eurekapd Chapter 153 The Voice of the Lower Class
Chapter 153 The Voice of the Lower Class
In the morning, the sun blazed like a fierce, fierce woman, pouring down relentlessly on the bustling, noisy folk market. The streets were bustling with people, the crowds surging like a surging, relentless tide. The relentless shouting of vendors, the clamor of bargaining, and the clear yet weary laughter of children intertwined into a bustling yet cacophonous scene. Yet, beneath this seemingly prosperous and bustling facade, like a hideous beast lurking in the shadows, a heavy, oppressive atmosphere permeated the air, like an invisible, weightless boulder, weighing heavily on everyone's heart, nearly suffocating them.
At a shabby vegetable stall, an elderly man, his hair graying and his back stooped like a twig bent by the weight of time, trembled as he fiddled with the slightly withered vegetables on his stall. Every wrinkle on his weathered face seemed meticulously carved by life's ruthless knife, revealing the vicissitudes of life and its hardships. He sighed and muttered to himself as he feebly arranged the vegetables with his rough, cracked hands, like dead branches: "Life is so unbearable. Taxes are getting heavier and heavier. We're almost out of our meager surplus food. My family can barely afford to eat." The light that might have once shone in his cloudy eyes had long been ruthlessly extinguished by life's hardships, leaving only a deep sense of helplessness and endless despair, like two pools of dry, cracked, lifeless water.
Nearby, a haggard woman, her clothes so tattered they barely showed their original color, clutched a child, whose face flushed crimson from hunger. Her thin face, etched with the torment and pain of life, resembled a piece of crumpled and then unfolded paper. She chimed in, "That's right. My husband's been drafted into the army, leaving me with all the farm work. Life is so tight, I don't know how much longer I can make it." Her voice trembled, like a candle about to go out in the wind, fragile and vulnerable. She gently patted the child's back, trying to soothe the hungry cries, but her own eyes were filled with anxiety and helplessness, like a lamb lost in a dark forest, unable to find a glimmer of hope.
Not far away, several young men gathered together. Their eyes no longer had the vigor and energy that young people should have. Instead, they were filled with worries as heavy as lead and fears about the future that were as vague as fog.
"I heard that there will be another conscription, and this time even women will be conscripted. Isn't this going to push us into a desperate situation?" A young man with a dark face and a thin body that seemed like he could be blown down by a gust of wind, his brows furrowed like a knotted thick rope, his voice filled with anger and fear, as if a wounded beast was roaring in despair.
"When will this war end? Fighting every day is a waste of money and manpower. How are we, the common people, supposed to survive?" a man, his face weary and his eyes lost, like a ship adrift in the vast ocean, complained angrily. His clenched fists, the knuckles white from the exertion, seemed to be venting the long-suppressed resentment within.
"With no one to take care of the elderly and children at home, we can't rest easy fighting away in the field," another young man added worriedly. His gaze wandered, as if he was searching in vain for a glimmer of hope in the vast darkness.
At that moment, an elderly man, leaning on a cane and staggering like a leaf in the wind, slowly approached, supported by others. Each step seemed labored, as if the very ground beneath his feet were against him, deliberately trying to trip him up. He cried, his voice trembling, "We, the old, the weak, the sick, can barely make a living. What can we do?" Tears streamed down his wrinkled cheeks, dripping onto the dry earth before disappearing in an instant, as if his insignificant suffering seemed so insignificant and insignificant in the face of this heavy world.
The complaints in the market were getting louder and louder, like waves rising in the sea, one after another, each higher than the last. People were becoming more and more agitated, and their dissatisfaction and anger were like a volcano about to erupt, hot, violent and ferocious.
All of this was seen and heard by the Imperial Concubine Su and the Emperor, who were on an incognito tour. Dressed in the coarse clothing of ordinary people, they blended skillfully into the crowd, their faces as solemn as lead and their expressions as worried as clouds.
Concubine Su gazed upon the heartbreaking scenes before her, her heart piercing as if by a thousand tiny needles, a sharp pain instantly spreading throughout her body. Tears welled in her beautiful eyes, like two glittering pearls swirling in their sockets, ready to fall at any moment. She lowered her voice, worriedly addressing the Emperor, "Your Majesty, the lives of the people are truly difficult. We must find a way to address them. Every time I witness their suffering, my heart aches like a knife. It is truly heartbreaking."
The emperor nodded slightly, his eyes revealing a resolute, unwavering resolve and a sense of responsibility as deep and boundless as the ocean. "I am fully aware of the suffering of the people. I have come out this time to find a solution. I will not let the people down and will allow them to live a stable life. Even if the road ahead is filled with thorns, I will forge ahead and carve out a smooth path for them."
They continued to move around the market, listening to the voices of more people, and their hearts became heavier, as if they were being pressed down by a huge stone, making it almost impossible to breathe.
