Chapter 72 Do You Dare to Expose
"Let's not talk about the past."
Xie Jingci saved thousands of people without seeking any reward.
The reason for promoting Ren Mingyuan is simply because he is a talented person and we don't want such a talented person to be forgotten.
Ren Mingyuan’s current status is entirely due to his own efforts.
Xie Jingci raised his hand and motioned Ren Mingyuan to stand up: "Get up, Qi County, are you sure you can handle it?"
Ren Mingyuan sighed, "To be honest, General, the previous county magistrate levied far too many exorbitant taxes. This year's tax alone is worth as much as the rest of the county collected in three years."
"In Qi County as a whole, 30% of the refugees have been exploited and left homeless!"
Upon hearing this, the Medicine King was indignant and said, "Right here under the Emperor's feet, yet they dare to bully the people like this! What do they think of the law?"
Lu Wanyin took a sip of tea and said, "If they still respected the law, the people wouldn't be living in such a miserable state."
Ren Mingyuan sighed again: "If it were in the past, it would be fine, but now it's almost winter, the weather is freezing, I'm afraid those refugees can't survive."
Lu Wanyin glanced at Xie Jingci.
Given his style, I'm afraid he won't stand idly by.
If it was really necessary, she could just share some of the things she got from the county magistrate.
After all, it should belong to the people.
She takes what she should take, and she doesn't covet what she shouldn't take.
Xie Jingci gave her a reassuring smile, and then said to Ren Mingyuan: "The former county magistrate was so rampant, but he was backed by the Wang family. I have some evidence that can overthrow the Wang family. Do you dare to expose it?"
Wang Family
Lu Wanyin dug out this family from the depths of her memory and asked, "The Wang family behind the current queen?"
Xie Jingci nodded: "Not bad."
If it really is the Wang family, then it would be a bit troublesome.
The Wang family is a century-old aristocratic family. Not only does it have a queen, but the patriarch also has great power in the court.
It can be said that it has become an unshakable presence in the capital.
Ren Mingyuan was just a county magistrate, and going to expose the crimes of the Wang family, the in-laws, was like trying to stop a chariot with a mantis arm.
I'm afraid that he will be killed before he even reaches the capital.
But when he thought of the suffering people, he had to try it anyway.
Ren Mingyuan said firmly, "It is my unshirkable duty to redress the injustice done to the people. Please, General, tell me the evidence of their crimes."
Xie Jingci pointed out several clear paths for him.
The Medicine King felt drowsy listening to the conversation between the two.
He yawned and said, "My dear, you guys shouldn't avoid me for such a big thing. I'm an old man, and I know so many secrets. I hope I won't be silenced."
Lu Wanyin laughed and said, "Senior, you can't bear to see the people suffer, right? Are you going to inform on the Wang family?"
The Medicine King said anxiously, "Of course not. I will go to the local medical association tomorrow and ask them to provide free medical treatment in the refugee area."
Ren Mingyuan quickly stood up and saluted the Medicine King: "Thank you for your generosity, Senior! I thank you on behalf of the people of Qi County!"
The Medicine King waved his hand and said, "You're welcome. It's time for dinner. I'm really starving!"
The previous depressed atmosphere was swept away, and Ren Mingyuan invited everyone to have dinner.
Afterwards, the group said goodbye to Ren Mingyuan.
As I was walking out, I heard a commotion coming from the county government office in the front yard.
The new lawyer wiped the sweat from his forehead and walked quickly inside.
"Sir! Something terrible has happened! The villagers are here to cause trouble!"
Everyone's expression was shocked.
Ren Mingyuan hurried out: "Why so sudden?"
The lawyer said, "This year's harvest was poor, and the taxes were heavy, resulting in many deaths. The villagers have long been complaining. Now, a sudden rainstorm has destroyed many houses and the autumn crops. Feeling hopeless, the villagers have come to the county government to make trouble."
Ultimately, this matter was the fault of the former county magistrate.
If he had not been so cruel and plundered all the villagers' money, the villagers would not have been left without any ability to resist risks.
It is even more unacceptable that they would risk their lives to cause trouble at the county government office just because a season's crops were destroyed.
Hundreds of villagers had surrounded the county government office, making it impossible to get in or out.
The villagers were pale and thin, holding farm tools in their hands, as if they could dig up the county government office if they disagreed with them.
As soon as Ren Mingyuan appeared, he was met with a barrage of angry curses.
His face was filled with guilt, and he spoke earnestly, "I am aware of your difficulties. Rest assured, tomorrow I will send people to each village to register your losses. Once the registration is completed, we will apply to the court for relief funds."
Someone among the villagers immediately retorted, "Don't lie to us! Even if the court had relief funds, it wouldn't have reached us! You corrupt officials would have embezzled it all!"
"That's right! You officials, the fathers and mothers, use our taxes to eat, drink and enjoy yourself, while leaving us to starve and freeze, making life unbearable. You all deserve to die!"
It can be seen that the people have become so desperate that they no longer care about life or death.
Lu Wanyin whispered to Xie Jingci: "Ren Mingyuan has a heavy burden on his shoulders, do you want to help him?"
Xie Jingci looked at the refugees with compassion: "It's to help these people."
Lu Wanyin looked at Xie Jingci's profile and her heart moved slightly.
"I promise you that no matter what, I will ensure that everyone can survive this season and reach the harvest next year."
The people had been bullied too much by the former county magistrate, so even if Ren Mingyuan made a promise, they did not dare to believe it and forced him to compensate them immediately.
Ren Mingyuan patiently persuaded the villagers for a quarter of an hour before he finally persuaded them to leave.
His mouth was dry and his voice was hoarse.
"I still need to check the fields, so I won't see you off. Please go ahead."
Xie Jing said, "I'll go with you."
He had seen how heavy the rain was before, and he was concerned about the people, so he would feel uneasy if he didn't go.
"Xuan Qi, take your wife back and wait for me."
Without waiting for Xuan Qi to answer, Lu Wanyin said, "I'll go with you. I'm worried about you being alone."
Xuan Qi: "I'll go too!"
Medicine King: "I'll go too!"
Several people looked at the Medicine King. Lu Wanyin was quite helpless: "Senior, it's getting late. You are an old man. You should go back and rest first."
This little old man has been with her for a whole day.
The Medicine King said firmly, "After the flood, the most likely thing is a plague. I'll go with you to check it out. If there are any signs, strangle them immediately."
He does have a point.
Lu Wanyin stated in advance: "You can go, but Senior, I really can't find my master."
"That's all right! I'm also a good friend of yours, let's go, stop talking nonsense."
Unable to persuade the Medicine King, he had to take him along.
Tens of thousands of acres of farmland along the river were covered by floods.
Farmland further from the river is not much better.
All the winter rice was washed away by the flood, leaving only muddy black soil.
Along the way, countless farmers were crying in the fields, and some villagers were numbly planting the hopeless winter rice in the fields.
Ren Mingyuan said: "A rough estimate is that the loss this time may be as high as tens of thousands of taels."
Xie Jingci's voice was dull: "If the imperial court is unwilling to provide a guarantee, countless people will lose their homes and lives as a result of this."
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