Chapter 27 What do you eat?
Run away?
Xiao Zhinian and Shen Zhejiang stood up at the same time, looked at each other, and said in unison.
"Go to the county government office."
The two men rushed to the government office without stopping. Under the scorching sun, a stuffy heat rose in the air filled with floating sand and dust. However, the front of the government office was crowded with people who came to join in the fun.
“Boom—Boom—”
The sound of drums resounded through the nine heavens.
It turned out that someone was beating the drum to complain about injustice.
Xiao Zhinian and the other man walked hurriedly and came closer to take a look.
"Is it her?"
The person who was surrounded inside and complaining about her grievances was none other than the woman that Xiao Zhinian met opposite Shen Zhejiang's house last night.
Shen Zhejiang stood beside Xiao Zhinian. Hearing this, he couldn't help but tilt his head and asked, "Do you know her?"
"I have met her once," Xiao Zhinian told Shen Zhejiang everything that happened yesterday. At the end, he immediately distanced himself from the woman to avoid Shen Zhejiang's misunderstanding, "I don't even know her name. Sir, please don't accuse me of having any relationship with her."
After listening to his explanation, Shen Zhejiang hummed lightly with a nasal tone and sighed, "Her name is Han Weiwei. Her family used to be in the medicinal materials business. Because her parents were killed by robbers on the road, her family fell into poverty. She has been dependent on her grandfather since she was a child. Now that her grandfather has been killed, I'm afraid it will be difficult for her to let it go for a while."
At that time, Han Weiwei was wearing white linen and white flowers, with tears in her eyes. She was holding a drumstick, beating the drum with brute force and crying loudly.
"Last night, a thief broke into my room with the intention of committing a crime, and almost ruined my innocence. My father saw me, and he ran away in panic, but he killed my father! My father will not rest in peace until he dies. I beg you to catch this thief and give me justice!"
Next to her, there was a tattered straw mat covered with a pale white cloth. It was motionless and looked desolate and bleak.
Xiao Zhinian recalled what Han Weiwei had said to him last night, and wondered, "Since she despises the government, why did she come here to ask for justice?"
"I have no one to turn to and nowhere to go."
Shen Zhejiang was the same back then. He knew there was no chance of recovery, but he still refused to give up and knelt down to beg the late emperor to spare the Shen family.
But what’s the use?
Xiao Zhinian noticed Shen Zhejiang's disappointment, gently held his hand, and said firmly: "If the government can't do it, then let me do it. I remember what you taught me, the suffering of the people and the joy of the people."
Shen Zhejiang didn't say anything this time, nor did he avoid Xiao Zhinian's touch, and a hint of warmth came from his slightly cool palm.
At this moment, the red door of the government office creaked open from the inside, and two rows of bailiffs holding long sticks filed out and quickly blocked the onlookers.
"Go, go, go! What are you shouting about? This is a court, not a grave for mourning!"
The squad leader had a ferocious look on his face. He kicked the corpse hard and started to drive people away with abusive words.
Han Weiwei burst into tears and immediately rushed over to protect her grandfather's body, saying hatefully, "Ah! Don't kick my grandfather! Otherwise, I won't let you go even if I become a ghost!"
The squad leader glared at her fiercely, raised his hand, slapped her, and shouted angrily: "Get out! If you make trouble again, I will put you in the cell!"
Han Weiwei fell to the ground, the white flowers in her hair rolled down the steps, her hair scattered, she covered her swollen cheek, looked up to the sky and cried: "Is there any justice! You all eat the court's salary, but turn around and seek profit and avoid harm. When have you ever truly upheld justice for us?!"
"That's right! The other day, Liang Bantou took advantage of his power to steal my family's eggs. I saved up money for a long time and bought them to nourish my wife who was in confinement. It's so infuriating!"
"Your eggs were stolen. Half a month ago, my camel kid was stolen by thieves. My father reported it to the police but failed and was beaten up. Now he can't get out of bed!"
Public grievances pile up like a mountain.
Seeing that he could no longer suppress the situation, Liang Bantou wanted to drive Han Weiwei away. He looked left and right, snatched the long stick from the yamen runner next to him, and hit Han Weiwei with it.
