Seeing that the chief of the Xikang Hu tribe still looked skeptical, Li Ying slowly and methodically began to speak.
"The Hu tribe rarely trades with the Central Plains, and information spreads slowly. Uncle, where on earth did you hear about A Man's dance in the fishing village?"
"And this red - sand ditch in the back mountain. How could you, Uncle, dig such a large project without anyone noticing?"
A Man's father looked solemn, obviously seriously considering what she said.
That's right.
During the ancestor - worship ceremony, the villagers were truly terrified when they saw the spiritual spring turn into a blood - river. Their expressions were genuine, clearly indicating that they were unaware of what was going on.
He knew very well the characters of his third brother and his son. They were lazy and slippery. How could they be willing to work hard? How could people who were used to being idle dig a ditch in such a short period of time?
"Miss Li means..."
Li Ying just smiled without saying a word, but A Man's father already understood her meaning. He immediately ordered his men to drag the useless third - brother and his son over and interrogated them himself.
"Third brother! You are a member of the Xikang Hu tribe and my own younger brother. Why did you collude with outsiders to harm our tribe?"
The chief was stern, but A Man's uncle just knelt on the ground and sneered contemptuously.
"Brother, I'm glad you still remember that I'm your own younger brother!
"Since A Man was abducted, you've lost your appetite and only thought about catching those Central - Plains horse bandits and finding A Man. After sister - in - law passed away, your temper became even more violent!
"Every year on your birthday banquet, you make a big deal out of it. You claim it's to celebrate with the villagers, but in fact, you just want to lure those horse bandits here again. Who in the village doesn't know your intention? That's fine. But when you're in a bad mood, you always take it out on the villagers. Every year on this day, the village is like it's suffered a great disaster!
"If it weren't for me helping you manage things and calming the public's anger, do you think you could have sat stably in the position of chief? This position of the Xikang Hu tribe should have been mine!"
This Hu man seemed to be certain that he was doomed, so he stopped hiding his true feelings and shouted arrogantly.
"Since you're not willing to abdicate and give the position to a more capable person, but still want to let a little girl of unknown origin take charge of the tribe, don't blame me for being rude!"
A Man's father's face turned as cold as ice. He seemed to have never expected that his younger brother harbored such deep resentment towards him. He said in a deep voice, "Third brother, when A Man was missing, I really planned to pass the position of chief to you several times. But you were idle and lazy, which made me really worried.
"Now that I know you have such a devious mind, I definitely can't keep you in the Xikang Hu tribe!"
Before he finished speaking, the third Hu man suddenly threw his head back and laughed.
"Brother, at this point, do you really think you can stop me?
"To be honest, I've already found excellent help! The Xikang tribe has been hiding in a corner for too long and will never achieve great things. Only with the support of the imperial court can the villagers live a good life!
"I'm the heir to the position of the Hu tribe's chief recognized by the imperial inspector himself. Brother, you can't do anything to me!"
Li Ying had been a bit hesitant before, but now after hearing his words, she was more certain.
The imperial inspector who had seen A Man's Hu - Xuan dance and knew their whereabouts could only be Inspector Lin!
She was just curious about the fate of those water bandits from the grain - transport gang after they were captured. Now it was obvious.
Although Lian Ji had confessed and been executed, those escaped members of the grain - transport gang might have become Inspector Lin's private troops by now!
A Man's father didn't care about any "imperial court official". The Xikang people were used to being free and unruly and didn't like to be disciplined. Now he was so angry that his face turned ashen. With a single order, he had this shameless father - and - son pair whipped severely and tied to the backs of horses.
He whipped the horses hard. The horses neighed in pain, reared up their hooves, and ran away.
These two Hu men, half - naked and hungry, were surely in great danger.
Li Ying sighed silently. Those who bring about their own misfortune can't be saved.
She wasn't interested in interfering with the tribe's rewards and punishments. After A Man's father had dealt with his subordinates, she asked loudly, "Chief, now, are you willing to cooperate with us?"
"This Inspector Lin is a man who won't act without profit. He came all the way to the Hu territory and reached a cooperation with Uncle. If I'm not wrong, he must have set his eyes on the spiritual spring."
Li Ying simply stopped hiding and told the whole story about Lian Ji and the water bandits from the grain - transport gang.
"Chief, if I'm right, it was these water bandits from the grain - transport gang who abducted A Man and the children in the village that year! They pretended to be members of a caravan of merchants and deceived your trust!"
She just wanted to take the spring water to make glue. But if this spring really fell into the hands of Inspector Lin, it would probably be strictly guarded by the water bandits from the grain - transport gang. By then, the Xikang people would really have no water to use.
Cooperating with Li Ying, setting up a glue - making factory for Jiuchao Tribute Glue in Xikang, and asking Ping'an Bank to repair the trading roads to transport mules, horses, cattle, and sheep from Xikang to the Central Plains and bring tea, wine, sugar, and salt from the Central Plains into the village.
It really seemed like a good idea with no disadvantages.
"Miss Li, your idea is good, but going against an imperial court official concerns all the Xikang people. I still need to think it over carefully."
A Man's father was still hesitating, but Li Ying wasn't in a hurry.
She was just about to get up and leave when there was suddenly an announcement outside the yurt.
"Chief! It's bad! There are foreign enemies attacking!"
What?
Could it be that Inspector Lin got the news so quickly and ordered the water bandits to act?
Li Ying was shocked and quickly followed A Man's father out of the yurt to take a look.
There was no one outside the village, only a few scattered arrows.
Li Ying had a sudden thought.
This method was exactly the same as when Old Zheng had sent her a message before.
She quickly said, "Chief! Wait!"
Li Ying tentatively took two steps forward. Sure enough, she saw that there were a few thin pieces of straw paper tied to the arrow shafts.
When she unfolded them, there were the names and portraits of the water bandits and thieves clearly written on them.
"Chief, take a look. Are these thieves the horse bandits who raided our village that year?"
A Man's father took the portraits. After just one look, he said sharply, "That's right! It's them! I'd recognize them even if they were burned to ashes!"
With irrefutable evidence, A Man's father finally stopped hesitating and clenched his fists.
To hell with the imperial court official or the imperial inspector. Since they had harmed A Man and the children in the village, they were the mortal enemies of the Xikang Hu tribe!
"Miss Li, it's settled then! Building the road and the glue - making factory, I'll do everything according to your plan! I just hope you'll keep your promise and make that evil Inspector Lin confess his crimes and be executed!"
The two of them hit it off. Li Ying said cheerfully, "Chief, don't worry. I'll surely live up to your trust!"
Finally getting this important matter settled, Li Ying walked out of the yurt and gave Lu Xunguang, who was frowning tightly, a bright smile.
"Lu Lang, the owner of the business has a chance of recovering. Why are you still so gloomy?"