EBE Chapter 415 Wanting to Go Down the Mountain
Chapter 415 Wanting to Go Down the Mountain
When she first arrived on the mountain, she suggested to Scarface that they tie up several heinous criminals and send them to the government office. After the government interrogated them, they would surely find out that there were still bandits on Lingyun Mountain.
Several months have passed, and the government has yet to take any action against the bandits in the mountains, presumably because the government is also wary of them.
Big Beard is simple-minded and straightforward. After spending time with him, you'll find that although he has some bad habits, he's also quite righteous.
She smiled and said, "We have so many brothers on the mountain. We've all grown up together and developed a strong bond. I consider you all my elders. If I were to recognize godfathers, I'd probably have to recognize dozens of them. Our relationship is beyond question, so why be so concerned about a title? Don't you agree?"
The bearded man scratched his head, thought carefully about Xiao Tang's words, and couldn't help but nod.
"That seems to make sense. I'm slow-witted and don't understand social etiquette, but... whether you call me Second Uncle or Uncle Beard, I'm happy. I've lived for twenty or thirty years and have never been called that by a junior before. It's not bad to be able to enjoy it now, hahaha..."
Scarface saw Xiaotang and Big Beard chatting and laughing under the tree, and he felt a pang of jealousy.
These past few days, Xiao Tang seems to be avoiding him. He's just a goddaughter, yet he's already scared the little girl.
After working hard until evening, everyone returned to their lodgings from the fields. Scarface hesitated for a long time before deciding to give up on recognizing Lin Xiaotang as his goddaughter and went to her to express his thoughts.
Scarface said, "Xiao Tang, you don't need to deliberately avoid your uncle anymore. If you don't want to recognize your uncle as your godfather, your uncle won't force you. I was wrong before, and I scared your parents. I'm sure they wouldn't agree to you being father and daughter with someone like me."
Lin Xiaotang waved her hand and said, "Actually, we're doing pretty well now. We work from sunrise to sunset together, go hunting, fishing, and mushroom picking together, and occasionally come across some valuable and rare items. Life is getting better and better, and we've developed a deep friendship like family."
In a few days, the medicinal herbs in the herb field will be ripe. The most urgent task is to resolve your identity issues. How about this, we find Huo Qi to record it, and each of you will explain your past.
Those without criminal records will form a group to easily transport and sell medicinal herbs. Those with criminal records will turn themselves in to the authorities. If the authorities are lenient, we will follow their arrangements and atone for our sins as soon as possible, returning to ordinary life. How about that?
“No way!” Scarface immediately refused.
He frowned and continued, "Most of the brothers on this mountain have some cases on their hands. If they really turn themselves in to the authorities, I'm afraid there won't be many left. Those corrupt officials are no good either. They're either sycophants or corrupt officials. If there's a place to seek justice, how could any of us brothers be wronged?"
Putting aside others, let's just talk about Huo Qi. He came from a poor family but was ambitious and exceptionally talented, a natural scholar. However, he was bullied and framed by a rich young master. The government convicted Huo Qi out of respect for the rich young master. If Huo Qi hadn't escaped, who knows what would have happened to him.
Lin Xiaotang patiently explained, "Uncle, we've known each other for several months, and you know my character. I'm doing this for everyone's sake. Not everyone on this mountain has a criminal record, and not all cases are unforgivable. Some cases are minor, and some are serious."
Only by daring to face our crimes and surrendering to the authorities as soon as possible can we atone for our sins and start anew as ordinary citizens. Must we all be bound together, hiding and unable to see the light of day?
Scarface looked utterly resistant, because ever since they became bandits, he had never considered that there was any way back.
The little girl is indeed intelligent and has a long-term vision and unique insights in many things, but it cannot be said that all of her decisions are correct.
He is the leader of these dozens of brothers, and he bears the mission of leading them. If he makes the wrong decision, how can he live up to the trust of his brothers?
After considering it for a moment, he said, "We can do as you said. First, select a team of brothers who don't have any criminal records to form a group. When the medicinal herbs are ripe, you can lead them to transport the herbs down the mountain to sell. However, the matter of turning ourselves in to the government needs to be discussed and decided upon later."
Lin Xiaotang sighed inwardly, telling herself that this matter couldn't be rushed. They had been bandits for many years and were used to being carefree. It was already very difficult to persuade them to change their ways, let alone persuade them to surrender to the authorities.
She said, "Okay, this matter needs to be handled carefully. We should think it over thoroughly before making a decision to avoid regret."
Scarface finally relaxed, forcing a faint smile onto his face.
"Little girl, what would you like to eat tonight? I'll have your Uncle Liang cook it for you. Thanks to you these past few days, we've found a lot of good things on this mountain and sold them for a lot of money. Our living conditions on the mountain have also improved. Once the medicinal herbs are ripe and we sell them for money, we'll be even richer. In the future, just have your Uncle Beard buy whatever you want to eat."
Lin Xiaotang touched her nose, thinking to herself that her family owned a restaurant and had plenty of money. The food, drinks and entertainment she had were no less than those of high-ranking officials and nobles. How could she possibly lack anything?
However, it was indeed very inconvenient for a young girl like her to be surrounded by a group of grown men, and she naturally lacked many everyday items.
She suddenly grinned and said ingratiatingly, "Uncle, I need a few changes of clothes and some household items for girls. A few days ago, my father came up the mountain to find me, thinking he could take me back, so he didn't bring anything with him."
"Or... I'd like to go to the capital to see how my parents are doing there. I can buy some clothes and daily necessities, and I can also stay on the mountain and lead everyone to prosperity. What do you think?"
Going to the capital?
Scarface hesitated for a moment!
He took the little girl up the mountain for several months, and they had developed a lot of trust in each other. He really wanted to adopt her as his goddaughter and liked this intelligent and talented junior from the bottom of his heart. However, he was really unsure if she went down the mountain to the capital.
What if the little girl goes to the capital and doesn't come back?
These days he could indeed see that the little girl was righteous, but with her parents in the capital, she would definitely choose to stay with them. If she had the chance to leave, she probably wouldn't come back.
Scarface remained silent. If he refused immediately, it would seem that he didn't trust the little girl. If he agreed, he was afraid that the little girl would never return.
Seeing that Scarface remained silent for a long time, Lin Xiaotang tilted her head up and acted coquettishly towards him.
“Uncle, this is the first time my parents have run a business on their own, and I’m worried about them. I just want to go and see how things are going. I think I can put my mind at ease once I see them go. If you’re worried that I might not come back, why don’t you arrange for two people who are not involved in any criminal cases and are reliable to accompany me? Would that be alright?”
Scarface pursed his lips in displeasure.
"Girl, how have your uncle and the elders on the mountain treated you these past few days?"