Chapter 380: Chapter 380: Bounty Chapter 380: Chapter 380: Bounty Big Bull glanced at it and said, “Those scars on the tiger’s body were chopped by my wife.”
The county magistrate looked up at him puzzled, “Your wife? Wasn’t it you who killed this tiger?”
“This… what exactly happened?” The county magistrate straightened up, looking at them confusedly.
The village head, who knew the whole story, quickly explained the incident to the county magistrate, then pointed at Xuexue and introduced her, saying, “The wife he mentioned is this young lady.”
The county magistrate listened in bafflement, glancing between Xuexue and Big Bull, thinking to himself that this hunter, in order to avenge his fiancee, had dared to go up the mountain alone to fight such a ferocious tiger. It seemed he was no ordinary man. At that moment, his face brightened with a radiant smile, and he immediately called to his Advisor to fetch a silver note of 10,000 taels.
As if already prepared, the Advisor quickly came in from outside with a tray, on which lay a thick stack of silver notes and a small book, next to which was a small bottle of something red, resembling cinnabar. He walked up to the county magistrate and presented it with a bow, “My lord.”
The county magistrate first picked up a small book from the tray and told them, “According to the rules of Moli Country, whoever kills a tiger must sign their name, press their fingerprints, and the village head, as a witness, must also press his fingerprints to prove that they have received the reward.”
After explaining, the county magistrate asked the village head and Big Bull to press their fingerprints on the small book.
Thinking that Big Bull could not write, the village head finished signing his own name and then said to the county magistrate, “County magistrate, most people in our village are farmers, and not many villagers can read or write. Why don’t I sign on behalf of Big Bull, if that’s acceptable to you?”
Indeed, education was expensive, and not every wealthy family could afford to educate someone.
“Alright,” the county magistrate nodded in understanding.
The village head took a big swipe and signed on behalf of Big Bull.
The county magistrate then reached into the tray, picked up a thick stack of silver notes, and handed it to Big Bull, “This is your reward for killing the tiger, a full 10,000 taels! Count it.”
Without even looking, Big Bull took the silver notes and handed them to Xuexue, “Wife, take care of this.”
Xuexue, without any hesitation, took it and began counting openly, “One hundred, two hundred, three hundred, four hundred….”
Watching Xuexue count with such concentration, the village head grew silently anxious, thinking that Xuexue was too thoughtless. She couldn’t even trust the county magistrate and had to count the silver notes in public. He resolved to have a serious talk with her later.
The Advisor’s expression visibly soured, and he took a step forward, about to say something, but was stopped by the county magistrate, who gently shook his head, indicating for him to keep quiet.
“My lord, look at her….” The Advisor struggled, thinking to himself how bumpkins will be bumpkins, not even trusting the lord, wondering what had gotten into the lord today to actually give 10,000 taels in silver notes to these country folk.
“No problem, no problem! It is indeed necessary to count the money in person,” the county magistrate said, smiling broadly.
Hearing this, the village head’s heart finally settled a bit, thinking that the county magistrate truly was a good official of Jingshan Town, genuinely empathizing with them, the farmers.
While everyone’s mood varied, Xuexue had already finished counting the silver notes, swiftly stuffing them into her sleeve and stating, “It’s the right amount.”