Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1187: Not a Good Solution

The Ouyang family's status remains rock-solid, boasting vast prestige, authority, and endless riches. Whatever turmoil strikes Great Chu, they can always shield themselves.

The eldest brother's goal is simply for the Ouyang family to secure their own safety.

"Why kneel any longer? Get back and figure out a plan. Do you think this old man will devise one for you?" Master Ouyang flicked his hand, displaying clear reluctance to face Gu Jin’an anymore.

"Yes, this student will head back immediately. Many thanks, sir." Standing up with a deep bow, Gu Jin’an departed.

Yet prior to leaving, he shot a look at Ouyang Ming and offered a cupped-hand salute, expressing gratitude for her support.

Once he was gone, Master Ouyang shot a fierce glare at Ouyang Ming. "Why so headstrong, you silly girl? Had I foreseen your fierce sense of justice, I never would have allowed you to train in martial arts."

He grumbled on, "You two have backed me into a corner. Without your endless begging, I’d never have yielded."

Ouyang Ming let out a light laugh. "Grandfather’s wisdom is unmatched; if you truly opposed it, how could we force your hand? Deep down, you hate seeing the people suffer and don’t really want to obey uncle’s orders—that’s why you gave in to us."

Master Ouyang huffed softly. "Hmph, enough with the sweet talk. Scram, I don’t want you around either."

With a grin, Ouyang Ming replied meekly, "Yes, granddaughter complies." She hurried off at once.

...

Exiting the Ouyang manor, Gu Jin’an raced directly to Da Feng Village, arriving back in less than an hour.

Chaos reigned in the village, with uproar everywhere as villagers seized Secretary Chen, who had come to announce the decree, blocking his escape. They spat while yelling, "Secretary Chen, you can’t go! Make it clear why we must pay double taxes plus the Kangrong tax! One tael per person for Kangrong tax—you’re trying to swallow us whole?!"

Secretary Chen’s face dripped with spittle from the crowd, his sleeve ripped apart. He yanked at his gripped arm and pleaded, "Folks, calm yourselves. This comes straight from the Emperor; I’m only the bearer. Holding me won’t fix anything. If you refuse the Kangrong tax, take it to the Emperor himself."

"Pah! Chen, is that even sane talk? The Emperor’s in the Capital—how do we reach him?" He Tianwa and his wife hemmed in Secretary Chen, declaring, "We’re hounding you since you brought the news. Explain properly before you budge!"

He Tianwa’s wife burst into tears, wailing, "We got hit with fines mere months back, and survival’s tough already. These Kangrong taxes will finish us off!"

As she wailed, she slumped to the ground, howling, "Heavens, I can’t go on; I’ll die right here!"

Mrs. Chen fumed too and yelled at He Tianwa’s wife, "Right, drop dead now to prove it; show them we won’t take this bullying!"

He Tianwa’s wife halted, bewildered about Mrs. Chen’s allegiance.

Spotting Mrs. Chen had already given Secretary Chen a pounding headache. Since his first tax collection visit to Da Feng Village four years prior with officials, she’d clashed with him nonstop. Every visit brought her curses. Only respect for Company Commander Qin and Squad Leader Luo kept him from disciplining her.

Amid his throbbing pain, Secretary Chen spotted his servant escorting his rescuers and bellowed, "Squad Leader Luo, Village Chief He, save me!"

"What’s all this mess? Didn’t I say we’d handle it at tonight’s meeting? Clinging to Secretary Chen like this—you aiming for prison?!" Village Chief He raged, jabbing his cane at the crowd in fury.

But rage blinded the villagers, who clung to Secretary Chen even harder.

In a flash, Luo Wu unsheathed his blade, thrusting it forward. "The edge knows no mercy—back away, all of you!!"

His roar chilled the air, and at the sight, villagers released Secretary Chen and scattered back.

Finally freed, Secretary Chen ducked behind Luo Wu. "Squad Leader Luo, thank goodness you arrived—my end was near."

A mob of wild women had mauled him—why? They kept insisting he held no power, just a lowly clerk carting papers to villages, no more than a fancy errand boy.

Luo Wu eyed Secretary Chen before addressing the villagers. "Unhappy? Head to the county office and face the Lord Magistrate. Tormenting Secretary Chen and trapping him here only makes matters worse."

Luo Wu fumed over the tax hike as well, convinced the Emperor was utterly useless. Since Emperor Jingyuan's ascension, chaos had gripped the Northwest, forcing their flight from famine. Now, after merely a few years of calm, disaster struck again—it was as if they refused to let the people survive.

As Tianfu County's squad leader, Luo Wu frequently patrolled the county's regions and recognized that Da Feng Village enjoyed far better conditions than other villages there. Yet even Da Feng Village's residents were crying out in despair; Luo Wu dreaded to think how dire things were elsewhere.

"Head to the county office? Think the County Magistrate will meet with us?" the villagers wondered aloud.

Luo Wu replied, "I have no idea, but you won't be alone. With enough people showing up, the County Magistrate must respond."

"Brother Luo Wu," Gu Jin’an interjected just in time, knowing such talk ill-suited a government official.

Noticing Gu Jin’an’s safe return, Luo Wu felt relieved and told Village Chief He, "Chief, keep a tight watch on village affairs; stop anyone from doing something rash."

He turned to Secretary Chen next, "Secretary Chen, rest at my place awhile; I'll escort you back to the office soon."

Secretary Chen had delivered County Magistrate Zheng's orders, urging officials to hurry back to the county office and avert unrest among villagers.

"Thanks, Squad Leader Luo." Secretary Chen sighed in relief and trailed Luo Wu to the Luo household.

Gu Jin’an headed home to relay Master Ouyang’s words to Gu Jinli, then sighed, "I pondered it the whole way back, but we're stuck. Unless the Emperor shifts his view, we're helpless."

Gu Jinli smirked, "Relax, brother; the Emperor will come around."

His eyes sparkling, Gu Jin’an pressed, "What are you getting at?"

Gu Jinli explained, "You called it a deadlock. In a deadlock, folks will stake it all to live. When the turmoil peaks, the Emperor will yield and rethink. Still, chaos here won't end until he does."

Her family's fame for wealth spread far and wide. If disorder erupted, neighbors would swarm their home, pillage and torch it!

Curse that money-grubbing Emperor! As if earning wealth is simple? How dare you corner me like this!

Having fled famine before, Gu Jin’an grasped the saying 'a jade in possession draws calamity,' and agreed: "San Lang's men, along with Qiu Lang and the rest, can guard us."

"It’s no good if just our families hold out. Suppose the rest attack the village? We'd still be in peril," Gu Jinli warned, inwardly cursing Emperor Chu once more.

After prolonged quiet, over two quarters of an hour later, she met Gu Jin’an’s gaze and said, "I’ve got a risky plan. If pulled off right, it’d shield not only us but steady nearby counties, perhaps all of He’an Prefecture. Success demands backing from influential rich clans, though."