The drizzle gradually became heavier.
However, the villagers still crowded under the eaves of Li Erniu's house and were reluctant to leave - this outsider had helped them vent their anger today, but they knew that this outsider had completely offended the government.
Just outside the fence of the yard, eighteen constables and the County Magistrate Qian were all tied up and kneeling on the ground.
Especially the County Magistrate Qian, he was in a miserable state, his legs were broken and blood was all over the ground, but this outsider didn't allow him to scream, and if he dared to scream, he would break his hands!
Yan Xiwen and Li Erniu were also sitting under the eaves. He looked at those people kneeling in the rain and smiled calmly.
"Look, they kneeled down, and we ordinary people stood up."
"But... Master Yan, he's the county magistrate," Li Erniu said, turning to look at the still trembling Huangtang Town Mayor Yang Wei. "Mayor Yang, is he really the magistrate of Qianshan County?"
Yang Wei swallowed hard, "Of course it's true. He came yesterday. I took him to three villages. You are the fourth one to come."
"Sir, you've made me feel relieved by doing this. You probably don't know that every county magistrate of the six counties in Chongzhou was appointed by the Chongzhou governor, Zong Shijizong!"
"I've been to the county government office many times. I heard that Magistrate Zong was once a colleague of the Emperor and was personally appointed by the Emperor!"
"There's another piece of news, I don't know if it's true or not. It's said that Zong Zhizhou's brother-in-law is the commander of the Third Army of the Great Xia Army! If you do this, what if Zong Zhizhou hears about it and he invites his brother-in-law to come with his troops..."
"Don't even mention your life. I'm afraid, I'm afraid that everyone in Xiashan Village will be wiped out!"
These words frightened the villagers, but their momentum was still strong:
"Who cares about the army? Master Yan has stood up for us today. If anyone dares to kill Master Yan, we will fight them to the death!"
"Yes, I can't pay the taxes anyway, and I don't know how I'm going to survive. I'd rather die sooner and reincarnate sooner. I hope to find a good place and a good family when I'm reincarnated again!"
Yan Xiwen waved her hand, "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
"This Zong Zhizhou was indeed appointed by the Emperor, but the Emperor probably didn't expect this man to change so much."
"Also, his brother-in-law, Commander Wei, isn't the man you think he is. Commander Wei is loyal to the Emperor and a man of great righteousness. If Commander Wei knew his brother-in-law had committed such a heinous and filthy act, I'm afraid he would be the first to chop off his brother-in-law's head."
"Also... the Emperor already knows a lot about this Yueshan North Road. Soon... in three to five days at most, you'll get news. Good news!"
When the villagers heard this, they were in disbelief. After all, in their eyes, the emperor was an unreachable existence. He must be very busy, managing such a big country. How could he care about the life and death of people in such a small place?
"What I want to tell you is that Daxia exempts impoverished areas, such as Xiashan Village and the six villages under the jurisdiction of Huangtang Town, from taxes."
"Everything you've experienced today is the result of collusion among officials from top to bottom in this place to enrich themselves."
"Don't worry, they will all be thrown into prison, awaiting trial, and then beheaded! The Emperor is particularly intolerant of corrupt officials who oppress the people. New officials will be sent to you soon. They will bring you seeds, food to tide you over this famine, and hope for a new life!"
Yan Xiwen's words made the villagers excited. After all, who doesn't want to live a peaceful life?
If one could have a full meal, who would want to risk being beheaded to go against the government or rebel?
As the mayor, Yang Wei obviously thought more about it and became more and more suspicious of Yan Xiwen's identity.
This Mr. Yan, who came from another place, brought with him guards who were armed!
This thing is only equipped by the soldiers of the Daxia Army, and it is not something that the guards of a rich kid can get.
The man who looked like a general shot the two constables decisively and accurately, killing them both with one shot.
The other three guards subdued County Magistrate Qian with agility and without any delay.
This Mr. Yan said that he would break both legs of County Magistrate Qian. With one kick, one leg was broken. This kind of strength is not something that ordinary people can possess.
So, he bowed and asked in a low voice, "Master Yan, how... do you know what the Emperor might have planned next?"
Yan Xiwen smiled and said, "Because I'm well-informed."
"Okay, folks, let's all go. The rain is getting heavier and the sky is getting darker. Go home early. Remember to come here the day after tomorrow to get some rice."
"Also, all the strong men in the village should come here the day after tomorrow. I will send someone to go hunting with you."
"Thank you, Master Yan!"
The villagers left reluctantly. At that moment, Yan Xiwen looked like a savior in their eyes.
The arrival of Mr. Yan ignited the extinguished fire of hope in their hearts. Although the flame was still weak, it was a glimmer of hope for life after all.
All the villagers dispersed, but Li Erniu was still feeling uneasy. He whispered to Yan Xiwen, "Master Yan, how about releasing the county magistrate and his men?"
"Brother Li, I still think it's better for you to call me Brother Yan."
"We can't let these people go. Let them stay in this rain for a few days. I want to see what they look like after suffering from hunger and cold. I also want to see what their faces will look like when they are desperate."
Qian Congsu, who was kneeling in the rain at this moment, was already in despair.
His two broken legs were in excruciating pain, and the rain made the pain even worse than death.
But he didn't even dare to shout.
He suddenly thought of a piece of news. Last month, Lord Zong called his master to Chongzhou and said that the emperor had sent an imperial envoy to inspect and asked him to be careful when doing things.
In his opinion, even if the imperial envoy came, he would definitely be received by Lord Zong. After all, Lord Zong's brother-in-law was the commander of the Great Xia Army!
With such a powerful background, Lord Zong is the real local emperor in Chongzhou, and no one dares to disobey Lord Zong's orders.
So could the person I met today be the imperial envoy?
He quickly rejected the idea because it was impossible for an imperial envoy to live in such a poor mountain village.
This man's men are carrying guns. Could they be bandits escaping from somewhere?
I must find a way to survive no matter what. If I can escape, this county will definitely visit Lord Zong in person and ask him to send the government troops to raze this mountain village to the ground!
So how can we survive?
He smelled the fragrance of vegetable porridge, which he would never eat before, but now his stomach growled and he felt hungry, longing for a bowl of porridge.
"We need to start saving ourselves. Qishan, bring the county magistrate here. I want to ask him how much grain is left in the county government's granary."
Huangtang Town Mayor Yang Wei hadn't left yet. He was shocked when he heard this and said hurriedly, "Master Yan, robbing the national treasury is a serious crime punishable by the death of nine generations of your clan!"
"The Constitution stipulates that life is above all else! When people are desperate, what does it matter if you rob the national treasury?"
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