The middle-aged man glanced at the three villagers: "Take advantage of the fact that this Third Master hasn't reported to the government office yet. Give some money to resolve this matter. Otherwise, if you're taken to the government office, you'll be locked up for at least fifteen days, and your family will have to pay to bail you out. Once you're in, the Third Master's uncle won't hesitate to use torture on you."
"Give money?"
"Yes, how much money do you have on you? Let me see if I can put in a good word for you with the Third Master and let this matter pass."
The three villagers exchanged a glance, reached into their coats, and after a while, pulled out a few pieces of broken silver and some copper coins. Altogether, that's all they had on them.
The middle-aged man saw the meager amount of money they pulled out and said with a hint of disdain: "Is this all you have? I'm afraid it's not enough."
"Brother, this is all we have. Please, help us plead our case."
