Grandma Qiao's face also turned solemn: "The Song family came to cause trouble today, but we chased them away. They said they were going to find Village Chief Zhao, and they'll probably bring him tomorrow. Let's wait at home for now."
Qiao Lao Er frowned: "This is never going to end. Whether you bring Zhao Lizheng or not, we'll send them back. We'll beat them every time they come."
"We still need to give Zhao Lizheng some face." Old Qiao tapped the leg of the stool with his pipe. "Show us our reasoning. Don't just threaten to fight all the time. That's something we only do when we have no other choice. Haven't you heard the villagers say that the Song family are hooligans and that the Qiao family are like robbers?"
The granddaughters chuckled at this.
Grandma Qiao said, "What's wrong with being a robber? Nobody dares to mess with us. It's just that we don't steal other people's things, so we're not even good enough robbers."
“To be honest, I have considered that,” Old Man Joe said.
Everyone looked at him.
Old Man Qiao took another deep drag on his pipe, exhaling a long plume of smoke as he gazed at the vast, starry sky.
“I thought that if we really couldn’t make a living, I would lead my whole family to the mountains to become bandits. We would not rob ordinary people, nor would we rob the rich and officials who did not harm the people. We would rob those who were rich but heartless and those who were unjust in their official duties.”
Everyone fell silent; it turned out that Old Man Qiao had such thoughts.
The crops in the fields were growing well and were almost ready for harvest. Every year, a flood would wash them away, reducing the harvest by 32%. After paying the grain tax, the remaining amount was only enough to eat for half a year, and each person would only have half a bowl of rice, or even just thin porridge.
Hunting depended on luck, and they were struggling to afford oil and salt. Sometimes they couldn't smell any meat or oil for days on end, and their vegetables were completely salt-free. Life was incredibly stressful, and eating wild vegetables from the mountains was like cows gnawing on grass. They all felt like they were turning into savages.
Yes, if it really comes to that, they'll just become outlaws and rob those corrupt officials and rich people.
Boss Qiao said, "I thought we had no way out, but it turns out there is still a way out."
"That's right, Dad! Why didn't you say so sooner? If you had, we wouldn't have had to suffer for so long." Qiao Lao Er was filled with lofty ambitions, as if he couldn't wait to go up the mountain right now.
"Alright, everyone, get serious." Old Man Qiao said sternly, "Let's try courtesy first, then force. If the Song family comes tomorrow and reasoning doesn't work, then we'll have to use force."
Old Man Qiao thought the Song family had come to steal the divorce papers.
The Song brothers were detained by the Han family. Since the Song family couldn't get back the divorce papers, they demanded money from them to ransom the brothers.
However, Da Yong and Da Cheng already knew the reason from Qiao Lian'er: the Song family was mostly concerned about Qiao Lian'er changing her surname.
But what can the Song family do now that things have been changed?
Early the next morning, Steward Zhou was at the door, making arrangements for the people going to the county town to make purchases.
After the carriages left, he saw several baskets on the ground, each containing a large jar.
There are five jars in total, only one of which is slightly smaller.
Then, he saw the three Qiao siblings, who had been waiting for who knows how long.
They stood to one side, waiting patiently and obediently.
Butler Zhou felt a little more favorably disposed towards him.
"Wow, so much this time?"
"Yes, Butler Zhou. Is Madam Han here? With so many goods, we should have her inspect them herself."
“Yes, please bring the things in.” Butler Zhou surprisingly spoke up.
The three of them repacked the jars and carried their baskets into the Han family's house.
They were outside and unaware of the situation inside the Han family compound. It was a large courtyard with three entrances and three exits. Led by Steward Zhou, they first entered the front courtyard through the west corner gate and then went through the hanging flower gate.
Then, the artificial hills, winding corridors, pavilions and towers appear one by one, forming a beautiful and magnificent picture.
The houses are all made of blue bricks and glazed tiles, which gleam in the sunlight and are very beautiful.
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