Reclaiming Wasteland: Carefree Mountain Farmer

Chapter 226 The Death of the Captain
On the evening of the Mid-Autumn Festival, 498 changed to a thick quilt.

The straw mat and blanket were removed and replaced with a large, comfortable cotton quilt.

While I was tidying up the house, my younger brother Xiaogua and Hu Yan walked to the door.

Little Gua called out from the doorway into the yard, "Sister!"

The original house at 498 has been reclaimed, and Xiaogua and Huyan are now living in the original house at 496.

Now, 498 lives here at the newspaper office, and the original house has been allocated to the newcomers.

Just like a job, if you get a new house, you have to give up your old house for someone else to use.

"They're here!" 498 came out of the yard, sighed when he saw the two of them, "Close the door. A lot of things happened today. You two must be honest when you sell newspapers in the future, and don't cause any trouble."

Hu Yan asked curiously, "What exactly happened? I heard that King Wu came today."

498 sighed again, "Let's close the door first, otherwise everyone will come here to buy newspapers."

"Okay!" Xiao Gua and Hu Yan put down the meat and vegetables they bought and helped close the door.

After closing the door, the three of them sat together to eat and chat.

Si Jiuba told the two what had happened that day, and then sighed, "The captain is a really nice person, and she often takes care of us. Do you think I should help her out?"

Hu Yan had done something similar before, and hurriedly advised, "This isn't about helping out; it could easily get you into trouble! If something happens to you, neither of us will escape the consequences!"

Xiao Gua chimed in, "Yeah, sis, if King Wu thinks the captain is wrong, then it must be the captain's fault. We all grew up eating King Wu's food. If you contradict King Wu, who will plead for you?"

Although Xiao Gua knew the children of the Arctic family, the children of the Arctic family were terrified of their father and had no courage to disobey the holy decree.

Arctic Wu treats his own children very well and has never hit or abused them.

However, after sitting on the throne for a long time, the relationship between father and son became quite strange.

There are no good examples of this in history, and Beijiwu doesn't feel that he should fight for his descendants for the rest of his life.

Because he believed he was already very good to his child, Beijiwu never thought of doing better.

Si Jiuba didn't want to involve others, so although he heard his younger brother's advice, he didn't really take it to heart and couldn't agree with it.

"Xiao Ya is there, and the captain is a nice guy too. We're practically family."

Hearing that her older sister was still so stubborn, Xiao Gua didn't know what to say.

Hu Yan immediately said, "Sister! This is a capital offense! If His Majesty doesn't seem to be blaming us, then it's none of Xiaoya's business. Why can't we just live our lives peacefully? Why do we have to get involved in such a deadly matter?"

"You just said that we should live a good life and not do anything that makes people anxious and unable to sleep! I'm really scared!"

It's deadly, it's definitely deadly.

Hu Yan's statement is not an exaggeration at all.

Recklessly getting involved in matters decided by the emperor could really cost you your life.

"Sister." Xiao Gua looked at her eldest sister and reminded her, "I think you've forgotten your place. To be honest, we're all servants of King Wu. We're where we are today because we obeyed King Wu's orders and did our jobs obediently."

"Whether King Wu did the right thing or not, everyone can see it. The one who is wrong now is the captain. If you insist that the captain is not wrong, even if you can get King Wu to spare you because of the princess and prince, do you think our family will have an easy life in the future?"

498 looked like he was struggling.

Xiao Gua continued, "No one can change King Wu's decision. It's a small matter if you lose your life, but if King Wu really retracts his order, then when he orders someone to be punished in the future, everyone will come to you to beg for mercy."

"When everyone thinks King Wu's order can be revoked, how many people do you think will have to die to restore the sage's divine authority?"

Hu Yan added, "Yes, a sage doesn't make mistakes. We are where we are today because of King Wu. Even if King Wu wanted our whole family to die, who would dare to say a word against it?"

"Sister, don't ruin things for everyone else just for your own sake."

Xiao Gua continued, "King Wu is good to us because we are obedient. Now that the captain is colluding with outsiders, it's already a troublesome matter. If you still speak up for the captain, King Wu might just expel our entire squad. Think about who King Wu is. He's someone who fought his way up from the battlefield. Anyone who dares to disobey orders will die."

498 finally sighed and gave up his plan to plead for leniency.

