After hearing Gao Yiye’s relayed account, Thirty-Two suddenly understood the Deity’s meaning. “The labor offenders truly need some motivation. Initially, they were content with just having enough to eat. But after the short-term workers arrived—who not only ate their fill but also earned wages—the labor offenders began to feel somewhat…”
Li Daoxuan chuckled inwardly. Somewhat like they were slacking off, right? Too bad the Ming Dynasty doesn’t have a phrase for ‘slacking off.’ You can’t articulate it. Ha ha ha.
Just as this thought crossed his mind, he saw Thirty-Two adopt his signature expression and exclaim dramatically, “【Embracing poverty while holding onto morality!】”
Li Daoxuan startled. Oh heavens! An expression of shock. They actually describe it that way? So ancient people already coined an idiom for ‘slacking off.’ Shame on me, an ignoramus! I’ve failed our ancestors. I must study more from now on, reviving the wisdom lost by past sages.
Thirty-Two declared, “I grasp the Deity’s intent. I already have an idea how to proceed. I will handle this matter flawlessly at once.”
Gao Yiye suddenly whispered, “Let me tell you secretly—the Deity’s expression looked sorrowful.”
Gao Yiye added: “Right after you said those four words—‘embracing poverty while holding onto morality’—the Deity’s expression instantly darkened. There seemed to be a profound sorrow, a sense of deep regret.”
Thirty-Two’s expression turned grave. “I understand. The Deity grieves for mankind and cannot bear to see anyone lose hope. That is why the phrase ‘embracing poverty while holding onto morality’ saddened him. Having received the Deity’s immense grace, I must repay it by exerting myself here to assist. Leave the labor offenders to me for reassurance. I will ensure the Deity doesn’t remain troubled.”
Thirty-Two felt revitalized, his motivation surging. This incident had saddened the Deity! As the Deity’s foremost associate, he must summon every ounce of skill today to restore the Deity’s smile.
“Tan Liwen!” Thirty-Two raised his voice and called out, “Gather all attendants! Summon every labor offender! This Steward will hold an assembly!”
Tan Liwen’s voice responded from next door, “Just a moment, Dong Weng! I’ll do it immediately!”
After a short while, Thirty-Two arrived in the Labor Offenders Village with Clerk Tan Liwen and a group of over thirty attendants.
Early in the morning, the villagers had just risen and finished breakfast, preparing to start working.
Thirty-Two shouted with authority, “All labor offenders gather! An important announcement will be made!”
This shout electrified the offenders. After months of labor rehabilitation at Gaojia Village, they’d never gotten more than a cursory glance. Thirty-Two and Tan Liwen occasionally appeared to bark orders like “Chop trees today!” “Make furniture!” “Get someone to cut bamboo!” before leaving abruptly.
But today—an assembly?
Amidst growing murmurs, the offenders crowded around. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ NovelHub(.)net
Li Daoxuan had forgotten the appearance of the five newly arrived labor offenders, but Thirty-Two remembered. He extended a finger toward the crowd: “You, you, and you… you five. Step forward!”
The five, unexpectedly named, were baffled and scared. Nervously emerging, their faces etched with confusion, they feared some misconduct. Thankfully, Steward Thirty-Two always remained approachable and wasn’t a ruthless tyrant, easing their anxiety.
Thirty-Two spoke deliberately gently, “You five have undergone three months of labor rehabilitation. Is that so?”
The five hastily replied, “Yes!”
Thirty-Two asked, “Have you understood your errors?”
Firmly, they responded, “Yes! When we first arrived at Gaojia Village, unaware this belonged to a kind-hearted family, we attacked people with sticks, ransacked food, and committed serious crimes. Thanks to the Deity’s mercy and the kindness of Gaojia Villagers, who let us stay and fed us for three months… We’ve realized our folly. We never should have assaulted others and stolen. We now understand: enter any village obediently and just work honestly, and food would be provided.”
Thirty-Two nodded: “Good! Since you’ve repented. By the Deity’s order: having committed three months of labor rehabilitation, you have atoned for your crimes. Henceforth, your identities as labor offenders are revoked! You are restored as free people!”
Shocked into momentary silence, the five men then leaped for joy.
“Restored? Meaning… from now on, we get lodging, food, and wages?”
Thirty-Two smiled, “Correct. You’ll earn wages.”
Simultaneously, they jumped, overcome by elation and grabbing their fellows in abrupt embraces.
Thirty-Two declared, “Accommodations are arranged for you in Short-term Workers Village. Move there starting today. From here onward, choose your tasks freely—what labor to undertake or how much wages to earn—that is yours to decide.”
Cheering and jumping, the five were escorted by attendants out of the grounds to Short-term Workers Village.
Left behind were nearly two hundred offenders—the remnants under Zhong Guangdao and Zheng Yanfu who’d once attacked Gaojia Village.
Watching the five “released from sentence” depart victoriously, their eyes turned green with envy.
Thirty-Two faced them: “You envy them?”
The group fell silent until, after a long pause, Zhong Gaoliang said: “Yes! Deathly so! Steward Thirty-Two… When will… the rest of us become free?”
Thirty-Two stated somberly, “Your crimes are far graver. When you stormed Gaojia Village, you intended to slaughter everyone and plunder every grain.”
Nearly two hundred heads bowed ashamed.
Zhong Gaoliang hurriedly explained, “Steward Thirty-Two, that’s a misunderstanding! We never meant to kill off the whole village! Second Leader Zheng and Third Leader Zhong claimed this village hosted a very wealthy lord. We’d seize his grain and money, then enlist the villagers to revolt… That’s what they preached. That’s why I joined the assault!”
Thirty-Two retorted, “And Wang Er? What of your betrayal? Did loyalty mean nothing then?”
More hung their heads in renewed shame.
Zhong Gaoliang’s cheeks reddened, hand clenched: “Zheng and Zhong deceived us! They said Brother Wang had been bought off by the rich. But only after living here days did I realize: no wealthy lord existed. Instead… a benevolent Deity! Villagers like ourselves! All food and coin came from Heaven’s blessings! I deeply regret it now—truly do…”
Shame spread across every offender’s face. None could lift their gaze.
Li Daoxuan internalized: Just like Wang Er said—
So this is how one gets “shamed alive on the spot.”