Early in the morning, the small village was bathed in the first rays of sunlight, a lush tapestry of herbs and flowers lending everything a soft, filtered appearance. The village, nestled in the valley, had always been remarkably tranquil and unique. But the town that had sprung up with the prison on the outskirts disrupted the painting-like scene, adding an incongruous stroke.
Wu Hen woke up and had to go to work in the town.
Ding Di also went to the town with Wu Hen, and in addition, the village chief and the other villagers brought their fruits to the town's morning market.
The villagers' fruits were not directly and obligatorily handed over.
They sold them as usual, only the prices were regulated, meaning they earned less than if they traded directly with other villages. This was what Ding Di referred to as paying an extra tax.
But from the villagers' demeanor, their resistance wasn't very strong; they simply grumbled a few complaints.
