A daily intelligence report; in chaotic times and famine years, grain is plentiful.

"Clang clang clang!"

The sounds from outside the courtyard were getting closer.

Chen Mo frowned, a bad feeling creeping into his heart.

Usually, the sound of a gong indicates that something important has happened in the village, and that villagers are urgently summoned.

"Quickly hide the things."

Chen Mo whispered his instructions.

Chen Ling'er nodded and quickly packed her things.

A moment later, someone knocked on Chen Mo's courtyard gate.

Is anyone home?

The person outside the door called out.

"What's wrong?"

Chen Mo responded loudly without stopping what he was doing.

"Meet at the village ancestral hall."

The person outside the door continued to notify the next household.

After packing his things, Chen Mo hid the dagger, gave Chen Ling'er a few instructions, and then left.

On the way, they happened to run into Sun Dazhu.

A number of villagers had already gathered in the open space in front of the ancestral hall.

The crowd gathered together, discussing the matter animatedly.

The last time the village was summoned was because the government was forcibly requisitioning grain.

But if you try to avoid it, the authorities will likely come knocking on your door.

"Spring planting just finished not long ago, what's going on now?"

"I hope they won't requisition grain again this time; we can't make ends meet anymore..."

Those present whispered among themselves, each one filled with worry.

Before long, most of the men from every household in the village had arrived.

"Everyone, please be quiet."

Suddenly someone shouted.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Wang Laoqi and his son walking over with a group of servants, followed by many government officials.

This group of people looked menacing and were carrying weapons; they were clearly up to no good.

When the villagers saw the Wang family father and son arrive, they immediately stopped talking and lowered their heads.

Now that the Wang family has the backing of the government, they are completely in control of the village, and no one dares to offend them.

Wang Laoqi slowly walked up the steps of the ancestral hall and took out a document from his pocket.

"This is a new decree issued by the imperial court. Due to the famine this year and the constant banditry around the town, a new batch of government troops has arrived in the town to garrison in order to protect the people and ensure their safety."

Wang Laoqi read it aloud.

Hearing this, the villagers' worries only deepened.

Logically speaking, it should be a good thing for the government troops to come and suppress bandits, but if it is a good thing, then the military pay will definitely be borne by the people.

"In order to support the government troops, the county magistrate has specially ordered that every village and household must pay 200 catties of grain tax after this year's autumn harvest. Anyone who disobeys and refuses to pay will be punished, and all the male members of their family will be sent to the army!"

These words caused an uproar in the room.

The faces of everyone present turned ashen instantly.

Everyone knows that this so-called military service is not normal enlistment, but rather going to the front lines as cannon fodder, or even performing forced labor.

It was a near-death experience!

Moreover, that's not all; they simply cannot afford the tax on those two hundred catties of grain.

"We still have two hundred jin of grain stored up!"

Someone shouted boldly.

"Yes, all the land at home has been sold, so the autumn harvest won't be much at all!"

"Are they trying to force us to our deaths?"

The situation suddenly spiraled out of control.

"quiet!"

Wang Laoqi, relying on the officials behind him, was still swaggering around.

Seeing that the people below were still complaining, Wang Laoqi gave a look, and the group of officials drew their swords and stood in front of the villagers.

Seeing that the officials were about to draw their knives, the villagers could only shut their mouths, daring not to speak out in their anger.

Looking at the villagers' despairing expressions, Wang Laoqi smiled with a hint of smugness.

This is exactly the effect he wanted.

This so-called new imperial decree is only half true and half false.

After the autumn harvest, those who cannot pay their taxes will eventually have to sell their land to the Wang family.

"Li Laogen, you are responsible for supervising each household. There can be no mistakes, otherwise you will not be able to escape responsibility."

Wang Laoqi gave the order again.

Li Laogen was still leaning on his cane, his expression quite solemn.

As the most respected person in the village, it was really difficult for him to do something that would offend people.

Moreover, Li Laogen knew very well that not many people in the village could hand over two hundred catties of grain.

Wang Laoqi completely ignored these difficulties, and after explaining everything, he prepared to leave.

Wang Mang stood beside his father, scanning the crowd with a smug look on his face.

A moment later, his gaze fell on the crowd, fixed intently on Chen Mo.

He was still seething with anger because Chen Mo had tricked him and he hadn't been able to plunder Chen Mo's stored grain.

"Chen Mo!"

Wang Mang suddenly shouted.

"Your family didn't contribute much to the last spring planting and donation drive, so we let you off the hook before. But this time, the government has issued an order, and you can't escape it. Others have to hand over two hundred catties, but you have to hand over three hundred catties!"

Three hundred jin!

Upon hearing this, the villagers around Chen Mo all turned to look at him.

Everyone knows that this was Wang Mang deliberately targeting Chen Mo.

Three hundred catties of grain is not something an ordinary farmer could afford, even in a bumper year, let alone in a famine year.

Chen Mo remained calm and showed no reaction.

He knew in his heart that the Wang family was clearly determined to wipe him out.

"If you, Chen Mo, can't hand it over, you and your old man can expect to be sent to the army!"

Wang Mang shouted again in a stern voice.

Seeing that Chen Mo did not respond at all, he did not waste any words and left with Wang Laozi.

Chen Mo sneered inwardly.

Three hundred catties of grain?

Even if he did have them, he would never hand them over to these tyrants who exploit the people.

Since the Wang family is determined to wipe him out, there's no need for him to endure any longer.

After the Wang family left, the villagers in front of the ancestral hall finally could no longer suppress their dissatisfaction.

"Two hundred jin! Wang Laoqi is trying to force our whole family to their deaths!"

"Don't even mention 200 pounds, we're barely scraping by now, we only have one life, so the worst that can happen is we'll join the army!"

"What imperial order? I bet it's just some old bastard using this as an excuse to exploit us!"

Shouts and curses rose and fell.

They understand the道理 (principles/reasoning), but they just can't resist.

"Folks, calm down."

At this moment, Li Laogen slowly walked up the steps, signaling everyone to quiet down.

Although he was old, he still held some prestige in the village.

The crowd gradually calmed down and looked at Li Laogen.

"It's no use cursing now. The Wang family will definitely not let us go. The most important thing right now is to find a way to survive."

Hearing these words, everyone continued to sigh and complain.

I understand the logic, but what other options do I have now?

Li Laogen ignored everyone's doubts and just looked at Chen Mo.

"Chen Mo, do you have any ideas?"

He suddenly asked.

After spending these past few days together, Li Laogen also realized that Chen Mo was not a simple person.

It was Chen Mo who secretly helped Li Laogen get through it.

Chen Mo must be hiding a lot of things.

"The Wang family is putting a lot of pressure on us now. We can't really rebel. Can you give us some advice and let's talk about the autumn harvest first?"

Li Laogen continued.

All eyes in the room turned to Chen Mo.

However, most of the looks from others were filled with doubt and disdain.

"Him? What can this guy possibly do?"

Someone scoffed and said.

"Yes, he can't even keep his own wife in check. He's completely fooled by Wang Mang. Following him is just waiting to die."

Some even mocked it.

Chen Mo remained silent, listening quietly to the whispers of the group...