The place on the street where government notices are posted was surrounded by passersby. A government official held a bronze gong, struck it heavily, and then shouted loudly.
"Gentlemen, come over here. The county magistrate has issued a decree. From today onwards, all citizens must purchase grain with household registration, with limited quantity and fixed price. Each household can buy at most two pounds of grain per day. Also, due to external rebel turmoil, to protect the city, the county magistrate has decided to conscript soldiers. Each household must provide one male, without fail."
Each time this official struck the gong, he would loudly repeat the contents of the notice.
Zhong Lin frowned slightly, "Conscription? Grain rationing? Has it become this tense outside already?"
For the people, food is paramount. When food starts becoming a problem, it usually means things have rotted to the most dangerous point.
