Prime Minister

Chapter 142, Section 141: [The Surge]

July 15th, the nineteenth year of Taihe.

The calendar says, "When the eagle begins to soar."

Just after 3:45 AM, Xue Huai had already gotten up, dressed, and washed.

Li Shun brought breakfast over with his men: rice porridge, crispy sesame cakes, pickled vegetables, and salted duck eggs—no different from the meals of other officials.

Xue Huai invited Li Shun and Jiang Sheng to sit down and have a meal. The two did not refuse. During this period, they had followed Xue Huai all over Xinghua County and often ate and slept together, so they could not be too particular about etiquette.

There was no rule about not speaking while eating or sleeping here. Xue Huai took a bite of the sesame seed cake, swallowed it, and looked at Jiang Sheng, asking, "How has the situation been in the county these past two days?"

Jiang Sheng said, "Young Master, according to the information sent by the Shen family's experts, the specific situation is almost exactly as you predicted."

Xue Huai nodded slightly.

Li Shun is now in charge of Xue Huai's food, clothing, housing and transportation. He gradually understands that his young master is different from many officials outside. Therefore, he dares to speak out. At this moment, he can't help but frown and say: "How can this Magistrate Luo have such a big audacity? He actually dares to deceive his superiors and subordinates so blatantly."

Xue Huai remained noncommittal, saying calmly, "Jiang Sheng, what do you think?"

During this time, Jiang Sheng could feel that Xue Huai valued him highly, no longer just treating him as a guard to watch over the house. He would entrust him with some confidential matters, which clearly showed that he had high expectations for him.

Jiang Sheng knew he wasn't exceptionally intelligent, but he had one outstanding strength: once he chose a benefactor, he remained steadfast and unwavering in his loyalty.

Previously, he was just an ordinary guard in the princess's mansion. Even though his martial arts skills were excellent, he could not enter Jiang Li's inner circle because of his poor background. She obviously trusted her subordinates who had followed her for many years and came from prominent families more. Now that he was by Xue Huai's side, Jiang Sheng quickly experienced what it felt like to be trusted and valued.

As the saying goes, "A scholar will die for one who understands him." Jiang Sheng couldn't articulate those grand principles, so he could only study hard to repay Xue Huai's kindness.

Upon hearing Xue Huai's question, he thought for a moment and said, "Young Master, Magistrate Luo must have committed too many illegal acts over the years. He knows that he can't get your forgiveness no matter what, so he resorted to such a risky method."

Li Shun interjected, "Then why doesn't the young master just arrest and punish Magistrate Luo? Although the county government's accounts and records seem flawless, Wang Jingli and others are seasoned officials with sharp eyes, and the people of this county have long harbored resentment towards Magistrate Luo. If only the young master treated the Hu family the same way he did in Qingshan Town..."

Looking at Xue Huai's calm face, Jiang Sheng mustered his courage and said, "Young Master probably doesn't just want to deal with Magistrate Luo alone."

Xue Huai immediately became interested. He picked up a handkerchief to wipe his mouth and smiled, "Go on."

Jiang Sheng pondered for a moment and said, "Magistrate Luo has been entrenched in this place for many years, but even if he and the county officials have long been in cahoots, he wouldn't dare to target the prefectural magistrate unless he has someone supporting him. Judging from the current situation, the entire Xinghua County is like boiling water, and it would be difficult for Magistrate Luo to do it alone. There must be many people stirring things up in the dark."

Xue Huai then asked, "Who do you think it could be?"

Meeting his encouraging gaze, Jiang Sheng said, "At least there are the Salt Transport Bureau, the local powerful families, and the officials of the government office."

Li Shun suddenly realized, "I understand now. Young Master is not only dealing with Magistrate Luo, but also with the people behind the scenes, which is why he is temporarily playing along with him."

Xue Huai smiled, quite satisfied with Jiang Sheng's growth rate.

Of course, what he wanted to do was more than what they said. In addition to cleaning up the entire Xinghua County government and getting hold of the instigators behind it, he also wanted to appease the resentment and anger in the hearts of the people of Xinghua as soon as possible. Since Luo Tong was willing to help him set up this stage, he didn't mind taking the opportunity to put on a grand show.

The three had just finished breakfast when a clerk rushed in and reported, "Your Excellency, something has happened!"

Xue Huai looked up and asked, "What is it?"

The clerk quickly said, "It is said that a conflict broke out between the clerk in charge of conscripting laborers and the people in the suburban villages, resulting in a death. Hundreds of people are carrying the dead body outside and demanding... demanding that Your Excellency give them an explanation."

Li Shun found it absurd and said coldly, "The county government is responsible for conscripting laborers. Even if something goes wrong, it's the fault of the county clerks. Why don't they go to the neighboring county government to appeal?"

The clerk was unsure how to answer, so Xue Huai stood up and said, "Let's go take a look."

Jiang Sheng took his sword and followed Xue Huai with steady steps.

Although he had known Xue Huai's arrangements in advance, he still reminded himself that no matter how dangerous and unpredictable the situation was, he would risk his life to ensure that Xue Huai did not harm a single hair on his head.

A moment later, outside the courtyard gate.

More than ten yamen runners, armed with waist knives, blocked the way below the steps. Opposite them was a large group of people dressed in mourning clothes, their expressions filled with grief. What was most alarming was that several people in the middle were carrying a wooden plank, on which a corpse was covered with a white cloth.

