Chapter 179
179 A Family Treasure That Fell Into the River
Because he was worried that the people from Shanyang Village would cause trouble at the bun shop, Wang Dalang specially stayed in the bun shop for two days.
Old man Wang was also worried and ran to the county city. In the end, he learned that Lord Zhang had already left. Now, the person in charge of the county office was County Lieutenant Cao. The new county magistrate had yet to be appointed.
They waited for three days, but they did not see anyone from Shanyang Village. Later on, someone came to buy buns and said that a village had suffered a calamity.
“How tragic. I heard that several people had their limbs cut off.”
“In my opinion, that’s retribution!”
“Even so, I heard that their village was not exempted from forced labor. If this continues, that village will almost be wiped out, right?”
“I heard that their village seems to be about to be driven elsewhere. They said that there’s a problem with the feng shui of the ancestral grave…”
As Wang Chuanyuan handed the guests buns, he asked, “What are you talking about?”
A guest casually replied, “They’re talking about a village. It seems that during the winter, they traded their children and ate them. They angered a woman in the village so much that she went crazy. That woman has gone back to take revenge.”
“It’s really tragic. That woman took a mountain ax and chopped her husband to death. There were also a few people who went to stop the fight and ended up getting chopped as well. Later on, it’s said that she had escaped. She also shouted and told people about the village’s sins as she escaped. Everyone around knows about it now.”
Someone else continued, “That’s nothing. I heard that their village’s ancestral grave has been moved. They said that it has become an ominous place and even the village has to shift locations.”
As everyone spoke, they sighed repeatedly. “Previously, the winter calamity was serious. I really heard that there was a situation where children were eaten, but it was a last resort. However, the people in that village seemed to be possessed. The entire village ate more than ten children. How can this kind of deed be done by humans!”
“It must be retribution. It’s not that the feng shui is bad and the land is ominous. Still, it’s good that they’ve moved away. Otherwise, the surrounding villages will probably tremble in fear.”
“If they move to a new place, they’ll have to tuck their tails between their legs.”
Wang Chuanyuan listened with relish. On the other hand, Madam Zhang secretly pinched him when no one was paying attention.
“Hiss-why are you pinching me? It hurts!” Wang Chuanyuan grimaced in pain.
“Why are you listening to such a disgusting thing?” Madam Zhang rolled her eyes at him. “Hurry up and get to work!”
Now, as long as she heard someone mention the matter of villagers eating children, Madam Zhang would think of Shanyang Village.
She hated the people of Shanyang Village even more than the others. The stab on her back had hurt her for many days.
Coincidentally, during that period of time when the family improved their food, she did not get to eat much.
Wasn’t this infuriating?!
The people of Hu Family Village were very disgusted with Shanyang Village. They did not ask about them at all. They only formed patrols in the village to prevent any desperate attacks.
It was only a long time later that the people of Hu Family Village learned that Shanyang Village had been moved away.
That village was also designated an ominous land. It was completely sealed and no one was allowed to approach.
Even if some people secretly stayed behind and sneaked into other villages, they did not dare to tell others that they were once from Shanyang Village. They could only behave obediently and tuck their tails between their legs.
The matter of Shanyang Village was quickly spread to other places. Many villages who had also traded their children and ate them, acted swiftly and decisively. Before the government could investigate, they internally dealt with those who had eaten their children.
This matter spread like wildfire. Even if there was a disaster later on, everyone’s will was firm and they would never let this happen again.
In a way, Shanyang Village had used their entire village to teach everyone a lesson.
Of course, the Wang family did not know all of this yet.
Wang Chuangui was originally a little tired from studying. Ever since Old man Wang went to the county city and could not find Lord Zhang, he knew that he could not rely on others. He could only stand up for himself.
Therefore, he studied even harder.
Compared to the children, Wang Chuangui’s learning ability was not as good. However, he had an adult way of thinking and knew how to use other techniques to improve.
Therefore, his learning progress was quite fast. In addition, Little Ah Yu fed her family the Myriad Spirit Water from time to time, causing the Wang family to become more and more intelligent. All of them were experts with exceptional memories.