"I understand. Let's just pretend we didn't know about it."

Hu Yan and Xiao Gua both breathed a sigh of relief.

"Come, eat."

"Sis, let's drink."

The three of them had a simple meal, and then two of them went home together, leaving Si Jiu Ba alone in the shop to rest.

A lantern festival was held on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, and fireworks and firecrackers were set off even at the imperial palace in Luoyang.

The dazzling fireworks and bustling crowds on the streets made the entire city of Luoyang exceptionally lively. The city's good public security and familiar atmosphere also made the nightlife very harmonious and pleasant.

This is the capital city of the mountain farmers, and also the collective living area of ​​several 10,000-household teams.

The merchants from the Central Plains would take to the streets to perform songs and dances, mainly to liven up the atmosphere and make the rare festival more lively.

There are no poor people in Luoyang.

Even the poorest person can have enough to eat and wear, and one person can support a family of three or four.

The lack of security allows the nightclubs to stay lively all night long.

After Xiaogua and Hu Yan got home, they went to sleep.

In the dark room, the two lay together.

"You spoke so eloquently just now; it's no wonder you went to school."

"That's right. I pay for my schooling with my own money, not yours. Don't act like you're the one making me go to school."

"No way! Just focus on your studies. I'll watch the newsstand for you. Here's the money, just treat me well from now on."

"rest assured!"

One family rejoices while others grieve.

Chai Boshi listened to his daughter's words with a frown, then looked at the maid kneeling on the ground.

His wife, standing beside him, asked anxiously, "Sir, will something happen?"

Chai Boshi shook his head.

“If His Majesty wanted to punish you, he did so on the spot. You were lucky today. Under normal circumstances, your mother and I would probably be kneeling before your corpses, confessing our sins together.”

Chai Yuzi quickly said, "Father, your daughter knows she was wrong."

Chai Boshi did not make things difficult for his daughter, and his eyes revealed a thoughtful expression.

“This is not your fault. I also overlooked this matter. His Majesty is extremely averse to others getting involved in his family affairs. I used to think that as long as I didn’t get involved with the princes, it would be fine.”

"Now it seems that, let alone touching the mountain farmers' sore spot, even getting close to them is easy to get killed."

"Since His Majesty has not blamed you, I will not say anything more to you. Just behave yourself in the future and continue to visit the Li family and Wen family as usual."

The wife glanced at the kneeling maid on the ground. "Should we keep this girl too?"

Shantao waited anxiously for the verdict.

Chai Boshi replied, "Just don't get involved in matters concerning the public account anymore. Since His Majesty has handled it well, we shouldn't meddle or bring up things that are best left unsaid."

"In a way, it was a wake-up call for me. When I applied to become a member of the Shandong Agricultural University this year, I was immediately told that I did not meet the requirements."

"Since we are Han Chinese, let us continue to be Han Chinese."

Knowing that he had been assigned to the Han Chinese camp, Chai Boshi allowed his daughter to continue associating with the Wen and Li families.

It's too late to change sides now; from now on, whether it's social circles or marriage, I won't be able to integrate into the rural community.

Unless a descendant can be certified as a mountain farmer, they will always be Han Chinese.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for family reunions, passed quickly. Team leader Jin Yuzhen, dressed in gold and silver, hosted a lively and festive banquet with several tables of food and drinks.

The next morning, Jin Yuzhen received a dismissal certificate stamped by the imperial court at the newspaper office.

She returned to her three-story house, where more than ten people lived, and after sitting alone for a while, she hanged herself.

He lost the household registration that provided food and drink for his family of more than ten people, lost the job that he had passed down to his son, and also caused the rest of the family to return to their hometown with him.

Jin Yuzhen has no choice but to die, otherwise she will face endless accusations and resentment when she returns to her hometown.

Her death was tragic, a reflection of male oppression of women, and an epitome of the oppression of imperial power in this era.

But her death was also clownish.

Even after the captain hanged himself, life had to go on.

The new team leader was a man in his early thirties, the deputy editor-in-chief of the Wuzhou Daily, who was transferred here to take over as editor-in-chief. After the new editor-in-chief arrived, the work was done the same way as before, and the work efficiency and progress improved significantly.

The various problems that existed during Jin Yuzhen's time became much smoother after a change of leadership.

