“You stinking dirt farmer! Three more days! If you don’t pay this month’s land tax, I’ll send you to meet the King of Hell!”
Inside a thatched hut, an armored official, with a vicious expression, had his foot on a young boy dressed in coarse cloth.
The boy mustered his courage, “But… but, we already paid next month’s at the beginning of the month…”
“Bang!”
Before the boy could finish, the official kicked him in the face, knocking out several teeth and sending blood gushing.
“Still daring to talk back! Let me tell you, remember, if you don’t hand over the land tax in three days, I’ll kill you!”
The official threatened coldly, then turned and left to collect land tax from other households.
The boy clenched his fists, his body trembling, not from fear, but from rage.
His name was Jiang Ping’an, fourteen years old, living in Dahe Village, a family of farmers for generations.
Life used to be manageable, but several years ago, the country went to war and began to levy taxes frantically.
Land tax, poll tax, city entry tax… in short, they wanted money.
His mother died from overwork, and his father was eaten by a fierce tiger in the mountains while hunting.
Now, he was the only one left in their family, but these people still didn't want to let go of a fourteen-year-old child like him.
He was so tired, he wanted to die, but his parents had repeatedly urged him to live on.
He didn't know the meaning of living, but if he had to have a goal, it was to kill these bastards who oppressed the common people.
However, he was only fourteen, long-term malnourished, and extremely frail, completely unable to deal with these martial arts-trained soldiers. He heard some soldiers even possessed the power of Immortals.
Jiang Ping’an stood up, limping. Having not eaten all day and after being beaten, his body was struggling to hold on.
The thatched hut was empty; tables, benches, everything that could be sold had been sold.
Jiang Ping’an’s gaze fell upon the broken basin next to the stove.
This was the only thing left in the house, a bronze basin his father had found by the river. It was covered in cracks and usually used to hold water, a little larger than a head.
Jiang Ping’an limped to the broken bronze basin. This was the only thing left he could sell, though he didn't know how many copper coins it would fetch.
No matter what, he would sell it first and exchange it for a few flatbreads; even if he died, he wanted to die with a full stomach.
Just as he picked up the bronze basin, blood dripped onto it, and a brilliant green light flashed from within the basin.
Jiang Ping’an was stunned. What was happening? Why was the bronze basin glowing?
Was he hallucinating from the beating?
“Brother Ping’an!”
At that moment, a little girl with a tiger-like head appeared at the doorway. The girl was about eight years old, her clothes patched and mended, barely covering her body.
“Hu Niu,” Jiang Ping’an responded subconsciously.
Her real name was Li Yueyue; Hu Niu was her nickname.
Li Yueyue quickly ran in, spread her fair little hand, and swiftly placed a copper coin into the basin in Jiang Ping’an's hand, saying in a childish voice:
“Brother Ping’an, I stole this from my dad. You have to quickly gather enough for the tax, okay?”
Then, she pulled out half a steaming hot steamed bun from her Pregnant and stuffed it into his hand, “Eat it quickly, okay? I just had some left.”
“No, this money…”
Before Jiang Ping’an could finish, Li Yueyue giggled and ran off.
Looking at the copper coin and half a steamed bun in front of him, Jiang Ping’an, who hadn't cried even after being beaten by the officials, now had tears welling up in his eyes.
The world is not short of those who add flowers to embroidery, but it lacks those who offer charcoal in the snow.
In such a desperate situation, to have someone care about him, that feeling was indescribable.
Suddenly, a green light flashed in the bronze basin.
Then, to Jiang Ping’an's astonishment, many copper coins suddenly appeared in the dilapidated bronze basin.
He was stunned for a long while, then shivered abruptly. Cautiously, he quickly closed the door.
He looked down at the bronze basin again; the copper coins were still there!
An illusion? No, absolutely not!
Jiang Ping’an tremblingly reached into the bronze basin and picked out the copper coins.
Excluding the one Li Yueyue gave him, there were ten in total!
Why?
Why were there suddenly so many copper coins?
He suddenly remembered the stories his father told him about Immortals, saying that Immortals were extremely powerful, capable of summoning wind and rain, and could conjure money at will, never worrying about food or clothing.
Some Immortals also had powerful Magic Treasures that could also produce money, like the Treasure Basin, where money placed inside could continuously generate more money.
Could this be an Immortal's Treasure Basin?
Jiang Ping’an was young and adaptable. He quickly confirmed this, his heart almost leaping out of his chest with excitement.
With this Magic Treasure, he would never lack money again! He would also have money to pay the tax!
Jiang Ping’an threw in another copper coin, preparing to replicate more copper coins.
But after a long time, the copper coin inside didn't change.
“Can it only replicate once? Or is there a time interval?”
If it was only once, that would be too upsetting.
Jiang Ping’an ate the half-steamed bun Hu Niu gave him, but it didn't sate his hunger; instead, he felt even hungrier.
Looking at the ten copper coins in his hand, this was exactly enough for the land tax.
Jiang Ping’an decided to eat well first, preparing to exchange some food to fill his stomach.
He wanted to take the bronze basin out with him, but he was afraid of attracting attention and having it stolen.
If he left it at home, he was afraid it would be stolen.
He didn't know how powerful the bronze basin was before, so he just left it at home. Now that he knew it was a treasure, he felt unsafe leaving it anywhere.
The bronze basin in his hand seemed to sense something, transforming into a green light and drilling into Jiang Ping’an’s body.
Jiang Ping’an was startled, quickly touching his body to check.
“What’s going on? Where’s my bronze basin?”
As soon as this thought emerged, the bronze basin transformed into a green light and appeared in his hand.
Jiang Ping’an was stunned for a moment, as if he understood something, and said, “Put it away.”
The bronze basin turned into a green light, drilled into his body, and disappeared.
“Come out.”
The bronze basin appeared in his hand.
Jiang Ping’an was overjoyed. It was just as he thought; he could put it away at will.
After trying a few times, he was completely relieved. He was even more certain that this treasure was definitely not a one-time use!
His stomach was growling uncontrollably.
He quickly took the money and ran to Uncle Li’s house next door.
At this moment, Li Min was scolding Li Yueyue, “You little brat, you even know how to steal money! Who taught you!”
“Nobody taught me, I just don’t want Brother Ping’an to get beaten,” Li Yueyue’s small hands were clenched, tears welling up in her eyes.
“You…” Li Min picked up a stick, wanting to hit her, but seeing Li Yueyue’s pitiful look, he ultimately didn't strike.
At the same time, he also saw Jiang Ping’an at the doorway.
Li Min said coldly, “Get out.”
Jiang Ping’an quickly said, “Uncle Li, I’m here to return the money.”
“No need, just get out,” Li Min continued to scold.
His family wasn't wealthy; after being plundered several times, not much was left, but he knew Jiang Ping’an was even poorer.
Li Min both pitied the boy and didn't want to have too much contact with him, to avoid taking on more responsibility.
Jiang Ping’an did not leave; instead, he opened his hand, revealing five copper coins.
“One to return to you, and with the remaining four, I want to buy four steamed buns.”
Li Min was stunned, “How do you have so much money?”
Big Bad Wolf Bookstore kindly reminds: Due to special reasons, the group has been forcibly disbanded! A new group has been rebuilt, Group 1 ID (298732622), Group 2 (1062268835) to prevent loss of contact, Telegram: t.me/dahuilang888. This message will be displayed until tomorrow noon!
