https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-529-The-Mother-in-Law-s-Obsession/12918986/
Chapter 530: Turmoil Arises
Chapter 530: Turmoil Arises
In the village, people often rose with the sun and rested with its setting.
The boundary between life and death was set at twilight. Before dusk, it was the realm of the living, and after nightfall, it belonged to the dead. This boundary had long been blurred in the outside world, where capable living beings could do as they pleased even in the darkness of night.
Bold malevolent spirits dared to harm others even after the rooster's crow, and some were audacious enough to do so under the bright sun. Yet, in this village, people generally adhered to the rules.
But on this day, there was no time for such concerns. From the afternoon, a grand feast was prepared, inviting people to eat and celebrate.
It was not only to bid farewell to the unfortunate Stone Box Village and its people but also to release some of the pent-up emotions that had accumulated over the past decade of oppression.
Additionally, the Python Village, represented by Old Sheepskin Elder, was genuinely grateful and envious of the Great Sheep Camp for producing a talented individual like Hu Ma. They went all out, slaughtering sheep and chickens, creating a grand spectacle. Even other villages that received the invitation joined in the celebration.
Of course, it wasn't just a drinking feast; they also burned incense. It wasn't just burned at the old fire pit but also at the now-restored village outskirts of Stone Box Village. They offered prayers to the mountain spirits, expressing gratitude for their protection and the exorcism of the village's malevolent spirits.
At this moment, Hu Ma could have argued that he had resolved the issue himself and that the mountain spirits had nothing to do with it.
However, the elders in the village didn't care about such reasoning. Regardless of who solved the problem, paying respects to the spirits was never wrong.
As Hu Ma witnessed the bustling atmosphere within the village and the smoke of incense wafting outside, he thought of the Mountain Lord who had been tirelessly working for the Hu family.
He smiled and said to Second Uncle, "When I return with Da Tong and the others for the New Year and ancestral worship, we can also offer sacrifices to the mountain, can't we?"
"Oh my..."
Second Uncle was visibly startled by Hu Ma's words. He lowered his voice and said, "Don't be ridiculous. I know you've made a name for yourself, even becoming a manager at the Blood Feast Mine. But you, young man, should know what's appropriate!"
"Is this mountain something that can be casually worshipped?"
"It requires an official position and a proper ceremony to lead the entire clan, young and old, in bowing and offering incense to the Mountain Lord."
"If we're talking about worshipping the mountain, our village is even more anxious. After all, the higher the status of the deity enjoying our incense, the greater the blessings for our village. If the Mountain Lord accepts our offerings, we won't even need to carry ash from the fire pit when leaving the village."
"But this can't be rushed. At the very least, you young ones must achieve great success and make a name for yourselves before we can proceed."
"..."
It seemed that the Mountain Lord's feast would have to wait for some time...
Hu Ma thought to himself and smiled, "If you want to make a name for yourself, it can be done quickly. Who knows, in a few months, we might have the confidence..."
"This..."
Second Uncle, upon hearing his words, was unconvinced. He simply shook his head, "People say that the more capable you are, the more humble you become."
"You're doing the opposite. The more capable you are, the more arrogant you become. A few months?"
"What, in just a few months before the New Year, do you think you can become a general?"
"..."
Hu Ma was at a loss for words to explain to Second Uncle, as he had his own perspective on things.
For instance, he believed his greatest achievement was becoming a small manager in the Blood Feast Society, even though he had the ability to resolve the malevolent spirits in Stone Box Village.
What he didn't know was that such capabilities, if displayed outside, would be considered earth-shattering. It would be enough to have Red Lantern Lady come and set up a bed for him.
But since Second Uncle was so happy, Hu Ma didn't want to argue. He just smiled and said, "What if?"
Whether it would succeed depended on how the Truth Sect outside the village would react...
...
...
After obtaining the Hu Family's relics, and before Second Uncle and the others arrived, Hu Ma had briefly spoken with the Mountain Lord. He learned that the Truth Sect outside had pressured the Bright State Prefecture Hall to come and offer sacrifices to the mountain, clearly intending to collect taxes.
Whether the Mountain Lord accepted their offerings or not was of no concern to them. After giving their respects, they became less courteous.
However, it was evident that the grain collection was not going smoothly.
After all, it had been over twenty years since the last grain collection in Bright State Prefecture. The rural folks had been toiling in the fields, cultivating the lands of the landlords. Paying rent to the landlords was only natural.
But since they had already paid rent for this harvest, why should they pay again? Moreover, with the current high grain prices and average harvest, what would they have left to eat if they gave it all to the tax collectors? As for the landlords, they would never pay. Those with a conscience would suggest that everyone should contribute equally, regardless of the amount of land they owned. With a hundred households in the village, each should contribute their fair share. Why should they pay more just because they had more land? And those rugged villagers, who clearly had grain in their jars, should be the ones to pay...
