Chapter 272 The Royal Fruit?
Everyone was amused by the little dumpling.
"Master Xiaojiu is right, we should keep a low profile!"
"As the saying goes, a tall tree attracts the wind, a great reputation attracts disaster, and great wealth attracts thieves. We must keep our composure and not show off in public, lest we arouse envy!"
"right!"
…
But sometimes, you can't keep a low profile just because you want to, especially for Heihe Village today, it seems impossible to keep a low profile.
Two days later, the third crop of strawberries was ripe, and the villagers went to the fields to pick them after breakfast.
At this time, Wu Yong rushed into the village entrance at the top of his horse. Without even dismounting, he began to shout, "The county magistrate has ordered the village to prepare to welcome the governor and prefect! They will be here soon!"
The villagers of Heihe Village were confused. What were such high-ranking officials as the governor and the prefect doing in Heihe Village?
Could it be that Heihe Village has committed some crime?
The gates of Heihe Village were wide open, and the village head and the villagers were waiting outside the city wall.
Everyone was feeling uneasy, and the village head was even more panicked, his calves trembling.
The village head wanted to find Wu Yong to find out what happened, but Wu Yong had disappeared.
"Where's Xiao Jiu'er? Where's the Master? Where's the Ye family?"
Without any backbone, the village head became even more panicked.
"Go and call them, they should be here soon," said the villagers.
"Don't be afraid, village head. They are high-ranking officials, but can they be higher than our little goddess?" the villagers comforted him.
"You're right, we have Xiao Jiuer!" The village head took a few deep breaths and finally calmed down.
Soon after, the sound of horse hooves came from afar. Two carriages were escorted by guards riding tall horses and galloped all the way.
The leading guard reined in his horse, and Zhou Huaining walked out of the first carriage.
Two men in official uniforms came out of the second carriage. They must be the governor and the prefect.
The villagers knelt down and shouted, "Greetings to the Governor, the Prefect, and the County Magistrate!"
"Well, everyone, get up." The governor said majestically, "Heihe Village looks pretty good."
This was the first time the governor came to Xianchuan County, and he was a new official. The previous governor suddenly died of an illness.
The villagers stood up, and the first thing they did was to secretly glance at the county magistrate.
However, the county magistrate had an unreadable expression, and everyone became even more panicked.
"Where are you in Heihe Village? Come out and answer."
The village head took a few quick steps, bowed, and said, "In reply to your Excellency, I am the village head of Heihe Village."
"Are there any strawberries left from the ones grown in your village?"
The village head replied cautiously, "The third crop of strawberries is ripe and ready to be picked."
The governor breathed a sigh of relief, and the prefect beside him also showed a happy expression, "It seems that we have come at the right time."
The village head asked tentatively, "Would you three like to try some strawberries? I can have someone pick some right away from the fields."
The governor shook his head and said, "No, I am not qualified to eat these strawberries."
The village head was startled and knelt down hurriedly. "Did I say something wrong? Why did the governor say that?"
"Get up!" The governor seemed in a good mood. "Headmaster, I came here today to tell you a piece of good news. The emperor's favorite, Princess Mingzhu, loves to eat the strawberries grown in your village. Therefore, strawberries have been designated as the royal fruit. Your Heihe Village has made a great contribution this time!"
The village head was stunned for a moment, "Strawberries have become the royal fruit?"
The governor nodded. "It means that tribute can only be paid to the imperial palace. Do you understand?"
The village head was stunned.
The governor thought he still didn't understand. "In other words, strawberries will become tribute from now on, supplied exclusively to the imperial palace for the enjoyment of the nobles, princes, and grandchildren. Do you understand now?"
The village head whispered, "I understand..."
"Then why don't you feel any joy?" the governor asked unhappily.
"The common people are happy, but also frightened." The village head trembled with fear.
"Why are you so frightened?" the governor laughed loudly. "Do you know that Princess Mingzhu is a blessed star sent from heaven, ensuring the eternal preservation of Dayu's foundation? The fact that the strawberries grown in your village have been favored by the princess is a blessing no one else could ever hope for! Just be happy!"
"I understand."
The governor waved his hand and said, "In that case, you tell the villagers to pick the strawberries immediately. My men will rush to deliver them to the imperial palace in the capital!"
"Your Excellency, Governor," the village head bowed, "this crop of strawberries has already been reserved by buyers, and I've already received their money. Could you please only send half to the palace? That way, Heihe Village can explain to their customers..."
"Stupid!" the prefect scolded. "Strawberries are tribute, how can you sell them to these common people? Why should they enjoy Princess Mingzhu's favorite fruit? Stop talking nonsense and pick the strawberries immediately. Don't keep the governor waiting too long!"
"Yes, I'll do it right away."
The villagers entered the village and started picking strawberries immediately.
The atmosphere in the field, which was previously filled with laughter and joy, now became a little solemn.
"Village head, we will never be able to sell strawberries again?"
"Are we going to keep growing strawberries for the palace?"
The village head forced a smile and said, "This is a good thing. Just as the governor said, this is a great honor!"
Someone stammered, "We don't care about whether it's glorious or not. We just want to know if we can get the silver if we pay tribute to the palace..."
"Of course not," the village head sighed. "Under heaven, the land belongs to the king. If you pay tribute to the palace, don't expect any money."
The villagers suddenly wilted.
Someone expressed the doubts in everyone's mind, "What if other fruits and vegetables in our village are also favored..."
"Can't you think of something nice?" the village head said angrily, "Hurry up and pick them and send them away!"
Everyone sighed silently and no one spoke anymore.
This was the quietest day in the village in recent months.
The villagers carried the strawberries to the village entrance. Halfway there, the village head suddenly whispered, "Leave a basket for Xiao Jiuer. She loves strawberries the most."
"Okay!" The villagers picked up a basket of strawberries and were about to hide them.
"What are you doing? I knew you would play tricks!" An angry roar was heard, and two guards with swords rushed over ferociously.
The two villagers who had been hiding the strawberries were so frightened that their hands shook and the strawberries in the baskets fell all over the floor.
The guard rushed over and kicked the two men to the ground. "Useless dogs! These strawberries are for Princess Mingzhu to enjoy! What's your punishment for spilling them?"
As he said this, he drew out his knife.
"Sir, calm down!" The village head quickly stood in front of the two villagers. "They didn't mean it. There are still many strawberries left, more than enough for tribute!"
"Yes, please show mercy, sir!" All the villagers knelt on the ground and begged for mercy.
"You old man, you're full of evil intentions! How dare they hide the strawberries without your order?"
The guard raised his hand and punched the headman.
"No!" the villagers exclaimed.
"Stop!" With a loud shout, the guard's fist was grasped tightly.
Ye Yanping suppressed his anger, "Sir, the man in front of you is an old man in his sixties! How can he withstand your punch?!"
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