After returning to the palace, the emperor immediately summoned his ministers to discuss countermeasures.
"My dear ministers, from what the imperial concubine and I saw and heard at the folk market today, the people are complaining about excessive taxes, the ongoing war and other problems. I am very worried. Tell me, is there any good plan to relieve the people's difficulties and stabilize the country's situation?" The emperor sat on the dragon throne, his expression as solemn as frost in winter, cold and majestic, and his tone was as heavy as a thousand-pound stone, pressing people to breathe.
The ministers looked at each other, and no one dared to speak for a moment. A suffocating silence filled the hall, as if even the air had frozen.
At this moment, an old minister stepped forward. He stroked his beard, his expression cautious, and said carefully, "Your Majesty, the treasury is now empty. If you want to reduce the tax burden, I am afraid the finances will be unsustainable. Moreover, the various expenditures are huge. If the cuts are not made properly, it may affect the operation of the country. I am also worried and in a dilemma."
Another minister also looked troubled, beads of sweat gleaming on his forehead in the sunlight, as if his inner anxiety were materializing: "Conscription is a matter of national security. If it is stopped or reduced, the enemy may take advantage and invade. If that happens, the border will be lost and the country will be in danger."
The emperor frowned, his gaze sweeping across the crowd with authority, like lightning streaking across the night sky, instantly illuminating everything, yet chilling everyone. "Is there no solution that can satisfy both sides? I want a law that can both reduce the burden on the people and ensure national security! If you can't come up with a good solution, you will all be guilty of dereliction of duty!"
Concubine Su pondered for a moment, then said softly, "Your Majesty, I believe that we should first reduce taxes appropriately to allow the people to breathe. At the same time, we should streamline court expenditures and save money. Furthermore, we can encourage local areas to develop specialized industries to increase fiscal revenue. I am willing to work with Your Majesty to seek the welfare of the people and overcome this difficult time together."
A young minister continued, "We can vigorously develop agriculture, introduce new farming techniques, increase grain production, and improve the tax base. Furthermore, encouraging commercial development and optimizing tax policies will both increase fiscal revenue and promote economic prosperity. At the same time, we must strengthen supervision of officials, prevent corruption, and ensure the proper use of tax revenue. I am willing to serve Your Majesty with all my heart and soul, until my death."
After a heated discussion, the emperor finally made his decision: "Reduce the tax burden and formulate a series of new policies to ensure the well-being of the people. For conscription, strict screening must be implemented to ensure that every household has a working force. Furthermore, a special agency will be established to oversee the implementation of these policies to ensure they are fully implemented and not distorted by local officials. Those found guilty of corruption will be severely punished! I want the people to see my resolve and feel the court's care."
To help the people understand the necessity of war, the emperor dispatched an eloquent minister who understood the people's suffering. Standing on a high platform in the marketplace, the minister spoke passionately to the gathered people, saying, "Fellow villagers, although the war has brought suffering to everyone, we did not instigate this war. The enemy is eyeing our homes like wolves. If we do not resist, the country will fall and the people will suffer even greater disasters. We are recruiting soldiers to defend our homes and our loved ones. Your Majesty is well aware of your hardships and has decided to reduce taxes and formulate new policies to help everyone through this difficult time. However, during this war, we must all work together to overcome difficulties. Only by uniting as one can we defeat the powerful enemy and usher in a life of peace and tranquility. Fellow villagers, let us join hands and fight together for our country and our future!"
After hearing this, the people began to whisper and talk among themselves.
One brave villager stood up and said, "As long as the government truly cares about us, we are willing to support it. Even if life becomes difficult, we are willing to stand with the country."
Gradually, the people's emotions stabilized, and the light of hope rekindled in their eyes. They expressed their willingness to overcome the difficulties together with the country.
In the days that followed, the court's new policies were gradually implemented. Taxes were reduced, easing the burden on the people. A touch of color gradually returned to their faces, as if a long-dry land had finally received a refreshing rain. At the same time, the court organized experienced farming guidance teams to go deep into the fields and help farmers increase their yields. Those in need were also given some relief, bringing a sense of warmth in the cold winter, like a candlelight in the darkness.
The conscription work is also proceeding in an orderly manner and strictly in accordance with regulations, ensuring that the basic lives of each household are not greatly affected.
As time went on, the lives of the people gradually improved, and their attitude towards the war changed from initial complaints and dissatisfaction to understanding and support. They knew that this war was to protect their homes and their future.
On the battlefield, soldiers, knowing the support of the people in the rear, were greatly encouraged and fought bravely like tigers descending from the mountains. And in this difficult time, the nation also demonstrated the powerful strength of unity and overcoming difficulties together, like an indestructible fortress, resisting the invasion of wind and rain.