"What are we to do? Twenty copper coins, that's enough to buy over a pound of pork, but we have to go into town. So many things must be bought there."
"Yes, yes, but I can't bear to spend twenty copper coins. How much do I have to sell to get twenty copper coins?"
Tao Lengshuang also couldn't bear to spend twenty copper coins. Although she treated illnesses for people in the surrounding villages and Mo Lingxi hunted for them, they basically had no savings.
"Why don't we split the twenty copper coins? I can go into town to buy and sell things?"
Aunt Wang San and Aunt Shen Er felt this was acceptable. The weather was getting colder, and they had to get everything ready as soon as possible. Otherwise, once it snowed, it would be much harder to get into town.
The two handed their shopping lists to Tao Lengshuang, told her what they needed to buy, and gave her their money.
Tao Lengshuang asked the two to help look after Xiao Feng, told Xiao Feng to be good and obedient, and then, carrying her bags, arrived at the city gate, ready to pay the entrance fee.
But then—
"Pay thirty copper coins."
The constable's words shocked Tao Lengshuang. "Why?"
The constable glanced at her disdainfully. "With your size, you're equivalent to two or three people. Shouldn't you pay thirty copper coins?"
Tao Lengshuang was furious but knew she couldn't argue with the constable. She returned to Aunt Wang San and the other two, explaining the situation.
"This is simply outrageous!"
Aunt Shen Er gritted her teeth, her face full of anger, and whispered, "After all these years, this has never happened. Now, His Majesty..."
Tao Lengshuang quickly covered her mouth, looked around cautiously, and whispered, "Let's go back to the village first. We can discuss it after we return."
Aunt Shen Er also realized she had almost spoken out of turn. Her vision went black, and it took her a while to steady herself.
The group returned to the village as quickly as possible. As they were about to head to Tao Lengshuang's house to discuss matters, they encountered many villagers with worried expressions.
"It's about the Mo family. I won't come to your clinic anymore. Thank you for your help these past few days."
"Aunt Shen Er, where are you two going? I envy you for having the mood to wander around."
"Are you going to sell something? How is it, did anyone buy anything? I also want to sell some things to get through this harsh winter."
Tao Lengshuang, Aunt Wang San, and Aunt Shen Er exchanged glances, sensing something was wrong, and quickly asked the villagers what was happening.
According to the villagers, the county magistrate had appointed an outsider as the village chief.
The new village chief was surnamed Luo, reportedly a distant relative of the county magistrate. As soon as he arrived, he announced that each household must send at least one male to help His Majesty build the imperial villa, and they would be leaving in two days.
Furthermore, each household had to contribute five taels of silver to help build the imperial villa.
This news sent Aunt Shen Er and Aunt Wang San into a panic. With the demand for both money and manpower, how could the households survive?
Tao Lengshuang felt both hatred and anger. Not long ago, taxes had been heavily increased, and now, the Emperor, to build a royal villa for his own enjoyment, was exploiting the common people to such an extent. This was clearly pushing the people to their deaths.
The three went to Tao Lengshuang's house to sit and discuss.
"We can't even afford that five taels of silver. What are we to do?" Aunt Wang San kept wiping her tears, so worried her hair was turning white.
Aunt Shen Er also said she couldn't afford five taels of silver, crying so hard she could barely catch her breath. "We also have to send a man."
"To put it bluntly, it's uncertain if they'll even return. Who would be willing to go?"
Tao Lengshuang frowned. This was a serious problem. Moreover, with this incident, people from the surrounding villages wouldn't come to her for treatment for a long time.
Unable to go into town, her income would be completely cut off.
She also faced the predicament of winter approaching without enough supplies.
What was to be done?
"Aunt Shen Er, Aunt Wang San, don't cry yet. See if you can use money to substitute for the men going."
She paused and then added, "If we can use money, then we'll go into the mountains to gather more things and spend a few copper coins to sell them in town."
Aunt Shen Er and Aunt Wang San knew that this was the only way. They were ordinary people without power or influence, and their only recourse was to spend money to avoid disaster.
"Let's go inquire about it now."
"I'll go with you."
Tao Lengshuang, holding Xiao Feng, went with Aunt Wang San and Aunt Shen Er to the new village chief's house.
It was the former Luo family residence.
Many villagers were gathered there, crying and begging the village chief for help.
Village Chief Luo was around forty years old, thin and wiry, looking like someone difficult to deal with.
He smoked his pipe and said without room for negotiation, "I've told you the options. Either provide money and manpower, or pay twenty taels of silver to be exempted."
Hearing this, Tao Lengshuang's heart sank. Twenty taels of silver was an amount that even ordinary families couldn't afford, let alone farmers like them.
Some villagers knelt and pleaded with Village Chief Luo.
"Village Chief, please have mercy. My family only has the child's father as a man. If he goes to build the imperial villa, how will our family of old and young survive?"
"Village Chief, please be kind. Our family struggles even to eat enough. Where can we get such a huge sum of five taels of silver?"
Village Chief Luo waved his hand impatiently. "Those who cannot afford the silver, their entire families will have to help His Majesty build the imperial villa. They can only return after it's completed."
"Disperse, disperse! Don't crowd in front of my house, or you'll regret it."
Hearing this, Tao Lengshuang signaled Aunt Shen Er and Aunt Wang San to return to her house.
Upon returning, she saw Mo Lingxi had come back. She asked Aunt Wang San and Aunt Shen Er to wait in the main hall, while she pulled Mo Lingxi into her room.
"What's going on?"
Her voice, lowered, was filled with anger. "First the city entry tax and exit tax, and now we have to provide manpower and money to help His Majesty build some damned imperial villa. Are they trying to force us, the common people, to die?"
In Mo Lingxi's clear, cold eyes, a strong killing intent appeared. His voice was calm. "I will handle this. Be careful, you and Xiao Feng, these days."
Tao Lengshuang knew very well that the less she knew about such matters, the safer it would be for her and Xiao Feng.
"It's best if you can handle it. If not, take out twenty taels to avoid you having to build the imperial villa."
She wasn't being kind; she was worried that Mo Lingxi might be recognized by someone, thus bringing danger to her and Xiao Feng.
Mo Lingxi glanced at her and said coldly, "Don't worry, it won't bring you any danger."
Tao Lengshuang touched her nose and coughed lightly. "I have something to discuss with Aunt Wang San and Aunt Shen Er. I'll talk to you later."
"Wait a moment."
When Mo Lingxi called out, Tao Lengshuang immediately stopped and looked at him with a smile. "Something wrong?"
"The matter I mentioned last time, I've brought the person."
"Oh, oh, oh. After Aunt Shen Er and Aunt Wang San leave, I'll help your person with their illness."
Mo Lingxi couldn't be bothered to correct Tao Lengshuang's words and hummed in agreement. "Change into new clothes, be polite, don't say what you shouldn't, and don't do what you shouldn't."
Tao Lengshuang's eyes flickered slightly. She smiled and agreed. "Do you need me to kneel at the doorstep to welcome them?"