Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1210: Meritorious Service to Atone for Crimes

While Second Son Gao’s wife, Chang Taohua, was indeed taken, she hailed from a humble background. Having experienced a comfortable life with the Gao family, she grew to be fiercely loyal to Second Son Gao.

Furthermore, Chang Taohua possessed considerable ambition. In her pursuit of enriching her own kin, she entangled her entire family in illicit dealings with the Gao family, participating in numerous nefarious acts that amassed a substantial sum of silver.

Yet, Chang Taohua was shrewd. Understanding that wealth acquired through clandestine means would inevitably attract scrutiny, she ensured her family exhibited no outward signs of affluence. Instead, she concealed the ill-gotten silver, entrusting it to Mrs. Chang to transport to her maternal grandfather in the adjacent Hukang County. This silver was then strategically used to procure fields and land.

However, it is crucial to note that all this silver was accrued solely by Chang Taohua and her relatives. The Chang family, it must be stated, had no claim to any of the Gao family’s gold.

Observe the true nature of the Chang family. Even when apprehended with the evidence undeniable, Mrs. Chang feigned an air of innocence, tearfully pleading, "Military Officer, Military Officer, you are mistaken. This is not the Gao family’s gold, but my family’s meager savings... My relatives in Hukang County stumbled upon a cave while hunting in the mountains and discovered this treasure. Being simple folk, they feared it would be stolen, so they secretly had me hide it here for safekeeping."

"We intended to retrieve the gold tonight and move it elsewhere, as we were apprehensive about being implicated by the Gao family’s affairs," Mrs. Chang declared through her tears, adamantly denying any association between the gold and the Gao household.

Old Chang corroborated her story, vowing, "Military Officer, I swear upon my life, this gold is genuinely from my wife’s family, not the Gao’s. If you confiscate it for the Gao family, I could never face my wife’s family again, even in death."

The two sons of the Chang family also added their voices to the chorus of denials, crying, "Military Officer, this is truly my grandfather’s gold; it has absolutely no connection to the Gao family."

Section Leader Jiang was utterly bewildered. "What? You still deny it even now? Do you genuinely believe the mountains of Hukang County are laden with gold mines, where one can simply unearth three barrels of gold from any random cave?!"

He then gestured towards the families of Third and Fourth Son Gao’s wives, inquiring, "What is the situation with those two families? How does your family’s property relate to them?"

Section Leader Jiang was incensed. Despite all three families colluding and being caught together, Mrs. Chang had the audacity to concoct such a preposterous tale. Did she truly imagine that being obstinate and unreasonable would absolve them of guilt?

"Military Officer, Old Chang speaks the truth. This gold is not from the Gao family... We assisted Mrs. Chang because our own daughters are related by marriage to Taohua, both sharing similar hardships. Old Chang also promised that if we helped transport the gold, we would each receive a gold ingot as a reward. That is why we agreed to help."

"This is indeed Mrs. Chang’s family’s gold; it bears no relation to the Gao family whatsoever," proclaimed the father of Third Son Gao’s wife, Old Man Wu, his words flowing smoothly as if rehearsed countless times.

Nearby, Section Leader Hong listened with a furrowed brow, observing the individuals from Old Chang’s, Old Wu’s, and Old Hong’s families.

Uncle Hong was the father of Fourth Son Gao’s wife. His daughter had not been abducted but had been deceived by Fourth Son Gao, leading to an unwanted pregnancy that left her with no recourse but to coerce her father into paying a sum to the Gao family for the marriage.

Fortunately, Uncle Hong’s youngest daughter was exceptionally beautiful, catching the eye of Fourth Son Gao. Being a recognized illegitimate son, Mrs. Gao Huang was concerned that his marriage might outshine that of her own two daughters-in-law. Thus, she persuaded Gao Sanxiong to consent to the union.

Uncle Hong and his son remained silent, their heads bowed in quiet contemplation.

Section Leader Hong then suggested to Brother Jiang, "Jiang, they are proving quite obstinate. We should resort to the punishment."

