Chapter 138: The Evil Deeds of Landlord Qin
Zhao Zhitong and the others listened in shock, their eyes wide. After a moment of stunned silence, Zhao Zhitong spoke again. "Uncle, don’t be afraid," she said. "My friend here has many books at home. The books say that judges aren’t afraid of power or danger and will punish the wicked for the people! We want to file a complaint with a judge. He will surely punish Landlord Qin!"
Qiao Muchen, who was pulled along, nodded emphatically in agreement.
The farmer looked at Zhao Zhitong, then at Qiao Muchen, and finally asked uncertainly, "Are there really such judges in this world?"
Zhao Zhitong nodded emphatically. "There certainly are!"
Seeing the farmer was moved, Zhao Zhitong quickly winked at Qiao Muchen. He instantly understood, took out pen and paper from his bag, and spread them out on a roadside stone.
Seeing this, Wei Shulan immediately brought out the inkstone.
The farmer, witnessing this, was surprised again. "You can write?"
At this, Zhao Cheng proudly nodded. "Yes, Uncle. Rest assured, my younger brother and sisters here all go to school and have excellent grades. They can write."
The farmer finally nodded, truly believing them now.
All his ancestors had been peasants, and reverence for scholars was carved into his very bones. Even though these were just a few young children, the moment he heard they were scholars, he unconsciously stooped respectfully before them.
Zhao Zhitong also nodded proudly. "Uncle, please tell us about Landlord Qin’s misdeeds. We’ll write them all down, prepare a formal complaint, and submit it to the judge!"
The farmer sighed, sat down by the roadside, and slowly began to recount everything he knew. "As far as I know," he started, "the Qin Clan’s roots in Anyang County run very deep. Ever since I was a child, the Qins have been the landlords here. Their family dominates this area, oppressing us common folk and seizing our farmlands..."