Ouyang Yi spoke up: "Who brought you here?"
He didn't ask who saved you, but his words implied that someone deliberately instigated these laborers to cause trouble, otherwise it would be tantamount to admitting to slavery.
These laborers weren't stupid. One of them sneered, "Young Master Ouyang, are you asking why we've come to the door of your esteemed Ouyang family to expose your crimes when we're working perfectly well in this dangerous mine that could collapse at any moment, and even if we die, we'll die quietly?"
"That's because Heaven has eyes," one of the laborers shouted. "You've taken so many lives; one day your crimes will be exposed to the world. Do you really think that Heaven will let you do whatever you want forever?"
"Yes, Heaven has eyes. Where is Master Ouyang? Come out and face us, give us an explanation."
Upon seeing this, Qiao Lian'er lowered her head and took a sip of tea: "Any other arrangements?"
"Of course." Pei Shijiu gestured with his chin towards a certain spot: "Here it comes."
Then he saw Master Pei leading a troop of imperial guards over. Seeing the commotion at the Ouyang family's door, he quickened his pace.
"What happened?"
When Ouyang Yi saw Second Master Pei, he immediately had a bad feeling. There was trouble here, and the Pei family came over. It was hard to say that it was a coincidence.
He immediately gave the steward a wink, signaling him to go and invite Master Ouyang out.
“They’re just troublemakers. We’ll send them away immediately. General Pei, you don’t need to worry about them,” Ouyang Yi said.
However, when these laborers saw Master Pei, they immediately knelt down before him.
"General, please do us justice! We were laborers working on the construction of the Daliang Canal for grain transport. Our families paid our wages, along with large quantities of grain and cotton cloth, in order to exempt us from the labor service. Instead, we were immediately transferred to the black mining area, where we are living a life worse than death."
“Every day, a large number of people die, and a large number of people are sent here. The Ouyang family is in charge of the canal transport, but they do not follow the regulations at all. Instead, they take the opportunity to line their own pockets and squeeze out the last bit of value from us until we bleed and sweat until we are drained of our last drop of blood and sweat. They deceive the court and disregard human life.”
Master Pei frowned upon hearing this: "If it is as you say, then the situation is very serious. I'm afraid it will have to be reported to the Dali Temple for investigation."
“For someone of Master Ouyang’s high status, it’s not enough to just report to the Dali Temple; he also needs to go to the Emperor’s presence.”
Ouyang Yi's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. He said coldly, "General Pei's arrival is too timely. He even wants to sue my Ouyang family. What a show of official power."
Master Pei bowed to him indifferently: "Young Master Ouyang is overthinking things. I was just on my routine patrol and happened to be passing by. Of course, I had to take it seriously when I saw that the people in the capital were indignant."
A figure stepped out, and Master Ouyang's face was icy cold.
"Master Pei, you're being presumptuous. These unruly scoundrels have escaped from the mining area and are trying to extort some money, which is why they've come to cause trouble in front of the Ouyang family. Our Ouyang family is known for its integrity, kindness, and generosity. We won't hold it against them; we'll just drive them away. Why make such a big deal out of it, Master Pei, and make things awkward for both of us?"
Master Pei knew that Master Ouyang was implying that since they would see each other frequently in the future, he shouldn't make things too awkward.
He also showed a troubled expression: "Lord Ouyang, if what these laborers say is true, I'm afraid we have to take it seriously. If the Ouyang family is wronged, it's a good opportunity to clarify things through official channels."
“Our Ouyang family always handles matters in accordance with the regulations and laws of the court, without any overstepping of boundaries. If troublemakers cause trouble, we can appease them. There is no need to file a case or go through the formalities. I will submit a petition to the Emperor, detailing the situation of the canal transport laborers. There is no need for Second Master Pei to worry about anything else.”
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