Reborn in 78, I made my fortune by working in the mountains, supporting three families on my own.

Using traps and animal snares in remote, mountainous forests is extremely rare, and accidents are almost never triggered.

But Qingshui Ditch is different; these wild boars have all come to the farmland.

According to Zhang Bohua, Zhao Chenghu was spreading rumors that they had set up animal traps and snares in the farmland.

Zhao Lei immediately sensed something fishy about it.

Zhao Chenghu is trying to frame them!

This matter cannot be ignored; someone has already been injured, and this is a serious crime.

Even if it was unintentional and not explicitly prohibited by law, once the victims believe that it was caused by Zhao Lei and his group, the retaliation and accountability alone can make their lives miserable.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Lei shook his head with the same serious attitude and said sincerely, "Uncle Zhang, these are all rumors spread by these people. We have not used any of these things."

Zhang Bohua looked worried: "Leizi, Dashan, Bowen, and the Wang family boy, I know you are all good kids, but it's no use if only I believe in you."

I went to work early this morning and already heard some people complaining about you. You really need to take this matter seriously and handle it well, otherwise you could get into trouble.

Zhang Bohua gasped again, warning, "I think it's best if you don't go up the mountain. If you do, it will confirm the suspicion and make you even more suspicious."

Qin Bowen, however, became anxious: "How can that be? We've done nothing wrong, and we haven't done anything wrong. Are you going to accuse us of something we didn't do?"

Zhang Bohua pointed at Qin Bowen helplessly: "Tsk, Bowen, you're still too young. You don't understand these intricacies and tricks. In my opinion, it's best not to go up the mountain. Don't get into big trouble for such a small gain."

Zhao Lei ate his meal while lost in thought.

Uncle Zhang is right!

This is no small matter.

If I take the blame for Zhao Chenghu, I'll never be able to clear my name.

We need to think of a way to thwart his underhanded tactics.

But what should we do?

Zhao Lei couldn't make up his mind for the time being, so he could only eat his meal in silence.

Suddenly, what was originally a lively and cheerful lunch turned into a dull and oppressive atmosphere.

After finishing their meal, Qin Dashan and his companions said goodbye to their father-in-law and left in a hurry.

Before leaving, the father-in-law advised again: "Dashan, please don't go up the mountain. Besides, you went up the mountain during the day. If the villagers see you, it will give them more reason to talk."

Aren't you thinking about yourself? You also need to think about Xiuqin and your upcoming second child. If your reputation is ruined, my old in-law's captain position might also be affected. You'd better think this through, child..."

Qin Dashan glanced at Zhao Lei, then nodded emphatically: "Dad, I know what I'm doing. Justice will prevail, and Zhao Chenghu's scheme will not succeed!"

Seeing that Qin Dashan had made up his mind, Zhang Bohua could only sigh resentfully: "Alright, then be careful and watch out for traps on the mountain."

"Okay, Dad, we're leaving."

After saying that, the group left in a hurry.

as predicted.

As Zhang Bohua said, they were seen by many villagers while traveling on the road in Qingshuigou in broad daylight.

Some people recognized Qin Dashan, after all, he was Zhang Bohua's son-in-law and the militia captain of the Heping Brigade, and many people knew him.

Many people doing farm work began to point at the oxcart and whisper among themselves.

Some troublemakers even started hurling insults at them from a distance.

Although we were far apart, I could only vaguely hear what they were cursing, but it must have been very offensive.

Instantly, the good mood of everyone on the oxcart vanished, and they all became sullen.

Wang Zongbao simply increased the frequency of whipping the scalpers, urging them to move quickly away from this troublesome place.

Zhao Lei directed the group toward the foot of Qingfeng Mountain.

Once they were away from the crowd, Qin Bowen couldn't contain himself any longer and cursed, "Damn it! That Zhao Chenghu is really cunning! Are we supposed to take the blame for this?"

Wang Zongbao, young and impetuous, was full of grievances: "Brother Lei, Brother Dashan, what should we do? Someone has already been injured. If this keeps spreading, we might end up in jail."

The thought of spending his prime years in prison, and not yet marrying his beloved Xiao Cui, filled Wang Zongbao with anxiety.

After a long silence, Qin Dashan looked helplessly at Zhao Lei: "Leizi, do you have any ideas? I think my father-in-law is right. This matter seems to be getting out of hand. If it continues to spread like this, our father's position as captain might be affected."

Zhao Lei had unknowingly become the backbone of the group, and when everyone was at a loss, all eyes turned to him.

But Zhao Lei was also feeling bad.

He was the main initiator of this hunting trip to Qingshuigou.

Although Qin Bowen brought the news, he was in charge of everything.

Zhao Lei never expected that Zhao Chenghu would be so cunning as to set a trap for him.

At first, he was a little puzzled as to why Zhao Chenghu was encouraging a large group of people to go up the mountain to hunt wild boars.

At first, Zhao Lei thought that Zhao Chenghu had deliberately let others steal all the prey to retaliate against him, leaving him empty-handed, since he couldn't hunt wild boars himself.

But it seems he oversimplified things.

Seeing the expectant looks in their eyes, Zhao Lei gritted his teeth and muttered, "This Zhao Chenghu is truly a damn cunning man. Let me think about it..."

"This matter is quite tricky; if handled improperly, we'll all be in big trouble."

"Let's go up the mountain first. Ideally, we should find a trap Zhao Chenghu set up and see if he's left any clues or given himself away. If we can find evidence to prove we weren't involved, there's still a chance to salvage the situation."

Zhao Lei's words were like a reassuring pill, giving the three worried people a glimmer of hope.

"That's right, brother-in-law is right! Since it was a trap set by Zhao Chenghu and his men, they would definitely leave clues."

"Yes, yes, Brother Lei's idea is great. If we find evidence, we can clear our names."

Qin Dashan remained silent, but he felt that things were not so simple.

The terrain in the mountains and forests of Qingshuigou was not steep, and Zhao Lei and his group quickly made their way in.

Zhao Lei instructed, "Everyone, split up and search this area to see if there are any traps set by Zhao Chenghu and his men, but don't go too far. Meet up here in about ten minutes."

"good!"

"No problem, brother-in-law!"

"Brother Lei, I hope everything goes smoothly for us, just like you said."

The group split up and acted separately. Not long after, a scream suddenly came from the woods.

"what!"

Zhao Lei, who was searching carefully, was suddenly alarmed: "Oh no! Have they stepped into a trap?"

The thing Zhao Lei least wanted to happen still happened.

If his brothers get into trouble because of him, what if they become disabled? How can he explain this to their families?