Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1219: Comparable to Fleeing from Famine

On this day, numerous families found peaceful slumber elusive, with many rising in the dead of night to gather their household registration documents and make haste towards the county.

The women at home restrained their men, offering counsel: "Do not be too hasty in borrowing Silver; first ascertain the precise interest rate. Only proceed if it is truly less than one hundred copper coins monthly, lest you be misled."

The men responded: "Worry not, dear wife, we are accompanying the village chief, and he mentioned we should allow others to borrow first. Once others have borrowed substantial amounts, it will then be our village's turn."

These recent times have been fraught with turmoil. Apart from disturbances at the government office concerning taxes, there are also unsavory characters like Gao Sanxiong from the county, who sow discord among the populace while acquiring farmers' property at depreciated prices. Furthermore, a new bank has emerged, offering low-interest loans to farmers for tax payment purposes.

The advent of this new bank is the primary concern for everyone. Most farmers are upright individuals who understand that protesting at the government office yields no results. consequently, they place their hopes on the new bank, eagerly anticipating its opening day.

Four days have now elapsed, and today marks the fifth day – the very day the new bank commences its operations.

Dang, dang, dang!

As their conversation ensued, the resonating clang of a copper gong filled the village. A young lad from the village chief's household was vigorously striking the gong while proclaiming: "Uncle Chang Fu, cease your discourse! My father wishes for everyone to convene promptly at the village entrance. We shall depart in a quarter of an hour; should we be tardy, individuals from other counties will secure the loans before us!"

"What? People from other counties intend to borrow as well? The bank has opened within our county; why should they seek to borrow Silver from it?" Chang Fu's wife inquired with urgency, turning to the youth from the Chang Family Village chief's residence.

"My father stated that individuals from other counties also lack the funds for taxes and are all setting their sights on our county's new bank. They will arrive to borrow money today, so we must make haste!"

Regarding the matter of lending money to those from outside the county:

"The new bank was established by Young Master Dou from the Capital. He conducts business universally, not solely with the residents of Tianfu County. The bank in our county was initiated because he came here to procure ham."

"Oh dear, we truly must hurry." Chang Fu's wife, refraining from further comment, urged her husband: "Quickly now, follow the village chief's lead. Do as he directs; we are determined to borrow Silver, as this is our family's salvation."

"Very well, I am on my way. Matters have been exceedingly tumultuous recently, with brigands infiltrating the village to pilfer goods for tax payment. Guard the household; do not venture out." Chang Fu hastily prepared his provisions of dried food and water, clutched his household registration papers tightly, and followed the village chief's son, who was both beating the gong and summoning the villagers to the village entrance.

As the inhabitants of Chang Family Village exited their settlement and reached the main thoroughfare, an astonishing sight greeted them: a sea of torches, countless flames illuminating the night as if it were day.

Chang Fu squinted into the torchlight, unable to discern the extremity of the procession ahead; turning, he could not perceive its tail.

A sense of apprehension washed over Chang Fu, who declared: "With such a multitude, we must hasten our pace. If we arrive late, we will genuinely be unable to secure Silver."

Upon hearing these words, many who were within earshot broke into a run. Observing this, people from adjacent villages in front and behind also commenced a frantic sprint, swiftly descending into disarray.

Bam, bam, bam!

A contingent of individuals surged forward from behind, brandishing cudgels and striking those who were running.

Dang, dang, dang!

The sound of a copper gong resounded anew as Hong Dao and soldiers from the Military Office traversed the main road, bellowing forcefully: "Running is prohibited! Should anyone run and cause another individual to be trampled to death, forget about borrowing Silver from that household!!"

After issuing this stern warning a dozen times and apprehending the village chief of the vanguard village that had initiated the running, alongside deploying soldiers to obstruct the path ahead, the chaotic throng, previously agitated by the running, was finally brought under control.

"No running! If anyone incites trouble, that household will forfeit the opportunity to borrow Silver!!" Hong Dao admonished until his voice grew nearly impassable.

"No running, no running, everyone heed the Military Officer's command!" The village chiefs and heads from these respective villages also hurried forward, reiterating the warnings to their villagers.

Although the villagers ceased their running, a profound sense of unease persisted. Seizing the moment, they posed their query to Hong Dao: "Officer, we have heard that individuals from other counties will also seek to borrow Silver. We were running to reach the county bank promptly, to prevent Silver from being borrowed by people from outside our county."

And they grumbled, "The bank opened within our county; why extend loans to them?"

With a clang, a soldier beside Hong Dao sounded the copper gong, and after unnerving the villagers, Hong Dao proclaimed: "The new bank is established by Young Master Dou and the Ouyang Family; they lend to whomever they please. However, rest assured, Young Master Dou has decreed that Silver will be prioritized for the people of Tianfu County. But everyone must queue in an orderly fashion. If anyone dares to cause trouble or snatch greedily, not only will you be denied Silver to pay your taxes, but you will also be apprehended and sent to the government office, understood?!"

"Truly, Young Master Dou will lend Silver to us first? That's wonderful! We won't cause a disturbance; we will certainly behave honestly and properly."

Reassured, the villagers' intense anxiety subsided, and they began to line up by village, progressing towards the county.

Finally, after three arduous hours of travel, they reached the county as day broke, only to discover the city gates shut. Old Yu, Section Leader Jiang, and Squad Leader Yang stood guard, shouting: "Queue up, surrender your weapons, and only after your household registration is verified will you be permitted entry into the city!"

Old Yu held the highest seniority within the Military Office, serving as the sole Chief Commander. A second Chief Commander position remained vacant, though Qin San Lang had already identified a candidate who would soon fill the remaining role.

Hong Dao gazed towards the city gate, drawing a deep breath. Goodness, he had initially believed the official road was crowded, but the scene at the city gate was even more densely packed, completely obscuring any view of the entrance.

What Commander Qin had stated was entirely accurate; this day was indeed destined to be chaotic. The villagers arriving to borrow money were akin to refugees fleeing a catastrophe, demanding constant vigilance.

"Line up, set aside any knives, spears, clubs, or other implements capable of causing harm. Present your household registration. After inspection by the soldiers, you may proceed into the city to secure your loans!" Hong Dao bellowed, clarifying the procedure for the assembled villagers.

"Why must it be so complicated? When will we finally reach the bank to borrow money?" one villager grumbled. However, orderly queuing for city entry was a necessity; if everyone were allowed in at once, the new bank would undoubtedly be swamped by the throng.

"No more complaints. It's first come, first served. Those who waste time talking will only end up waiting half a day or a full day longer than everyone else," Hong Dao stated firmly.

The villagers had no choice but to queue obediently.

"Xu Fengzi's Family from Songzi Manor – spanning three generations of father, son, and grandson. Your household registration is in order. Place your fingerprint here, surrender your axe, and you may enter. You can retrieve your axe upon exiting." Secretary Chen addressed Xu Fengzi's family, inwardly pondering the farmers' peculiar habit of carrying axes when leaving home – was it for self-defense, or perhaps to gather firewood?

"Heh heh heh, thank you, sir." Xu Fengzi retrieved his household registration, clutched it tightly, and proceeded into the city with his son and grandson.

The remaining villagers followed suit.

...

Village Chief He, accompanied by his son, grandson, and the families of He Tianwa who were unable to pay their taxes, also made their way to the county to procure loans. They had departed as usual, not in the dead of night, carrying a note provided by Gu Jin'an before leaving the village and joining the individuals from Lianghe Village who were already waiting at the village entrance.