Chapter 14: Paying the Grain Tax, Mother and Son from the Chu Family Report Chu Feng

“Wake up quickly, the government officials are here to collect the grain.”

Du Dahai’s words made Chu Feng leap out of bed.

Whether it was the memories of the original owner or Chu Feng’s own experience from his previous life, both knew that the feudal government was never a benevolent force.

Especially now, in the midst of war and chaos.

Normally, collecting grain once a month was already harsh enough.

There were still half a month left since the last grain collection.

Why were they coming again now?

“What if my family has no grain to give?” Chu Feng frowned, sensing the difficulty of the situation.

Then he noticed Du Dahai carrying half a sack of something behind him.

“So I brought it over in advance. You should hand over the grain first,” Du Dahai said.

“How can that be?” Chu Feng was stunned to see that the sack was actually filled with grain!

Having just been reborn, Chu Feng maintained a certain distance and wariness toward all the villagers, including his mother and older brother.

The truth was, neither his mother nor his brother were truly good people.

Moreover, the entire village was besieged by famine, and they had to endure the government’s oppressive taxes.

Chu Feng did not trust human nature easily.

Until today, Du Dahai’s actions genuinely moved him.

Although they had cooperated before on a hunt, Chu Feng had not shared much of the prey with him.

Du Dahai had even provided the tools, which were rightfully his.

He shouldn’t have helped Chu Feng so selflessly, even recklessly.

That half sack of grain weighed at least thirty to forty jin.

At present, each household had barely a hundred jin of stored grain.

They still had to find a way to survive the harsh winter for nearly half a year.

Such an amount of grain was nowhere near enough.

Yet Du Dahai was willing to part with dozens of jin from his own limited stock, showing that he genuinely cared about Chu Feng.

“It’s just a little grain. My son has already had meat broth and meat to eat. We’ve managed to get through this, so consider it a lifesaving favor,” Du Dahai said with a simple smile.

Judging by his appearance, Du Dahai wasn’t the simple-minded type; he was quite shrewd.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been the village head.

But regardless of what he was really thinking, the help he gave Chu Feng was concrete and real at this moment.

“Let’s go. The officials are waiting in the village square. If anyone doesn’t show up, they’ll come searching their homes,” Du Dahai warned.

He hoisted the sack of grain onto his shoulder.

Chu Feng wanted to help carry it, but Du Dahai refused.

“Your hands are meant for hunting. Don’t tire them out with this kind of work.”

In the end, Du Dahai definitely had his reasons.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be treating Chu Feng so well.

His motive was likely hoping that Chu Feng would hunt more, so their family could benefit as well.

“That big cat from yesterday probably smelled blood and came into my yard,” Chu Feng told Du Dahai.

Upon hearing this, Du Dahai’s expression grew serious.

“These big cats are very smart. They know there’s food in the yard and will definitely come back. Do you want me to gather some villagers to capture it?”

“Would anyone be willing to help?” Chu Feng asked.

“I don’t know about others, but I’m definitely willing,” Du Dahai replied.

Chu Feng shook his head, not counting on anyone’s help.

Normally, people were reluctant to confront such dangerous beasts.

If they got injured, it could spell disaster for their whole family.

Now he could only hope the trap would work, or that the snow leopard wouldn’t return.

Otherwise, Chu Feng would find a way to kill it.

When they arrived at the village center, most of the villagers were already gathered.

Two officials, pushing carts and armed with swords, arrogantly counted the grain on the carts.

“Is anyone missing?” one official asked, checking the list.

“Chu Feng’s family hasn’t shown up yet,” Chu Long answered without hesitation.

The nearby villagers immediately shot Chu Long hostile looks.

Chu Long snorted, “The government officials have the list. Whether you admit it or not, they’ll find out.”

“That’s right, we have the list. Don’t think you can avoid it!” Wang Wei snorted.

