Free Web NovelChapter 93: Chapter 93
Chapter 93
"There’s no need to answer your question. Now, think about it. This army’s journey to this remote village ends in soldiers dying because of the negligence that allowed common villagers to poison their food. Over a hundred soldiers were sick because of the poison."
"And when they finally go to suppress the bandits, they find the villagers poisoning their food again. Fortunately, the food supply unit discovered it in time, allowing them to capture the culprits. Do you think... this would be considered an achievement or something deserving punishment?" Yueqian asked. As the people listened, they began to think along, their faces growing increasingly fearful.
“Th-this matter...”
"Now, compare that to a report stating: This army’s journey, upon arriving at the remote village, there was a poisoning incident. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the people of this small village were in league with the bandits and secretly supported them."
"So, they schemed to poison the soldiers’ food without them knowing. However, we lost only a few dozen soldiers because we noticed once we saw the irregularities. We captured the culprits in the act, cutting off the bandits’ support, which led to our success in eliminating the despicable bandits later. ...What do you think of this report?"
Yueqian didn’t allow them to argue back since their protests would be nothing more than unsound argument, just like those who wanted to avoid the truth they heard.
Every word Yueqian spoke struck at the core of their fears. The more she spoke, the more plausible it seemed. Who would have thought that their lives could suddenly hang by a common thread? If they fell, there was an abyss of death below.
"Th-then, what should we do?"
"Indeed, if things are like this, we are all doomed."
"It’s because of the Mu family. If Mu Tian hadn’t done this, we wouldn’t be in such a mess."
"That’s right! You should take responsibility for this! The Mu family must be held accountable."
"We don’t want to die with you."
"Exactly. The Mu family is so greedy. They even took just a few taels to poison and kill people. It’s despicable. We have nothing to do with it. If there’s punishment, it should be on the Mu family."
Upon hearing that they might die because of Mu Tian’s selfishness, they erupted in outrage. They were never really on good terms with the Mu family. Normally, they didn’t interact much, and the Mu family had a reputation for exploiting others.
Previously, many villagers went foraging in the forest with members of the Mu family. Each person would set their own traps, but they often being exploited, sometimes the traps they had set were stolen. When confronted, the Mu family claimed they had found the animals, stealing them without shame.
This deep-seated resentment led to their current reactions. ƒreewebɳovel.com
No one felt sympathy for the Mu family. No one thought the lives of the Mu family were more important than their own. They had come to listen to a fun story, but if this issue affected them personally, no one would even share their advice.
"You people, why are you saying this? Our Mu family had no part in this. Why should we bear the consequences?"
"Exactly. We didn’t even receive any shares. How can you think I deserve to be punished?"
Hearing the majority accuse them, the Mu family couldn’t accept it. Soon, the argument escalated. If the village leader hadn’t stopped them, they might have come to blows.
"Stop. Things had escalated to this point. Arguing won’t get us anywhere. We should focus on finding a solution, shouldn’t we?" The village leader felt as though he had aged another ten years. His eyes showed worry, but his position as village leader wasn’t without reason.
In this situation, he managed to quell the petty squabbles. This was a testament to his capabilities. Being a village leader required more than a good heart; it required authority. Every word of his had to be taken seriously by the villagers, otherwise, anyone could replace him, right?
Just like this time, a single sentence from him silenced all the villagers.
"So, what should we do now, Leader?" Someone with a clear mind asked once the situation calmed down.
"If what A’Heng’s wife said is true, then this is indeed a serious matter. Moreover, Mu Tian has already committed the act. With clear evidence, she will undoubtedly be punished. However, we must find a way to ensure the entire village does not suffer as well.”
The village leader summarized the situation once again. The people nodded, not arguing that it was impossible because the examples Yueqian provided were so clear.
"Do you, the Mu family, accept this?" He turned to ask Mu Xian again to be sure. If the other didn’t agree and let this escalate further, the whole village could be affected.
Mu Xian, now exhausted, looked at everyone in the village with the eyes of an old man. His regret was palpable, but no one felt any sympathy because they were all struggling to save themselves.