Of course, from the tax collectors' perspective, they felt they were getting a good deal. The prosperity of Bright State was unmatched by several other regions. Collecting ten thousand units of grain from them would alleviate their urgent needs without causing significant harm to Bright State. Why shouldn't they pay?
Unfortunately, those with supplies stubbornly refused to hand them over, while those without were burdened with ten thousand measures, and if they paid, they would starve.
It was precisely because of this that when Hu Ma first learned that the Truth Sect was measuring fields and even entering farmers' homes to inspect their grain reserves, he knew that chaos would ensue. Therefore, he casually informed Yang Gong in advance.
Even when talking to the Mountain Lord, his certainty surprised even himself, leaving the Mountain Lord perplexed.
"As for what's happening outside, it's all as you predicted."
The Mountain Lord sighed, "Those with supplies refuse to pay, while those without are desperately protecting their meager rations. The harder they're pressed, the greater the chaos, and it makes sense."
"However, you've been in the mountains all this time, cut off from the outside world. How did you foresee this?"
"..."
'Isn't this all clearly written in the books?'
Hu Ma was surprised when he heard the Mountain Lord's words, as even a poor student like himself could easily make such a judgment.
But in this world, at times, he seemed to possess the foresight of a mystic expert.
Could it be...
...A thought struck him, and he suddenly understood: This must be the content of the three volumes of the heavenly scriptures that Master Daliang mentioned?
...
Instead of rushing to leave the village immediately, he decided to stay in the camp for a few days.
With the Hu family token in hand, he gathered information about the reincarnation, the current situation, and even the Hu family's distant relatives who were eyeing their resources. He also learned about the Truth Sect, which was on the brink of starvation and causing chaos. He organized all this information in his mind, gradually identifying his most pressing tasks.
After a few days in the mountains, chaos erupted in Mingzhou Prefecture.
When the Truth Sect first arrived in Mingzhou, they followed the rules and gained a good reputation. However, as the minor tax collectors began visiting the countryside, things started to change.
The Mingzhou Prefecture had been uneventful for twenty years, and there were only a few minor tax collectors. Although they acted under the authority of the prefectural office, even the Mountain Lord couldn't interfere with their tax collection. But which grain was easy to collect?
As the tax collectors descended upon the countryside, some villagers with simple and honest customs greeted them with hoes, while others, living in solitude, begged and calculated the meager grain they had, which wouldn't last until spring. If it was taken away, they would starve during the winter.
These minor tax collectors had no power to collect taxes, but the Truth Sect followers behind them took action.
They adhered to the rules, collecting only what was due and not taking more than they should.
But not a single grain less.
There was a family whose fields had been flooded by a mountain torrent the previous year, and they had only harvested half of their usual yield. However, based on their land, they were required to pay four measures of grain. The man of the house, fearing trouble, was willing to pay two measures to ensure peace. But the Truth Sect follower smiled and said,
"Everything in this world follows a principle. Paying taxes is a righteous duty. You haven't paid taxes for twenty years, and we've been keeping track of it all!"
"Taking thirty measures of grain from you wouldn't be excessive. We're considering your survival and only asking for four measures. Are you still not satisfied?"
"..."
As someone tried to grab the grain, the man hurriedly picked up a broom and struck the Truth Sect follower on the head. The follower didn't turn around, but his sword swiftly left and returned to its sheath, and the man's head split in two, leaving him dead and dazed.
"Everything in this world follows a principle. If you hit me, I'll hit you back. It's only fair!"
The follower said, waving his hand, "Collect the grain!"
The family was terrified, and the wife and children cried together. Neighbors gathered around but dared not intervene.
A wealthy landlord in the village, known for his kindness and generosity, couldn't bear to see this and pleaded, "Please spare them, fellow villagers..."
"We still have some grain in our granary. We'll offer forty measures to the Heavenly Mandate General..."
"..."
So, the followers went to the landlord's house, opened his granary, and took out the promised forty measures of grain.
Then, they returned to the family where the man had just died. "One is one, and two is two. If they're willing to give forty measures, then they must do so every season. Even with your four measures, you're getting a bargain. Not a single grain less will be tolerated."
Upon hearing this, the neighbors became furious and charged forward to fight.
The Truth Sect follower rested his hand on his waist sword, as if he had been waiting for this moment. He burst into laughter, his form resembling a malevolent spirit, and a wave of sinister energy blew towards the dozen strong men rushing towards him, leaving them weak and unable to move.
"Why should you have enough food while we starve? Why should our fellow villagers die of hunger?"
"If I go easy on you today, does that mean our people should starve to death?"
He spoke softly, his eyes cold, "Not a single grain less!"
(End of Chapter)
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