If they had merely stolen some meat and vegetables from the common folk, calculating the compensation would have been straightforward. However, the truth was that many lives were involved. How could compensation possibly make up for those lost lives?
Steward Tu mused that this might be a good thing. If the common people knew of Young Master Qi’s intentions, perhaps their perception of him would change. “This is not an unworkable plan! Those people are truly detestable! But there are so many victims, and many families have not come forward to seek justice. How can we find them? If we have to search one by one, how long will that take?”
Qi Xingjie had also considered this issue. Those thugs generally committed their crimes without premeditation. Sometimes, on a whim, they would snatch someone from the street, or if someone was unlucky enough to be alone, they would be harmed.
Many families of the violated girls dared not speak out, fearing gossip if their misfortune became known. Gradually, the matters were suppressed and eventually faded into nothing.
Therefore, he had no idea how to find these victims! Yet, no matter what, he wanted to try! He had to do something to alleviate his guilt.
“So I was thinking of stating in the public notice that we will provide them with some silver as compensation, that way…”
Before Qi Xingjie could finish, Steward Tu frowned, finding the suggestion unappealing. “This matter is not easy to handle! If you state directly in the notice that compensation will be given, it will surely lead to fraudulent claims, and the number of such individuals will not be small. What will you do if everyone who comes asks for compensation?”
“If you give it to them, new claimants might appear continuously. If you refuse, those people might speak ill of you privately. But if the notice doesn’t clearly state compensation, those individuals might choose to evade the matter to conceal something.”
It wasn’t that he wanted to think so poorly of people, but human nature was often like this; many would abandon their humanity for money.
“In my opinion, it’s best to wait until the town mayor has determined the punishment for those individuals. Only when these villains are truly punished can the burden on the hearts of the common people be lifted.”
“Alright! Then we shall discuss this matter after they have been convicted!” Qi Xingjie carefully considered Steward Tu’s words and found them quite reasonable.
Although he didn’t mind spending a little more money, it should at least be spent on the genuine victims.
The two of them, under the scorching sun, arrived at the Dama Post Station, rented two horses, and called for the same groom as before, heading to Lijia Village once more. The chosen matron and young servant, along with the provisions for Old Man Li’s family, had departed early in the morning and were estimated to have arrived by now.
Upon reaching Lijia Village, Old Man Li’s house once again became an object of public spectacle. Even though the sun blazed and the heat was stifling, it could not dampen the villagers’ enthusiasm for gathering and watching the commotion.
After all, in such a poor village, it was common for children to be sold or sent to wealthy families to serve as maids or servants. However, for a country bumpkin to command a matron and a servant was truly a rare sight.
The villagers watched as baskets of goods were unloaded from the ox cart and carried into Old Man Li’s home. There was everything imaginable, from food and drink to daily necessities. For a moment, they couldn’t decide whether to envy Old Man Li or pity him for gaining these things at the cost of his granddaughter.
Meanwhile, after Su Muqing and her companions departed from Yongan Town, they continued to travel for several nights. Along the way, they passed through several counties and towns and, as usual, observed the lives of the common people.
However, this time, they did not personally intervene as they had in Yongan Town. If they encountered any injustices that they found unbearable, Su Muqing and her group would choose to offer covert assistance or provide appropriate financial aid to help them resolve their immediate difficulties.
Qi Xingjie went directly to the village head’s house to find him. Li Hong was still at home as he was scheduled to work in town the next day.
After returning from Uncle Li’s place, he had been feeling uneasy, unsure if the young tyrant would keep his promise and send people to look after Uncle Li’s family.
Later, in the morning, when he saw the ox cart loaded with provisions and the matron and servant, Li Hong finally felt relieved.
Seeing Qi Xingjie suddenly appear at his home, Li Hong was somewhat confused. He hadn’t expected Qi Xingjie to seek him out, and what the latter said next startled him.
“You mean Xiaocui is still alive? But she clearly jumped into the river to commit suicide. We found her embroidered shoes by the river, how could it be…”
Li Hong wanted to say how could the person still be alive? They had searched along the river for an entire night and found no one. So much time had passed; the person would have long since floated away.
“It wasn’t me who said it; the divine physician told me before she left. She said we should search along the river and spread out into the nearby villages, saying that perhaps Old Man Li’s granddaughter wasn’t dead yet. If she unfortunately… drowned, then we should find her body and bring it back for burial, which would also be a comfort to her spirit.”
In short, the mission was: alive or dead, find the person.
Qi Xingjie didn’t have much confidence himself, but this was what Su Muqing had instructed before her departure. He personally wished to try one more time; if she was indeed not dead, it would be a great comfort to Old Man Li’s family.
Li Hong pursed his lips and remained silent for a long time. Recalling the divine physician with her astonishing medical skills, he finally spoke after a considerable pause. “Since the divine physician has given instructions, I, Li, shall naturally obey. How do you wish me to proceed?”
Qi Xingjie disliked beating around the bush and directly stated his thoughts. “I hope you can decline the odd jobs in town and organize the villagers to search for Li Xiaocui. I will pay you for your efforts. Whether we find the person or the body in the end, this will be the best form of closure.”
Li Hong frowned, appearing hesitant. Although the jobs in town were odd jobs, the contract period was at least two to three months, and the pay was thirty wen per day. If he performed well, he might even be able to work for them long-term, which were very good conditions.
Steward Tu, sensing Li Hong’s concerns and knowing that finding work was difficult, added, “By the way! Young Master Li, the divine physician and we are about to open a hot pot restaurant in town. She mentioned that you are a righteous person and worth befriending, and asked if you would be willing to work at the restaurant. If you perform well, you might even become a branch manager in the future!”
This was not something Steward Tu had fabricated. Su Muqing had indeed mentioned it yesterday, saying that Li Hong was straightforward and valued loyalty.
If he couldn’t find suitable work, he could start by running errands for Steward Tu, learning some experience. Once the hot pot restaurant opened, he could be properly trained, and he might become a good helper in the future.