Chapter 430 The real culprit has been found.
The villager's exclamation attracted the attention of other villagers nearby.
They crowded around to look, and then they all agreed: "That's right, that's right, the jade pendant in the hands of the person who collected the rice that day didn't have those two characters."
The Lu and Ding families stood aside, their faces grim, and said, "What do you mean there are no words like 'there are no words'? I think you've misread it. They are clearly there."
The villagers quickly looked up at the Lu family and said sternly, "Brother Lu, my eyes are perfectly fine, how could I have misjudged? Why don't you just say that you're old and blind and couldn't see clearly?"
Old Master Lu frowned and said fiercely, "You say I'm old and blind! Did you take some bribes from the Zhou family to spout nonsense here!"
The villager was so angry that his face turned red. His surname was Qiu, and everyone in the village called him Xiao Qiu. He was in his twenties or thirties and was a well-known bachelor in the village. He had no parents and made a living by farming. This time, the rice was harvested and he had no money, which was like taking half his life.
There are many villagers like this in the village.
They wouldn't cover for the Zhou family or say anything against their conscience if they were desperate to survive.
Du Wanchun interrupted their argument, "Did you all take all the rice you harvested this autumn?"
In the past, the Zhou family would only take 70% or 60%.
This time, 90% of their money was taken away, and without silver, it will be even more difficult for them.
The villagers nodded in agreement, saying, "That's right, they've all been taken away. The remaining ten percent is only enough for our food supply this winter."
With winter fast approaching, everyone still needs money to repair their houses, buy firewood, and purchase cotton fabric to make coats for their families.
After a moment of contemplation, Du Wanchun said, "Don't worry, everyone. I will definitely find the person who impersonated our Zhou family to collect rice and return everyone's rice to you."
Lu Laoda suddenly shouted, "What? You're not giving us any money? You took our rice but not our money. Is your Zhou family bullying us ordinary folks just because you're rich and powerful? Du Wanchun, have you forgotten that your Zhou family used to be farmers? Now that you have a few coins, you look down on us!"
Du Wanchun smiled and said slowly, "Our Zhou family is still farming, just like everyone else. Today, I'm begging you all for three days. If we can't find your rice after three days, we'll distribute the silver to you according to the rice price of previous years."
With her promise, the villagers were relieved.
Boss Lu remained relentless, "We still have to wait three more days? Why don't you give us the money now! Are you planning to run away during these three days?!"
Two or three villagers nearby couldn't stand it anymore and strode over, pointing at Old Man Lu and cursing, "You, Old Man Lu, have been picking on Manager Du all day. Manager Du's husband is a county magistrate. Where can his family run off to!"
"But you are the one who's being so aggressive here. Are you trying to drive Manager Du away so we won't get our money?"
“That’s right. You’ve only planted such a small plot of land, and you didn’t even harvest much rice this autumn. What are you making a fuss about? Unlike Xiao Qiu, who has planted more than ten acres of land and is willing to trust Manager Du.”
Xiao Qiu nodded. He was one of the few hardworking people in the village, and he grew more rice than the average person.
After being scolded, Lu Laoda still wanted to speak, but was pulled back by Ding Jia Da Ge. No one knows what Ding Jia Da Ge whispered in his ear, but he actually obediently sat down.
After Du Wanchun and the villagers reached an agreement, Du Wanchun left. Before leaving, he sent a few clever men to keep an eye on the village.
Especially the Lu family and the Ding family.
We must keep a close eye on both of them.
After returning to the Zhou family, Du Wanchun told Zhou Ruiyuan about the matter.
Zhou Ruiyuan stood up and said, "Do you need my help with this?"
Du Wanchun shook her head and smiled, "No need, it's just a small matter. It can also be used to warn other malicious people."
Zhou Ruiyuan pulled her into his arms and gently placed his hand on her lower abdomen. "But I'm afraid you'll get tired."
Du Wanchun buried her face in his chest. "I'm not tired, but if you really want to help me, there's something I'd like to ask you for help with."
"What's up?"
Zhou Ruiyuan gently stroked her hair and asked.
Du Wanchun looked up at him and said, "Help me go to all the blacksmith shops in Cheng'an County and ask around to see if anyone has made the same token as our Zhou family."
Zhou Ruiyuan nodded slightly and said, "Okay, I'll send someone to investigate tomorrow."
Du Wanchun smiled and instructed, "However, don't let anyone know that we are the ones investigating, so as not to alert them."
Zhou Ruiyuan gently kissed her forehead and replied softly, "Okay."
The couple embraced, and Zhou Ruiyuan didn't rush back to the county office. Instead, he took a book from his desk and read it to Du Wanchun.
His voice was gentle, deep, and magnetic.
Du Wanchun fell asleep in his arms shortly after listening.
After Du Wanchun fell asleep, Zhou Ruiyuan gently laid her down and, before dawn, went to attend to the tasks she had just been assigned.
When Du Wanchun woke up the next day, Zhou Ruiyuan had returned.
"We've found out."
Du Wanchun was slightly surprised. "Husband, did you not sleep at all last night? Were you investigating this matter?"
Zhou Ruiyuan said slowly, "I couldn't sleep because I was thinking about your matter, so I went to investigate it myself last night."
As he spoke, he picked up his cup, took a sip of tea, and sat down, saying, "After disguising myself, I went to more than ten blacksmith shops and inquired at each one. I found out at two shops in the south of the city that a farmer wearing a straw hat had taken the pattern of our Zhou family's token to their shop several months ago and made the same token."
"Perhaps because he was afraid of arousing suspicion, he took several pictures at the time. If the blacksmith hadn't been so clever, he might have forgotten them by now."
Du Wanchun pondered for a moment after hearing this. "You mean a farmer?"
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