Chapter 43: Undercurrents Stir

In the following days, whispers of unjust tax collection by the authorities spread throughout Ganquanli. With Li Yi’s promise to confront the government, all the villages within ten miles pledged their support. They would no longer pay excess taxes and demanded the abolition of harsh levies and miscellaneous duties.

Though this reduction would not bring wealth or prosperity, it would prevent many common folk from losing everything, enabling them to survive the years of famine. When Ai Yingjia heard the news, his face darkened with rage. “What is Li Yi trying to do? Organizing militia and daring to oppose the authorities—could he possibly intend to rebel?”

Ai Wannian sneered, “Father, I’ve always said we should have dealt with him. Now those peasants obey Li Yi, claiming we’ve shifted the taxes onto them. They’re getting increasingly unruly.”

“These ungrateful wretches! Without the Ai family’s land, they’d starve to death,” Ai Yingjia thundered, slamming the table in anger.

Hiding acreage was indeed a way to transfer taxes onto the commoners. Yet, which prominent household did not conceal their land? Their fields had been amassed through great effort; why should they pay so much to the court every year? And what benefit did paying taxes bring? Saving these taxes to bribe court officials was the cleverest approach.

“I’ve also heard Li Yi is organizing militias and even distributing pay. Where did he get so much silver?” Ai Wanhua suddenly remarked.

Ai Yingjia’s brow furrowed as if a thought struck him, hesitantly asking, “You say Li Yi suddenly came into money?”

Ai Wanhua nodded. “A newly hired servant was once a hunter from Li Family Village. He often brings news and told me about it.”

Ai Yingjia’s expression grew grim. “Summon him here. I have questions for him.”

Soon, a cautious man was led into the hall by a servant. This was Liu the hunter, unable to remain in Li Family Village any longer. He kept his head bowed, knocking his head to Ai Yingjia. “Master.”

Ai Yingjia nodded and told him to stand.

“You say Li Yi recently acquired wealth. Do you know where it came from?”

Liu the hunter answered carefully, “I looked into it when I went back. They say Li Yi took a group out for two days, and when he returned, he had a lot more money.”

Ai Yingjia’s breathing quickened with urgency. “Do you know which days?”

Liu the hunter hurried to reply, “Just two days before the thirteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.”

Upon hearing this, Ai Yingjia sprang to his feet. His face was clouded, his eyes cold and murderous.

“Ha! I thought Liu Ma Zi had colluded with bandits to rob me. Who would have guessed the damned thief was right under my nose.”

He turned to Liu the hunter, his voice deep. “You’ve done well. Your monthly pay will increase by one tael. In the coming days, have someone watch Li Yi. Find out where he hides his silver.”

Liu the hunter was elated. “Rest assured, master. I’ll see to it.”

“Go now.”

Once Liu the hunter left, Ai Wanhua asked in confusion, “Father, do you think Li Yi stole our silver? But the letter was with Liu Ma Zi. How would Li Yi know about it?”

“Fool, don’t you see? Liu Ma Zi didn’t join the bandits—he was killed by Li Yi.”

Ai Yingjia suppressed his anger for a long moment before sneering, “I underestimated Li Yi. Who would have thought that after years of hunting geese, the goose would peck my eye.”

Ai Wanhua rushed to say, “What should we do? Let me take the servants to search for the silver.”

Ai Yingjia had calmed down, thinking carefully before speaking in a deep voice, “Li Yi now has growing power. With his abilities, we may not find the silver even if we search.”

“Father, we have dozens of servants, and we can hire more swordsmen. Why should we fear Li Yi?” Ai Wanhua protested angrily.

Ai Yingjia shot him a glare. “Fool! Li Yi hates us, and now he has organized militia and won the people’s support. If we use force, the villagers will protect him and oppose us. If we incite public resentment, the Ai family’s reputation will be ruined, and how will we recover the silver?”

“What should we do then?” Ai Wanhua asked.

Ai Yingjia’s expression grew steely. “Isn’t there an investigating officer from Xi’an Prefecture? Go and share this clue with him. Once the servants discover where Li Yi hides his wealth, bring him to catch Li Yi red-handed. Let’s see how Li Yi denies it then.”

He took a sip of tea to calm himself, his tone icy. “We’ll charge Li Yi with banditry and throw him into the death cell. With their leader gone, the people of Ganquanli will no longer dare to oppose the Ai family.”

Ai Wanhua was delighted by this plan. “Father, your thinking is thorough. I’ll get right on it.”

Ai Yingjia spoke slowly, “The investigating officer in Xi’an Prefecture is called Shi Kefan. I hear he is upright and incorruptible. When you go, do not mention any personal grievances with Li Yi.”

Ai Wanhua nodded. “Father, I understand.”

Li Family Village.

The weather had been clear these past days, with temperatures rising slightly. Li Zicheng worked with the clan leaders and village chiefs to divide the land, assign plots for reclamation, and prepare for the coming year’s farming.

Now that he served as the headman, his responsibilities had multiplied. The headman could assign corvée labor, collect taxes, and even held some judicial authority. Whenever Ganquanli experienced neighborhood disputes or petty thefts, it was Li Zicheng who handled them personally.

Fortunately, Li Zicheng was generous and righteous, respected by all, so he managed with ease. Yet this left Han Jin’er alone, suffering in her empty chambers.

She had never wanted to come to this forsaken place, and with Li Zicheng away constantly, even Wang San Niang disliked her coquettish ways and ignored her.

Han Jin’er, bored and frustrated, often watched the courtyard of Li Yi’s house. Whenever Li Yi emerged, she greeted him with a cheerful smile and a few words.

But Li Yi barely responded, leaving her vexed.

One day, as she idly painted her nails, she saw Li Yi return and immediately sashayed after him into the yard.

“Uncle, my dress is torn. May I borrow some sewing supplies?” Han Jin’er pleaded pitifully.

Li Yi glanced at her and firmly refused, “I don’t know where the sewing things are. Wait for Yun Niang to return and ask her.”

“Then can I at least borrow the scissors?” Han Jin’er said through clenched teeth.

Li Yi nodded, fetched the scissors from beside the loom, and handed them to her.

Han Jin’er reached out with her slender, red-painted fingers, brushing Li Yi’s hand.

She expected the vigorous young man to blush and grow flustered, but Li Yi remained utterly unmoved.

Han Jin’er grew angry. She thought, with such obvious flirting, how could he be so oblivious?

What she didn’t know was that Li Yi, raised in a world of endless temptations, had high standards—her tricks simply weren’t enough.

“Now you have the scissors, go back home,” Li Yi said bluntly, showing her out without mercy.

Han Jin’er, annoyed, wiped away a tear and said, “I am so lonely here, Uncle. I only want to talk with you—why must you always keep me at such a distance?”