Gu Yundong looked at him, Zhao Zhu was quite burly, completely different from the thin and weak Goushou.

Gu Yundong didn’t beat around the bush, “Since you stole from my house and got caught by me, it’s simple. Each person pays five taels of silver, and I’ll release them.”

Zhao Zhu frowned, while Hu Qianlai had already started cursing, “Dream on, go rob for five taels of silver. I won’t give you a single penny. Goushou’s father, why are you wasting time with her? Let’s all go together. You’re stronger, and can a little girl like her fight several of us at once?”

Zhao Zhu pursed his lips, but Gu Yundong smiled at Hu Qianlai, “I think you’ve forgotten who I am.” Her words were not just for Hu Qianlai and the others, but for everyone in the village to hear.

“I came to Yongfu Village to settle down, but that doesn’t mean I’m easy to bully. Dare to come to my house and steal things, then you must pay the price, or don’t even think about leaving. You can try.”

Zhao Zhu remained silent, and Hu Qianlai finally realized belatedly that this girl was indeed not easy to mess with.

Only Jin Yuexiang still couldn’t understand the situation, pointing at Gu Yundong and shouting, “I won’t give anything, not a single penny! If you have the guts, don’t release them. Have the guts to beat them to death. Do you dare?”

Gu Yundong shook her head, “I don’t dare.”

Jin Yuexiang felt triumphant. She had said it; could this Gu Yundong dare to take a life? Fleeing from disaster was one thing, but could she be so ruthless in their Yongfu Village? Just bluffing would be enough.

“I don’t dare, and you won’t pay either. Then let’s just have another round of beatings… and report it to the officials.” Gu Yundong coolly interjected.

Jin Yuexiang’s smile froze on her face. “Report it? Are you crazy?”

Ordinary people were not willing to deal with the officials. Once you entered the yamen, it wouldn’t be as simple as losing some money. By then, it wouldn’t be a matter that could be resolved with five taels of silver.

“Yes, report it. Let the magistrate beat them up. They’ve been stealing for so long. Under severe torture, they might reveal a lot. When the verdict comes down, you’ll have to compensate for everything lost in the village over the years.”

Jin Yuexiang’s expression changed slightly. “You… you said let the magistrate beat them, and he’ll actually do it? It’s like the magistrate will listen to you. Let me tell you, even if you go to the officials, you won’t get any good.”

Gu Yundong raised an eyebrow, “How do you know the magistrate… won’t listen to me?”

Everyone present was stunned. No, he wouldn’t, would he? Could it be that Gu Yundong knew the magistrate?

After all, she was not a local, and nobody knew her background. Seeing her confident demeanor, some began to have doubts.

But just as people were whispering, a male voice suddenly sounded from behind the crowd, “How come I don’t know that the magistrate knows such a little village girl like you?”