Li Zhensheng waved his hand, "Second Master Huo, you're overthinking it. Our Li family are good people; we would never do such a bad thing."
Huo Ming glanced at Li Laosi's saber; even while drinking and eating, the saber was placed within easy reach of Li Laosi...
And just now, that knife was held to his neck!
If the Li family are good people, then are gleaming sabers just standard equipment for good people?!
But he didn't dare ask any more questions and replied, "Okay, I'll take it on. I'll go find my brother-in-law in a bit and arrange things with the Gong family. As for the Wang family..."
Li Zhensheng picked up the conversation, "You don't need to worry about the Wang family. We've bribed some people, and our family will arrange for someone to make contact with them."
"Okay," Huo Ming readily agreed.
At this point, the matter was considered settled.
Huo Ming saw the Li family off as they left. Li Laosi casually remarked, "Recently, the dock camp has been recruiting soldiers. Countless brave men from Tianwu are willing to join the army and follow the Marquis to fight in Jiangbei and recover lost territory."
"I see that Second Master Huo is so generous and righteous, he is very suitable to make a name for himself in the army. I wonder if Second Master Huo would be interested? I happen to be in charge of this matter now, and I can just add a little something, and Second Master Huo can enter the camp immediately. If Second Master Huo would also like to bring a few brothers from his clan, that would not be difficult either..."
Huo Ming's legs went weak when he heard this, but he forced a smile and said, "Thank you for your concern, Fourth Master, but I am the only son in my family, and I have to take care of my elderly parents and children. I really can't leave. I can only donate more grain and silver when the army goes to war."
Li Laosi nodded and said, "Actually, the army is quite short of food right now. It's really great that you have this thought, Second Master. After I finish dealing with the trivial matters at home, I'll tell the Marquis. Maybe the Marquis will thank you in person!"
"No, no! How could I trouble Your Excellency with such a trivial matter?" Huo Ming quickly bowed and begged for forgiveness. "Tomorrow, tomorrow, I will have someone send a thousand dan of grain to the dock!"
"Then thank you very much, Second Master Huo!" Li Laosi casually cupped his hands in thanks, then carried one sack in each hand and went out.
Inside the sacks, one contained Manager Bao, and the other contained Liu Sanzi.
Even if neither of them were fat, they must have weighed at least 120 or 130 pounds, but Li Laosi carried it as lightly as if it were a package...
As the Li family walked away and disappeared into the night, Huo Ming's legs went weak, and he leaned against the door frame.
He had just been thinking about distancing himself from the matter.
Although the Li family caught the steward, he stubbornly refused to cooperate. Even if it meant suffering a great loss, it was still better than being caught between the Li and Wang families, since the Wang family was not easy to offend.
But Li Laosi actually wanted to put him on the conscription list and send him to Jiangbei to fight the barbarians with knives!
This is practically sending him to his death, and in a perfectly legitimate way, with everyone even applauding his death!
No, that won't do. We should cooperate honestly and focus all our efforts on dealing with the Wang family. After all, the Wang family is easier to bully than the barbarians.
Of course, the most terrifying family is the Li family. These three brothers are a smiling tiger, a cunning fox, and a strong bear who is not stupid.
From entering to leaving, the coordination was seamless!
He was all alone, and he couldn't outsmart or defeat these three brothers. What else could he do but submit?
Not to mention Huo Ming complaining in the dark about how his mother didn't give him more brothers.
It is said that the next morning, Li Laosi was left to guard the city, while Li Zhensheng and Li Laoer returned to Suijintan.
Bao Guanshi and Liu Sanzi were thrown into a small wooden house in the north of the village to contribute to Dr. Zhang's experiments.
Doctor Zhang was overjoyed, excitedly rubbing his hands together, which prompted Li Lao Er to repeatedly remind him, "Uncle Zhang, these two people will be useful in the future, so don't kill them."
Doctor Zhang, his beard bristling and eyes wide with anger, shooed the man away, saying, "You'd better leave now! I'm a miracle doctor; in my hands, only people are saved, not killed!"
