Hearing Mama Shi's words, Meng Qizhong's family of four immediately grinned, looking at Meng Qicheng and his wife with malicious intent.
Meng Qicheng, however, remained numb and said nothing.
Just as Mama Shi was basking in her triumph, Jin Xiaoqi spoke, "The punishment of the cane cannot be substituted by others, otherwise, how will the wrongdoer remember their mistake?"
After speaking, Jin Xiaoqi gave the soldiers a look. The soldiers, understanding, stepped forward, pinned the people down, and the cane fell heavily on their buttocks.
The one shouting the loudest, "Aow! Aow!" was unexpectedly Meng Qizhong.
Fifth Grandma felt embarrassed for him, such a grown man, "My heavens, he's been spoiled like a turtle hatchling all along, useless when it matters, only knows how to howl."
After speaking, Fifth Grandma covered her mouth, spitting, "Peh! Peh!" and pointing at Mama Shi, she complained, "It's all your fault for constantly calling the second turtle hatchling by that name, I've learned it too." Seeing that she had said something she shouldn't have, Fifth Grandma spat "Peh! Peh! Peh!" several more times, not daring to say anything further.
Old Master Meng Wu, however, smiled dismissively, "This is a case of proximity to vermilion leads to red, proximity to ink leads to black."
"Oh dear, old man, what will we do in the future?" Fifth Grandma thought of her two grandsons, who were already so grown. "What if they both learn their ways?"
"It's alright. It won't happen again." Jin Xiaoqi, after appeasing everyone, then said to those who were being caned, "Since your family dislikes farming, I will find you a place that doesn't involve farming."
Old Master Meng San was a man of the world. Upon hearing Jin Xiaoqi's words, he knew something was amiss. He forgot the pain of being caned, but he realized it too late.
Jin Xiaoqi looked at the family and uttered words that struck fear into everyone present.
"Coal has been discovered to the east. The thousand-household chief is looking for people everywhere. Originally, the commander was going to draw lots, but since your family is tired of farming, you can go and mine."
Old Master Meng San never expected that their mere laziness would result in them being sent to the mines.
He was so terrified that he forgot the bloody marks imprinted on his backside and kowtowed to Jin Xiaoqi repeatedly. "Dong dong dong."
"Jin Xiaoqi, please be magnanimous and spare us this time. We promise to farm diligently from now on."
However, Jin Xiaoqi didn't even glance at them, instructing, "Rest your injuries, pack your belongings, and in three days, the garrison will send mules to take you there."
After speaking, Jin Xiaoqi turned and led his men back to the garrison.
The people from the two villages were left looking at each other in speechless dismay.
After a long while, the people from Wujia Village ran to those who had reported to Jin Xiaoqi earlier and thanked them. "Old Zhu, we really owe you today. Otherwise, who knows how many of us would have been taken away."
"That's right, Old Zhu did a good job today. Come to my place for a meal later."
"Come to my place, come to my place."
For the first time in a long time, the people of Wujia Village were united, walking away together, arm in arm.
The people of Mengjia Village remained silent, each looking thoughtfully at Old Master Meng San's family.
Mama Shi and Pan Shi were completely stunned. Old Master Meng San reacted the fastest. Seeing that pleading with Jin Xiaoqi was hopeless, he began to beg his brothers.
"Old Fifth, Old Seventh, Old Eighth... Eleventh, Thirteenth, I'm begging you, brothers. Go to Jin Xiaoqi or Commander Qi and plead for me. I don't want to go to the mines."
Old Master Meng San lay on the ground, his buttocks high in the air, the bright red blood staining his outer trousers. Coupled with his sorrowful cries, many felt a pang of sympathy.
However, remembering Jin Xiaoqi's words, they looked at each other, and no one spoke.
It was Meng Yutang who reminded everyone, "Since Jin Xiaoqi has returned to the garrison, we should also go and help Second Ancestor with his work."
"Mm." Old Master Meng Wu led the way and hurried towards his second brother's house, fearing that if he was too slow, he would be targeted by his third cousin.
Seeing their fifth brother leading the way, the others also hurried to follow. In the blink of an eye, most of the onlookers had dispersed.
However, Tian Shi's eyes were filled with schadenfreude. She cursed them inwardly, "Serves you right," while her hands were busy, pulling Meng Qicheng back.
Meng Qicheng did not move. Tian Shi chided him, disappointed, "What's wrong? Do you want to take the cane with your mother? Or do you plan to go dig coal with them?"
Meng Qicheng couldn't utter a single word.
"Meng Lao Er, don't forget what your mother and your brother and sister-in-law are like. I dare say, if you truly go with them, they will dump all the work on you and lie there like lords again."
"Even if you did all the work, your mother would still be chasing after you every day, calling you a lazy bum. The reason is that out of twelve hours in a day, you manage to sleep for three. Wouldn't it be better if you didn't eat or sleep? This way, not only would you save food, but you could also do more work, and perhaps then your mother would be satisfied."
After speaking, Tian Shi stopped pulling Meng Qicheng and led their daughter back.
With his wife's reminder, Meng Qicheng thought of his mother's favoritism since he could remember and let out a wry smile. He then followed his wife and daughter back.
Looking at the dispersing crowd, Old Master Meng San remembered what his second daughter-in-law had said and wished he could kill Mama Shi.
He looked around for a suitable weapon but found none. He raised his palm and struck himself repeatedly.
"If you didn't like the second one, why didn't you not bring him back in the first place? But you swore to me then that you would raise him as your own son. What happened?"
Fu Xinci, with her sharp ears, heard the hidden truth and stopped.
"Sister Fu?"
"Brother Qi, Uncle Cheng, let's go back and listen to what they're saying."
Meng Qicheng was surprised that Fu Xinci also asked him to come along, so he nodded and followed them back.
On the dirt path at the entrance of the village, Mama Shi and Old Master Meng San had already started fighting.
Before the three of them could get closer, they heard Mama Shi cursing, "A wild seed born of a slut, and you expect me to treat him as my own? Dream on!"
"You shrew!"
Since that fig leaf had been torn off, Mama Shi had no reservations. Her hands continuously swiped at Old Master Meng San's face.
"I just want revenge, what of it? That son born of a slut, I'll make him work like a servant. You've watched all these years without saying a word."
"You!"
"Didn't you cherish that slut back then? When I had that slut dealt with, I didn't see you mourn much."
The more Mama Shi spoke, the more relieved she felt, completely unaware that Meng Qicheng had followed Fu Xinci and Qi He back.
Mama Shi finally saw Meng Qicheng, his face full of anger. She was startled at first. Then, with a look of disdain, she said, "What are you looking at? You, a bastard born of an affair, raised as a legitimate son. You've gotten a great deal."