Divorced woman with child travels through time

At the same time, Zhong Chang also received the news. The groom, Li Chunlai, gossiped about the situation to Zhong Chang. Zhong Chang chuckled, rubbing his almost healed arm, "That Zhou Bapi, of all people to mess with! He messed with the Chen family, and also incurred the wrath of the masses. They're all a bunch of troublemakers, not so easy to deal with!"

"After this incident, the Chen family's prestige in Lijia Town must be even greater, making them even more difficult to deal with in the future." Zhong Chang stroked his beard and fell into deep thought.

“However, this Zhou Bapi is truly a scoundrel. How can someone in charge of the prefecture commit such shameless and immoral acts?” Zhong Chang said with great disdain.

Chen Wenfang and his group's outburst caused a huge stir, drawing attention from various factions. Unaware of this, Chen Wenfang and his group were currently excitedly negotiating a major business deal with Song He.

“Madam Chen, I won’t waste any more words. If you’re willing to give me all the chili sauce you have, I guarantee that next year I can eat 70% of the chili sauce from your workshop.” Song He made his promise with great confidence.

Chen Wenfang smiled slightly, "Manager Song, you are an honest person, and I won't cheat you. I'm going for the affordable price. Next spring, our workshop will launch chili seedlings. By summer, the entire town of Lijia will be selling chilies. There will be plenty of fresh chilies. Moreover, making chili sauce is very simple. I'm sure every household will be making it by then. No matter how much you try to guarantee it, this chili sauce will still spread throughout the country, so there's no need to make these guarantees."

"Why would Madam Chen do such a thing? Wouldn't it be incredibly profitable for you to hold onto the chili seedlings? You can produce them, and I can sell them. In the end, money will flow into our pockets like water, wouldn't that be wonderful?" Song He was very puzzled.

Chen Wenfang smiled, exchanged a glance with Wang Erniu, and decided not to explain further. Wang Erniu had no choice but to say, "We appreciate Manager Song's kindness, but the bigger the tree, the more the wind will blow against it. Besides, the common people are suffering. Does Manager Song know how long a jar of chili sauce can last an ordinary family?"

"I really don't know that. In Tokyo, chili sauce is a precious commodity, sold as a side dish." Song He was quite straightforward; a young man in his early twenties like him was not cunning.

“A jar of chili sauce that costs eight copper coins can last a family of four for half a month, but ordinary salt costs twenty or thirty copper coins a pound. Manager Song, do the math. How much money can this save ordinary people? And how many poor people can it support? Hmm?” Wang Erniu explained in detail.

Song He was slightly taken aback, then stood up and bowed deeply to the two of them, saying, "Madam Chen, Master Wang is kind and benevolent. I admire you."

The two men quickly helped him up. "Manager Song, you're too kind. Our Chen's is nothing compared to yours. We are honored that you think so highly of us. We still have over two thousand catties of chili sauce in our warehouse. We are willing to sell you one thousand catties. If you need fresh chilies in the summer, we can also ask a merchant to deliver them to you."

Song He nodded, "That's very good. Then let's draw up a contract as proof, and I'll pay you in cash directly."

"Thank you, Manager Song." Chen Wenfang bowed. Manager Song was very straightforward, and the matter was settled happily just like that.

That night, Li Dali secretly sneaked into the county government office, left the letter of denunciation in Zhou Zhengyu's study, and quietly left.

Li Dali returned to the old Li family residence, where Xiao Ding was waiting for him. Li Dali took out several silver notes from his pocket and handed them to Xiao Ding, saying, "This is what the young master left for you. Take it and leave."

Xiao Ding didn't answer, and said, "Brother Dali, this is my home. The young master is gone, and the young lady is gone too. Are you leaving as well? What are you going to do? Take me with you."

Li Dali sighed and said, "I'm going to avenge the young master and young lady. It's inconvenient to take you with me. If you don't want to leave, then you can stay here. You are not a slave. Study hard, and you will have a bright future when you grow up."

Xiao Ding asked anxiously, "Who are you going to seek revenge on? Madam Chen?"

Li Dali gently shook his head. "Actually, the young master's death is not their fault. They were just part of the young master's mission. The young master failed to complete the mission, but he did not deserve to die. It was the people above who took action because the young lady offended them. They deserve to die. Madam Chen has nothing to do with this matter."

Xiao Ding grabbed his sleeve and pleaded earnestly, "Brother Dali, please take me with you. I was raised by the young master since I was a child, and I want to avenge them. I'm very smart, and I can help you. I won't leave; I will definitely follow you."

Looking into his serious eyes, Wang Dali patted his head and said, "Have you thought it through?"

"Mm." Xiao Ding nodded.

"Alright then, come with me. You're still young, and I can teach you more self-defense techniques." The two sat quietly until dawn, and as soon as the city gates opened, they rode directly towards Tokyo Prefecture.

Zhou Zhengyu slept until the sun was high in the sky before going to his study to handle official business. He happened to see the letter of denunciation on the table, opened it and read it carefully. He was furious. "That bastard! Who does he think his Chen family is? He actually dares to gather people to fight me...!"

"Someone is coming!"

"Sir, what's wrong?" Zhou Changqing, his face bruised and purple, led several people in.

Zhou Zhengyu was even angrier when he saw his face. What a coward! "Then take a look..." Zhou Zhengyu angrily threw the letter on the table.

Zhou Changqing quickly read through the letter. "Damn it, it was them. Sir, what do we do now?" Zhou Changqing himself was at a loss.

"Well, here's what we'll do. First, find out who's working at Chen's workshop. What are the weaknesses of Madam Chen and her group? Pick on the weak. Also, there's a troop of soldiers at the barracks not far outside the city. Think of a way to get them transferred over and force them to pay the taxes."

Zhou Zhengyu pondered for a moment and came up with some ideas. Zhou Changqing nodded and immediately went downstairs.

News soon arrived that Chen Wenfang's workshop still had several skilled workers, all of whom were former soldiers. In particular, this boss Wang was said to be able to take down a tiger by himself, and he was not someone to be trifled with. As for the other soldier, it seemed that he couldn't be transferred. It was said that he was on good terms with Magistrate Ouyang and had even eaten at Chen's workshop.

Zhou Zhengyu breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed this was a tough nut to crack, and he blamed himself for not being able to overcome it. He immediately wrote a letter and had someone deliver it to his superiors, requesting a military order. At the very least, he needed to be given some garrison troops, or some private soldiers. Otherwise, with just his few men, he couldn't handle this group of unruly people.