The villagers in each village were mourning, with fear continuously growing in their hearts. In less than three days, military grain had been conscripted twice, and no one knew when the next conscription would occur.
However, after the autumn tax, there were two more military grain conscriptions. Few families had stored grain, and they didn't know how to survive the lean months of February and March, let alone face another conscription.
Moreover, every household had lost a strong laborer.
Just as the sorrow was unbearable, the sound of wheels rolling through the village entrance was heard again. Anger surfaced on the villagers' faces, and as they were about to grab knives from the kitchen, they heard the cheers of children outside the door.
A seven or eight-year-old child burst in, joyfully shouting, "Grandpa, my father is back, my father is back—"
