The annual tax collection finally concluded, leaving the people of Baiyun Village in a state of mixed emotions. The relief came from not being flogged or dragged away for forced labor this time; however, the tax had essentially emptied their households. The harvest had been poor, and the grain collected was not even enough to meet the quota. Villagers had to dig into their remaining stores from last year just to make up the difference. Those who had no grain left even tapped into their "coffin money"—savings set aside for their own funerals—to pay the tax in silver, all to avoid the bamboo rod and hard labor.
This tax levy felt like a plague of locusts. With their livelihoods hollowed out and a long, harsh winter still ahead before the next spring, many villagers were left at a complete loss.
Once the bailiffs were far off, someone couldn't help but sob, "Oh, Heavens, please give us a way to survive! There’s no food left in the house—how is my family supposed to live?"
Chapter 146