My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 113 Part 1

Chapter 113

In the afternoon, the sun made people feel somewhat drowsy.

After eating his fill, Xiao Taohe babbled for a while in Ji Taoyu's arms, then lay on his shoulder and fell sound asleep.

Ji Taoyu was counting the days. Villagers frequently went to the city to inquire about news from the south.

Although news from the south came back slowly, major events like the war ending spread quickly. They had already received news that Tongzhou had been pacified.

Hearing that Tongzhou had been recaptured and the land was peaceful again, the news was so beautiful it felt like a dream for a moment. The villagers were overjoyed and shed many tears.

Not to mention that Tongzhou was a prosperous place in the south, the roots of the villagers were all there. It was a place where generations of their ancestors had lived. No matter where they went, their hearts always longed for it.

Only two or three days after receiving the news, the quicker-acting villagers had already started packing their belongings, ready to move back to Tongzhou at any time.

Knowing that Tongzhou had been pacified, Ji Taoyu was also in very good spirits. However, Huo Shu had not returned yet. Waiting left and right, his heart was still filled with longing.

Everyone was also waiting for him to come back and take charge of the overall situation.

"I'll take Xiao Taohe to sleep for a while."

Ji Taoyu saw the little one was already sleeping with steady breaths. Although he wasn't sleepy, he still prepared to hold the little fellow and lie down for a while.

Usually at this time, he was prone to feeling sleepy, but he didn't know why he wasn't tired today.

He felt stuffy in his heart, unsure if it was because he ate a bit too much at noon, or something else.

Just as he told Huang Manjing and was holding Xiao Taohe to walk into the house, a commotion sounded in the village.

Everyone in the courtyard heard the noise and couldn't help but stop their tasks.

"Could it be that A-Shu and the others are back?"

Hearing this, Ji Taoyu's heart stirred. He hugged Xiao Taohe and ran out quickly to look.

As soon as he went out, a group of soldiers wearing official uniforms were pouring into the village.

Ji Taoyu's heart sank. Although he hadn't yet figured out the situation, seeing this display, he quickly retreated inside holding the child, and immediately ordered someone to take the small path to notify Caochang Village.

"How... how come so many government soldiers have come?"

The people in the compound had also gone to take a look. Seeing that they entered without anyone announcing them, they guessed the patrol team had already been detained.

Seeing the newcomers were fierce and the situation didn't look good, everyone couldn't help but feel panicked.

Most of the men in the village had followed Huo Shu to deliver grain, leaving behind mostly the elderly, weak, women, and children.

Some men were left behind, and there were quite a few strong laborers in Caochang Village. But these days had been very stable, and with the news of Tongzhou's pacification, everyone was joyful and had let their guard down somewhat.

Who would have thought the government would quietly approach at this critical moment.

Before long, the compound gate was broken open.

"The person in charge is here, right?"

A man suddenly burst into the courtyard, wearing an official sword at his waist, looking quite imposing.

"This courtyard is built so grand and spacious, no wonder you have the audacity to defy government orders."

The man looked around the compound a few times, then suddenly his face stiffened: "The sky is high and the emperor is far away. How does being the local emperor here feel!"

Seeing this situation, Ji Yangzong quickly softened his tone: "Sir, what are you saying? You are overstating it. We are merely refugees who fled the war in Tongzhou, seeking temporary shelter in your precious land. We have no other intentions."

"Today we did not know you officials were visiting, we were truly disrespectful. May I ask which official you are?"

"I am the Chief Registrar of this county. Today, under the County Magistrate's order, I have come to clear out those without household registration."

After announcing his title, the man sneered: "The government tried to recruit and pacify you several times, yet you publicly refused! Scorning the court's laws, what crime should you bear!"

When the county Chief Registrar led the soldiers to Lin Village and saw this pastoral village cleared from the wild forests, he was greatly surprised in his heart.

He was even more furious: "What is this? Refusing the government's recruitment and pacification, are you determined to be bandits in these mountains!"

"Sir, we are all farmers, how would we dare to do such things."

"Previously we heard that settling here required sixty percent of our grain. We truly couldn't afford it. We heard the court was quite lenient towards refugees, and thought the Yuchang government surely wouldn't trouble us refugees so much. That's why we didn't respond. We didn't know that was the government's recruitment and pacification."

The Chief Registrar scoffed: "You didn't know? When the government notice only required fifty percent grain, did you not know then either?"

"This place is remote, we truly don't get much news from the city. Moreover, bandits run rampant in the southeastern mountains. Unless necessary, we don't dare to go out."

"Enough, no need to play deaf and dumb with me."

The Chief Registrar stated directly: "Now Tongzhou is pacified. We know you plan to return. Settling here is now unimportant. But our Yuchang isn't a place where anyone can just come and piss as they please, then leave as they please."

"You've opened up land and farmed here. The county has provided for you for a year. Never mind the rest, this year's taxes and grain production should be clearly paid up."

Ji Yangzong and Huang Yinsheng exchanged a look. With many government officials present and Tongzhou already pacified, they could not confront the authorities directly.

Ji Yangzhong said: "We will pay the grain tax, and we hope you will be lenient, sir."

The Chief Registrar, however, raised his hand: "Since you are so cooperative, that's excellent. It's always better than resorting to weapons. In that case, please come with us."

Immediately, several soldiers stepped forward to seize Ji Yangzong. The people in the courtyard panicked at once. The soldiers had surrounded the compound tightly, and the villagers outside, seeing the government officials trying to take Ji Yangzong, grew anxious and wanted to intervene, but were blocked by the soldiers.

"What's this? Do you want to come along too? The prison is quite spacious, plenty of room for all of you!"

Hearing the threat of imprisonment, the people outside grew even more panicked: "Sir, we are willing to pay the taxes! Why are you arresting people and throwing them in jail?"

"We know you have many men. You agree to pay today, but can you guarantee you'll still be so compliant tomorrow when your men return?"

"We'll just take your leader with us. We'll talk about when the grain tax will be fully paid later."

Seeing this, Ji Taoyu quickly grabbed hold of Ji Yangzong. If he were taken away, who knew what might happen: "We said we'll pay, so we'll pay! How can you just…"

Before he could finish, a soldier shoved Ji Taoyu aside. Losing his footing, he fell directly onto the ground.

"Perfect, one isn't enough. Take him as well."

Ji Taoyu's arms were pinned behind his back, the pain turning his face pale.

Suddenly, there was a commotion from the crowd outside. The Chief Registrar coldly rebuked: "It seems you all want to rebel!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, several soldiers stumbled awkwardly into the courtyard.

"I didn't know the Chief Registrar was here inviting people for tea. My timing is fortunate, I wonder if I might have a cup too."