Prime Minister

Chapter 203, Section 202: [I'm Going]

Sweat beaded on the clerk's pale face, whether from running or fear, it was hard to tell. He knelt on one knee on the polished floor tiles in front of the main table with a thud, his voice trembling and distorted with urgency: "Reporting to Your Excellency, Magistrate! Just now, a group of ferocious-looking desperados suddenly appeared at the Dongguan Wharf. They were armed with steel knives and sharp blades and kidnapped over a hundred civilians, including the old and the young, men and women. The wharf is in complete chaos!"

These words were like cold water poured into a boiling oil pan, leaving everyone in the hall dizzy and disoriented.

Several suppressed screams suddenly rang out during the meal.

Tan Mingguang, who had been able to maintain his composure just moments before, now had a livid face, and his hands, which were gripping the table, were trembling slightly with anger.

"Who is it!" Tan Mingguang spat out the two words through gritted teeth, his eyes blazing with anger as he stared at the clerk and asked, "Who on earth is so audacious?"

The clerk prostrated himself on the ground, not daring to raise his head, his voice trembling uncontrollably: "The leader is... is Liu Yi..."

"Wow——!"

The room erupted in chaos!

For most salt merchants, Liu Yi was far more terrifying than his elder brother Liu Rang. This man was ruthless and would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. In previous years, countless merchants had been schemed against and framed by him.

Tan Mingguang finally learned of Liu Yi's whereabouts, but he couldn't relax at all, because Liu Yi seemed to have gone completely mad, actually taking hundreds of civilians hostage, and at this particular time.

If the situation gets out of control and so many people are slaughtered at the docks outside the city, it will be a major case that will shock the court and the public.

Just then, Xue Huai looked at the clerk and asked, "What does Liu Yi intend to do?"

The clerk looked troubled, clearly having something to say but unable to say it.

Xue Huai narrowed his eyes and said, "If you delay any longer, someone at the dock will definitely be killed."

The clerk swallowed hard and said in a panic, "Your Excellency, Liu Yi has publicly declared that you must go to the East Gate Wharf, and that you are not allowed to mobilize the grain transport troops to accompany you. If you do not comply, he will kill all the people."

"This scoundrel is so vicious, he's utterly devoid of conscience!"

Qiao Wangshan was so angry that his hair and beard stood on end, and he slammed his fist on the table.

Shen Bingwen's expression grew increasingly solemn. Liu Yi's demand that Xue Huai risk his life to come in person was clearly an undisguised act of revenge, and it involved using the lives of over a hundred innocent people as leverage!
The crowd inside the hall immediately erupted in a clamor.

A respected local elder stood up and exclaimed, "Lord Xue! You must not go!"

Immediately, many others echoed, "Yes, Lord Xue, we absolutely cannot make peace with such heartless traitors. We should send the grain transport army to directly encircle and annihilate them!"

However, some hesitated, saying, "What if we anger them and they really start killing so many people? I'm afraid..."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall became tense.

Liu Yi's use of such cruel and brutal methods is enough to show that his heart has been completely consumed by hatred. He is prepared to die in Yangzhou, just to drag Xue Huai down with him.

If Xue Huai hadn't gone to Dongguan Wharf and had chosen to remain a bystander on this occasion, allowing hundreds of innocent people to instantly become wronged souls, this incident would have undoubtedly become a fatal stain on his official career, and even his reputation as a just official would not have been able to offset the negative impact brought by hundreds of wronged souls.

If it were an ordinary official, or if it weren't for the city-wide attention today, Liu Yi's threats might not have been effective. After all, court officials are not gods. In such situations, they can only rely on the government troops to resolve them. Otherwise, if officials had to personally risk their lives whenever similar situations occurred, how many officials would be left in local governments?
However, for Xue Huai, this matter was indeed very troublesome.

Since entering officialdom, he has been a representative of young, upright officials. The phrase "love the people like his own children" has given him a protective aura. At the same time, he also needs to shoulder more responsibility than others. In addition, with hundreds of guests in the hall watching, even if most people outwardly support his decision, who knows what kind of public opinion will arise if he really allows a tragedy to occur at the dock?
But if Xue Huai really goes to the dock, his situation will probably become even more passive, and Liu Yi will definitely offer him conditions that put him in a difficult position.

Therefore, even Tan Mingguang did not speak rashly at this moment, for fear of further increasing the pressure on Xue Huai.

All eyes, like heavy mountains, pressed down on the tall figure at the head table.

Xue Huai remained calm as he looked at the clerk and asked, "What else did Liu Yi say? What does he want me to do at the dock? Just tell me the truth, and no one will blame you."

The clerk shook his head and said, "He didn't say anything else, he just told you to go there immediately, sir. If you go with the canal officers and soldiers, or if you don't arrive before noon, he will kill people. He also said that those people died because of you. You... your reputation as an upright official is just for high-ranking positions and riches."

The vast majority of people in the hall were furious at Liu Yi’s absurd words. Xue Huai had already proven what kind of person he was with his performance over the past year. There were not many officials in this world who could uphold their principles, and even fewer upright officials like Xue Huai who had the skills to do so. Did Liu Yi really think everyone was a fool?

But... I'm afraid some people will pretend to be stupid.

Xue Huai listened quietly to the clerk's report.

The moment the last sentence reached his ears, the warmth on his face vanished, as if ice had completely covered the surface of a lake, leaving only a deep, abyss-like coldness.

