Chapter 109: Zhao Gou, the Local Tyrant

“There’s no more. That medicine was still bought at a high price from Ma Changjun, the barefoot doctor from Daohua Village. If you have money, you can go directly to Ma Changjun,” Chief Zhao said frankly without hiding anything.

The ‘Ma Changjun’ he referred to was the very doctor who had been treating Liu Xing’s uncle, Kang Fuchuan, whose roundworm infection was worsening.

Of course, Zhao Gou was unaware of this startling truth.

He scratched his head in frustration. “What Ma Changjun prescribed was completely useless. Just last week, I took my mother to see him! He gave her a bunch of medicines, but they didn’t help at all.”

In truth, recently he had spent a lot of money at Ma Changjun’s place, buying many medications, to the point where he was financially strained. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have had the audacity to come to Chief Zhao for help.

After all, in Laowu Village, he was the only one who openly opposed Chief Zhao.

“That can’t be,” Chief Zhao said with some disbelief.

He knew Ma Changjun’s medical skills.

Though not comparable to doctors in the big city hospitals, Ma was quite adept at treating difficult ailments like rheumatism and bone pain.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have given the used rheumatism medicine to Zhao Gou’s mother.

“If you don’t believe me, you can come to my house and see my mother yourself!” Zhao Gou grew anxious, trying to persuade Chief Zhao. But the next moment, a door opened and someone stood up. “Mom, Mom! Your leg is so swollen, why are you here?”

On the road, an elderly woman with a cane struggled forward.

Her face was pale, and she gasped for breath with every step, clearly enduring great pain.

She was Zhao Gou’s mother, Zhong Ping.

Seeing Zhao Gou so worried about her, a faint smile appeared amid the wrinkles on her face. “I came because I was afraid you wouldn’t speak properly to the village chief. So I came to see for myself.”

Her son had a bad temper and was unpopular in Laowu Village, so she gave this explanation.

“Mom!” Zhao Gou stepped forward to support Zhong Ping.

Liu Xing and Liu Dongju exchanged glances, saying nothing for a moment. But this act of filial piety moved them somewhat. After all, not every son in the countryside treated his mother with such kindness.

“Oh dear!” Chief Zhao hurriedly stood up to greet Zhong Ping. “You’re not well, so don’t trouble yourself. After I eat, I’ll come to your place, alright?”

“It’s nothing, nothing,” Zhong Ping waved her hand with a smile in her eyes. “Besides, this just happens to be mealtime at the Dongkui family. It’s good to join the fun.”

Since Zhong Ping and Zhao Gou were considered members of the Zhao family, Zhao Dongkui and Liu Dongju didn’t just stand by. They quickly brought out a bench for the mother and son to sit down.

Of course, they felt a bit uneasy inside.

After all, Zhao Gou’s reputation in Laowu Village was not good.

The old beggar who hadn’t spoken before now addressed Zhong Ping’s condition: “Your illness is quite serious. The swelling in your legs isn’t caused by rheumatism but is a side effect from taking the wrong medication.”

“Ah?” Zhong Ping looked at the old beggar in surprise.

Zhao Gou was also taken aback. After regaining composure, he asked Chief Zhao, “Who is he?”

Chief Zhao opened his mouth but didn’t know how to answer.

Because, until now, he didn’t even know the old beggar’s name.

“I am Xie Zhongquan. I’ve studied medicine under my master since I was seven. I won’t misdiagnose your mother’s illness,” the old beggar replied in a low voice.

“What proof do you have?” Zhao Gou still doubted.

Chief Zhao was skeptical as well.

After all, he knew Ma Changjun’s abilities; it was unlikely Ma would prescribe the wrong medication without reason. If exposed, Ma’s career would be over.

“Proof?” Xie Zhongquan stroked his beard and replied, “If you don’t believe me, press on your mother’s abdomen, about three inches below the navel.”

“Um…” Zhao Gou hesitated and looked at Zhong Ping.

“Go ahead,” Zhong Ping said softly, seeing that Xie Zhongquan appeared sincere and not one to seek attention.

Zhao Gou immediately complied, gently pressing his mother’s abdomen.

At first, Zhong Ping still smiled, but suddenly her face turned pale, and cold sweat appeared on her forehead.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Zhao Gou asked with concern.

Zhong Ping tried to answer but then blacked out and collapsed backward.

“Mom!” Zhao Gou quickly caught her, then looked at Xie Zhongquan in horror, tears welling in his eyes. “Please, save her! Hurry!”

A man may seldom shed tears, but only because he has yet to reach the depths of sorrow.

Everyone present was moved by Zhao Gou’s desperation.

Xie Zhongquan felt touched too. Stroking his beard, he sighed and said, “I can’t save your mother. I have no medical supplies. If you truly care for her safety, take her to a big hospital in the city as soon as possible. And if you can, have them check the medication Ma Changjun gave her.”

