The Double
Chapter 282 - 111 Mute Granny_5

Chapter 282: Chapter 111 Mute Granny_5

Life was tough. The days since Feng Yutang took office were like those when she was young and had been bullied. But why is it that good people die young while evil lingers for a thousand years?

Mute Granny lifted her head again to look at Jiang Li and asked, "Why do you want to help the Xue Family?"

"I have an old acquaintance with the Xue Family," Jiang Li said, "and I am entrusted by someone to vindicate them. Please rest assured, I won’t tell anyone that it was you who shared this information with us. Feng Yutang won’t be able to trace it back to you; I can guarantee your safety."

Mute Granny let out a raspy laugh, her face full of wrinkles squeezed into a bunch, yet she looked much kinder than before. She said, "What have I to fear? I have lived a long life, I have lived enough. The only reason I stay in the county government office is to see how long this magistrates Feng Yutang can last. I hope to avenge the Xue Family, but I can’t do it. I have waited and waited, and finally, you have come."

Ye Mingyu opened his mouth wide, genuinely surprised to hear such a long speech from this usually reticent old woman. And within her words, there was something affecting.

Jiang Li quietly looked at her and, after a moment, reached out to grasp Mute Granny’s hand: "Thank you."

The young, full hand and the old, dry hand were stacked together, as if infusing the old woman with new vitality. Mute Granny’s eyes became very bright, and she spoke slowly, yet each word was very clear.

"Feng Yutang and his men replaced everyone in the county government office. After Lord Xue was jailed, his men refused to comply and were detained. There was one called Xiao Hei, who struggled fiercely and was killed by them. Fearing that killing too many would cause trouble, Feng Yutang had the rest sent to the East Mountain Mine Path to work as miners," she explained.

"The East Mountain Mine Path?" Jiang Li was astonished, "Isn’t that a mine that has long been abandoned?"

Mute Granny glanced at her: "You know quite a bit."

Ye Mingyu interjected: "What mine is this? There are mines in Tongxiang?"

Mute Granny sighed: "Few people know about the mine. Among the younger generation, let alone outsiders, even locals from Tongxiang are unaware of its existence. Decades ago, someone found gold in the East Mountain of Tongxiang, and rumors of a gold mine spread, which was reported to the imperial court. The imperial court sent people to explore and even ordered mining in the mine path, but after a full year of excavation, apart from a little on the surface, no gold mine was found. The officials in charge of the mining were dismissed, and the mine was abandoned."

As Jiang Li listened to Mute Granny, her expression didn’t show the same surprise as Ye Mingyu’s. The younger generation in Tongxiang and even some of the older ones didn’t know about this, but she did. Before Xue Huaiyuan took office, she had looked into Tongxiang’s past, including the Dongshan Mountain mines.

Jiang Li inquired, "If it is an abandoned mine, why would Feng Yutang send them there?"

Mute Granny scoffed: "Because Feng Yutang wants to torture those men. He sent them back to the mine to work in the mine path from dawn to dusk, until they find gold. Everyone knows there’s no gold to be found in East Mountain, and without gold, those men will never see the light of day again."

"He’s abusing his power. The mining work should be reported to the imperial court for approval. He’s illegally mining for gold, even if it’s an abandoned mine, that’s enough to be his crime!" Jiang Li said angrily.

"Miss, you need to know, no one working in the mines has it easy. And since Feng Yutang intends to torture them, he will only increase their suffering. I’ve heard Feng Yutang’s men say that those government officers were stripped of their clothes, shackled at their limbs, and forced to work all day long. If they didn’t work well, they would be beaten or kicked around. Injuries and deaths are common occurrences. Strong men are living lives worse than dogs. At this rate, it’s hard to know how many can hold on and how many are still alive."

"This is outrageous!" Upon hearing Mute Granny’s words, Ye Mingyu slammed the table, "It’s completely inhumane!"

Jiang Li pursed her lips and remained silent, envisioning the miserable plight of those who were once government officers and had now become slaves, exploited and driven. Such torment was not only physical suffering but also a tremendous destruction of their self-esteem.

Feng Yutang truly regarded Tongxiang as a place with no law.

"All I know is this," Mute Granny said: "Miss, if you want to find those missing officers, go have a look at East Mountain. But be careful not to be discovered, for Feng Yutang’s men are still watching... Do you know where East Mountain is?"

"I know," Jiang Li said: "I know how to find those men."

Mute Granny looked at her, steadily saying: "Miss, I’m not sure who you are, but since you’ve begun investigating the Xue Family’s case, I hope you’ll see it through to the end. I’m an old bag of bones, almost ready for the coffin. To vindicate the Xue Family and let me see that the heavens still uphold fairness and justice, I’m willing to stake this old life of mine without a second thought."

"Rest assured," Jiang Li looked at her, promising: "I swear, I will pursue this to the end and not give up halfway, no matter what trouble I face, I will never give up. May lightning strike me if I break this oath."

Mute Granny was relieved.