Divorced by her husband's family and rejected by her own! She defiantly turned her life around

Three days later, all the village chiefs of Lingshui County gathered at the county government office. Fang Zhihua asked his clerk to read the official document to the village chiefs. He picked up the document sent by the government office and began to read it word by word. The clerk explained as he read, and the village chiefs frowned as they listened.

After the clerk finished reading, the village chiefs' faces darkened, and no one spoke. He cleared his throat and said, "Village chiefs, did you all understand? If you don't understand something, ask in person. Don't go back and relay the wrong meaning. The county government will not be responsible for any problems that arise."

An elderly village chief stood up and said, "Sir, why are we now being forced to perform corvée labor and military service? The summer harvest is almost here. In the past, we would be notified in advance of our service. Why are we in such a hurry this time, and why are we not even told where we will be serving?"

There is no war on the border now, so why should we have to serve in the military?

Liu Jinsheng also stood up. "Sir, last year's summer grain harvest was poor, and the autumn grain harvest failed completely. The people's lives were so hard that people in some villages starved to death. Everyone barely survived the winter and looked forward to the spring. They survived until now by digging for wild vegetables in the mountains. This summer grain is the people's hope for the whole year. If we collect 50% tax, wouldn't that be taking everyone's lives?"

"Yes, sir, it's not that we're unwilling to pay, it's just that there's too much. If we go back and tell the villagers this, who knows what trouble it will cause." All the village chiefs stood up and spoke up in unison, hoping that the magistrate would hear their voices and understand the people's suffering.

The advisor pressed his hand down, "Village chiefs, please calm down, please sit down and let me explain slowly."

Here's what happened: the former Prefect Cai has stepped down, and this is an official document issued by the new Prefect Wu to each county, including Lingshui County. The officials are hoping that everyone will be exempt from corvée labor and military service, and that they can have white rice to eat every day.

However, Your Excellency is merely a county magistrate; he does not possess such great power. This is an official document issued by the imperial court, and we can only comply with the instructions. We hope that the village chiefs will also be understanding of Your Excellency's difficulties.

If everyone has no further questions, please go back and prepare.

The village chiefs left the county government office looking dejected, unsure of how to explain things to their fellow villagers.

Liu Jinsheng returned to Liujia Village and rushed to find the clan chief. "Uncle, something terrible has happened!"

"What happened? Why are you all so flustered?"

"Today, the county magistrate summoned all the village chiefs of Lingshui County to the yamen for a meeting. This is really a big deal. They will have to perform corvée labor, serve in the military, and pay 50% of their taxes."

The clan chief jumped up from his chair, swaying slightly. Liu Jinsheng quickly helped him up, saying, "Uncle, don't get agitated. Take care of yourself. Sit down and let's talk."

When do they need people?

"They gave us five days to prepare, and on the sixth day the yamen runners came to take us away."

The clan chief let out a long sigh of relief. "This is really leaving no way for the people to survive. There are so many pregnant women in the village. I'm afraid that if you announce this news, who knows what kind of trouble it will cause."

"Alright, let's go find April now and ask her what she thinks about this."

"Okay, let's go now."

"After a few days of meetings, the clerk said that the prefect has been replaced, and the current prefect's surname is Wu."

"Who was that surnamed Cai before?"

"He has stepped down."

"It's like every new official tries to make a big splash, and they always aim to burn us common people. The lives of ordinary people are cheap, so they won't feel the pain of being burned."

The two walked and talked until they reached the end of the village. The village chief went up and knocked on the door. Lei Wu opened the door and saw the village chief and the clan chief. "Village chief, clan chief, is there something you need?"

"Brother Lei Wu, we've come to see your master. Please inform him."

"Alright, please wait a moment, I'll be right back."

Lei Wu hurried to the gate of the house and saw Xiao Tao playing with Yao'er. "Miss Xiao Tao, the village chief and clan chief are outside and request to see the master."

"Come with me."

"Master, Lei Wu is looking for you."

"Come in."

"Master, the village chief and clan chief are outside and request to see you."

"Please invite them in."

When the village chief and clan head arrived at the reception room, Liu Siyue quickly invited them to sit down and had tea and pastries served. "Grandpa Clan Head, it's so hot outside, and you still came all this way. Just have someone pass on a message to me, and I'll catch my way there."

"It's alright, I'm still able to walk around even though I'm an old man."

I know you're busy, but I still want to bother you. Please don't find it annoying.

"How could that be? You're the pillar of our village."

"I've come to ask you something today, April, and I'd like to see what you think."

"What is it? Please tell me."

"Jin Sheng, you speak."

"This is what happened in April..." Liu Jinsheng then recounted the contents of the meeting in detail. Liu Siyue was taken aback. "What? That guy surnamed Wu became the prefect?"

"Did you meet the new prefect in April?"

"I don't know him, I've only heard it from others."

"The clan chief said there are many pregnant women in the village, and he's afraid that if word got out, it would shock them. What do you think about this?"

Liu Siyue thought for a moment, "Uncle Village Chief, you should go back first. We still have a few days. I'll think it over carefully. Whether I come up with a solution or not, I'll give you an answer before noon tomorrow."

"Okay, on behalf of the villagers, thank you. We've gone to so much trouble for you again."

The village chief and clan chief left. "Master, that old tortoise Wu Lin didn't come with us; he stayed in the prefectural city."

"As expected of an old mudfish, very cunning. He knew that going to the capital would not end well, so he stayed and used the resources and information at his disposal to curry favor with the next prefect. He was quite capable, and actually became the prefect."

"Let's go to that house over there and ask her what she thinks."

"Shadow, is your master available to receive guests right now?"

"Yes, Master said that as long as Madam Liu arrives, she can go in directly without being announced."

Liu Siyue led Qingwu inside. The princess lay on her side on the bed, looking at them with a languid expression. "I knew you would come."

"How did the princess know I was coming?"

"Not only did I know you would come, but I also know why you came."

"Could the princess be a master strategist? Planning strategies within the tent and winning battles a thousand miles away."

"I have my own sources of information."

"Then tell me, Princess, why have I come?"

"Today, the county government convened a meeting with all village chiefs to discuss corvée labor, military service, and the collection of 50% of the summer grain tax."

"Your village chief and clan head just came to your place to discuss countermeasures, didn't they?"

"The princess is absolutely right."

Liu Siyue stood up. "Your Highness, so wise and powerful, please dispel the fog of confusion for me!"

"Then I'll give you some pointers. You'll dine with me tonight."

"No problem, I'll eat two big bowls with the princess."

"Stop joking around. Get the patrols at the village entrance arranged immediately. Villagers, go about your business as usual. Don't disturb anyone yet."

"Your village is really amazing, how come there are so many pregnant women?"

"Actually, it's my fault. I was leading the villagers to burn charcoal, and the money we earned was distributed according to the number of people. I didn't expect the villagers to cause so much trouble, and after the New Year, they've had so many children."

"This is a good thing. Our Great Sheng Dynasty has suffered from several wars, and the population has decreased sharply. We need to encourage childbirth because everyone is starving, and no one wants to have children. Even if they do, they can't raise them."

"Princess, what if they come to take people away in six days?"

"No rush, let's talk about it in six days. I want to see what kind of dirty tricks my good brother will pull."

"Liu Siyue!"

"Um?"

"May I entrust my back to you?"

Why are you turning your back to me?

Liu Siyue immediately understood, and slapped her forehead. "Princess, I can entrust my back to you." Her unspoken meaning was that she could completely trust him, and he should completely trust her in return.