IRON SHELL

Chapter 003: Chefs must have at least a knife

The tax officials in Shengdun Town have always had an excellent reputation in the tax system of the Dawn Empire.

And the approval of the upper class is often obtained through the blood and tears of the lower class people

The tax collectors in Shengdun Town are famous because they can collect taxes excellently no matter what kind of year they are in. Their secret is ruthlessness and ruthlessness.

The locust plague did not only affect Kemang Village, but also the entire territory of Shengdun Town. The tax officials keenly felt that the tax work of this year would be extremely difficult to carry out smoothly, so they formed a forward-looking alliance with the public security officers.

So this year, when tax officials went out, they were accompanied by security forces.

If it weren't for the locust plague that had just passed, Anwen would have had enough ability to pay taxes. For him, the forest is a treasure trove, from which he can obtain all the necessary prey that can be exchanged for daily necessities.

But not now.

The forest was in ruins and almost dead. He went into the mountain for three consecutive days, but only hit a starving rabbit.

He silently hung up this little ration at the door of the Qiu family.

But tax collectors don't care about this. That morning, the tax collector knocked on the door of An Wen's house and arrogantly announced to him, "Young man, congratulations. From this year on, you will be honored to pay taxes for the country

I really want to fulfill this glorious responsibility, "An Wen said," but as you can see, this year is a disaster year

The first time you fulfill your responsibility to the country in life, starting to play tricks is not a good start. "The tax collector frowned.

But I am a tolerant person, "he said." After all, this is the first time. I can give you a chance. Three days later, I hope you can pay enough taxes

He looks very tolerant and polite, and based on his modern concept of Earth civilization, Anwen also believes that paying taxes is an obligation for citizens of every country, so he politely sends him out of the courtyard.

But three days later, what he saw was more impolite.

In the past three days, he worked hard to go hunting in the mountains, but he achieved nothing except for a few immovable pheasants. This type of pheasant has a meat quality like firewood and is not delicious. Its fur is dull and unattractive, and it is not worth a penny.

Seeing these things, the tax collector suddenly changed his color.

Young man, it seems we must teach you some lessons, "he sneered as he retreated, while the accompanying security forces rushed forward. An Wen was knocked to the ground, his body flawless under his fists and feet.

This kind of thing happened in every part of Kemang Village, where people were knocked down in every household.

In order to survive, people have to cry and hand over their last rations. The tax collectors left with a full load and left harsh words on those who did not pay enough taxes.

An Wen stood in the courtyard, looking at the village filled with cries and desperate sighs, feeling lost in his heart.

He finally understood that the previous peaceful countryside was just a dream. The wind blew and the bubbles of his dreams burst, causing him to fall into the cruel reality.

At this moment, his greatest concern is the Qiu family.

The situation of the Qiu family is very bad, because Qiu Li was an injured soldier of the Expeditionary Army, so the tax officials did not overly embarrass him. They just let the security forces whip Qiu Xiaowu.

Looking at his son, who was torn apart but didn't snort, Qiu Li felt relieved but had to give in. He handed over his final rations.

An Wenli was silent at the door. He remembered some words that Qiu Li had said, and his heart was filled with pain.

If the pension had been issued earlier, there wouldn't have been such a thing, "sighed Qiu Li.

You can go to town again to urge, "Liana cried. The remaining rations, even if saved, are only enough for a month, but winter is coming soon“

Qiu Li went to the town and returned in the evening, but brought back bad news.

There are fifty wounded soldiers in the town, "he said

So, it's being detained by the upper echelons of our country, "An Wen analyzed.

How could they do this? "Liana said with tears in her eyes," You exchanged this money with your blood and life

Tomorrow we will go to the town office together and ask the mayor for an explanation, "said Qiu Li. They must give us an explanation

He spoke with anger.

Qiu Xiaowu had a severe pain in his back and couldn't help but cry on the bed. An Wen sat on the side and comforted him in a low voice, telling him a story.

The king asked the chef, 'Why are you so skilled at slaughtering cows?' The chef said, 'Because I have always liked to delve into the truth behind this. You see, truly skilled chefs do not use knives to cut hard. They rely on the muscle structure of cows, use knives to cut and connect, and then break them down. Therefore, they do not need to change knives frequently. A knife can be used for a year. And I have been using this knife for nineteen years, and I have never changed it because of the muscles of cows.' The skeletal structure is already clear to my heart, and I don't need to use violence when using a knife. I just need to gently cut along the connection between the beef muscles and bones, and the beef bones and limbs will separate like mud and soil. I won't feel tired, and the knife won't wear much

The story of An Wen is very interesting. Qiu Xiaowu was entranced by it and vaguely forgot the pain on his back. He said with great admiration, "If only I had such a skill. However, it's useless because I'm too timid to use a knife against living creatures

After speaking, he smiled.

