Zhao Zeqiang grabbed Zhao Zechuan's arm: "Don't talk nonsense in front of so many people."
Zhao Zechuan shook off his elder brother's grip, displeased: "Elder brother, the more you act afraid of the Cui family, the more arrogant they will become. You're just fueling their ego."
After speaking, Zhao Zechuan forcefully broke free of Zhao Zeqiang's grip and went to Mo Jiuye again.
"Sir, please give me a ride. I can pay the fare."
As he spoke, Zhao Zechuan had already taken out three copper coins and showed them to Mo Jiuye in his palm.
Whether there was a fare or not was secondary. This was the first time Mo Jiuye had seen someone in Xi Ling Village who was not afraid of the Cui family.
Therefore, he was willing to give Zhao Zechuan a ride. He could also take the opportunity to chat and learn more about Xi Ling Village along the way.
"My cart isn't for carrying passengers, but since we live in the same village, giving you a ride shouldn't be a problem."
Zhao Zechuan was not pretentious. Hearing Mo Jiuye's words, he directly put away the copper coins.
"Then thank you, sir."
He Zhiran was in the carriage, so Mo Jiuye let Zhao Zechuan sit with him on the cart's plank.
The mule cart slowly drove away under the complicated gazes of the crowd.
Everyone looked at Zhao Zeqiang sympathetically, worried what kind of trouble this would bring if the Cui family found out...
On the way to Yun City,
Mo Jiuye asked with interest while driving the mule cart: "Aren't you really afraid of the Cui family?"
Zhao Zechuan first carefully sized up Mo Jiuye, then smiled bitterly: "Actually, by doing this today, I'm bound to upset the Cui family. They will also bring people to cause trouble for my family.
I was thinking, we are all just ordinary farmers. Who is above whom? Why does my Zhao family have to be suppressed by the Cui family?
Just because the Cui family has a relative who's a county magistrate?"
Hearing Zhao Zechuan's words, he was determined to oppose the Cui family.
"Aren't you worried that your family will suffer losses?"
Zhao Zechuan sighed, "I won't hide it from you, sir. Of the three families in Xi Ling Village, my Zhao family has the most people. If we really fought with the Cui family, they might not necessarily win.
It's just a pity that the Zhao family members are too timid. When something happens, they always want to resolve matters peacefully. Giving in again and again, we have been completely taken advantage of by the Cui family.
I deliberately did what I did today. I wanted to take this opportunity to change people's thinking. Ever since I was little, I started reading and have now passed the county exam to become a scholar. The clan has high hopes for me that I will be able to pass the exam in the future and gain an official position to stand up to the Cui family.
But in recent years, the Cui family has become more and more outrageous, not only suppressing the Zhao and Zhou families, but even trying to seize our land.
I cannot tolerate things like this. So I've also called on everyone to resist before, but I couldn't change their minds because the Zhao family is too afraid of the Cui family."
Hearing this, Mo Jiuye looked at Zhao Zechuan with some admiration.
"So your purpose today in deliberately taking my mule cart was to see if your clan would protect you when the Cui family comes to cause you trouble?"
Zhao Zechuan nodded, "Yes, as you said, sir, I do intend to use this opportunity to change people's thinking."
Mo Jiuye didn't know if Zhao Zechuan's plan would succeed, but he could be sure that the Cui family was going further and further down the path of self-destruction.
Deputy Magistrate Cui was severely injured by Liang Hao and the others last night. According to the laws of the Da Shun Dynasty, officials who are maimed are not allowed to remain in office.
His official career must have come to an end.
With the loss of support from their relative the deputy magistrate, let's see what the Cui family can still rely on to show off their power!
I believe this matter has already spread in Yun City. Zhao Zechuan would find out as soon as he enters the city.
Upon entering Yun City, Mo Jiuye discovered a strange phenomenon.
At this time, the doors of several clinics were all closed, although crowded with peasants who wanted treatment outside. The clinics showed no signs of opening for business.
Zhao Zechuan also noticed this.
"Why have none of the clinics opened their doors today?"
Mo Jiuye had already guessed the reason.
It was nothing more than Deputy Magistrate Cui arrogantly summoning all the doctors to treat his injuries.
Of course, he could not personally explain this to Zhao Zechuan.
Looking at the streets, groups of officers were going from door to door with large knives in their hands, searching houses.
Mo Jiuye drove on as if nothing had happened.
After going not far, he happened to run into Ma Junshan who was patrolling the streets with two officers.
Mo Jiuye drove the mule cart towards them.
Ma Junshan saw him at a glance and greeted him first.
"What are you doing in the city?"
Mo Jiuye could see that this officer was quite familiar.
So he didn't stand on ceremony too much.
"I brought my wife into the city to buy some medicine, but I wonder why all the clinics in the city are closed today?"
Upon hearing this, Ma Junshan looked around before moving closer to Mo Jiuye and said:
"Last night, the deputy magistrate was injured in his genitals by several masked men. Before dawn, he had sent people to summon all the doctors from the clinics to treat him at his residence."
Mo Jiuye had already guessed the reason, but he asked on purpose to find out from someone else.
Although Ma Junshan spoke softly, Zhao Zechuan, who was sitting next to Mo Jiuye, heard it clearly.
At this point, Zhao Zechuan no longer cared about going to school. All he could think of was to bring this gratifying news back to the village to tell his clan.
Believing that after they learned Deputy Magistrate Cui had suffered such an injury, they would no longer fear the Cui family coming to cause trouble.
With this thought, Zhao Zechuan jumped off the cart.
"Sir, thank you for the ride into town today. Something urgent came up so I must be going first."
From Zhao Zechuan's expression, Mo Jiuye could see how excited he was at the moment.
"Alright."
Zhao Zechuan couldn't be bothered with more pleasantries as he swiftly ran back the way they came.
Ma Junshan exchanged a few more words with Mo Jiuye before leaving with his men.
Hearing the people outside leave, He Zhiran lifted the curtain and came out from inside.
"Husband, where should we go first?"
The purpose of the two coming to Yun City was to find an excuse for the antidote to see the light. They didn't really have a plan for how to pass the time.
Mo Jiuye looked at the sky. It was still early.
"Let's just casually walk the streets and take a look at the customs here."
Indeed, since they had just arrived, it was necessary for them to learn more about the place where they would reside long-term.
Mo Jiuye drove the mule cart, wandering aimlessly through the streets.
Perhaps because Deputy Magistrate Cui was injured, there were officers everywhere on the streets.
Nevertheless, it did not affect the commoners' normal lives.
Aside from the clinics, the other shops were operating as usual, and street peddlers could be seen plying their trades from time to time along the roadside.
In order to find out about Deputy Magistrate Cui's condition, Mo Jiuye deliberately drove the mule cart towards his residence.
It really was a narrow escape from calamity—when they were some distance away from the Cui residence, they bumped right into Village Chief Cui's party.
