The daily struggles of divorced women in ancient times

Xia Mianwan spent two years comfortably in Yanzhou. Bai Xiao came twice in total. From Bai Xiao's attire and complexion, Xia Mianwan could judge how Zheng Xiaoyun was doing.

In the past two years, wars have broken out everywhere and the fight for the throne has become increasingly fierce.

Yanzhou is a rich place, and it is inevitable to be involved in the battle for the throne. Fortunately, the prefect of Yanzhou City is a capable person. Although the tax revenue increases year by year, fortunately there have been no natural disasters in the past two years, and the farmers are still living a good life. The tax revenue of merchants in Yanzhou City is also increasing, but generally speaking, it is still affordable.

However, starting from this year, the situation outside became increasingly severe, and some well-connected families in Yanzhou who were supposed to have participated in the imperial examinations chose to leave the capital and return to Yanzhou, with no intention of taking the examinations.

After learning the news, Zhou Chengze immediately came over and told Xia Mianwan the news.

"Sister Xia, it looks like the world is going to be in chaos." Zhou Chengze sighed and said. Originally, the teacher wanted to let Zhou Chengze go this year, but seeing that the situation was getting more and more serious, he decided to let Zhou Chengze wait a little longer.

"In your opinion, is our Yanzhou City still safe?" Xia Mianwan asked.

Zhou Chengze shook his head and said, "I can't really say. Xiaowu has been running around the village these past two days and said that fewer and fewer people are willing to spend money, and business is not as good as before."

“Is it possible that a natural disaster will occur?”

"I heard that the Ding tax was increased." Zhou Chengze said.

"The Ding tax has been increased twice a year. Have they increased it again?" Xia Mianwan asked in surprise.

Zhou Chengze nodded, "Yes."

The worries of summer hibernation have increased again. Raising the Ding tax three times a year is definitely not a good sign. Wars since ancient times have always been economic battles. In the end, it all comes down to who has more blood and who has more money.

In a place as rich as Yanzhou, no one dared to spend money when the weather was good, which showed that the treasury was too empty. That was why they had to collect money in such a big way to fill the treasury.

Xia Mianwan didn’t know what the situation was like outside, but it seemed that war was inevitable.

If war breaks out, the situation will be dire.

If war is combined with natural disasters, the situation will be even worse.

In ancient history, there were many cases of cities being massacred due to wars, and the lower-class people suffered the most.

If the imperial court's control over the surrounding areas is insufficient, the most terrifying thing would be an uprising.

The more Xia Mianwan thought about it, the more scared he became. He sighed and said, "Brother Zhou, I think we have to find a place to take shelter."

Zhou Chengze thought of his teacher's plan to move his family back to the countryside, and asked seriously, "Sister Xia, do you think the war will affect Yanzhou?"

Xia Mianwan nodded and said, "I have a bad feeling. It's always better to prepare for a rainy day. What if, I mean, there is really a what if... then it will be too late."

"Do you mean a massacre?"

"Yes, maybe it won't be as bad as a massacre of the city, but if the city is destroyed and the army is defeated, there will inevitably be burning, killing and looting. This will show whether it is a fight for the succession or the throne."

"Is there any difference between these two types?" Zhou Chengze asked puzzledly.

Xia Mianwan said solemnly, "If it's a dispute over the throne, the army entering the city will take over its own people and maintain stability, and will not burn, kill or rob the lower-class people. However, the rich families will inevitably bleed, and their lives should not be in danger. But if it's a dispute over the throne, uprisings will break out everywhere, and no one knows who is in the world. So for the rebel army with a weak foundation, who knows if there are thieves and bandits among them. Brother Zhou, I think now is really not a good time to end it. If you really get caught, it will not be a good thing for you."

"Sister Xia, how are you going to prepare for a rainy day?"

"What do you think about us going to the mountains to avoid disaster?" Xia Mianwan asked.

"What?" Zhou Chengze raised his head in surprise.