After being despondent for so many years, Shopkeeper Li's fighting spirit has been rekindled, which can be considered a good thing.
Yu Xiaolian was immersed in the plot of the new tale book when a noisy commotion erupted in the street, followed by a government officer banging a gong and loudly proclaiming, "Northern Land has suffered years of drought, to the point where no grain can grow, forcing the people to flee..."
Yu Xiaolian closed the book and listened intently for a moment, then sighed, "They're forcing donations again, saying it's for relief aid to the disaster victims in Northern Land. Merchants must contribute one tael of Silver per household, and farmers two bushels of rice, all by the hour of the Mid-Year Festival, otherwise the price will double."
Zhao Erya was startled, "It doubles if we're late? Then we'd better hurry up and pay, right? The Mid-Year Festival is the day after tomorrow."
Yu Xiaolian nodded, "You go and tell my father from the courtyard."
