The weather gradually warmed, and spring brushed across the commanderies and kingdoms of Jizhou. Mulberry trees that had slumbered through a cold winter began putting out tender green buds.
Jizhou was indisputably foremost among the provinces. Not only did its population and land surpass all the others, but its commerce was also exceptionally developed.
The weather had only just warmed, yet the straight roads connecting the commanderies and kingdoms were already filled with traveling merchants.
A farmer toiled in the fields. His skin was dark, covered in calluses and wrinkles, like an old, withered tree.
From time to time, the farmer glanced at the wealthy merchants on the road, a few traces of envy appearing in his increasingly numb eyes.
They lived beneath the same blue sky, yet their lives were so different. He merely indulged in a fantasy before lowering his head again to till the powerful clan's land.
This had once been his land, but it was no longer his.
I should be grateful.
After all, he had sold his land and saved his son. The tax he paid to farm for the powerful clan was lower than what he paid the court, and he did not have to perform corvée labor. He could live more comfortably.
In this era, many people who farmed their own land died because they could not afford the court's taxes.
As he thought about this, a sudden wave of dizziness struck him. His vision went black, and he collapsed.
The sound of his fall drew the people nearby over, and they saw him lying motionless on the ground.
They panicked and hurriedly cried out, "Third Brother! Third Brother! What's wrong?"
Naturally, there was no response. If he had not still been breathing, they would have thought he was dead.
"Neigh!"
A carriage