Chapter 33

"Brother-in-law, I found Doctor Zhou and got some licorice. I heard it can regulate the spirit, soothe the lungs, and clear heat. You should drink some first."

Shen Shi leaned against the bed, unable to help but sigh.

"Sister-in-law, I’m troubling you, but the anger in my heart can’t be quelled by anything!"

Qiao Tieshan’s wife also looked worried and said, "Sister-in-law, Tieshan went to inquire and heard that this matter was ordered by the Defense Commissioner. These officials, they don’t eat human food. It’s the dead of winter, and the New Year is just a month away. They’re taking our houses, isn’t this forcing us to the brink? Ah, Sister-in-law, calculating the days, Ke should be returning from Guangning soon. The child has ideas; with him here, there’s hope!"

"Absolutely not!" Shen Shi hurriedly shook her head, her face turning even paler.

"Sister-in-law, I’m afraid Ke will find out. I’ve endured all kinds of hardships, and even without a house, I can still live. Common people are like wild grass by the roadside; as long as the roots aren’t pulled out, we can survive. You know Ke’s temper; he’s violent, and a lone man doesn’t fight power. If anything happens to the child, I, I..."

Shen Shi couldn’t finish her sentence, and tears began to fall again.

Suddenly, the door opened, and Qiao Tieshan pushed it open and entered.

"Tieshan, how did it go?"

"Ah!" Qiao Tieshan sighed heavily, squatted in the corner, and took out his pipe, puffing away.

Qiao Daun, with her fiery temper, reached out and snatched the pipe, throwing it to the ground.

"A big man, if you have something to say, just say it. You went out and came back mute? Can’t speak anymore?"

"What do you want me to say? Go outside and take a look!"

Qiao Daun hurriedly went outside, and Shen Shi followed. They saw two soldiers holding copper gongs, walking and striking them.

"The court has ordered that 63 households on East Street must vacate their houses within three days to accommodate the relocated people. If they don’t move within three days, they will be dealt with by military law!"

East Street! 63 households!

That includes our house!

Qiao Daun’s eyes widened, and she started yelling, "Who’s the scoundrel who dares to take my house? I’ll go to the government and argue my case."

"Where are you going!" Qiao Tieshan pulled his wife back into the house.

Shen Shi also asked worriedly, "Brother Tieshan, why does the court need so many houses? What are they planning to do?"

"Sister-in-law, I just found out. It’s said that the Tartars keep attacking, and some small villages and forts lack soldiers and are poorly defended. They have to move people inward, and to accommodate them, they need to requisition our houses!"

Shen Shi’s face immediately turned gloomy.

"I’m just a woman and don’t understand big matters, but we can’t save some people by harming others!"

Qiao Daun also said hurriedly, "Sister-in-law is right. Isn’t this like carrying a burden on both shoulders?"

"You don’t understand! This is the work of a villain."

"A villain?"

"Yes, it’s Wan Baiquan. Originally, Tang Bi, the town commander, wanted to distribute the people evenly among the households, which would be a heavier burden but wouldn’t force people out..."

While they were talking, there was a sudden commotion outside.

"Uncle Tieshan, are you home? Wan Baiquan is leading people to take our land. The old man wants to seize our land!"

"Ah!"

Qiao Tieshan was startled and hurriedly ran out. Outside, a large group of people had already gathered.

The leader, a black-faced young man, was Liu Tiangong’s eldest son, Liu Shitou. He held an iron rod, his eyes bloodshot.

"What’s going on?"

"Uncle Tieshan, it’s not time for relocation yet. I heard that over a thousand people have fled from beyond the border, with the elderly and children, and they have no place to stay. Wan Baiquan suggested that a piece of land outside the east gate be given to them. That’s the land of fifty to sixty households. He’s not satisfied with taking our houses; he wants to take our lifelines. Let’s fight him!"

"Right, let’s fight!"

"Whether we fight or not, we’ll die. Zhang Erlang fought and made Wan Baiquan back down. We’re not cowards!"

"Right, let’s fight them to the end!"

These people shouted and ran out of the city.

Qiao Tieshan frowned, turned to his wife, and said urgently, "You stay with Sister-in-law and take care of Xiaoxue and the others. I’ll go out of the city to see what’s happening. I can’t let these children take risks!"

Qiao Daun nodded hurriedly, and Shen Shi said anxiously, "Brother Tieshan, take care of yourself. We’re not without a way out. If Ke can earn money, we can still hide."

"Okay, I know!" Qiao Tieshan turned and left.

Xiaoxue and Huier, who had been standing behind, clung tightly to each other. Huier blinked her big eyes.

"Xiaoxue, do you think Second Brother can earn money?"

"Of course!" Xiaoxue said firmly. "Ke is all-powerful; he will definitely succeed!"

...

Dacheng Fort, outside the east gate.

Wan Baiquan led dozens of people, strutting arrogantly.

"Villagers, it’s not that I, Wan, am heartless, but the higher-ups have given orders. Several villages need to be moved inward, and over a thousand people have fled from the Tartars. Our Dacheng Fort has doubled in population, all of whom are citizens of the Ming Dynasty. I can’t ignore them. Therefore, we have requisitioned some houses and a piece of land outside the city. When spring comes next year, we will return it to you. Everyone should endure for the sake of the country, and there’s no need to be so petty!"

"Phew!" Before Wan Baiquan could finish, a lean man stood up.

"Wan, you talk well, but why don’t you take your own land?"

