Zhou Binglin walked through the corridor and arrived at the study. He saw a few people carrying something out. It was covered with a white cloth, and blood was dripping from it.
"What happened?"
He frowned, intercepting a steward and asking.
The steward quivered. Seeing that it was Zhou Binglin, he reported, "It's Fourth Madame's maidservant! Old Master was worried about the winter relief, so Third Madam grabbed this woman and said that she was dirty. Later, she found out that she was unlucky, so she was beaten to death … "
Zhou Binglin also shuddered. He went to the study and gently knocked on the door. "Daddy!"
"It's Bing Lin? Come in! "
Zhou Binglin's footsteps were light as he entered the door. He bowed respectfully, not even daring to breathe loudly.
"How did it go?"
Although he had just beaten a servant to death, Zhou Tongan's expression was calm, full of scholarly aura, and he looked like a great Confucian.
"It's already been decided. Third Uncle's family will provide fifty taels of silver, the land will be given to Fourth Aunt's family, and they will provide a stone of grain every year!"
Zhou Binglin said softly.
"All of you, for the sake of land and silver, you don't even care about your ancestors!"
Zhou Tongan snorted coldly. "We're all relatives, yet you're still fighting with each other. You really don't deserve to be a son!"
"There are many miscellaneous matters within the clan, and the other large clans can't escape either. Right now, our Zhou Clan is able to maintain its stability thanks to Lord Father keeping watch and strategizing!"
Zhou Binglin bowed. These words were spoken from the bottom of his heart. He knew that the larger the clan, the more difficult it was to treat everyone equally. All branches and bloodlines were like wolves.
If not for his father's great means, it would have been difficult for him to support it.
"Sigh … It's good that both sides have agreed!"
Zhou Tongan asked about the situation in detail, and Zhou Binglin answered all of his questions. Only then did he heave a sigh of relief. "You've done a good job. It's just that you're still lacking in maturity …"
After giving a few more reminders, he continued, "It's winter now. Everyone should pay attention to firewood, rice, and flour. Don't have a shortage. You should also keep an eye on the families' children. Don't run out of food. The county magistrate has just taken office. It won't look good for everyone if something like starvation happens!"
"Of course. We have already confirmed that we will provide money and rice … But, what about the accounting department?"
Zhou Binglin hesitated.
"Let's wait a little longer. Martial Master Song should be here in a couple of days. Things will be easier when they arrive with the money …"
Zhou Tongan also sighed.
Others thought that the Zhou Family was a wealthy family with a luxurious life and piles of gold and silver, but they didn't know that there were over a thousand members of the family. Adding on the children and servants, the expenses were like mountains and seas, not to mention that there were two government officials supporting them.
At this time, they were still counting on Zhou Tongren and Secretary Hu to go further. Naturally, they couldn't ignore their superior's filial piety.
It was said that this Dazhou official, if he wanted to live a peaceful life, he would be very leisurely. As long as he lived in the light, he would not make any mistakes. When he was old, he would be able to accumulate quite a bit of family property.
But if he wanted to continue to climb up, his superiors could not be less filial, and he could not exploit his subordinates too harshly. From time to time, he had to invite and buy people's hearts. This consumption was huge, and he had to rely on the Zhou family to support him.
"Speaking of this, I'm a little worried. Go and ask again …"
Just as Zhou Tongan finished speaking, the sound of hurried footsteps could be heard. "Master, something bad has happened!"
A person walked in. Zhou Binglin recognized him. It was his father's most trusted butler, Elder Zhou. He held a letter in his hand.
Although he wanted to read it, Zhou Binglin didn't dare to move his head. He was afraid that he would be seen as coveting the position of the family head.
"Bastard!"
"Bang!"
Zhou Tongan took the letter and read it. He was enraged and slammed the table. The cups fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.
"Father, please calm down!"
Zhou Binglin and Elder Zhou both knelt down. At this time, they could ask, "What happened?"
"Look at this … look at this … this Wu family brat, how dare he!" Zhou Tongan slapped the letter on Zhou Binglin's face, causing him to feel pain.
At this point, he couldn't care less and hurriedly read the letter. His heart trembled, 'How dare he do this …'
He was the son of an aristocratic family, and was afraid of people who flipped the table over the slightest disagreement. He then asked, "Can you explain the situation and ask for help from the officials?"
"Bastard!"
Zhou Tongan shouted angrily and pointed at Elder Zhou, "You tell him!"
Elder Zhou laughed bitterly, "Young master, this won't do! The Wu Family's patrol office has already contacted the county government. They said that they attacked the bandits at night and killed Jie Tianfeng and his gang of fifty people. The county magistrate wants to report for them … As long as they insist that the goods were seized from the bandits' stronghold, we have no evidence, and there's nothing we can do … "
"Wu Ming …"
Zhou Binglin was surprised. In his memory, this person was just a spoiled brat. He didn't expect to see his true colors now. He was decisive and ruthless.
"Good! Good! Good! "
Zhou Tongan laughed coldly, "If a tiger doesn't show its might, they think that the Zhou family is a sick cat … Elder Zhou, go and give the order for the Black Tiger and the Rolling Earth Dragon to move. Arrange all the martial artists in my family into the team. Order the Head Deacon, Second Deacon, and a few other priests to open the armory and pick out the good ones … Hmph! In terms of elites, is his Wu family better than my Zhou family? I want him to die a horrible death! "
Zhou Binglin quivered. The Black Tiger and the Rolling Earth Dragon were famous bandits in Yun Ping County. Even he just found out that they were his dogs!
