When the three of them approached the entrance of Maple Tree Village, they saw many officers and soldiers, and the whole town slowed down.
"I still have something to check, so you go first." He said.
"What are you investigating?" Zhang Tonglin asked curiously.
Qi Zhen glared at him, "Don't ask if you shouldn't."
Bai Banxia winked at Qi Zhen hurriedly, "Go ahead and pay attention to your safety."
Qi Zhen smiled and said, "Don't worry, nothing will happen."
When he said "reassuring", he not only meant that he would take care of his own safety, but also that nothing would happen to the land.
Zhang Tonglin wanted to ask more questions, but was pulled away by Bai Banxia, and complained: "Third cousin, why do you talk so much nonsense? Don't ask questions that shouldn't be asked."
Now Zhang Tonglin felt even more sad. His cousin had a secret with another cousin, and he thought he asked too many questions. Oh, oh, oh, there is no hope!
After Bai Banxia took her third cousin into the village, she went straight to the back mountain and soon saw Zhou Hai, Zhang Tie and the others.
Zhou Hai was accompanying a senior official with a very respectful attitude. He must have been the inspector named Du.
Mr. Du was holding the drawings and looking at them, and there was someone beside him pointing in the direction and explaining, probably design drawings or something like that.
Grandpa and uncle were both there. When they saw them coming, they hurriedly came over.
"Ban Xia, you are here. I just heard that Master Du wanted to expropriate this forest land and will give us double compensation." Grandpa said in a low voice.
Bai Banxia nodded. They haven't grown any medicinal materials here yet, so they didn't put in any investment. If they pay double, they'll make a net profit. She definitely doesn't have any objections.
Many people from Maple Village came to watch. Bai Banxia looked around and saw the Li family.
The old lady of the Li family and Li Liang's father and mother were all there, but Li Liang had a sad look on his face, and he was particularly worried when he saw her.
Finally, Mr. Du put away the drawings and said to the chief of Maple Tree Village: "The imperial court wants to expropriate the back hills of your village. You can make any demands. As long as they are within a reasonable range, I will agree to it."
The village chief hurriedly saluted and said: "The imperial court wants to use the mountain behind our village. It is our village's honor. There are no requirements. Besides, except for the forest land of the Zhang family, the rest of the mountain behind is ownerless land."
Mr. Du nodded, "Then let's double the compensation to the Zhang family, and ask their head to handle the formalities later."
The village chief looked at Mr. Zhang, "Old Zhang, did you hear that?"
"Okay, thank you sir." Grandpa saluted and said.
"Construction will start in the next few days, and the court will also recruit hired workers. Don't worry, the wages will be paid according to the rules." Mr. Du added.
The village chief was very happy and saluted again, "Thank you, sir. How many people are needed? Do you have anything to go? The common people will make arrangements right now."
"As long as you are strong and have diligent hands and feet, let's find thirty people first." Master Du said.
"yes."
At this time, a subordinate next to Mr. Du walked over and whispered a few words to him.
His expression suddenly changed and he asked, "Is this really happening?"
"The people below reported it, and they will find out if they check it out. This kind of thing is not very auspicious. Don't be afraid of ten thousand, just be afraid of the worst. It would be better if you find out earlier." said the subordinate.
Mr. Du's face darkened and he said to Zhang Tie: "Someone reported that something ominous was buried in the Zhang family's woodland. Please ask the official to check it to see if this is indeed the case."
"Sir, the Zhang family didn't do anything when they suddenly bought the Xu family's forest land. They just left it empty. They came here several times secretly in the middle of the night. They must have done nothing good!" the Li family's mother-in-law said loudly.
Mr. Zhang became angry all of a sudden, "Mr. Li, what do you mean? Does this mean that your Li family reported it? Isn't it because you lowered the price and failed to buy this land, and now you are jealous and jealous?"
"Bah, the imperial court's land acquisition is a great thing for the whole village. Don't let your family mess up the matter and harm the whole village by messing around." Mrs. Li spat and shouted.
Everyone became curious after hearing her words, and some people asked in a low voice: "What is the ominous thing?"
Come, come, the Li family's hands are really long.
Mr. Du was a little displeased. He probably felt that a quarrel in the countryside was unseemly. He frowned and said, "We will find out if we check it. Magistrate Zhou should check it as soon as possible."
Zhou Hai knew that this place belonged to Bai Banxia's maternal grandfather's house, and was worried, but he could not disobey the inspector's order. He could only give Bai Banxia an apologetic look, and then ordered Zhang Tie and the others to investigate.
Bai Banxia is not in a hurry. Since Qi Zhen said to reassure her, she is not afraid.
She walked over, saluted Master Du, and said: "Bai Banxia, a civilian girl, pays homage to Master Du. There are half as many civilian girls in this forest, so if something happens, civilian girls must also bear the responsibility."
Grandpa was a little anxious and said, "Panalia!"
He felt that the Li family had a dirty trick waiting for them. How could Banxia say he was responsible at this time?
"I am the head of the Zhang family. I cannot let the younger generation take responsibility for anything." Grandpa said hurriedly.
Bai Banxia smiled at him and told him not to worry.
She looked at Mr. Du again and continued: "Your Majesty, it is a good thing for the court to expropriate land, but if someone uses this matter to falsely accuse others and delays the time of Mr. Du and all the officials, it is really unjustifiable. Inspection is necessary, but we don't
I will say no, but if the other party makes a false accusation, I hope you will be punished. Otherwise, no amount of time will be enough to delay today's false accusation and tomorrow's rumor."
"This makes sense. There is no rule without rules. Where is the person who reported the report? If it is true and the report is meritorious, I will definitely be rewarded. But if it is a false accusation, I will also be rewarded with thirty big boards." Mr. Du nodded.
said.
Bai Banxia could tell that Mr. Du paid great attention to rules, which was also a good thing.
At this time, the officials searched around the field, but seemed to find nothing.
Mr. Du looked at the sun and felt that time was wasted. He asked the subordinate who came to report unhappily: "Who reported this?"
The subordinate hurriedly said: "Carpenter Li is doing the work."
No need to think about it, Carpenter Li should be a relative of the Li family mentioned by Li Liang.
Mrs. Li next to her was a little out of breath. She pointed to a spot in the field and said, "Over there, I saw Lao Zhangtou tinkering over there. Let's dig it up and take a look."
Bai Banxia sneered, "You know so well that you thought you buried it yourself."
"Fart, I saw it with my own eyes!" Mrs. Li said.
At this time, the official cleared the fallen leaves in the direction she pointed, and sure enough he saw some new soil. It had obviously been dug up here, otherwise the soil would not be this color.
Grandpa became a little nervous and asked Bai Banxia in a low voice: "Girl, is this done by the Li family? What can we do?"
Bai Banxia pulled her grandfather's sleeve and whispered: "Grandpa, don't worry, it's okay."
Mrs. Li's face across from her was so proud and distorted. How could my grandfather not be worried? But when he saw his granddaughter's black and white eyes, his nervous mood slowly calmed down.
This child is becoming more stable and capable now. Since she said it's okay, he can relax.
