Chapter 1321: Chapter 1316: The Government Officials Have Arrived
More than twenty men, plus Mu Shuangshuang had already dealt with quite a few, and with the help of Huang Da and Huang Er.
Very soon, the courtyard was filled with strong men lying there, unable to fight back.
Zhu San was even stepped on by Old Mrs. Mu, who was putting on fierce airs, unable even to groan!
The other strong villagers went from looking at Mu Shuangshuang with disdain initially, to now trembling with fear at just a glance from Mu Shuangshuang!
"Shuangshuang, what should we do with these people?" Zhu San asked.
"Tie them up!" Mu Shuangshuang replied.
"Should we wait here for the government to come, or head back first?" Huang Da asked while tying people up.
"Let’s wait! We’ve been fighting for so long, the entire village must have heard the commotion!
Since no one has come out, it means they’re either too scared or they actually hope something happens to these people!"
Huang Da nodded repeatedly.
The three of them didn’t take much time to tie up all the men in the courtyard, leaving only Zhu San, who was temporarily spared because he was under Old Mrs. Mu’s foot.
However, Huang Da and Huang Er still wanted to go forward to tie up Zhu San to avoid any unforeseen events.
But Old Mrs. Mu had been tormented by Zhu San for several days, and now that the opportunity was here, she wouldn’t be herself if she didn’t take revenge!
"The two of you, shut up now. What this old lady wants to do, no one can stop!" Old Mrs. Mu said.
Huang Da and Huang Er cast their gaze on Mu Shuangshuang.
Mu Shuangshuang shook her head, signaling them not to interfere!
Mu Shuangshuang, Huang Da, and Huang Er kept watch all night, while Old Mrs. Mu beat Zhu San all night.
She didn’t hit hard, just kept scratching Zhu San’s flesh with her nails, pinching bit by bit.
All night, only Zhu San’s screams were heard.
Plus, earlier, Zhu San’s legs had been pierced by Mu Shuangshuang’s arrows, so by the time dawn came.
Zhu San was already on the verge of death due to excessive blood loss!
...
The government people came around noon, bringing twenty or thirty people with them, which was nearly half of the County Magistrate’s Office’s constables.
And the leader was none other than Zheng Zhi!
Seeing Zheng Zhi, Mu Shuangshuang was quite surprised.
But she heard Zheng Zhi explain, "My father said, this matter is significant, so it’s better if I handle it personally!"
"With you here, I feel relieved! As for the women in the village, I estimate you’ll have to go door to door to ask about their situation!" Mu Shuangshuang said.
"Door to door? Can’t they go to the county government office?"
Actually, Zheng Zhi meant that in the past, cases were handled by having people go to the government office, where the government would decide based on certain standards!
But since Mu Shuangshuang was the one speaking, he didn’t press further!
"If they are willing, that’s fine too!" Mu Shuangshuang pursed her lips.
She suddenly realized that handling cases in ancient times was different from modern times.
In ancient governments, absolute authority meant that even for matters of justice for the people, they had to personally visit to have a chance of intervention!
"Shuangshuang, if you don’t mind, could you accompany us for a visit? To listen to what those women have to say?"
Mu Shuangshuang: "Aren’t you saying they should go themselves?"
"What Shuangshuang says interests me! In the past, for a case to be adjudicated, the complainer had to go in person.
This time, I want to try something different and see if there’s more to gain!"
Zheng Zhi’s proposal was an undeniable temptation for Mu Shuangshuang.
Yet this kind of temptation was something she couldn’t refuse.
She almost nodded without hesitation.
"Okay, I’ll... I’ll go wash my face first and then go with you!"
Mu Shuangshuang had come last night for the sake of those women, and today, having the chance to be involved in this matter was indeed realizing her wish!
After Mu Shuangshuang washed her face by a nearby stream and returned to Zhu San’s courtyard, some constables had already left.
They had taken away most of the men in the courtyard; as for those with severe injuries, the constables tended to them first.
By tending to them, it essentially meant applying some dirt and wood ash, stopping the bleeding as needed!
Once the blood stopped and the people stopped crying out, they were taken away!
Zheng Zhi brought two constables and started questioning from the first household at the village entrance.
Last night’s events must have cast a shadow over the people of Wang Family Village.
Several households wouldn’t open their doors.
Even though Zheng Zhi said he was with the government, they still wouldn’t open the door!
"Shuangshuang, what do we do now? I’ve never seen such a situation!" Zheng Zhi said.
Mu Shuangshuang didn’t know what to do either; she wasn’t familiar with these women, and they wouldn’t believe what she said!
Unless...
"I know someone who escaped from this village; she should be able to convince them!"
Mu Shuangshuang said.
"Who?"
"There’s someone in my restaurant called Qin Xianglan, who was deceived by Zhu San to come here two years ago and was forced to become Zhu San’s wife!" Mu Shuangshuang said.
"How did she escape?" Zheng Zhi couldn’t help but ask.
To him, a woman who couldn’t escape for two years and suddenly got away from hell must be quite capable.
Mu Shuangshuang briefly explained Qin Xianglan’s story.
After listening, Zheng Zhi admired Qin Xianglan even more!
"Don’t worry, my father said this matter would be handled impartially!" Zheng Zhi said.
Seeing Zheng Zhi say this, Mu Shuangshuang felt a bit at ease too.
She hesitated for a moment and then spoke: "Mr. Zheng, there’s something I really want to bring up, but I’m afraid it might trouble you!"
"Say what you must! Oh, and don’t address me as Mr. Zheng, just call me Zheng Zhi! Or, you can call me Yuan Zhi, which is my courtesy name!"
Mu Shuangshuang certainly wouldn’t use Zheng Zhi’s courtesy name; usually, only very familiar people would use someone’s courtesy name!
"Actually, this matter, punishing those who committed crimes in Wang Family Village is just one part!
The second part concerns the fate of the women who were trafficked; some were very young when they were brought here, they don’t understand social norms and don’t know how to earn a living.
Additionally, in this era, society is harsher on women, even if they want to work, there’s probably no work suitable for them!"
"Others were already mothers when they were trafficked here, and have since had children with those beasts. How should they choose!"
In fact, the second point was more difficult for Mu Shuangshuang!
Not to mention anything else, even in modern times, trafficked women and children face challenges reintegrating into normal life after being rescued.
Even if they wish to, how much pressure will the surrounding environment place on them?
Mu Shuangshuang’s words left Zheng Zhi in silence and unprecedented worry.
The issues Mu Shuangshuang raised seemed to be ones that even his father hadn’t considered!
