My strength increases by one percent every day; I can destroy stars with my bare hands.

The imperial decree to triple taxes swept through all the surrounding villages, and Zhangjia Village, where Li Xiu married, was no exception to this catastrophe.

As soon as it was light, the county yamen runners and tax collectors stormed into Zhangjia Village in a menacing manner.

The clanging of chains dragging on the ground and the harsh shouts instantly shattered the tranquility of the village.

Just like in Qingxi Village, as soon as these officials entered the village, they violently demanded payment from each household, acting fiercely and showing no mercy whatsoever.

"Pay your taxes immediately, not a single penny less."

"If you can't pay, you'll have to give something as collateral; if you have no people or goods, you'll have to conscript men into the army."

"The imperial court just happened to need people to build the canal, and if they couldn't afford it, they would just hand over the workers."

"..."

The roar echoed through every corner of the village, and the villagers of Zhangjia Village looked ashen-faced and filled with gloom.

The harvest was already meager, barely enough to make ends meet, and now the taxes have tripled, making it impossible for them to bear. The entire village is shrouded in despair.

Their remaining food rations and farm tools were all taken away. The elderly, women, and children knelt on the ground and begged for mercy, only to be met with beatings and verbal abuse from the yamen runners.

Some people couldn't pay their taxes, and the able-bodied young men in their families were forcibly taken away to perform corvée labor or serve in the military.

The cries of families torn apart rose and fell, and every household lived in constant fear and anxiety, filled with dread and helplessness in the face of the oppressive taxes.

Throughout Zhangjia Village, cries of agony filled the air, and the people suffered terribly.

The officials were arrogant and domineering, treating the villagers' lives like dirt, and their methods were extremely brutal.

When the group of fierce-looking officials arrived at Zhang Erzhu's house in the village, they immediately lost their menacing aura.

In front of the courtyard gate, the Zhang family had already raised enough silver and were waiting for the officials to arrive.

Yang Cuihua, who is usually sharp-tongued and domineering in the village, and her two children, Zhang Erzhu and Zhang Chunhua, were all trembling and looking nervous.

They were arrogant and domineering in the village, but when faced with government officials, they only showed deep fear.

Li Xiu held Dou Dou in her arms. She had been living a good life lately, and her whole demeanor had changed.

No longer timid and submissive, he was actually more composed than Zhang Erzhu and the other two.

As the tax collector approached Li Xiu, his tone was gentle, as if he were not the one who had previously been beating and scolding the villagers.

"Greetings, Madam Zhang. We have been ordered to collect taxes."

The tax collector ignored the three members of the Zhang family; in his eyes, only Li Xiu deserved to be treated with courtesy.

"Your younger brother, General Li, has rendered meritorious service in defending the border. The higher authorities have specially ordered that your family's taxes be reduced by half, and you will not be required to perform any corvée labor or military service."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Erzhu and the other two were stunned, their bodies trembling with excitement, unable to utter a word.

In the past, which official was not high and mighty? When have they ever been so kind to us peasants?

"Thank you for your hard work, officers."

Although Li Xiu was also very excited, he forced himself to remain calm, thanked the officials, and remained neither humble nor arrogant.

"No wonder she's Li's older sister, she's just different from these peasants."

Li Xiu's performance impressed the officials, who secretly admired him.

Li Xiu was filled with mixed emotions. She knew that all of this was achieved by her younger brother fighting bloody battles on the border and risking his life.

The tax collector, all smiles, said repeatedly, "Madam Zhang, you're too kind. This is a favor that General Li deserves. If your family ever encounters any difficulties in the future, just let us know, and we will do our best to help."

After saying this, the tax collector, along with a group of yamen runners, left with half of the taxes collected.

He treated everyone with great courtesy, a stark contrast to his earlier brutal and ruthless behavior towards the other villagers, where he robbed and plundered them.

Even after the officials left, Zhang Erzhu and his family were still in shock and had not recovered from their shock.

This scene was witnessed by the surrounding villagers, and it instantly caused an uproar, with discussions rising and falling.

"Good heavens! The Zhang family only pays half the taxes and doesn't even have to perform corvée labor."

"This is so enviable. We were forced to the point of losing our families and lives, while they were able to reduce their taxes by half."

