He whipped his lame leg hard, hating himself intensely at that moment.
Thump thump thump—
Suddenly, a series of urgent knocks echoed at the door.
The three of them were startled at the same time.
Who is it?
The woman mustered her courage and asked.
"Tax Office!"
One sentence relieved the anxiety of the group, but also brought a touch of worry to their hearts.
The woman opened the door, and several bailiffs dressed in heavy cotton-padded coats filed in.
What does it taste like?
The poor-quality charcoal made the group constantly cover their noses and mouths from the smoke.
Black Ox approached obsequiously and asked, "Gentlemen, what can I do for you?"
The head constable, dressed entirely in black mink and wearing a square hat, glanced disdainfully at Black Bull before saying, "It's like this, the border war is tense..."
Effective immediately, all households in Langzhong will receive an additional 33 copper coins per quarter, regardless of age or gender. This quarter's payment must be made by the end of this month.
After saying that, without waiting for the Black Bull family to speak, he led his men out of the house.
They simply couldn't stand the pungent smell of burning charcoal inside the house.
"Sir, wait a moment..."
Black Bull chased after them, leaning on his cane and holding a military discharge certificate in his hand.
The officer turned around and looked at it with a puzzled expression: "What is this thing?"
"Sir, this is proof of my twenty years of service in the Jingbian Garrison. It was issued by..."
"What are you trying to say?" the officer interrupted Black Ox directly. "Is it beneath you to serve the King of Shu?"
No, that's not it.
Faced with the officer's sinister gaze, Black Bull immediately shrank back in fear.
"If it's not true, why produce this certificate? The honor the King of Shu gave you was for you to flaunt?"
"I, I..."
"What do you mean, 'me'! The King of Shu has spared no effort in ensuring that the people of Shu can live and work in peace and contentment."
What else are you dissatisfied with? What do you want with this receipt? Speak!
"No, no..."
"Hmph, you lowly commoner!"
Black Bull had intended to produce this certificate in hopes of getting a reduction in the head tax.
Faced with the officials' aggressive attitude, he ultimately said nothing and could only watch them drive away.
"I just can't live like this anymore!"
Inside the house, the woman's piercing cries echoed once more.
Not far away, a butcher who sells meat saw this scene, shook his head with a wry smile, and sighed, "In this world, no one has an easy time."
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