Because Qian Jiujiu and others had moved to the villa on the mountain, Fang Xiaoxi avoided the villa when she went up the mountain. It was so late and she didn't want to disturb her master's family's rest.
Qiumi asked curiously, "Master, are we going to practice in the deep mountains today?"
Although no one knew what kind of martial arts Fang Xiaoxi was practicing, every time she practiced, the plants and trees around her could feel as if they became more energetic. Or maybe it was an illusion.
Fang Xiaoxi said, "Let's go to a deeper place. Master and his friends live there. I think there will be a lot of secret guards there. So go farther away and don't disturb Master's rest."
It was very considerate, so today he walked a little further, found a place to sit down again, and told the two of them: "You two, look around and pay attention."
After that, she began to practice. But not long after she started to practice her inner strength, a huge monster came out from the deep mountains.
When Qiumi saw the big white tiger, he was stunned for a moment. He and Dongmai looked at each other and said, "What should we do? Should we work together to kill the tiger?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Tiger actually looked towards the two of them, obviously sensing their malicious intent. The look in his eyes scared Qiumi so much.
Dongmai was also extremely depressed. Could it be that she was going to be eaten by a tiger just when she had a chance to see the sun? They absolutely could not let this tiger hurt its master.
Fang Xiaoxi noticed the two people's warnings and came to her senses. When she saw the big white tiger, she was still a little surprised. This was the second time she saw a big tiger.
The first time was when she saved Ling Yuanbao. At that time, she could vaguely feel that the tiger had no ill will towards her.
"Don't be nervous, you two. Maybe this big guy doesn't mean any harm!"
After all, other tigers would pounce on people and eat them as soon as they saw them. But the big white tiger in front of him didn't move at all. Instead, he lay lazily on the side, staring at Fang Xiaoxi.
What puzzled Fang Xiaoxi the most was that she could actually feel a hint of doting in the way Dabai looked at her.
Not knowing if she had seen it wrong, Fang Xiaoxi decided to test it out: "Dabai, are you here to see me?"
Dabai actually nodded in a very human way. Qiumi and Dongmai even stood in front of Fang Xiaoxi and said, "Master, this tiger has become a spirit."
Fang Xiaoxi was somewhat helpless, but she also believed it. The world was so big that it seemed nothing wrong for one or two monsters to appear occasionally. After all, her own origins were somewhat magical.
"It's okay, you two, step aside first. Dabai, you can understand me, right? Is there anything you want to talk to me about?"
Dabai nodded, and then said nothing. Fang Xiaoxi was speechless. Of course, she couldn't expect a tiger to talk.
Thinking about Dabai's previous behavior, he just came to a certain distance from her and then lay there, so I couldn't help but be curious: "You didn't stay here because you felt comfortable by my side."
Dabai nodded again. Okay, this is the first time I have seen such a smart tiger. But the tiger, the master of the deep forest, with such a big tiger, it will be very convenient to go up the mountain in the future.
"Then we'll be friends from now on."
Dabai looked at Fang Xiaoxi with sparkling eyes, which made Fang Xiaoxi feel embarrassed. She continued to speak: "But we still have to make three rules. When I practice, you can watch me, but you can't hurt anyone, understand?"
"Also, you have to be smarter and don't get close to people when you see them. Some people are not good people and will hurt you."
This tiger is very beautiful, and Fang Xiaoxi can't help but like it. Seeing Dabai nodding obediently, she couldn't help but reach out and touch the white top of its head.
The soft touch was really nice. Others petted cats, but she was much better at petting tigers. Then she suddenly remembered that Dabai was still some distance away from her, but he had already approached her.
She was actually unaware of it at all. Fortunately, Dabai really had no other thoughts, otherwise her life would be in danger.
Fang Xiaoxi took the opportunity to touch Dabai several times before she started today's practice. She couldn't fall behind. She met her master many years later than Nanbeibei. It would take her forever to catch up with these two!
Fang Xiaoxi was extremely hardworking. She took time out every night to practice and only returned home when it was almost dawn.
After returning home, I started to prepare breakfast. I made an appointment with Nannanbeibei and others yesterday to have breakfast at their house in the future. Fortunately, the Fang family has a good income now, so they can provide it.
But Nanbeibei and the others would not eat for free, they all had to pay for living expenses. Otherwise, Qian Jiujiu and Mu Yexiao would be embarrassed to let their own children come out to eat and drink for free.
Fang Xiaoxi doesn't feel tired even though she does so much every morning. Instead, she is very happy because cooking can also help her improve her skills.
