Courtyard House: He Daqing Forces Qin Huairu into Marrying at the Beginning

"Okay, thirty pounds it is."

Something is better than nothing.

Yan Bugui and Li Shengli each paid for thirty jin of grain.

He packed the sack on his back, lowered his head, and slipped out.

There were quite a few acquaintances in the same courtyard behind them, so they dared not be too conspicuous.

"Yan Bugui, Li Shengli, you two only care about yourselves and came to buy grain ahead of time. That's really not fair!"

Despite queuing for such a long time, Yan Bugui and his group were inevitably recognized by the people in the courtyard.

When they saw that Yan Bugui and his group had bought grain, everyone in the courtyard felt very angry.

If I weren't in a rush to get in line, I would have definitely gone out and given them a piece of my mind.

"We received the news while we were out for a walk."

Then I rushed over.

I'm so sorry I didn't have time to inform everyone.

While apologizing, Yan Bugui quickened his pace and rushed frantically into the courtyard.

"And he's the manager of the courtyard."

Those two are such bastards.

Selfish and disregarding the interests of the collective.

They should be removed from their posts!

Liu Haizhong in the group continued to fan the flames.

He had long harbored resentment towards Yan Bugui and Li Shengli.

They are always thinking about how to replace them.

Now that the panic buying of grain has begun, he has finally seized his opportunity.

Chapter 97 Attack

Yan Bugui and Li Shengli bypassed the crowd and hurried all the way back to the courtyard.

The moment they stepped into the courtyard, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

I'm finally home safely.

With grain prices soaring, thirty catties of grain is a huge fortune, making it the envy of many.

The two were afraid of being robbed on the way.

The city of Beijing had only been stable for a few years; they had experienced a period of chaos and were still filled with lingering fear.

When he got home, he instructed his wife to put the grain away properly.

Yan Bugui and Li Shengli went to He Daqing's house together.

The fact that they left the people in the courtyard behind to rush to buy grain could not be concealed.

Before the neighbors returned, the two of them had to talk to He Daqing and discuss a plan.

Otherwise, once they become the target of public criticism, not only will they lose their position as the head of the department, but they may not even be able to keep the grain they just bought.

"Great Qing, oh my goodness, everyone's rushing off to buy grain, what are you still doing here?"

Yan Bugui asked the question knowing the answer already.

In reality, it points out the difference in status between He Daqing and his neighbors, and that they are not on good terms.

To prevent He Daqing from teaming up with the neighbors in the courtyard to target the two of them.

He Daqing could easily see through Yan Bugui's little scheme, and he smiled faintly.

"With the government in charge, grain prices will come down soon."

Why should I buy expensive grain now?

He Daqing completely ignored the conversation and continued to use his previous theories.

Don't ask, the answer is that we have confidence in those above us and support their work.

"It's not that we're not cooperating."

But it's better to be safe than sorry.

I have to eat every day; I get hungry if I skip a meal.

If grain prices don't come down anytime soon, the family will suffer.

We're not causing trouble for those above us; we're just being prepared.

Yan Bugui tried his best to exonerate himself.

Being selfish and inconsiderate of one's neighbors is merely a moral issue; going against superiors, however, violates principles.

Yan Bugui dared not bear such a crime.

"Yes, the Qing Dynasty, it's not that we don't understand reason."

The situation outside is truly terrifying.

You wouldn't believe it, the line in front of the grain store stretched all the way to the alley entrance.

Grain prices keep rising, there's nothing we can do about it.

Li Shengli chimed in from the side.

Everyone has their own opinion; there's no need to argue about who's right and who's wrong, and arguing wouldn't help anyway.

Since you've taken the position of the person in charge and enjoy everyone's respect, you should bear the corresponding responsibilities.

He deserted his post and abandoned everyone, and deserved to be condemned by the masses.

If you make a mistake, you should admit it; covering it up won't solve the problem.

Even if you talk until your lips are sore, no one will believe you.

The only solution now is to offer some benefits and sincerely apologize and admit our mistakes.

Only then can we win back people's hearts.

Whoever caused the problem should step forward and solve it.

He Daqing was just an old man in the courtyard, not their biological father.

I will never clean up their messes.

"But...but..."

We have only been able to buy a limited amount of food, and we have already spent a lot of money.

"If we split some more, wouldn't this trip be a waste?"

Yan Bugui was extremely unwilling.

He became the manager to take advantage of others; he had no reason to subsidize anyone else.

"It's up to you to choose, I can't help you with anything."

He Daqing sat on the stool, spreading his hands with a helpless expression on his face.

It's fine for people to have selfish motives, but the problem lies with Yan Bugui and Li Shengli for their ugly behavior.

If they yelled in the yard before going out to sell grain, no one would blame them.

Unfortunately, to prevent anyone from overtaking them, they secretly ran away without saying a word.

There's no way to clear that name now.

Yan Bugui wanted to say something else, but just as he was about to speak, a commotion came from outside.

"Yan Bugui, Li Shengli, you two get out here!"

Yan Bugui and Li Shengli exchanged a glance, both looking troubled.

Unexpectedly, the people who denounced them returned so quickly.

And judging from the tone, things probably won't end well.

"What's meant to happen will happen, let's go out and see what's going on."

If you're going to argue, don't argue in my house.

He Daqing got up and led the two men outside.

Inside the courtyard, the men from each family, led by Liu Haizhong, were all holding empty sacks and stood menacingly around the entrance.

They were just waiting to ambush Yan Bugui and Li Shengli, hoping to capture them both in one fell swoop.

What's wrong with everyone?

"If you have something to say, talk inside the compound. Don't block my doorway."

He Daqing spoke first, driving away the crowd whose emotions were running high.

People are capable of anything when they lose their minds, and He Daqing didn't want his family to be affected.

"Excuse me, sir."

What happened today is none of your business.

Please hand over those two traitors, Yan Bugui and Li Shengli.

Liu Haizhong stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting.

He Daqing was the most respected steward in the courtyard, and he was fair and proper in his actions, never making any mistakes.

Liu Haizhong's targets this time are Yan Bugui and Li Shengli; he doesn't want to clash with He Daqing.

"Old Yan, Old Li, what do you two say?"

He Daqing took a few steps back, revealing the two people hiding behind him.