Chapter 127: Everyone Is Happy

During the meal, Chu Yun prepared to inform everyone that he had become the new Lord of Nanhua Town. He intended to announce that he would select administrators from among them and outline the new policies he planned to implement.

However, facing a crowd of two thousand three hundred people, he knew that even if he shouted until his throat gave out, the people would struggle to hear him; he needed amplification. This made him miss Huang Daniu. If Huang Daniu were here to hold a megaphone for him, he could easily address the crowd.

Just then, a young woman approached, accompanied by four burly men carrying a massive, makeshift megaphone.

The woman had fair, delicate skin, a heart-shaped face, and refined, striking features. She wore coarse, patched hemp clothing, which contrasted sharply with her natural beauty.

She bowed respectfully and said, "Lord Earl, my name is Liu Fei. I knew you intended to speak to everyone but feared they wouldn't hear you, so I had them bring this device. I have already tested it, and the amplification is quite effective."

Chu Yun smiled slightly. "Excellent, you have done well!"

He felt a genuine sense of admiration for Liu Fei. Although she appeared to be a delicate woman, the fact that she could command four sturdy men was impressive in itself. Furthermore, she had managed to construct a megaphone. Since Chu Yun had only commissioned craftsmen to build such a device after returning to Chu Family Town, the people of Nanhua Town had never seen one before. This made Liu Fei’s achievement—despite the device's flaws and cumbersome size—a testament to her remarkable intelligence.

"Carry the device and help the Lord Earl amplify his voice," Liu Fei instructed the four men.

"Understood!" they replied. They moved the megaphone in front of Chu Yun and crouched down to support it.

Using the device, Chu Yun announced, "From this moment on, I, Earl Chu Yun, am your new lord. I will lead you toward a better life."

Applause erupted instantly. Many people cheered loudly, "Wonderful! Earl Chu Yun has truly become our lord!"

Then, someone asked a question that concerned everyone deeply: "My Lord, what tax policy will you implement here? Will it be like the one for the people of Chu Family Town, where everyone eats together, enjoying three meals a day?"

Chu Yun smiled and replied, "I have two proposals for you to choose from. The first is to reduce your tax burden. I have reviewed your previous taxes; a one-in-six rate is indeed too heavy. Under my rule, I will set the tax at one-in-thirty. The second option is to follow the system in Chu Family Town: everyone eats together, provided with three meals a day, but all the fruits of your labor belong to the Lord, and you act effectively as my employees."

"You may choose freely. Those who accept the first proposal, move to the left; those who prefer the second, move to the right."

The people of Nanhua Town broke into a flurry of discussion, weighing which option would be more beneficial to them.

Watching this, Chu Wencai nodded in approval. He had been worried that Chu Yun would simply impose the Chu Family Town policy on everyone. After all, Nanhua Town was much larger than the five-hundred-person Chu Family Town, and applying the same system to over two thousand people would be problematic. Yet, simply reducing taxes might disappoint those who still struggled to survive. By offering two choices, Chu Yun had navigated the situation brilliantly.

After half an hour of deliberation, everyone had made their decision. Roughly fifteen hundred people chose the tax reduction, while seven hundred opted for the communal dining system.

Nanhua Town was fertile and productive. For those with skills or good land, paying only one-thirtieth of their harvest meant they could easily afford three meals a day and even save surplus grain. The seven hundred who chose the second option were likely those with barren land or no particular trade to rely on.

This outcome was within Chu Yun’s expectations. "Once you have made your choice," he stated, "I will have it registered, and it cannot be changed for three years. I will give you another two quarter-hours to reconsider."

Some people switched sides, but the final tally remained largely the same.

"Very well," Chu Yun said. "Since you have chosen, I will have you registered."

He tasked Chu Wencai, his four guards, and a few literate individuals—including Liu Fei—with the registration. Once finished, they adopted the management structure used in Chu Family Town, selecting household heads and team leaders from each group and briefing them on their duties.

Thus, Chu Yun established his own governing system in Nanhua Town and became its true lord.

The following day, accompanied by Chu Wencai, his four guards, and the newly appointed leaders—including Liu Fei—Chu Yun set off for Jiadao Valley to take command of the Fierce Tiger Battalion. Although his imperial decree was sufficient to take control, having the respected local leaders by his side ensured a much smoother transition, as many of the soldiers held these local figures in high regard.