"Right, in the forty-third year of Wanli, when Lin Danhan attacked Dabao Fort, you used the pretext of resettling people to seize over a hundred acres of land. You want to repeat the same trick, but we won’t agree, we won’t agree!"

Wan Baiquan, whose scheme was exposed, was not concerned and instead sneered.

"Even if you don’t agree, it’s an order from the Defense Commissioner. There are also the commandant and the court! If you oppose me, you’re opposing the court!"

Qiao Tieshan, who had been calm, could no longer bear it.

"Wan, what are you? Do you think you’re on the same level as the court?"

Wan Baiquan sneered, "I wonder who it is. Qiao, in two days, it will be half a month. Zhang Ke hasn’t returned yet. If you don’t pay the money, I won’t be lenient!"

"Don’t worry about it. We will definitely pay the money. I also advise you not to think about retaliation. The Qiaos are not to be trifled with!"

"Ha ha ha, I handle official business. Look who’s here!"

Everyone turned around and saw dozens of horsemen coming out of the city. The leader was a man in his sixties, fat and struggling to ride. This was Sun Youguang, the Defense Commissioner of Dacheng Fort, accompanied by Tang Bi and others.

"Defense Commissioner, you’ve finally come. These stubborn villagers refuse to give up their land and openly defy the court’s orders. I suggest they be punished!"

Sun Youguang looked at the crowd and said, "Villagers, I know it’s hard for you, but please understand the court’s difficulties and share the burden together!"

"Sir, this isn’t about difficulty, it’s about survival! If you requisition both houses and land, what will we live on?"

Wan Baiquan quickly said, "Sir, this is Qiao Tieshan, a ringleader. He’s the one who incited the people. Arrest him quickly!"

As Wan Baiquan spoke, a dozen soldiers rushed forward, forming a half-circle around Qiao Tieshan.

"Wan Baiquan, you’re retaliating out of spite!"

"Hehehe, Qiao, you’re a hero, but you’ll be a hero in jail! Get him!"

The soldiers rushed forward to arrest Qiao Tieshan.

"Stop! If you touch my father, I’ll take your lives!"

A loud shout came.

Qiao Tieshan turned his head and saw three magnificent warhorses galloping towards them. Seeing the riders, tears streamed down his face.

"Good, you’re finally back!"

Zhang Ke and two others dismounted and approached Qiao Tieshan. After ten days, Qiao Tieshan had the illusion that his sons had grown a year or two. Zhang Ke exuded a strong sense of confidence, especially the faint smile on his face, which made Qiao Tieshan feel that even the biggest problems were not an issue.

Zhang Ke smiled, "Uncle Tieshan, it’s almost the New Year. Are you planning to put on a show?"

Before Qiao Tieshan could speak, Wan Baiquan interrupted.

"Zhang Erlang, I didn’t expect you to dare come back. You owe me money, don’t you?"

Qiao Fu patted his chest proudly, "Wan, it’s just twenty taels of silver. Look at our horses and the carriage behind us. Do you think we can’t pay?"

Wan Baiquan couldn’t help but look at Zhang Ke’s horses, which were strong and magnificent, in stark contrast to his own, which looked weak and listless. The difference was like that between a Pekingese and a Tibetan Mastiff, with nothing in common except the name "horse."

Not only him, but even Sun Youguang and Tang Bi’s eyes sparkled. The Ming Dynasty prioritized the best horses for the recruited soldiers, and the hereditary officers of the garrisons sometimes had to use mules.

Wan Baiquan, drooling at the sight of the horses, turned his eyes and suddenly sneered, "Sir, I have something important to report!"

"Go on."

"Yes, Sir!" Wan Baiquan sneered, "Half a month ago, Zhang Erlang was a poor boy with nothing. Now he’s riding a magnificent horse and driving a large carriage. Forgive me for being blunt, but is there such easy money in the world?"

Qiao Gui frowned and said coldly, "Speak your mind, or get lost!"

"Hmph, you’re asking for death! Besides highway robbery and becoming bandits, what other way is there?" Wan Baiquan sneered, "Three little thieves, you dare to be so arrogant in front of me. Men, arrest them!"

The soldiers rushed forward, and Qiao Fu and Qiao Gui quickly put their hands on their sword hilts, ready to fight.

Zhang Ke smiled indifferently, "We are law-abiding citizens. Let them arrest us!"

Seeing Zhang Ke standing with his hands behind his back, waiting to be arrested, Qiao Tieshan was sweating profusely, "Ke, are you crazy?"

"Ha ha ha, Uncle Tieshan, don’t worry. We haven’t broken any laws. They’ll have to release us the same way they arrested us."

In a moment, the three were subdued, with knives pressed to their necks.

Wan Baiquan laughed, "Zhang Erlang, you’re so tough, but now you’re caving in! Search them, see where they hid the stolen money!"

Several soldiers roughly searched Zhang Ke’s body, pulling out an object and presenting it to Wan Baiquan.

Wan Baiquan was overjoyed, thinking Zhang Ke was finally finished. He pretended to be serious and said, "First, take it to the Defense Commissioner."

The soldier hurriedly presented it to Sun Youguang, who curiously unfolded it and examined it.

"Sir, is it stolen goods?" Wan Baiquan leaned in to look.

Suddenly, Sun Youguang’s eyes bulged, and he slapped Wan Baiquan hard across the face.

"Beast, do you want to kill me?"

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