After the Zhao family was searched

After emptying the Zhao family's gold, silver, cloth and grain

They sealed the gate and finally escorted the dejected Zhao family members to the camp.

When pedestrians saw such a big scene, they stopped to watch and whispered to the crowd from time to time.

"What happened?" asked the people who were still unaware of the situation.

Some well-informed people immediately told the other party what they knew.

After hearing this, the people of Rongcheng applauded.

This bullying grain merchant was dealt with. Not only did he become a military household, but even the many fertile fields in his family would now be turned into military fields. This truly proves the saying that evil will be punished.

A commoner who knew the inside story said, "It's not unfair to punish the Zhao family. How much land does he have? It was all plundered from poor families!"

"What do you mean?" asked a passerby who didn't know the truth.

"You know how many people sold their grain at a low price last year to raise money to pay taxes, right?"

The people who were listening to the excitement nodded one after another.

Seeing everyone agreeing, the man continued, "The Zhao family is also ruthless. They sent their servants around to those without food, saying they could lend them grain as long as they used their land deeds as collateral. To make ends meet, those people were willing to borrow, but the Zhao family tampered with the paperwork, and in the end, countless families lost their land and were forced to become tenants!"

The people were filled with indignation as they heard this.

No one knew who started it first, but someone picked up the mud on the ground and threw it at the Zhao father and son.

As luck would have it, the mud landed squarely on Mr. Zhao's face. His already pale complexion caused him to stumble a few steps. His expression was dazed, and he kept muttering, "It's over, it's all over!"

When the people saw that the soldiers did not stop, they were like chickens with their blood pumped up. After the first person took action, countless small stones, mud, and rotten vegetable leaves were thrown towards the Zhao family.

The escorting soldiers did not stop the people's behavior, but subconsciously kept a distance from them.

Among the Zhao family members who were escorted, the ones who suffered the most were naturally the Zhao father and son. They endured the anger of the people, their hair was disheveled and they looked very embarrassed.

After arriving at the army, Deputy General Wang had the Zhao family arranged to live in a place where land was stored, while he himself took the confiscated account books and land deeds to report to the general.

Deputy General Wang handed over all the properties, land deeds, and account books he had seized to General Qin. "General, all the records of the Zhao family's assets are here. I also found a stack of IOUs and land mortgages."

"I've discovered something fishy about this contract. It's probably a trick used by the Zhao family to grab land."

General Qin took the loan note and contract, flipped through them, and sternly instructed his officers, "Go check these deeds. If there are any that haven't expired, tell them they don't have to pay it back. If the land has been seized by the Zhao family, return the deeds to them."

Deputy General Wang took the order and went to do it immediately.

Qin Bin looked at the thick stack of promissory notes and land deeds on the desk and couldn't help but sigh.

He knew that what lay before him was only the tip of the iceberg.

In those places he couldn't see, he didn't know how many people were being exploited by the landlords and powerful people.

Your Majesty, the people of this world have suffered for a long time! Qin Bin sighed helplessly.

The people of Rongcheng were very happy that day. The fact that the Zhao family's property was confiscated and the whole family became military households became a hot topic of conversation among the people.

Diners in restaurants, teahouses, and hotels share gossip they have heard with each other to show that they are well-informed.

"The Zhao family deserves to be punished. I have some latest news that you may not know."

The diner picked up a cup of tea, took a sip, and spoke in a pretentiously profound manner.

Everyone at the table with him was captivated by his words. One diner said, "Come on, come on, don't keep us in suspense. I know your nephew works in the county government, so he's the most well-informed person!"

"Yes, tell me, tell me!" the other companions echoed in unison.

Urged on by his companions, the man also felt the atmosphere was right. He cleared his throat and said mysteriously, "I just heard from my nephew that a county lady has been appointed in Rongcheng!"

"What, County Master?"

"When did this happen?"

"Oh, you, why are you breathing so hard? Come on, tell me!"

The man obviously enjoyed the attention.

After whetting his companions' appetite, he slowly told them what his nephew had said to him.

In this way, the news that a county lady had appeared in Lijia Village quickly spread.

On the other hand, the children who returned home from the village school were particularly happy because they had a big feast today.

The idle women also came to the Li family to help with cooking, while the men helped set up tables, chairs and benches in the yard.

Because there were so many people in the village, the banquet filled two entire yards.

The aroma of fried meatballs and fried fish balls lingered in the air for a long time.

As long as you pass by the Li family's door, the fragrance will directly penetrate your nose, making you look forward to the Li family's feast.

The children were reluctant to leave and ran around happily in front of the Li family's door, playing and frolicking.

If they smell something delicious, they will rush to the kitchen and tilt their heads to see what delicious food has been prepared.

Then he ran to tell his friends as if he was presenting a treasure.

The lunch meal consisted of four meat dishes and four vegetable dishes. Although the number of dishes was not large, they were large in quantity and delicious in taste.

The children were as happy as if it were New Year's Day. They ate with their stomachs wide open, their mouths full of oil and their eyes squinting with happiness.

How nice it would be if we could live like this every day!

During the meal, Mr. Li stood up and toasted the villagers to express his gratitude for their help.

"Uncle, you're being so polite! It's just a matter of helping out. We still have a lot to rely on you in the future!"

A villager nearby patted him on the back and scolded him, laughing: "Do you know how to speak? If you can't speak, don't speak. Why are you still calling her 'girl'? You should call her 'County Lady'! Do you understand, 'County Lady'?"

The villager scratched his head in a naive manner, stood up, bowed to Li Yan and apologized, "Girl, oh no, it's the County Lady, please forgive me for not being able to speak!"

The villagers were amused by his silly look.

Li Yan also stood up, "Uncle, there's no need to be like this. You can call me whatever you want!"

At this time, the head of the Li clan stood up and said solemnly to the villagers, "Etiquette cannot be abolished. The rules that should be followed must be followed. Now that the Li family girl is the county lady, no one should call her by her name casually. Otherwise, you will be reported by someone with ulterior motives for being disrespectful, which will be bad for both of you!"

Li Yan's status has already reached the powerful and wealthy class. Not only does she enjoy the official residence, land, and rice, but she also has the right to participate in government affairs.

And they are just ordinary people!

In their hearts, the gap in identity is like a chasm that can never be crossed.

Seeing everyone's serious expressions, Mr. Li stood up and said, "Okay, okay, let's eat, everyone!"