Section Leader Jiang nodded in agreement. "Very well, proceed with the punishment. I’ve long wanted to give them a thorough thrashing; these curs commit crimes, are caught red-handed, and still refuse to confess. It’s utterly infuriating."

Punishment?

Mrs. Chang’s countenance shifted dramatically upon hearing this, yet she defiantly declared, "We are innocent! The gold belongs to my family, and we do not fear any punishment!"

Through this statement, she subtly conveyed a message to the other two families: no one was to confess, and they must all insist that the gold was her family’s. This was their only strategy to ensure their survival, allow the gold to pass through the proper channels, and keep it secure.

Section Leader Hong’s brow furrowed further. Mrs. Chang certainly possessed a flair for handling dire situations with bold pronouncements.

However, this calculated approach was likely not Mrs. Chang’s own devising but a directive from Mrs. Gao Huang, established from the outset.

Section Leader Hong’s suspicion was accurate. When Mrs. Gao Huang entrusted the gold to the three families for safekeeping, she had already prepared a contingency plan should the authorities discover the treasure, instructing the three families unequivocally to deny all knowledge and insist the gold was not the Gao family’s.

Even Mrs. Chang’s entire family was handled by Mrs. Gao Huang. Therefore, if the government authorities were to investigate Mrs. Chang’s family, the response would be: this gold was an accidental treasure unearthed from the mountain and had absolutely no connection to the Gao family.

Provided that the three families denied the gold belonged to the Gao family, not only would the treasure be secured, but they would also emerge untarnished. Otherwise, they would face destruction alongside the Gao family.

"Precisely, this gold rightfully belongs to Mrs. Chang’s family, not the Gao family," declared the Old Wu family, their voices amplified as soldiers from the Military Office dragged them away.

Section Leader Hong then commanded his subordinates to escort Uncle Hong and his son to a remote forest.

Within the secluded woods, a campfire blazed. Gripping the long saber at his waist, Section Leader Hong addressed Uncle Hong, declaring, "My surname is Hong, just like yours; we are of the same clan."

In traditional customs, individuals sharing the same surname were often regarded with great significance. Uncle Hong and his son finally raised their heads, casting their gaze towards Section Leader Hong.

Section Leader Hong continued, his tone becoming direct, "Let me be candid. The Gao family's transgressions are confirmed; even their backer, Chief Commander Liu, has been apprehended by the generals of the Prefecture City Camp for a thorough investigation. The Gao family's fate is sealed. Uncle Hong, I understand your daughter was deceived by Fourth Son Gao back then. Your family stands as the wronged party; now, you have an opportunity for vindication and retribution. Will you seize it?"

Hong Dao was the promising recruit who had been mentioned by Qin San Lang to Gu Jinli shortly after he joined the Military Office.

Having enlisted in the Military Office the previous year, his grandfather, a seasoned Escort Master, had traveled extensively. Hong Dao acquired martial arts skills from his grandfather and absorbed tales from various regions, thus gaining considerable competence and wisdom.

He earned favor with Qin San Lang even before his enlistment, receiving personal tutelage and mentorship, which propelled him to the rank of Section Leader within a single year.

Hong Dao, possessing natural talent and having been mentored by Qin San Lang for approximately a year, had honed his strategic acumen, enabling him to effectively persuade Uncle Hong and his son.

Uncle Hong and his son found themselves persuaded.

Hong Wen attempted to speak but was gently halted by Uncle Hong, who then inquired of Hong Dao, "Can you genuinely ensure our safety?"

Section Leader Hong gave a firm nod. "Indeed. Although you have committed an offense, according to the Great Chu Criminal Law, it is possible to expiate your crimes through meritorious deeds."

After deliberation, Uncle Hong stated, "We are prepared to testify against the Old Chang, Old Wu, and Gao families, but can you guarantee the safety of my daughter and grandson?"

"My daughter was misled, and my grandson is still too young to discern right from wrong. If you permit him to be released, my family will ensure his proper upbringing."