…
Not long after, Li Chun found the land deeds that the Wu family had saved, including the farmstead and the surrounding farmlands, as well as the IOUs of a large number of local villagers.
Zhou Jing took out a stack of deeds and took a look. He then declared in a loud voice.
“Everyone, the deeds of the Wu family claiming ownership of your farmland and the debts you owe the Wu family are all here.”
Hearing this, the villagers who were moving their belongings also slowed down and turned around. Their expressions immediately changed, and they were uneasy, not knowing what Zhou Jing meant by doing this.
However, before anyone could speak, Zhou Jing threw the title deed and loan receipt into the brazier in front of everyone.
“It’s useless to keep it. I’ll burn it.”
He casually found an excuse and burned these things.
Seeing this, many villagers were overjoyed. They clapped and praised his righteousness.
However, some were surprised, some cheered, some were worried, and some were regretful.
At this moment, a few people in clean clothes walked out of the crowd. They seemed to be the local elders as well as some of the rich farmers and merchants.
These people first bowed to Zhou Jing in fear before asking,
“Warrior, please listen. The Wu family has always been in charge of local matters. If you get rid of them, what should we say when the officials come to ask in the future?”
Zhou Jing waved his hand indifferently, “There’s no need to hide it from them. Tell them the truth.”
The men gasped and looked at each other.
One of the villagers hesitated for a while before probing further,
“Warrior, we’ve lost hundreds of guest guards from the Wu family. If the bandits target us in the future, how can we protect ourselves? If outsiders want to snatch from us, what should we do?”
Zhou Jing raised his eyebrows and pretended to be puzzled, “You have your hands and feet, but you’re asking me?”
The village elders were stunned and did not know how to refute.
That was true. Someone might choose to get rid of the local landlords when they saw injustice, but they did not say that they would keep sending them off.
After all, it was impossible for the party to stay. After this burly man left, even if something happened here, would he care?
Since he had moved the mountain that was pressing down on their heads, should he still then bear the rest of the burden? Although many villagers wanted to do so, looking at this burly man’s fierce appearance, he did not look like someone who cared about the tongues of others at all.
If this burly man was a righteous person, they would definitely not let him off. However, this person was clearly a vicious person. They cowered in their hearts and did not dare to speak.
A village elder hesitated for a while before carefully asking,
“The Wu family is gone, and the land deed has been burned by you… Although you have good intentions, there’s no one in the village to take charge of the overall situation, and there are no rules for the harvest. What should we do in this case?”
Hearing this, many villagers nodded carefully. In fact, they agreed with the elder’s words.
Although the Wu family had sucked their blood and sweat, at least they could still live on. It was not good, but they could barely survive.
Now that the Wu family was dead and the old order had been broken, many villagers who were comfortable with the current situation and were used to enduring and unwilling to resist felt at a loss.
Zhou Jing glanced at him before touching his chin. He then replied with a straight face,
“So that’s how it is. If you feel uncomfortable without a landlord above you, this matter is simple. I’ll help you find another landlord. There will always be other manors nearby. The other wealthy families will be very happy if I invite them over to annex the farmland here. In this case, there will be someone to take charge of the overall situation here. You can continue to live your lives from before.”
“No… that’s not necessary…”
Everyone quickly refused, speechless. They were worried that Zhou Jing was serious.
At this point, no one wanted to work till they were skin and bones again, but everyone was worried that they would not be as stable as before.
The rich farmers did not want a new landlord the most because the Wu family was gone. Naturally, someone would fill the empty power. Why couldn’t it be them instead?
They each had their own motives and ambitions. They wanted to swallow the Wu family’s previous foundation and replace them here.
However, they were also worried that in the chaos of the Wu family being destroyed, they would also be punished by the farmer’s mob. They were greedy and afraid, their emotions in a mess.
At this moment, Zhang San’s expression was uncertain, as if he had thought of something. Suddenly, he stepped out of the crowd and knelt on the ground.
“Even if the Wu family is gone, there will still be a Zhao family and a Li family! We’ll only be bullied by others, and we won’t be able to make a comeback. I’ve had enough of this life, and I don’t want to struggle at death’s door anymore! If you don’t abandon me, I’m willing to follow you everywhere!”
As soon as he finished speaking, a few villagers made up their minds and walked out as well.
Zhou Jing’s eyes flickered as he strode forward and pulled them up.
“Get up, don’t kneel to me!”
When Zhang San and the others stood up, Zhou Jing sized them up and nodded.
“In that case, we’re brothers. Just follow me. I’ll teach you martial arts.”
Zhang San and the others were overjoyed. They cupped their hands repeatedly and wanted to kneel down again, but they were pulled back by Zhou Jing and could not kneel down. They could only stand beside Zhou Jing, unable to hide their excitement.
Zhou Jing glanced around and realized that many villagers were also tempted, but no one walked out.
Seeing this, he knew that only Zhang San and the other three were willing to follow him, so he did not force the others.
Among the many villagers, only these five people had made up their minds to give up the days of digging in the ground to change their lives and not make the same mistakes again.
Although the others were wavering, they could not give up their predictable days where they were bullied but could at least barely survive. They also did not want to give up the “rich windfall” they had obtained from the Wu family.