SFS Chapter 251 Strike
Chapter 251 Strike
At the county government office, Governor Jiang Ruji looked at the figures in the account book and curled his lips in disdain.
"Mr. Wen is as rigid as ever. The imperial court allocated so much money, not to mention building one dam, they can build two or three at least."
"Sir, now that you have taken over the project, isn't it you who have the final say on how to build it?" said the counselor next to him.
"Sir..." The attendant came in from outside, looking nervous. "Something happened."
"What's wrong?" Jiang Ruji said calmly, "Wen is cursing me in prison again, saying he's going to report me? Don't worry, I won't let him leave."
An official from Beijing contracted a serious disease while on duty outside and died overnight in a barren little place. When the body was transported back, only a skeleton was left. Who would investigate carefully?
Besides, the reason why he dared to touch the man named Wen was because he was a bad person and blocked the financial path of that big shot.
This money is not for him alone. As long as he gives it to that important person as a gift, he will have a chance of getting promoted.
"No, it's the workers at the dam who are causing trouble," said the attendant.
"I've given each of them a fifty-cent pay raise, and they're still causing trouble?"
Jiang Ruji knew very well what those petty citizens were thinking. In order to appease them, he used some small benefits to make them shut up and prevent the matter from being spread.
These unworldly, rural rabble were the easiest to get rid of. First, they were afraid of death, afraid to offend even the county magistrate, let alone the high officials. Second, they were short-sighted, only interested in small profits, and a small amount of money would silence them. After all, there were thousands of them, and he couldn't possibly silence them all.
"Today, workers at the dam have been reporting illness and injury one after another. Originally, there were thousands of people working, but today, there are fewer than 800."
"Are they looking for death?" Jiang Ruji said viciously, "These lowly people are so shameless. You two go and give them a beating, and make them behave themselves."
Before the counselor and his followers left, another personal soldier came in.
The guard said to Jiang Ruji, "The people are making a commotion."
"What's wrong?" Jiang Ruji was furious.
"One of our men molested a girl in the city, and the people have arrested him and are here to demand an explanation. Furthermore, the county magistrate's family is making a scene at the gate, saying they've been eating slop for days, and you're planning to starve them to death and then steal their master's credit."
"They are indeed the untouchables of a small town, so cunning." Jiang Ruji said, "There is no need to keep that useless person who can't control himself. Behead him on the spot to calm the public anger. Increase the wages of the workers at the dam by another 100 coins. Those who are willing to work can continue to work. Those who are not willing will be kicked out and the dam will be recruited again with a higher salary. As for the family of the county magistrate, quietly tell them to take them to see their master and then lock them up. Don't let them have the chance to wander around."
Qin Huiyin was in the crowd and saw the governor's confidant raise his sword and slash it down. The soldier who molested the girl was immediately torn apart by his head and body, and blood splattered everywhere, scaring many people.
"It's so scary." The people were frightened and took a few steps back.
Qin Huiyin's face wasn't looking good either. It was the first time she had witnessed a murder, and she felt a little uncomfortable. After all, as a modern lesbian, she couldn't even watch a chicken being killed, let alone a person.
The skinny monkey lowered his voice and said, "Don't be afraid, girl. At worst, we can just go and break out of the prison."
"A few of you, some officials, are still planning a prison break?" Qin Huiyin calmed down. "However, our goal has been achieved. The conflict between the people brought by the governor and the people has worsened. We don't need to instigate it anymore; more conflicts will break out between the two sides."
The county magistrate was a good official, and many of the people were grateful to him. Now that the county magistrate was being bullied by the newly appointed governor, the people didn't dare to fight the government openly, but they did dare to resort to covert tactics. No matter how many people the governor brought with him, they couldn't defeat the entire county. As a result, the governor's subordinates were having an increasingly difficult time in the county, leading to even greater conflicts.
dong dong dong...
Qin Huiyin led the families of Jiang Qibin and others to beat drums to appeal for justice.
The governor's minions came to drive them away.
"Everyone, come and see! They're trying to silence me..." Chen Yong's mother screamed. "Our Chen Yong was wrongly accused. They didn't even investigate, and they just wanted to kill me to silence me. Everyone, if we allow this corrupt official to continue to harm the county magistrate and Lord Wen, our dam won't be built, and we won't even be able to survive..."
"Release the county magistrate... Release the county magistrate..."
"You must release me, sir. This place is under the jurisdiction of the county magistrate. You locked me up. Are you trying to silence us?"
Qian Baotou came out with his men and said to the people, "Everyone, listen to what I have to say."
Everyone looked at Qian Baotou.
Qian Baotou said hypocritically, "The matter of the dam has been thoroughly investigated. Song Ruize and his men are rampant in the dam. I am the dam leader and have dealt with Song Ruize before. He is a cruel and ruthless person. If such a person does not die, many more people will be harmed by him. As for the county magistrate and Lord Wen, the governor certainly knows that they are good officials. However, they were deceived by Song Ruize, which shows that they do not know people well and will still be punished. But don't worry, the county magistrate and Lord Wen did not kill anyone, and they will be released soon."
"You're lying." Qin Huiyin shouted, "We've found clues. My brother didn't kill the man. We have witnesses and evidence. Do you dare to go with us to confront the governor?"
"Little girl, I know you're eager to save your brother, but even so, you can't lie with your eyes open, right?" Qian Baotou said calmly, "Your brother killed him, and many people saw it."
"My witness also saw you kill someone," Qin Huiyin said. "If the governor doesn't care, we'll appeal. There must be a righteous judge who is willing to overturn our injustice."
A murderous look flashed in Qian Baotou's eyes.
This troublesome little girl is really disobedient!
When he saw that she was well-behaved, he took care of her stubborn brother for her sake. If he had known that this brother and sister were his biggest stumbling block, he should have made that boy disappear completely.
Qian Batou glanced at the men beside him.
The man nodded.
Brother Xiang looked at Qin Huiyin with a complicated expression, feeling very conflicted.
He had tasted the sauce that the little girl had given him and had always been impressed by her. He was also quite envious of Song Ruize for having a sister who cared about him. Unfortunately, this brother and sister blocked Qian Baotou's way.
I'm afraid Qian Baotou will not let her go.
The governor's henchmen drove away the man beating the drum.
The people were talking a lot.
Originally, the incident of Song Ruize's murder caused a huge stir, and those who didn't know him really thought he was a cruel and bloody person. However, when even the county magistrate and Lord Wen were arrested by the governor, they began to doubt the truth of the matter.