SFS Chapter 213 The Intimidating Force
Chapter 213 The Intimidating Force
Chapter 213 The Intimidating Stick
Perhaps their expressions are comical at this moment, but unfortunately she can't see them.
As for the one under the stool—
"Husband, madam, spare my life..."
No one knew where the stool leg had landed on her body, but the seamstress was already barely breathing.
That's it? That's it. How boring.
Bai Li Ce moved the stool away and groped his way back to sit on the edge of the bed.
"..." The old woman who made the clothes quickly took a deep breath.
Strangely enough, the person she had stabbed suddenly recovered, shouting urgently as if he had run a great distance, "Master, save me! Master, save me! Madam has gone mad! Madam, she..."
Then......
And then no more.
The world suddenly became eerily quiet.
However, when Wang Qingyan came to her side, the smell of blood on him made her feel as uncomfortable as if she had eaten a whole piece of uncooked stinky tofu.
But who cares about these things?
"I didn't instruct them to do anything," Wang Qingyan said, holding her in silence the whole way. He couldn't help but explain.
Bai Lize's expression remained unchanged. "That's your problem, it has nothing to do with me."
“…” Wang Qingyan tightened his grip on her arm.
In a fit of pique, he said, "Fine, I'll handle it."
Bai Lize immediately felt the atmosphere around him become even colder.
He tamed all the people in "Peach Blossom Spring" to be more obedient than dogs, so her "outlier" status naturally aroused their dissatisfaction.
Even if they dare not do anything against his will, in such a living environment, for some people, wielding a knife against the weaker becomes a matter of course, or even the most interesting thing.
They couldn't do anything to her, so they just teased her, gave her a little punishment as a warning, and used this to vent their anger at Wang Qingyan, whom they considered a god. They could also use this as something to brag about to others, which would be a great source of joy.
Therefore, even if he did not give the instruction, it cannot be said that he bears no responsibility.
But, "it doesn't have to be like that."
If he hadn't said "okay," Baili Ce probably wouldn't have cared, but his "solution" is something few people could handle.
"Are you pleading for them?" Wang Qingyan stopped and asked.
Bai Li Ce was silent for a moment... then leaned wearily on his shoulder, "Let's stop here."
She would gloat over the idea that evil people will be punished by evil people, and she would retaliate and use this as a way to vent her anger.
If she still had enough strength, she wanted to slap him a few more times.
Damn it, how could she, an ambitious young woman, be bullied by Old Deng?
But since we're all in the same cage, why kill each other without leaving any room for maneuver? "I'm tired."
......
In the hard-won peace, the journey of the Fifth Master and his entourage to the capital was exceptionally smooth.
Of course, Song Zhaohe and the Fifth Master's shameless bickering along the way also attracted a lot of attention.
Some of these people are just there to laugh.
Some sensed an opportunity and wanted to take shortcuts.
Some also wanted to form factions, strengthen their own power, and fight against the imperial authority.
"Oh, this person hasn't even arrived in the capital yet, and he already has a place to stay. I'm afraid that when he gets to the capital, he'll need you, Lord Song, to arrange accommodations for us." The Fifth Master was envious again because someone was giving Song Zhaohe land and houses.
Song Zhaohe calmly folded the house and land deeds and put them back in the box. Then he had someone quickly send them back to where they came from. “The Fifth Master is a meritorious official, and the government will arrange accommodation for him.”
"If all else fails, the streets and alleys of the capital are very clean and tidy. I can arrange it for you."
"You..." The Fifth Master was so angry that he swallowed half a bowl of water, and he wanted to curse but held back.
He then smiled gently and said, "What Lord Song said makes sense. Whether we get promoted or sleep on the streets, isn't the point to have a clear conscience?"
“That’s right.” With a cold, emotionless smile, Song Zhaohe retorted, “I wonder if the Fifth Master will still be able to write these four characters after meeting His Majesty.”
The fifth leader sneered, "Heh."
"Although I am not as learned as Lord Song, I am still clear about whether I have a guilty conscience."
He was high-profile, head held high, legs crossed, and made veiled accusations, "Unlike some people who usually act like upright gentlemen, but are actually full of petty and scheming thoughts."
