Chapter 179: Weighing the Pros and Cons Before Taking
Action
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Han Qiao did invite them to talk about what happened on the street earlier that day.
She first praised the children’s adaptability and how Han Chi and Sun Ke were brave enough to stand up to protect her.
“But have you ever thought that if they were to bring dozens of servants today, that we would still have the same advantage?”
The four children fell silent.
“You have to think logically. You have to understand your own abilities and have the confidence to do whatever it is you must do.”
“We can fight with Sun Yiming or beat them up easily today because they were really looking for one. Whether it’s money or power, we have the advantage, we could crush them. This is what you call bullying.”
“Today’s matter is entangled with our past grudges with them. No one can hold back their new and old grudges to come face to face. If we hit them, so be it. What’s done is done. It’s difficult for an honest official to decide when it comes to family matters.”
“What I want to say is the most important lesson you must learn. We can’t rely on our power to bully the weak and the innocent. We also couldn’t provoke those people with high positions and power. We want to be people with a sense of justice.”
“Of course, it doesn’t mean that we have to be patient. We have to weigh the pros and cons and avoid risks.”
“Work hard to learn to understand your skills and become a person that people respect and fear. Then, you won’t have to face these troublesome things in the future.”
Han Qiao reached out to straighten Han Chi’s belt, “Ah-Chi, as a brother, you must lead the way.”
“Mother, don’t worry. I will study hard and practice martial arts well. I will be a useful person to you and the family. I won’t bully the weak, I won’t use my power to bully others, and I won’t cause trouble.”
Han Qiao nodded slightly, “We won’t cause trouble, but we’re not afraid of trouble either. It’s not possible to just avoid it.”
“With reason, you can traverse anywhere beneath the heavens, without it, you will land yourself in deep trouble.”
She wanted to explain to Han Chi and her three daughters that sometimes, power overruled reason.
She was also afraid that it would be too cruel and lead them astray.
She believed that these children were smart and would understand her unfinished words one day.
“Tomorrow is the eighth day of the lunar new year. Your father is going to work at the government office, so you have to work hard.”
“You don’t have to come over to pay your respects in the morning. But we will eat together for lunch and dinner.”
“Studying is one thing, but we can’t let our relationship get rusty. The days that a family can get along with each other are getting shorter and shorter. Accompany great-grandma and great-grandpa more.”
No one knew which would come first, tomorrow or an accident.
Live well in the present, and cherish the present.
“We will remember, Mother.”
“Go back, wash up, and go to bed early. Don’t stay up late to read, especially you, Ah-Chi. Don’t stay up late at night.”
Han Chi nodded guiltily.
There were lanterns along the corridor. Han Chi accompanied his three sisters back first before skipping back to his courtyard.
He Cheng was still wailing by the time he returned.
He also had to coax the baby until he finally slept.
In the main courtyard, Han Qiao and Heng Yi were talking about what happened today.
“We did bully them, but I don’t regret it.”
She was a kind person at her core.
But she was also an unforgiving person.
It was impossible for her to hide and stay idled when she was being bullied.
Han Qiao leaned into Heng Yi’s arms, “After New Year’s Day, are you going to exterminate the bandits?”
“Almost.”
This kind of thing was arranged by the higher-ups. The constables just had to listen to orders when the time came.
Han Qiao wanted to prepare weapons for Heng Yi and Bai Cha before their mission.
The standard government office’s swords were all mass-produced, completely different from those that were exquisitely crafted.
On the morning of the eighth day, Heng Yi went back to work, and Han Qiao brought people to the weapon shop.
When the shopkeeper saw Han Qiao, he immediately welcomed her to a private room on the second floor.
“Madam, what do you want to see today?”
“Sabers and swords. 1 want the best.”
The shopkeeper hurriedly asked someone to bring over all the good swords in the shop.
Han Qiao didn’t know much about these things, so the shopkeeper explained them very carefully.
“This saber and sword are made from the same cold iron as the dagger Madam bought some time ago.”
“Is that so?” Han Qiao asked.
“Madam, please move back a little.”
The shopkeeper drew out the sword and lightly cut the edge of the table. A piece fell off.
Then, he pulled out the saber.
His movement was faster than the first.
“There aren’t many people in Puyi County who would buy this kind of weapon. If Madam likes it, I’ll give the Madam a reasonable price.”
If the price of the dagger could buy several small courtyards, one could imagine how much a sword and a saber, that used more iron, would cost.
“How heavy is this saber?”
“‘IWenty-two pounds.”
Buying two would weigh about 40 pounds.
Han Qiao estimated that it would be light in Heng Yi’s hands.
As for the cost, the shopkeeper had also set a very high price.
A saber and a sword cost 2,300 taels.
She could afford it, but she thought it was still too expensive.
“The price that the shopkeeper has set is a little too high.”
“Then Madam, what is your ideal price?”
“1,500 taels of silver.”
The shopkeeper quickly shook his head, “No, no. Madam, these are all good weapons made from the finest materials that only my boss can get. If it was my shop, I wouldn’t even be able to touch them.”
After a round of bargaining, the deal was finally settled at 2,100 taels.
The shopkeeper also gave Han Qiao thirty wooden swords.
Wooden swords were just made from ordinary wood. Some people bought them to coax their children.
But Han Qiao needed them now.
The sword and saber were stored in the magnificent mahogany box.
Just as the shopkeeper had said, the value of this item lay in the iron and the craftsman. The shopkeeper did not even take a second look at this mahogany box.
“If the shop sells more high-quality weapons next time, you can send someone to come and inform the Heng Manor. I also want to give my eldest son a sword.”
Han Chi was a good martial artist, and he had learned swordsmanship from Bai Cha.
“Don’t worry, Madam. I’ll go to your door immediately if I have them.”
These sabers, swords, and daggers shop had been in Puyi County for more than three years.
The owner meant that as long as someone in Puyi County bought these three items, he could advance his business.
He didn’t expect that his weapons would be bought by the same person.
Meanwhile, in the government office…
As they resumed their duties, the men were discussing the matter of raiding the bandits.
As for the case of stealing silver, it was a small case. After a beating, the silver would be returned and they would be released.
Wen Yu nudged Yi, “What do you think?”
“Do you want to kill them or capture them alive?” Heng Yi asked.
“That’s a good question. We’ve also exterminated bandits, and most suffered heavy casualties. Moreover, swords have no eyes. Someone would get hurt.” Heng Yi understood.
If you really want to fight, don’t show mercy.
The mountain bandits robbed houses. They had done all kinds of bad things, so they should be wiped out completely so they could return peace to the people.
The clerk came over to give the deed of the wasteland to Heng Yi.
“According to your request, 50 mu. In addition, according to the ratio of the people buying the mountains to reclaim the land, we will give more. In order not to attract people’s attention, the division is one mu less than the actual amount.”
When commoners bought wasteland, it was clearly stipulated that they could divide it up as long as it did not exceed this amount.
The barren land given to Heng Yi was the same, but he cut a little in order not to leave any evidence.
“I understand. Thank you. I’ll treat everyone to a drink another day.” Heng Yi said.
Everyone wanted to say that there was no time like the present.
But they couldn’t just trap Heng Yi.
“We’ll go and open up the wasteland for you another day. You can go into the mountains to hunt. We’ll only be dragging you down if we follow you.”
Heng Yi deeply agrees with this..