Chapter 178: Private Ferry Tax? Tea Money? Monthly Fee?

"Huh, what a crappy road is this? My shoes are all dirty."

Gao Yang looked at the brown stains on her white shoes, frowned, and couldn't help complaining.

Because it's spring, the rain is abundant, and this place is also a cargo‑handling dock where common folk board ferries, so the ground naturally can't stay clean.

Moreover, the road is uneven, with potholes and puddles of dirty water everywhere.

Even though she is careful, she still can't avoid dirtying her shoes.

Chen Yan paid her no attention; instead, he cradled Xiao Sizi and looked around.

Suddenly, he seemed to notice something, quickened his pace, and headed straight for a barely noticeable small boat in the distance.

"Hey, Chen Yan, wait for me!"

Gao Yang, seeing this, stamped her foot and hurriedly lifted her skirt to follow.

The boat's owner had been waiting for someone, but upon seeing the noble young master running toward him, he panicked, grabbed the oar, and tried to flee.

Chen Yan's gaze hardened. "Xue Li, stop him!"

As the words left his mouth, a rush of wind whistled by; Xue Li sprinted forward with lightning speed, leapt, and seized the bow of the small boat.

The boatman on board turned ashen and plopped down onto the boat.

Chen Yan walked to the front of the boat at an unhurried pace, smiling, "Boatman, why do you run when you see me?"

"You don't even do business when customers come to your door?"

Business?

The boatman was an honest, simple middle‑aged man, slightly stooped, yet his muscles were firm, clearly a lifelong farmer who, during the off‑season, drove a ferry to haul passengers for extra earnings.

After hearing Chen Yan's words, he hesitated a moment, then cautiously asked, "M‑Master, are you here to take a boat?"

"No." Chen Yan shook his head. "I'm not taking a boat; I just want to inquire about something."

As he spoke, he signaled Xue Li with his eyes.

Xue Li, seeing this, immediately set down his pack, took out a string of cash, and handed it to the boatman.

"How about this: as long as you answer my question, this string of cash is yours."

The boatman stared at the cash before him and, subconsciously, swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

Chen Yan's guess was correct; he was indeed an honest farmer, with three generations of ancestors living off the land.

However, in recent years disasters have struck continuously, and life has become extremely tight; they count each grain of food and survive only by borrowing grain from wealthy landlords.

A string of cash would be enough for him to repay the grain debt, and if he uses it sparingly, perhaps it could last until the autumn harvest.

Yet, although the boatman comes from three generations of farming, he also knows that there are no free lunches falling from the sky.

He fears the money will be hard‑earned but easily wasted.

Seeing the boatman still hesitating, Gao Yang instantly became displeased, "I told you…"

Before he could finish, Chen Yan's fierce gaze scared him into silence.

Chen Yan turned back, speaking gently, "Boatman, you needn't be afraid. As long as you answer my question, you can keep this money and use it with peace of mind; I guarantee no one will dare to harm you."

The boatman struggled for a moment, then forcefully wiped his hands, carefully taking the money.

"Master, I'm just an ordinary farmer; I only run the boat in my spare time, and I can't guarantee I'll be able to answer your question."

"But I've lived here since I was a child, so I know this area quite well. Whatever question you have, feel free to ask; if I know, I will certainly not hide it."

"Alright." Chen Yan smiled, set Xiao Sizi down, letting Gao Yang take care of him first.

Then he looked at the boatman, "I want to know, how many private ferry operators are there like you?"

"This…" the boatman hadn't expected Chen Yan's first question to be so sharp, but the money was already in his hand, so he dared not stay silent.

"Alas, Master, as you said, there are indeed many private ferries like mine."

"Most of them are run by local villagers who fell trees, hired a craftsman to build a boat, and then operate it."

At this point, he hurriedly added, "But rest assured, we've paid all the taxes, tea money, and monthly fees we owe, so we're absolutely legal."

"Tax? Tea money?" Chen Yan's smile faded slightly, his eyes deepening.

"Boatman, if I recall correctly, only official ferries here have to pay taxes, right?"

"You, as a private ferry, what taxes would you have to pay?"

"And what are tea money and monthly fees?"

On the Wei River, to facilitate travel for people on both banks and upstream/downstream, Weinan County's government has established an official ferry.

A single passenger pays about one to five wen, or half a sheng of millet, or an egg, which includes the tax.

A private ferry is easy to understand: it's when locals voluntarily build boats to transport passengers.

Tang Dynasty law stipulates that common people may not privately ferry passengers.

Since it's illegal, they naturally don't have to pay taxes; after all, who would pay taxes on an illegal activity?

Most importantly, if a private ferry is caught, not only is there a fine, but also a punishment of sixty lashes.

Such a punishment is not light; sixty lashes can almost kill a person.

Of course, officials with a bit of conscience usually don't intervene in private ferries; they tend to turn a blind eye.

Living is already hard for the common folk; they just want to earn a little money to support their families, so why make them die?

However, Chen Yan, newly arrived in Weinan County, seemed to have heard a very interesting rumor.

When did Tang law start requiring taxes on private ferries?

"......"

The boatman wore a pained expression, unsure whether to speak.

Chen Yan saw his expression and understood his hesitation.

The boatman was startled, honestly shook his head, indicating he didn't know.

"If I told you I am the newly appointed County Magistrate of Weinan County, would you believe me?"

"County… County Magistrate?"

The boatman was initially still dazed; when he finally recovered, his pupils suddenly contracted, his body went limp, and he knelt down.

"I didn't know the County Magistrate was right here; I even took the County Magistrate's money. I deserve to die, I deserve to die."

He thought the young master before him had a high status, but never imagined it could be this high.

For a commoner like him, the County Magistrate is a towering official.

As for doubting Chen Yan's identity?

Heh, even if that person isn't the County Magistrate, they're certainly someone he can't offend.

Moreover, not long ago news spread that Weinan County was about to appoint a new County Magistrate.

Chen Yan let out a slight sigh, "Stand up. As I said, as only you answer my questions, you can spend this money freely; I guarantee there will be no trouble."

After a bit of hesitation, the boatman finally believed he was merely trying to ask a few simple questions, and his lingering anxiety eased somewhat.

Chen Yan: "Can you answer my question now?"

"Who set the tax for this Private Ferry, as well as the tea fee and monthly charge?"

The boatman dared not stay silent; trembling, he said, "Replying to the County Magistrate, it was the young master of the Deputy County Magistrate who ordered us to pay the ferry tax; otherwise it would be tax evasion, and we'd be seized and thrown into Heaven Prison."

"We also have to pay the monthly fee to the Ferry Tax Officer each month; otherwise we'd be caught and beaten with a board."

"As for the tea fee… it's a protection payment to the Axe Gang."

"......"

ps: Dear readers, I've had family matters these past few days and haven't had time to write. These are the last two saved drafts; please allow me to take a day off. Love you all, muah.