To support Zhao Sheng's repeated demands for tuition, the couple had already borrowed from every neighbor around them.
"What are you all so anxious about? Didn't I tell you? Once our Sheng'er passes the Martial Examination, we'll pay you back every penny, with interest," Qian Shi said. She had pinned all her hopes on Zhao Sheng and firmly believed he would pass.
"I've sacrificed so much for Sheng'er. I sold our ox and everything valuable in the house, and even mortgaged our fields. Heaven will bless him. Sheng'er is sure to pass!" A resolute light shone in her cloudy eyes.
Just then, rapid hoofbeats sounded beyond the village entrance. The villagers all turned to look. As the hoofbeats drew closer, a mounted party with bright banners came into view.
Only when the riders entered the village did everyone see them clearly: six soldiers in padded armor, each wearing a saber and riding a tall horse with a glossy coat. They looked imposing indeed. Leading them was a middle-aged official in government robes, his bearing full of authority.
The villagers had never seen such a spectacle. Frightened nearly out of their souls, they hurried out of the way. If one of those towering horses knocked them down, where could they seek justice?
To their surprise, however, these soldier-lords dismounted as soon as they entered the village.
They walked toward the village center.
Their expressions were haughty, their synchronized footsteps radiating authority-a stark contrast to the villagers' timid fear.
As the villagers exchanged bewildered looks,
the middle-aged official in government robes stepped forward and barked, "Who is the village head?"
Old Chen, the village head, hurried forward, unease filling his heart. The New Year was almost here. Was the government suddenly raising taxes again? Or calling them up for corvée labor ahead