Chapter 40
Hu Jiawei's feet seemed to be nailed to the ground, unable to move. Seeing this, the thugs behind him did not dare to act rashly.
There were too many people watching the excitement around, and the guests on the second floors of the restaurants and taverns were all looking down from the windows, talking about it a lot. After all, who in Yangzhou City didn't know Hu Jiawei!
When this guy first came, he relied on the fact that he was the prefect's brother-in-law and acted tyrannically in the city, bullying men and women and doing whatever he wanted. Now, seeing him leading his thugs to chase people in the street, but not taking any action, everyone was curious about what happened.
Xiao Xinghan glared at him: "Just because someone accidentally spilled some wine, you're going to yell and kill me and skin me alive. Do you have any respect for the law?"
The tone was neither light nor heavy, but it made Hu Jiawei feel cold all over in the hot summer.
Li Youfu pointed at Hu Jiawei and scolded him, "I've seen you before. You're the prefect's brother-in-law. No wonder you're so arrogant!"
Hu Jiawei also knew that he was in big trouble, but he couldn't open his mouth to beg for mercy in public. With so many people watching, how could he survive in Yangzhou City in the future?
Even the Yangzhou prefect Xiao Xinghan didn't take him seriously, let alone an ant like him. Gu Yanling was held by Xiao Xinghan's waist and taken away from this bustling street.
Neither Chang Feng nor Li Youfu looked at Hu Jiawei straight in the eye anymore.
After everyone left, Hu Jiawei kicked over the stall next to him with a look of anger, but he knew in his heart that today's matter was not over yet, and he was panicked and at a loss. The little black loach was obviously deliberately looking for trouble, and it was very likely that this big shot instigated it. He had to go back and tell his brother-in-law about this.
-
Away from the bustling city.
Gu Yanling released her grip on Xiao Xinghan's waist and said, "Master, are you just going to let him go like this? You won't teach him a lesson for me?"
Xiao Xinghan lowered his eyes to look at him, and said indifferently, "How do you want me to teach you a lesson? Should I skin him too?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Yanling swung his sleeves and angrily said, "When beating a dog, you have to look at the owner first! He bullied me, which is bullying the young master! How can the young master not teach him a lesson? This guy relies on the prefect's power to bully others. Today's incident is not the first time!"
Xiao Xinghan heard that he was so angry that he even scolded himself. He thought that Gu Yanling had a grudge against someone, so he pulled him over and said, "If you want me to help you teach him a lesson, just say it directly. Why bother with all this trouble?"
"In case you get hurt again."
Gu Yanling thought that wasn't enough. His intention wasn't just to have Xiao Xinghan teach Hu Jiawei a lesson. He snorted, "If I ask the young master to help me teach him a lesson, will he really help me? He's the prefect's brother-in-law and has the prefect's backing! Didn't you hear him say who's in charge in Yangzhou City?"
Xiao Xing sneered coldly.
After returning to the house, Xiao Xinghan sat in the front hall and looked at Gu Yanling who was still angry. "Tell me, how did he provoke you?"
Gu Yanling stood aside with his arms folded, looking righteous and upright. "I just can't stand him. Young Master, you can ask Brother Chang Feng to find out what evil things this guy has done. People like him deserve to die a hundred times! I'm doing justice for the people! This is not a personal grudge as you say!"
Fish shoal
Chang Feng was called out by name and replied, "I did make some inquiries before. This fellow, relying on his status as the Yangzhou prefect's brother-in-law, has acted tyrannically and tyrannically, causing the people to complain bitterly whenever they mention him."
Gu Yanling knew that this alone would only teach Hu Jiawei a lesson. If the corrupt official didn't fall, there would be another Hu Jiawei. So she pretended to be casual and said, "I could talk about his evil deeds for three days and three nights. It's not just bullying men and women. I also heard that he sold illegal salt, embezzled disaster relief funds, and even sold official positions."
As he said this, he poured himself a cup of tea and took a sip in a disguised manner.
As soon as he said this, the hall fell silent for a moment.
Chang Feng and Li Youfu subconsciously looked at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but Xiao Xinghan's expression did not change.
Chang Feng said seriously: "Yuanbao, you can't say that casually."
After all, bullying men and women and exploiting the people in the village cannot be lump together with selling illegal salt, embezzling disaster relief funds, and selling official positions. The latter is not just his business.
Gu Yanling curled her lips and acted as if she didn't know how serious this matter was: "I'm not talking nonsense. If you don't believe me, just check it out and you'll know."
Chang Feng looked at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
Xiao Xinghan put down his teacup and said calmly, "Go and investigate privately, don't alert the enemy."
Chang Feng: "Yes."