"stop!"
Xiao Zhinian immediately shouted across the crowd.
Team leader Liang never thought that someone would dare to stop him in public. He was stunned for a moment, and his stick stopped in mid-air.
Things have taken a turn.
The people immediately retreated to both sides like a tide, in complete silence, looking at the two young men at the end of the road. One was replete with nobility, the other aloof and otherworldly, neither of which was possible for ordinary people.
Liang, the squad leader, didn't recognize them. He wrinkled his nose and ordered, "You have to choose the right time to do good deeds. You are clearly obstructing the government! Come here, arrest them all!"
Han Weiwei recognized Xiao Zhinian and murmured, "Young Master..."
Xiao Zhinian walked to the gate of the mansion under everyone's gaze, stepped up the stairs one step at a time, and asked with a sullen face, "You don't arrest the people you should arrest, and you arrest the people you shouldn't arrest at will. Is this how you usually do things? It's ridiculous!"
Liang Bantou was so angry that he said, "Who are you to criticize the government? Arrest them! Arrest them all!"
The yamen runners received the order and surrounded Xiao Zhinian and Shen Zhejiang.
Han Weiwei stopped him and said, "Sir, don't worry about it. I just want an explanation. I can't involve you and Mr. Shen anymore. You guys can go now!"
"Miss Han, don't be afraid." Shen Zhejiang paused and looked at the hideous Liang Bantou. "Evildoers will be punished. Your grandfather was murdered and died tragically at home. We will definitely catch the thief for him and punish him according to the law."
Liang Bantou shouted angrily: "Quick! Catch them all!"
The bailiffs were ready to take action.
"Who dares to do that?" Xiao Zhinian blocked Shen Zhejiang behind him, took off the official badge on his waist, and said in a deep voice, "The head of the Ministry of Personnel is here, how dare you be so arrogant?"
Liang Bantou was, after all, just a small leader in the government office, while Xiao Zhinian's identity was that of an official appointed by the imperial court. It was self-evident who had a higher official rank.
Liang's heart skipped a beat. He stared at the badge and was a little nervous. "What? What official? I haven't received any news from the court. How can I know if this is a forgery? How dare you!"
Xiao Zhinian snorted coldly and threw the official badge to him: "Look carefully at what is written on it, and call Yang Shihui out for me."
It’s okay if you don’t look at it, but once you do, you’ll be shocked.
“…Is this true?!”
Liang Bantou widened his eyes and repeatedly confirmed the marks on the sign. In the end, he felt that it was a hot potato and he was at a loss as to what to do.
"I know who you have offended! Why don't you kneel down?!" Prefect Yang rushed over at this time. Seeing the scene in front of him, he immediately slapped Liang Bantou twice, then turned around and spoke respectfully to Xiao Zhinian, "The people under your command are not smart enough and have disturbed you, sir."
Liang Bantou was stunned by Yang Zhifu. Seeing Yang Zhifu being so polite, he realized that he had just spoken rudely. He changed his previous arrogance and quickly knelt down to beg for mercy: "Sir! I didn't know you were coming. I didn't do my job well. Please don't blame me!"
Xiao Zhinian said coldly, "Not good at doing things? I think you are quite capable. If that's the case, I heard that the border city of Luocheng is building a tower and is in great need of manpower. Yang Shihui, arrange some for him."
Prefect Yang nodded and said, "I will send someone to do it right away."
Building a building is not a life-threatening job, but the conditions are difficult and harsh, not to mention the strong wind and sand. If you fall off the building by accident, it is tantamount to risking your life. It is not as good as a lucrative job in the government office.
Liang Bantou knocked his head repeatedly until his forehead was bruised, but he kept saying, "Sir, please forgive me this time! I will definitely reform myself! Sir, please spare my life!"
"Take him away," Xiao Zhinian ordered mercilessly. After dealing with this man, he asked again, "And you, Yang Shihui, last night I asked you to keep a close eye on that thief. There are so many eyes in a government office, and you can't even keep an eye on a living person. What do you do for a living?"
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