"Exempted, exempted for one year," Manbao said, "At that time, there were also people in our county who did not want to petition for tax exemption. It was County Magistrate Fu who advocated for us, and that's how we managed to get an exemption tailing Yizhou. Otherwise, our village's days would have been tough indeed."
The farmer slapped his thigh and said, "Ah, you're really lucky to have encountered such a good official. Our county—let alone tax exemption—increase two levies last year, claiming that the roads and waterworks were destroyed by floodwaters and needed money for repairs. All the expenses were distributed onto our shoulders, otherwise, my family wouldn't be unable to repay those two bags of grain."
Manbao was no longer the six- or seven-year-old child she once was. She now knew more and thought more. Although she still firmly remembered the incident of County Magistrate Fu increasing the city entrance fee, she also considered what her teacher had said.
