Chapter 26: Interrogation

tation upon retirement and became a grassroots policeman. Usually, there weren't any major cases; he mostly dealt with trivial disputes, nothing dangerous, just worrying.Want to travel back in time an...Finally, Xu Huai-lian was defeated and walked away with a sullen face. He didn't say any harsh words, but his expression was as ugly as if his ancestral grave had been dug up, and his eyes were cold like those of a hunter facing prey on the mountain.

Once the two Xu brothers left, the excitement died down. Everyone was a little disappointed, and only then did they remember their original purpose in following Xu Huaiyi with his bucket.

Watching the commotion is incidental, the focus is on finding out what's going on.

"Huai Yi, is that mule tethered in your yard yours" The man who pushed the others aside to ask the question was named Xu De Shou. He was about forty years old, thin and wiry, and the brother of Xu De Fu, the village head of Xu Jia Village. Among the crowd watching the commotion, he was considered the most influential figure. Since he spoke up, he wasn't afraid of offending anyone.

Huai-yi Xu remembered that he would still need Elder Xu's help later, so he was very polite to Xu Deshou. He called him "Uncle Xu San" with warmth and said, "I bought it."

He admitted it openly and honestly.

Although others had already guessed it, hearing the main person admit it in person was still somewhat shocking. It made one's heart ache with indescribable discomfort.

Huai-Yi Xu saw the situation and understood. He knew that it was human nature to envy what others have, and he didn't take it personally. He told himself that one day when he stood at a height they couldn't reach, they wouldn't feel this way anymore. They would only look up in admiration, even worship.

Xu Deshou has seen more of the world and is also well-off, so he wouldn't be sour about it. However, he was definitely curious, "Waiyi ah, since you call me Uncle Three, then your uncle won't be polite to you. When you moved out from the old house, did you get some silver"

"I'm not worthy of such fortune," Xu Huaiyi scoffed. "Leaving the house is my only option, and I don't blame my parents either. Who can blame them I'm a上門女婿 after all. The agreement was clear: once I left, I had nothing to do with the Xu family. How could I possibly still claim a share of their property Back then, I was young and cowardly, too afraid to stand up for myself. And I wouldn't bear to lose face, so I stayed in the old house. But now...I have no choice but to leave."

The implication is that he was forced out.

Others listened with a sigh, and couldn't help but remember the marriage between the Xu family and the Gu family. It was both enviable and shameful. For a moment, their hearts felt more balanced, and the sourness within them disappeared.

Xu Deshou patted his shoulder, "Good men don't eat separate meals, you can be open-minded now, and you will definitely do well in the future. Just now, isn't this promising You even bought back a big draft horse, how much silver did it cost"

Xu Huaiyi said frankly, “Eight taels! Including the saddle, stirrups, and carriage frame, it cost a total of twelve taels. You're well-traveled and knowledgeable, do you think this price is fair I'm inexperienced, so I'm afraid of overpaying and getting cheated…”

He spoke sincerely and praised Xu De Shou highly.

Xu De Shou's face lit up, and his words became more approachable. "Worth it! You didn't spend the money in vain. I just stood by the courtyard wall and took a look. This mule is a good buy. As the saying goes, long-necked mules, long-tailed horses, if you see them, buy them immediately, you won't be wrong. Don't ever buy those with long waists and thin legs, they are useless old things..."

Xu Huaiyi listened seriously, nodding in agreement from time to time.

Xu De Shou said, "Satisfied," then asked the most interesting question to others, "Since you didn't divide the family property from the old house, where did so much silver come from"

Xu Huaiyi leaned closer and whispered, "To be honest with you, Uncle Xu San, I dug up a ginseng plant in the mountains..."

Xu De Shou exclaimed in surprise, "We actually have ginseng in the mountains We've only heard old people talk about it, and we've never seen it before. You're incredibly lucky..."

