Chapter 71: Sixty Liang

Yang Lizheng had been pondering, and he understood both Wan Sanye’s and Su Yin’s points.

He also understood the intentions of Qianshan Village’s leader.

He knew that if he let this go, people’s morale would be shaken. Once that happened, it would be hard to control. In such a situation, their journey would be doomed to be short.

He understood even better that if they insisted on killing these six people, they were bound to clash with the people of Qianshan Village.

They had already been attacked twice and didn’t have much time to recover. Moreover, the conditions were harsh, making fighting and killing unfavorable.

Yang Li carefully weighed the pros and cons.

“Since you’re the one who spoke, I have to give you some face,” said Wang Lizheng of Qianshan Village, a smile on his face.

“But the death penalty can be avoided, but the living crime cannot be escaped.

To prevent them from making mistakes in the future, we have to make them suffer so they can remember it. Wang Lizheng, am I right?”

Wang Lizheng nodded, “You are always right. You guys are right. Punish them however you want, as long as they are spared so they can continue on.”

Tsk!

Su Yin couldn’t help but tsk in her heart. Li Zheng from Qianshan Village was truly an old fox.

This was so beautifully said. If you could, just say the first half, but don’t say the second half.

The smart people heard the implication of Wang Lizheng’s words and looked angry.

Who were these people? They were just rubbing salt in their wounds.

Yang Dashan was about to speak, but Su Yin signaled him to stay quiet.

The third grandfather could handle this well, and he definitely wouldn’t be easily led by the other party.

They were afraid of a fight, so weren’t the other parties afraid?

So the containment was mutual, but the initiative was in their hands.

Yang Lizheng said calmly, “Let’s stop fighting. If there’s a fight, it will be hard to save ourselves in this wilderness.

Let’s just pay compensation! Each of the six of us will pay us ten taels of silver.”

“What!” Wang Laitou’s family members screamed.

The people of Qianshan Village were also shocked by Yang Lizheng’s audacious demand.

Oh my god!

That’s ten taels of silver, and many families didn’t even have a few taels in total.

Asking for ten taels right off the bat was pure extortion in the eyes of the people of Qianshan Village.

The faces of the six people responsible for Wang Lai turned green.

Even if they sold themselves, they wouldn’t fetch that much money.

In those days, many people sold themselves, and you could buy one for just three to five taels of silver.

Some young children didn’t even need money, just give them to those who stutter.

Wang Lizheng’s face didn’t look very good either, and he still tried to negotiate in a harmonious voice, “They can’t afford the ten taels of silver, do you think…”

Yang Lizheng interrupted directly, “I can see that the people of Qianshan Village are the same as our village.

They are all a united and friendly family. They must be willing to spend money. If each family contributes one or half a penny, it will be enough.”

Wan Sanye and Su Yin raised their eyebrows and lips in a knowing smile.

The third grandfather did not disappoint her.

This move was truly awesome.

Before they could deny it, Yang Lizheng added another sentence, completely blocking their way.

“I believe your village can get it. After all, you are all willing to lay down your lives for them.

Now it’s only a tael and a half, so it’s no big deal. You can buy a life for a tael and a half, which is still a good deal. Are you right?”

Wang Lizheng seemed to be both angry and amused, “Yang Lizheng, you are right.”

Someone in Qianshan Village couldn’t help but speak.

“Li Zheng, let’s…”

“Shut up.” Wang Lizheng shouted sharply, silencing the other person.

Wang Lizheng knew exactly how much money the Wang Laitou family had, and the other five families might also have some money.

Wang Laitou was his right-hand man. If he couldn’t be saved, his integrity would be in vain.

Many times, he still needed him to handle many things, so that he could be a ‘fair’ and ‘just’ person and be able to better control others.

Wang Lizheng looked at the six members of Wang Laitou’s family with cold eyes, “Each of you will give out five taels of silver, and the other families will take out the rest.

As Li Zheng, I will give out two taels of silver, and each family will take the same amount. One tael of silver.

If they encounter trouble this time, you will help. Next time you encounter trouble, others will also help.”

He looked at Wang Laitou’s family again, “This money is temporarily lent to you by the villagers. When you have money, you must pay it back. Remember?”

“We will remember it and we will never forget it.”

“When we get settled, we will pay it back as soon as possible.

“We will forget it. We will definitely remember this kindness.”

Even though they said this, the other twenty-two family members still felt uncomfortable.

At a time when they are fleeing from famine, who knows when they will be able to settle down, and who can guarantee that their family will be safe and sound.

If something happens, they will definitely not get their money back.

These days, losing one tael of silver means losing one point of security for your family.

So no one came up with the penny, but they had to.

Qianshan Village searched and collected sixty taels of silver, and then the people of Xinghua Village released the six people.

This time they stole the chicken but failed to lose the rice.

The first few people in Wang Lai lowered their heads, not daring to face the whole village.

“We have to go on a journey tomorrow, let’s all go and rest.”

As soon as Yang Lizheng said this, everyone went back separately. As for the sixty taels of silver, they were not worried that Lizheng would cheat.

Everyone else was asleep, but Lizheng stayed awake and sat with the six night watchmen.

“Girl Su, you have done something good again this time.”

Several other people also praised Su Yin.

Yang Lizheng changed the subject, “Now that we have a conflict with the people in Qianshan Village, we must be extra careful on the road ahead.

All of you must cheer up.”

“Understood.” Everyone nodded.

Early the next morning, Su Yin found an open space to practice boxing, and Yang Dashu followed her, stood beside her, and followed her example.

Occasionally, if there is something he didn’t understand, Su Yin would patiently give him some guidance.

While she was boxing, the people in Xinghua Village, old and young, all got up to collect dew.

Even though there was very little dew here, pitifully little, even none at all, they still didn’t give up.

Several families have run out of water and are relying on financial aid, but the financial aid is limited.

The people in Qianshan Village noticed the movement on their side, especially when they saw them walking into the mountains with bamboo tubes, they just felt strange.

“Why are they walking into the mountains with bamboo tubes?”

“Who knows!”

Someone said unconsciously, “Could it be that they found the water source?” As soon as these words came out, the people in Qianshan Village stared at each other with wide eyes, all excited.

“Let’s go, grab your things quickly and follow them. Don’t get too close to them, so as not to conflict with them.”

Su Baozhu led a few children into the mountains. There was no dew outside, and it could only be found deep in the forest, a little bit.

“Little aunt, those bad guys are coming.” Xiao Taohua pulled Su Baozhu’s sleeve.