In just two or three days, everyone could feel the change in efficiency and morale.

Compared to this, Si Jiuba felt very complicated about Jin Yuzhen's death.

If the newspaper's work became more difficult after Jin Yuzhen's death, or if the other 98 people in the team became more negative, then it would certainly prove that Jin Yuzhen's death was a pity.

However, after Jin Yuzhen died, the whole team became more positive and the whole newspaper office became much more cheerful.

Doesn't that prove that Jin Yuzhen should have died long ago?

But upon closer reflection, Jin Yuzhen can be described as a kind-hearted person who protects the interests of the mountain farmers more than anyone else.

I can't imagine what bad things she could do. Even the crimes that King Wu has convicted her of don't seem like heinous offenses.

The more you think Jin Yuzhen is the least deserving of death, the more it proves she deserved to die. The team became better after she died, and she should have died sooner.

When life gets better and better, no one will miss those who died insignificantly.

The busyness of business left Si Jiuba with little time to think about Jin Yuzhen's time, and he quickly got busy with his neighbors.

498 is very popular, and the people in the vicinity are all from the same team.

Most importantly, the shop operated by Sijiuba is King Wu's property, and everyone in the team has an obligation to help.

As long as 498 asks, every household can send women and children to help.

Men could also help, but previously it was always women selling newspapers there. Since everyone knew the princess was there, and because Sijiuba knew King Wu, everyone subconsciously asked the women to go and help.

The entire city of Luoyang lacks nothing but people, and even more so, it lacks no one willing to serve King Wu.

After a busy morning, 498 finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Taking advantage of the lunch break, Si Jiuba went to the Wu family.

There were two girls playing shuttlecock in front of the Wu family's house; they were Beiji Wu's daughters.

"Sixteen, is Wu Yue at home?"

Sixteen looked up at 498, continuing to kick the shuttlecock while casually saying, "My dad said my sister has been going astray lately, so he made her do chores at home, like washing clothes, cooking, and sweeping."

The children who were jumping and playing games on the ground nearby also came over to complain.

“Yesterday during dinner, Dad made Wu Yue kneel down and watch us until we finished eating before letting her eat. He also said that from now on, whoever gives her pocket money or borrows money from outsiders will have all our pocket money cut off.”

It's clear that Wu Yue is not doing well.

After hearing this, 498 went inside.

There were a few children eating in the yard, and they were all very curious when they saw 498 come in.

"Mom! The newspaper vendor, 498, is here!"

Hearing her younger brothers' calls, Wu Yue, who was working in the kitchen, quickly came out with a shovel to remove ashes.

She was covered in dust and sweat, and her clothes were filthy. She looked at 498 with the joy of a country girl seeing a relative.

People from the mountains and farms are really good at teaching.

Yesterday, she was all glamorous, like a proud and arrogant princess. But after just one day at home, she exudes an air of poverty and simplicity, her face full of innocence, and her eyes shining!
"Sister!" Wu Yue looked at 498 excitedly, as if she had seen a savior.

Si Jiuba looked at Wu Yue, and this seemed to be the first time Wu Yue had called her "sister" so excitedly.

Li Hong and the other adults came out of the main room one after another, and came over to greet them when they saw 498.

Si Jiuba immediately said, "Your Majesty!"

Li Hong laughed and said, "What 'Your Majesty'? Just call us 'sister'. Come in and sit down. If you want to plead for this unfortunate girl, that's fine, but her case is decided by His Majesty, and we dare not disobey him."

They said they wanted us to come inside and sit down, but we didn't actually move an inch.

Si Jiu Ba said awkwardly, "I just came to see Wu Yue. I didn't discipline her properly before. Since Wu Yue is just idling at home anyway, she might as well come and help me out again. This time I will definitely discipline her properly."

498 still wants Wu Yue.

Li Hong shook her head. "I already said, we can't make this decision at all. Besides, you don't need any more people. Just call a few. There are plenty of women in the city who are willing to help you."

Wu Yue watched longingly, desperately wanting to leave and work at the newspaper, but dared not utter a sound.

498 wasn't good at talking to a woman like Li Hong either. Seeing that things weren't going to work out, he could only make a temporary plan.

"Then I'll head back now. If I run into His Majesty again, I'll try to put in a good word for him."