Now, it was obvious that his father had given up on the official plan. He was going to take down Wu Ming with force!
Zhou Tongan pointed at Zhou Binglin, "To ensure peace, we need to rely on literature in times of peace and force in times of chaos. This time, you will go with him! You must bring back that kid's head for me! "
"Yes, sir!"
No matter how unwilling he was, Zhou Binglin could not refuse. He could only kneel and obey.
Soon after, another deacon came to report. He was holding a bamboo tube with both hands, "The Dao College's Flying Letter is of the highest level!"
"Give it to me!"
Zhou Tongan took it and the ring on his finger shone brightly. The bamboo tube automatically split open and a roll of ancient paper appeared.
"This …"
After reading a few lines, Zhou Tongan seemed to have lost his backbone. He slumped on the chair and sighed after a long time. "This operation is temporarily canceled!"
It seemed like an illusion. Zhou Binglin suddenly felt that Zhou Tongan's stooped body seemed to have aged a little.
…
In the village on Little Spoon Mountain.
Wu Ming, who was already prepared, knew what it meant by man proposes but God disposes.
"Eh? A letter from my sister? "
Instead of the Zhou Clan's retaliation, he received a letter from Wu Qing. Wu Ming could not help but feel a little confused. However, after reading the letter, he came to a realization.
"Big Sister sent me a letter saying that I've already subdued the Zhou family and made them suffer in silence … Of course, I went a little overboard. In exchange, the Dao Institute won't accept me anymore. She told me not to be anxious and that she'll think of another way …"
Wu Ming kept the letter and put it in his arms, but he touched his nose, feeling a little awkward.
This feeling of being protected by his sister was natural for the previous hedonistic playboy, but he felt a little uncomfortable because he owed her a favor.
"Actually, I can deal with it!"
Unfortunately, he could not tell others about this.
"According to my plan, I'll lure the enemy in and use the battle to nurture the enemy. I'll be able to capture the elites of the Zhou family in one fell swoop! At that time, the Zhou family will be like a tiger with its teeth pulled out, at my mercy. Moreover, I will be able to train a group of elite soldiers!
His original plan was to use the food, medicine, and even the Talisman provided by the main deity's temple to annihilate the Zhou family's hidden forces in the deep mountains when the Zhou family retaliated!
In that case, the Zhou family would no longer have the protection of military force. They would be a huge piece of fat meat. If they were not careful, they would be destroyed and unable to recover.
This was a plan to eliminate the root of the problem, so that they would no longer be able to take revenge.
Of course, Wu Ming also knew that he would definitely be suspected if he conjured up supplies for no reason. However, it was not that there were no Dharmic items like mustard seed bags and space rings in this world. They were just extremely rare, and the rich families in the county did not have access to them yet. When the time came, he could use this reason to cover it up.
In fact, after he was done with this matter, he could even make a move in secret to wipe out the forces that were targeting Wu Qing in one fell swoop. That way, he would be able to repay the favor and settle the karma of this body. With that, he would be able to attack and defend freely.
At the very least, with the main deity's temple, he would be able to go anywhere in the world!
But now, the karma had deepened.
"Sigh … the beauty's kindness is too great, but I can't repay her with my body. What should I do …"
Wu Ming shook his head as if he was trying to get rid of some unpleasant thoughts. "Someone! Inform Feng Han that we're going back! "
As for the letter saying that he could not enter the Dao College, Wu Ming ignored it.
It was just a county-level Dao College. Naturally, Wu Ming did not take it to heart since he already had a lot of Dharmic spells.
Although it was a pity that he could not obtain an endless supply of Dharmic spells from the Dao College, it was just a little more merit. Wu Ming, who was determined to become the master of the main deity's temple, did not take it to heart.
…
For the tenant farmers of the Zhou and Wu families, the past few days had been peaceful.
There was even a festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year. When Wu Ming came back, this atmosphere reached its peak.
"Young Master, we've collected a total of 5,000 taels of silver, 15 pieces of fine jade, refined iron, green salt, and various gifts. A conservative estimate is at least 15,000 taels of silver!"
Zhao Song, on the other hand, looked excited as he reported to Wu Ming.
"Mm! I've promised to give 20% of the compensation, which is 3,000 taels of silver. Each person will receive 100 taels of silver. For those who are disabled or killed in battle, the family will receive another 5 mu of land! "
As Wu Ming spoke, Zhao Song's face bloomed with excitement. He knelt on the ground and said, "Master is wise. We are willing to die for you!"
This operation was not particularly dangerous, but the harvest was bountiful. Naturally, there was nothing much to say.
After all, they had only robbed a caravan, which was not a big deal at this time. Therefore, the subordinates were quite satisfied.
To be honest, this was also what Wu Ming had considered.
Even if the Zhou family sent out all their elites this time, the hidden forces of the two sides fought to the death. As long as no leaders died, on the surface, it would just be accidental injuries from suppressing bandits. It might even be on the level of a fight between two villages.
If they could succeed in one fell swoop, they would be able to uproot the Zhou family's hidden forces. How long could they last with just two officials?
Unfortunately, plans could not keep up with changes!
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