Li Lao Er glanced at the pile of rabbit bones in the corner of the yard and looked quite helpless.
The old man wasn't lying, because it was a rabbit that died, not a person!
Gong Yunshu and her brother had just finished eating and had nothing to do, so Granny He took out her sewing basket and started doing needlework with Gong Yunshu.
Gong Yunshu clearly had studied embroidery, as she selected the embroidery thread and matched the colors perfectly, which surprised even Granny He.
Just then, Li Lao Er helped Li Lao Tai in.
Gong Yunshu and her brother quickly bowed, but Old Lady Li waved her hand and asked if they had taken their medicine.
Gong Yunshu replied, "Thank you for your concern, Madam. I have already eaten."
Grandma Li noticed that her complexion had indeed improved, but Gong Yu seemed rather listless; perhaps he hadn't yet recovered from the shock and grief of his grandmother's passing...
Old Mrs. Li asked bluntly, "Yesterday, our family arrested all of your uncles. Today, we plan to take you to the Prefect of the Capital to file a complaint, accusing your uncles of disregarding human life and causing the death of your grandmother. Are you willing to do so?"
Before Gong Yunshu could speak, Gong Yu excitedly raised his head and readily agreed, "We're willing! We want to avenge Grandma!"
Gong Yunshu tugged at her younger brother and asked in a low voice, "Madam, if we are asked in court why our uncle killed Grandma, what should we say?"
Li Lao Er picked up the conversation and said, "Just tell the truth. The clansmen coveted your family's fields and houses, and wanted the land deeds and land certificates, but your grandmother refused to give them to you. So they arrested your grandmother and continued to pressure you, but it still didn't work."
"So, they killed your grandmother, sold you and your siblings, and seized your family property. I happened to save you on the street. After you recovered from your injuries for a few days and were able to speak and get out of bed, you went to the government office to file a complaint."
Gong Yunshu listened attentively and guessed that the Li family had other arrangements, which was why they did not want them to mention other people or the Li family in court.
She quickly nodded and replied, "Okay, Second Master, don't worry, we've got it."
"Alright, let's go, we'll head into town now!" Li Lao Er stood up and told his mother, "Don't worry, Mother, if everything goes smoothly, we'll be back this afternoon."
"I understand." Old Mrs. Li nodded, then called to Granny He, "Little sister, why don't you come along? I don't trust anyone else."
"Alright, don't worry, Madam." After quickly tidying herself up, Granny He carried Gong Yu out and got into the carriage.
Gong Yunshu had just recovered somewhat and still lacked the strength to walk, but she gritted her teeth and remained silent.
She was covered in sweat after walking a short distance inside and outside the courtyard.
Dongmei drove one carriage, carrying Granny He and Gong Yunshu and her brother, while Yeshan drove the other carriage, carrying Li Zhensheng and Li Lao Er.
Two carriages, one after the other, left Broken Gold Beach and headed straight for the city.
Old Mrs. Li was worried and stood at the door looking around for a long time.
Jiayin ran out of the yard, took her grandmother's cold hand, and said with a grin, "Grandma, I want to eat roasted sweet potatoes!"
"You, your mouth can never stay still for a moment!" Old Mrs. Li scolded playfully.
Upon seeing her granddaughter with a bare head, without a hat or a thick coat, she hurriedly picked up Jiayin and ran into the house, exclaiming, "My little darling, are you going to drive your grandma crazy? It's so cold, what if the wind gives you a headache?"
Jiayin hugged her grandmother's neck and wiggled around proudly, "Grandma, roasted sweet potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes!"
I want to roast you like a wild melon!
Grandma Li spoke sternly, but as soon as she entered the house, she put her granddaughter on the kang (a heated brick bed), wrapped her in a quilt, and then turned around to bury sweet potatoes in the brazier.
The capital city in early winter was not much quieter despite the cold wind.
The streets were bustling with people, just as lively as ever.
The shops were open, and vendors were shouting their wares, creating a vibrant, bustling atmosphere.
In a roadside teahouse, a group of idle people were drinking tea and chatting when suddenly someone ran in and shouted, "There's going to be a big commotion!"
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