"Whether Song has dark intentions or not, those who know will know." Song Zhaohe's expression was calm and composed, seemingly nonchalant, but in reality, no one dared to approach within ten steps.
"Pooh......"
Although they dared not approach, Cui Yuanshu and his group still ate snacks and watched with great interest under the shade of a tree not far away, occasionally whispering and commenting.
The unconvinced Fifth Leader continued, "Whether it's 'the knowledgeable know it themselves' or 'self-righteousness,' Lord Song should distinguish clearly, lest he mislead others and himself, and needlessly harm others."
"If we're talking about 'harming people,' the Fifth Master would probably include the young lady, His Majesty, and yourself in the insults."
The fifth leader slammed his fist on the table and stood up, shouting, "What did you say, you surnamed Song?!"
Oh my gosh!
They've started fighting! They've started fighting!
Cui Yuanshu was greatly encouraged and very excited.
The surrounding soldiers clenched their fists, ready to cheer and shout.
Song Zhaohe simply stood up leisurely, lightly patted the dust off his clothes, and said, "It's about time, let's continue on our way."
The fifth leader, feeling as if he'd been hit on cotton, suddenly felt a lump in his throat, unsure whether to go up or down...
Finally, he had no choice but to wave his hand and glare, "Minister Cui, come over when you've had your fill of the excitement, lest you delay others from arriving in the capital to receive their rewards!"
"Sigh..." They didn't fight again.
The old man went to fetch his horse with a disappointed look, and the other soldiers followed suit, starting the horse off in a sullen manner.
The twenty-six prefectures of the Great Wei Dynasty are now all under the jurisdiction of the imperial court. The number of officials coming to the capital to report on their duties is increasing. In addition to the original post stations, Lu Jian has naturally set aside many more places for them to live.
Not only were meals and lodging provided, but there was also direct access to the imperial city, making it very convenient to summon or convey orders.
Lu Jian had no idea that while he was listening to the prefect of Liuzhou praising He Wenyuan's outstanding abilities, the fifth leader, Song Zhaohe, who was waiting outside, started arguing with a group of officials.
The incident began when a general surnamed Wu from the Ministry of War accused Song Zhaohe of using troops without permission and disrespecting the emperor because Song Zhaohe had refused his gifts but accepted local specialties from his mortal enemy's hometown, and had also prevented him from giving gifts to the Fifth Master.
Then, as they talked, somehow the conversation veered into the idea that "Wang Qingyan was able to escape because someone was still clinging to the past and couldn't distinguish right from wrong," which immediately united the two of them in their hatred of the enemy.
One said, "Yes, yes, yes!! You deserve the most credit, but it's a pity you've never even seen what the Gu Guards look like."
One said, "Lord Song, don't say that. When the drought broke out in Cangzhou, you were still very brave. You were just too patient for the sake of the people. You didn't dare to go out of the city to meet the enemy until the reinforcements won."
"You...you're spouting nonsense! I, the general, am here to..."
"Is it to give credit to colleagues?"
"Oh my, that gentleman is so generous."
"That's right, unlike us, who only know how to be the first to charge ahead, foolishly rushing around in the enemy ranks."
The two of them went back and forth, not giving General Wu a chance to speak at all. Anyone who tried to speak up or take sides was also scolded mercilessly by the two of them.
"What do you mean by 'a hundred miles of strategy' isn't entirely without fault?! I'm just looking at you and I'm going to slap you. Should you blame yourself for having a long face?"
"You...you...you're from the streets, you're unreasonable!!"
"Yes, yes, who has a higher birth than you? It's a pity that no matter how superior you are, you only have this much magnanimity. You love to be so petty and calculative. You are really a disgrace to your family."
"Exactly, not even as generous as our Fifth Master's toes."
"You...you..." The official from the Ministry of Rites who came out to mediate was so anxious that his face turned red and his breathing became rapid, and he almost couldn't catch his breath.
His colleagues from the Ministry of Rites, unable to bear the sight, quickly stepped in to help, saying, "Gentlemen, we are all officials in the same court, so please watch your words!"
"Yo yo yo," Cui Yuanshu joined the cursing at some point, "When you people in the Ministry of Rites are always gossiping, you never seem to do anything good. What, when you can't win an argument, you suddenly remember that you're a person lacking in good karma?"
