"We have no problem going, but Brother Ruan Qian cannot go!"
"Why is it that other villages don't have this rule, but we're the only ones being bullied!"
"The rest of us just accept it. Brother Ruan Qian's body isn't deliberately making things difficult for people, is it?!"
Fan Zizhong was furious.
The village chief's expression was grave; he clearly knew what Ruan Qianzhen might face if he went to the mine.
Since the other party is already making things difficult, going to the mine on their territory will only make things worse!
The person who goes there will be perfectly fine, but they might not come back...
Feng Yun said seriously, "I'll go to the county government office again tomorrow to ask what's going on!"
Ruan Qian nodded and expressed his gratitude to the village chief and his son:
"Thank you so much, Uncle Feng and Brother Feng, for your trouble today! You must be exhausted after a long day!"
"You two should go back and rest first, we'll do as Brother Feng says! If you're going, please be sure to come with us by carriage. It's all for our sake, so please don't be shy, Brother Feng!"
Fan Zizhong said, "Tomorrow, I'll go with you. Brother Ruan Qian can rest at home."
Song Shiwen nodded, "I'll go too!"
The three families parted ways, but the candlelight in the Ruan family's house never went out.
Song Shiwen and Fan Zizhong exchanged a glance and walked back to the Ruan family home.
"Brother Ruan, what do you think?"
Ask around during the Song Dynasty.
Ruan Qian's expression was grim. With the village chief and his son present, there were indeed some things he couldn't say.
"Wanyou may not have that much influence. They've clearly heard about our situation and are after our money!"
The reason Ruan Qian didn't explain this to the village chief was that he was afraid the village chief and his son would feel guilty about the price the three families were about to pay.
Although Fan Zizhong came from a military background, he was, after all, the eldest son of the Minister of War, and he understood some things very quickly.
He asked worriedly, "Are we really going to send money over there? Or do business with them?"
It was as if I could smell a foul stench and see a swarm of flies; it was truly nauseating.
Fan Zizhong was even more worried that if this loophole was opened, these people would only become more and more outrageous. There were other officials on the island, and who knows if they were related to the prefect?
If the prefect follows suit, they'll be lucky if they can starve in the future!
Song Shiwen rarely showed his emotions, but he increasingly revealed his true nature in front of both families.
"I've always heard from the capital that the Southern Islands are impoverished, and the places I pass through are shrouded in miasma. So many years have passed, and there's still no improvement..."
"I used to think it was because of a lack of resources and a lack of capable leaders. Now I realize that although the South Island has a harsh environment, it is not entirely due to a lack of resources."
“Although the inland is easy to travel, not all land is suitable for cultivation. But look at the island, it has mountains and mineral deposits, and it is only close to the sea, so it is not easy to go hungry.”
“A talent like Lord Deng is no less capable than those in the capital. It’s just that as soon as there’s even the slightest sign of improvement, these corrupt officials exploit him!”
"Why has the imperial court been unable to solve the problems of people's livelihood and taxation in the southern islands for so many years, no matter how capable the commanders-in-chief are? It turns out that the main reason is not that the people are poor, but that these people are exploiting the people on the one hand, and on the other hand, they are outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, firmly holding onto their own power and position!"
But even a powerful dragon can't defeat a local snake, and the problem still needs to be solved.
Song Shiwen suggested, "If Magistrate Deng intervenes, it won't make a difference. We'll negotiate ourselves. In the worst-case scenario, we can contribute some of the money and the rest of us can go to the mine, but not Brother Ruan!"
Ruan Meng saw the care and protection the two showed for their elder brother.
Ruan Qian's expression was serious. "I'm afraid that even a few taels or tens of taels might not be easy for them to deal with!"
Song Shi asked, "No matter how much they demand, we cannot compromise. Even if we had the money, their appetite will only grow!"
Ruan Qian calmly said, "Tomorrow, let's wait a day and not panic. Let's wait for Lord Deng's news. If all else fails, inquire about the stationed officials, preferably those on the other side of the river."
"Either way, we're being exploited; at the very least, we can't let ourselves be slaughtered!"
Song Shiwen and Fan Zizhong nodded, and the Ruan family escorted them to the door. As soon as Ruan Qian turned around, he felt dizzy, and Ruan Meng quickly supported him!
After giving his eldest brother acupuncture, the second brother carried him upstairs to lie down. The eldest sister-in-law washed his face and hands clean. A hint of fierceness flashed across Ruan Meng's face!
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