However, this is just a rumor. The royal family publicly claimed that after Emperor Jingyuan charged into the heart of Da Rong, he fell into an ambush set by the Rong people, got injured, went into hiding in Da Rong, and after much hardship escaped to Longshan, where he was rescued by Duke Wei and his son and safely escorted back to the capital.

But according to what my father said, ever since then, Emperor Jingyuan’s temperament indeed started to change, becoming more suspicious, easily startled, and even violent.

Nevertheless, Emperor Jingyuan could act well and also had a good father, ultimately ascending to the throne smoothly.

But since he ascended the throne, he began a path of self-destruction. As soon as he took the throne, he fixated on Duke Wei’s faction, and after more than two years of planning, started taking action against them. Ultimately, he completely disrupted the Northwest Army’s deployments, leaving the present-day Northwest Army utterly powerless, getting beaten by the Rong people with no ability to fight back.

"Young Master, we’ve arrived home." Zezi gave a shout, stopped the mule cart, and Erqing jumped down from the front board, moved the stool down, placed it well, and stepped aside to wait.

Gu Jin’an immediately got off the mule cart. The atmosphere inside the cart was too lingering, and as the brother-in-law, he couldn’t stand it anymore, fearing that he might get so angry he’d spit blood if he stayed any longer.

Qin San Lang didn’t stay much longer either and helped Gu Jinli off the cart.

"Good Brother An, Xiao Yu, you both are finally back. If you’d not have returned, the family was about to go to town to look for you." Gu Dashan had been waiting at the door, fearing something might have happened to Gu Jin’an and them: "San Lang is back too, that’s great, quickly come inside, dinner’s been ready for a while and can be served immediately."

Gu Dashan was very happy to see Qin San Lang. This future second son-in-law hadn’t been home for a long time, and with the current unrest, he was worried about him.

"Uncle Dashan." Qin San Lang smiled, reluctantly letting go of Gu Jinli’s hand, gave a fist salute towards Gu Dashan, and followed him inside.

Upon seeing Qin San Lang, Third Grandpa, Third Grandma, Mrs. Cui, and others were very pleased and immediately added a set of cutlery, inviting him: "San Lang, quickly, come sit down. Coming back so late, you must be quite hungry, let’s start dinner."

"Alright." After paying respects to several elders, Qin San Lang looked at Elder Qin on the side: "Grandfather, your grandson is back. Everything is well recently, so please don’t worry."

Upon hearing this, Elder Qin visibly relaxed his frowned brow, nodded, and said: "Sit down and eat."

The two families had a joyful meal together, and after dinner, Third Grandma and the others surrounded Qin San Lang and asked: "San Lang, the Lord Emperor is increasing the taxes, if we can’t pay, could we be beheaded?"

Qin San Lang nodded: "Yes, it’s even possible that the whole family could be implicated."

The Emperor has never been soft-hearted but rather a master at using the blade of power to kill, with a strong sense of pride. Even if he made a mistake, unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn’t admit and correct it but would suppress it forcefully.

So regarding the taxes, if anyone dares not to pay, they’d better be prepared for the entire village to face execution.

When soldiers’ families can’t pay the taxes and the soldiers revolt, the Emperor won’t admit wrong but will send troops to suppress. If he can hold it down, the mistakes will continue, and only if he can’t suppress will he send someone for a negotiation and make amends.

Therefore, the current situation is quite unfavorable for farmers, for they can’t rise up. The Emperor has never considered their rebellion significant. In his view, the ragtag soldiers gathered by the farmers are just a bunch of rabble, only the revolting soldiers can truly instill fear in the Emperor.

"Oh dear, what can be done about this?" Third Grandma cried out loud: "Can’t God give us farmers a way to live? In these years, we’ve faced disasters and military strife, thinking life in the south would be better, but didn’t expect it to be this hard. The taxes are so high, many people might die this time."

Third Grandma cried very sorrowfully. She was someone who had experienced great hardship, and now in her old age, she hoped for a peaceful life, but is confronted with such events, truly in despair.

She thought of Aunt Fuya’s family.

"We don’t even know where Aunt Fuya’s family is settled now. If they don’t have Silver to pay the taxes and get executed, what then?" Third Grandma said, covering her face and sobbing.

Gu Jin’an quickly said: "Third Grandma, don’t cry. Aunt Fuya’s family has great fortune, surely they’ll be fine."

He continued: "Master Ouyang’s family has already taken action, planning to unite with several wealthy and influential noble families to open a bank, lending Silver to farmers across all of Great Chu to pay their taxes. As long as farmers can borrow Silver to pay taxes, this calamity can be overcome."

"Really?" Third Grandma’s eyes lit up and she asked: "Can your Aunt Fuya’s family also borrow Silver to pay the taxes?"

Gu Jin’an nodded: "Certainly, the power of the noble families is spread throughout Great Chu. Once this bank is opened, farmers across Great Chu can borrow money, and as long as Aunt Fuya’s family is in Great Chu, they can borrow Silver."

Gu Jin’an knew that Aunt Fuya was Third Grandma’s hope to carry on. To prevent Third Grandma from despairing, he lied.

Indeed, Master Ouyang and the Dou Family have money, but even that much Silver isn’t enough to spread around, at most only allowing the people of He’an Prefecture to borrow money.

Third Grandma believed Gu Jin’an and, upon hearing this, grabbed his hand and said: "That’s good. Then Aunt Fuya’s family can be saved."

She further inquired about Master Ouyang and others opening a bank and lending money to farmers.

Gu Jin’an selectively shared what he could.

"Wait a moment." Third Grandma ran back inside, and when she returned, she had a box in hand: "This is the Silver us two old folks have saved up. Take it to Master Ouyang... maybe this Silver could end up in my Fuya’s hands."

Gu Jin’an didn’t want to take it, but it was a comfort for Third Grandma, so he had no choice but to accept it.

However, he only took half, leaving the other half in the box and returning it to Third Grandma: "This is enough. The rest you should keep for yourself."

Third Grandma didn’t insist further and accepted it: "There are widows and orphans in the nearby villages without money. If they come asking, this old woman intends to lend it to them."

"Brother Qin, you should go and rest now." Seeing Qin San Lang’s fatigue deepen, Gu Jinli, feeling compassion, asked him to rest instead of staying to chat.

Third Grandma looked at Qin San Lang and exclaimed: "San Lang seems utterly exhausted, quickly go and rest."

Qin San Lang said: "Then I’ll go first."

He continued: "I have to leave before dawn and won’t be able to visit all the elders tomorrow."

This was said for Gu Jinli to hear, and she nodded towards him, saying: "Brother Qin is too formal. Our families are so close, there’s really no need for that. Hurry and rest."

I will be waiting for you to come to see me, don’t worry.

Qin San Lang understood, smiled at her, and followed Elder Qin home.

...

At the Qin family, Elder Qin asked Qin San Lang some questions, and after hearing his report, fell silent.

After a long time, he said: "Great Chu, how could it have become like this?"

His voice carried sadness. Thinking of how, back then, his old master and comrades conquered the world with such spirit, vowing to establish a dynasty that wouldn’t be influenced by noble families, where all poor commoners could fully showcase their talents, and that would pass down through generations.

But looking at today’s Great Chu, it’s simply a joke.