Shut Your Filthy Mouth
The magistrate looked at everyone united in protecting Su Li and Zhang Mu, and the academy, feeling moved. He waved his hand, and the villagers quieted down.
The magistrate sighed and said, "Although assaulting a scholar is against the law, there is also compassion beyond the law. Zhang the scholar led people to vandalize the academy first, and the villagers fought back to defend it. This is entirely understandable. In fact, Zhang abused his power to bully others first, and the villagers only acted out of necessity. Zhang brought this on himself; no one else is to blame. I hereby declare the villagers who fought as not guilty!"
"Your wisdom is unmatched, Your Honor!"
"Your wisdom is unmatched, Your Honor!"
Upon hearing the verdict, the villagers erupted in cheers.
Director Zhang grew anxious. Could it be that his beating was all for nothing? He was unwilling to accept this!
Director Zhang shouted, "Magistrate, you cannot show favoritism and pervert justice!"
A nearby constable, unable to tolerate him, took off his shoe, pulled off a stinky sock, and shoved it into Director Zhang's mouth, scolding, "Old fool, shut your stinky mouth!"
Director Zhang's mouth was full of the stinky sock, and he was so overwhelmed by the smell that his eyes rolled back.
Su Li cupped her fists and saluted the magistrate, saying, "Your wisdom and valor, and love for the people, truly earn my respect!"
The magistrate sized up Su Li and asked, "Are you the one who built this children's academy?"
Su Li nodded calmly and confidently, smiling, "Yes, I built this children's academy to allow the poor children in the village to study and change their fate."
"Good, good. For a woman to have such insight and generosity is admirable," the magistrate smiled and nodded, showing more appreciation for Su Li. Then he said to Su Li and Zhang Mu, "The village chief has already appointed you. I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."
"Farewell, Your Honor."
The magistrate got into his sedan chair and ordered Zhang Yuan to be taken back in custody. Zhang Zhuzi, who had joined Zhang Yuan in vandalizing the academy and fighting with the strongmen, was also taken to the yamen for trial.
When Zhang Zhuzi heard he was going to the yamen, he was terrified and kept shouting that he didn’t want to go. The constable then shoved another stinky sock into his mouth to shut him up and keep him quiet.
After sending off this group of troublemakers, the villagers cheered joyfully.
The village chief looked at Zhang Mu with emotion and said to everyone, "Alas, good things are often hard to come by. From now on, Zhang Mu will be our village chief. I believe Zhang Mu is just and upright, and will be a good chief!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, all shouting Zhang Mu’s name.
Several familiar sisters-in-law gathered around Wu Caiwei, calling her "Village Chief's Wife" repeatedly, making Wu Caiwei’s cheeks flush red.
"Oh no, my things are still at Zhang Zhuzi’s house, I have to get them back!" As the crowd gradually dispersed, Sister Hong slapped her thigh and hurried to Zhang Zhuzi’s house.
A few others followed Sister Hong; these were people who had offended Zhang Zhuzi before and had been threatened by him to give gifts.
Now that Zhang Mu was the village chief, they no longer feared Zhang Zhuzi using the chief’s authority to threaten them.
Sister Hong led the way and knocked loudly on Qin Sanniang’s courtyard door.
Qin Sanniang was inside doing her makeup. Hearing the knock, she happily jumped up from her chair, quickly fixing her hair bun and saying, "Ah, it must be Zhuzi back! Tsk, Zhuzi is now the village chief, and I’m the chief’s wife. Hehe, how glorious!"
Qin Sanniang proudly went to open the door, but as soon as she opened it, she saw a group of angry villagers storming in, directly entering her room and taking all the gifts piled on the table.
Qin Sanniang immediately got angry, frowning and scolding, "A bunch of bandits! Do you think you can just barge into the village chief’s house? Don’t you want to live anymore!"