“Isn’t your Chu family undivided? Then your branch should hand over the grain,” Wang Wei said.

“Who said we haven’t split? We separated long ago,” Chu Long shouted back.

Wei Xiaoxia said nothing, seeming to tacitly agree.

“Chu Long, are you sure our branch has already separated?” Chu Feng and Du Dahai approached the crowd.

As they arrived, they heard Chu Long’s outrageous claim.

Looking at Chu Feng empty-handed, Chu Long’s gaze turned sly.

“Government official, look! This guy didn’t bring any grain. Arrest him quickly!”

Upon hearing that, the two officials drew their swords.

Wei Xiaoxia remained silent nearby, her eyes coldly fixed on Chu Feng.

The villagers could no longer stand it.

“Is this how your Chu family treats your own kin?”

“What kind of nonsense is this? Who reports their own family?”

“Don’t be quick to arrest him, official! He must have grain! At worst, we can all pitch in a little.”

At that moment, all the villagers stood behind Chu Feng.

Chu Feng, who had been somewhat angry, suddenly felt his fury dissipate upon hearing the villagers’ words.

Seeing the change, the two officials held back, choosing to observe.

Their goal wasn’t to arrest people, but to collect enough grain.

As for where the grain came from, that was none of their concern.

“This is our Chu family’s business. What does it have to do with you?” Wei Xiaoxia shouted sharply.

At her age, her voice was strong and piercing, drowning out the others.

She then looked at Chu Feng.

“Chu Feng, don’t say your mother didn’t take care of you. I can pay your tax grain, but you must bring your wife back to the family!”

“That’s right. You still have to do the chores at home!” Chu Long also chimed in.

Chu Feng knew Wei Xiaoxia and Chu Long were just threatening him.

They had no real intention of welcoming him back.

They were only after the game he hunted.

Once they got the prey, or if Chu Feng turned out to be less valuable than expected, they would discard him without hesitation.

“Are you trying to make me return to the family to work for you, or are you after the things in my yard?” Chu Feng asked with a cold sneer.

“You’re part of the Chu family. Everything in your yard belongs to the family, that’s beyond question! Now, if you just humble yourself here, kneel, kowtow, and apologize, I will pay your tax grain!” Wei Xiaoxia stood before Chu Feng, hands on her hips, as if holding all the cards.

She knew Chu Feng had no grain.

Each month, only two portions of food were allocated to them.

Yet there were three people in his household to feed.

Their grain ran out in less than half a month.

How could there be any surplus to pay taxes?

Wei Xiaoxia and Chu Long had been waiting for this chance—a chance to control Chu Feng.

“If I refuse?” Chu Feng said.

“Official, they can’t pay the grain. Arrest him and search his home!” Chu Long urged.

The villagers gritted their teeth, glaring fiercely at Chu Long.

They never expected a family to be so cruel.

If arrested and thrown into the government prison, it would be a living hell.

They might never come out again.

How could family do such a thing?

Seeing Chu Feng so resolute, Wei Xiaoxia’s eyes flickered with anxiety.

After all, Chu Feng was her son.

She wouldn’t truly harm him.

“I’ll ask you one last time. Are you willing to return to the family?”

“No,” Chu Feng replied bluntly.

Wei Xiaoxia fell silent.

A wild gleam flashed in Chu Long’s eyes, recalling how Chu Feng had provoked him these past few days.

Remembering yesterday’s humiliation—though he had tasted meat broth, he had actually helped Chu Feng!

He was Chu Feng’s elder brother.

What right did Chu Feng have to make him work? It was an outright insult.

As a bastard of the Chu family, if there was food, it should be obediently contributed to him, to the family.

Yet Chu Feng dared to bargain with the family, even with his elder brother?

Then he had no one to blame but himself.

Chu Long hastily said, “No grain will be handed over if you refuse to return and work for the family. You’ll have to find a way to deal with it yourself! Officers, please proceed according to regulations.”