Chapter 382: All at once? Solve the problem

“Why would a wealthy grain merchant do that?”

Before Wei Chengyi could speak, Shen Xiangwan frowned and asked. As far as she knew, the wealthy grain merchants had no intention of selling grain in Chenzhou from the beginning. Even if they vigorously promoted potatoes, sweet potatoes and corn, it did not affect their interests. On the contrary, because they controlled much more land than ordinary people, the government did not stop them from planting potatoes and other crops. When the harvest came, they would get more grain and transport it outside to make more money. What reason was there to harm them like this?

"You should be familiar with the term collusion between officials and businessmen, right?"

Turning his gaze towards her, Xie Yanzhi sighed again, "In the past, almost all the wealthy grain merchants in Chenzhou had more or less connections with the government. Sometimes, when they united, they were even more powerful than the government. But we uprooted the people from the government office and the various county offices without a word, which was equivalent to touching their foundation. After that, those people tried to connect with us so that they could continue to lord it over the local area, but we rejected them all without exception. They were used to being powerful in Chenzhou, so how could they tolerate such disrespect from us? So, they teamed up to harm us."

The emperor is far away in Chenzhou, the officialdom is dark, and the people should not be underestimated. Those wealthy grain merchants are forcing them in this way. No matter whether they grit their teeth and accept the refugees or close the city gates, regardless of the refugees' lives, they may have to ask them for help in the end. At that time, they will have the initiative, and the government office and county offices will be extremely passive, and may even become their slaves.

"These shameless bastards!"

Hearing this, Shen Xiangwan couldn't help but burst out cursing. She never dreamed that the reason why the grain merchants and wealthy families harmed them would be like this. They were simply playing with the government like dogs. If they really admitted defeat, their arrogance would become even more arrogant in the future, and it would not be impossible for them to climb over their heads and shit on them.

Wei Chengyi reached over and patted her hand, comforting her briefly before asking, "Can you confirm which wealthy grain merchants are involved?"

Since they want to play, he will play with them and have a big one. He just hopes that they don't give in too soon.

"Jun Ling has already sent people to investigate. Currently, we only know that the four major grain merchants in Chenzhou are all involved, and there are also quite a few wealthy families. Those who can be named are basically involved. The others are still to be confirmed."

Not to mention Wei Chengyi, Xie Yanzhi is not the kind of person who can be easily manipulated. If the grain merchants and wealthy families want to take advantage of this opportunity to manipulate them, he can only say that they are overthinking it. Once the list of all the participants is confirmed, their good days will be over.

"Well, let's start with the four major grain merchants."

Nodding, Wei Chengyi pondered for a moment. "Do we still have the evidence we obtained when we brought down those officials? Can we find any evidence of bribery or crimes committed by the four major grain merchants and wealthy families?"

Before this, they only wanted to take control of the Chenzhou government as soon as possible and had no intention of touching those people. Since they were ungrateful, he didn't need to be polite to them anymore.

"Yes, and quite a few."

They seemed to be on the same page. Xie Yanzhi slowly smiled. "Are you sure you want to start with the four major grain merchants? Or should we also take out those wealthy families with criminal records?"

The reason they did not take action before was that, firstly, they had not yet determined the list of all the wealthy families who had participated in harming them, and secondly, Wei Chengyi had not returned. The four major grain merchants and wealthy families were stationed in Chenzhou all year round, and their relationship network was complicated. One move would affect the whole body. They either had to move or they would have to uproot everyone and would not give them any chance to breathe. This matter had to get Wei Chengyi's approval.

"Take them all together, and keep them for the New Year?"

An angry Shen Xiangwan interrupted again. Now that they have mastered all the military and political power in Chenzhou, there is no reason to be afraid of a few wealthy grain merchants. Moreover, she is not angry for a moment. Chenzhou is bound to become their base camp in the future. Those people dare to harm them in this way in order to control them. Who knows what they will do in the future. All pests must be eradicated as soon as possible.

"Listen to him."

Wei Chengyi nodded at her and curled the corners of his lips slightly. Since his wife had spoken, they just needed to do as she said.

"Um."

Xie Yanzhi found it somewhat amusing, and after finishing his task, he said in a deep voice, "If we want to round up all the wealthy families with criminal records, the government officials alone will definitely not be enough. We need Qingying to send people to assist us. We cannot give them a chance to escape. We must act simultaneously and bring them all to justice in one fell swoop."

In this case, they will need more people and must have the military's support. This is one of the reasons why they must get Wei Chengyi's approval before they can take action.

"Well, I'll contact Qingying later. You just need to organize the evidence and give us a list."

Wei Chengyi could think of the same things that he could think of. Since he had decided to deal with those people, he would not drag his feet and would not allow any accidents to happen.

"no problem."

The evidence hadn't been sealed yet, so finding it was a piece of cake. Xie Yanzhi thought for a moment before continuing, "I'll probably be able to give it to you tomorrow. Do you want to stay at the government office or go back to the village?"

"I'll go back today and come to the government office tomorrow."

Wei Chengyi made the decision without thinking. In a blink of an eye, they had been away from home for more than ten days. He had to go back and check first.

"Okay, it's decided then."

The fate of the grain merchants and wealthy families was almost decided, but they still needed a proper solution to the refugee issue, otherwise, they would be dragged down sooner or later.

There were so many refugees pouring into Chenzhou these days that it was difficult for them to come up with a good and effective solution except to resettle them at the current pace. Wei Chengyi and his wife discussed with Xie Yanzhi for a long time and briefly learned about what had happened during their absence. They said goodbye and left around noon.

"Anger, wash your hands and eat."

At the Wei family in Yong'an Village, Zhao Yuping was holding little Tuanzi and calling out to the little cubs playing in the yard. After the school was closed, he basically stayed at home and didn't run around like before.

"good."

The little cub responded obediently, picked up his toys and put them back into the bamboo basket in the corner of the main room. Only then did he let Wu Lixiu wash his hands. It must be said that he had developed very good habits and hardly caused any worries to his elders.

“Ding ding…”

"What's that sound?"

The horn sounded suddenly, and Yun Mengyi and others couldn't help but feel confused. Before they could go out to check, Wei Chengyi and his wife, who had been away for more than ten days, walked in side by side from outside.

[End of this chapter]

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