Wang Zhixin snorted coldly, "You didn't suffer their evil deeds, but you saw them being tortured, so it's understandable that you feel pity for them. Just think about the people who lost their land. They worked hard for a year, not only did they not save money and food, but their land for survival was also taken away by others."

"Is this kind of robber who kills people worthy of mercy?"

Huang Zongxi was stunned, and the pity in his heart diminished a lot.

"Do you have something to talk to me about?" Huang Zongxi asked seriously.

"Something's going on!" Wang Zhixin took a step forward. "The current situation is very serious. If things go wrong, you and I may be stripped of our positions and thrown into prison!"

Huang Zongxi nodded without commenting: "Admiral Wang, do you have a way to turn the situation around?"

"I can't guarantee it, I can only try."

"Tell me about it."

Wang Zhixin took a deep breath and said, "No matter how big this incident becomes, as long as public opinion is in our favor, you and I will not be imprisoned."

"Admiral Wang wants me to use the power of the Fushe?"

"Yes, the common people don't know the truth. In their eyes, whoever has the loudest voice is right!"

Although Huang Zongxi did not want to cooperate with Wang Zhixin, he had to write a letter to his colleagues in the Fushe to explain the situation in order to protect himself.

When the letter arrived in Nanjing, Xu Yifan, a doctor in the Ministry of Revenue, happened to appeal to the prince for justice.

"My son was innocent, but he was tortured into confessing by Yangzhou prefect Zhang Huangyan. He died in prison to show his disgrace! My old mother also committed suicide out of grief and anger after hearing the news. I beg Your Highness to help me."

Collecting mining taxes, occupying people's land, people suing officials, using torture to extract confessions, torture to death, suing the "emperor"...

Those involved included the county magistrate, the prefect, the governor, the censor, the doctor of the Ministry of Revenue, and the governor of the East Factory...

A series of events and people completely ignited public opinion in the entire city of Nanjing.

There are two undercurrents in public opinion.

One undercurrent supported Huang Zongxi, Zhang Huangyan and others, praising their actions in redressing grievances for the people, while at the same time denouncing the Xu family for bringing the change upon themselves.

Another undercurrent supported Xu Yifan, a doctor in the Ministry of Revenue, and accused Huang Zongxi and Zhang Huangyan of abusing punishment and forcing people to death.

Some conspiracy theorists even spread rumors that Xu Mingbi was killed by Zhang Huangyan in order to attack the Qingliu faction headed by Ma Shiying.

The two undercurrents began to confront and collide.