"Don't worry, the Qiao family won't raise beasts." Old Mrs. Qiao said, "If anyone dares to act like a beast, I'll break their legs first."
The villagers who left all had bruises on their foreheads, from kowtowing.
Old Man Qiao sighed, "There are still more good people than bad."
This time, the biggest impact of the levy was not on the Song family, but on the Shen family.
Besides the Qiao family, the Shen family was the wealthiest family in the village. Of the 8,000 jin of grain they harvested, more than 5,000 jin were taken away. Of the 3,000 jin of rice they were selling in their shop, more than 2,000 jin were taken away. Of the 400 taels of silver they had, more than 200 taels were also taken away.
The Shen family was unaware of the risks and failed to take precautions, causing their family fortune, built up over many years, to collapse.
In addition, the rice and grain were still on credit, and there were still debts to repay.
The family fortune was reduced to less than one hundred taels.
The Shen family originally planned to acquire another large shop, but that's basically impossible for them within the next few years.
Qiao Lian'er felt no schadenfreude, but rather a wave of sorrow.
At times like these, even the most despicable people are still ordinary folks who work hard to farm and do business. To have so much taken away from them is terrifying and sends chills down one's spine.
Then I thought of the moment when a knife was held to my neck, my life hung by a thread, and my whole family was in danger.
Besides submitting a pledge of allegiance to Chu Zhuo, did she have any other options?
I wonder how far along Zhao Lizheng's report on the achievements of building bridges and digging canals has progressed.
She hoped for a good outcome, and she didn't want the rewards of silver and cloth. What she wanted would be something that would enhance her status.
In ancient times, social status was extremely important; it could determine life or death.
The requisition of grain in Datian Village was completed, and the procession left pushing the grain and driving horse-drawn carts.
Qiao Lian'er found Chu Zhuo: "Brother Chu, lunch is almost ready. Let's go home for lunch. My uncle and brother will be back soon. Let's all get together."
“This—” Chu Zhuo hesitated a bit: “Miss Qiao, I’m currently handling official business, so I’m afraid it’s inconvenient. How about next time, when I have some free time?”
“That works too,” Qiao Lian’er said. “Then Brother Chu must come next time.”
She knew Chu Zhuo was unavailable, but he had done the Qiao family a great favor. Since it was time to eat, she had to call him. If he couldn't eat this time, they could eat next time.
A carriage hurriedly arrived at the intersection. When Chu Zhuo saw the carriage, he was slightly taken aback.
Next, a woman in a pale yellow dress came down; it was Shi Murou.
"I heard that something happened to the Qiao family. Someone held a knife to a Qiao family member's neck. Chu Zhuo, what were you doing? How could you allow this to happen? Where are they? How are they now?"
Shi Murou looked anxious.
"Everything's alright now. The men from the Qiao family have followed me and become my subordinates, so of course I have to protect them," Chu Zhuo gently comforted Shi Murou.
"Really?"
"If you don't believe me, go and see for yourself. They even killed more than thirty of Song Laosan's men."
"That's great. Song Laosan is worse than a pig or a dog. He came from Datian Village, yet he treats his own villagers so cruelly."
Qiao Lian'er turned around from the side: "Sister Shi."
Upon hearing the word "sister" and seeing the little girl standing right in front of her, Shi Murou's eyes instantly welled up with tears.
She opened her arms and hugged Qiao Lian'er tightly.
“Little girl, you have no idea how scared I was when I heard that news. I was afraid I would never see you again.”
"You are my lucky star, you must not get hurt."
Qiao Lian'er's eyes felt hot.
Shi Murou was so concerned about her.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
