Liang Shixian was completely shaken by the "display" San Shier had orchestrated.
After witnessing it, he could no longer maintain the confidence he had carried as a seventh-rank county magistrate. The gap between his own status and that of this ancient household suddenly felt vast, almost insurmountable.
Their positions did not exist on the same level at all.
If not for the heavy burden resting upon his shoulders, he would have turned around and left immediately, unwilling to risk further humiliation. Yet when he recalled the refugees he had passed along the road, their hollow eyes and skeletal frames, he forced himself to remain where he stood.
"The people of Chengcheng County are drowning in suffering."
"If I retreat now, who will save them?"
"No retreat. Only forward."
He straightened his official hat, smoothed the creases from his robes, and adjusted his belt. His posture grew firm once more, and the hesitation in his heart gradually faded.
Turning to his aide and attendants, he spoke in a steady voice.
"Wait here. Do not act without permission."
With that, he followed San Shier up the stairs toward the highest floor of the watchtower.
Inside the hall, he saw a young woman seated with quiet dignity.
She wore a flowing white gown of exceptional quality, and her posture was flawless. Her expression remained calm and composed, revealing nothing of her inner thoughts.
In truth, Gao Yiye was utterly terrified.
She was nothing more than an ordinary village girl. A county magistrate was a figure so far beyond her world that she had never imagined meeting one, much less sitting before him as an equal.
Fortunately, she had prepared herself.
She repeated the same thought over and over in her mind.
"The more dignified I appear, the more Tianzun will be honored."
Clinging to that belief, she forced herself to remain still, suppressing the fear threatening to overwhelm her.
Liang Shixian studied her carefully.
She had barely reacted to his official robes, showing neither surprise nor deference.
His heart tightened.
"So this is the chief wife of an ancient noble family. To her, a mere seventh-rank magistrate is nothing worth acknowledging. She must have seen countless high officials throughout her life."
The realization unsettled him deeply.
"I cannot falter now. If I lose my composure, everything will be lost."
Thus, the two of them sat facing each other in silence, each maintaining an invisible pressure that filled the hall.
San Shier stepped forward and performed the formal introduction.
"This is the chief wife of our master's household. And this is Magistrate Liang Shixian, newly appointed magistrate of Chengcheng County."
Gao Yiye did not trust herself to speak. She merely inclined her head slightly.
"Mhm."
Liang Shixian inwardly winced.
"What arrogance. She cannot even be bothered to speak."
San Shier continued smoothly.
"May I ask what brings Magistrate Liang to our humble residence?"
Liang Shixian did not bother with pleasantries.
"I have recently assumed office in Chengcheng County," he began. "Upon my arrival, I learned that the region had suffered greatly from bandit activity. Fortunately, Inspector Cheng Xu fought bravely and ultimately beheaded the rebel Wang Er, restoring order."
He paused, his expression growing heavy.
"However, the damage remains severe. Throughout the county, disaster victims fill the land. Along my journey here, I saw abandoned homes everywhere. Livelihoods have been destroyed, and the suffering of the people is beyond description."
His voice faltered.
To Li Daoxuan, who was observing everything through his phone using an ultra-high-definition camera, the image was crystal clear. He zoomed in on Liang Shixian's face and noticed the faint shimmer of tears gathering at the corners of his eyes.
Li Daoxuan frowned slightly.
"Is this man merely acting, or is he truly grieving for his people?"
At present, he could not yet be certain.
Liang Shixian sighed deeply before continuing.
"My visit today is an act of desperation. This year's taxes have not yet been fully collected, and the official granary has already been plundered by rebels. Without grain, even the most skilled cook cannot prepare a meal."
He lowered his head slightly.
"After much thought, I realized that if I wish to save the disaster victims of this county, I have no choice but to seek assistance from the local gentry."
San Shier immediately understood.
He was proposing an extraordinary levy.
Such measures were not uncommon in history. However, they were usually used to shift tax burdens onto the poor, protecting wealthy elites.
This time, however, Liang Shixian was doing the opposite.
He intended to shift the burden away from the poor and onto the wealthy.
This was completely contrary to the usual order.
No.
This was not disorder.
This was justice.
San Shier stood frozen, unsure how to react.
Outside the diorama box, Li Daoxuan was equally surprised. He had not expected to encounter such an unconventional official.
Liang Shixian noticed San Shier's stunned expression and smiled faintly.
He was accustomed to such reactions.
He had been exiled to Shaanxi precisely because he refused to follow the corrupt officials of the Eunuch faction. His integrity had made him an enemy of powerful men.
They wanted him dead.
Yet he refused to surrender.
He turned and gestured toward the village outside.
"Your Li family is clearly blessed by heaven. You possess immense wealth, enough to construct such a magnificent fortress. Even your tenants are well-fed, and rain falls upon your lands while others suffer drought."
His voice grew firm.
"Since heaven has favored you, you must also shoulder greater responsibility. The people of Chengcheng County are on the brink of collapse. To demand taxes from them now would be to condemn them to death."
He met Gao Yiye's gaze directly.
"Why does your Li family not contribute silver to cover their taxes? By doing so, you would save countless lives and accumulate great merit for your descendants."
San Shier was speechless.
This was not a demand driven by greed, but a plea born of responsibility.
At that moment, Li Daoxuan's voice sounded calmly from above.
"Refuse him."
Gao Yiye turned slightly and shook her head.
San Shier snapped back to reality.
Tianzun had spoken.
Yet confusion filled his heart.
Tianzun had always shown boundless compassion, providing water, food, and countless blessings. Why refuse such a request now?
He could not understand.
Suppressing his doubts, he spoke.
"Magistrate Liang, forgive us. The Li family cannot agree to this request."
Liang Shixian did not appear surprised.
He had anticipated resistance.
Instead, he spoke calmly.
"I understand your hesitation. However, if the people cannot survive, they will rebel. When rebellion spreads, even the wealthiest families cannot escape destruction."
His expression darkened.
"Along my journey, I have seen great estates reduced to ashes. Wealth offers no protection against desperate mobs."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in.
"Your Li family stands prosperous and strong. Yet prosperity also makes you a target. Why not offer silver now and consider it an act of averting disaster?"
San Shier hesitated.
The argument was reasonable.
Not long ago, he himself had opposed harsh taxation.
Yet Tianzun had ordered refusal.
His mind wavered.
At that moment, Li Daoxuan spoke again.
"Tell him this. Paying taxes on their behalf is impossible. Not a single coin will be handed to corrupt officials."
He paused briefly.
"However, we are willing to provide grain directly to the disaster victims."
His voice grew firm.
"Every grain must enter the stomachs of the people."