Zhu Ci..
These words were merely self-consolation; if he truly hadn't forgotten, this small village wouldn't be like this.
However, he didn't say much more; he simply led the mule and followed the village head into the village, with villagers occasionally casting curious glances their way along the way.
The gentleman was somewhat better, but the children ran straight over to follow them, observing Zhu Ci and the mule beside him as they walked.
However, the adult here recognized the scholar's cap on Zhu Ci's head, knowing this gentleman was a scholar, hurriedly called out his own children's names to make them come back.
Zhu Ci took a small bag of osmanthus candy directly from the luggage on the mule, while distributing them, said softly, "Don't scramble, don't scramble, there is enough for everyone."
The village headman held his tobacco pipe and watched Zhu Ci distribute the candy with a hearty laugh.
Zhu Ci observed while distributing the candy, surprised to find that the people in this village were likely not very wealthy; even the best-dressed person was the village head, even he was only slightly cleaner than the rest, which made Zhu Ci appear quite prosperous by comparison.
One had to know that in order to avoid standing out, Zhu Ci had always purchased the most ordinary styles when buying clothes, even his accessories were chosen to be the cheapest possible within the limits of a scholar's status.
A scholar already held a very high status among the common people, revealing one's identity could avoid many troubles; as a result, he unexpectedly still appeared somewhat outstanding within the actual village.
But it didn't matter; based on what he had seen along the way, his family was originally a wealthy household in terms of their land and property.
Zhu Ci also hadn't expected that the identity the Empress had arranged for him was not a rootless tree, but that everything was actually true.
He followed the village head all the way to the largest residence in the village.
The village head explained, "This residence has been unoccupied for a long time and is somewhat dilapidated, but it is still sturdy."
Zhu Ci looked at the rusted door lock and fell silent for a long while.
He didn't have a key!
Fortunately, many children were following along, not just children, but also several teenagers who were already about ten years old.
However, in Zhu Ci's eyes, they were no different from children.
Zhu Ci looked around and asked, "Who is the strongest? Help me smash this door lock."
Eh?" The old constable hurriedly stepped forward to stop him, saying, "You mustn't do that.
Zhu Ci said with an air of indifference, "My father didn't give me the key, besides, this lock is so rusted that even if I had the key, it might not even open. It's fine, just smash it."
As he spoke, he pulled out the land deed. "There is no need for the village head to worry; I have the deed in my hands. This house and the fields are all mine, I am the one in charge."
After taking a look, the village head said no more, but simply pointed to one of them and said, "Mao Xiaoxi, you go."
Mao Xiaoxi stepped forward; he was indeed tall and sturdy. He ran over to the side, picked up a stone, ran back.
Zhu Ci could not help but praise him, saying, "A true warrior."
As he spoke, he observed the Baozhang's expression out of the corner of his eye, noticing that the man's hands were tightly clenched, making him look extremely uneasy.
There won't be any problems with this residence.. will there?
After the door lock was smashed, Zhu Ci walked straight inside.
The courtyard within the residence was overgrown with weeds, there were scattered broken stones inside. The doors and windows of the house had all been removed, leaving the interior naturally stripped of everything.
Oh, it was even worse than being destitute; at least a destitute home is somewhat clean, but this house was a complete mess, filled with everything from withered grass to tree branches.
Zhu Ci took a stroll around, while the village head stood to the side, secretly peeking at his expression without saying a word. Seeing the smile on this young scholar's face grow fainter and his expression become increasingly grim, he couldn't help but feel his calves trembling with nervousness.
Even though this youth had come alone, he was a scholar, the grandson of the State Preceptor, the Empress's nephew, the Crown Prince's cousin. This.. this was a powerful figure; if he truly offended them, I fear even this entire village wouldn't be enough to satisfy their wrath.
After taking a stroll around, Zhu Ci sighed and said, "People leave and the tea grows cold. Even Grandfather probably never expected the old residence to end up in such a state. Forget it, it's not worth much anyway. Let it be."
He walked out while saying that.
The village headman hurriedly followed behind and said, "Young Master, Young Master, please stay!"
Zhu Ci deliberately acted somewhat impatient: "Stay for what? Is this even a place for people to live? Move aside, I am returning to the Capital.
Young Master, it is getting late and the roads are unsafe. Why not.. why not stay overnight at this old man's house first, we can discuss everything tomorrow?
Zhu Ci looked up at the sun, which was already nearing the horizon, could only say reluctantly, "Fine."
As he spoke, he tossed over a silver bead and said, "I'm not staying here for free."
The village headman took the silver bead, feeling instant joy, thinking to himself that a God of Wealth had arrived. No matter what, he had to coax this man into a good mood—not just for the money, but because if he let him leave like this, Xialiang would surely face a great catastrophe!
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: Why am I finding myself getting poorer and poorer? *Cat paws at silver ingots while lost in thought. jpg*
Happy Lunar New Year, my dears! There are red envelopes in this chapter as well, mwah~
Next update at twelve noon~
Chapter 25
Zhu Ci followed the village head to the second largest residence in the village; clearly, one needed money to become a village head in this village.
Not only that, but the Headman's household even had several servants attending to him.
From this perspective, the village head should be considered a local gentry in this small village.
At dinner, Zhu Ci appeared quite indifferent to the coarse meal, eating only a few bites before stopping.
Sigh, actually, this farmhouse firewood stove food is quite delicious, especially that stir-fried cured meat; it smells so fragrant.
It was a pity he couldn't break character; how could a young master from a wealthy family be used to eating such things? It was only natural that he wouldn't be accustomed to it.
The village head saw that Zhu Ci's expression was indifferent and couldn't help but offer a conciliatory smile, saying, "Time was short, we did not have enough time to prepare a proper banquet. Please, Young Master, do not find it lacking."
