The entire population of Huaxi Village was terrified by the arrival of these military officers; they ran back from the fields to their homes and firmly closed their doors. Some households even braced their doors with poles and hid all their valuables and food supplies. The more timid women were scared to tears.
They feared that the arrival of so many "military daddies" meant either war was imminent or bandits were near.
Only Wang Lizheng, the village chief, felt that he could not hide away at this time; he had to find out what was happening. Trembling, he thought about going outside, but his wife clung to him sobbing desperately. Already frightened, when he saw his wife like this, he barked, "What are you crying for? I'm not going out, just climbing up a ladder to see what's happening."
