Chapter 95 Liu Ji: Please Pretend I Don’t Exist
Amidst the excitement, the guards arrived, tying up a bunch of thieves and forcing them to kneel before the county government office. "Your Excellency, County Magistrate, we've long heard that Buning is a place where the people are honest and trustworthy, and we've offered excellent conditions to establish our base, but it seems your land isn't welcoming."
The captain of the guard said bitterly, "They're burning the food. Not only that, they're also poisoning the water supply. There are over 200 people in this base, and today is the workers' day off. If anyone wants to take a steamed bun home, wouldn't the whole family be poisoned to death?"
The people of Qian, who were originally just angry about the burning of grain, were frightened when they thought of that possibility.
The base was released every ten days. The first two times they went home, they'd brought something home. What was just ordinary food at the base turned out to be a delicious feast for everyone back home. If the poisoning hadn't been discovered, they'd take it home...
"This is going to kill my whole family!"
"My wife has been married for three years. She finally gave birth to a big fat boy this spring, and now she's counting on him to take care of her in her old age. She's really trying to make sure I don't have any descendants!"
As people spoke one sentence after another, the anger that had cooled somewhat began to burn fiercely again.
"My Lord, the culprit behind this must be found and severely punished!"
In just a few words, the conspiracy that was originally aimed at the base has now been transformed into a serious crime of poisoning the civilians of Buning County.
The magistrate bowed his hands and pointed to the heavens, swearing, "Please bear witness, I will bring this thief to justice and will not bend the law for personal gain."
"If you have any clues, please come to the county government office and beat the drum to report it to the authorities."
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"The immortal master once said: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Make many friends and few enemies."
In a private room at the city's largest restaurant, Liu Ji slumped in a chair, a row of sturdy guards armed with swords standing behind him. "Are you my friends, Liu Ji, or my enemies?"
"Hmm?" He hummed softly from his nose, and the guards behind him drew their long swords, drawing out a piece of bright light, which made the people opposite tremble with fear.
"Liu Ji, is this your attitude of seeking cooperation? You are forcing a good woman into prostitution!" The man in the box subconsciously leaned back to avoid the sharp blade.
Although they are not as powerful as the top ones in Buning County, they are also well-known figures. They have never seen such a gangster-like posture of forcing people to submit.
A man wearing a patterned hat slammed the table and stood up. "Liu Ji, you little brat, you've been eating Qin grain for a few months and you don't even know who you are!"
Before he finished speaking, the knife-wielding guards sitting next to him turned their heads. The gleaming white light of the knife fell on his head, reflecting a dazzling halo. For a moment, he could not tell where he was. He only felt the hairs on his neck stand up, bringing a chill.
A layer of cold sweat broke out on the man's back. He held onto the table and sat down again, shakily.
"Yes, we can talk it over. Don't use knives or guns."
They were all family patriarchs with many generations of experience in the local area. Unlike the nobles and powerful individuals who dared to challenge the government directly, they were more like fence-sitters, siding with whichever side had the upper hand. Because they each had their own strengths, whichever side came to power had to win them over. Their lives, while not entirely wealthy, were certainly enjoyable.
If it were in the past, Liu Ji would still beat around the bush with them. He has never been the type to make things difficult for others. However, now that the Immortal Master has personally given the death order, he doesn't have that much time to take his time.
"I won't say much to you." He raised his hand, pulled out the dagger from his waist, and took a handkerchief.
He covered the sword with a handkerchief, wiping it inch by inch, as if sharpening the blade. "I'm not like those businessmen I used to be. I won't tolerate your bullying. The entire Qin Dynasty is behind me. If this is accomplished, you will obey the orders of the government from now on."
"What if we don't obey?" an old woman on crutches opposite asked unwillingly.
The door swung open with a bang, and the usually gentle voice took on a stern tone: "Don't obey? Did the King of Qi surrender a few years ago because he didn't want to continue to be king?"
Who is this?
Several people in the box looked at the strange young woman. Her demeanor and grace were definitely not that of an ordinary person.
Liu Ji's intimidating aura almost collapsed on the spot when he was wiping the sword.
Oh my goodness! Didn’t we agree that I’d play the bad guy and you’d play the bad guy?!
Why did you come out here by yourself and threaten me?
Liu Ji decisively sheathed his sword, and the ferocious guards in the room immediately put away their blades, like a group of ferocious beasts putting away their sharp claws in front of their master.
They bowed at the same time and saluted the newcomer: "Master!"
Immortal Master!
One year was enough time for the news of Emperor Qin Shihuang encountering the immortal on Mount Tai to spread throughout the Qin Dynasty.
But no one expected that the legendary immortal was so young. If you ignore her ethereal temperament and outstanding appearance, she looks like a pampered aristocratic girl.
What was even more unexpected was that the immortal who was supposed to be in Xianyang City would actually come to Donghai County quietly.
