“I will expel them from the clan genealogy book! No one is allowed to plead for mercy!” he announced in a deep voice as he scanned the families sternly.
“You lot better do Jiuyue’s chores well. Follow what the Junior Officer says, and do whatever Jiuyue tells you to. If you don’t help Jiuyue chop the firewood, I’ll chase all of you out to the straw shed outside the village!
“If you perform well, I may consider allowing you to return to the clan genealogy book in the future. Otherwise… Hmph!”
His threats were made clear—if they wanted to continue living in the village, they had to stop causing trouble.
They gasped. They were already planning to do slipshod work.
However, they did not dare to do so after the Chief said that. Nobody wanted to be chased out to live in the straw shed outside the village because people who had contracted the disease lived there.
After some thought, they decided it was not too bad. Although the Chief had decided to expel them from the clan genealogy book, they could still be re-registered in the future. At most, they would have to spend some money for that.
Chopping firewood for a straw shed was no big deal too. They were used to working in the fields. How could they not know how to chop firewood? If they worked together, they could fill a small straw shed with firewood in less than two days.
After it was decided, everyone dragged the exhausted men home as it was nighttime. An Gouzi glared at An Jiuyue fiercely as he walked by her.
After walking far away, her turned around and cursed behind him, “Just you wait!”
He was mainly saying it to vent his anger. It would be different if he had to face An Jiuyue.
“Dear, are you really going to chop firewood for An Jiuyue tomorrow?” Mrs. Jin asked in a hushed voice.
“Pui!” An Gouzi spat.
I don’t want to do anything for An Jiuyue! I want to wring her neck! Chop firewood for her? How about I chop her!
Whoever wants to go tomorrow can suit themselves. I’m not the only one expelled from the clan genealogy book anyway. We’ll have to spend money if we want to re-register ourselves in the genealogy book in the future. Why do I have to work?
I don’t believe the Chief and the Junior Officer will really chase us to the straw shed either! I’m sure the Chief and the Junior Officer don’t have the guts to send healthy people to live with the infected.
They will be in big trouble if outsiders discover this! Don’t think I don’t know anything!
“Who is she? How does she deserve me working for her?”
There was a look in Mrs. Jin’s eyes.
She wanted to say that since An Jiuyue had already said that, she would definitely find a way to get An Gouzi to go up the mountain and chop firewood for her.
However, she knew An Gouzi would definitely scold her and even hit her if she said that out loud.
She dismissed the thought and decided not to mention it.
Let’s think about tomorrow tomorrow. I’m not the one chopping firewood anyway.
…
Early the next day, An Feng and the others came up the mountain with their machetes and axes as the Chief and the Junior Officer had instructed.
However, An Gouzi was the only one missing.
“Jiuyue, Brother Dog is seriously injured and can’t get out of bed. We’ll help out with his portion of the work,” An Hao said with an awkward smile.