Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1211: At a Loss

Uncle Hong harbors a deep resentment towards the Gao family, but for the sake of his daughter and grandson, he is compelled to assist the Gao family in concealing their ill-gotten gold.

The reason Mrs. Gao Huang enlisted the Hong family's aid in this endeavor was quite simple: the Hong family possessed a reputable standing within the village, making them less likely to arouse immediate suspicion from the authorities.

Unfortunately for Mrs. Gao Huang, her calculations were flawed this time. Qin San Lang maintains a vigilant watch over all matters and does not falter in his duties based on mere reputation.

"Securing your daughter's safety is certainly feasible, but the rescue of your grandson presents a considerable challenge," Section Leader Hong candidly informed Uncle Hong. "Your grandson, being seven years of age and male, is subject to punishment under the Great Chu Criminal Law."

Company Commander Qin had previously cited a relevant passage from the Great Chu Criminal Law: 'Distinguish between youth and children; adult males shall be punished as adults.'

In the realm of Great Chu, where laws are enforced with utmost severity, youths aged seven and above, no longer considered mere children, are held accountable for their actions.

"...Is there no way to save him? Though my grandson was raised alongside the Gao family, he is, at heart, a good child. Just last month, he intervened when he witnessed thugs from the gambling house assaulting someone, preventing further harm and saving the victim." Uncle Hong's voice trembled with emotion, revealing the profound affection he held for his grandson, despite his entanglement with the Gao family.

Section Leader Hong then proposed, "However, if you consent to provide testimony against the Gao family, the Old Chang Family, and the Old Wu Family, I can intercede with Company Commander Qin on your behalf. You must be aware of Company Commander Qin's capabilities; he is exceptionally resourceful. Even if your grandson is found guilty, it would not be insurmountable for him to ensure his salvation."

Uncle Hong, being a shrewd individual, harbored doubts about Section Leader Hong's sincerity and inquired, "Can he truly be saved even after conviction?"

Section Leader Hong affirmed with a nod, "Indeed. Once your grandson is convicted, he will be relegated to the status of a slave. Company Commander Qin, with his extensive network, can assist in purchasing the child's freedom, thereby effectively saving him from further calamity."

Hong Wen, overhearing this exchange, expressed his approval with relief, urging, "Father, this plan is prudent. You should agree without delay to prevent any unforeseen complications from arising."

His voice thick with emotion, he added, "Father, the Gao family has inflicted immense suffering upon us. Even if we cannot secure the release of our nephew, we must at least prevent our own family from enduring further hardship."

They had been apprehended in the act of assisting the Gao family in hiding and relocating the gold. Failure to atone for their involvement would undoubtedly lead to the ruin of their own household.

Hong Wen, a married man with children of his own, while harboring sympathy for his sister and nephew, could not afford to overlook the welfare of his immediate family.

Uncle Hong comprehended his son's predicament. While he also cared for Brother Liang, his affection was not as profound as that for his own descendants.

"Very well, I consent to testify against the Chang, Wu, and Gao families!" Uncle Hong finally relented.

It was fortunate that he reached this decision, for otherwise, the night's proceedings might not have concluded so swiftly.

The individuals from the Old Chang Family and Old Wu Family proved to be exceedingly resilient, even under duress, stubbornly proclaiming, "This is a gross miscarriage of justice; we are innocent! The gold rightfully belongs to Mrs. Chang's maternal family!"

"Innocent, my foot! Proceed with the beatings! Continue the punishment!" Section Leader Jiang, his temper flaring, seized a soldier's baton, sprinkled salt upon it, and relentlessly thrashed the eldest member of the Chang family until he lost consciousness.

Witnessing this brutal assault, Mrs. Chang erupted in hysterical cries, yet she remained resolute in her denial, vehemently asserting her innocence.

Section Leader Jiang let out a weary sigh, muttering to himself the sheer obstinacy he encountered, lamenting the difficulty in breaking the will of such stubborn rural women.

