Chapter 127: Village Head Rewards According to Merit
Magistrate Shen arrived in a grand procession and departed in a grand procession.
As soon as the official left, the entire Dahe Village was in an uproar.
“Magistrate Shen is truly our second father. This year, as long as we hand over one-fifteenth of our grain, the rest will be ours.”
"They even granted our Dahe Village a thousand mu of wasteland, so now we don't have to worry about not having land at home."
"That's as if you have money to buy wasteland..."
"Ahem, everyone, please be quiet for a moment."
Zhao Lizheng stood on a rock and spoke loudly.
Originally, there were only a few villagers in front of Cheng Wanwan's house, but after Magistrate Shen left, many women, children and other children gathered around, and the area in front of her house was so crowded that there wasn't enough room for them.
"Today I'll also follow the magistrate's example and reward those who have contributed." The village head looked at the crowd in front of him. "Last night, by a stroke of luck, four long knives appeared in our village. Boss, bring these long knives over here."
Everyone in the village knew that these four knives were seized from bandits, but they couldn't make it public, lest it attract retaliation from other bandits.
The long knife was over a foot long, slightly shorter than a hoe. The blade was very sharp, enough to reflect a person's image. This thing looked very expensive.
"Last night, Father Loach was the first to spot the thieves while on patrol. He came to report in time, saving our Dahe Village from being targeted by bandits. This first knife is a reward to Father Loach. Wang Yongcheng, what are you still standing there for? What? Don't you want this knife?"
The village head deliberately asked with a stern face.
Wang Yongcheng was pushed forward by Aunt Wang, and he quickly took the long knife from her. He gently touched the blade with his fingers and said excitedly, "Thank you, Uncle Village Head!"
With this long knife, he would have a weapon to protect his family, and no one would dare to steal his family's grain again.
"When facing the bandits and wolves, Zhao Sanniu was fearless and knocked out the bandit leader. This second knife will be awarded to Zhao Sanniu."
Zhao Sanniu stared wide-eyed in disbelief, and dazedly took the long knife.
This knife is heavy; it feels substantial in your hand and gives you a sense of security.
Zhao Sidan touched it and said shamelessly, "Third Brother, now that you have a big knife, could you give me that small knife?"
The knife was the small dagger that Cheng Wanwan bought in the mall, which Zhao Sanniu had always treasured. This time, he generously took out the knife and threw it into Zhao Sidan's arms.
"There are a third and a fourth knife, for those who make contributions next time." The village head said solemnly, "But I must tell you something: the knife in your hand can only be used against enemies and thieves. You must not use the knife to harm anyone in the village, unless the other party tries to take your food or harm your family..."
Wang Yongcheng nodded seriously: "Uncle Village Head, don't worry, my knife will only ever be pointed at the enemy."
Zhao Sanniu also promised, "We are all one family in Dahe Village, and I will never hurt my own family."
The whole village looked at the two of them with envy. The knife was long and sharp. How glorious it would be if they had one of their own. However, the village head still had two knives left. If they performed well, one of them might be the one to be rewarded next time.
The village head continued, "Our entire village has contributed to the locust eradication effort. Therefore, I have decided that anyone in Dahe Village may purchase the thousand acres of wasteland bestowed by Magistrate Shen for five coins per acre."
The village's wasteland has always been priced at eight cents per mu, and the price has remained unchanged for many years.
Five coins per mu was still very expensive for the villagers, and five hundred copper coins were not easy to save up. But at least it was much cheaper than eight coins, and some people with little land had hope and a goal to strive for.
Cheng Wanwan immediately spoke up, "Uncle Lizheng, I was wondering when I could buy the land. Now I have the money. Uncle Lizheng, please measure the wasteland at the foot of Dadong Mountain and tell me how many acres it is. I will buy it today."
The village head nodded.
Whoever has money in their hands, their first thought is to buy land. This is the villagers' habitual way of thinking, and it is perfectly reasonable.
The other villagers also felt that they had to buy land. With money, they wouldn't think about anything else; they had to acquire land first. Only with land would they have confidence.
But, Mrs. Cheng suddenly got furious.
The person in charge of Dahe Village was speaking just now, so she, being from Chengjia Village, naturally remained invisible.
But at this moment, Cheng Wanwan, this little whore, actually dared to use the one hundred taels of silver awarded by the county magistrate. This was the travel money for Zhao'er to go to Huzhou for the imperial examination. How could it be used to buy any land?
Before anyone could react, Old Mrs. Cheng snatched the red lacquered tray from Zhao Dashan's hands.
“You are Zhao’er’s second aunt, and a member of our Cheng family. Zhao’er’s journey to the provincial capital for the imperial examination is a major event, and you must also contribute. Here is one hundred taels of silver for Zhao’er’s travel expenses!”
Old Mrs. Cheng reached out and put the ten-liang silver ingots into her bosom.
Cheng Wanwan never thought that this old woman would dare to snatch the silver in public. Did she really think she was still the soft persimmon she used to be?
Cheng Wanwan hasn't had an attack yet.
Old Mrs. Zhao, who was standing on the outskirts of the crowd, rushed in with a cry.
"Old hag Cheng, you're shameless!" Old Mrs. Zhao cursed angrily. "You dare to steal our money on Zhao's territory, and you even dare to steal a hundred taels! You have quite the appetite, eating twelve buns in one bite! Give the money back!"
Old Madam Cheng was full of fighting spirit: "Cheng Wanwan is a member of our Cheng family. The silver that the county magistrate rewarded her is our Cheng family's silver. What does it have to do with your Zhao family..."
Two old ladies were fighting in public.
Cheng Wanwan naturally sided with her mother-in-law. She said coldly, "Old Madam Cheng, I am now Zhao Chengshi, and my surname is Zhao. Of course you can take my silver, but I will report it to the authorities right away. Tell me, how furious will the magistrate be if he finds out that the silver he bestowed as a reward has been stolen?"
Old Mrs. Cheng angrily cursed, "You traitorous whore, if you dare to report me to the authorities, I..."
“Grandma!!”
Cheng Zhao raised his voice and shouted.
He had just called out several times, but his grandmother was busy putting the silver into her arms and could not hear him at all.
He pushed his way through the crowd and walked in, grabbing Old Lady Cheng's hand: "Grandma, stop making trouble. This money belongs to Second Aunt, not to our Cheng family. Take out all the money."
Half of the silver went into Old Lady Cheng's pocket. It was not easy for her to give it back. She said, "Zhao'er, the county magistrate has personally guaranteed you. When you go to Huzhou, the journey is so long, and everything will cost money. This one hundred taels of silver is actually a gift from the county magistrate for your travel expenses..."
"Grandma!" Cheng Zhao said angrily, "If Grandma insists on taking Second Aunt's money, then I would rather not go to take the exam."
His face suddenly darkened, as if covered with a layer of frost.
Grandma Cheng suddenly fell silent, not daring to say anything more.
The head of the Cheng family said, "Since Zhao'er has said so, then there is naturally a way to raise the travel expenses and return the money to the Zhao family."
Old Mrs. Cheng could only reluctantly take out the silver ingot and put it down.
She said fiercely, "Our Cheng family doesn't want your Zhao family's money. When Zhao'er passes the imperial examination and becomes an official, your Zhao family won't be able to take advantage of our Cheng family! Zhao'er, pack up your things, let's go home!"
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