Chapter 115 - Chapter 115: Chapter 110 Dealing with a Shrew i (2/2)

He spoke with righteous indignation.

A posture of impartiality, demonstrating a refusal to favor anyone.

Life is like a play, all depending on acting skills.

To hold onto the position of village head, one needed more than just a few clever moves.

First, he took a look around, already calculating in his mind.

He selected three elderly men from the crowd of onlookers on the spot.

Whether intentionally or not, the three elders he chose had all been scolded by Sister Mo before, including Wu San, who had been berated numerous times.

This man was actually Wu Si’s blood brother.

But everyone knew that the two brothers were now sworn enemies who often engaged in ‘mad dog’ fights, cursing and bickering at each other like rabid dogs.

The reason was simple.

Sister Mo, the ever burning lamp, wished nothing more than to quietly take over the entire Shuangfeng Village.

In addition to encroaching on Qin Niu’s homestead, she would also embezzle Wu San’s land.

As for Wu San being her husband’s own brother, that counted for nothing. When compared to self-interest, even gaining an extra inch of homestead land was more desirable.

“I remember that back then, Old Man Liu’s homestead boundary was marked by that large camphor tree.”

“Right, I remember it very clearly, it’s three feet to this side of the big camphor tree.”

“No mistake, it should be at least three feet on this side. Wu Si really lacks moral integrity. Not only did he occupy the three feet on this side of the camphor tree, but he also encroached by more than a full ten feet. It’s too much bullying.”

The three elders who bore grudges against Wu Si’s family were asked to act as referees. If they didn’t use this opportunity to take private revenge, they would have lived in vain for decades.

Sister Mo had already called her husband out and brought two children who were about seven or eight years old.

Sister Mo wore a look of dominance, while Wu Si was cowering.

He was basically dragged over by his wife.

“Village head! It’s not easy for you to come over, here’s a little money for wine!”

Sister Mo actually stuffed money into Xu Zhenchang’s hand in front of everyone.

She was indeed generous, giving two Silver Pieces, the kind that were scrap silver.

They must have weighed at least one qian.

Because Silver Pieces were easier to counterfeit, their value was lower than that of solid Official Silver.

A qian of Silver Pieces could be exchanged for about eighty copper coins.

If it were Official Silver, one One Tael of Silver was equivalent to one thousand copper coins. When the silver rate was high, it could even be exchanged for up to eleven hundred copper coins.

“What are you doing? Are you trying to bribe me, the village head, in public? What we do is seen by the heavens; I cannot accept this dishonest money.”

Xu Zhenchang threw the money on the ground angrily.

He showed everyone an image of being fair and just.

“Wu Si, I have personally checked, and also asked three of the village elders to check. We all agree that your family has encroached on Old Man Liu’s homestead. And it’s not just a little bit; it’s at least ten feet and three inches.”

Xu Zhenchang looked sternly at Wu Si, who was shrinking back.

“What? What did you say? My family has occupied ten feet and three inches of their land?”

Sister Mo asked back in a shrill voice.

“My family’s fence is clearly here; how could it possibly have encroached on All Niu’s homestead? You’re the village head; you can’t side with them just because Qin Niu has become an official now. The villagers are watching; everyone help judge fairly.”

Unfortunately, Sister Mo wasn’t well-liked.

Plus, with Qin Niu now even more powerful than Wang Yue, who would dare to risk offending Qin Niu to speak up for Sister Mo’s family?

Only if their brains had been kicked by a donkey.

“Mrs. Mo, you’re used to being domineering in the village, and everyone makes allowances for you. That’s because they see you as a woman and don’t want to be petty with you. Now, I and the three elders in the village have confirmed it, so what are you still clamoring about? It’s not that the one with the shrillest voice is right.”

Xu Zhenchang chastised Sister Mo solemnly and strictly for her wrongdoing.

“Wu Si, do you see that big camphor tree? Using it as the marker, then moving three feet in this direction, it all belongs to Old Man Liu’s homestead. You’d better tear down that broken fence quickly, and dismantle the thatched houses you’ve built in the last two years, and return the land to them. It’s only because Master Qin is kind-hearted; otherwise, your fate wouldn’t be any better than Wang Haikun’s.”

The village head still had some power.

Following the verdict, if Wu Si still refused to accept, it would be like refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.

“Building those two thatched huts with difficulty wasn’t easy for me. I beg the village head and Master Qin to consider my hardship and not make me tear them down. I’m willing to make some compensation.” Wu Si trembled with fear.

He also knew he’d done wrong and was clearly aware of his guilt..