On the second day, after Li Erlang had breakfast, Zhao Da drove him to the county government office. Although his legs made it difficult for him to walk, he was able to help the county magistrate with some record-keeping matters!
The notice was given yesterday that today the common people must come with their reed-cotton-padded jackets to return the money they paid. As the confidant of County Magistrate Zheng and someone who can read and write, Li Erlang was sent over to supervise. Fortunately, he wouldn't need to use his injured foot for this matter, he just needed to sit there and check the records!
Li Yan also finished her breakfast early and followed Mr. Li to Li Youshou's house.
Today is the day when Aunt Chen is buried. Villagers came one after another early in the morning to see Aunt Chen off for the last time.
Li Youshou sat slumped in the chair with a dazed look on his face, not saying a word.
After the villagers had finally paid their last respects to Aunt Chen, several young men wanted to step forward and close the coffin. Li Youshou seemed to have sensed something and rushed forward to stop them like a madman, but was firmly held by his four sons!
Li Wenjian said sadly, "Dad, Mom is gone! Please let her go in peace!"
Li Youshou came to his senses at this time and couldn't help crying loudly. The old sisters who used to be good friends with Aunt Chen couldn't help but shed tears when they saw this scene!
After the old man calmed down, the villagers closed Aunt Chen's coffin, and six young men carried Aunt Chen's coffin to the back mountain!
The funeral procession moved solemnly and slowly, the sound of footsteps intertwined with heavy cries. As the procession moved slowly forward, a heavy atmosphere enveloped the entire village.
Li Youshou and his sons and grandchildren walked at the front of the team. They stared silently at the road ahead, their hearts filled with grief.
On the way to the cemetery, the villagers followed the coffin silently, passing through muddy fields and winding mountain forests. Finally, the group arrived at the cemetery on the back mountain. This was the village's ancestral tomb. The villagers stopped and lined up in front of the cemetery, ready to bid Aunt Chen a final farewell!
The young and strong men placed Aunt Chen's coffin into the dug grave.
Li Youshou, supported by his son, stood in front of his wife's grave. With trembling hands, he picked up a handful of yellow soil from the ground and sprinkled it on his wife's coffin, muttering, "Walk slowly..." But this was a barely audible whisper, and no one heard it.
The villagers stood quietly by, their eyes also red. Recalling Aunt Chen's voice, face and smile, it seemed like only yesterday, and this farewell turned out to be a farewell forever!
After the graves were built, the funeral procession slowly left the cemetery on the back mountain. The villagers helped Li Youshou's family clean up the place for the final time, and then they all went home.
After everyone left, Clan Leader Li said to Li Youshou and his son, "Yesterday, the second girl didn't tell you about the compensation. The victim of the reed-cotton coat accident can seek compensation from Xiuyun Cloth Shop. You should take a break today. Tomorrow, I'll go with you to the county government office to serve as a witness!"
Li Wenjian bowed to the clan leader Li with great gratitude and said, "Thank you, clan leader. If there is anything in the village that we brothers can help with in the future, please just let us know!" Thanks to the help of the clan leader and Mr. Li in all matters concerning their mother's funeral, the brothers were very grateful!
Chief Li looked at the tired faces of the people and waved his hand: "Take a good rest first, I will come to find you tomorrow!" After that, he walked away with his hands behind his back!
Li Youshou was helped to the bed by his sons: "Dad, you haven't slept for three consecutive days. Don't make your son worry!"
Li Youshou numbly lay down following his son's movements. Li Wenjian looked at his father like a puppet, allowing himself to be manipulated by him, and couldn't help but sigh!
"Dad, you should have a good rest first. I will come and talk to you after I clean up the house!"
After his eldest son left, Li Youshou opened his cloudy eyes and looked at the empty house. His heart tightened involuntarily. His old wife's voice, appearance and smile seemed to be right in front of him. He reached out to touch her, but it was like a dream!
It was not until the evening that Li Erlang returned home. Although Lin felt sorry for her husband, she knew that she could not persuade him, so she had to find ways to make some of his favorite foods.
Li Erlang had just sat down in the main hall when the head of the Li clan came to the Li family home looking for him. "I heard from the second girl that County Magistrate Zheng is offering compensation to the victims who bought the reed-cotton coats. In my haste that day, I didn't ask exactly how the compensation would be paid!"
Li Erlang: "It is true. I am going to the county government office today to help the county magistrate supervise the implementation of the compensation!"
Patriarch Li couldn't help but ask, "How should we compensate you?"
Li Erlang explained, "According to what the county magistrate said, if you sell a reed-cotton coat, you'll have to pay three times the amount in silver. If someone dies, you'll have to pay a hundred times the amount. But this requires the clan leader to come forward and guarantee that this is true!"
Patriarch Li nodded in understanding and stood up. "Okay, now that you've said that, I have a plan. Tomorrow I'll take Youshou's family to the government office to be a witness!"
Li Erlang suggested, "Then the tribe leader should go with my donkey cart tomorrow, so you don't have to walk there again!"
Upon hearing this, Patriarch Li nodded happily and said, "Okay, that's great. I'll go back and tell Youshou's family so that you don't have to wait!" After that, he hurried to Li Youshou's house.
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