Chapter 1797: Chapter 1797: New Faces, Old Faces

Little Yan Tai trembled while asking, afraid of returning to a life of wandering... Those days were bitter, not enough to eat, and always being bullied; just thinking about it brings tears.

Qin San Lang nodded, "Okay."

Little Yan Tai’s eyes glistened, wiped away tears, and saluted Qin San Lang, "Thank you, Company Commander Qin, I’m going to practice horse stance!"

Company Commander Qin didn’t like pampered children; he preferred them to be tougher, then he’d be satisfied.

Little Pingxi also followed Little Yan Tai in running.

Qin San Lang thought of Little Yan Tai’s name and added a sentence in three letters: Little Yan Tai’s name might be Yantai.

When Little Yan Tai got lost, he was young, and his nickname might have been given when his speech was unclear. The old gentleman who first found him probably didn’t understand, so he called him Little Yan Tai.

...

Two hours later, Qin San Lang sent someone to the backyard to call Wen Rong, planning to take him to watch the execution at the front of the government office.

Little Pingxi pulled Little Yan Tai along, but most children were too scared to watch beheadings and did not follow.

By the time they reached the main street in front of the government office, the entire street had been surrounded by people there to watch the execution.

County Captain Tang and others had severely harmed Gaoshui County, causing cries, curses, and the sound of stones being thrown at people among the crowd; the citizens were incredibly angry.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Smash these damn things, beasts eating our flesh and blood!"

"Smash them, beheading them is too merciful!"

"Beasts, return my daughter’s life!"

"Where is my girl? Where did you sell her to? Speak up!"

The scene in front of the government office was chaotic for a while. If it weren’t for the soldiers blocking them, the Bian Family would have been beaten to death by the enraged populace.

Finally, when noon arrived, General Ge immediately had the soldiers sound the gong, issuing the order for execution.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

"It’s noon, execute! Bystanders, move back!"

But instead of retreating, the crowd became even more agitated.

General Ge feared the masses might break through the wall of soldiers, so hastily ordered the soldiers to swing swords at Bian Family members.

The sound of slice after slice, the heads of Bian Family males, Housekeeper Bian, several malevolent criminals from Lishui Village, and prisoners including Huang Chief Commander all fell.

Blood spurted; heads rolled on the ground; bodies thudded to the ground, leaving the onlookers stunned.

Moments later, shouts of joy erupted: "Dead, these beasts are finally dead, now we can live good days!"

Good days may be uncertain, but at least no longer exploited.

"Bian Family and numerous criminals have been executed; folks, go home!" soldiers shouted loudly, but only when Bian Family’s corpses were dragged away did the citizens begin to slowly disperse.

Those who had deep hatred for Lishui Village criminals even followed behind the corpse cart out of the city, witnessing the bodies thrown into the mass grave, devoured by wild dogs before being satisfied.

Wen Rong also wanted to see the criminals’ final fate, but was held back by Zhang Zhong.

After watching the execution, Qin San Lang and others entered the county government, handing over the three letters they wrote to Vice General Ma: "It’s regarding Little Yan Tai’s past, please help send it to Daliang Prefecture, Jingzhao Mansion, and the Lei Family Mansion in Xing’an Prefecture."

Vice General Ma received the letters delightedly... Is this an allegiance?

Overthinking it, merely to ease your worries.

Vice General Ma responded, "Alright, these three letters will be delivered safely."

But before sending, they planned to open and read them first.

Qin San Lang anticipated this, completely unafraid of them reading.

Vice General Ma continued, "Since you’re here, take care of buying properties and land too."

Qin San Lang mentioned wanting to purchase estates within the county, including all land and estates in Gu Family Village and unclaimed lands of Lin Family Slope; they agreed.

And Qin San Lang dared ask them to deliver letters, clearly showing intent to ally, such a General Hu voluntarily allying warranted good treatment.

"Thank you, General!" Qin San Lang was pleased, his face bright with joy, making Vice General Ma even happier to see.

Now in Gaoshui County, Vice General Ma and General Ge held authority, so purchasing houses and land went smoothly. All fields and estates in Gu Family Village were purchased, along with two shops on Main Street opposite the government office, two adjacent and well-located five-entry mansions, plus two large estates outside the county.

"The estates belonged to the Bian Family, very large, with a batch of millet growing, though not well, but can be harvested. Arrange for harvest quickly, lest frost ruins them." Vice General Ma advised with smiles.

His happiness stemmed from finding substantial stored grain in the two estates, and discovering a jar of gold in one.

The gold was buried by Bian Family in preparation for emergencies, but ended up benefiting him and General Ge.

"Thank you, General," said Qin San Lang, then without delaying, sought Lin Liu: "Brother Lin, in a few days we’re setting off for Daokou Gully, urgently seeking skilled well-diggers, could you take half a day off and guide us through various neighborhoods in the county? I’ll reward you."

As he spoke, he showed three taels of silver, making Lin Liu gulp.

But now, the county government managed strictly; Lin Liu and soldiers were under punitive suspicion, so dared not leave post, pointing a direction: "Head to Tufu Street in East City; it’s where craftsmen wait for work, most masters have signs there."

The silver returned respectfully, unable to accept.

Little Pingxi felt relieved seeing this.

Yow yow yow, silver preserved!

He realized, Uncle Qin and Aunt Gu Er were quite extravagant; Uncle Qin liked giving silver away, Aunt Gu Er constantly cooked a lot, and at this rate, they’d likely end up poor.

"Raise your eyebrows up, pulling them down looks kind of ugly."

Like a little old man, no good.

Little Pingxi quickly raised his eyebrows, his face immediately looking much nicer.

Qin San Lang leading Little Pingxi and others went towards Tufu Street in East City.

Tufu Street indeed had many ragged individuals with signs around their necks seeking jobs, and some even hung straw mats to sell themselves.

As soon as they set foot on Tufu Street, a large group swarmed in, pleading, "This Military Officer, looking for workers? Not expensive, includes meals, six cents a day is sufficient."

"Zhang Luozhi, you’re so greedy, asking for money in such times?" someone scolded nearby, bending over, speaking to Qin San Lang, "Officer, we want no wages, just feed us three meals a day."

"Pah, Miao Lao Ba, you have five in your family, want three meals? You’d eat the Officer’s house poor!"

Again addressing Qin San Lang, "Officer, we’re only two, born and raised in Gaoshui County, honest people, capable of all kinds of work, only ask for one pound of soybeans each!"

Homes still had six mouths to feed, though government offered soybeans to sustain, they weren’t enough.

Qin San Lang replied, "I only need masters skilled at deep well-digging, willing to work at Daokou Gully, and sign a death contract."

This sentence scared off over half the crowd.

Rong bandits still lingered near Daokou Gully, rumored to contain a long poisonous insect canal teeming with deadly bugs, what if it becomes a one-way trip?

They sought jobs to survive, not those risking lives.

Yet, four scruffy individuals ran over, bowed, and raised their heads towards Qin San Lang, "This Officer, I’m skilled at well digging, willing to sell myself, happy to go to Daokou Gully, just must purchase our family members; we cannot separate."

Uncle Mao and others had observed Qin San Lang from afar for a long time, practiced these words many times, but when facing him, their bodies trembled uncontrollably.

Young Marquis, their Young Marquis didn’t die, truly still alive!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.