The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 448 - 446 Fraud_2

Chapter 448: Chapter 446 Fraud_2

Everyone understood that the medicine was provided by Qin and Zhang, but since they refused to admit it was poison, and the government had no way to prove it,

Furthermore, everyone had their own selfish reasons. Considering Hunter Qin’s skills, he was a tough man to deal with. If they pushed him too far, and he went berserk, the residents on this street might suffer.

So they advised the Wang Family to let the matter go, demand more compensation silver first to settle this affair, and then they could find a way to expel those two. In this way, everyone could breathe a sigh of relief.

Old Granny Zhang, seasoned with age, needed no one to spell it out for her.

Plus, as soon as Wang Yonggui heard it, he huddled up to Old Granny Zhang, "Mother, we can’t afford to offend these two. Let’s just take some silver and find a way to treat my brother-in-law’s eyes. As for me, my injuries are minor; They’ll heal with some rest..."

Then someone remembered, oh dear, Wang’s son had also been beaten until he vomited blood and passed out.

This made it clear, these two must not be allowed to stay in Shiqiao Town!

Hunter Qin and Shopkeeper Zhang were not deaf, they naturally heard all these whispers. Listening to everyone’s disdain and caution towards them nearly choked them with indignation.

Finally, Old Granny Zhang acted as if she were persuaded by the others and reluctantly agreed.

Then some good Samaritans took it upon themselves to help, "Old Qin, no matter what, you’re the ones who acted inappropriately today. The son-in-law’s eyes are damaged, his whole latter life is ruined. You can’t skimp on the medical silver! And Wang’s son, you punched him until he vomited blood; internal injuries need proper care. You two don’t seem short on cash, earlier you even said that money was no issue, so why not give more compensation silver, what do you say?"

Hunter Qin snorted coldly, Shopkeeper Zhang said with a grin that was more like a grimace, "As we said, we’ve got the short end of the stick today. Go ask the Wangs how much silver they want."

Wang Yonggui immediately leaped forward, "One thousand taels of silver!"

"You’re dreaming!" Hunter Qin almost jumped up, could this country bumpkin really dare to demand such a price?

The onlookers also gasped, one thousand taels! How many people never see that much silver in their entire lives, let alone dare to dream of it!

"Third Brother, what nonsense are you spouting?" Wang Yongzhu glared at Wang Yonggui.

Wang Yonggui immediately shrank away.

Hunter Qin saw Wang Yongzhu as if he was the only one with a clear head in the Wang family. One thousand taels, why not just rob someone?

Wang Yongzhu scolded, "Third Brother, you really can’t calculate! Think about it, Brother Song has been supporting those two for, let’s say, eight years. Each year, each of them should receive no less than one hundred taels of silver, two persons would be two hundred taels, which makes it one thousand six hundred after eight years. Then add on Brother Song’s future medical bills, travel expenses, living expenses, at least a hundred taels per year."

"If Brother Song is lucky enough to meet a Divine Doctor and recover his sight, that’s another matter. But if he’s not, and remains blind his whole life and lives up to fifty, that’s another thirty-one years, making it three thousand one hundred more. Plus, you’ve injured Third Brother here, aren’t you going to compensate for his medical expenses? We’ll let you off cheaply for that, fifty taels. That’s one thousand six hundred plus three thousand one hundred and another fifty, totaling four thousand seven hundred and fifty taels. Round it up, just give us four thousand eight hundred taels of silver! We’ll take the loss and not fuss over it," Wang Yongzhu calculated carefully.

When she finished, there was silence all around.

Wang Yonggui looked admiringly at his sister, finally realizing why she was the one in charge of the house. With her skill in calculations, who else but she should be?

Old Granny Zhang, upon hearing the sum of four thousand eight hundred taels, almost went weak in the knees, barely managing to grab Lady Lin for support.

Instead, the moment she touched her, Lady Lin knelt down first, rolling into a heap with her.

Jindou and Jinhoo were utterly flabbergasted. Had they misheard? It should be just four hundred and eighty taels, right?

"You... this is extortion, I... I’m going to the Government Office to accuse you..." Shopkeeper Zhang nearly choked on his own saliva, his hand trembling as he pointed at Wang Yongzhu.

Wang Yongzhu scoffed, "Just now, didn’t you say in front of everyone that money was no object? That you had plenty, and as long as we named the price, you’d pay up and tell us to scram? Now that I’ve given you the figure, can’t you produce the sum? Since you can’t produce it, why act tough?"

"And have the nerve to accuse me of extortion? Isn’t the account I’ve tallied crystal clear? Song Chongjin has served you for over a decade, especially the past seven or eight years. He’s paid tribute with his good hunting, plus the frequent fine wines and delicacies, and a steady flow of red envelopes with silver. A hundred taels per year is an underestimate, don’t you have a grip on how much you’ve enjoyed his filial piety? Didn’t you account for the skills you’ve bestowed on him, and do you mean to pocket all those years of filial gifts? Even as a scholar, can you stoop to such shameless acts?"

"Song Chongjin was blinded by you, he’s only nineteen this year. Without discussing anything else, living to fifty should be expected, right? I haven’t even started on the medical expenses, a hundred taels a year is a fair price! And even if Brother Song should unfortunately pass away, rest assured, I’ll burn the remaining silver for you!"

At this point, Old Granny Zhang snapped back to her senses, looking proudly at her daughter.

Ah, her daughter now carried a trace of her own former glory, she was truly the apple of her eye.

"I see you have no true intention of negotiating—" Hunter Qin couldn’t help but roll up his sleeves.