"It's all because his daughter-in-law is the older sister of that General Li from the border. They benefit from General Li's influence, and even the officials treat them with great respect."

"We're from the same village, so why is there such a big difference? I wish my family had such a powerful backer."

"..."

The villagers gathered around, their eyes filled with envy and jealousy, chattering amongst themselves.

Some people were filled with envy, marveling at how lucky the Zhang family was to have such powerful relatives.

Some people were secretly envious and sour, but there was nothing they could do.

Many others, seeing their own miserable state and comparing it to the Zhang family's preferential treatment, felt bitter and helpless.

In this chaotic world, power and military achievements are the strongest foundation.

Li Xuancang's achievements on the border not only protected his own family, but also brought real benefits to his in-laws, the Zhang family, making them the most special and enviable family in the entire Zhangjia Village.

The tax collectors and yamen runners quickly disappeared from Zhangjia Village, and the villagers who had been watching gradually dispersed.

But what had just happened struck a chord deep within the hearts of every member of the Zhang family.

Yang Cuihua and the other two all looked at Li Xiu, who was standing to their side.

They were full of respect, even a little cautious.

Yang Cuihua quickly stepped forward, grabbed Li Xiu's hand, her movements incredibly gentle, her face full of smiles, and her tone more tender and considerate than ever before.

"Xiuer, come in and sit in the courtyard. It's windy outside, don't tire yourself out."

She held Li Xiu's hand tightly, somewhat reserved, and helped Li Xiu into the house while repeatedly expressing her feelings.

"My good daughter-in-law, I'm so sorry to have wronged you. I used to treat you so poorly, but I was so foolish. Now I realize that our entire Zhang family has benefited from your kindness!"

Recalling the courteous treatment she had received from the officials, the halved taxes, and the exemption from corvée labor and military service, Yang Cuihua felt a surge of joy and pride.

If it weren't for Li Xiu having a younger brother who was a squad leader at the border, the Zhang family would have been ransacked like other families in the village, and even forced into labor. They wouldn't have such a peaceful life.

Zhang Erzhu said with a fawning expression, "Xiuer, thanks to you, thanks to your brother-in-law. From now on, you don't need to do anything at home, I'll take care of everything. You just need to rest."

Seeing the way the officials treated Li Xiu today, Zhang Erzhu truly felt the power that Li Xuancang brought.

Even though he was far away on the border, and even though the Zhang family was only treated with respect because of Li Xiu, the usually arrogant and domineering officials had to be polite to him. This was something he never dared to dream of before.

Thinking of this, Zhang Erzhu couldn't help but smile, and his back straightened unconsciously.

From now on, with this powerful backer, who will dare to bully the Zhang family?

Zhang Chunhua, who was standing to the side, was no longer as willful as before. She quickly stepped forward, affectionately took Li Xiu's arm, and spoke in a soft and respectful voice.

"Sister-in-law, from now on you're like my own sister. If anyone dares to say a bad word about you, I'll be the first to object. I'll help with the housework from now on, so please don't overwork yourself."

The whole family surrounded Li Xiu, showing her warmth and care, and doing everything she wanted.

Yang Cuihua busied herself in the kitchen, taking out the last of the fine rice and eggs in the house, intending to cook a delicious meal for Li Xiu.

Zhang Erzhu eagerly picked up the hoe and finished all the heavy work in the yard in one go, so that Li Xiu wouldn't have to do any work.

Zhang Cuihua obediently followed Li Xiu, helping to serve tea and water, speaking softly and gently, not daring to disobey in the slightest.

Seeing the Zhang family in this state, Li Xiu felt a mix of emotions.

She knew that this sudden respect and preferential treatment was earned by her brother at the cost of his life.

She only hoped that her younger brother, who was far away at the border, would be safe and sound, suffer fewer injuries, and return in triumph as soon as possible.

As for the preferential treatment she receives at home, she only wishes to live a down-to-earth life with her family and not let her younger brother's efforts go to waste.

The Zhang family also firmly believed from the bottom of their hearts that Li Xiu was a blessing to the Zhang family, and they would definitely treat her well in the future and dare not neglect her in the slightest.