Several people in the box looked at her, seemingly curious, yet wary. Half believing and half doubting, no one spoke, fearing that whoever spoke first would lose the initiative.
The young immortal walked into the room, pulled out a knife, and tapped the blade with his fingertips.
Ding~~
Amid the clanging of swords, she continued, "When the great roc soars aloft on the wind, it soars up to ninety thousand miles. Whether you can board this boat depends on your choice."
She sighed quietly, "If we can resolve the issue peacefully, I don't want anyone to shed blood and tears."
Liu Ji consciously stood behind her with his guards, followed her obediently and kept his mouth shut, to build momentum for her.
Who would threaten someone’s life right at the start of a negotiation?
Several people gritted their teeth secretly, wishing they could pounce on him and beat him up.
Wei Shengxue noticed their awkwardness and gestured with his knife. "With the army approaching, there's no room for second thoughts. You've simply made the same choice as the King of Qi."
They looked at each other for a while and had to admit this fact.
These days, the bigger the fist, the more power you have.
When you live under someone's roof, you have to bow your head.
"I am willing to be driven."
As they bowed their heads and declared their surrender, the roar outside the window, like a landslide and a tsunami, piled up layer upon layer.
That was the victimized people shouting: "Punish the murderer severely and kill all the thieves!"
"Listen! It's the charge horn." She pushed open the window, and the huge crowd was led towards the most luxurious mansion in the city.
The young immortal turned around, and the sunlight came through the lattice. His originally stern face seemed to melt in the warm sunlight, leaving behind a trace of tenderness.
Everyone's gaze passed over the windowsill and fell on the surging crowd below. All the emotions in their eyes faded away, leaving only horror.
Manipulating public opinion like brothers and sisters, taming opponents like family, with such scheming, who would dare to rebel.
The aristocratic family that has been entrenched in Buning for hundreds of years is about to collapse, and several people are in a trance.
"Ever since my great-grandfather came to Buning, they have been the sky here. I never thought that the sky could fall."
The old woman with a cane had an inexplicable expression and a distant gaze, as if she had already passed through the courtyard wall.
Seeing the scattered gold hairpins and jades all over the ground, seeing those high and mighty nobles being dragged to the ground by the lowly people they used to look down upon, seeing the rough hemp ropes strangling their delicate bodies, seeing the sky pressing down on their heads... collapse.
"Hahaha, so they can beg for mercy too. These nobles who are high and mighty are no different from lowly slaves when they crawl on the ground begging for mercy." The old woman let out a shrill and strange laugh, and the loyalty she had pretended in the past turned into deep hatred, which scraped at the bodies of those nobles one by one.
Facing the curious gazes of Liu Ji and the others, she poured out all her resentment: "My granddaughter was so young, only twelve years old, the age of a flower bud, and she became Gao's concubine after just one trip out of the house. She didn't even live to be fifteen! Fifteen years old! I didn't even have time to hold her coming-of-age ceremony!"
"I thought I'd gotten used to it. Days passed one by one, and I even forgot how my own father died." The man in the patterned hat smiled sadly, his eyes red. "Today I realized that I still remember it."
The nobles are the local emperors at the top, and they are all slaves who are provided for them. None of them has not been suppressed and manipulated, but they just haven't found the opportunity before.
"Thank you, Immortal Master, for giving us this opportunity to seek revenge." The old woman with the cane was the first to stand up, followed by the man in the hat...
After several people left one after another, the partition on one side of the wall opened, and Fusu, who had heard the whole process, walked over.
Wei Shengxue retracted her gaze and fixed it on his face: "Tell me what you think?"
Fusu's answer was a distinctly Qin-style response: "The clan has been entrenched in this area for many years and is deeply entrenched. They're relying on their years of business to openly defy the government. According to Qin law, they deserve death. But why did the Immortal Master think of using the common people to achieve his goals?"
Wei Shengxue: "The world is bustling with people, all seeking profit. As long as we align the interests of the people with our own, they will become our strongest sword and shield. Then, changing the world will be a piece of cake."
Liu Ji moved one step toward the corner, then another, cold sweat dripping down his forehead.
Is it possible to say such words to his face?!
Manipulate public opinion! Change the world!
Liu Ji: Please make me deaf and blind immediately! I can’t see, I can’t see, I can’t see, I can’t see…
"What do you think?"
Liu Ji, who was targeted by her, wanted to run away, but he could only bite the bullet and pick the least sensitive angle: "These people's final cries of regret are only half true, but more of a statement to us: they will never defect to the aristocratic families."
Fusu: Huh? Fake?!
Liu Ji met his clear gaze and nodded vigorously: "It's true that there is a grudge, and it's also true that I don't bear grudges."
He wiped his sweat secretly.
Don’t ask anymore. If you ask a few more questions, what if I find out that I have learned more than Prince Fusu? Then I’ll be doomed!
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