He didn't speak immediately, his gaze slowly sweeping over the restless crowd, those terrified faces, worried eyes, angry expressions... finally landing on Shen Qingluan at the next table.

Shen Qingluan had already stood up. Her face was slightly pale, and she bit her lower lip tightly. Her once bright eyes were now filled with worry. Xue Huai shook his head slightly at her, indicating that there was no need to worry too much.

He didn't look at Xu Zhiwei, who wasn't far from Shen Qingluan.

The goddess doctor's feelings were also very complicated at this moment. She finally raised her head from that aloof silence, and a very complicated and indescribable light flashed in her usually calm eyes.

She suddenly wanted to ask Liu Ying if she knew about Liu Yi's plan.

If Liu Ying had known beforehand, how could she have stood by and watched this situation unfold? How could she have gone against Jimintang's consistent mission of serving the people and benefiting the world?

Seeking revenge on Xue Huai and harming innocent civilians are ultimately two different things.

And Xue Huai... what will he choose?
"Gentlemen, it is the duty of an official to protect the land and ensure the safety of the people."

Xue Huai looked around at everyone, his voice carrying a deep and powerful force, like a rock pressing down on the commotion caused by panic in the hall. He then said, "Do not disturb the women and children. Please be seated, everyone. I will now go to the East Gate Wharf to rescue those innocent people who are trapped."

The guests in the hall looked at Xue Huai with solemn expressions.

Knowing he couldn't dissuade him now, Tan Mingguang said resolutely, "You can go, but you must bring enough men, and more importantly, capture Liu Yi and cut him into a thousand pieces to appease the world!"

"Your Excellency, please remain at Shadow Garden. The city is not at peace today. Please stay here for the time being. Shadow Garden is heavily guarded and your safety will be guaranteed."

Without further hesitation, Xue Huai turned to Qi Qingshi and said, "Go and inform Commander Yu of the canal transport corps, and ask him to mobilize elite troops and fast boats to blockade the three-mile stretch of the canal upstream and downstream of Dongguan Wharf to prevent the thieves from escaping by water. From this moment on, all merchant ships, fishing boats, and passenger boats must temporarily dock. Anyone who ignores this order will be arrested immediately! Within one hour, I will make the waters near Dongguan Wharf an iron barrel, so that not even a fly can get out!"

Qi Qingshi solemnly replied, "This subordinate obeys!"

Their eyes met, and Qi Qingshi nodded knowingly.

Xue Huai cupped his hands to the crowd, then turned and strode away amidst the admiring yet worried gazes of countless eyes. Jiang Sheng, Qi Qingshi, Cen Fu, Bai Cong, Yue Zhenshan, and a large number of burly men appeared from various corners, quickly converging behind Xue Huai like a stream.

No one noticed that Xue Huai whispered a few words to Qi Qingshi.

Inside the hall, Shen Qingluan stared at Xue Huai's tall and slender back, using all her strength to control her surging emotions. She knew that Xue Huai had to go today, and she couldn't add to his worries.

However, she was already filled with sorrow. Of course, she believed in Xue Huai's abilities, but ultimately, no one can completely control their own state of mind.

"Don't worry, you... Lord Xue will be fine."

A soft voice sounded from the side. Shen Qingluan turned her head in slight surprise and saw that Xu Zhiwei had been standing next to her at some point.

"Thank you, Sister Xu."

Actually, I'm a little envious of you.

Xu Zhiwei suddenly uttered a nonsensical statement, then quickly corrected himself, saying, "Liu Yi is merely fighting like a cornered beast. As long as Lord Xue doesn't do anything foolish, the other party won't be able to harm him in the slightest."

Would Xue Huai do something foolish?

Shen Qingluan gradually calmed down. Perhaps she was just worried and confused. Xu Zhiwei was right. Xue Huai had already done his best to persuade Liu Yi to surrender by going to the East Gate Wharf. Did he really have to give up his own life to save the lives of the people?
That's not loving the people like one's own children, but rather incompetence and stupidity.

……

On the banks of the Xiaoqinhuai River, in a secluded reed bed.

Many people who saw Liu Yi at the East Gate Wharf outside the city were actually hiding here. He was listening to his subordinates' reports with his eyes slightly closed.

When he heard that Xue Huai had strengthened the defenses of Yingyuan because of the trouble inside the park, sent most of the patrol officers to patrol various parts of the city, sent a part of the canal army to the salt depot to help, and deployed another part of the elite troops to control the upper and lower reaches of the canal, he couldn't help but open his eyes and chuckle softly, his expression becoming more and more ferocious.

The subordinate said with utmost respect, "Second Master, you are truly amazing! You actually foresaw every single move that corrupt official made!"

Liu Yi showed no smugness. He simply lowered his head and said in a sinister tone, "Xue Huai is a man who is used to currying favor and building a reputation for integrity. He also likes to put on a disgusting act of being shrewd and confident. I'm sure he'll leave Yingyuan for the dock. Anyway, all he has to do is pretend to persuade my double to release the people, and then order the government troops to take action. That way, he'll gain both fame and merit. Ha."

"One of his purposes in hosting this grand banquet was to get me to show up on my own initiative. He went so far as to turn the film studio into an impregnable fortress, waiting for me to run into it. But how could I be so foolish?"

"I will definitely come. How can I face my dead father and brothers if I don't personally tear him to pieces?"

"He will die today!"

(End of this chapter)