“Thank you, Benefactor Qian!”
“We can’t even remember how long it’s been since we’ve eaten so well.”
“Benefactor Qian is truly a Bodhisattva reborn. In the future, I’ll definitely set up a longevity tablet for you and pray for your peace and safety.”
…
The common people receiving grain were all moved to tears of gratitude, speaking words of thanks and blessing with voices overlapping. Zhao Wanjin had appeared at the porridge kitchen every day for several days, so he had become a familiar face to the common people. While ladling porridge for people, he spoke comforting words to calm everyone.
But the people were truly too enthusiastic. Some elders and women and children even wanted to kneel down and kowtow to him immediately.
With someone taking the lead, the people who were full of gratitude but didn’t know how to express it began kneeling down one after another—some bowing, some kowtowing, everyone expressing gratitude to Zhao Wanjin.
Zhao Wanjin felt a surge of excitement in his heart. He walked around the large pot to help up several nearby elders, then advised everyone, “Get up quickly, get up. There are elders among you—don’t humble me so.
“I’m a straightforward person with a direct temperament. My family isn’t particularly wealthy, just modestly well-off. I’m also just a merchant passing through here on business.
“What I can’t stand most is seeing others suffer. After this great disaster, seeing that everyone still can’t eat their fill, and worse still, there are children and elderly dying of hunger on the streets—do you think I could just look on?
“The court is currently resisting the northern Tatar invasion—it’s a tense time. It’s understandable that they can’t attend to everything at once. Since I can still afford it, naturally I should take on this responsibility.”
As Zhao Wanjin spoke, he bowed all around.
The common people were all moved to tears, saying in chorus, “Thank you, Benefactor Qian!”
Zhao Wanjin seemed embarrassed by everyone’s praise, scratched his head, and continued, “I can’t afford to give everyone good food—only these simple meals. They don’t taste great, but at least they fill you up. Everyone don’t be polite, eat while it’s hot.”
“Thank you, great benefactor!”
“The great benefactor is so kindhearted!”
…
Everyone was moved to tears of gratitude, emotionally sipping the thick mixed grain porridge. The flatbread in their hands was still warm. One bite revealed the soft texture and the unique fragrance of grain immediately filling their mouths. The more they chewed, the more fragrant it became. Within the grain’s aroma was also a hint of sweetness. Taking a bite of pickled vegetables and another sip of porridge—in the cold winter, it truly warmed them from stomach to whole body.
For a moment, though there were a thousand people in the square, only one kind of sound could be heard—everyone’s chewing sounds while eating and slurping sounds while drinking porridge.
Seeing that Zhao Wanjin’s words had deeply moved these people, Qin Yining also felt happy in her heart.
Even though her original reason for providing porridge was to save grandmother, being able to help so many common people get through the cold, hungry winter gave Qin Yining unprecedented satisfaction.
Just then, a commotion suddenly came from behind the crowd of people near the main street. Cursing voices and exclamations from people being pushed aside could be heard faintly.
Hearing this, Qin Yining narrowed her eyes in her hiding place in the carriage, lifted the curtain to look outside. When she saw clearly who was coming, she knew the strategy had succeeded.
Zhao Wanjin also saw the approaching people.
Leading them was a dark-faced, lean man. The flesh on his face had loosened, and the deep lines between his brows and the wrinkles under his eyes made his already unfriendly expression even more grim. From his clothing and the dozen or so local constables following behind him, it was clear this was Assistant Magistrate Gao.
Assistant Magistrate Gao led everyone forward. When encountering people who hadn’t reacted in time, he naturally had no patience to remind them. His subordinates immediately raised their hands and pushed people aside without hesitation. Even elderly people with poor mobility who walked slowly were ruthlessly kicked.
Zhao Wanjin smiled calmly, standing in place with his hands at his sides, waiting for Assistant Magistrate Gao.
Assistant Magistrate Gao brought his dozen subordinates, parting the crowd as they marched directly toward Zhao Wanjin.
The common people holding porridge bowls and dry provisions all stopped eating, looking at Assistant Magistrate Gao’s group of officials with confusion, not knowing why these people had suddenly come to the porridge kitchen.
Local people all knew the power of Assistant Magistrate Gao and his subordinate lackeys. They wouldn’t think these people had come with good intentions. Normally, even if they starved to death, Assistant Magistrate Gao wouldn’t blink an eye. Today was definitely not good news!
Just as the scene fell silent, Zhao Wanjin smiled and cupped his hands toward Assistant Magistrate Gao, “This official, I…”
Before he could finish speaking, a loud slap came right at him, turning Zhao Wanjin’s face to the side.
Zhao Wanjin looked shocked, covering his face as he looked at Assistant Magistrate Gao: “You, how could you hit someone!”
Assistant Magistrate Gao’s eyes were bloodshot. Gritting his teeth without saying a word, he raised his hand and delivered another slap.
