Chapter 536: Getting Laborers
Translator: Lonelytree
Only then did Zhou Wencai put away his surprise and say in all seriousness, ” there’s an old camphor tree on the east side of the county Street. That’s the laborers’ market. We can go there and take a look. However,”
With that said, Zhou Wen paused and said hesitantly, ” I think it’s better to get official laborers. It just so happens that there are a few families in the prison that are waiting to be exiled. Why don’t we go take a look? ”
Lin yuelan raised her eyebrows and asked, ” how many families? ”
Zhou wencai nodded and replied, ” there are three. Most of them have a criminal family member and were implicated. One family committed the serious crime of murder, which caused the massacre of an entire family. The other family protected them, and according to the laws of the country, this entire family was charged with the crime of protection. The other family was ordered to be sold as slaves by the higher-ups. As for the real reason, no one knows. As for the specific details, my father doesn’t know either. The third family was found guilty of smuggling salt, which is a serious crime.:”
Zhou Wencai explained their situation one by one.
After hearing this, Lin yuelan lowered her head slightly and half-closed her eyes, deep in thought.
A moment later, she said, “Let’s go to the cell and take a look first before we make a decision.”
Why did Zhou Wencai recommend a criminal to Lin yuelan?
This was because these prisoners would only leave the prison with a death contract. They could not redeem themselves or escape with the official mark on their bodies. No matter where they escaped, the mark would brand them. Once they were found, they would be sent to the government and punished.
As for the normal laborers, they sold their services. They were sold as slaves because their families were too poor and could not support them. These people could still redeem themselves as long as they had enough money. This would not foster loyalty because their goal would always be making money.
Therefore, getting inmate laborers would be more worth it.
Since Lin yuelan had decided to take a look at the families in prison, the other two naturally accompanied her.
As they conversed, Jiang Zhennan sat beside Lin yuelan in silence, acting as a guard in the background. Zhou Wencai occasionally felt the cold aura emanating from him. It gave him goosebumps.
When he heard that they were going to prison, Jiang Zhennan immediately stood up. Then, his tall and slender shadow completely covered Lin yuelan’s petite body in the shadow, as if he wanted to envelop her in his own protection.
Zhou wencai felt a slight tremor in his heart.
It was because the rumors said that Jiang Zhennan had always avoided women.
But now, what was going on?
Zhou Wencai had been mumbling to himself in his heart, ‘What’s the relationship between Lin yuelan and Jiang Zhennan? One was in the capital, while the other was in the village. One was the defender-general of the state, while the other was a village farmer’s daughter. However, the two of them knew each other and seemed to have a close relationship. What’s going on?’
Of course, Zhou Wencai wouldn’t foolishly ask.
After the three of them left the Zhou mansion, they went straight to the county government’s prison cell.
Only then did Zhou Wencai bring them directly to the cells that held the three families.
When she opened the first cell, Lin yuelan saw a few angry gazes glaring at Zhou wencai and company.
One of the obese women was dressed in ragged clothes. The moment she saw Zhou wencai, she cursed angrily, ” you dog, let us go! We’re clearly innocent. On what basis are you sentencing us? We’re going to sue you corrupt officials!”
The group of people behind the woman also roared with anger in their eyes, “dog official, let us out. Otherwise, we won’t let you off even if we become ghosts!”
Zhou Wencai’s face darkened as he shouted angrily at them, ” your good son and grandson killed a family of three. Not only did you not turn them in, but you also hid the truth and protected the criminal. According to the country’s laws, you are guilty and will be sentenced to be laborers.”
The woman angrily shouted, “It’s clearly that family of three who deserves to die. It’s their fortune that my son has taken a fancy to their daughter. What right do they have to reject my son’s marriage proposal? People like them don’t deserve to live. ”