The whole family traveled through time and became doctors, raised children and farmed in ancient tim

Yongzhou, Cangzhou, and Yizhou were affected by the locust plague. Yongzhou was the least affected because it was the closest to Miaozhou. The news of the locust plague quickly spread to Miaozhou, and the people in Qingshui Town also heard the news and knew that refugees were coming.

Now the autumn harvest is nearing its end. This year's taxes in Miaozhou are much heavier than in previous years. The governor of Miaozhou has issued an order from the court that part of Miaozhou's autumn taxes this year should be transferred to Yongzhou for disaster relief.

Old Mrs. Shen sat at home with a worried look on her face. After careful calculation, she realized that there would not be much food left at home after paying the taxes. Although her eldest brother and his brothers had earned some money with Xie Songlin, it was a year of famine now, money was low and food was expensive, so life was still difficult.

But she had to buy the grain no matter how expensive it was. The grain collected at home would not last until next year after paying taxes. She called everyone in the family together to discuss the matter.

Old Mrs. Shen asked, "Boss, how much money do you have on hand?" Old Mrs. Shen no longer takes half of the money they earn directly. She only takes a symbolic amount, so now everyone should have some spare money.

Xie Songbai: "Yingniang and I have over 40 taels of silver in total, all earned from following Songlin."

Old Mrs. Shen looked at Xie Songyang and Xie Songmu again.

Xie Songmu earned less money because he was the only one earning money: "I have less than my eldest brother, only more than twenty taels."

Xie Songmu had more money on hand because he made a lot of bamboo bottles, and later he helped Xie Songlin make furniture, egg beaters and other things. Zhou was also hardworking, and she never left out any work from Xie Songlin's side. The two of them made the most money together.

"Mom, we still have more than sixty taels here."

Others didn't react much after hearing this, but Liu was shocked. This brother-in-law had made so much money from Xie Songlin without saying a word. It must be that thing he had been tinkering with late at night that made him a lot of money.

"Well, then the public treasury will contribute a part this time, and you should each hand in five taels of silver. Go to the city to buy some food first, and if you add it to what you have at home, it will be enough to last until next year." Old Mrs. Shen nodded slightly and made arrangements in a calm tone. In this disaster year, food is of vital importance, and it is necessary to ensure that the family has enough food and clothing.

"Grandma! I have money too! My fourth uncle gave me a lot of money!" Xie Yong suddenly spoke up. He had been delivering goods with Xie Songyang since the beginning, so he should have saved some wages.

"Alright, keep your money and buy some candy. This money is enough to buy food." Old Lady Shen also took out ten taels of silver from the public treasury and gave it to Xie Songbai. "Tomorrow you go pay the autumn tax and buy some food."

Liu thought about it, with thoughts churning in her mind, and finally she spoke cautiously: "Mom, shouldn't we ask Songlin?" There was a hint of temptation and expectation in her tone. She knew that Xie Songlin was now the richest man in Xiejia Village. He had distributed so much wages to his brothers, and he must have earned much more himself.

In this difficult time, if we can get some help from Xie Songlin, perhaps life at home will be better. As she spoke, she secretly observed the expression of Old Lady Shen, fearing that her suggestion would make Old Lady Shen unhappy again.

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking." Old Lady Shen's face immediately darkened. "Don't forget, you have no say in this family now! If you're not honest and have any other thoughts, go back to your parents' home immediately!"

"Yes, mother, I don't dare anymore." Liu responded quickly with a pale face.

Old Lady Shen: "Songlin has already been divided up. The money he earns has nothing to do with us. He is willing to help out now because he is thinking of his brothers, but no one should even think about his money."

"Yes, mother, we all know it."

The next day, Xie Songbai took his two brothers to the county town to pay the autumn tax. Xie Songlin specially left an ox cart for them, telling them not to worry about the delivery of goods from Zuiyuelou, as he would arrange it.

On the way there, we met many people from Xiejia Village and other villages who were going to the town to pay taxes. All of them had sad faces, obviously they had heard about the increase in autumn taxes this year. Everyone moved forward in silence, and the atmosphere was depressing and dull.

When they arrived at the tax collection place in the county government, they saw a crowd of people there, a sea of people who came to pay taxes.

People lined up in long queues, which slowly moved forward. Everyone quietly waited for the tax collectors to register and collect the tax. The tense and anxious atmosphere was suffocating, their faces filled with anxiety and sorrow, their eyes revealing their worries about their future lives.

They didn't know how much food would be left at home after paying the tax this time. Xie Songbai and his brothers looked at this scene, and an indescribable sense of heaviness surged in their hearts. They silently joined the queue, and there were also a few people queuing next to them talking in a low voice.

"I heard the locust plague in the north is really serious this time. The imperial court can't control it. Large numbers of people are starving to death."

"Yes, this locust plague has ruined this year's harvest." Another man frowned and sighed helplessly.

"Once the locusts come, not only the crops, but everything else will be gone. I'm afraid I can't even gnaw on tree bark or grass roots. I really will starve to death." The man's voice was filled with despair. Under the ravages of the locust plague, all edible things were devoured, and the hope of survival became extremely slim.

"I don't know if the disaster victims in Yongzhou will come to our town..." someone said worriedly.

"Have you heard? Yesterday, the county magistrate summoned all the wealthy businessmen from several nearby towns to his house for a banquet." Suddenly, a new topic was brought up, and everyone's attention was attracted, and they all showed puzzled expressions.

"What kind of banquet is this? A Hongmen Banquet? I'm afraid they're calling all these wealthy merchants to donate money and grain?"

"That's fine. These rich people earn our hard-earned money. They should be the first to bear the brunt of this disaster."

"Hmph, those wealthy businessmen only know how to make money every day. Now it's time to make them bleed." A strong young man clenched his fists and said indignantly, his eyes burning with anger, and his dissatisfaction with the wealthy businessmen was evident. In his view, the wealthy businessmen gained their wealth by exploiting the people. Now that the famine has struck, they should give back to society.

Everyone was talking about it, with all kinds of speculations and worries intertwined, but soon they received worse news.

Yesterday, the county magistrate called these wealthy businessmen and actually asked them to donate grain, and this time he specifically wanted grain instead of money.

The county magistrate used both kindness and authority in his earnest words: "Right now, the locust plague is raging in the north, and the situation is extremely serious. Miaozhou shoulders the important task of receiving the victims from Yongzhou and providing support to Yongzhou. I hope that everyone will do their best to contribute to this disaster relief effort. The governor attaches great importance to this matter. If we fail to handle it well, we will all be blamed and suffer the consequences. However, if this matter is handled successfully, the governor will certainly not forget your contribution."