Everyone carried hoes and shovels and rushed into the county government office. The entire county government office compound was instantly filled with a huge crowd!
Originally, the county magistrate only intended to lie to appease the situation, but unexpectedly, Zhao Heng came out wearing only a bed sheet, without even opening his eyes, and said such a thing.
"The magistrate is lying! We common people cannot have such a muddle-headed official! Everyone, rush in! Today we must rescue this woman's son!"
A man leading the group, carrying a hoe, entered and began shouting, "Mountains! Mountains!"
"Magistrate, can't you even cover your own backside when you speak? Now that your son is out, what else do you have to say?" Liang Shuyan stared fiercely at the magistrate!
"You unfilial son, how exactly have you treated Jin Dashan? Tell me!"
Zhao Heng glanced at her, pointed at Liang Shuyan and said, "Oh, I remember now, you're the woman who sold cold noodles at the entrance of Shengming Academy, Jin Dashan's mother. What, you're selling cold noodles at our county magistrate's mansion now? But your cold noodles are really delicious!"
Liang Shuyan stepped forward and grabbed Zhao Heng's finger that was pointing at her. With a snap, Zhao Heng fell to the ground, clutching his finger and screaming in pain: "You shrew, how dare you treat me like this? Do you know who I am?"
The clerk whispered, "Sir, this woman is the same one who sold cold noodles in front of Shengming Academy a few days ago. Look, now the common people have stormed into the county government office. If this gets out of hand, you might lose your official position."
The magistrate hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "That's right. If this matter escalates and the governor investigates, will I be able to keep my official hat? Not to mention my official hat, I'm afraid my son's life will be in danger."
Soon after, everyone ran out, and two men helped Jin Dashan out. Jin Dashan seemed to have fainted.
"Big mountains, big mountains!"
A man leading the crowd shouted, "Magistrate, does this mean that if someone goes missing, they can be found in your dungeon? It seems this dungeon really is a treasure chest!"
"Now, what else is there to say?"
Liang Shuyan hugged Jin Dashan, but Zhao Heng said, "Hmph, he asked for it by trying to steal my reputation, he deserves it!"
The magistrate knew that if he couldn't comfort the woman in the current situation, things would escalate and it would do him no good.
A resounding slap landed on Zhao Heng's face!
Zhao Heng could hardly believe his eyes. Looking at the county magistrate before him, he said aggrievedly, "Father, I am your precious son, our only heir! How can you side with this woman?"
"You unfilial son, why don't you hurry up and find a doctor to treat Jin Dashan!"
Upon seeing this, Zhao Heng covered his face and ran into the backyard.
The magistrate turned around and said, "Look, I never expected that this rebellious son would actually do such a thing. It's all because I, as his father, failed to discipline him properly. I beg this woman to consider the people's sake and not hold it against me. I will give you compensation for this matter!"
The advisor then added, "That's right, our master will have Rein heal Jin Dashan so that Jin Dashan can continue studying at Shengming Academy, what do you think?"
Liang Shuyan is a grateful person. Just now, everyone sided with her. If they hadn't rushed into the county government office to rescue Dashan, it would probably have been too late by the time she found him.
"Just now, everyone helped this woman, and I have no way to thank them. How about this, since the magistrate is going to compensate me, why not open the granaries and distribute grain so that the people can have enough to eat? The people will naturally support you as the magistrate. What do you think, magistrate?"
The magistrate pondered for a moment: "If we don't open the granaries and distribute the grain, this woman will definitely pursue the matter of Zhao Heng. If she exposes all the bad things Zhao Heng has done, then my job as magistrate will be over. If we open the granaries and distribute the grain, perhaps we can escape this calamity!"
After weighing the two options, the magistrate slowly said, "Alright, since you've put it that way, then I agree to your request. I will open the granary and distribute grain tomorrow! In addition, I will compensate you with 100 taels of silver for one day's lost work. What do you think of this?"
The crowd cheered with joy. This was a year of famine, and no one had enough food to eat. How could they not cheer with joy upon hearing this news?
Liang Shuyan thought for a moment and said, "No, I beg you, Magistrate, to make this decision and distribute the grain immediately! As for compensation for me, I don't want to ask for much. I only hope that you, Magistrate, can be a good official for the people! I can let Zhao Heng go, but you, Magistrate, must discipline him properly. Otherwise, it's not impossible that your whole family might be executed in the end!"
The magistrate nodded: "Very well, I will do as you say! Now open the granaries and distribute the grain. My clerk, go and make the preparations!"
The people knelt on the ground with joy, and the leading man kept kowtowing to Liang Shuyan in gratitude: "Thank you! If it weren't for your help, we wouldn't know how we would survive the rest of the year!"
"Yes, may I ask where this lady is from?"
"I'm from Qingfeng Town, but I often come to Furong Town with my son to sell cold noodles. If you have time, you can come to the entrance of Shengming School and try my cold noodles. I'll treat everyone to cold noodles for free!"
"Good, good! He really is a good person."
At this moment, the clerk came out and brought over the family physician.
"Someone, carry Jin Dashan inside and let the imperial physician treat him properly!"
Liang Shuyan glanced at the county magistrate: "Alright, let's treat him here. I have other matters to attend to and need to get back quickly."
"Alright then, let's treat him here and see what's wrong?"
The physician examined Dashan and fed him a bowl of medicine. Dashan then opened his eyes.
At first glance, Jin Dashan saw his mother. He grabbed Liang Shuyan's hand and said, sobbing, "Mother, it's all my fault for being foolish and making you worry. Mother, I kowtow to you!"
The magistrate was astonished: "How could this woman raise such an obedient and sensible son? She is indeed no ordinary woman!"
Liang Shuyan pulled Jin Dashan along, saying, "Alright, what nonsense are you talking about? As long as you're alright, I'm at ease!"
If he hadn't witnessed this scene of maternal love and filial piety, perhaps the magistrate wouldn't have said anything. But now, seeing this scene, even he, the magistrate, couldn't help but feel sad and shed tears.
"This county apologizes to you again. I hope you can agree to one condition: can you take in my son?"
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