The news of the bandits massacring the village was so horrific that it quickly spread throughout the entire desolate county.
Everyone was talking about it, and even the three major grain merchants became much more obedient and voluntarily lowered the price of their grain.
There was no way around it; the people who were most afraid of these bandits were actually the wealthy families.
Because they were very conspicuous, the bandits only needed to ask around to find out their address, and several large grain merchants finally felt afraid.
These wealthy households, who had hired many servants, were terrified, let alone the ordinary people of the desolate county. Many were filled with fear, and even fewer people were entering or leaving the county town.
After Luo Yong returned home, his cousin invited him to dinner again. After thinking about it, he agreed.
"Yongzi, what exactly happened with those bandits? Has our magistrate said anything?"
Li Qian was extremely anxious.
Her hometown was Shuixi Village on the edge of the desolate county, which must have been one of the first villages targeted by bandits!
"Don't worry too much. The magistrate has already sent people to investigate the surrounding villages. We will know in advance if there is any disturbance."
Luo Yong comforted him.
Then, he recounted the cooperation between the county government and the barren mountain.
This is not a secret. The county magistrate will announce it throughout the county soon. Telling him in advance is to let my cousin's family prepare in advance.
During this time, the Li family also learned about the barren mountain through Luo Yong, and knew that the mountain goddess on the other side of the barren mountain was very powerful.
"I hope we can subdue those despicable bandits!" Li Qian clasped her hands together and prayed in her heart.
After Luo Yong left, other residents in the alley came over to inquire.
Although most of the residents in this alley are scholars, only the Li family has connections with the government. Everyone is terrified of the bandits and wants to come here to find out what the county magistrate is up to.
"What? The county government is cooperating with the mountain goddess of the desolate mountain? Isn't this ridiculous?" A scholar frowned deeply.
“Yes, we heard that only Linjia Village lives in the desolate mountains. Everyone there is just an ordinary farmer. What can they do? Isn’t this making a joke on the people of our entire county?” The aunt next to her chimed in.
The entire Linjia Village moved into the barren mountains. Except for two households, the whole village is now empty. Other villages have also heard about it.
The two people who just spoke are well-informed; they know each other quite well.
That's because I understand it, which is why it seems incredible.
"I used to think the magistrate was a good official, but now it seems he's been foolish." The scholar said with disappointment.
"You can't say that," Li Qian felt uncomfortable.
Her cousin is a decent person and would never deceive his own family.
Since Luo Yong said that the people in the barren mountains helped deal with a very tricky matter and got rid of the troublemakers, the villagers of Linjia Village must be capable.
At this point, the fact that someone is willing to step forward and help is already a great favor. How can we be picky?
"Why can't you say that? Things might already be in chaos outside. At such a critical moment, shouldn't we organize people to patrol the deserted county and protect the lives of the people?"
This scholar had read many books and considered himself quite experienced.
"The magistrate is also a first-time official and doesn't understand these intricacies. He's probably been tricked!"
He remembered that the three grain merchants had given the county government a lot of silver! This silver, which was so easily obtained, was squandered in a short time because they didn't know how to cherish it!
“Scholar Chai, there are only about ten constables in the county government. They can’t even patrol the county town properly, let alone the surrounding villages. If we don’t find someone else, are you going to go out on patrol yourself?” Li Qian raised an eyebrow.
The scholar opposite him blushed.
"How dare you speak like that? What business is it of yours what a scholar says? What kind of logic is it to send a scholar out on patrol?"
"Isn't that enough? If you don't want to go out, who are you going to patrol?" Li Qian smiled.
"They're protecting the barren county for their own good, so you should all be happy! Stop gossiping behind their backs!"
After saying that, she turned and left.
The husband behind her looked around and had no choice but to continue following.
"Qianqian, you're being too disrespectful to Scholar Chai. He is, after all, a scholar," the man said in a low voice.
Li Qian glanced at him, then stopped talking about Chai Xiucai and instead asked, "Luo Yong said that the Mountain God Academy is going to start in Huang County. What do you think? I plan to send my son and daughter there."
"This isn't quite right. I'm a student of the Imperial Academy, after all, and I'm perfectly capable of teaching two children," the man said hesitantly.
“Li Bin, don’t you really understand? What I want is not just for the two children to learn to read and write, but also for them to join the barren mountains.”
Li Qian's eyes were full of ambition.
"Even the county magistrate is cooperating with the barren mountains. There are so many capable people in that place. Our son and daughter can also become capable!"
"Will this work?" Li Bin really couldn't figure it out. The barren mountain wasn't that dangerous, and weren't we all human?
"Alright, alright, you don't need to worry about things at home. Go back to your studies!" Li Qian waved her hand and went to find her son and daughter.
Dahe Village.
The villagers in this village also heard about the bandits, and for a time, everyone was filled with fear.
However, the atmosphere was somber at one house at the edge of the village.
"Father, Mother, why haven't you eaten yet?" Ma Qi sensed the atmosphere as soon as he entered the room.
"Did Qingping give birth? Is everything alright?"
He asked again, but the parents on the other end still didn't answer.
"Father, Mother, what's wrong?"
Grandma Ma snorted coldly.
"What else could it be? Your wife has become unfaithful. It's one thing that she gave birth to a daughter, but we only said a few words to her, and she followed the example of Wu Cuiying next door and left with the child!"
Ma Qi was completely stunned.
"No, Qingping just gave birth, and you're letting her go already? In this weather, with such strong winds outside, what if she faints on the road?"
He was extremely anxious.
"She insists on leaving, what can we do?"
"You don't need to worry too much. Where can someone who lives far away go? She'll realize her mistake after she's been out in the cold!"
Grandma Ma squinted her eyes.
"You guys are insane!" Ma Qi ran outside without even putting down the bundle in his hand.
"Son, you haven't taken out the copper coins you earned working for the county magistrate yet!" Granny Ma wanted to chase after him, but a gust of cold wind swept over her face, so she quickly went inside.
"Why has it gotten so cold outside?" she muttered to herself as she closed the door.
"You're all just causing trouble, let's see where you can run to!"
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