The village head also thought this was a good idea. In this way, the village's public accounts would have income, so that when they wanted to do something, they wouldn't be short of money and in dire straits.
Everyone was overjoyed.
What's scary is that those people disagree.
Chen Yourun was not worried at all.
Those people were dragged over and, seeing that their leader was already dead, were terrified. They never expected that such a remote village would have sentries and such powerful fighters.
Three of them were forced into the mountains because they couldn't afford food anymore, so they became outlaws.
Now that I can get food for working, even though I don't have any freedom, I agreed without hesitation.
Some others, accustomed to being lazy and unwilling to work, were reluctant to agree. A couple more, used to bullying and lording things over, even cursed, "You killed Daokou Liu, who was one of our boss's men. If the boss finds out, hehe, your whole village will be finished."
Chen Yourun was too lazy to argue with him, so he simply separated the three types of people and locked them up.
Those who are supposed to work can go straight to the fields and get something to eat at noon. The rest of the people are just locked up, let's see how long they can hold out.
The world is becoming increasingly unstable, with bandits and refugees on the rise, making such kidnappings not uncommon.
As for the old man, some villagers felt he posed no threat and suggested reporting him to the authorities, as he could guide the thieves.
However, the old man was quite old, and Yin Lan couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Moreover, she observed the old man's hands and then hinted to Chen Yourun to take a look.
The couple exchanged a glance.
Yin Lan wasn't sure if he understood her meaning, but Chen Yourun's next words were exactly what she wanted to hear.
"The old man is very old. He was robbed on the way and forced to lead the way. He had no choice but to do so. At his age, should we send him to the authorities?"
Most of the villagers couldn't bear to do it.
Yin Lan continued to help, "And on what charge should they be sent there? Should we tell the truth? Then what if the authorities ask where the bandits went? How will we explain that?"
Those villagers who still didn't want to let the old man go were speechless.
“But he’s an old man who can’t work. Are we just going to let him freeload? Anyway, we don’t have anything to eat at home. I’m not going to let the village use my money to support an idle person.” Chen Dafu stood up, and Zhang Laizi chimed in.
Nowadays, most families are not wealthy, and some people are indeed unwilling to support such a useless old man.
Before Yin Lan could speak, Chen Yourun spoke first, "The old man is staying at my house, does anyone have any objections?"
"Furthermore, no one in the village is allowed to utter a single word about what happened today. If outsiders find out, our entire village will suffer. If I find out anyone is spreading rumors, I will not let him off the hook, and neither will anyone else."
Chen Yourun's final words stirred everyone's collective will, and naturally no one dared to tell anyone outside.
As for his desire to be a pushover and support a useless old man, no one else would say much.
As for the village's guard team, they have made a great contribution this time, and they will be rewarded when the village's public accounts have money in the future.
Each of the bandits brought a large sword, but because the guards had important responsibilities, each guard team was given three swords. Chen Yourun, who had made the greatest contribution, received one sword, which made some people at the scene extremely envious.
Yin Lan also really liked the knife; having a tool made her feel safer.
Widow Tian sneered from the side, "Look at what Chen Yourun has become now. It's all because of this Yin Lan. She brought an old man home with her. Does she think the family hasn't been ruined enough?"
The other women exchanged glances. "They've taken him away. Isn't that a huge relief for us? What, Widow Tian, aren't you happy about it? If you ever need this old man's help in the future, don't regret your current disdain for him."
Widow Tian and the woman beside her exchanged a glance. What use could an old man be? He might be gone any day, and he had been robbed of everything, not a single penny left. What use could he possibly be?
Chen Yourun and Yin Lan took the old man back, and the old man kept thanking them along the way.
From his words and actions, Yin Lan became even more certain that he was a scholar.
She had previously observed the old man's hands and noticed a small callus on his thumb. Martial arts practitioners usually have calluses on the web of their thumb, like Chen Yourun.
Earlier, when Yin Lan was anxious and grabbed his hand, she could clearly feel that his hand was very big and hard. Touching the calluses felt like touching iron, which made her heart tremble.
Farmers usually have calluses on their palms, while only scholars develop calluses on their thumbs from writing with a brush.
Moreover, his few words were elegant and polite, suggesting he might be a scholar, or even a student who had just completed his studies. That would be excellent, as he could help the children in the family begin their education.
All you need to do is take care of the elderly's food and drink. You know, these days, hiring a student or sending someone to a school for their first lesson costs at least two taels of silver. But the cost of feeding and caring for an elderly person is far too much.
Yin Lan and Chen Yourun discussed this idea.
Chen Yourun frowned. "I heard from the kids that they can recite the Three Character Classic already. I thought..."
Yin Lan sighed and glanced at Chen Yourun with amusement.
Three Character Classic?
Another day she'll definitely make the child recite it properly in front of him, and then explain their explanation to him, to see if he'll be laughed to death or driven mad with anger.
Chen Yourun naturally supported his wife's decision; whatever she said was right.
Actually, he didn't understand the specific meaning of Yin Lan's glances at the time, but judging from her appearance, he could roughly guess what she wanted to do. Fortunately, he guessed correctly.
Back inside, the three children, both excited and a little worried and scared, watched their parents return, eager for food.
Before, there was only his mother, and Da Wa thought he must protect her. But now that there is a father, his responsibilities are even heavier. He needs to protect both his mother and father!
Yin Lan briefly told her children about what had happened in the village that evening. There was no need to hide these things, and Yin Lan didn't want to hide them either.
Although the child was still frightened after hearing this, he patted his chest and said, "I will protect Mom!"
Seeing his older brother's bravery, Erwa patted his own chest and said, "Then I'll protect...protect Uncle Dad?"
Chen Yourun frowned. What kind of ridiculous title is this?
He finally had time to instruct his son, "Call him 'Dad,' Dad is Dad, and Uncle is Uncle."
Erwa didn't understand, so he looked at his mother.
"Yes, call him Dad." Yin Lan agreed; he was indeed his child.
Erwa called out sweetly, "Daddy~"
Chen Yourun glanced at Yin Lan, then at the sweet little baby, and his heart, that of an old father, almost melted into sweet water.
The third child followed suit, imitating, "Folding~"
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