Even Wang Liulang and Wang Qilang, who did not like to study much, memorized a lot of poetry every day. When the teachers gave them the test, they all performed well.
The teachers could not help but think to themselves, “This Wang family is really good at studying.”
Having a good memory did not mean that one was talented. However, just having a good memory was enough to leave others in the dust. Naturally, learning would yield twice the results with half the effort.
Finally, it was the children’s long-awaited leave. Wang Wulang could not wait and pulled Little Ah Yu to Nanhe River.
Nanhe Town got its name from the Nanhe River. Although it was called a river, it was as wide as a mighty river. The widest point was said to be two miles wide.
Nanhe River was clear and there were fish in the water. There were people fishing by the river all year round.
Wang Wulang wanted to bring Little Ah Yu out to play, and Wang Liulang and Wang Qilang followed.
Little Ah Yu naturally invited Qin Huai.
“Big Brothers, are you coming too?” Little Ah Yu wanted to call the other brothers over.
Wang Dalang said, “I won’t go. You guys go ahead and play. I’ll help out in the shop.”
Little Ah Yu said, “Then, I won’t go either. I’ll help out in the shop too!”
“There’s no need. We’re usually not that busy. It’s not a market day today. You guys go and play. I don’t really want to play.”
In the end, Wang Dalang did not go. He had finished working in the morning and was going back to the village in the afternoon.
He could not just let his parents work by themselves in the village.
Wang Erlang expressed that he still wanted to study. Recently, his mathematics skills had improved a little and he planned to be a bookkeeper after learning it.
Wang Sanlang and Wang Silang were quite happy, but they wanted to practice martial arts more and had been addicted to it recently.
There was still a distance from town to the river, and it would take an hour to walk. Qin Huai simply asked Chi Jia to think of a way to buy a carriage and all the children squeezed into it.
“Wow, this carriage is so wide! It’s even faster than a donkey cart!” Wang Wulang looked excited. “When we return to the village in the future, we’ll borrow your family’s carriage. We’ll definitely be able to go faster.”
Qin Huai smiled. “Sure.”
“Good brother, you’re so kind. When I earn money in the future, I’ll buy you something good too!” Wang Wulang patted Qin Huai’s shoulder.
With the carriage, they arrived at the river in less than a quarter of an hour.
At this moment, there were many women washing clothes by the river. There were also children playing at the side and some old men fishing.
Seeing the children jump down from the carriage one by one, they all turned their heads to take a look.
Not long after they arrived, the little lamb also reached. The Spirit Treasure Rat sat on the lamb’s back.
“Could the little lamb have been subdued by the rat?” Wang Wulang laughed loudly.
In the end, the lamb shook its back and the rat fell down. The rat squatted down and bowed to the lamb.
The lamb raised his chin. “Baa!”
Wang Wulang could see provocation on its furry face.
Wang Wulang: “…Alright.”
Someone recognized Little Ah Yu and said with a smile, “Isn’t this Ah Yu from the Wang Family Steamed Bun Shop? Are you out to play with your brothers? Don’t get too close to the river, lest you fall in. The water is still a little cold.”
“Grandpa Liu, my brothers and I are here to catch fish.” Little Ah Yu was very good at recognizing people and called out to everyone she knew. Soon, everyone laughed.
At that moment, they saw someone holding a small boat sliding across the river.
Before Little Ah Yu could take a closer look, she saw the person plunge into the river.
Little Ah Yu asked Qin Huai, “Brother Ah You, is that person going in to catch fish?”
The person who answered him was not Qin Huai, but an old man fishing at the side.
“Sigh, that kid from the Bai family hasn’t given up yet? How can he find something that fell into the river!”
“Grandpa Liu, what is he looking for?”
“Who knows? It’s said that it’s a family heirloom. In any case, he hasn’t found anything even after a month or two.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the children of the Old Wang family looked at each other and simultaneously cast their gazes at the Spirit Treasure Rat.
The Spirit Treasure Rat suddenly trembled.