"You, you... Minister Cui, don't go too far!"
"Be careful, or I'll report you to His Majesty right now!"
"Go! Anyone who doesn't go is a dog!"
"Damn it, you're the dog!"
"Say it again if you dare!"
Seeing their boss being pointed at and talked about, several young men from the Ministry of Revenue immediately rolled up their sleeves and rushed forward, shouting, "What, you from the Ministry of Rites want to make a move?!"
"Come on!" The young men from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War were not to be outdone.
"Come on, I'm not afraid of you, you bunch of wicked bastards!"
Song Zhaohe stepped back, his face showing an astonished expression. "Oh dear, judging from the way you're forming cliques, you must be having some kind of secret dealings, right?"
The officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War immediately stopped, their expressions changing drastically. "Song Zhao, don't make false accusations! I..."
"What's all the noise about!" Seeing the situation getting out of control, Zhang Shan quickly stepped in to stop the crowd.
"Eunuch Zhang, it is clearly so."
"Outrageous! Such a commotion! Do you think His Majesty doesn't exist?!"
Everyone immediately shut up, bowed and stood still facing the gate of Shangyang Palace, saying, "Your subjects know their crimes."
Being constantly by the emperor's side naturally lends him a certain air of authority.
With just a glance from Zhang Shan, Li Tong, the commander of the Imperial Guards on duty, quickly stepped forward.
No sooner had he bowed than Zhang Shan asked, "Lord Li, are you just going to watch them argue like this?"
"I......"
Zhang Shan gave him no chance to argue and turned to walk into Shangyang Palace.
With a "bang," the doors of Shangyang Palace were closed shortly afterward.
After a moment's thought, Li Tong, expressionless, looked at the officials who were frozen in fear below the terrace and ordered, "Someone come here."
"exist!"
“Anyone who makes a disturbance in front of the palace and shows contempt for the emperor’s authority shall be punished with twenty strokes of the cane.”
General Wu roared in fury, "Li Tong, how dare you! Eunuch Zhang didn't say anything about punishing us just now, how dare you give an order on behalf of the Emperor!"
"Thirty sticks!"
"Li Tong! You—" General Wu jumped up, about to hurl insults, but was immediately dragged aside by the Imperial Guards and beaten.
"What are you doing! How dare you! I am a fifth-rank official! You... bang! Ah... I... I was wrong, I was wrong... General, spare me! General, spare me!"
Li Tong ignored it and "increased the punishment to forty strokes."
Then came the sounds of sticks being struck repeatedly.
"How is the rice growing this season?" Hearing the cries of pain outside the door, Lu Jian continued to inquire about the administration of Liuzhou Prefecture.
Cheng Qing felt a cold sweat break out on his back, but he wasn't completely at a loss. "Your Majesty, please take a look."
He had rice samples from the thirteen counties of Liuzhou presented to him, and began to explain them one by one, “He County’s yield is good this year, but the quality is a bit poor. Fortunately, it’s still edible. Taoli County’s rice tastes good, but the yield is too low…”
After Lu Jian finished learning about the agricultural affairs in Liuzhou, the commotion outside the door stopped.
"I will send the Minister of Works and the Minister of Agriculture to go back and resolve the issues of irrigation and land reclamation with you. As for other suggestions... we will proceed as you suggested."
After saying that, he glanced at Zhang Shan.
The word "yes" seemed to lift a huge weight off his shoulders, and the prefect of Liuzhou breathed a sigh of relief.
Then I took my leave.
Zhang Shanxin understood and escorted the person to the Xuande Gate. On his way back, he naturally inquired about the situation of those officials.
Besides General Wu, who had already fainted and whose buttocks were swollen like meatballs, all the officials were lying on the ground groaning in pain. Li Tong also punished himself with forty strokes of the cane.
"Forty strokes?" Lu Jian was neither satisfied nor did he think it was excessive.
However, he casually issued an edict: "Wu Chongzuo is demoted to the seventh rank, Cui Yuanshu is to return to his residence to recuperate, and the imperial physician is to be summoned to treat him."
"Yes"