Seeing Zhao Qingyan come out of the meditation room lively and energetic, Madam Huang didn't ask any questions, and the family went down the mountain.
They say enemies meet on a narrow road, and there's a lively affair waiting at home.
Zhao's Snack Shop has been open for quite some time and is well-known in Wufang Town.
Anyone with a modicum of knowledge would at least go to Zhao's Snack Shop for a bowl of spicy hot pot.
After being driven out of Zhao Family Village, Zhang Baosheng and his family first stayed at an inn in Wufang Town.
After all, being driven out of the village is equivalent to being without a household registration and becoming a vagrant.
The Zhang family members are at least somewhat intelligent.
Upon arriving in town, anticipating that the village chief wouldn't immediately go to the county government to cancel their family's household registration, they quickly began making arrangements.
After thinking it over and over, Zhang Baosheng finally remembered that he had a classmate named Li Qunshan in Qingshuiwan Village, whose father was the village chief.
Li Qunshan had a younger sister who was tall, burly, and a bit fierce; Zhang Baosheng had met her before.
This girl likes handsome young men.
Once people have considered shortcuts, they develop a habitual way of thinking. Zhang Baosheng's family started looking for shortcuts again.
The day after arriving in town, Zhang Baosheng rented a horse-drawn carriage, put on his best clothes, and went to Qingshui Bay.
"Brother Zhang, what brings you here? Come in quickly, how have you been?"
Li Qunshan was quite surprised by Zhang Baosheng's arrival.
After all, their relationship wasn't necessarily that good before.
Zhang Baosheng always fawned over his wealthy classmates. Although Li Qunshan's family was well-off, they were still farmers.
"Brother Li, I apologize for the abrupt arrival. It has been a long time since we last met. I have heard that your knowledge has improved considerably, so I have come to seek your guidance."
Zhang Baosheng spoke with such sincerity and earnestness.
His expression was so sincere that Li Qunshan, who wasn't very shrewd, actually believed him.
After exchanging pleasantries, Zhang Baosheng actually discussed some issues with Li Qunshan.
Near the end of the 9-11 PM hour, Zhang Baosheng requested to visit Clearwater Bay.
Li Qunshan readily agreed.
Since they were all scholars, they were usually pampered and spoiled, and wearing long gowns, they naturally had a refined and elegant air about them.
As the two walked through the village, several seemingly casual glances would fall upon them, especially since Zhang Baosheng was a stranger.
Qingshuiwan, named after the water, is considered the best village in Wufang Town. It has few mountains and plenty of land, and the village is built along the river.
Li Qunshan's house is located in the center of the village, and it is also the best house in the village, a row of five large brick and tile houses.
When Li Qunshan led Zhang Baosheng on a tour of Qingshui Bay, he felt quite superior, explaining things as they walked until they reached the end of the village.
“Brother Zhang, this is the end of the village. The original owner of this house was a widower who passed away the year before last. The village arranged his funeral.”
Since he had no relatives or friends, his house and land belonged to the village.
The land is in demand, but the house is left vacant. If it stays like this for a few more years, it'll probably collapse.
"When that time comes, this area will be leveled, and the view of Clearwater Bay from here will have a unique charm."
Li Qunshan was carefully describing the beauty of his village and the simplicity and kindness of the villagers, while Zhang Baosheng was listening for an opportunity.
“Brother Li, I admire you. Qingshui Bay is a place of outstanding people and kind hearts. Only your village can have such benevolence. As for our village, let’s not even mention it.”
As he spoke, he shook his head and sighed, putting on a very regretful expression.
A common flaw among scholars is that they pride themselves on their high moral character and cannot tolerate any imperfections.
Seeing Zhang Baosheng sigh like that, I became curious.
"Brother Zhang, has something immoral happened in your village?"
Li Zhencheng* Gunsan's eyes sparkled, revealing a sense of urgency.
Zhang Baosheng sighed for a long time, "Well, everyone says that family scandals should not be aired in public, but there are some injustices that I have to speak out about."
Our village is called Zhao Family Village. The reason it's called that is because the Zhao family makes up more than 90% of the villagers. The village chief is also a member of the Zhao clan.
Because they are the most prominent family in the village, you can imagine how difficult life is for us outsiders.
Growing up, I was bullied by the village kids, and all I could do was swallow my anger and suffer in silence.
My parents tried to seek justice for me, but they were beaten bloody by the Zhao clan.
After this happened many times, my parents had no choice but to keep me at home and prevent me from going out to play.
But which child doesn't long to go out and play? "When he got emotional, Zhang Baosheng's eyes even welled up with tears.
Li Qunshan's eyes also reddened, and he reached out to gently pat Zhang Baogen's arm to comfort him.
"Brother Li, it's all in the past."
My parents felt sorry for me, a little kid, being cooped up at home every day and feeling lonely, so they scrimped and saved to send me to school.
Since I started reading, I've realized how vast the sky is and how wide the earth is, and how wonderful the world is.
There are very few scholars in our village, and I have already achieved the title of a student in the imperial examinations. This has aroused the covetousness of the Zhao clan.
Our village chief has a granddaughter who is incredibly strong; she can kill a wild boar with a single punch.
She has a very coarse appearance, and I heard that she eats from a basin instead of a bowl.
At such a young age, he was quite frivolous. I don't know why, but he took a fancy to me and forced me to marry into their Zhao family.
Brother Li knows I am the only son in my family, how could I marry into the Zhao family? This angered the Zhao family.
They found a pretext to beat my parents until their heads bled, and threatened to drive our family out of the village if I didn't agree to marry into their family.
Brother Li, you know that according to the laws of our Divine Dragon Kingdom, if someone is expelled from the village, they are considered a refugee, which would cut off my path to education.
The Zhao family members were malicious, and the elder brother was filled with resentment but had nowhere to vent it.
He figured if he couldn't afford to offend them, he could at least avoid them. He was worried that one day he would be forced to marry into the Zhao family.
The day I marry into the family will be the day I, Zhang, pass away.
I wanted to see the sights and reminisce about the wonderful friendships I had with my former classmates before I left.
I remembered that Brother Li lives in Qingshui Bay, which is said to be the most beautiful village in our Wufang Town.
He wanted to come and admire the beautiful scenery, so that even if he were to pass away someday, he would have no regrets.
As he spoke, Zhang Baosheng shed two lines of tears.
Li Qunshan was filled with righteous indignation upon hearing this.
"With your talent, Brother Zhang, you will surely pass the imperial examination next year."
With such a bright future ahead, Brother Zhang, you must not make the wrong plans, and you must not take your own life because of these petty people.
Why not go to the county government and ask the magistrate for justice?
Zhang Baosheng shook his head and sighed.
“Reporting to the authorities always requires evidence. The Zhao clan is a prominent family in the village. Who can uphold justice for my Zhang family?”
Reporting it to the authorities won't help me, and when I return to the village, I don't know what kind of torment my parents will suffer.
"Alas, all those years of studying have been for naught, only to lose my life in this injustice. I am not reconciled!"
Zhang Baosheng was so distressed that he squatted on the ground and cried loudly.
Li Qunshan was so anxious that he burst into tears. "Brother Zhang, you have been wronged. Don't cry and ruin your health. This matter needs to be discussed more carefully."
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