Chapter 320: The betrayed loyal and loyal people need an explanation
Xu Minghui walked in at dusk and paused slightly when he heard the laughter coming from the kitchen.
Ever since Sang Zhixia fell ill a few days ago, such laughter and talking have not been heard in the house for several days.
After hanging up the clothes, Xu Yu gave Xu Minghui a look, signaling him to stand still and keep quiet. He then turned to Sang Zhixia, whose back was to him, and said, "Zhizhi, I'm going to the winery to fetch two more buckets of water. You watch out and make sure Xu Mingyang doesn't get another basket of frogs!"
Xu Mingyang, who was fully displaying his creative energy, shouted in dissatisfaction, "Brother, you are slandering me!" with his face scratched with flour like a cat.
"I'm clearly the mighty general I am, not some toad!"
Xu Yu sneered disdainfully: "Then eat the toad you made yourself, don't put it in my bowl."
Xu Mingyang widened his eyes in dissatisfaction.
Xu Yanran, who was skillfully pinching flowers, sighed helplessly and pointed at the toad that had already formed in his hand and said, "Your toad's mouth is crooked."
Xu Mingyang immediately turned his head nervously: "Where? Where is it crooked?"
Xu Yu looked at him coldly and snorted, his back filled with silent resentment as he turned away.
Xu Mingxu silently withdrew his gaze and calmly reminded: "Third brother, keep an eye on your mighty general recently."
If Xu Mingyang continues to pinch the toad under the banner of a mighty general, the big rooster that Xu Mingyang loves like a treasure will sooner or later become chicken soup in Xu Yu's hands.
Xu Mingyang looked up nervously, and when he saw Sang Zhixia, he suddenly felt relieved.
Xu Mingyang said confidently, "It's okay. My sister-in-law promised me to raise her. My brother won't dare to do anything."
With his sister-in-law's words in mind, Xu Yu would at most chase the chicken out with him early in the morning, but he would never kill it!
Xu Yu's face turned even darker before he had even walked far.
Xu Minghui, who witnessed the whole process, was amazed.
I have to say that although Xu Mingyang is not very good at studying, he has already figured out his own way of survival at such a young age.
It’s very clear who is in charge!
Xu Minghui followed Xu Ou out of the door with indescribable mixed feelings. Seeing Xu Ouzhen carrying the bucket of water, he silently walked over and grabbed the other bucket.
"The farm has been cleared. I've sent a few people in. They're keeping a close eye on the farm and will promptly address any signs of trouble."
There are so many people on the farm, and Sang Zhixia can't remember every one of them.
If you have a different intention in advance, it will definitely not attract anyone's attention.
Xu Yu walked briskly, carrying a bucket on his shoulder, and said indifferently, "Who stabbed you?"
Xu Minghui seemed to be wholeheartedly helping with the family business in the past two years, but in fact he was not idle in private. While running around outside, he also had some unknown cards in his hands.
Xu Yu has always known this.
Xu Minghui walked slowly, carrying the bucket, and said, half-smiling, "Yes."
"Brother, are you worried that I'll use this as an opportunity to spy on the farm and do something bad to Sister-in-law in the future?"
Xu Yu ignored the provocation in his words and said lazily, "I just want to tell you to remember to clean up your own little tail."
"Don't think you're the only smart one. If you're not smart enough and Zhizhi catches you, don't blame me for being ruthless if I take action."
Xu Minghui sighed inexplicably and said subtly, "Even if Big Brother doesn't tell me, I know you're not a good person. There's no need to point it out specifically."
"Don't worry, the people who stay here are only here to protect the peace of the farm. They won't do anything else."
This time, the incident at the winery not only sounded a wake-up call to Sang Zhixia, but also dealt a heavy blow to the hearts of the rest of the Xu family.
Don't be too complacent with peace and quiet before a storm arises. Taking precautions before they happen is the only way to achieve long-term success.
Both Xu Yu and Xu Minghui released people into the village to varying degrees, but the other party did not need to know such details too clearly.
Xu Yu walked over to the spot and put down the bucket. While Xu Minghui was turning the wooden shaft to draw water, he said calmly, "Keep an eye on Third Aunt."
"Third Uncle's letter will probably be back next month. Don't make any more mistakes in the meantime."
Xu Minghui handed the bucket filled with water to Xu Yu, his eyes flickering slightly: "You want to go out?"
"From Mo Ding Mountain..."
"I've almost made the arrangements over there."
Xu Yu took the full bucket aside and said, as Xu Minghui frowned in disapproval, "A month ago, a tragic incident broke out in Shu where salt farmers massacred the entire city guards. The salt farmers rioted."
"I know about this, but..."
"The family of the Shu city garrison who were massacred during the riot were the prince's direct descendants."
Xu Yu interrupted Xu Minghui and said slowly, "Shu is the source of well salt, accounting for more than half of the total in the Central Plains. And there's a saying among the people that salt permits are worth a hundred taels of gold. So, it's not just pure salt that's produced there."
Minerals, salt, and grain.
These three items together can be regarded as the lifeline of a dynasty, and the troops that rely on these three items for survival are the sharp blades on the lifeline.
Those who are ambitious and want power will never take their eyes off these things.
The same goes for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who is second only to the emperor.
The darkness in Xu Minghui's eyes kept undulating. Amidst the sound of splashing water, Xu Yu's lazy voice echoed: "The salt farmers' rebellion is inseparable from the harsh government in Shu."
"Our emperor is benevolent and compassionate to his subjects. Ten years ago, the court reformed the salt policy, but salt tax revenue has been poor year after year in various regions, especially in Shu."
"You said that Shu, under the harsh rule, exported so much salt every year, and in the end, it was exchanged for countless silver coins. Where did the huge amount that didn't enter the national treasury go?"
It is impossible to kill all corrupt officials.
But there is always a source for bottom-up cover-up.
Xu Yu stopped talking at the right moment and didn't continue. Xu Minghui was so distracted by his thoughts that a thin layer of cold sweat had already appeared on his forehead.
"I know what you mean, but don't forget one thing: those people rely on the prince."
He was the prince who was raised by the emperor himself, the prince who embodied all the emperor's love and efforts.
Xu Minghui quickly lowered his eyes and spoke rapidly, "It's no secret that the Crown Prince is incompetent. Over the years, so many ministers have been dissatisfied with him that there's not enough room to stand in front of Chengtian Hall. Yet, he still sits firmly on the throne of the Eastern Palace. Can't you see that?!"
If the emperor had not wanted to protect him, how could the prince dare to be so domineering?
"you……"
"That man is high and mighty now, while you and I are reduced to dust. We really can't touch him for a while, but who says I'm going to touch him now?"
Xu Yu sarcastically said, "The emperor's will is hard to disobey, just as it is hard to move a giant tree."
"However, the accumulated anger of ants can destroy a levee thousands of miles long. There are too many petty quarrels. How can a tree stand forever?"
First, a gap was created by the salt riot in Shu, and the waves would gradually become overwhelming. Naturally, the princes who were eyeing the situation in the court would not sit idly by.
What Xu Yu wanted to do was not to stir up trouble.
Instead, when the storm has already started but has not yet been suppressed, they add fuel to the fire in the dark.
Xu Yu looked coldly at Xu Minghui's suddenly narrowed eyes and said word by word, "Xu Minghui, the souls of my father and hundreds of thousands of soldiers are still lingering in Hongbei."
"The living must give an explanation for the loyal and iron-willed people who were betrayed and crushed on the vast plains."
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