The group exchanged glances, knowing that further discussion was pointless, and said nothing more. But in this sweltering heat, sending them out to plant trees? Wasn't that practically killing them?
The officials were filled with bitterness. If they had known, they would have treated the princess better on the way out, and at least they wouldn't have been assigned such hard work now.
At this moment, Zhao Yi walked in, and was about to speak when Lin Yuxin raised her hand to stop him. She looked at the adults and said:
"Alright, gentlemen, go back and rest! Starting tomorrow, you'll be getting some serious work."
Lin Yuxin started to chase them away. She had other things to discuss, and looking at these people, she felt she couldn't help but lock them up and starve them for a few meals.
"Then I shall take my leave."
Wang Feng was very perceptive; he was the first to stand up, bow, and the others followed suit before leaving.
They were assigned to guest rooms behind the government office. On the way there, Shao Chongshan spoke indignantly:
"This Princess Pingning has quite a temper, she's so willful and capricious. I don't believe she can solve this drought!"
"Lord Shao still doesn't understand!"
Gu Qing looked at Shao Chongshan and shook his head.
"What makes you say that, Lord Gu?"
Shao Chongshan asked, puzzled.
"If Princess Pingning weren't capable, why would the Emperor have issued an edict, given her the Imperial Sword, and even had the Regent escort her? Haven't you thought about that?"
Gu Qing glanced at the group indifferently and offered a reminder.
"Lord Gu is right. We are now in the same boat as the Princess, so if you have any complaints, let's wait until we return to the capital!"
Wang Feng suppressed his resentment and said unwillingly.
Wang Feng has been involved in officialdom for many years. Although he is a womanizer, he is capable and cunning. Otherwise, he would not have been able to rise to the position of Vice Minister of Works.
However, he was also able to restrain himself. From the moment he saw the Regent's protection of her on the road, he had already given up the idea of trying to get close to her. This woman was not someone he could defile, unless he was willing to risk his life.
But that didn't stop him from dealing with her. However, today this princess gave him a rude awakening. Her methods and her imperial sword meant that, at least here, he couldn't touch her.
It seems I have no choice but to go back to Beijing and discuss it with that person!
"Lord Wang is right. Alright, everyone go back and rest! You've all been traveling for a while and you're tired. We still have to plant some trees tomorrow!"
Lu Feng agreed with Wang Feng's point of view, flicked his sleeves, and walked towards the assigned guest room.
...
"Your Highness, I just searched the place and saw some servants hiding things. When I went to stop them, I found that they had hidden gold and silver, more than a dozen chests in total!"
"Moreover, there is a secret passage in Lord Zhong's bedroom, which also contains a lot of gold and silver jewelry."
After the officials left, Zhao Yi reported what they had found.
"Hmm! I knew Zhong Zu'an wasn't clean. Let's put those things away first, and then transport them back to report later. What about the warehouse?"
Lin Yuxin nodded, understanding the situation, and then asked another question.
"There are quite a few jewels and antiques in the storeroom, but not many. However, I found this in his study."
As Zhao Yi spoke, he took out a stack of letters from his pocket and handed them to Lin Yuxin.
Lin Yuxin took it and examined it carefully, only to discover that it was evidence of Zhong Zu'an colluding with high-ranking officials to extort money from the people! The more Lin Yuxin looked, the angrier she became.
"Smack!"
Lin Yuxin slammed her hand on the armrest and said angrily:
"Well done! It seems all the money in the north city is in his hands. If I were the emperor, I would be driven to my death several times over. He's sitting there comfortably, while his ministers dig holes in the foundation. If there's a flood, the house will collapse. Being an emperor is too frustrating."
"Keep this safe for now. When Li Xiaochen comes back, give this to him. He'll know what to do."
Lin Yuxin vented her anger, then handed the stack of letters to Zhao Yi and said...
"Yes, Princess."
Zhao Yi took the letter, put it in his pocket, and bowed his head to reply, pretending he hadn't heard the princess's treasonous words.
At this moment, Zhao Er also came in.
"Princess!"
"How about it?"
Lin Yuxin saw him come in and quickly asked.
"I just went to the granary and saw that it was full of grain, all of it new. It's clear how much money Zhong Zu'an had already plundered from the people!"
Zhao Er bowed and replied, his expression indignant until the very end.
"Alright, there will be plenty of opportunities to deal with bad guys later. Now, you take your men and prepare the grain. We'll go distribute the grain. Each person can get two jin of rice. Come and collect it according to your household registration certificate. Make sure you check carefully to prevent anyone from fraudulently claiming or over-claiming."
Lin Yuxin began assigning tasks.
"yes!"
Zhao Er agreed and prepared to go out to run errands.
"Wait! Don't give them grain outside the city. Give them porridge first, one meal. In the afternoon, when they have the strength, tell them to build simple sheds outside the city, or go back. Those who go back will receive five taels of silver and ten catties of rice each. Those who stay will receive the same treatment as those in the city once the sheds are built."
Lin Yuxin called out to Zhao Er, who was about to leave, and gave him further instructions.
"Yes, Your Highness! I will take care of it immediately!"
Zhao Er responded and then quickly walked out.
How many of the men we brought are still usable?
Lin Yuxin asked Zhao Yi, who was standing to the side.
"When the prince left, he took ten men with him. The yamen left twenty men behind. Zhao Er will probably take twenty men with him when he goes on business. Princess, there are still quite a few people we can use. What are your orders, Princess?"
Zhao counted them one by one and found that there were still quite a few people who could use them.
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