Huang Yinsheng ruffled Ji Taoyu’s hair: "Thankfully, Huo Shu was there to help. Otherwise, this matter would’ve been hard to explain, no matter what you said."
Ji Yangzong agreed: "That’s right."
"By the way, is Huo Shu free to come?"
"He has to slaughter a pig first. He said he’ll come after finishing."
"That’s good."
The group walked through the courtyard into the kitchen, where Huang Manjing had already started stewing the chicken, the aroma was already wafting out.
Ji Taoyu hurried to brew a cup of tea for Huang Yinsheng: "The clinic must be busy. You went out of your way to come to the village just to see me. If you miss me, just send word, I’ll go to the city myself and save you the trip."
Huang Yinsheng took the tea and said, "My visit to the village this time isn’t just to see you, I also have something to discuss with your father."
Upon hearing that his father-in-law had come specifically for him, Ji Yangzong’s heart skipped a beat.
"This matter with the You family… I truly didn’t anticipate it. Back then, I really misjudged them…"
Huang Yinsheng took a sip of tea. When he heard Ji Yangzong’s words, he chuckled and set the teacup down:
"Do you think I’d leave my medical practice unattended just to come to the village and scold you? What’s done is done, there’s no point in saying more."
"Then, Father-in-law, what brings you to the village specifically?"
At this point, Huang Yinsheng’s expression suddenly turned serious. "Do you know that a couple of days ago, when Fan village was transporting grain into the city, their shipment was robbed by bandits on the official road?"
"What?!"
Ji Yangzong’s eyes widened in shock.
Hearing such news, Taoyu and Huang Manjing quickly gathered around.
"Such a major incident happening within the prefecture! Fan village is less than fifty li from our village, how come we haven’t heard even a whisper about it?"
[1 li = 0.5 km]
"Was the stolen grain this year’s autumn harvest, meant to be delivered as taxes to the court?"
Huang Yinsheng affirmed: "It happened so suddenly that even the authorities didn’t expect these bandits to be so bold as to openly rob the court’s grain."
Ji Yangzong was incredulous. "Since such a heinous crime has occurred, why hasn’t the government summoned the village heads for a meeting? If bandits dare to plunder openly within Tongzhou’s borders, what if they raid the villages? An early warning would at least let us prepare!"
"Father-in-law, could this news be mistaken?"
Huang Yinsheng replied, "I’ve had some dealings with the clerk of the military office in the prefectural yamen. This time, when I went to his home to treat his mother, he confided in me a few words, advising that unless absolutely necessary, we should avoid going out these days."
"That’s why I didn’t go to the outer prefecture first but came to inform you all. Until the government suppresses the bandit threat, it’s best if none of you venture out."
Lowering his voice, Huang Yinsheng continued, "Prefect Zhang has been stationed in Tongzhou for five years now. After his performance review by the Ministry of Personnel next spring, he’ll be reassigned. At this critical juncture, if such an incident isn’t handled properly, it’ll damage his reputation. So, the prefecture has suppressed the news for now, dispatching troops to hunt down the bandits and quietly recover the grain, hoping to settle the matter discreetly. That’s why they haven’t publicized it to avoid leaks."
"As for whether the bandits will raid villages, it’s hard to say. But Mingxun village is only a little over twenty li from the prefectural seat. Even if the bandits intend to plunder, they likely wouldn’t dare cause trouble so close to the city."
Ji Taoyu opened his mouth to speak: "For the sake of their reputations and performance reviews, the prefectural officials withhold critical news from the common people. Never mind whether the bandits raid villages, what if ordinary farmers and merchants run into them while traveling?!"
"This is clearly treating the lives of the common people as—"
He stopped abruptly, realizing he had gotten too worked up. Though he was at home, he still didn’t dare openly criticize officials.
Huang Yinsheng sighed. "Court officials have always been like this, their careers and achievements come first, the common people last. Even if we resent it, there’s nothing we can do to change it. All we can do is be cautious."
Ji Yangzong fretted, "The tax collection must be completed, and both the taxes and grain must be delivered to the prefecture for handover before next month. With such chaos outside, what are we to do?"
"If the grain is lost, it’s a crime punishable by imprisonment."
"That’s exactly why I came to warn you. While personal safety is paramount, delivering the autumn grain is also a top priority. Pick a day to go to the prefectural yamen and see if they can spare any troops to escort the grain. If not, organize the strong men of the village to transport it together."
Ji Yangzong frowned deeply, his mind in turmoil over the sudden news:
"What kind of times are these, that even Tongzhou has spawned such lawlessness? And yet the yamen does nothing, what are we rural farmers supposed to do?"
"No matter. When the time comes, I’ll accompany the village head to deliver the grain into the city."
A voice suddenly came from the doorway. Everyone instinctively looked over and saw a tall figure striding in. Their faces brightened with smiles, dispelling the previously tense atmosphere.
Da Niu had brought Huo Shu along.
Huo Shu’s gaze first swept over Ji Taoyu before he greeted the others with a nod.
Huang Manjing quickly brought a stool for Huo Shu, and the family politely urged him to sit: "You’re busy, yet we’ve called you over for a meal, making you run back and forth."
Exactly, he needs to help his father in law, obviously 🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update!