The handsome young man had a smile on his face that made people unable to take their eyes off him. Many unmarried girls in the village would glance at him secretly from time to time, with uncontrollable shyness on their faces.
They had never seen such a young man before, so it would be good to broaden their horizons.
Jiang Sheng was watching the old man weaving something, his eyes full of curiosity, and he said, "Grandpa, what is this? It doesn't look like a basket, but it also doesn't look like a basket."
Wang Yi couldn't help laughing: "Neither of them, this is a lantern stand. Our village has always relied on making lanterns to make a living."
"During the busy farming season, I worked in the fields. When I had nothing else to do, I wove things and sold them in town. Plus, a scholar emerged from the village... Life was pretty good, but then."
As he spoke, his eyes turned red and tears rolled down his cheeks.
He felt a dull pain in his heart. That was the pride of his Wang family. His eldest son, whom he was so proud of, died just after passing the imperial examination. Yet, those people still did not let their village go.
Jiang Sheng noticed the sadness in the old man's eyes, so he stopped talking and asked no more questions. Unexpectedly, the old man started talking to himself.
Wang Yi gave a bitter laugh and said, "Sir, I saw the inscription at the entrance of the village. It was my eldest son who passed the imperial examination when he was about thirty years old."
"Later, I offended someone in official circles and was killed by bandits on my way back home. I went to the government office to file a complaint but was beaten back. That's when my leg became lame."
"Officials and bandits protect each other, and my son can't get justice. Also because of me, the village has been invaded by bandits who come down the mountain to confiscate food, and everyone's life is slowly becoming more and more difficult."
Jiang Sheng thought about it carefully and realized that the bandits in the northern wilderness were rampant and would definitely be a hidden danger to his father in the future. It would be great if they could be eliminated.
Wang Yi was talking to himself as he quickly wove a lantern, brushed it with batter, and then covered it with paper bit by bit...
The kitchen was bustling with activity. After an unknown amount of time, the butchering dish was ready when a loud voice rang out, "Village Chief, the nobles can come and eat now."
"Haha, please come in, sir, and try our butchered pig dishes. The person sitting in front of the old axe is the chef of the restaurant in town, and his cooking skills are quite good."
Jiang Sheng nodded: "Okay, then I will try it today."
Wang Yi asked people to sit in the high seats, but Jiang Sheng was unwilling to do so. He waved his hands and said with a smile: "Everyone, please sit down. We came to the village in a hurry today. I'm sorry to bother you so much."
"Grandpa, you are the village chief, so you should sit in a high position."
"Okay, everyone, don't be polite. Sit down and eat while it's hot. Don't eat it cold, it will easily make your stomach upset."
The villagers felt a little awkward. Seeing that the nobles did not say anything, they slowly sat down, but they did not dare to get too close for fear of offending them.
Jiang Sheng picked up a tofu dumpling with chopsticks and took a bite. It was crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside. His eyes lit up and he praised, "Uncle Axe's cooking skills are really good. It's delicious."
Hearing this, Old Axe scratched his head uncomfortably, feeling a little embarrassed. "No, no, I'm glad you don't mind. I haven't cooked so many dishes in a long time, so my hands are a little rusty."
"No, it tastes great, better than what I make in the restaurant."
Seeing how approachable he was, the villagers gradually relaxed, sat down to eat meat and talk, with smiles on their faces the whole time.
The children snuggled up to the adults, staring eagerly at the meat dishes on the table, pointing and saying, "Mommy wants to eat meat, please give Maodan some meat, please."
"I got it, you little glutton."
The atmosphere in the yard was very warm. At some point, there was a rapid knock on the door, followed by the sound of kicking.
"Open the door quickly, old man! We are here to collect protection money today, and we can't pay you back a penny, or I'll kill you."
When Wang Yi heard the sound, he dropped his chopsticks to the ground, with a look of panic on his face: "Sir, the bandits are coming, hide quickly and don't let them see you."
"Otherwise, they will definitely not let you go. You don't know that the bandits in Niutou Mountain Stronghold are the most vicious and have killed many passers-by."
"No one is allowed to talk about the nobleman's affairs today. You all heard it."
Jiang Sheng actually wanted to say that this matter could not be concealed. Their horses were still outside and the bandits would definitely see them.
Before he could finish his words, the village chief pushed him into the room.
"Don't come out, my dear. No matter what happens, don't come out, understand? Those people are not easy to deal with. If you provoke one of them, hundreds of people in the village will have to leave the mountain."
Wang Yi closed the door after giving his instructions, then limped over to open it. As soon as he opened the door and looked at the ferocious bandits, a flattering smile appeared on his face: "Gentlemen, what are you doing..."
Before he could finish his words, the black-faced man in the lead kicked the man and knocked him to the ground without even looking at the old man who was vomiting blood.
He walked straight to the long table, took a look at the meat and vegetables on the table, and greeted them directly: "How are you, brothers? I said there are good things in Wangjiatun. Sit down and have a bite while it's hot."
The other three nodded, sat down and ate and drank.
The villagers huddled in a corner, not daring to breathe, for fear of disturbing these people and starting to wave their knives at them.
Soon the man finished eating, stood up, drew out his long knife and pointed it, with a somewhat lewd smile on his face: "Today, either take out five taels of silver, or give me a girl to play with."
"If not, I'll go up the mountain tomorrow and tell the head of the household that you, Wangjiatun, must pay twenty taels of silver next month, otherwise I'll make you pay."
The dark-faced man's eyes wandered over them, enjoying their fear and laughing wantonly: "Have you thought it through, old man? Your useless son is dead. If you want to live, you have to pay me."
"Give me five taels, and I'll leave right away."
Wang Yi slowed down, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and said tremblingly: "Dashan, take the silver and give it to me, go quickly."
Wang Dashan had a stern face, his eyes full of hatred. These damn bandits were trying to force people to death...
He turned and walked towards the house, and soon came out with the silver. The dark-faced man took it and put it directly into his pocket. He glanced at the other brothers with a sinister look on his face: "You can easily take five taels, it seems that you have hidden a lot of silver."
"Brothers, go search the house so that we can buy more wine and drinks for the boss to take up the mountain."
The three of them said in unison: "Yes, Brother Hei."
Wang Yi saw them about to enter the house and said in panic, "No! How could you go back on your word? You clearly said you would take five taels of silver and leave, why are you so vicious?"
The black-faced man said gloomily, "Vicious? What are you thinking, old man? Back then, I was a scholar just like your son, but your son reported me to the higher-ups."
"If it weren't for your son, how could I have failed the exam? Alas, thankfully your eldest son was killed by the head of the family, which helped me vent my anger."
The door was pushed open. Jiang Sheng glanced at Yang Er and gestured at his neck, indicating that he should be silenced.
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