Xu Zhen moved on to the third student.
The third student was also hesitant at first but, under Xu Zhen's gaze, quietly shared a different story, saying he heard a high-ranking official was visiting, so everyone wore conical hats to prepare for the visit.
Xu Zhen found these accounts strange.
So many students asked the farmers what was happening, yet no one mentioned anything about grain?
She had intended to use this question to gauge their understanding of grain prices and the people's livelihood.
Instead, these findings seemed more like community gossip. It was peculiar that three students each had different answers.
Xu Zhen asked the fourth student.
This was the Class B student.
Proud and ambitious, he held himself to high standards, even though he looked down on Xu Zhen's assignments. Nevertheless, he completed the task earnestly.
He explained, "The first three students were partly right. It started with unequal land distribution and a fight between in-laws. Then someone tried to mediate, and the county deputy got involved, so now everyone is waiting."
The cause of the conflict was that the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law lived together. The mother-in-law lost a valuable piece of jewelry and accused the daughter-in-law of theft, demanding five acres of land as compensation.
Under the current land distribution system, men received twenty acres, women ten. The daughter-in-law had ten acres, giving half to her husband's family and keeping the other half for her parents.
The mother-in-law seemed intent on claiming the remaining five acres.
Xu Zhen was surprised, "That's quite a twist."
The Class B student frowned, "Teacher, you mean you didn't know about this?"
Xu Zhen shook her head, "Of course not, that's why I sent you to ask."
Feeling deceived, the Class B student was too angry to speak, believing the teacher to be utterly useless.
Only Li Sanlang came over to praise Xu Zhen, saying she was clever to use this method to show them how the county deputy governed.
Xu Zhen humbly replied, "Oh, it was just luck that we ran into the deputy. I didn't plan for him to come."
Li Sanlang excitedly asked, "Are we going to watch the deputy resolve the case?"
Xu Zhen thought it was a good idea and led the students to meet the deputy.
The summer heat attracted mosquitoes, and the group was dizzy and sweaty under the scorching sun, less comfortable than those wearing conical hats.
Xu Zhen's mouth was dry.
A girl in a pink dress who had previously discussed the Three Kingdoms with her approached Xu Zhen, "Teacher, how do you think this case will be judged?"
Xu Zhen, feeling faint, asked, "What?"
The girl repeated, "Since it's about unequal land distribution, the deputy will likely redistribute it. Who do you think should get the land?"
Chapter 16: Sixteen Treasures ?
Start from the beginning
