"Master, what are we doing here?" Niu Erbao asked, looking bewildered.
Xu Kuo did not answer, but simply stood there quietly.
By this time, a large number of customers had already gathered outside the market gate, creating a bustling and lively atmosphere. Many of them had come specifically for Xu Kuo's fish.
"Hey, isn't that the fishmonger? Why isn't he going in?"
"Yeah, why didn't I see him setting up his stall today?"
"Could something have happened?"
...
There was a lot of discussion among the crowd, and everyone felt very strange.
Just then, Xu Kuo stepped forward and said loudly, "Fellow villagers, I am truly sorry! The newly arrived deputy secretary, Shi Jixing, was jealous of my business and took away my stall! Today, I can only sell fish here at the entrance!"
"What? You can't sell them anymore?"
"Shi Jixing is too domineering!"
"Exactly! Xu Kuo is doing just fine selling fish, why can't he sell them?"
"Does he own this market? Can he do whatever he wants?"
"That guy surnamed Shi, he's obviously no good!"
...
As soon as Xu Kuo finished speaking, the crowd erupted in a cacophony of voices. After all, Xu Kuo's fish were fresh, cheap, and of excellent quality; everyone was used to eating them. Now, suddenly being prohibited from selling them was tantamount to cutting off their food supply.
"Hey, you guys don't know this, do you? Let me tell you, the vegetables here aren't clean!" An older woman lowered her voice mysteriously and dropped a bombshell, "The last time I bought some greens, I even found bugs in them when I washed them at home!"
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