Chapter 198 My life is nearing its end
The whole street was packed with people.
I heard the whole story.
Those in the back will have their own explanations given by those in front; the people of Liuyun Village only need to complain.
They cried because the floodwaters had destroyed their crops, they cried because their children were skin and bones, they cried because no one was willing to cheat them out of their goods and not be afraid of retribution.
While crying, the old woman vomited blood.
This drew gasps of surprise from the crowd.
"Oh dear, what's going on!"
"It's okay, I'm used to vomiting. It's just that I'm often hungry, which has ruined my stomach. The doctor said I don't have many years left to live."
I guess I'll only live for a few more decades.
What kind of juice is this, Qingqing? It's sour and tastes strangely delicious. I really want to lick it clean.
This really angered the audience, who immediately started cursing the Ji family.
They will definitely go along to help seek justice.
See? It's human nature to favor the weak.
Incurring the wrath of the masses is even more terrifying.
A crowd filled half the street, and the owner of Ji Family Restaurant was dismissive when he learned of the news.
"Who's embezzling their silver? Nonsense! Who would bother with that little bit of silver! A bunch of troublemakers, report to the authorities! Report to the authorities!"
"Manager, yesterday, it was the second manager who settled the accounts here."
The second manager is the younger brother of the first manager.
Here, you learn accounting from the head manager. Once you've mastered it, you'll be able to become a manager at a branch of the restaurant.
The head manager shouted, "What's wrong with the second manager's payment? Does he think he's after that peasant woman's small amount of silver? Go and fetch him so he can confront that peasant woman!"
The man hesitated, but didn't dare to say anything, and went to find someone.
People have already started smashing the shop doors outside.
The head manager stormed out in a rage.
"What are you doing..." The words stuck in my throat.
Good heavens, how can there be so many people!
My legs went weak...
He shrank back abruptly and closed the door.
What's going on? Wasn't she supposed to be just a peasant woman?
The street is half full of people!
Let's wait for the officials to come and arrest those troublemakers first!
The waiter who slipped out the back door to look for someone returned, saying he couldn't find the second manager.
"Shopkeeper, people outside are cursing us. Yesterday, the second shopkeeper did call some men to beat that peasant woman. She was very loud, and many people heard her. But she was quite agile when she ran away. How come she's lying there almost dead now?"
"Hmph! They're definitely trying to extort money from us, these troublemakers!"
"Don't worry, our boss just had dinner with the magistrate yesterday. If these people dare to cause trouble, they'll all be arrested!"
Speak of the devil, and he appears! The host is here!
Ji Wenshi, the owner of Ji Family Restaurant, was in his thirties and came in with a few rotten vegetable leaves hanging from his head.
"Cao Li! Do you want to quit?"
"No, no, no, boss, they're trying to extort money from us!" The shopkeeper insisted that it was the peasant woman trying to extort money.
He also found the account book, which clearly recorded that the money for the fifty-odd taels of seasonings had been paid.
The other guy said the peasant woman wasn't seriously injured at all; they were just faking it.
Ji Wenshi believed it. Most importantly, he had just had dinner with Magistrate Xu yesterday and had even made a donation. Magistrate Xu praised the Ji family in person and said he would personally inscribe the signboard for the restaurant for him!
"Hmph, trying to extort money from my Ji family! Go and fetch a few doctors, especially Doctor Pang, Doctor Huang, Doctor Sun... these doctors were just commended by the county magistrate for their meritorious service in disaster relief."
They've already started banging on the door.
Even the back door was blocked.
The guy climbed over the wall to fetch the doctor.
Ji Wenshi opened the door with the account book in hand, guaranteeing with the Ji family's long-standing reputation that they would never owe a peasant woman any money.
His condescending attitude and disdainful tone towards the peasant woman earned him a shoe from Old Man Lu on the spot.
Ji Wenshi, who is always impeccably dressed, was furious!
"You scoundrels! You're all going to jail!"
"And you lot, unable to distinguish right from wrong, all of you, lock yourselves up in jail!"
