I, Sun Shan, and the Imperial Examination

Chapter 1554 A life for a life, a debt for a debt, it's only right and proper.

Sun Shan followed the team to the southern part of the city, where all he could see was rubble and tiles. The houses were completely collapsed, with only a few pieces of wood supporting them.

Last night's snowfall was heavier than I expected.

The snow was so thick and heavy, and with the freezing rain, it crushed most of the houses, leaving only a few "resilient" ones.

This snowstorm is much more severe than the first one.

Sun Shan went inside. Not far away, there were neatly arranged corpses covered with white sheets, especially one small one, which looked particularly pitiful.

As I approached the resettlement site, I heard a sobbing sound.

However, this did not garner any sympathy from the onlookers, including Sun Shan.

People braved the cold wind early in the morning to come here in order to see what was going on. The scene of dilapidated houses in ruins was shocking.

They showed no sympathy for the rescued disaster victims, but instead pointed and gossiped in droves.

A bystander clicked his tongue a few times and asked, "Why are they still living here? Didn't Lord Sun order Constable Yang to arrest them and lock them up at the City God Temple?"

I was there that day, wow... Constable Yang was so violent! Anyone who didn't show up got beaten up with sticks. Wow... I've never seen such a ruthless constable."

The bystander, with eyes darting around, said in a gossipy tone, "I heard, I heard, that they couldn't stand the lack of food and drink at the City God Temple, so they ran home."

Oh dear, what a pitiful person. To die in the City God Temple is the same as dying at home. Since death is inevitable, it's better to die at home.

Although that clerk Liu said the south of the city couldn't withstand a heavy snowfall, what if, what if there isn't? Ah, it's better to come back home; it's my own home. Even if I die, I'll return to my roots."

Bystander C immediately retorted: "Auntie, what you're saying makes no sense. What do you mean, 'They'll die if they don't eat or drink at the City God Temple?' And we didn't see any other residents sneaking back, only those three households came back?"

"Hmph, you're spreading rumors. Be careful. Our Lord Sun is notoriously stingy. If he hears this, he'll have Constable Yang arrest you and throw you in jail for the New Year."

Bystander B simply enjoys spreading rumors and gossip. If he were to spend the New Year in jail, he'd certainly cry foul. However, he's not one to back down, and he refuses to believe that a few words of gossip could land him in prison.

Undeterred, he retorted, "Hmph, justice resides in the hearts of the people. Everything I said is true. If the City God Temple could survive, why would they have come back?"

Crowd member Ding was in cahoots with Crowd member Bing.

He stepped forward and said, "Why else? It's because they're stupid. The house is about to collapse, and they still come back to live here. Tsk tsk~~ Who else but a fool would do that? Sigh, some people are just born without a screw in their heads, as stupid as pigs, and you can't reason with them."

The onlooker Wu chimed in, "That's right. Some people can't be reasoned with, which is why Lord Sun ordered Constable Yang to arrest them and take them to the City God Temple."

Alas, I thought I could save their lives, but who knew they would choose to die. The Buddha doesn't save those without affinity; the Buddha doesn't save those without affinity. Respect their fate; good words are useless against those destined to die.

The poor little girl, born into this family, died before reaching adulthood. So pitiful, so pitiful.

This exclamation caused the onlookers to turn their attention to the small corpse covered with a white sheet, losing all interest in gossip.

Sun Shan was also in a heavy mood and very angry.

Hearing the sobbing and wailing, I couldn't help but forget my scholarly refinement.

He started yelling and cursing: "What are you crying for! What are you doing here? Why aren't you at the City God Temple? Everyone says that houses will collapse when it snows heavily. Can't you understand human language?!"

Sun Shan's triangular eyes, which were as sharp as mountain peaks, shot out a shot, and instantly everyone fell silent.

The sobbing disaster victim stared blankly at Sun Shan, no longer daring to cry out.

