“Everyone, quiet down and listen to me.” Just then, Su Minghui’s voice interrupted their conversation.
The surrounding crowd gradually quieted down, their gazes turning towards Su Minghui.
“We obtained a batch of grain last night, and everyone knows about it. All the grain filled four ox carts. After inventory, it weighed a total of 37 shi. Now, we have divided it into 26 portions. These 25 portions here, with all kinds of grain combined, weigh about one shi (around 120 catties). Everyone who joined Houxi Village yesterday will receive one portion.”
“Village chief, isn’t it 37 shi? Why are only 25 shi being distributed? Where did the remaining ten-plus shi go?” a woman in the crowd questioned.
The crowd immediately erupted again. That’s right! There were still over ten shi of grain. Could it be that the village chief and the others were planning to keep it? They absolutely couldn't agree to that. Their families hadn't gained any new members.
Su Minghui glanced at the Qian family member in the crowd and then raised his hand, signaling for everyone to quiet down. “Listen to me, everyone. If it weren’t for Elder Xu and the others who intervened last night, not only would we not have gotten this grain, but we would have been injured or even lost our lives! So, after discussion, we decided to give the remaining ten-plus shi of grain to Elder Xu and them.”
After speaking, Su Minghui observed the expressions of those present, waiting for the villagers to ponder.
The villagers were clearly unwilling, especially those households that had accepted the women yesterday. Their faces were filled with indignation but they dared not speak.
“Village chief, the way you’re handling this is not right. You said yesterday that it would all be distributed. Now you’re withholding so much and saying it’s for those outsiders…” Madam Qian declared her dissent. That was over ten shi of grain. Her family had four spots, which added up to dozens of catties.
Seeing Madam Qian finish speaking and the other women nod in agreement, Su Minghui couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. These people were truly ungrateful.
“All of you… yesterday, if it weren’t for Elder Xu and the others who dealt with those rioters, could you have escaped those rioters? Could you have obtained this grain? I fear it wouldn’t be long before you became food for others, would it?” Su Minghui questioned them loudly.
The women were somewhat shamed by Su Minghui’s words. Especially those who had been captured by the rioters early on and were with their children. Hearing Su Minghui’s words, they trembled even more.
They had personally witnessed those children being cooked and eaten by those beasts. The village chief was right. If those people hadn't been dealt with, they probably wouldn't have lived much longer.
Seeing that some people showed signs of regret, Su Minghui continued, “Originally, all this grain should have gone to them. It was because Qing girl saved Elder Xu’s wife, Madam Zhou. They, out of consideration for Qing girl, agreed to give you the larger share. Do you have any more objections now?”
“But they didn’t say they wanted these things yesterday! How come our village people saved their female family members, and they are now coming to share the grain? Could it be that someone instigated them to do this…?” Madam Qian said pointedly, her gaze drifting towards Su Muqing.
Seeing that Madam Qian was trying to stir up trouble again, Su Muqing decided not to remain silent this time. “I saved the person. Even if they give me the distributed grain, what can you say? If you think it’s not enough, you don’t have to take it. Anyway, no one can be sure how much of what was originally yours is in here. If you look down on this small amount, then go and snatch more from other rioters!”
“You, what business is it of yours? You little girl, you’re really too…,” Madam Qian’s anger flared when she heard Su Muqing speak, and she immediately opened her mouth to curse.
“Presumptuous!” The third elder, hearing Madam Qian curse Su Muqing, immediately stepped forward and reprimanded her.
Madam Qian saw the third elder and instinctively retreated. She didn’t dare to curse any further. This man was extremely ruthless. He could hack people as if he were slicing vegetables, without even batting an eye.
“I said yesterday, when distributing the grain, you don’t need to come to me to discuss fairness. If you’re not satisfied, you can have nothing. I believe there are plenty of people who would be willing for you to have nothing. Isn’t that right, Er Gouzi?” Su Minghui said, then cast a meaningful glance at Er Gouzi, who was avoiding his gaze in the crowd.
“Yes, yes, yes! The village chief is right! You shrew… I’ll tell you to stop talking nonsense!” Er Gouzi, being called out, could only force a smile and agree.
He then turned and slapped Madam Qian across the face, knocking her to the ground, and kicked her fiercely twice.
“Ah…”
“Mom…”
“Mom… Mom…”
“Please, don’t hit my mother anymore.” Madam Qian’s two daughters rushed forward, crying, to hug her. The youngest daughter, who looked only eight or nine years old, hugged Er Gouzi’s leg and cried, begging him.
Er Gouzi, annoyed by the crying, kicked the little girl away and prepared to deliver another kick. He was pulled back by Su Mingyong, who was standing nearby. He couldn’t interfere with hitting Madam Qian, but how could such a young child be kicked in the head?