Gan Fanren could not help but grit his teeth.
If everyone had been willing to give a bit more money and pooled together twenty or thirty taels of silver, they all could have left safely.
But every one of these people thought the bandits were fools. They believed the bandits wouldn’t search their bundles and that it didn’t matter if they gave less.
They were playing the bandits for fools.
Now that the bandits were angry, this matter likely wouldn’t end well.
Gan Tian couldn’t help but curse in her mind as well.
【These people are truly too stupid. They always think they’re the smartest people in the world. Now look what happened—no one’s going to have a good time.】
【I’m not afraid of a god-like opponent, but I am terrified of pig-like teammates. These idiots are really driving me crazy!】
The bandits reached the Gan Family.
They searched thoroughly, and upon seeing the dried vegetables and meat preserved by the Gan Family, they couldn’t help but sneer.
“You lot prepared quite thoroughly. You seem pretty well-off.”
Gan Fanren gave a placating smile.
“All our silver was used to trade for these dry rations. We truly have no silver left on us.”
What was most expensive in these times?
Naturally, it was meat and books.
Books were very expensive, and the Shuxiu for schools wasn’t cheap either; ordinary families simply couldn’t afford to support a scholar.
The Gan Family’s books filled half a cart. They looked like a scholarly family, not a wealthy one.
They had just handed over five taels of silver scraps, and those scraps looked so pitiful that it seemed they truly had no extra money left.
The bandits did a simple check and intended to let the Gan Family go.
Unexpectedly, the old woman who had previously borrowed money from the Gan Family cried out at the top of her lungs.
“Don’t steal our money! That’s our family’s entire livelihood! How will my family survive without that money?”
“We are so poor, why rob us? Go rob the Gan Family!”
“That Gan Family has plenty of money! They were even selling Sixi Wanzi before!”
The Second-in-Command narrowed his eyes dangerously. “My men checked carefully. Aside from some food, they don’t have a single cent left on them.”
“If you dare lie to me, I’ll snatch your grandson and boil him for a meal!”
“I’ll castrate your son and ensure your family line ends here!”
Only then did the old woman realize she had misspoken.
If she couldn’t help the bandits find the Gan Family’s silver, then her entire family would suffer.
Beads of sweat the size of soy beans rolled down her forehead.
She tried desperately to remember where the Gan Family’s valuables were.
Finally, a flash of inspiration hit her, and she shouted loudly, “I know, I know! I saw them put all the silver inside the baby’s swaddling cloth!”
If she hadn’t been constantly watching the Gan Family, she never would have discovered this.
If one hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, who would ever think to hide money in a child’s swaddle!
Thinking she had saved her family, she looked at them excitedly.
She didn’t give a single thought to what kind of fate the Gan Family she had betrayed would face.
Gan Tian felt the arms holding her tighten.
She blew a bubble and babbled “aba aba” to comfort her mother.
【Mother, don’t be afraid. Nothing will happen.】
Gan Tian kept wiggling inside the swaddle, though it was unclear what she was doing.
Hui Niang thought Gan Tian was scared, so she held her daughter even tighter, her hands constantly patting Gan Tian’s back.
“It’s okay, Tian’er. Don’t be afraid. Mommy’s here.”
Hui Niang’s eyes stung. Her daughter was clearly terrified yet still trying to comfort her; as a mother, she couldn’t let her daughter outshine her.
Though she was terrified, her back remained ramrod straight.
Fearing they might encounter bandits, the entire family had smeared dirt on their faces during the journey.
Under the cover of that grime, she hid her fear and reached one hand into the bundle she carried.
Inside was a bottle of chili water.
If anyone dared to hurt her Tian’er, she would not hesitate to pull it out.
The bandits pressed closer step by step.
Gan Fanren stood in front of Hui Niang, lowering his voice and trying his best to look submissive.
“Great masters, I know that although you were forced by circumstances to become outlaws, you are all definitely heroes who would never easily harm people. I have heartfelt admiration for all of you, which is why I hid nothing.”
“Great masters, you must not easily believe the provocations of a villain.”
Gan Fanren knew very well that he had placed his entire fortune in Gan Tian’s swaddle.
If the swaddle was opened, the silver would surely be seen.
When that happened, not only would the money be gone, but they would also be beaten.
Beside them, Li Zhi clenched his fists, his bright black eyes staring fixedly at the bandits.
If the bandits made a move, he would surely pounce.
Gan Fanren was a scholar, handsome and refined. As he flattered the bandits, he showed no sign of deceit, appearing as if he truly admired them.
The bandits were used to being cursed at; when had they ever been looked at with such admiration?
For a moment, they hesitated.
When it came to giving money earlier, this scholar had given the most.
The scholar even had a look of respectful admiration and had advised others to hand over their money obediently. At a glance, he seemed to genuinely respect them.
How could such a sensible scholar play tricks on them?
Let alone the ordinary bandits, even the Second-in-Command hesitated.
This was the first time in his life he had been praised as a hero!
The old woman couldn’t take it anymore and lunged directly in front of the Gan Family.
“I’ll do it!”
For the safety of her son and grandson, she seemed to possess endless strength. Ignoring the Gan Family’s attempts to stop her, she yanked open Gan Tian’s swaddle.
All she was met with was a face full of baby urine courtesy of Gan Tian.
Gan Tian had actually torn open her diaper.
【Bad woman, accept my urine-bomb attack!】
【Hehe, does my baby pee have enough kick? Let me ask you, is it yellow enough?】
Gan Tian couldn’t help but giggle, then spat vigorously at the old woman.
【If I had known you were like this, I would have fed those two pancakes to a dog rather than give them to you.】
Gan Tian’s behavior was utterly improper, but it was strangely satisfying.
Gan Fanren didn’t stop her, watching coldly as the old woman was drenched in baby urine.
The old woman looked at the empty swaddle and screamed.
“Impossible! I saw you hide the silver in the swaddle with my own eyes! It’s impossible for it not to be there!”
“You hid it from the start! Quick, hand over the money!”
If the money wasn’t found, her son and grandson would be in danger.
If she had known this would happen, she wouldn’t have dragged the Gan Family into this earlier.
The old woman was now filled with regret.
If she hadn’t dragged the Gan Family down out of spite when her own valuables were stolen, things wouldn’t be this way.
Now that the Gan Family’s money couldn’t be found, what would happen to her son and grandson!
Panic-stricken, the old woman knelt before Gan Fanren.
“I beg of you, please take the money out, or my son and grandson will be doomed.”
“Consider it my plea to you, please take the money out.”
Gan Fanren listened to his daughter’s inner voice, his expression cold.
【Close call, close call. Luckily I have the Xitong, otherwise there would have been nowhere to hide this money.】
That day when the old woman came to borrow money, although he had scolded her, he had still given her two pancakes.
He never imagined that the old woman would harm him for no reason at all!