"Brother Jiang, Uncle Hong and his sons have provided their testimony, confirming that the gold indeed belongs to the Gao family. These three families, including Mrs. Chang's maternal lineage, the Miao family, all conspired to conceal the gold for the Gao family; they are all complicit." Section Leader Hong presented Section Leader Jiang with a document: "This is the confession of the Hong father and son; they have affixed their signatures."

Section Leader Jiang eagerly accepted the confession, his face lighting up with satisfaction. "It truly implicates those families! Hahaha, this is excellent news! Let's see how the Chang and Wu families attempt to refute this now!"

Upon hearing this declaration, Mrs. Chang shrieked in dismay, "The Hongs testified against us? Impossible! This is a fabrication, a ruse designed to trick us into confessing!"

With Uncle Hong's testimony, the Hong father and son were also implicating themselves, effectively sealing the fate of Hong Wen's family. The Hong family held their children dear, unwilling to abandon their daughter and grandson, so how could Uncle Hong possibly betray his own son's family?

Section Leader Hong paused upon hearing this but ignored Mrs. Chang, saying instead to Section Leader Jiang, "Brother Jiang, Uncle Hong and his sons have testified meritoriously. Under Great Chu Criminal Law, we should consider this as making up for their crimes and pardon the Hong family’s responsibility."

"What, what did you say? The Hong family’s responsibility can be pardoned?!" The Wu family people heard this, their eyes turned green with envy, and Old Man Wu shouted: "We also want to testify against the Chang, Miao, and Gao families; our family wants to make up for our crimes too!"

The Old Wu Family continued denying their guilt because they believed admitting guilt meant certain death, never thinking there was such a thing as making up for their crimes. Now seeing the Hong family escape punishment, they couldn’t afford to suffer losses either, as the three men rushed to confess their crimes of hiding the gold for the Gao family. Mrs. Chang was unable to stop them in time.

"Military Officer, Officer, we’ve confessed to everything, please release us quickly." The three Wu family men looked at Section Leader Jiang with ingratiating smiles.

Section Leader Jiang was stunned, were the Wu family people fence-sitters? But you people toppled too slowly, letting others get ahead, what good is that?

With a loud thud, Section Leader Jiang struck each of them with a baton, shouting, "Be honest, you think..."

"Brother Jiang, don’t be angry," Section Leader Hong interrupted Section Leader Jiang: "Let’s have them sign first."

Once signed, it’s settled, and the Old Wu Family will find it difficult to change their testimony.

Although Section Leader Jiang had a fiery temper, he was also detail-oriented. Seeing Section Leader Hong swiftly writing the Wu family men’s confession, knowing what he intended, he paused momentarily.

When Section Leader Hong finished writing, he praised, "Wow, Brother Hong, no wonder Company Commander Qin values you, you have great skills; not only do you know how to read, now you’ve learned to write confessions too."

Section Leader Hong embarrassedly laughed, "I only know about a hundred characters, not well written. The Commander says it looks like chicken scratch, I need more practice."

As a child, Section Leader Hong attended private school, but he naturally preferred martial arts, eventually unable to continue his studies. His grandfather reluctantly let him join the Military Office.

Originally, Section Leader Hong wanted to become an Escort Master, but his grandfather disagreed, fearing he might die while travelling for work. Eventually, they compromised with him joining the military.

"Haha, anyway, you’re much better than I am. I can recognize characters but can’t write at all." Section Leader Jiang took the confession and had the Wu family men sign: "If you don’t want to die, quickly leave your fingerprints."

"Yes, yes, yes, pressing, pressing, pressing, we’ll press right away." The Wu family men, wanting to make up for their crimes, promptly left their fingerprints.

Unfortunately, after they finished pressing, Section Leader Jiang said, "Only one family can make up for their crimes. You Wu family were too late; you’re out."

With such words, Old Man Wu screamed in anger and passed out, shouting before fainting: "Such a loss, a great loss!"

The two Wu brothers cried, wailing: "Oh, the sin, deceiving people most of our lives, this time we’ve met our downfall."