Just after finishing the meal, someone knocked on the door. Qiumi went to open the door: "It's Mr. Mu and Miss Mu."
Nan Nan and Bei Bei knew that this man was the secret guard they had been assigned before. He looked good and was okay following Fang Xiaoxi.
Fang Xiaoxi looked at them and said, "You guys are here early."
Beibei yawned: "I didn't want to come so early, but some people started to urge me early in the morning. What delicious food did Xiaoxi make?"
Fang Xiaoxi's breakfast was also ordinary: "Just porridge, fried dough sticks, steamed buns, etc., just choose what you like."
Bei Bei nodded: "I see, we are all not outsiders, let's go to the academy together after dinner."
This was something that had been agreed upon long ago. After the children finished eating, they got on the carriage and headed for the academy. There was still some breakfast left in the kitchen, which was prepared for the Fang family.
After Fang Shaofeng had breakfast, he said goodbye to his family and went to the government office. At the government office, the bailiffs had all arrived, and after getting ready, they headed towards Tongjia Village.
By the time we arrived at Tongjia Village, it was already night, after all, the time was too short. Fortunately, I had explained everything to my parents before leaving.
When the government officials came, the village chief naturally came out to greet them. Looking at the village chief's white hair, Master Fang felt a little embarrassed.
"You must be the head of Tongjia Village, right? Head Tong, I am the legal advisor of the government. My last name is Fang. I wonder if the people in your village are ready to pay taxes?"
This is very clear, right? They are here to collect taxes. In fact, everyone in Tongjia Village knows that when the adults come to register, they can no longer hide their whereabouts.
After not paying taxes for so many years, I have to start paying taxes now. In order to show a good attitude, I cooperated very well: "Master Fang, you can rest assured, we are ready."
Master Fang breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, these people knew their limits and did not think of anything else. "That's good. By the way, it's getting late. We will rest in your village today. I wonder if you can arrange some extra rooms for us."
After all, he brought quite a few people with him today. Village Chief Tong looked at the seven or eight yamen runners, and he knew what Master Fang meant. He was probably afraid that the people in their village would not cooperate.
"Yes, we do have some vacant rooms in our village, but there aren't many. I'm sorry to bother you officers."
Master Fang smiled and said, "That's OK. Just give us two rooms. As long as they are not outside."
They had no plans to come out this time, and everyone could sleep in a bed. They just didn't like the many insects in the wilderness.
Village Chief Tong was quite authoritative in the village, and almost no one would resist what he said. So he brought the people to the door of one of Tong's families.
"Tong Dazhu, these are people from the government office, here to collect taxes. They will stay at your house tonight. Your house is the only one with a vacant room in this village."
When Master Fang heard this, he was a little confused, but he did not ask any questions. Instead, he looked at Tong Dazhu and said, "Big Brother, thank you for your help. We will pay the taxes tomorrow and leave immediately."
"By the way, village chief, if there is really no food, you can use silver to replace the tax. You have never paid taxes before, so you don't understand it. I want to talk to you more about it."
Village Chief Tong nodded and said, "In that case, Master Fang, come home with me and tell me in detail. I will announce it tomorrow and tell the villagers. What do you think?"
Master Fang smiled and said, "Don't worry, Village Chief Tong. There is nothing else to collect taxes. It is very simple. There is no need to go there separately. It is just to collect a certain amount of grain from each person, and those who don't have grain will take silver..."
After asking for the specific amount, Village Chief Tong left the person at Tong Dazhu's house and left back to his own home.
Tong Dazhu looked at Master Fang and the others and said, "My dear officers, you are going to have dinner at our house tonight. I will ask my maid to make some extra food."
Master Fang smiled and said, "No need, we brought some dry food. We just need to use your kitchen to boil some water."
This is in the spirit of not disturbing the lives of the people. They prepared everything. The people who came out to collect taxes this time took instant noodles with them.
After a day's journey, Master Fang and the others were very tired. After eating at night, they rested. They all slept on the benches. The benches for the people here were wide and long, which was quite convenient.
In the middle of the night, Village Chief Tong called together the leaders of each household and held a meeting at the ancestral hall: "I have already told you what taxes will be collected this time. Go back and prepare now. Hand over the things the next day and let them go back."
They had not paid taxes for so many years, and now they were suddenly asked to pay taxes. How could these people be happy about it? In their eyes, so many things were just given away for free, so naturally they felt uncomfortable.