"No need, no need! Ling Ran has been working ever since he arrived. I haven't raised him for nothing; his work has made up for it!"

There's no debt of gratitude, and you don't need to repay it! Let's just leave it at that, okay?

"By the way, if we're talking about repayment, your personal visit today, and your arrest of Magistrate Wu, which saved us from danger and predicament, is the best repayment."

Ling Ce shook his head: "That was because of Ran'er, so it doesn't count."

Shui Qing shook her head vigorously, with an unprecedented sincerity and determination: "It counts! Of course it counts! It's repayment!"

Ling Ce looked at Shui Qing, who was determined not to repay him, took a deep breath, and turned away without a word.

He understood what she meant.

I never imagined that he would be looked down upon in his lifetime...

·

At the village entrance, Magistrate Wu and his entourage were tightly bound and strung up one by one with hemp ropes, waiting for Ling Ce to come and return.

The carriages, horses, donkeys, and miscellaneous items brought by Magistrate Wu were neatly arranged on both sides of the dirt road.

Farmers who cultivate the land naturally love their livestock and, fearing they might go hungry, will take out plenty of their stored fodder and feed them well.

This time was different from the last. No one in the village was injured, and there was no loss of livestock or money. In addition, the men who had returned from their trips were filled with a joyful atmosphere throughout the village.

Everyone came out. Some scolded Magistrate Wu and his entourage for their wickedness, some were busy gathering firewood and potatoes on the open ground, and most of the children surrounded the travelers, asking about their experiences along the way. The travelers also inquired about why no one had been injured or killed this time.

Hearing that Shui Qing was in charge, not only were there no casualties, but everyone also ate, drank, and slept well. Even the livestock such as pigs, sheep, and rabbits on the back mountain were all taken care of and were perfectly fine!

The admiration in the men's eyes was almost overflowing.

Then Governor Ling and Shui Qing's entourage came over.

Governor Ling scanned the scene with his sharp eyes and instructed his subordinates: "The villagers of Shanshui Village have been terrified these past few days. The last night raid caused them heavy casualties. Take the people away for trial, but leave their property as compensation to Shanshui Village."

After saying that, he turned to the woman behind him and said politely, "Hu Shuiqing, please distribute them. You have full authority to decide how to distribute them. Those who have objections need not distribute them."

Shui Qing: .....This is the right way to repay kindness?

Villagers of Shanshui Village: ...Compensation?

They were already extremely grateful that Ling Ran's father had come in person, and they were even more incredulous when they learned that he was actually a very high-ranking official.

I thought it was already quite generous of Governor Ling to arrest Magistrate Wu and his party; I never imagined there would be compensation!

Moreover, Magistrate Wu brought a lot of people with him. Although the temporarily assembled refugees and bandits all walked, there were also dozens of yamen runners, servants, and his own carriage. Good heavens, they couldn't even count all the livestock!

As soon as Ling Ce finished speaking, a strong man stepped forward and presented Shui Qing with a heavy cloth bag, reporting, "This is the silver that was found on Magistrate Wu and his party."

Shui Qing really didn't expect to gain anything!

The last night raid resulted in heavy casualties, so this time we can make up for it all at once.

The mouths of the villagers present were agape, wide enough to fit an egg, and they forgot to react.

The compensation of so many livestock was already good enough, but there was even a bag of silver!