Volume 1, Chapter 13: Denied Access

“Hey! Young lady, get up quickly! What are you doing? I... I can’t take this!”

The newly established New China was barely over a decade old, yet the mindset of kowtowing and begging was still deeply ingrained.

“Sir, I have no other way. I only beg you to let me see the county magistrate!”

To be honest, Zhang Da was in a difficult spot.

He was merely a gatekeeper at the county government. The county magistrate addressing him as Brother Zhang was a sign of respect, but respect didn’t mean he had authority over government affairs. For example, even if he felt sorry for someone, he could only wait to be summoned by the magistrate. If he took the initiative to go to the magistrate’s office and beg for favors, that would be overstepping.

But Zhang Da simply couldn’t bear to see others suffer—especially orphans and widows.

So, despite knowing it was improper, he agreed outright.

“Get up, young lady. Let me figure something out. By noon—or no later than tonight—I promise you’ll see Magistrate Gao!”

The word “promise” was weighty and solemn.

Every move Zhang Da made back at the county government was toward fulfilling that promise.

But!

So many people wanted to see the magistrate.

Especially the villagers from Yushan Village—they came in waves.

Zhang Da heard from Liu at the communications office that at first the magistrate was proud of having such a village chief, but as more villagers came, the attitude changed.

“Sir, I’m telling you, the magistrate said if any more villagers from Yushan come, don’t let them in!”

“What? Don’t let them in? But Secretary Gao just said they have free passage!”

“That was then, this is now. Sir, we just follow orders. Whatever the magistrate says, that’s what we do!”

That was how it went.

Originally...

Zhang Da had planned to let Liu Qiaohui slip in with the last group from Yushan.

But now... what to do?

He had already boasted—if this didn’t work out, how could he face Liu Qiaohui after she knelt and begged him?

“Sir! We’re from Yushan Village. We want to see the magistrate!”

“No entry!”

With a loud bang, Zhang Da firmly shut the guardroom door, blocking the villagers outside.

What now?

How could he explain this to Liu Qiaohui?

After much thought, Zhang Da finally came up with a plan.

Forget it!

A desperate measure must be taken.

At nine o’clock at night, the streets were empty, cold winds piercing like needles.

Liu Qiaohui held Ye Ling in her arms, while Xu Gouzi’s hand slipped into his sleeve, walking with a bobbing gait, turning back often, his breath freezing in the air.

“Sir, will this work?”

“It will! What other choice do you have?”

Xu Gouzi was dumbfounded.

At this hour, going to the magistrate’s house—would they even be allowed in?

“This is really inconvenient timing, young lady. I was planning to let you sneak in with the last group of your villagers to see the magistrate, but they won’t allow it now. But if they don’t let you see him, the problem still needs solving. So there’s only this way. I truly care about your matter, but I don’t have great skills. This is the only path. Whether it works depends on your fate!”

Liu Qiaohui knew Zhang Da was her benefactor.

Without him, she wouldn’t even have this chance.

“I understand, sir. I’m already very grateful to you.”

The night was so dark no moonlight was visible. They followed Zhang Da winding through several streets for almost an hour before they reached a house. It looked ordinary but quiet; no one was around, though many kerosene lamps were lit inside, casting a warm glow.

“Young lady, this is the magistrate’s home. I’ll knock to see if he’s in. Remember, when you meet the magistrate, don’t kneel—he hates that. Speak clearly and directly all at once.”

“Okay.”

Although her body should have been frozen stiff, Liu Qiaohui felt like fire was burning inside. Even Ye Ling could sense her rapid heartbeat.

Zhang Da took a deep breath and strode to the door, knocking three times firmly.

The door took some time to open, but it wasn’t the magistrate who appeared—it was Gao Qiming.

Seeing Zhang Da at this late hour clearly surprised him.

“Sir, why are you looking for the magistrate so late?”

He only said this, but his gaze pierced past Zhang Da to the two shadows behind him. Gao Qiming was no fool; he immediately guessed the woman must be Liu Qiaohui.

“Oh, it’s you, Xiao Gao. We have something to discuss with the magistrate.”

“Hmm... something to discuss? Sir, it’s not that I’m refusing you entry. The magistrate has been busy all day. I even followed him home just now! How about this: you wait outside while I check if he’s available?”

“Good, good! Xiao Gao, thank you!”

“Not at all, sir.”

With a bang, the door shut tightly.

The three outside pricked up their ears, listening intently to footsteps inside, pinning all hope on Gao Qiming.

Inside, Gao Qiming lied as soon as he entered, not even mentioning Zhang Da.

“Xiao Gao, who is it so late?”

By kerosene lamp light, Magistrate Gao rubbed his eyes, continuing to study the documents on his desk.

“No one special, just villagers from Yushan!”

Hearing “Yushan villagers,” Gao Gao completely removed his glasses, closed his eyes, and sighed deeply. His voice was tired yet resigned.

“These villagers are really persistent. Fine, it’s so cold and they came all this way. Go tell them I understand their wishes and will visit Yushan Village in a few days to commend their village chief properly. Tell them not to come here anymore. Also, arrange accommodation for them personally and make sure they are treated well!”

Gao Qiming’s response was exactly as expected.

“Alright, magistrate, I’ll arrange it immediately!”

Outside, the three waited anxiously, time dragging like years, until the door slowly cracked open—just enough for Gao Qiming’s head to appear.

“Xiao Gao! What did Magistrate Gao say?”

“Sir, the magistrate said to discuss it tomorrow. You should go back for now.”

“Go back?”

Liu Qiaohui’s face fell completely.

What? Could it be she still wouldn’t see the magistrate this time?

“Alright, sir, I passed on the message. Take care on your way!”

Without giving Zhang Da a chance to speak, Gao Qiming slammed the door shut.

Tears welled in Liu Qiaohui’s eyes, and she truly struggled to hold back.

Zhang Da exchanged a helpless glance with Xu Gouzi; both saw the same confusion and despair.

They had thought of every possible solution.

But...

Without meeting the magistrate, there was nothing they could do!

“Miss, maybe we should go back for now. It’s freezing—adults can endure it, but the child cannot. We’ll discuss with sir again and find another way.”

Xu Gouzi didn’t know what else to say, trying to comfort Liu Qiaohui.

Liu Qiaohui, a rural woman, had risked everything to meet the magistrate for Ye Ling. This was the greatest thing she could do. But now...

Tears slipped down her cheeks. She truly didn’t know what to do.

Yet she was unwilling to give up so easily.

But what else could she do?

Just as she turned to leave, the usually quiet Ye Ling suddenly burst into loud, wailing cries.

The sound was so sharp even Magistrate Gao, bent over his desk, heard it clearly.

“Xiao Gao, did you hear a baby crying?”

Gao Qiming panicked slightly, recalling the infant in Liu Qiaohui’s arms. He frowned tightly.

“No... no, you must have imagined it.”

“Imagined it?”

The next second!

Wails grew louder and more urgent.

Magistrate Gao frowned deeply.

“No, there really is a baby crying. Come on... let’s go see!”