Everyone was excited. It seemed that Song Laosan was pleading for leniency, asking for only a small portion to be paid.
It's true that having a general in the village makes all the difference; he can step up when it matters most.
Everyone looked at Song Laosan with expectant eyes.
Song Laosan's gaze swept over the sky above the villagers' heads. He spoke, his voice devoid of any emotion.
"So, the grain you carried up the mountain last night, the part that you have to hand over, you don't need to hide it anymore. Now move it all to the crossroads."
Everyone was stunned. At least 90% of the animals were moved up the mountain; only 10% was left to deal with.
Now, they're being asked to hand over 90% of their grain?
Wouldn't this kill them?
“Your actions were all seen by the soldiers last night. Don’t think you can escape their notice. The northern soldiers are charging into battle and people are dying one after another. You must obey the law and do your part for the Great Swamp Kingdom.”
Song Laosan's tone was completely flat, yet it sent shivers down one's spine.
The villagers began to realize that things were not as they had thought.
They were being too optimistic.
Zhao Lizheng bowed and said, "General, it is wrong for the villagers to hide grain on the mountain, but grain is the foundation of their survival. Because they did not know the limits of the requisition, they were worried and did some overstepping their bounds. The grain hidden on the mountain accounts for 90% of each household's grain. If it is all requisitioned, how will the villagers survive?"
"The villagers can bring back the hidden grain, but please collect half of it according to the law so that the villagers can have enough to eat."
“Yes, everyone is afraid of running out of food. It’s not that they’re deliberately hiding from the grain or that they don’t want to contribute to the country. Everyone is willing to hand over half.” An old man in his eighties stepped forward. He was a respected elder in the village.
Song Laosan sneered.
"I'm sure the winds from other villages have reached your Datian Village. The higher authorities have strictly stipulated that half of the tax should be collected. You couldn't possibly not have heard about this. If you don't want to pay or want to pay less, you're hiding the portion that should be collected. Is that correct?"
"Therefore, all the grain hidden in the mountains must be handed over."
“If you dare to hide or evade grain, that is an act of contempt for the imperial court and you shall be severely punished. Each household shall hand over 90% of its silver and grain.”
Seeing Song Laosan playing word games with everyone like this, and being so ruthless, it's as if he's trying to take away everyone's entire fortune.
The villagers were in an uproar, filled with righteous indignation, and expressed their protests one after another.
“They’ve taken all the grain and silver. What are we going to do with our whole family? How are we going to survive?”
"My God, this is no different from taking our lives. Don't go too far."
“Song Laosan, don’t think we won’t recognize you just because you’re wearing this military uniform. You also came from this village, and your household registration is still here. Now that you’ve returned as a general, how can you treat everyone like this?”
"I thought you would be lenient with everyone, but I didn't expect you to be so vicious. This is the land that gave you birth and raised you. You grew up drinking the water and eating the food here. Ten years later, you come back and behave like this. Have some decency."
Song Laosan's face turned cold, and he gave the soldiers a look. The two villagers were immediately restrained. They raised their sword sheaths and swung them at the two villagers, each blow delivered with all their might. One of the victims was a sixty-year-old man.
The two villagers let out screams, and the other villagers couldn't bear to watch and turned their heads away.
The Song family, however, looked smug. They believed these villagers deserved to be beaten, even to death.
Now that they have someone backing them up, let's see who dares to be arrogant in front of them.
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