Zhao Xianyin calmed her down and told her to calm down.
Then the old man who looked like a county magistrate continued, "As you all know, Zhao Jinglue came to Suzhou to complete the three-year competition of the Gentlemen's Academy. Now that the competition is over, why would he care about your life or death? She is a high-ranking noble lady. Even if you starve to death in front of her, it's none of her business."
Some people didn't believe it, saying, "Impossible! Zhao Jinglue is our great benefactor, our savior! She would never take away our manhood!"
The old county magistrate wore a helpless expression, as if to say, "Do you understand her better, or do we? This is truly an order from above. Would I lie to you? We wouldn't dare to slander Zhao Jinglue."
The more the people listened, the uglier their faces became; they were on the verge of exploding.
Zhao Xi was furious. "This is outrageous! This is utter slander!"
Xiao Zhixing said, "This kind of reason is easy to expose. Don't forget that everyone knows we will be inspecting the thirteen states. Are they blatantly using this excuse to court death?"
Li Jun said, "Unless they actually received such an order."
Xiao Zhixing nodded, "Yes, so don't rush, let's take another look."
Sure enough, a student questioned, "Your Excellency, since it's said to be an order from above, has any official document been issued?"
The old county magistrate sighed and beckoned someone to bring over the official document. "Here it is, take a look for yourselves. I don't want everyone to ban it either, but our magistrates are having a headache because of this order. As the local officials, our magistrates care about our silk industry more than any of you. Alas, it's just that the order is difficult to obey..."
A literate student snatched the official document, read it aloud, and grew increasingly angry as he read. Finally, he showed the document to everyone.
The people were completely disillusioned, standing there blankly, their hearts filled with sorrow.
Xiao Zhixing has excellent eyesight and can see far. "The official document is stamped with the seals of the Ministry of Revenue and the Prefect, that's correct."
Now it was Li Jun's turn to frown. "Why would my father sign this consent form?"
If things go wrong, the entire city of Suzhou will descend into chaos, or even lead to a rebellion forced upon the people by the officials.
Zhao Xianyin frowned in thought, "If we rule that out, then this official document is fake, but who would dare to forge the Ministry of Revenue's seal?"
She didn't say that the prefect's seal was fake. That person was from the Feng family, and she also disliked the Feng family. The prefect's seal might be genuine.
Xiao Zhixing turned around and walked back. "Let's hurry to Weixian and meet that Prefect Feng."
"Li Wenxiu, you should also ask Duke Li if any blank documents have been lost."
It's possible the seal is genuine, but it's also possible that a stamped official document has been lost.
"good."
They had originally planned to take their time exploring, but unexpectedly encountered this situation, leaving them no choice but to immediately set off south to continue their journey.
Zhao Xianyin had already received a reply from her subordinates: "The same order has been issued to all counties in Suzhou!"
She and Zhao Xi were extremely anxious.
Xiong Chumo voiced what everyone had been guessing: "Is it the Feng family?"
In Suzhou, only the Feng family had the power to accomplish such a major feat.
It's quite normal that the Feng family and Zhao Xianyin were locked in a fierce struggle before, and now that they've left, they want to eliminate her influence.
Zhao Xi remained silent, because she had also guessed that it was the Feng family.
Liu Zizai said, "Is the Feng family... so unscrupulous?"
In order to retaliate against their rivals, they disregarded the lives of the people of Suzhou.
Feng Zhen'er said, "Yes, something feels wrong. Suzhou is their territory. What good would it do them if Suzhou were in chaos?"
Lin Rushu said, "What if...they want to throw Suzhou into chaos?"
Everyone gasped, realizing a certain possibility.
Zhao Xi's face turned deathly pale.
Xiao Zhixing said calmly, "They not only want to cause chaos in Suzhou, but we have also become their targets. It is normal for some people to die among the rioters, not to mention that they have also made enemies of Xiaoyinyin and you."
Their whereabouts can be roughly guessed; most people might not know, but the Feng family certainly could find out.
If they die among the rioters, their elders will have no way to seek revenge.
Xiong Chumo immediately said, "I will go and mobilize the troops from Haizhou."
Xiao Zhixing gestured for him to calm down, "Don't move yet. Don't forget, you still have the Southern Barbarians on your side. If the two unite..."
Everyone fell silent.
Xiao Zhixing remained calm and composed. "Don't be nervous. We'll still head towards Weixian. Maybe it won't be the Feng family there."
Who would believe that?
Even if they aren't from the Feng family, they must be from the Feng family.
Xiao Zhixing thought about this matter much more deeply.
The Feng family must be trying to kill four birds with one stone.
The first is that those who took advantage of the chaos to harm them, and the second is that they tarnished the reputation of the imperial court.
Third, by stirring up chaos in Suzhou, Suzhou and the neighboring Haizhou could also be drawn into a wave of uprisings. If the Feng family were bold enough, they could take advantage of the chaos in the south to declare themselves kings.
Because those rebel armies could also be disguised, turning regular soldiers into rebels—she had done something similar in the north.
Fourth, if things change, Feng Jiatui can act as a meritorious official in suppressing the rebellion, taking the opportunity to eliminate court officials while quelling the uprising. With this merit, he can be granted a leopard tally by the emperor.
The scapegoats are probably all ready to take the blame.
Moreover, even if the imperial court received word of this, it was too late to stop it. The people of Suzhou were enraged, and who could stop the tide of anger?
Even if no one revolts, the people behind the scenes will send someone to instigate a rebellion.
Once the herd effect occurs, the torrent is overwhelming and unstoppable.
Everyone wasn't stupid, and they gradually realized these things as well.
Lin Rushu asked, "Your Highness, how should this situation be resolved?"
Huo Baijun said, "I'll have the Yangzhou troops prepare."
"Go to Weixian first and meet with Prefect Feng." What should such a perfect scapegoat know?
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