The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

Village Chief Wang quickly stood up and welcomed Tang Youyou into the house. "Miss Youyou, why are you here so late? What's the matter?"

Tang Youyou's face was filled with anxiety, and her tone was a little heavy: "Village Chief, I've thought about it over and over again, but I'm still worried about the land leasing. Li Fugui relied on his family's wealth to deliberately lower the rent, and even spread the word that anyone who dared to rent my land would not be able to survive in the village. The villagers are angry but dare not speak out, I..."

After hearing this, Village Chief Wang also frowned. He knew what Li Fugui had done in the village, but due to personal feelings, he had never been able to intervene. Now seeing Tang Youyou so worried, he couldn't help but sigh: "Miss Youyou, I understand your difficulties, but this matter..."

"Village Chief," Tang Youyou interrupted Village Chief Wang, "I know you're in trouble, so I came here today to ask you for a favor. I want to go to the county government to file a complaint!"

Village Chief Wang was startled and said quickly, "Go to the county government office to file a complaint? That... that's probably not a good idea, right? After all, they're from the same village. If we take it to the government, it won't look good on anyone!"

"Village Chief, I was forced into this!" Tang Youyou's eyes were red. "If I don't complain, I can only watch Li Fugui bully honest people like us. I really can't swallow this!"

Village Chief Wang looked at Tang Youyou's determined eyes and knew that it would be useless to persuade her any further, so he could only sigh: "Okay, since you have made up your mind, I will accompany you to the county government office tomorrow."

The next morning, Tang Youyou and Village Chief Wang went to the county government office together. Two majestic stone lions stood guard on either side of the gate. The people coming in and out had expressions of awe on their faces. Tang Youyou took a deep breath and, led by Village Chief Wang, walked into the county government office.

After they explained their purpose, they were taken to a side room by the yamen runners to wait. Tang Youyou felt uneasy and twisted her fingers nervously.

After an unknown amount of time, a middle-aged man in official uniform and with a serious face walked in. He was the county magistrate, Liu.

"Are you suing Li Fugui for oppressing the people?" County Magistrate Liu's voice was loud and intimidating without even being angry.

"Reporting to the Lord, I, Tang Youyou, am suing Li Fugui..." Tang Youyou recounted the whole story in detail and took out the pre-prepared land deed as evidence.

After hearing this, County Magistrate Liu frowned slightly. After a moment's silence, he said, "I am aware of this matter, but words alone are not enough to prove it. I need to investigate and verify it before I can make a fair judgment."

Tang Youyou and Village Chief Wang looked at each other, and a glimmer of hope ignited in their hearts.

"Come here," County Magistrate Liu ordered, "go and summon Li Fugui to the bench!"

The bailiff took his orders and left, leaving only Tang Youyou, Village Chief Wang, and County Magistrate Liu in the wing room. The air seemed to freeze, and you could hear a pin drop.

"Dong, dong, dong..." Suddenly, there was a burst of hurried footsteps outside the door, followed by a deep voice: "Sir, I have something to report..."

"Come in." County Magistrate Liu said in a deep voice.

The door creaked open, and a middle-aged man with a bloated figure and greasy hair and powdered face walked in. He was Li Fugui. As soon as Li Fugui entered the door, he saluted to County Magistrate Liu with a smile on his face: "I, Li Fugui, greet the great judge!"

"Li Fugui," County Magistrate Liu looked at him expressionlessly, "Do you know why I summoned you?"

Li Fugui rolled his eyes and said in surprise, "I don't know. Please tell me clearly, sir."

"Someone has accused you of oppressing the people and maliciously lowering the rent. Is this true?" County Magistrate Liu asked in a stern tone.

Li Fugui quickly waved his hands in denial, "Sir, this is unjust! I've always been kind and generous, how could I do such a thing? Someone must be maliciously slandering me!"

"Oh? Then tell me, who is maliciously slandering you?" asked County Magistrate Liu.

Li Fugui caught a glimpse of Tang Youyou standing beside him, and immediately understood something. He pointed at Tang Youyou and said, "Sir, it's her, Tang Youyou! She holds a grudge against me because of the land lease, so she deliberately fabricated facts to slander me!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Youyou was immediately furious. Just as she was about to open her mouth to refute, she was stopped by Village Chief Wang. Village Chief Wang shook his head at her, signaling her to calm down.

Magistrate Liu saw all of this and had already made his own judgment. He coughed lightly and said, "Li Fugui, I will investigate the truth. There's no need for you to argue. Come, take Li Fugui away. I'll make a final decision after I've thoroughly investigated!"

When Li Fugui heard this, he panicked. He immediately knelt on the ground and cried, "Sir, please spare my life! I know I'm wrong. I'm willing to double the rent. I only ask for your forgiveness!"

County Magistrate Liu remained unmoved and waved his hand, signaling the bailiff to take Li Fugui away. Li Fugui was dragged out. When he passed by Tang Youyou, he glared at her fiercely and said in a low voice, "Just wait, this matter is not over yet!"

Tang Youyou met his gaze without fear, her heart filled with determination.

After sending Li Fugui away, County Magistrate Liu began investigating the matter. However, the investigation was not going smoothly. Li Fugui held immense influence in the local area, and many villagers, intimidated by his power, were afraid to speak out. The yamen runners sent by County Magistrate Liu also encountered repeated setbacks, and the investigation reached a deadlock.

……

Outside the county government office, Tang Youyou paced anxiously, her heart filled with uneasiness. Time passed, the sun gradually set, but County Magistrate Liu still did not appear. Village Chief Wang, seeing this, consoled her, "Miss Youyou, don't worry. The Lord will definitely make the decision for you."

