Chapter 199 Her Compensation
Many people are reasonable, and seeing the current situation, they felt much more at ease and no longer wanted to make things difficult for the government.
Everyone gradually headed home, except for that old deadbeat who stayed behind, shouting resentfully, "The government allocated funds, but who knows where that money ended up? It's definitely not in our hands. We common people are the ones who suffer the most; we can't get medicine, and we can't get the money!"
Huo Ran frowned, about to speak, when Zhao Decai retorted, "These funds are naturally intended for the people. Are you implying that I should keep them all for myself? Currently, the Jiang family is paying for all the medicines. I, Zhao Decai, only have that little monthly salary, so naturally I can't afford to supply the entire county. A portion of the allocated funds will go to the Jiang family, and the rest will be used to provide food for everyone, so that even when people are short of money, they can still have enough to eat."
Old Lai sneered, "The Jiang family is already so rich, why would we give them money? Did they give your government some benefits?"
Huo Ran coldly said, "Others are rich, that's their ability. If you had that ability, you could be just as rich. You clearly have no ability yourself, yet you're jealous of others. Isn't that just pathetic?"
The people around laughed. The old man was furious and embarrassed: "That's because I didn't have the chance. I heard that this Jiang Family Restaurant was started by the daughter of the Jiang family. I don't know where she got the money. I don't care about such dirty money."
Before anyone else could react, Huo Ran had already appeared in front of Lao Lai, slamming him to the ground with a backhand. Looking down at him with disdain, he said, "You? You dare to talk about her?"
The debtor was stunned. When he came to his senses, the person sitting on the ground inside started yelling, "The government is beating people! The officials who love the people are beating the people! There's no law anymore! Everyone come and see!"
Everyone around knew what kind of person he was, and no one spoke up for him; they just stood by and watched the spectacle.
Zhao Decai sighed. He had long heard that this person was difficult to deal with and had caused a lot of trouble for the people, so he had not been able to make a decision to deal with him. Now that things had come to this point, he could no longer tolerate it.
“The Jiang family girl has such abilities because she has the power to do so. You spoke rudely, insulted others, and showed contempt for the court and government. Your crimes are unforgivable. Guards, tie him up and lock him in the dungeon.”
When the deadbeat was thrown in jail, everyone else was overjoyed.
"This guy finally got his comeuppance. I've disliked him for a long time."
"Yes, no one will come to my house in the middle of the night to knock on the door and ask for things with such a self-righteous attitude anymore. I hope he never comes out again."
Seeing everyone so happy, Zhao Decai, who had been struggling with his feelings, suddenly felt much more at ease. As a local official, his job was to solve the problems of the people. Now that everyone was happy, it meant that he had done the right thing.
"You corrupt official! I have done nothing wrong, why are you arresting me? You are abusing your power! I'm going to sue you! I'm going to file a complaint with the Emperor!"
The others just found him ridiculous, wondering who he was and how he could possibly meet the emperor.
Huo Ran didn't even bother to look at him. He stood next to Zhao Decai and said to the crowd who were still watching the commotion, "I believe that everyone here is a person of great integrity. The Jiang family has helped you time and time again. Before the locust plague, it was like this, and now it's like this again. Not only did she donate money and give porridge to the people of Qingyun Village, but this time she also made medicine for everyone without asking for anything in return. If someone hadn't maliciously slandered her, you wouldn't have known it was her, would you?"
The local people were deeply moved, because Jiang Mi's actions were practically saintly.
"The Jiang family is very kind. I came here to warm up before, and I didn't order anything, but they didn't try to make me leave. They even gave me free tea."
"Yes, I didn't have money for food before, and Jiang's Restaurant gave me a free meal. Their food is cheap and delicious, they are really kind."
Everyone is praising Jiang's Restaurant now, saying they'll come back to patronize it more often once the epidemic is over.
Jiang Mi was deeply moved. She wrapped the medicine even faster, knowing she had to go to Qingyun Village later, which made her unhappy.
After everyone had mostly dispersed, Zhao Decai...
As soon as they knocked on the door of Jiang Family Restaurant, the Jiang family members, who had been waiting inside for a long time, immediately opened the door and welcomed Zhao Decai and Huo Ran inside.
"Magistrate, thank you very much for what you did earlier," Jiang Cheng said politely.
Zhao Decai waved his hand: "Why are you saying such polite things? If it weren't for your precious daughter, the epidemic situation in our Shushan County wouldn't have improved so quickly."
Jiang Mi didn't mince words; she asked directly, "Sir, now that most of the people in town have been treated, why don't we go and take a look at the villages below?"
Zhao Decai nodded: "That's exactly what I came here for. Take the medicine you made yesterday and give it to the people of Hongyang Village. I know you're short-handed. These are imperial physicians sent from the capital. They might be able to help you. There are also some apprentices who can help you with the preparation."
Jiang Mi nodded and thanked her, saying, "I heard that the situation is even more serious in Qingyun Village, so I'd like to go there first."
Her words surprised everyone. They knew that helping Qingyun Village was already a great act of kindness, especially since they came from Hongyang Village. Putting Hongyang Village first was understandable, which was why Zhao Decai suggested going to Hongyang Village first.
"Honey, are you sure you're not mistaken? We should go to Hongyang Village first," Jiang's mother whispered a reminder.
Jiang Mi felt the same way. She sighed inwardly and said, "The villagers of Hongyang Village are very obedient and did not run around, so few of them were infected. The people of Qingyun Village are arrogant and conceited. Although it was expected that they would be infected, they are still human lives at stake, and I cannot ignore it."
That's what she said, but Jiang Mi was still very unwilling. She wasn't some great saint; it was all just for the sake of the mission.
"Okay, it's up to you."
Although Jiang's mother and Jiang Cheng didn't know why Jiang Mi was so soft-hearted, she was right. No matter how hateful the people in Qingyun Village were, there were still good people among them, and human lives were always innocent.
Jiang Mi and Huo Ran exchanged a glance. She couldn't forget how he had defended her outside. This man was simply a gift from God to make up for her. Not only was he handsome and virtuous, but he was also so good to her. It was truly a blessing earned from the suffering of her past life.
"Let me pack the medicine, then we'll set off." Jiang Mi didn't plan to have the Jiang family come along.
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