Li Hong nodded. "Okay, Wu Yue, deliver 498."

"Yes!" Wu Yue was unusually well-behaved and obedient today.

After the two children left, Li Hong shook her head helplessly, "They have nothing better to do than provoke the Emperor. They're lucky to be alive, yet they still insist on causing trouble."

Li Bing, standing nearby, smiled and said, "I don't think it's a problem. His Majesty is actually quite good to us and to the children. He's very easy to talk to."

Li Hong and her sisters went into the house together. After sitting down, she slowly said, "But we might anger him at any time. It's good to be close to him, but we must also maintain a sense of awe, lest we lose our sense of propriety and do something that could cost us our lives."

"Only by having fear in your heart can you live a stable and long life. Women like Si Jiu Ba who can't figure out their place will get into trouble sooner or later. You young people shouldn't always think that His Majesty is easy to talk to."

“We need to understand our position before he can speak to us.”

Li Hong clearly understood that to get along well with Arctic Martial Arts, one must approach it with reverence.

Without reverence in one's heart, one will forget who he is and who one is oneself.

A group of country girls actually thought that their little bit of reasoning could influence or interfere with the emperor's affairs, unaware that the man was not an ordinary young man, but the supreme ruler who held the fate of the nation and whose life and death concerned hundreds of millions of people.

The family rule of the Arctic clan is that women are not allowed to interfere in politics. If a country woman who has not received formal education and is unaware of what is happening outside tries to interfere with the emperor's decisions by talking about family matters, she will be sentenced to death by King Wu.

Just because you escaped being killed once doesn't mean you won't be killed every time.

***
Unexpectedly, it makes sense.

After thinking for a few seconds, Beijiwu nodded.

"Alright, let's put Wu Yue under her care."

The person responsible for relaying the message was none other than Li Bing, who was on duty.

Children's matters are children's matters. Although they are also family matters, Beiji Wu regarded Sijiu Ba as Wu Yue's master.

It is perfectly reasonable for the master to continue disciplining the child who has been misled by others in Beijiwu's case, and it is not considered interference in his own family affairs.

Arctic Martial Arts is indeed very reasonable, and always has been.

Li Hong and the others took the initiative to ask to be his women, and Bei Jiwu then helped them with the work of harvesting wheat.

Murders are not committed without reason. Those selling chickens threaten people with knives, those forcibly selling block people's way, those collecting debts extort money, and the imperial court kills people.

Don't reveal your health bar. Once you do, Arctic Martial will determine that the opponent is a monster, and then it will definitely be killed.

The reasons for letting Chen Xianzhi and the others go were threefold: firstly, it was a holiday; secondly, Chen Xianzhi and Wang Li's sons and daughters were kneeling outside the door watching; and thirdly, their own children were also watching expectantly from the doorway.

Arctic Martial Arts had a strong moral compass and had no intention of killing in front of his own children.

Besides, it was the Mid-Autumn Festival at the time, so he might think of this every year during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

At the time, I wasn't quite sure what had happened; I could only vaguely sense that it was some trivial matter involving the ladies' group.

There was no need to kill someone over such a trivial matter. Beijiwu looked at Chen Xianzhi, this self-important and elegant noblewoman, as if she were a female dog. He couldn't be bothered to get angry at their groveling and fawning manner.

Not to mention them, even their husbands, fathers, and fathers-in-law would kneel on the ground and be killed if they wanted to.

Arctic Martial Arts simply couldn't be bothered to deal with these people; they weren't even worthy of Arctic Martial Arts targeting them.

After dealing with some minor issues, Beijiwu continued to plan and regulate building facilities.

When designing a luxurious building that he thinks is very good, he also determines the approximate wage based on the labor intensity of each operation.

For Arctic Warrior, this meticulous work of personally designing and assembling is a form of relaxation, unlike the boring and tedious political affairs that make him want to kill everyone.

Because he had so many children, Beijiwu felt he had already been very good to Wuyue, so he stopped paying attention to what was going on with her.

Aside from the situation of his sons in Xiacheng, Beijiwu was also focused on and supervising the studies of several children in Luoyang, so he simply didn't have time to devote to the other forty or fifty children.

As for Jin Yuzhen's death, it was of no concern to Beijiwu, and such a trivial matter was quickly forgotten by everyone.

(End of this chapter)