Gu Yanling was waiting for Xiao Xinghan to investigate. Just as he was about to speak, a young eunuch came in and reported, "Master, the Yangzhou prefect is here to visit and wants to see you. He wants to apologize to you."
Everyone knew that Liu Qingsong had rushed here in a hurry because of Hu Jiawei's matter today. Under normal circumstances, Xiao Xinghan would not have met him. At this moment, he glanced at Gu Yanling and instructed, "Take him to the main hall and wait."
Gu Yanling met Xiao Xinghan's gaze and blinked, "Master, is the prefect concerned about his brother-in-law? You have to make the decision for Yuanbao!"
Xiao Xinghan didn't say anything, but stared at Gu Yanling with a scrutinizing look.
Gu Yanling pouted and looked unhappy: "Why are you looking at me like that, Master? Don't you want to stand up for Yuanbao?"
Xiao Xinghan: "No."
Gu Yanling didn't dare to show it too obviously, fearing that Xiao Xinghan would see through her intentions. So she poured Xiao Xinghan a cup of tea and said aggrievedly, "Could it be that Yuanbao was really reckless and got into trouble today? Did he cause trouble for the young master?"
Xiao Xinghan placed his hand on the back of his hand. "No, but it was indeed reckless. The other side had more people. What if you couldn't escape and got hurt? If you have anything to say, you can tell me directly. There's no need to do this."
Gu Yanling pretended not to understand the deeper meaning of Xiao Xinghan's words, but he had been with Xiao Xinghan for so long that he knew he was not easy to fool. Today, he had dragged people out of the house, suddenly went to provoke, and said those words. It was impossible for Xiao Xinghan not to notice it, but so what? He insisted that he was just doing justice and denied anything else!
It is to act on behalf of heaven!!
"Young Master, why haven't you gone to the main hall yet? The prefect must be getting anxious waiting."
Xiao Xinghan said calmly: "Let him wait."
Gu Yanling stood up and sat on Xiao Xinghan's lap, and began to show off again: "Young Master is so powerful. It is because of Young Master's support that I dare to provoke him. The prefect doesn't even dare to fart in front of Young Master, and the prefect's brother-in-law is nothing. I think Young Master is the one who calls the shots in Yangzhou City. With Young Master around, I'm not afraid of anything!"
Xiao Xinghan listened to his farts: "..."
Gu Yanling was indeed proud and extremely happy. He had been waiting for this day to approach Xiao Xinghan. As long as Chang Feng found the evidence, the good days of the dog official would be over, and his efforts would not be in vain. At this moment, he felt indescribably relaxed as he hugged Xiao Xinghan, his expression unable to hide his joy, and he kissed Xiao Xinghan again and again.
After leaving Liu Qingsong alone for an hour, Xiao Xinghan got up and went to the main hall in the front yard. Gu Yanling naturally followed him to watch the show.
Liu Qingsong was much more patient than Hu Jiawei. He sat in the guest seat in the main hall. No matter how anxious he was, he still maintained the demeanor of a prefect. Hu Jiawei stood up from his seat and paced back and forth, "Brother-in-law, I think he deliberately asked us to wait here. It's been so long and he still hasn't come!"
"Sit down, just wait if I tell you to." If they were not in someone else's territory, Liu Qingsong would have wanted to kick Hu Jiawei twice to make him not restrain himself and offend people he shouldn't offend.
When Hu Jiawei was so anxious that he couldn't sit still, Xiao Xinghan finally came over. He stepped into the hall, and Liu Qingsong and Hu Jiawei immediately stood up to greet him.
Liu Qingsong smiled and said, "Sir, what happened today is indeed the fault of my brother-in-law. I have brought him here to apologize to you. I beg you to be magnanimous and forgive his mistakes."
Xiao Xinghan ignored him and walked straight to the main seat. The eunuch brought tea and Li Youfu bowed and poured it for him.
Gu Yanling found a seat to watch the fun.
Xiao Xinghan took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Master Liu's brother-in-law is truly impressive."
Gu Yanling said slowly, "That's right. I just accidentally spilled some wine, and you're already shouting and killing me, wanting to skin me alive. You want me to know that I can't touch the ground."
Hu Jiawei was filled with hatred when he saw the black loach. It was all because of him. He cursed, "Who do you think you are? How dare you interrupt the adults when they are talking?"
Gu Yanling immediately threw the teacup at him. Hu Jiawei couldn't dodge in time and was splashed with hot tea. He was so angry that he was about to explode on the spot, but Liu Qingsong held him back and scolded him, "I brought you here to apologize. Apologize to this young master!"
Since Liu Qingsong could hold the position of Yangzhou prefect, he must be able to read people's expressions. This plain-looking young man came in and found a seat directly, with servants serving tea. He was so arrogant, but the host at the table did not seem displeased at all, which meant that this person had a special relationship with this big shot from the capital.