Sun Shan continued to berate: "You've arranged for us to stay in the City God Temple, but you insist on living in a dilapidated building. You're really something!"

I ask you, are you more learned or am I more learned? Are you more knowledgeable or am I more knowledgeable? Are you smarter or am I smarter?

Being foolish without realizing it is just compounding foolishness. Will you only regret it when your entire family is wiped out?

Sun Shan's triangular eyes, raised high, swept around, making the already trembling disaster victims tremble even more.

Sun Shan then asked, "Did I charge you money when I arranged for you to go to the City God Temple? Not only did I not ask you for money, I also distributed supplies to you so that you could survive this winter! But you've done just that, my good intentions have been wasted, and you all think I'm trying to harm you!"

Sun Shan looked up to the sky with a pained expression and shouted, "I ask you, I have been in Yuanlu County for two years, working diligently and wholeheartedly for the people. Have I ever taken even a penny of your money?"

After the first heavy snowfall, I spread the word, gathered supplies, and arranged shelters so you could escape the snow disaster. But you, knowing there were tigers in the mountains, still chose to venture into the tiger's den.

"Hmph, I hope you learn your lesson this time. If there's a next time—no, do you think there will be a next time?"

It was the dead of winter, the ground was covered in snow, and it was already cold. When Sun Shan got angry, the atmosphere became even more tense, and the people dared not breathe, their whole bodies shivering with cold.

Sun Shan instructed Constable Yang, "Bury him as soon as possible and take him back to the City God Temple. If anyone dares to come back to live here, arrest them and throw them in jail as soon as they are discovered."

Yang, the head constable, accepted the order: "Yes, sir, I will do it right away."

Sun Shan then ordered his officials to set up a cordon around the disaster area, strictly prohibiting anyone from entering.

He then hurriedly returned to the government office to handle official business.

A few days later, Xia Dianli, who had gone to the countryside, returned.

Finally, he brought back some good news: "Reporting to the lord, there were no deaths in the villages. One person was injured when he was hit by a tree branch falling on his own door early this morning, but he is not seriously injured."

Sun Shan couldn't help but feel happy.

So he gave the order: "Before the Lunar New Year, send another batch of supplies to the disaster-stricken people."

Xia Dianli quickly replied, "Yes, sir. I will follow up."

Sun Shan added, "The three families of disaster victims who secretly returned home from the city will no longer receive any supplies."

Although their family suffered a death and it was pitiful, they had only themselves to blame. Sun Shan will no longer distribute supplies to these three households.

There must always be consequences for wrongdoing; otherwise, it would be very unfair to law-abiding citizens.

If those who make mistakes are treated the same as ordinary people, wouldn't it be a waste of their mistakes? Wouldn't it be a waste for ordinary people to follow the rules?

In Daqian, Sun Shan was not afraid of public opinion pressure, not afraid of being a saint, and even less afraid of the media misrepresenting facts.

A life for a life, a debt for a debt—these are fundamental principles. Ordinary people possess a simple, clear sense of love and hate, and Sun Shan was no exception.

As expected, Clerk Xia said, "Sir, you did the right thing. These unruly people can't be treated too well, or they'll forget who they are. Your kindness is appreciated, but they don't even appreciate it. Humph, serves them right!"

What Xia Dianli really wanted to say was: "Lord Sun, put away your saintly heart. A bunch of troublemakers, why bother with them? Whether they live or die, suffer or are safe, what business is it of the government? Lord Sun, you can just give them a heads-up, what do you mean by providing supplies and shelter? Bah! These troublemakers aren't worth it!"

Xia Dianli often lamented the pedantic and pedantic nature of Sun Shan, a scholar.

She's too womanly, too concerned with her reputation, and too concerned with saving face.

Hmph! Not exploiting people is already merciful enough, yet they're giving money to troublemakers. Pah! Dream on!

Of course, Xia Dianli would never dare to say these things, for fear that if he did, Sun Shan would find all sorts of reasons to deduct his wages.