"Father, we have to accept it, don’t we? There’s no way to help Mu Tian now. If you remain stubborn, it could bring disaster to all of us. I don’t care much about myself, but what if it affects the children?" Yi Fan couldn’t help but speak up upon seeing Grandfather Mu Xian’s demeanor.
Though she often agreed with Mu Tian, there was no deep bond between them. As a daughter-in-law, she had to put up with Mu Tian, knowing she was the most difficult to handle. However, she never truly admired her. Mu Tian’s sharp tongue never earned her anyone’s love. Yi Fan had always kept her dissatisfaction to herself when she was at home.
Now that this disaster threatened her and her children because of Mu Tian, who could accept that?
"That’s right. If Mu Tian’s actions affect our children, it would be terrible," Ji Chuang spoke up either. To be honest, she was closer to Mu Tian than Yi Fan was. However, when comparing Mu Tian’s importance to her children’s, Mu Tian’s existence could not be compared to her children’s lives.
Additionally, Ji Chuang was a coward. She was foul-mouthed but afraid of severe consequences. When it came to life-and-death matters, she wanted nothing to do with it. In fact, when she first came to see Mu Heng and Yueqian, her initial intention was to persuade them to help. Since Yueqian was a smart woman from the capital and knew the general, Ji Chuang hoped that with Yueqian’s plea and the Mu family’s support, the general might save their faces.
But when things took such a drastic turn, and she heard about the executions, Ji Chuang decided she didn’t want to get involved anymore.
"As your daughter-in-law said, Mu Xian..., we have to let go of the matter with Mu Tian," the village leader sighed, locking eyes with Mu Xian, who looked like a man half-dead.
Mu Xian was more heartbroken than anyone. Deciding this was like choosing between letting his child die without caring or making a fuss and risking everyone else.
When he heard the chatter of the children from Mu Heng’s house, which they must be arguing like a child, he realized that the kids still had a long future ahead. He could only close his eyes because of that.
The old man nodded slightly as a promise that he would not interfere with Mu Tian’s case anymore. He swallowed his tears, deciding to cut away the diseased part to save the healthy flesh. It was painful, but he knew that cutting this part off was the best way to ensure survival...
"Good, Mu Xian," the old man patted his shoulder encouragingly.
Hearing that Mu Xian agreed not to interfere or provoke the soldiers anymore, the villagers felt a slight relief. However, this didn’t mean the issue was resolved. Mu Xian’s confirmation was a small part of preventing future chaos that caused by him, but finding their path to safety was still not easy.
"Alright, from now on, it’s time for us to think of a solution for the village." The village leader used Mu Heng’s house as a place for discussions instead of his house, which had become a meeting place since the village square had been taken over by the soldiers to set up tents. The square had now become a place full of vomit and excrement of the sick soldiers, even the healthy soldiers in the army had to relocate.
The condition of the square was filthy. Although people in this era didn’t know about germs, the gathering of dirty animals created a stench that made it clear to them that this wasn’t a good situation.
"Could we beg the mayor to come and testify on our behalf? He must know that we couldn’t have committed such a crime?" One of the villagers, a supporting character, said.
"Are you crazy? Do you think the governor will testify for us after seeing the evidence against our village?"
"Who are you calling crazy? I was just thinking. What’s your idea then? Let us judge it."
"I haven’t thought of anything yet. I’m still thinking."
"If you haven’t thought of anything, why criticize my idea? If you have a better idea, speak up."
"Don’t argue in times like this. The first thing we need to do is exchange ideas. I have a thought. What if we offer to help the soldiers capture the bandits? That way, they might not think we’re siding with the bandits."
"Hey, I think that’s a good plan."
"I agree, but will the soldiers let us join?"
"They need manpower. They might allow us to show our goodwill. However, Mu Tian’s actions might make them distrust us."
“What should we do then?” Many people exchanged ideas while Yueqian was also contemplating something in her mind.
However, while they were trying to find a solution together, more than ten soldiers rushed to Mu Heng’s house, looking anxious. Their faces were covered in sweat, indicating that coming to Mu Heng’s house was an urgent task.
“Um, what brings you here?” The village leader asked nervously. After the recent incident with Mu Tian, he was wary of any new troubles that might befall the villagers.
The old man’s hands trembled as he prayed that no one else had foolishly taken money to do something wrong.
