Chapter 510 The bad guy is me?

At this moment, Jiang Mingyue had gotten rid of her previous panic and her eyes were firm.

Lu Qiniang felt that she might have missed Daya too much, and actually saw some of Daya's shadow in her.

"The crux of the relationship between the Li and Han people was actually laid decades ago," Jiang Mingyue said calmly. "After all, although Qiongzhou is large, most of it is not suitable for living."

Many places are occupied by lush forests, which are home to various ferocious beasts and poisonous creatures, making them completely unsuitable for human habitation.

Only then did Lu Qiniang understand.

It turns out that the huge Qiongzhou on the map is not entirely a livable place.

Then she would understand.

People die for money, and birds die for food.

With limited space and limited resources, there will naturally be competition among people.

But is it possible for everyone to work together and advance towards those jungles to open up more habitable space?

Although it’s very hard to think about it, it’s better than a life-and-death situation.

"When the Han Chinese first arrived, the Li people helped them. But they looked down on the Li people, exploiting and defrauding them of their land and property. There were even clashes and bloodshed."

Lu Qiniang looked at Xiao Yan, and the doubt in her eyes could hardly be hidden.

——Are we bad guys?

Xiao Yan nodded calmly.

He had heard of these things before, but he didn't know it had reached this extent.

Lu Qiniang suddenly felt guilty.

How did he become a bad guy?

It is too unfair to seize other people's territory and occupy their land.

No wonder people are angry.

It’s that feeling of “I’m the bad guy” that makes me feel guilty.

"Later, someone among the Han people established the Qiongya Trading Company, which monopolized almost all trade and transactions. Previously, the Li and Han people bartered goods, but after the emergence of this trading company, it gathered middlemen—those who served as translators between the Han and Li people—to buy up mountain products, dump goods, lend money at high interest rates, gather intelligence, and sow discord..."

"How can you be so incompetent!" Lu Qiniang said angrily, "I was saying it, how could all Han people be bad? Turns out there are just a handful of bad people. That's called a black sheep!"

"Yes, but the black sheep gradually became more and more powerful over time." Jiang Mingyue lowered her eyes, "and the exploitation of the Li people became more and more severe."

They controlled all major ports leading into Qiongzhou and the main land routes leading to the Li ethnic group settlements, and controlled core supplies such as salt, iron, cloth and medicine.

Only "middlemen" designated by the trading company are qualified to sell these necessities, and the prices are high and the quality is poor.

The people's mountain products must be purchased at extremely low prices set by the merchants, while the salt, iron and cloth sold to the people must be sold at sky-high prices set by the merchants. It is stipulated that a high "commission" must be paid to the merchants for each transaction.

"So, the resentment within the Li ethnic group towards the Han people grew deeper and deeper, finally reaching the point where they could no longer coexist." Jiang Mingyue's face was also painful as she spoke. "My father was not a cruel and vicious person. In fact, because of my mother, he was quite friendly and accepting of the Han people."

However, the Han people are now going too far, so the Li people simply stop interacting with the Han people.

Even if life is hard, you have to grit your teeth and bear it. The result of not wanting to be exploited is that you will hurt the enemy by a thousand and lose eight hundred of your own.

"The Li people are living in dire straits, and their hatred towards the Han people is growing more and more severe," Jiang Mingyue continued, "to the point where it is now."

"Actually," she lowered her head, "the ones who knocked me out yesterday were my two uncles. They were both raised by my father."

Lu Qiniang could sense her sadness, so she held her hand and comforted her, "Mingyue, don't think about it anymore. Don't think about those things anymore. Don't go back and live a good life with Wenxuan."

"I don't hate them, I hate myself." Jiang Mingyue burst into tears. "I know I shouldn't be so willful and bring trouble to my father. But I can't control myself... Wenxuan hasn't replied to my letter for a long time. I thought he had given up. I even thought it would be better for me to die."

The pursuit of her own love and the guilt towards her father were like two ropes tied around her heart, pulling in opposite directions and almost tearing her apart.

"So, Madam, I don't complain about anything. That's the punishment I deserve. I'm just upset. I want to do something to help my people, but I can't."

As she spoke, tears were already streaming down her face.

Her birth destined her to be divided.

Her maternal grandfather was once a high-ranking official, but died on the road to exile. Her mother was left alone and helpless, and had no choice but to give herself to her father.

But the two of them have a good relationship.

But my mother was always depressed and passed away two years ago.

Jiang Mingyue was educated by her mother since childhood and yearned for the life of the Han people, otherwise she would not have approached Wenxuan.

The mixed blood and the current situation of confrontation between the Li and Han peoples made this well-educated girl feel extremely painful.

Lu Qiniang took out a handkerchief and wiped her tears. "Good Mingyue, don't cry. We have a saying in the Central Plains: you can't get fat in one bite. Think about it, the resentment accumulated over the years is not something that anyone can resolve in one go. Take your time, take your time—"

"Besides, you should first figure out your own affairs and live your life well, and then see if you can do something for everyone else, right?"

Jiang Mingyue nodded vigorously.

"Then let me ask you, if the trading houses exploit people, then don't the Li and Han people trade privately? Why do all the Han people listen to the trading houses?"

"Yes, in private, but very rarely." Jiang Mingyue sniffed and quickly calmed down.

Lu Qin's mother thought to herself, he is indeed a strong and good child.

She really missed Daya, Siya, and Xiaoman.

"In addition to exploiting the Li people, the merchants also suppressed the Han people, making them dare not speak out."

Lu Qiniang understood.

"Isn't this a local tyrant?"

"Um."

"That's fine." Lu Qiniang looked at Xiao Yan, "I think you can do it."

Wasn’t Cheng Jiuwan dealt with by Xiao Yan?

Xiao Yan really liked her "blind worship" of him.

Can a man still say no?

He nodded and said, "We can inquire about this matter and then make a long-term plan."

When you first arrive, you always need to familiarize yourself with the environment and understand the situation.

For example, what is County Magistrate Zhou’s attitude towards the business?

Once you come into conflict with a business, what are the risks and how should you deal with them?

They certainly can’t do it alone, they need to rally their own forces.

"Look, I told you, Mingyue, don't cry. I still say the same thing, take good care of Wenxuan first. If you need anything, I'll send it to you later. Get well first. We have to build a house these days. We are new here, and you know how confusing it is."

"Thank you, Madam." Jiang Mingyue bowed. "If you need me in any way, please let me know."