While the Abacus Alliance Banner of Qingniu Valley was still wet with morning dew, an imperial edict suddenly fluttered down onto the herb-drying yard. The new emperor had just ascended the throne and now decreed that contract farming was to be brought under state management. The abacus beads instantly clattered into an array of defiance, forming golden characters across the yellow silk that read: "Abacus Covenants belong to the people; the state takes only one share."
An imperial envoy glared in outrage. "Have you lost your minds? How dare abacus beads alter an imperial edict?"
The beads bounced to form the word "Alter," embroidering an image on his court robe of Huwa's carved abacus beads holding a vermilion brush: "The imperial edict must reflect the people's will. Alter one character on the covenant, and profits increase by three parts!"
Chapter 276