain seeds.

Meanwhile, the people behind them also received their grain seeds one after another, and everyone who received the seeds had a genuine smile on their face.

"I took a look at this grain, and it's really different from the wheat we usually see!"

"Yes! I wonder if this grain variety is really that high-yielding!"

"Don't worry! These are grain seeds that Commander Yang brought back personally. Even if the yield isn't 2000 jin per mu, it will definitely be 1000 jin!"

"Even a thousand catties is fine. If one mu of land can yield 1000 catties of wheat, I'll be content!"

"..."