"People of Twin Yellow Hamlet, listen up! The masters of the Exorcising the Dragon Army have issued a new notice. Take the copper coins you were given earlier to the county town's Western City gate to buy seed. Take the ironware you were given to the big smithy at the east gate and exchange it for farm tools... then get on with your spring plowing in peace and live your lives properly. Before long, someone will come to inspect your crops and fields, and you won't be made to pay double taxes anymore... in short, now that the Exorcising the Dragon Army is here, peaceful days are here too. Stop harboring crooked ideas, and stop running off everywhere."
That afternoon, a pale-faced, middle-aged petty official in blue stood beneath the bare tree at the village entrance, doing his best to make his proclamation, though he looked listless. A fresh notice had just been posted on the great trunk behind him.
Only a dozen or so scattered villagers craned their necks to listen, most of them timid and wary.
The objects of their fear stood on the other side of the tree: three soldiers in leather armor, wearing Six Harmonies Boots and warriors' caps. One held a spear, one carried a crossbow on his back, and one wore a saber, but all three looked rather worn out... not because they resented their duties or were unwilling to work, but because this was the northeasternmost corner of Jiangling County, bordering Husu County, almost fifty li from the county town. Nor could they possibly have come to make an announcement in just one village. The journey had probably exhausted them.
"Thank you for your efforts, soldiers, and you too, Township Head Han." Once the man above had finished shouting the proclamation three times