funbook-pk Chapter 238 Things in the Village
Chapter 238 Things in the Village
Old Li ran over again, breathlessly saying, "There are soldiers, there are soldiers entering the village..."
What? Are the soldiers and bandits coming?
But how could this be possible? This village is full of tenants of the imperial estate, and today the princess is visiting the imperial estate again. How dare those soldiers and bandits?
"Let's go and take a look..." Several people supported each other and walked quickly towards the center of the village. They saw a team dressed in imperial guards uniforms trotting into the village. They ignored the villagers who were watching at the moment and passed by them directly.
After that, there should be three generals riding tall horses.
The one in the front was wearing casual clothes, but he looked very familiar. He was the guard of the girl who came to the village today.
Old Zhang moved his lips, wanting to say something, but realized that this was not a good opportunity. He saw the three generals rushing into the village with the team and surrounding all the blue brick and tile houses in the center of the village.
Under the setting sun, countless cries came from the houses. Several families that were once the most enviable in the village and were related to Manager Cai's family were now all tied up with ropes by the imperial guards and tied outside their homes.
All the villagers were stunned.
The most majestic general on horseback shouted loudly to the crowd:
"Her Royal Highness has ordered that Cai Ping be punished for corruption, deceit, and exploitation of tenants. Effective immediately, Cai Ping's position as manager of the Imperial Estate is dismissed, and all of his family members are to be handed over to the Kyoto government office for questioning!"
After Feng Xin shouted this, all the villagers became excited.
After so many years, the mountain that had been pressing on their heads was finally overturned.
"Thank you, Your Highness Princess, thank you, Your Highness Princess..." An old lady suddenly knelt down on the ground and cried.
The villagers were inspired by her and all knelt on the ground, crying and thanking Her Royal Highness the Princess. Feng Xin waved his hand and all the imperial guards rushed directly into the homes of the Cai family's relatives.
Over the years, all of Manager Cai's relatives, no matter which side they were from, had received a lot of favors from him. For example, the family that was being raided right now was the family of Manager Cai's concubine.
Because of Manager Cai's relationship, he was allocated the best ten acres of farmland, and he only had to pay 20% of the rent every year.
In addition, the ten acres of land near the mountains were also arranged for their family by Manager Cai to plant some fruit trees to increase income.
Floating Cloud Mountain is so big that it was divided up by Manager Cai into the territories of his relatives, while other villagers did not receive this treatment.
Now, with the removal of Manager Cai, these people are all facing the fate of having their property confiscated and being punished.
All the villagers applauded and were as happy as if it were New Year’s Day.
The imperial guards tied up all the relatives of Manager Cai in the village and took them out of the village, with wailing and crying all along the way.
Hu Laosan stood aside, feeling a little sorry for the situation, as there were several two-year-old children among the people being escorted.
These children are ignorant of the world, very young, and have just learned to walk.
No matter how wrong the adults in the family make, the children cannot be blamed.
Hu Laosan stepped forward and stood before Feng Xin in a fawning manner, begging, "Sir, this Cai man is guilty, but the children are innocent. Could you please show some mercy and let these children live?"
"Who are you?" Feng Xin asked.
"My name is Hu Laosan, and I'm a villager of this Xiaozhuang village." Hu Laosan replied cautiously.
He admitted that he had good intentions, but the child was too young and had just come into this world, and he really couldn't bear it.
"The princess has ordered the most prestigious people in the village to come to the manor to discuss matters before noon tomorrow! You can discuss who will go."
Feng Xin said this and then turned to Hu Lao San, "If you feel bad for those dolls, go and talk to the princess yourself."
"This..." Hu Laosan shrank his shoulders and didn't dare to speak. She was the princess of the royal family, how could he dare to make any conditions?
This gentleman really thinks highly of him.
But if he doesn't go, what will happen to these children?
Although he hadn't read much and only knew a few words, he had heard people say that legal principles are nothing more than human nature...
Therefore, even if there is a glimmer of hope, he wants to give it a try.
Old Zhang stood aside, wanting to ask about his grandson's condition, but before he could open his mouth, he heard a familiar voice calling from behind: "Grandpa..."
Old Zhang suddenly turned around and saw that his little grandson was covered in wounds and his face was covered in blood. He was being supported by two villagers, who were standing there looking at him.
Old Zhang stumbled over, and with a pair of cracked and wrinkled hands, he patted his grandson's shoulders and said in a choked voice, "It's good to be alive, it's good to be alive..."
When he said this, the elderly man actually started to sob.
At this moment, the villagers suddenly cried out:
"That's the daughter of the Qiao family, right? I heard that she was abducted by that brat from the Cai family for a month..."
"And the daughter of the Wang family was also raped by that bastard named Cai..."
"And the widow Yu's daughter-in-law was forcibly taken into the house by that bastard named Cai..."
.........
Seven or eight girls covered in wounds stood there, kowtowed heavily in the direction of their elders, and then left the village without looking back.
They came to one of the small side courtyards outside the imperial farm.
This is an empty yard specially set aside, waiting for Her Royal Highness the Princess to make the next arrangements for them.
When they were rescued, they wanted to go home, but then they thought that if they went back, they would be criticized by the villagers, and their parents would also be ashamed.
If that's the case, it's better to die.
Being able to see the Cai family being executed before his death can be considered as revenge for himself.
But just as they were about to hang themselves, a little maid from the imperial farm suddenly came over to convey the princess's order.
Each person will be given five taels of silver. Those who are willing to go home can go home, and those who are not willing to go home, the princess plans to set up a clothing workshop in the side courtyard of the house, and will invite professional embroiderers to teach. Those who are interested in learning can come.
After completing their studies, those who have passed the embroidery and clothing making skills will be put into Kyoto shops for sale, and they will receive a share of the profits, which is enough to support themselves.
Several people looked at each other, wondering who would be willing to die when they could live.
Since Her Royal Highness the Princess gave them a way out, they were naturally willing to accept it.
"Are we going to sign a contract to sell ourselves?" one of the girls asked in a low voice.
The maidservant at the imperial manor shook her head slightly and said solemnly:
"Her Royal Highness has instructed that you will not sign an indenture, only a labor contract, for a period of five years. During these five years, you will be considered employees of the garment factory. After five years, if you wish to leave, you may do so on your own."
"If there are those who wish to start a family and build a career, His Highness will arrange new identities for you. From now on, no one will know your past."
"You can definitely start a new life."