Gu Yanling looked at Hu Jiawei's angry but unaware expression, feeling relieved to have someone's support. "I don't deserve it. The look in my lord's brother-in-law's eyes is about to eat me up. How can I dare to expect his apology?"
"By the way, he also said that our master is a gigolo. Our master is just handsome, but he insulted him like that. Oh." Gu Yanling wanted to laugh when she mentioned this and raised her sleeves to cover it up.
Liu Qingsong was so angry at Hu Jiawei that he almost died. He lowered his head and said, "...My humble brother-in-law's words are nonsense. Your Excellency, please don't take them to heart. Why don't you kowtow and apologize to your Excellency?"
Hu Jiawei quickly knelt on the ground and said, "Today's incident was indeed a case of me being blind and unaware of the true power of the mountain. Please forgive me, sir."
Gu Yanling: "You kowtow to our young master, but not to me?"
He stood up and walked to Xiao Xinghan, "Master, it seems that he doesn't really know he's wrong. He's just scared because he provoked someone he shouldn't have."
Liu Qingsong hurriedly kicked Hu Jiawei, and Hu Jiawei kowtowed to Gu Yanling: "I already know I'm wrong."
"He knows he was wrong. Please give him a chance to mend his ways. I will discipline him when I return. This is my humble opinion."
Liu Qingsong asked the servants outside to carry the box he brought into the hall. Before Xiao Xinghan could say anything, Gu Yanling had already run over, bent over to open it, and exclaimed in amazement: "Young Master, the prefect is so generous, giving us a box of gold ingots."
After saying that, Gu Yanling closed the box and said, "Since it's an apology, I will accept it with pleasure."
If he accepted it, it meant that Xiao Xinghan accepted it. Liu Qingsong breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid that he would not accept it. No matter how upright he pretended to be, it would be no more than that.
Seeing Gu Yanling winking at him, Xiao Xinghan knew what he was thinking and said, "Get up."
Liu Qingsong: "Why don't you thank the lord for his kindness?"
Hu Jiawei kowtowed again to express his gratitude.
Xiao Xinghan: "Master Liu, you must carefully discipline your brother-in-law in the future."
Liu Qingsong: "I will discipline him properly when I return."
After letting Gu Yanling vent her anger, Xiao Xinghan was too lazy to bother with them and ordered them to leave.
After leaving the house, Hu Jiawei was furious: "I thought I was honest, but you, my brother-in-law, didn't give me face after my repeated requests. You are just greedy for money!"
Liu Qingsong also suppressed his anger. In order to calm the man down, he paid such a large box of gold as compensation. "Idiot, it's all your fault!"
Hu Weijia: "I think he did this on purpose. He wants to extort money from us. Brother-in-law, don't worry. If you lose money, you can earn it again. You can earn this gold back soon."
Liu Qingsong was indeed worried about the huge box of gold, but he was still cautious: "Keep quiet for now."
Hu Jiawei agreed verbally.
-
Gu Yanling opened the box again: "Master, the prefect is so generous, is his salary that much? Then your official position is higher than his, so your salary is higher, right?"
Who can't hear the hidden meaning in his words?
Xiao Xinghan walked to the box and looked at the box full of gold ingots. He picked up each one and felt it was heavy. His face was as gloomy as water. "It seems that Yangzhou is indeed rich in oil and water."
Gu Yanling threw a gold ingot to Li Youfu: "Youfu, this is a reward for you."
Li Youfu hurriedly took it with both hands: "Oh, I dare not take it."
Gu Yanling thought that this bastard official had embezzled so much money from the wealthy merchants in Yangzhou, and his family alone had a lot. Besides, if he didn't bleed, how could he let his guard down and secretly commit crimes? "Why should we be afraid? If you give it to us, it's ours."
Li Youfu looked at Xiao Xinghan.
Xiao Xinghan also threw an ingot to him. Li Youfu took it and said, "Thank you very much, Master, and Master Yuanbao for your reward."
Gu Yanling looked at Xiao Xinghan: "Master, can you give me all the rest?"
Xiao Xinghan: "Take it if you want it."
Gu Yanling said with a smile: "I'm just saying it, I don't want it. When the time comes, Master can bring it back to the capital and present it to His Majesty, and use it as a supplement to the national treasury."
Xiao Xinghan was surprised: "You still have this intention?"
Gu Yanling said with great joy, "I am thinking about the young master. If you present this box of gold ingots to His Majesty, His Majesty will surely think that the young master is an upright official and appreciate him even more. If the young master gets promoted and becomes rich, I will also be able to enjoy the happiness by following him!"
Xiao Xinghan snorted and laughed, but didn't say anything. He just came up with another idea in his mind.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
