I asked you to dig wild vegetables to pay off your debt, not go up the mountain to pick up money!

"There's a thief in the village. He's been caught and brought to the authorities."

Song Erhe said this good-temperedly, turning around and pointing at the two people in the carriage.

"There are too many people. If we let you in, I'm afraid it will be difficult to report."

The soldier looked around and saw that there were more than a hundred people, most of them young and strong men. If someone didn't know, they would have thought that the two villages were fighting.

The interrogating soldiers were in a dilemma. Normally, after reporting to the authorities, only a dozen or so people could enter the government office to testify. Even if these people entered the city, they could only wait outside.

His superiors might even scold him for this, which is unnecessary.

"Old man, it would be better if you could bring a dozen people into the city. With so many people gathered outside the government office, the county magistrate would be unhappy."

The county magistrate of Ping'an Town has always been like this. He hates it most when ordinary people rely on their numbers to challenge his authority, and he dislikes it even more when people gather to cause trouble and destroy the peaceful and prosperous environment that he has created for the people.

Song Erhe was the village head after all, and understood the local sayings, so he took eight men, five women, and several people from the Song family into the city.

The others waited outside the city, standing under the shade of the trees and discussing:

"Is there going to be any problems? I'm so nervous."

"With Uncle Erhe here, what's there to be afraid of?"

"We are right, so what are we afraid of? Our Aning even knows the owner of Zuixianju."

"But the shopkeeper is just a businessman. Who would want to wade into muddy waters?"

The more they discussed it, the more disappointed they felt. The county magistrate of Ping'an Town was not really a good official. In previous years, whenever there were fights between the two villages, he always tried to mediate.

Did they come to the wrong place this time?

There were still many bamboo shoots left unsold in Liujia Village, and they came over with a shameless look on their faces.

"I say, what happened in your village? Why such a big scene?"

"Could it be that something went wrong with the bamboo shoots I was selling to Zuixianju, and they reported it to the police? Hahaha?"

"I'm saying, it's a big restaurant, and I'm giving you guys a big thumbs up for talking to me."

Before the people from Banyue Village could speak, the people from Liujia Village started to mock them.

"Bullshit! You can't sell your own bamboo shoots, so you think everyone else is doing the same as you."

"What a vicious mind! You deserve to not be able to sell the bamboo shoots. I wish they would rot at home."

"Are you blind? Can't you see we've kidnapped two people and are sending them to the authorities?"

"..."

The people from the two villages were talking to each other, and the atmosphere became tense again.

It was Song Daguang who stopped the people from Banyue Village. "The village head asked us to wait, so we should be honest. Don't let the fight start again when the situation is resolved over there. Even if we are right, we will lose our reason."

"Those grandsons' words were so irritating, I couldn't help myself..."

After Song Daguang said this, the people in Banyue Village became much more sober. At this critical juncture, they couldn't let anything happen.

On the other side, Song Erhe had brought his men to the yamen gate and explained the situation to the officer, who then showed a hint of disgust in his eyes.

What kind of place is their government? They're busy, okay?

I was busy drinking and playing cards with my brothers, and I ran into this as soon as I went out. It's really bad luck.

He just said coldly: "Wait."

He turned around and went back to the yamen, and there was no follow-up.

The dozen or so people following behind him were in the yamen for the first time. They watched helplessly as the official went in and did not come out for a long time, and the warmth in their hearts cooled a little.

In their minds, officials are diligent, people-loving, and selfless. They just want an explanation, but now they can't even enter the government office.

"Aning, the magistrate may be busy with government affairs. Let's not rush and wait a little longer."

Song Erhe knew very well that the other party clearly didn't want to get involved. It wasn't a major case involving deaths. In their eyes, it was just a small fight between a group of poor people.

The sun was scorching at noon. Within a cup of tea, beads of sweat appeared on everyone's heads. They could only wait in the shade under a tree far away.