Zhu Ci maintained a sense of propriety, intending to act slightly spoiled but not excessively so; since he had to stay here, he could not afford to offend people to death.
He waved his hand and said, "I arrived in such a hurry, so I cannot blame you, it's just.. sigh, seeing the old residence in this state truly brings me indescribable heartache."
The things missing from that residence were certainly stripped away by people; Zhu Ci could not appear too petty, nor could he appear too indifferent.
The village headman said repeatedly, "It is the children in the village who are being unruly; the adults at home are all busy and cannot manage them. I beg the Young Master for your forgiveness."
Zhu Ci gave a cold snort and said, "They are immature, but are you, as the headman, also immature? Even if we take it a step further, that is still the State Preceptor's ancestral residence; you people truly have quite the nerve."
The village headman said somewhat awkwardly, "This.. I have only been the village headman for five years, I truly.. lack the ability to do more."
Zhu Ci asked casually, "What happened to the previous village head?"
Alas, the whole family was killed by the sea bandits.
Zhu Ci paused and asked, "Sea bandits? There are still sea bandits landing here?"
“Yes, they come once every few years. *Sigh*.”
Zhu Ci felt a bit of a toothache. What kind of world was this? It was far too difficult for ordinary people to survive. He just wanted to live a simple, peaceful life, so why was that so hard!
The village headman looked at Zhu Ci cautiously and asked, "Young Master, do you think.. could you ask the State Preceptor to send someone to suppress those sea bandits?"
Zhu Ci did not answer, but instead asked unexpectedly, "The fields in your grandfather's house are being cultivated by others now, aren't they?"
The village headman said with some embarrassment, "Well.. those are all prime fields; it would be a waste to let them go to ruin."
He wanted to deny it, but winter wheat was currently being grown in those fields, so he had no choice but to accept it.
Zhu Ci sneered and said, "You are truly bold. According to the Great Ming Code, unauthorized encroachment on another's farmland carries a punishment of eighty strokes of the cane to penal servitude, while forcibly seizing mountain resources belonging to the state or the people carries one hundred strokes of the cane and exile for three thousand li."
The village headman immediately panicked; after all, their family was among those who had encroached upon those lands.
He immediately stood up, knelt on the ground, said, "Young Master, have mercy!"
Zhu Ci glanced at him and sighed, saying, "I do not wish to make things difficult for you. After all, I have not been here for a long time, these things are not worth much. However, if word gets out, even if we do not pursue the matter, the government cannot simply turn a blind eye to such conduct; they will certainly demand an explanation from the Earl's Mansion."
“Young Master, Young Master, save us!” The entire family of the village head knelt down.
Zhu Ci frowned and said, "Forget it, let me think about it. You should also think of a way, preferably one that can resolve this smoothly. Otherwise, when my father sends my brother over, it won't be this simple; my brother is a very fierce man."
The village head nodded repeatedly. "Rest assured, Young Master. This old man will certainly provide the State Preceptor with an explanation regarding this matter."
Zhu Ci nodded and said, "That's enough for today. I'm exhausted from traveling all day."
The village headman immediately led Zhu Ci to rest, even giving up his own main room for him.
Zhu Ci was not polite with him, but he did not fall asleep immediately either; instead, he closed his eyes and pricked up his ears to listen to the sounds.
Although the headman's house was quite nice, the soundproofing was clearly mediocre; when the family went to the side room to discuss matters, the headman's son would raise his voice in moments of urgency.
Zhu Ci touched the Yanling Blade resting by his pillow and closed his eyes.
He did not act too aggressively, leaving some room for maneuver.
As long as they weren't intent on killing someone, the villagers here probably wouldn't insist on fighting to the death.
Before going to sleep, Zhu Ci also heard the village head telling his eldest son to set out for the county early in the morning to scout for some news.
Zhu Ci closed his eyes and let them be, since everything he said was true.
When Zhu Ci woke up early the next morning, he asked deliberately, "Huh? Where is your Dalang?"
"Dalang entered the city early this morning for some business," the village head said, while signaling his young daughter to serve the breakfast.
Zhu Ci sat down and said, "What a coincidence. Once we finish eating, I have something to say to you."
Upon hearing this, the village headman guessed that he might be about to discuss the matter of the land and houses, his heart grew uneasy and anxious all at once.
Why hasn't his Dalang returned yet?
Zhu Ci also knew he was waiting for someone, so he ate slowly and with perfect etiquette, looking quite pleasing to the eye, making the simple countryside hall feel as grand as a noble manor.
The more the village head looked at him, the more certain he became that this young master came from an extraordinary background; combined with the fact that the other man held land deeds and property documents, the possibility of him being a swindler was almost zero.
After Zhu Ci finished eating slowly, Dalang from the Headman's family also ran back, nodding to the Headman as soon as he entered the door.
The village head drew a sharp breath in his heart, feeling an involuntary sense of panic. At this moment, he actually hoped this person was a fraud, so that he could simply report him to the officials; as things stood now.. it was possible that they would be the ones arrested instead.
Zhu Ci put down his chopsticks, glanced at Dalang, said, "Alright, it's time we had a talk."
With just that single glance, the village headman knew his little schemes had been seen through completely, he felt an even greater sense of unease in his heart.
The village chief sent everyone in his family downstairs, leaving only his eldest son.
Zhu Ci sat majestically in the seat of honor and asked, "What do you have to say? What are your thoughts?"
Before the village head could speak, Dalang knelt and said, "Young Master, we were blinded by greed and should not have encroached upon your family's lands. We will return them immediately; we beg the Young Master to show mercy and grant us a way to live.
Zhu Ci said indifferently, "Just return them?"