Standing on the carriage, Lu Qingqing raised a megaphone and shouted, "You talk like you own the government! You cheated my family out of our goods and won't pay, and you even beat people up. If anyone's going to be arrested, it'll be you!"
"You shrew! I've already reported you to the authorities. You've damaged my family's restaurant's reputation. I'll make sure you never leave this world again!"
"Oh my, listen to this! He thinks he's the master of Ming'an County!"
The horn blared from a great distance, making Ji Wenshi's heart, liver, and lungs ache with anger.
I don't know how so many people gathered here; they're all just idle, poor bastards!
"Master! The doctors are here!"
The waiter and the doctor finally managed to squeeze in.
"The doctor is here! Quickly examine that peasant woman who's faking her death in front of everyone! You bunch of peasants trying to extort money, do you really think the city is a place for you to act like this and cause trouble!"
Ji Wenshi also megaphoned his hands and shouted, "Everyone, you've all been fooled by these country folk! That peasant woman was just faking it! You all trust these doctors, right? Let them examine you and you'll all understand!"
"Hmph, you shrew, do you dare let the doctor examine you?" he asked Lu Qingqing loudly.
“Diao Nan! What’s there to be afraid of! These doctors are all compassionate and will surely stand up for us!” Lu Qingqing jumped out of the car.
Several people lifted Chen Cuihua down and placed her on the ground.
Those around her continued to comfort her: "Don't worry, young lady. These doctors are all kind and benevolent doctors who have been commended by the county magistrate. They have gone to disaster-stricken villages to save people free of charge. They are trustworthy!"
Lu Qingqing gave the doctors a "grateful" look.
"Then I'll have to trouble you doctors."
"No, no, we wouldn't dare," the doctors said, their eyes drooping.
Dr. Pang almost bowed and called him "Master" just now.
Fortunately, he noticed Lu Qingqing's meaningful glance.
This season, the family really knows how to hire doctors; they all hired doctors who were involved in disaster relief with Lu Qingqing.
At this point, they had already decided to help Lu Qingqing lie.
Who knows how to take a pulse:
"Good heavens, the blood and qi are stagnant, this has damaged the lungs and internal organs!"
"His yang energy is depleted, his vital energy is scattered, and his life is nearing its end!"
"The pulse is large and hollow, like pressing on a scallion stalk; it's a sign of a blocked pulse!"
It's true! This woman's pulse is very bad!
Finally, Dr. Pang reassured everyone: "Without precious medicinal herbs like ginseng, lingzhi, and bird's nest, his life cannot be saved."
Ji Wenshi and Manager Cao both stumbled.
"No, are you sure?"
"What a joke! Just because one person made a mistake doesn't mean everyone made a mistake! If you don't believe in our medical skills, then go and find another doctor!" Doctor Kong waved his sleeve.
"No, no, no, I believe you, I believe you," Ji Wenshi said with a mournful face.
He originally invited someone to prove himself, but now he's embarrassed himself!
"If there's nothing else, we'll be going. The consultation fee is 100 coins!"
100 coins, isn't it usually only 60 coins?
Five doctors cost 500 coins.
Ji Wenshi took out the money and glared fiercely at Manager Cao.
It's a wonder he trusted him so much!
Mu Daye, who had been sitting on the donkey cart with Liu'er in his arms watching, was shocked again.
What kind of pills did Lu Qingqing give that woman? Even several well-known doctors in the city couldn't figure it out!
It's clear that her medical skills are truly exceptional!
Liu'er is really saved!
Lu Yun stepped forward and demanded money: "Did you hear that? To save this person, we need ginseng, lingzhi, and bird's nest. I don't need more, just one price. Pay us five hundred taels for medical expenses first!"
Five hundred taels? Dream on!
Ji Wenshi sneered: "You were the ones who tried to extort money first! You deserved it!"
Lu Yun responded with a cold laugh: "You have a human mouth, so why don't you speak human language?"
"The officials are here! The officials are here!"
The crowd stepped back, making way for them.
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