Zhao Wanjin had privately discussed with Qin Yining what Assistant Magistrate Gao’s reactions might be, so he was prepared to endure some superficial injuries. He secretly vowed to properly deal with this bastard later. For now, he only showed fear, screaming in terror: “What are you doing! What right do you have to hit people!”
Without another word, Assistant Magistrate Gao struck with both hands, continuously slapping Zhao Wanjin’s face several more times. Finally, still not satisfied, he kicked Zhao Wanjin in the stomach, sending him flying into the crowd.
“Tie him up and take him away!”
“Yes!”
As soon as Assistant Magistrate Gao gave the order, his subordinates immediately complied.
The people had now recovered from their shock. Seeing the great benefactor who had fed them being slapped without reason and kicked to the ground unable to get up for a long time, everyone was beyond furious.
Even though they knew what kind of person Assistant Magistrate Gao was, the angry people showed no fear as they shouted accusations.
“What right do you have to hit people!”
“What did Benefactor Qian do wrong? Why did you hit him, and why are you arresting him!”
“We’ve been hungry and cold, barely able to get through this winter. We didn’t see any officials coming to provide relief. Finally, there’s a great benefactor who feeds us, but officials come out to beat people—what kind of logic is this!”
…
The dissatisfaction of over a thousand people turned into curses and expressions of injustice combined together—the clamor was evident.
In the vast square of the old capital under overcast skies, one could even hear echoes after the people’s angry shouts.
Assistant Magistrate Gao’s mind was now filled with thoughts of his crippled son. He only wanted this Qian Gui to taste the same pain—how could he care about the people’s thoughts?
The deafening injustice and curses meant nothing to him. Assistant Magistrate Gao walked quickly, his constables and followers not daring to delay. Some pressed down on the “unconscious” Zhao Wanjin, while others circled to the front of Assistant Magistrate Gao to clear the way, pushing aside the emotionally charged people.
Seeing this scene, the people finally couldn’t control themselves. No longer caring about the food in their hands, they pressed against each other, person against person, all surging toward Assistant Magistrate Gao’s direction.
After these days of porridge distribution, word had spread and more people had come. The common people gathered in this small square now exceeded a thousand. How could Assistant Magistrate Gao with his dozen constables withstand the crowd’s pressure?
Before they could even leave with the unconscious culprit, they were nearly pushed down first.
In desperation, Assistant Magistrate Gao drew his sword with a “clang.” The gleaming blade flashed in the winter’s pale sunlight, making people squint.
“Who dares move again! Let me see who else dares move!”
With Assistant Magistrate Gao taking the lead, his subordinates all drew their swords, pointing them directly at the people who were about to rush forward.
Faced with cold weapons pointed directly at them, the people in front didn’t dare advance, and those behind didn’t dare push carelessly, fearing they might harm others’ lives. Some people shouted loudly, “Those in back, don’t push! Don’t push! They’ve drawn swords!”
The mention of drawn swords made everyone even more furious, their angry roars mixing with the light snow that had suddenly begun to fall.
“What right do you have to arrest people! What crime has Benefactor Qian committed? Explain clearly!”
“Without evidence, we absolutely won’t let Benefactor Qian leave here!”
…
The people were filled with righteous indignation, already shouting chaotically.
Assistant Magistrate Gao sneered, gesturing around with his sword: “You want to ask? I’ll tell you. This man is a criminal wanted by the court—he killed someone! We’re here on official business to arrest the criminal for interrogation. You’re obstructing us here—could you be his accomplices?”
“Impossible! How could Benefactor Qian kill anyone? He feeds and clothes us strangers—he’s better to us than our own parents. How could he possibly kill someone?”
“There must be some mistake! Benefactor Qian wouldn’t kill anyone!”
Assistant Magistrate Gao sneered, “Wouldn’t kill? Do killers have it written on their foreheads? This official is carrying out orders. Stop your unreasonable obstruction, or you’ll all be charged as accomplices and taken to be beheaded!”
The people were shocked by Assistant Magistrate Gao’s words. Since ancient times, commoners don’t fight officials. These people were used to being oppressed. Being able to stand up for Benefactor Qian out of loyalty was already their limit. Now that the official said he would arrest them as accomplices and behead them, these words truly frightened them.
Everyone didn’t dare say more, afraid of being arrested and killed.
But the anger in everyone’s eyes was real.
Assistant Magistrate Gao snorted coldly again, pushing aside the people blocking his way, waving his sword like shooing away mosquitoes to drive away the obstructing people. His subordinates followed suit. The people were intimidated by the blades—no one dared come forward to use their flesh and blood to block the swords.
Unable to argue or fight, they could only watch helplessly as Assistant Magistrate Gao arrested the “unconscious” Benefactor Qian.
The figures of Assistant Magistrate Gao’s group of more than ten people disappeared from sight. For a long time afterward, no one spoke.
Even some emotional women began sobbing and crying.