CHAPTER 1026: CHAPTER 1024: WEAK, PITIFUL, AND HELPLESS

Even though they spoke quietly, Wang Yongzhu heard every word clearly. Her biggest concern was the safety of the tea trees.

Since assurances had been given, she could act without any worries.

She immediately sneered, "In that case, there’s nothing more to say. Call all the people from Yingzi Gully over—let’s tear this issue apart face-to-face!"

Loo Xiaoshan was still stunned, but Wang Yongping gave him a push and gruffly said, "Why are you still standing there? Hurry and call your people from Yingzi Gully!"

Loo Xiaoshan lowered his head, and walked away in a daze.

Once he left, Zhang Quan and Sun Qi stepped forward, "Zhang Quan and Sun Qi await the commands of Scholar’s Lady!"

Wang Yongzhu only briefly asked Zhang Quan and Sun Qi about their arrangements and discovered that they not only had guards stationed on Tea Mountain but had also secretly toppled several large boulders along the path to block the road.

Wang Yongzhu frowned and pondered for a moment. Concerned for the tea trees, she trusted no one else and only looked at Song Chongjin.

Song Chongjin understood immediately that he alone could go there, allowing Wang Yongzhu to handle things on this side.

He nodded decisively and patted Sun Qi’s shoulder, "Take me to the tea trees. Leave this side to my lady!"

Sun Qi was naturally worried and looked at Wang Yongzhu.

Wang Yongzhu nodded, "The most important thing is to guard the tea trees. As long as the tea trees are fine, everything here can be worked out!"

Sun Qi hesitated for a moment, lowered his head in agreement, and turned to leave.

Song Chongjin looked at Wang Yongzhu, "I promise to guard the tea trees; you must promise me not to get injured!"

Before Wang Yongzhu could speak, Wang Yongping patted his chest and assured, "Brother-in-law, don’t worry! As long as I’m here, anyone trying to harm my sister will have to get past me first!"

Song Chongjin merely looked silently at Wang Yongping, wanting to say, "What’s your combat prowess worth in front of Yongzhu?" He held back, patted Wang Yongping’s shoulder, turned, and followed Sun Qi out through the door.

On this side, Wang Yongzhu adjusted her sleeves and gave a few more instructions to Wang Yongping and Zhang Quan before hearing the increasing noise outside the door.

Soon, Li Dashan knocked, pale-faced, "Scholar’s Lady, everyone is waiting for you in the cave—"

Wang Yongzhu nodded and stood, walking past Li Dashan.

She heard a low whisper, "Scholar’s Lady, be careful, don’t go inside the cave, just stay at the entrance—"

Then Li Dashan strode forward as if nothing had happened.

Arriving at the cave entrance, Wang Yongzhu indeed stopped her steps.

At the entrance, almost everyone from Yingzi Gully was gathered, with the men angrily waving their fists, spewing unclear words.

Women whispered among themselves, and elders held children close by.

Loo Xiaoshan stood in front of the crowd, trying hard to calm them, "Scholar’s Lady is coming. Be quiet and don’t say inappropriate things—"

Someone shouted from within the crowd, "Good, let’s clarify face-to-face!"

"That’s right! Clarify everything!"

"If not clarified, don’t even think of leaving!"

"Yes, don’t think of leaving!"

"I’ve heard about the tea leaves they sell outside at a high price! These are all from Yingzi Gully; why should they get so much money and only give us such little?"

"Why indeed!"

...

Some were outraged, others kept chiming in, quickly drowning out Loo Xiaoshan’s voice.

Wang Yongzhu watched coldly as the people from Yingzi Gully subtly divided into two groups.

The crowd shouting seemed larger, each person charged with emotion, looking at Wang Yongzhu like hungry wolves upon food.

In the corner, fewer people stood, the men with sullen faces, women pursing their lips, covering the ears of their children tightly.

Some old folks stood far aside, just shaking their heads and sighing.

The originally chaotic scene exploded further when Wang Yongzhu appeared, like a drop of cold water in a hot oil pan.

The crowd seemed ready to charge.

It was still Loo Xiaoshan and Li Dashan, along with a few men nearby, who managed to barely hold them back.

Zhang Quan saw the situation and stepped forward shouting, "Everyone please calm down. Speak one by one—"

No one listened, despite his voice straining.

The barrier of people was nearly breaking.

Wang Yongzhu glanced around, noticing a crooked willow tree at the cave entrance, about bowl size in thickness, often climbed by Yingzi Gully’s children. Its tree trunk, except for some green tips on top, had been polished smooth by constant stepping.

She took two steps forward, placing a foot on it.

Everyone watched as the willow tree snapped with a crack from where Wang Yongzhu stepped, crashing down and scattering dust all around, just as the wind blew, sending the dust into the cave.

The residents of Yingzi Gully, caught off guard, received a face full of dust.

Their earlier momentum was halved by this dust; those who once felt brave now trembled thinking of the broken tree.

The leading individuals exchanged glances—they were doomed! No one had told them that the Scholar’s Lady could break a tree with a kick!

To fight or yield? This was a serious dilemma.

Driven by greed, relying on strength in numbers, one managed to bite back fear and step forward, "Scholar’s Lady, surely you know the situation. We’re not unreasonable folks. Let’s talk things through. All we want is easy—a one-time payout for ten years of profit, and we’ll forever be indebted, serving you in the next life as well!"

"That’s right, Scholar’s Lady, we have no choice. Being broke means risking our lives! We have young and old to care for; we must survive, right? Generous as you’re wealthy, please help us to the end, help us all!"

"We don’t demand much, just a full payment, and Yingzi Gully is yours! We’ll move out immediately with no complaints!"

...

The chatter rose feverishly.

Wang Yongzhu listened silently to these hunters, feeling both sad and amused.

Just recently, these same people were grateful, teary-eyed, and swore they would remember her kindness forever.

Was their forever only so short? Not even two months?

Seeing Wang Yongzhu say nothing, merely listening to their demands, they thought: though this Scholar’s Lady was intimidating, she was just one person not worth fearing among so many.

Besides, it was known from those in town that wealthy folks outside the mountains enjoyed charitable deeds and valued reputation.

If Yingzi Gully’s issue was left unsolved, it would tarnish her name too.

Legs that had turned soft stood upright again.

Loo Xiaoshan opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but nothing he could say would matter now.

Wang Yongzhu listened until they finished and then spoke, "In that case, I have just one question: stand on the left if you want to cash out all profits at once; stand on the right if you prefer the status quo, let me know the numbers."

The Yingzi Gully people glanced at each other, one troublemaker took the lead to stand left, followed by a crowd moving over.

Less than twenty remained opposite, weak, pitiable, and helpless.