"Hurry, go to the government office!"

When the shopkeeper heard this, he didn't even bother to ask Jiang Yuzhu and her group for money, and went straight to the yamen with a dozen strong men.

Many regular customers in the restaurant said they would keep accounts and also go to the yamen to watch the fun.

In an instant, half of the guests came to dine.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Xie Zhao took Jiang Yuzhu out through the back door and had a free meal without spending a penny.

Liang An said proudly, "Didn't the shopkeeper say that without one hundred taels of silver, you can't leave the gate of Fugui Tower?"

Liang An had heard about the various deeds of County Magistrate Cao in Zhaijia Village before, and he was half-believing and half-doubting. It was not until he came to Fuguilou for dinner that he realized that what the villagers knew was not complete.

"This kind of dog official who takes human life lightly should be sent to hell!"

Liang An, full of righteousness, suggested, "Master, Madam, shall we follow the crowd to the government office? I'd like to see how far Magistrate Cao can go. Is there really no law in this world?"

In Ruyang, the emperor is far away and the sky is high, and County Magistrate Cao has the power to do whatever he wants.

Jiang Yuzhu agreed, "Extorting the people's wealth is already a serious crime, but shielding my brother-in-law and taking human lives is a different crime."

My father Jiang Fulu works in the Ministry of Personnel. Although he is in charge of the performance appraisals of all officials, they are not in all places and cannot take care of the remote small counties.

If County Magistrate Cao had a backer, and his subordinates followed suit, he would be able to get away with it.

"Undergoing promotion for many years, County Magistrate Cao was both a powerful figure and a local tyrant in Ruyang, embezzling countless sums of money."

Xie Zhao made a rough calculation and found that Fuguilou alone could earn at least several thousand taels of silver in one night.

As they followed the crowd, they heard a ragged woman burst into tears, pleading with passersby for help: "There's strength in numbers. Thousands of us are seeking justice for the Xu family. How can Magistrate Cao still lie with his eyes open?"

Although the others were willing to help, it wasn't as easy as the old lady thought. They all sighed and said, "The arm can't twist the thigh. We ordinary people's lives are worthless!"

When the old lady heard this, she burst into tears again: "Miss Xu was such a good girl, how could she have ended up like this?"

The old lady kept muttering, and Jiang Yuzhu probably understood the whole story.

The Xu family lived in Ruyang and made a living by selling tofu.

Old man Xu had a daughter in his old age, but not long after his daughter was born, his wife died. From then on, the father and daughter depended on each other.

"This father and daughter are both kind-hearted..."

Among them, some of Xu’s neighbors also started crying.

Although the Xu family is not wealthy, both father and daughter are honest and decent people.

He would go from street to street selling tofu before dawn. If he met a poor person who was craving tofu, he would give him a piece for free.

The ragged old lady was a widow who made a living by selling insoles. Her eyesight was not very good, and Miss Xu often went to see her and helped her sew insoles with her hands and feet.

"That girl is kind-hearted, beautiful, and hardworking, yet how could she be favored by a thug? God is so blind!"

The old lady cried and wailed, and finally fainted from excessive grief.

The people hurriedly pinched her Ren Zhong point. When the old lady woke up, she only said one sentence: "I have lived enough. If County Magistrate Cao still protects his brother-in-law, I will go to the provincial capital to complain even if I have to beg for food!"

The people around were silent for a long time before they said, "Old lady, Ruyang is under the jurisdiction of Pingcheng. How could the prefect not know what Ruyang is like?"

This group of corrupt officials protect each other.

Of course, County Magistrate Cao could not keep all the money he embezzled for himself. He had to give a large portion of it as bribes to ensure the stability of his official position.

"If we really file a complaint, I'm afraid we'll have to go to the capital and file a complaint with the emperor."

When it comes to filing a complaint with the emperor, the people are so upset that they are speechless. They have never left Ruyang, let alone go to the capital, and they can't even afford the travel expenses.

Life in Ruyang is very difficult.

He works honestly on weekdays, never offends the powerful, lives in fear, and only wants to have a full meal.

If you offend County Magistrate Cao's lackeys, your life will be over.

"Now it's the Xu family that's in trouble. What if one day it happens to us?"

One person asked, and everyone looked solemn.

Yes, what should I do when it’s my turn?

In a sense, they are all survivors, but they should not be happy.

"It's said that the law doesn't hold everyone responsible. If we help the Xu family, we'll at most get spanked. But if we turn a deaf and blind eye, we'll be betraying our conscience!"

They are all simple people, and they eventually come together.

After hearing this, Jiang Yuzhu couldn't help but be moved.

These days, it is as difficult as climbing to heaven for the people to fight against the officials.

In the autumn evening, the afterglow of the setting sun lengthened the shadows of the people. They strode towards the yamen, and even their backs looked particularly tragic.

The treetops on the roadside turned quietly yellow.

"Yuanhe, now I finally understand you."

Jiang Yuzhu turned her head to look at Xie Zhao and said seriously, "From now on, I will support everything you do. Just keep moving forward."

Xie Zhao is busy with all kinds of affairs every day, and his mind is always on how to benefit the people.

Jiang Yuzhu doesn't have such lofty ambitions, but she will make sure not to fall behind.

Leave the trivial matters to her.

"In that case, thank you for your understanding, ma'am."

Xie Zhao's face was calm, and his heart felt slightly warm.

Under the wide sleeves, Xie Zhao held Jiang Yuzhu's hand. The couple smiled at each other and reached a tacit understanding.

Liang An was about to follow when Hong Jin grabbed his clothes and pointed ahead, saying, "It's a bit strange, why are you joining in the fun?"

Thousands of people had gathered in front of the government office and were in fierce conflict with the government officials.

A yamen runner, holding a saber in his hand, said, "Whoever dares to cause trouble will be punished with prison time!"

When the thought of going to jail came up, the people at the front clearly flinched, but only briefly. They all said in unison, "Please ask Magistrate Cao to come out and give Miss Xu an explanation!"

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!