Tang Youyou forced a smile, but the uneasiness in her heart grew stronger and stronger. At this moment, the gate of the county government office suddenly opened, and a bailiff walked out and walked straight towards Tang Youyou...

Outside the county government office, Tang Youyou paced back and forth, kicking the stones on the ground with a clattering sound. The setting sun made her figure appear particularly slender, but it couldn't hide the anxiety between her brows. Village Chief Wang sat on a bench nearby, occasionally glancing at the sky, then at Tang Youyou, wanting to speak but hesitant.

"Miss Youyou, don't worry. The adults are very perceptive and will definitely make the decision for you." Village Chief Wang finally couldn't help but speak to comfort her. Tang Youyou forced a smile and nodded slightly, but her clenched hands revealed her inner uneasiness.

Time passed by minute by minute, and as the sky gradually darkened, the gate of the county government office remained closed. Tang Youyou's heart sank bit by bit. Could it be...could it be that even the county magistrate couldn't punish Li Fugui?

At this moment, the gate of the county government creaked open, and a bailiff walked out. Tang Youyou and Village Chief Wang immediately stood up, their eyes fixed on the bailiff. The bailiff walked straight up to Tang Youyou, bowed, and said, "Miss Tang, your Excellency invites you in."

Tang Youyou's heart tightened. Could it be that things had taken a turn for the better? She took a deep breath, tried to calm herself down, and followed the bailiff into the county government office.

After passing through several courtyards, Tang Youyou finally arrived at the lobby of the county government office. County Magistrate Liu was sitting upright in the hall, and when he saw Tang Youyou come in, a kind smile appeared on his face.

"Miss Tang, I have thoroughly investigated the land lease dispute between you and Li Fugui," County Magistrate Liu said slowly, his tone steady and forceful. "The evidence is irrefutable that Li Fugui is oppressing the people and maliciously lowering the rent! I have already punished him and will order him to re-sign a lease with you at market price."

Hearing these words, Tang Youyou's heart finally settled down. She looked at County Magistrate Liu with gratitude and was about to express her gratitude when she heard him continue, "But, Miss Tang, I still have something to explain to you."

Tang Youyou's heart was lifted again, and she looked at County Magistrate Liu with doubt. County Magistrate Liu looked at her with a sharp gaze, and said word by word: "I hope you can understand that land is not a joke. The land you want to lease is related to the livelihoods of dozens of villagers..."

County Magistrate Liu's words were resounding, echoing in the empty hall. Tang Youyou was stunned, her heart pounding. Could there be some hidden secret behind this land lease? She suppressed her doubts and replied respectfully, "Sir, I understand. Please explain."

Magistrate Liu nodded with satisfaction and pointed to a file on the table. "I've already had someone investigate your previous lease of Li Fugui's land. This land is remote and barren, and the harvest has always been poor, which is why the rent is so low."

Tang Youyou suddenly realized why Li Fugui had so easily agreed to rent the land. It turned out there was another reason. She had only been concerned with renting the land, but had ignored the condition of the land itself. This was really a lack of consideration.

"This..." Tang Youyou was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to answer.

Upon seeing this, County Magistrate Liu said gently, "Miss Tang, I'm not trying to stop you from leasing the land. I just hope you'll think twice before you act. Although the rent for this land is low, the investment and output are not proportional. If you really want to develop farming, you need to find other good farmland."

Tang Youyou was grateful. Lord Liu not only upheld justice for her, but also patiently advised and guided her. He was truly a rare and good official. She took a deep breath, solemnly saluted County Magistrate Liu, and said in a firm tone, "Thank you for your advice, sir. I understand. Please rest assured, sir, I will carefully consider it and will never let you down."

County Magistrate Liu nodded with satisfaction, signaling Tang Youyou to leave. Tang Youyou bowed again to express her gratitude, then turned and walked out of the county government office.

As the sun set, the sunset glowed half the sky red. Tang Youyou looked up at the sky, her heart filled with hope. Although the land lease had encountered setbacks, she believed that as long as she worked hard, she would be able to overcome the difficulties and create a better life. She quickened her pace, eager to go home and tell the children the good news.

After returning home, Tang Youyou told the children what had happened in detail. After hearing this, the children were all happy for her and surrounded her, cheering for her.

"That's great, Mom, we can finally rent land!" Tang Jin said excitedly, with anticipation glittering in his eyes.

"Mom, when are we going to farm? I want to plant watermelons, big watermelons!" Tang Xiaoya hugged Tang Youyou's arm and said in a baby voice.

Tang Youyou looked at the children's innocent smiles, her heart filled with warmth and strength. She patted the children's heads and said softly, "Okay, when mother is ready, we will go to the fields and grow lots of delicious food!"

Night fell, but Tang Youyou didn't feel sleepy at all. She sat under the lamp, carefully flipping through the documents in her hand. These were all the information she had sorted out overnight after returning from the county government office that afternoon. They were about land leasing, seed purchases, and the use of farm tools. She had to seize the time, prepare everything as soon as possible, and start her farming plan.

Outside the window, the night was deep, with the occasional chirping of insects. Tang Youyou put down the information in her hand, walked to the window, and looked up at the night sky. The night sky was dotted with stars, shining with charming light. Tang Youyou took a deep breath, her heart filled with anticipation and longing.

Suddenly, a cool breeze blew by, and Tang Youyou couldn't help but shiver. She looked up at the window, only to see that the originally clear night sky had been covered by dark clouds, and the air was filled with a damp smell.

"Is it going to rain?" Tang Youyou murmured to herself, a sense of uneasiness suddenly rising in her heart.