Xue Huai led Wang Gui and the others up the steps, and everyone's expressions were somewhat solemn.

Having served as officials for many years and weathered many storms, they knew that the most difficult situation was the current one. Public anger was no joke, and if the situation could not be quelled smoothly, the court would definitely hold them accountable.

Wang Gui forced himself to calm down, and after observing for a moment, he leaned closer to Xue Huai and said, "Your Excellency, something's not right. These people don't seem to be poor. Judging from their appearance and demeanor, they're certainly not the type who can't afford to eat." Xue Huai turned to look at him and nodded, "You're very observant."

Wang Gui was greatly excited and whispered, "Your Excellency, please be careful."

"Ah."

Xue Huai responded and then stepped forward, saying loudly, "I am Xue Huai, currently the Assistant Magistrate of Yangzhou. May I ask what brings you fellow villagers here?"

After a brief silence, a tall, middle-aged man bowed and said, “Lord Xue, I am Cheng Zixuan, from Chengjia Village on the outskirts of the city. Yesterday evening, officials came to Chengjia Village to collect corvée labor and had a conflict with my uncle. During the struggle, my uncle fell and died at dawn this day! Lord Xue, I have heard that you love the people like your own children and are incorruptible. Why do you have to cause such hardship and waste money when you come to Xinghua County? Are the lives of us common people just tools for your promotion and wealth?”

These words sounded like slander to the officials in the government office, but the anger of the people was quickly ignited, and they surged forward uncontrollably.

"Stop!"

Jiang Sheng shouted sharply, but did not rashly draw his sword to further escalate the conflict.

The crowd quieted down, and Xue Huai looked at Cheng Zixuan, whose face was full of grief and indignation, and said calmly, "Fellow villagers, I have only just learned of this matter myself. Please calm down and allow me to find out the truth."

Just then, a group of people from the county government rushed over, as if they had only just received the news.

Magistrate Luo Tong, who was running at the front, was panting heavily and waved his hand repeatedly, saying, "Everyone, don't be impulsive! Don't act recklessly!"

Upon approaching, he hastily bowed to Xue Huai and said, "Your Excellency, I just learned of this matter and immediately inquired about the details, bringing the relevant individuals here."

Looking at the magistrate's seemingly overworked face, Xue Huai said calmly, "Magistrate Luo, who did you send to Chengjia Village on the outskirts of the city yesterday?"

Luo Tong turned around and pointed at Shi Daban, a constable from the county's fast-track yamen, saying with exasperation, "It's this man! Shi Daban, what exactly did you do yesterday? Confess now!"

Shi Daban timidly approached the steps, and the crowd of people immediately stared at him with eyes blazing with fury.

"I didn't do anything!"

As if provoked by the gazes of the crowd, Shi Daban shouted at the top of his lungs, "Lord Xue ordered us to conscript laborers, so I went to Chengjia Village to preach. The old man came up and started cursing Lord Xue. I couldn't stand it and argued with him for a few words, but then he fell down! Lord Xue, I'm innocent! I was just following your orders!"

"Master Xue!"

Cheng Zixuan ignored Shi Daban and glared at Xue Huai, saying, "Do you know how much suffering the people of Xinghua County have endured? As soon as you arrived, you started a massive construction project that wasted money and manpower. This year's corvée labor is more than ten times harsher than in previous years. It's clear you don't want us to live!"

"Yes! They won't let us live!"

"We won't do it!"

"We're going to die anyway, so let's die here today!"

Amidst the commotion, Luo Tong's voice rang out at the opportune moment: "Fellow villagers, please don't be impulsive. The esteemed magistrate is undertaking this water conservancy project for everyone's benefit!"

"Who knows if he's just trying to advance his career and gain political achievements! In previous years, even when repairing the dikes and dredging the mud, he wasn't this ruthless, forcing us to the brink of starvation!"

Shouts from the crowd quickly drowned out Luo Tong's appeals. The people surged forward. If Xue Huai hadn't brought over a dozen experienced fighters from Shen Qingluan, Jiang Sheng and his group, along with fifteen yamen runners, would have had a hard time stopping these hundred-odd people who seemed to have lost their minds.

Luo Tong was secretly delighted. Liu Song's plan was indeed excellent. Although the situation in Xinghua County had reached a critical point, it was crucial to decide who would ignite the fire. If not properly controlled, ordinary people might be neutralized by Xue Huai's few words. Only by arranging things in advance, like this, could Cheng Zixuan and his group be dealt with.

No matter how Xue Huai explained, they wouldn't listen. They only wanted to make a big scene so that Xue Huai wouldn't shift the blame onto Luo Tong, since the Xinghua County government was the one responsible for implementing the flood control project.

In such a chaotic and noisy situation, the shouts of the government officials had no effect, while Xue Huai remained silent.

Another unexpected event occurred on the long street. A large crowd of people, canal workers, and kitchen staff came from all directions and quickly surged towards the courtyard.

Upon seeing this, Luo Tong looked alarmed and hurriedly went to Xue Huai's side, saying, "Your Excellency, something terrible has happened! There may be great chaos today. Please excuse us for the time being. I promise to handle this matter well."

His plan was that once Xue Huai left, he could, with the help of Cheng Zixuan and his group, shift all the blame onto Xue Huai.

However, Xue Huai did not speak; he simply glanced at Luo Tong quietly.

That deep gaze made Luo Tong's next words catch in his throat.

(End of this chapter)