Chapter 249: Qin Dahn’s Wisdom
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Later, the few remaining families in the village gathered together and everyone bolstered their courage to enter the house. Only then did they discover that the Zhang family had all died tragically in their homes.
Furthermore, all of their belongings and food had been plundered.
Zhang Laosan had come to the town this time for two purposes. Firstly, it was to report to the authorities. Secondly, it was also to deliver the news to the Qin family.
After all, he had been helping the Qin family to keep an eye on Zhang Ershui’s family previously.
Qin Dahu’s eyes flickered when he heard Zhang Laosan say that he was going to report this to the authorities.
“The government office is now occupied by the mountain… Er, no, occupied by the bandits’ general. Where are you going to find an official?” Qin Dahu spoke.
Zhang Laosan was astounded.
After thinking for a while, Qin Dahu’s words seemed to make sense.
However, there was a murder in the village, and it was a massive tragedy where one whole family was exterminated. It was unacceptable to not report it to the officials.
When he saw Zhang Laosan’s expression that was wrought with conflicting emotions, Qin Dahu continued, “Before the general entered the town, many people were killed and robbed in the villages around our town.
“Don’t you know who did those things?” Qin Dahu lowered his voice as he spoke to Zhang Laosan.
All the villages were ransacked and even the villagers were killed. Of course, it was the work of the mountain bandits and the refugees who had colluded with the mountain bandits.
Many people had even seen the mountain bandits kill people with their own eyes.
Could it be…
Zhang Laosan’s body trembled as he thought of some possibilities.
“Brother Qin, you mean…” he said with a face full of fear.
Could it be the mountain bandits were responsible for what happened to Zhang Ershui’s family?
If that was the case, then why would he still report this to the government office? Wouldn’t he be bringing trouble upon himself?
Qin Dahu nodded his head solemnly.
“Other than those people, who else would be so brutal?”
When he saw that Zhang Laosan was still hesitating, Qin Dahu added, “Also, there’s something you might not know yet.”
“What… what is it?” Zhang Laosan asked.
“Zhang Ershui is also dead,” Qin Dahu said in a low voice.
Zhang Laosan’s eyes instantly widened.
“What?” His face was filled with disbelief.
Qin Dahu quickly patted Zhang Laosan’s shoulder.
“It’s true. It happened last night.”
“It was said that he went to the gambling house to gamble with three mountain bandits. After they came out, Zhang Ershui was killed along with the three mountain bandits,” Qin Dahu said in a low voice.
Zhang Laosan was utterly shocked.
Qin Dahu glanced at Zhang Laosan and continued, “Besides those people themselves, who else would dare to kill people in the town?
“Zhang Ershui was on good terms with those three mountain bandits, so he might have offended the other mountain bandits. That’s why he was killed as well.
“In my opinion, those family members of his are most likely implicated,” Qin Dahu said as he looked at Zhang Laosan.
At the same time, he couldn’t help but admire his own ability to make up stories.
“Huh? Er… then, what should I do next?” Zhang Laosan immediately turned to Qin Dahu for help.
Brother Qin’s analysis was very reasonable.
If Zhang Ershui’s family was really killed by the mountain bandits, wouldn’t he cause trouble for the murderer by going to the government office now? What if they retaliated against him?
However, if he did not report this to the officials…
Sigh! He had already promised the villagers he would report it. It would be hard to explain when he returned.
Qin Dahu was silent for a moment.
After a while, he looked at Zhang Laosan.
“If I were you, I would not go to the government office,” he said.
“But…” Zhang Laosan’s expression immediately became anxious.
“But I’ve already promised the villagers,” he continued.
Qin Dahu glanced at Zhang Laosan.
“The mountain bandits have occupied the government office, but they are not taking charge of matters like the old officials in the past.
“When you go back, just say that you’ve already reported it to the officials. Who would really go to the government office and ask if there was such an incident?
