In the evening, Yan Qingqing received a notice from the county government, asking her to attend the trial the next day.

Yan Qingqing is still "sick" and naturally cannot go.

Therefore, Li Xiangping and Li Xiangan were sent as representatives to attend the hearing.

Li Xiangjian also wanted to go, but Yan Qingqing didn't stop him. She knew that Li Xiangjian had been troubled ever since he learned that the murderer was Tie Tou, after all, he was his best friend. It would be good for him to get over his inner conflict.

The county court opened early the next morning, and Magistrate Ling sat in the hall with a dignified demeanor and neat attire.

Behind it is a plaque with the inscription "A Clear Mirror Hangs High," which further enhances the solemnity and grandeur of the entire hall.

In addition to the Li family, Manager Chen, Chen Sifang, Tie Tou, Tie Tou's parents, and Manager Wu of Jinsheng Pavilion were also present at the opening ceremony.

Magistrate Ling thought that Yan Qingqing and the others had suffered on behalf of Jinsheng Pavilion, and he couldn't let them suffer this undeserved disaster for nothing.

So he specifically ordered someone to bring Manager Wu to the main hall as well.

After hearing the whole story, Manager Wu didn't hesitate and rushed to the county government hall.

Upon seeing the three Li brothers, Manager Wu cupped his hands and said, "Oh dear, young brother, I'm truly sorry."

You have suffered this undeserved misfortune. After this matter is resolved, I, Wu, will definitely visit you to apologize.

Li Xiangping also cupped his hands and replied, "My mother said that this matter is neither Jinsheng Pavilion's fault nor Manager Wu's fault."

There's no way you can guard against thieves for a thousand days if you're a thief yourself.

Upon hearing this, Manager Wu exclaimed with emotion, "Your mother is truly a person of great wisdom and integrity. Our Jinsheng Pavilion is truly honored to cooperate with your family."

Of course, the county government hall was not the place for them to exchange pleasantries.

After saying those few words, everyone stood in their places and remained silent.

The matter is clear and straightforward; Magistrate Ling only needs to deliver the verdict.

Manager Chen was malicious and even plotted to kill someone. His behavior was heinous, but fortunately, it was discovered early and no serious consequences occurred. Therefore, he was given thirty lashes, fined 20,000 taels of silver, and ordered to close down his business.

In addition, Yan Qingqing's family has also suffered a lot of losses in recent days, and even the shop has not been able to open. Therefore, Manager Chen was ordered to compensate the Li family with two thousand taels of silver.

Chen Sifang was both a servant and an accomplice. He knew he was evil and did evil. He was given thirty strokes of the cane and ordered to serve a year of hard labor.

When it came to Tie Tou, Magistrate Ling hesitated for a moment before pronouncing the verdict: "Tie Tou repaid kindness with enmity and secretly poisoned someone, but considering his young age and remorseful behavior..."

The court hereby orders Tie Tou to pay the Li family one hundred taels of silver, receive ten strokes of the cane, and be imprisoned for one year.

This hundred taels of silver was the stolen money that Tie Tou got from Chen Si Fang.

None of the defendants objected to the verdict. Magistrate Ling then adjourned the court.

Iron Head's father and mother cried the most, and Iron Head's mother almost fainted from crying, but Iron Head didn't even glance at them.

Before Tie Tou was taken away by the constables, Li Xiangjian said to him, "I thought we were best friends. You used to save even a roasted grasshopper for me."

Why have you become like this? Has our family done something to wrong you?

Upon hearing Li Xiangjian's words, Tie Tou turned around with red eyes and said, "Your family has done nothing to wrong me."

We were good brothers when we were poor. But can we still be good brothers now that we're rich? No! I'm just a servant working for your family!

They are the kind of people who need to grovel and be subservient to your family.

I should also be grateful to your family for giving me this job.

How can we still be best friends!

Li Xiangjian looked at him with disbelief and said, "When has my family ever given you a hard time? I have never looked down on you as a friend just because my family is rich."

Tie Tou glanced at Li Xiangjian and sneered, "You've been too well protected by your family, or you're just stupid from birth and don't understand the wickedness of human nature."

Why does your family pay Wei Laosan 600 cash a month? You only pay me 300. Isn't that looking down on me?

"You're only good because you have a good mother; otherwise, you're nothing!"

After saying that, Tie Tou turned and left with the jailer without looking back, leaving Li Xiangjian standing there in a daze.

Seeing his dejected appearance, Li Xiang'an patted him on the shoulder and said, "Some people and some things can't be forced. As long as we have a clear conscience, that's enough!"

Li Xiangjian glanced at Tie Tou's departing figure, his eyes gradually hardening.

When the three returned home, Li Xiangjian told Yan Qingqing that he was going to join the army. He wanted to earn his own place in the world and make others dare not look down on his family or frame them again.

Yan Qingqing had long anticipated his decision and did not object. She simply said, "Joining the army is fine, but it will have to be six months later."

Over the next six months, your mother will teach you some ways to protect yourself.

Li Xiangjian knew that Yan Qingqing was capable, so he did not refuse.

He plans to study diligently with Yan Qingqing for the next six months.

Seeing this, Qingqing took out the complete "The Art of War" and handed it to him, saying, "Memorize this 'The Art of War'. Later, I'll help you analyze the cases in detail."

In addition, you should also change your daily routine.

You don't need to worry about the family business. What you need to do is focus on getting your physical fitness to its peak within the next six months.

This way, on the battlefield, you'll have both the ability to fight and the ability to lead troops, allowing you to quickly achieve meritorious service.

Li Xiangjian nodded and said, "Okay! I will follow Mother's arrangements."

Since Li Xiangjian had already decided to join the army, he began to work hard from that very day.

He recited "The Art of War" while walking, eating, and even going to the toilet. The rest of the time he pushed himself to the limit to improve his physical fitness.

Li Xiangjian initially thought he was strong enough. However, through training, he discovered that he could be even stronger and faster. Of course, that's a story for another time.

In addition, the fruit tree company has already delivered the first batch of fruit tree seedlings.

The workers for Yan Qingqing's family have all arrived. This time, a large number of people have been recruited, so basically every household has someone working for Yan Qingqing's family.

Because this project is quite large, in addition to digging pits to plant trees, two ditches also need to be dug.

One source of water is spring water drawn from the mountain into the orchard, and the other is water discharged from the orchard into the Cang River.

After Li Sanniu finished assigning tasks to them, everyone proceeded in an orderly manner.

Yan Qingqing's "illness" has also improved appropriately.

That day, Yan Qingqing had someone invite Wei Laosan from the farm and asked, "How are those poisoned chickens and ducks recovering?"

Wei Laosan replied with a smile, "There are no abnormalities anymore; the remaining poison should have been cleared away."

Yan Qingqing nodded and said, "Thank you for your hard work these past few days."

The matter with Tie Tou has been resolved. I'll recruit a few more people in a couple of days.

At that time, not only will chickens and ducks need to be raised, but these fruit trees will also need someone to take care of them.

Brother Wei, I trust you. Please take good care of things; I'm leaving the orchard entirely in your hands.

Upon hearing this, Wei Laosan repeatedly assured that he would do his best to take care of everything in the orchard. At the same time, he was also moved, wondering what he had done to deserve Yan Qingqing's trust. He made up his mind that he would never let Yan Qingqing down.