That chef is really impressive, "said Qiu Li.

But... "he looked at Anwen as if deliberately reminding him," he still needs a knife after all

If it weren't for that sharp knife, even if the chef were so skilled, he would ultimately have no choice but to do nothing with that strong cow and could not have received the king's praise.

An Wen seems thoughtful.

The place where Qiu Li likes Anwen the most is intelligence. When speaking to Qiu Xiaowu, there must be one to one, two to two, and ten to ten. Otherwise, Qiu Xiaowu will definitely not understand the middle three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine.

But speaking to Anwen is different. Just click on it, and Anwen will naturally understand things beyond the words.

Change is not a temporary matter, and Qiu Li is not in a hurry to achieve it.

The next day, Qiu Li went to the town, and Anwen wiped the wound medicine before catching up

He.

What are you going to do? "Qiu Li asked.

Perhaps it can be of some help, "said Anwen.

That's okay, "Qiu Li nodded.

When Qiu Li arrived, fifty wounded soldiers had already gathered at the agreed location. Seeing Qiu Li, the wounded soldiers saluted. Qiu Li was a soldier commander in the Expeditionary Force, ranking higher than others.

But the level of military rank did not differ much at this time, whether it was the commander or ordinary soldier, they were now just useless people dragging their disabled bodies.

They marched silently, marching in neat rows, as if expressing their identity to the onlookers on the street - soldiers, warriors, soldiers, warriors

People looked at them curiously, and many followed them in order to watch the excitement. As a result, the procession gradually lengthened, and by the time they arrived at the town hall, hundreds of people had already gathered.

What do you want to do? "The security forces in the town hall had never seen such a formation before, and were a bit timid.

We are disabled soldiers of the Expeditionary Force, "Qiu Li said." We request to meet with the town mayor and inquire about the issue of disability pension

We don't want to cause trouble. If the mayor doesn't have time for a while, we will wait quietly outside and never affect business, "added An Wen.

Qiu Li looked at An Wen in surprise and then nodded at the security forces, "Yes, that's exactly what I want to say

The wounded soldiers lined up in five rows at the sign of Qiu Li, standing quietly behind him. If it weren't for their incomplete limbs or lack of eyes and ears, I'm afraid it could really be considered a scenery.

The crowd gathered more and more, and when they learned that these people were disabled soldiers of the Emergency Expeditionary Force, sympathy, gratitude, admiration, and unbearable expressions appeared in everyone's eyes. The fact that these people fought and sacrificed for humanity, whether they took the initiative to step forward in times of human crisis or were passively called into the military, cannot be changed.

The silent wounded soldiers brought pressure to the town mayor, so half an hour later, more security forces entered the town office.

Qiu Li frowned, but Anwen whispered, "We must control our emotions. We cannot be caught by the authorities. Although we deserve the pension, if they label us as a disturbance to the law, we can have countless excuses to deal with us. We cannot give them the opportunity to use the law

In the past years, he has watched too many similar things through television or the internet. People who often have reason in their hands are often labeled as rioters by certain powerful forces simply because they cannot control their emotions, and are suppressed reasonably and legally.

Yes, he understands that this is unfair - justice lies in the hands of the wounded soldiers, but it is truly sad to ask them to repeatedly tolerate those in power.

But reality is always cruel, and without restraint, justice will be distorted into evil.

But is that effective? "Qiu Li asked.

At least we won't be accused of being a mob, "said Anwen.

If they still show their claws and teeth in the end, at least everyone can know that they are cruel and unreasonable, "he said.

Okay, "Qiu Li nodded slowly.

He looked at Anwen with some relief, as he felt that Anwen was changing from a passive recluse to a brave protester, even a pioneer.

The officers of the security forces were shouting loudly, but the wounded soldiers remained silent at the signal of Qiu Li. Faced with insults from the other party, they refused to resist, were not excited, but remained silent.

So before dark, the mayor finally appeared before them.

What exactly do you want to do? Disrupting the normal business of the town office is a violation of the law, "the mayor exclaimed.

We just want to ask about our pension, "said Qiu Li.

This is not something that just a mayor in my district can manage, "said the mayor." The power to distribute or not is in the hands of the big shots

If the tax collectors in the town can represent the big shots in the capital to collect our taxes, then the town office should also be able to represent those big shots and provide us with pensions for casualties and soldiers, "An Wen said.