“Anyway, when such murder cases happened in other villages, I’ve never seen those people care about it.”
Zhang Laosan instantly fell silent.
His eyes darted around a few times, and he realized that Qin Dahu’s words made sense.
Then, he suddenly said as if he was enlightened, “You’re right!
“You’re right, Brother Qin!
“Gosh! It’s a good thing I came to look for you before I went to report to the officials. Otherwise, I might have gotten into trouble!
“Brother Qin, thank you for helping me out of this predicament!” Zhang Laosan grabbed Qin Dahu’s arm gratefully.
Qin Dahu hurriedly told Zhang Laosan not to stand on ceremony.
“We’re brothers, and you’ve helped my family a lot before. This trivial thing is nothing,” Qin Dahu replied.
“Also, regarding the matter of helping you look for work.
“Now, the town isn’t stable enough yet, so I’m only following a few brothers to gather firewood and sell them.
“If you don’t mind the low earnings, I can talk to them to add you in,” Qin Dahu continued.
Zhang Laosan’s eyes lit up.
“I don’t mind! I don’t mind! It’s good enough as long as I can cam a bit of money and not let my wife and child starve to death!”
“Thank you, Brother Qin!” Tears welled up in Zhang Laosan’s eyes as he spoke, and he prepared to kneel down before Qin Dahu.
Qin Dahu quickly went up to stop Zhang Laosan.
“What is this? How can a man of honor do this so frivolously?” he reprimanded.
Only then did Zhang Laosan stop kneeling.
However, his voice was already breaking up as he choked back his tears.
“I’m just thanking you, Brother Qin. Without you, our family of three would have starved to death long ago.
“In the past, you lent me food. This time you helped me avoid a disaster. You even found a job for me.
“Brother Qin, you’re our family’s great benefactor. I, Zhang Laosan, will never forget your great kindness as long as I lived!” Zhang Laosan said in a strong and determined voice.
Qin Dahu was visibly moved.
“They arc all just small matters.
“You have also helped me a lot in the past.
“Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore.
“I’ll get you some food to bring back. You adults can eat less, but don’t let the child starve,” Qin Dahu said.
“Thank you, Brother Qin! Thank you, Brother Qin!” Zhang Laosan quickly bowed and thanked him. At this point, his tears couldn’t help flowing down.
Qin Dahu gave a sigh before turning around and walking inside.
Then, he took out a sack containing four catties of brown rice and gave it to Zhang Laosan.
“There’s a shortage of food, and my family isn’t well-off either. I can only give you this much,” Qin Dahu said as he watched Zhang Laosan stuff the sack into his pocket.
He gave Zhang Laosan food because this guy had been giving his best when helping his family monitor the Zhang family.
This time, it was all thanks to him that he came to report this news.
Otherwise, if the news of the Zhang family getting wiped out were to spread, Zhang Ershui’s matter would not be settled so easily.
This guy Zhang Laosan was not a bad person. In the future, Qin Dahu was also willing to look out for him.
“I can’t thank you enough. There’s so much rice. If we conserve a little, it’ll be enough to last our family of three for ten days.
“When I start working and earning money, our family of three will have a way to live.
“Thank you, Brother Qin! Really… thank you so much!” Zhang Laosan expressed his gratitude again.
The reason he had always given his best to the Qin family was actually for the sake of benefits and advantages.
This included this occasion when he came to deliver the news.
In fact, he also wanted to take the opportunity to curry favor with the Qin family and then borrow some grain from them.
He did not expect Brother Qin to give food to him outright.
He even agreed to arrange work for him.
Brother Qin was really their whole family’s benefactor.
Qin Dahu was visibly moved. He stepped forward and patted Zhang Laosan’s shoulder.
“Alright. You don’t have to thank me.
“Keep your things safe and be careful when you leave the town.” As he spoke, he glanced at the rice sack Zhang Laosan had stuffed into his pocket..