He wasn’t shirking responsibility but was genuinely concerned for Zhong Ping’s life.

Of course, it was also the truth: without any medical equipment at hand, no matter how skilled, he was powerless.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gou hurriedly lifted Zhong Ping on his back and left.

Zhao Liang, seeing nightfall approaching, quickly caught up and suggested, “Brother, you should ride a bike and carry your mother to the city. How long do you plan to walk?”

“Yes! You’re right! I’ll ride the bike to the city,” Zhao Gou said gratefully, patting Zhao Liang’s shoulder. Carrying Zhong Ping, he returned. “Dongkui, can I borrow your bicycle?”

“Sure, sure!” Zhao Dongkui hurried to the backyard, pushed out the bicycle, and immediately helped strap the unconscious Zhong Ping onto Zhao Gou’s back.

Calling a tractor now would only delay treatment.

Using the bicycle was better.

The market road leads straight to the city, taking about half an hour if fast.

Liu Xing, knowing Zhao Gou was a loyal follower of Xie Shitou, and moved by compassion and a sense of righteousness, took out thirty yuan and handed it to Zhao Gou. “Take this. If it’s not enough, find a way to get more.”

He hadn’t planned to do this, but seeing Zhao Gou’s filial devotion changed his mind.

He also knew Zhao Gou didn’t have much money, or he wouldn’t always take his mother to barefoot doctors in Zhangmu Township.

“Thanks a lot!” Zhao Gou was deeply moved. After hugging Liu Xing, he mounted the bike and sped off, disappearing from the market in the blink of an eye.

Everyone watched Zhao Gou leave in silence.

Only when they heard Guazi and Little Dot chewing on ribs did they realize dinner hadn’t started.

“Stop staring. Eat first, then talk,” Chief Zhao said with a sigh, breaking the silence as he picked up his chopsticks.

“Right, let’s eat,” Liu Xing said, picking up his chopsticks and offering a piece of braised pork to the little beggar Lanlan. Seeing Xie Zhongquan’s faint smile, he gave him a piece as well. “I think you shouldn’t go to your relatives just yet. Let’s wait for Zhao Gou to come back first.”

“Good idea,” Chief Zhao nodded in agreement. “If you leave now, you might cause trouble for us. After all, you’re the one who said Zhao Gou’s mother took the wrong medicine. You should take responsibility for what you said.”

“Alright,” Xie Zhongquan nodded slowly.

Since things had come this far, he naturally wouldn’t leave.

No matter how fierce the storm, he had seen worse before his fall and wasn’t afraid of small troubles now.

“Alright then, let’s eat,” Chief Zhao smiled.

Liu Xing didn’t say more and began eating quietly.

…

As dusk fell, those helping with the chores finished their meals, packed up their tools, and went home.

Noticing Zhao Dongkui’s house didn’t have room for Xie Zhongquan and his grandson Lanlan, Chief Zhao suggested they sleep at his place.

His son and daughter-in-law were away, and he had several empty rooms.

Xie Zhongquan initially didn’t want to trouble Chief Zhao, but seeing Lanlan playing happily with Zhao Jing, laughing and chatting, he nodded in agreement.

No matter how hard things were, he wouldn’t distress his granddaughter.

Chief Zhao, seeing Xie Zhongquan’s consent, stood and bid farewell to Liu Xing.

Zhao Jing held Lanlan’s hand, skipping happily behind.

Xie Zhongquan didn’t leave immediately but whispered a few words to Liu Xing before catching up with Chief Zhao.

“Brother, what did that old beggar say to you just now?” Liu Dongju asked curiously.

Zhao Dongkui was curious too and listened intently.

“He said Zhao Gou’s mother is not in mortal danger, so don’t worry too much,” Liu Xing answered honestly. “But that barefoot doctor Ma Changjun is definitely problematic.”

“Ma Changjun certainly has issues,” Liu Dongju nodded slowly.

“Enough talking. Let’s clean up. We still have to feed the pigs!” Zhao Dongkui sighed and took a stack of bowls into the kitchen, clearly not wanting to dwell on the topic.

Liu Xing saw his brother-in-law’s feelings but didn’t expose them. Instead, he took Guazi and Little Dot into the backyard to draw the house plans needed for the next day.

Actually, Zhao Gou’s visit today, Zhong Ping’s accident, and Xie Zhongquan’s intervention had somewhat altered his plans.

He never imagined Ma Changjun would still be exploiting his medical skills to deceive and profit unscrupulously.

Moreover, this time it was different. Last time, his uncle, living in Daohua Village, hesitated to report Ma Changjun.

But this time, the victim was Zhao Gou—a local tyrant and the unruly demon king of Laowu Village, whom many avoided.

If they found out Ma Changjun truly harmed his mother, a bloody scene would likely ensue.

But none of this was within his control anymore.

From the moment Ma Changjun decided to exploit his medical skills for ill-gotten gain, his fate was sealed—to be beaten to death.

…