"Xu Huaiyi mustn't start a feud with himself. Seeing others wearing sour expressions again, he immediately put on a forlorn and sorrowful expression and sighed, “What good luck Uncle Xu San, you’re speaking to my heart! If I had good luck, would I end up like this Alas, it seems even the heavens won't let a sparrow starve!"

Hearing him say that, everyone felt a strange sense of comfort in their hearts.

Xu Deshou looked at him, stroking his beard, and said with a meaningful sigh, "It's said that fools have fool's luck, and heaven favors the simple. Our ancestors were right..."

Xu Huaiyi cooperated with a wry smile, "What blessings could I possibly have This ginseng was just blind luck, like a cat bumping into a dead mouse. I guess this is the only time it'll ever happen in my life. I can't even imagine how I'll live after this. I don't have land or a way to make a living. I'm starting to think I might have to beg for food, alas..."

Others also sighed, but a sense of superiority arose in their hearts. Although they didn't have the luck of digging ginseng, they had fields! That was the foundation for making a living. Digging ginseng was just a one-time sale. Could you really depend on it to support a family

As expected, Xu Deshou curiously asked how much silver the ginseng was sold for. Xu Huaiyi, after counting on his fingers, clearly stated the amount. When they finished hearing it, their first reaction was: "Good fellow, a total of fifty taels of silver were sold and all spent at once! This is what happens when someone doesn't know how to manage money. They should have saved some for later! It's important to live within your means."

The second reaction was realizing how ridiculously expensive food had become!

Some people simply refused to believe it, chasing after Xu Huaiyi and asking repeatedly, “Is it really that much Thirty-five wen How is it possible for it to become thirty-five wen Even soybeans are twenty-five wen now The day before yesterday, it was only ten wen...”

"Oh my god, this is highway robbery! What's the difference between this and bandits"

Xu Deshou looked grave and asked, “Huaiyi, are all these things you said true”

Xu Huaiyi wryly smiled, “What kind of lie could I possibly tell about this When I heard it, I didn’t believe it either. I went into the county town and first inquired at the grain store. At that time, grain was still thirty wen. By the time I bought a mule and went back, it had increased by five wen. There were several people in the shop crying and complaining, but the clerk of the grain store didn’t care at all. He rolled his eyes and said, ‘If you think it's expensive, get out! In a few days, even with mountains of gold and silver, you might not be able to buy it…’”

Xu Deshou twisted his eyebrows and asked, "So in the end, did they all buy it"

Xu Huaiyi nodded, "I bought some too. I spent most of the silver in my hand to buy food. Everyone else did the same. Even if it hurts to spend the silver, they gritted their teeth and bought it. Having extra food at home, people feel more at ease. To be honest with you, in two days, I have to go back again to see if I can buy more food. We also need to stock up on other things we eat and drink as quickly as possible, otherwise..."

The ending is left unsaid, leaving half of it to others' imaginations.

With this thought, one by one, their faces changed color.

Xu De Shou was still curious about the child, but now he had no time to ask him any more. He turned around and went back to discuss it with someone else. After taking a few steps, he turned back and shouted, "Huai Yi, when are you going to the county again, tell my nephew."

Xu Huaiyi readily agreed.

Seeing this, others also muttered and ran home, no longer caring about the commotion.

Only then did Xu Huaiyi grab his water-carrying pole and leisurely head to the well. When he reached the well, seeing the low water level, his good mood instantly vanished.

In contrast to the rising grain prices, which increase every day, the water level drops daily.

It's more frightening than running out of food. While a person can survive for about half a month without food, they can only last three days without water. When fleeing famine, you can stockpile food in advance and it won't spoil, but what about water

Several state capitals in this area are experiencing droughts, so it's understandable that water sources along the way are limited.

At that time, if there's no water, people will fight over it even more fiercely than they would for food.. And we don't eat Yao family's bowls. Why should we endure their anger We are legitimate citizens, and haven't committed any crimes. No one can control us. That little brat keeps calling us commoners...