Song Anning pretended to go for a walk around the street corner, but actually asked Xiangxiang to buy some herbal tea in the mall to quench the thirst of the villagers.

They all came to town because of her family affairs. This kindness cannot be bought with any amount of herbal tea.

She remembered that in her previous life, she had applied for documents somewhere and was also turned away. It was the older sister who worked with her who reminded her to buy some cigarettes and alcohol or give a red envelope, telling her not to worry about anything and just wait to get the documents.

No matter what era, this trick always works.

She also walked away and stood in a hidden place under the tree at the door, ready to wait for the opportunity.

After a long time, the officer did not wait for anyone, but met the coachman from Zuixianju at the gate of the yamen.

He was stunned when he saw Song Anning. Why did she come to town right after returning to the village? He hurried over to say hello.

"Miss Song, what are you doing here? It's so hot."

Seeing that it was him, Song An Ning did not hide anything and told him the general story.

"Those two people? I saw them at the entrance of your village when I was driving out of it. They were sneaking around in the bushes, looking around for quite a while."

Oh, isn't this a witness? Song Anning wanted to ask him to help testify, but he had to go to another street to deliver something and was in a hurry, so he gave up the idea.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they said goodbye.

When the officer saw that there was no one at the door, he thought that the group had gone back, so he called his two brothers to go out for a drink.

Who knew that as soon as they went out, they saw Song An Ning looking at them with a smile.

"..."

"My Lords, we have been waiting for a long time. Could you please help us pass on the message?"

After asking Xiangxiang to help exchange small change in the system, Song Anning put on a polite smile and stuffed the small change into the hands of several people without leaving any trace.

"I heard that our county magistrate loves the people like his own children and will definitely give us justice."

"Ah, hahaha, this little girl is right. We who work for the court cannot stand seeing the common people being wronged. I'll pass on the message to you right away."

The three of them took the silver and immediately smiled.

Their monthly allowance was only two taels of silver, but this little girl gave each of them one tael. They were so rich! I must say a few good words to this little girl later.

"Then I'll trouble you, sir..."

Song An Ning bowed politely, but his heart was bleeding. He had spent three taels of silver in one go. How many bamboo shoots would he have to dig up with his butt bent over?

"Not much, not much, just about a hundred pounds..."

Xiangxiang did not forget to make fun of it, and couldn't help but sigh that this world is so ugly and money is needed for everything.

Did it open too small a hole for its owner's golden finger? This is why the owner is so strapped for cash that he has to worry about a few taels of silver.

"Sir, there are villagers from Banyue Village outside. They have kidnapped two people and said they were robbed."

The county magistrate's surname is Zhu and his given name is Yuan. As his name suggests, he is as fat as a pig. He recently got a new concubine and is having a great time.

After hearing the officer's report, he was filled with impatience: "You're still coming to me for such a trivial matter?

Send these untouchables away immediately. They are causing me trouble all day long because of trivial matters in the fields."

The official had just received the silver and naturally did not want to let it go. He patiently advised: "The one leading the attack was a young girl. She said that our county magistrate is well-known for loving the people like his own children and will definitely not let them suffer any injustice.

And those people in Banyue Village also said a lot of good things about you.

I am not thinking about your reputation."

Zhu Yuan glanced at the official. To make him so attentive, he must have received a lot of benefits. He knew the character of these people under him.

But who doesn't like to be praised? The people of Banyue Village are very sensible, so he will take a look reluctantly.

After a while, someone inside announced that Song Erhe took the lead, followed by Song Anning, and several men escorted Pan and Wang Gener into the yamen one after another.

"Kneel down, everyone."

Song Erhe reminded everyone in a low voice, and Song Anning finally came to his senses. He had stayed in the previous world for too long and forgot that he had to kneel down to file a lawsuit.

"Who is in the hall?"

"I am Song Erhe, the village head of Banyue Village."

"Song Erhe, what's wronged you?"