The soldiers of Haizhou City had no choice but to retreat in the face of the flood of refugees. Han Tiexin was about to be beaten to death. If the refugees killed the governor, it would be a big problem. These refugees would undoubtedly be charged with rebellion, and the imperial court would surely send a large army to suppress them.
Li Haoran rushed into the crowd: "Stop! Everyone listen to me!"
If Li Haoran hadn't stood in front of him, Han Tiexin would have met his end long ago. When he stood up, his face was bruised and swollen, and he was staggering.
Li Haoran asked, "Master Han, the disaster relief grain from Langya County has yet to arrive. What is your intention in privately withholding the relief grain and not distributing it?"
Han Tiexin's cheeks were swollen and his words were slurred. "The relief grain has just arrived. Li Haoran, you opened the granary without permission. The court will definitely punish you!"
Li Haoran sneered, "Then I'll take care of it!" He turned to the victims and said, "Fellow villagers, you will transport all this food to Langya County, and the county government will distribute it as relief food. Victims of the Haizhou disaster, you will all follow me to Langya County. As long as the county government has a grain of food, I will ensure that you won't starve to death!"
The victims cheered and leaped for joy upon hearing this, and in an instant, the granary was completely looted. The officers and soldiers of Haizhou could only watch from afar, no one daring to approach. Faced with the flood of victims, anyone who stepped forward would be courting death.
Li Haoran directed the disaster victims to transport bags of food out of the city. Han Tiexin's cold voice rang out from behind him, "Li Haoran! You've taken all this relief food away. There are only a few thousand dan of food here. How many days will it be enough for these disaster victims? Wait until the court delivers tens of thousands of dan of food. Don't even think about taking a single grain from me!"
Li Haoran ignored him and turned around to continue directing the victims to transport food.
A burst of orderly footsteps sounded, and in the distance, dust was flying as an army rushed forward.
The victims were shocked. This was the regular Haizhou army. Han Tiexin's deputy general Bai Zicong led the Haizhou army to surround the victims.
The combat capability of the regular army is naturally incomparable to that of this mob of disaster victims. With help, the prefect Han Tiexin said with a hint of sneer: "Li Haoran, let these disaster victims put down the food in their hands, otherwise I will charge you with treason!"
Bai Zicong was riding on his horse. He looked at the group of disaster victims and pointed at Li Haoran and said, "County Magistrate Li, are you planning a rebellion?"
Li Haoran was secretly terrified. If they went to war with the soldiers, how could these disaster victims be a match for them? But if they didn't get food today, who knows how many disaster victims would starve to death.
Li Haoran clasped his fists and said, "Sir, the Military Commissioner! This county governs Langya County under the orders of His Majesty! His Majesty said that relief grain would reach Langya County within half a month. But our county has been working for over a month and has not seen a single grain. It is the Prefect, Lord Han, who is withholding the grain and refusing to distribute it, so I have no choice but to bring these disaster victims to rob it. You accuse me of treason, but that is what His Majesty has said! How could I possibly be treasonous?"
Bai Zicong was very disappointed, and the victims were furious. Some people started shouting, "Let's fight them!"
"That's right! We'll fight anyone who steals our food!"
"Let's fight! If you don't let us live, then at worst we'll all die together!"
Gao Er, the yamen runner who came with Li Haoran, drew his sword and said, "Sir, the officials are forcing the people to rebel. Let's rebel!"
The disaster victims were filled with excitement. Bai Zicong was shocked. He waved his hand and said, "Prepare for battle!"
These soldiers were well-trained, especially the large number of archers who surrounded them. The archers drew their bows and aimed their arrows at the victims.
Li Haoran saw that the situation was not good and rushed forward: "Military Commander, think carefully. If you kill these disaster victims on the grounds of rebellion, someone will report it to Bian Jing. His Majesty will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly. Can you bear the crime of killing disaster victims?"
Bai Zicong was startled and hesitated for a moment. Han Tiexin, standing beside him, sneered, "These disaster victims are robbing the granary. This is nothing but treason! Bai Zicong, just take them down! I'll take sole responsibility for anything that happens!"
Han Tiexin is Bai Zicong's immediate superior. Since he said so, Bai Zicong was about to wave his hand.
At this time, Li Haoran shouted, "Sir, the Military Commissioner! If His Majesty truly wants to thoroughly investigate this matter, how can a mere prefect like him handle the responsibility? And then, let alone you, the Military Commissioner, will be implicated. His Majesty has appointed me as the Magistrate of Langya County, and I represent the imperial court! The victims are seizing food on my orders, and they have done nothing wrong!"
Bai Zicong put down his raised hand. If the killing of disaster victims was reported to the emperor, he would be held accountable.
Han Tiexin saw that there was no way out. He didn't dare to kill the victims. But it was impossible to get the grain back from them. He looked at Li Haoran fiercely and said, "Li Haoran! You opened the granary privately and ignored the laws of the court. What is your punishment?"
Li Haoran drew the sword from Gao Er's waist and placed it on his neck. "It was I who allowed the people to seize the grain. If there is any punishment, I will bear the responsibility alone!" He turned to Gao Er and said, "Ship the grain back to Langya County, have the government register it, and distribute it to the victims!"
Gao Er was shocked: "Sir! You can't!"
Li Haoran looked at Han Tiexin and said, "Sir Han! These victims are innocent. Please let them leave the city. I was the only one who stole the grain. Release these victims! Otherwise, the people of Langya County will come to the capital to ask His Majesty for an explanation!"
Han Tiexin was horrified. He didn't dare to provoke these disaster victims again. "All the disaster victims will be released! Li Haoran, you are an official appointed by the imperial court and have committed a heinous crime. Come! Arrest Li Haoran and take him back to the government office to await punishment!"
Gao Er was furious: "Who dares!"
The victims even surrounded Li Haoran and asked, "Who dares to arrest Lord Li?"
This was exactly the effect Han Tiexin was waiting for: "Li Haoran, you still dare to say these disaster victims aren't rebelling! Prepare to shoot!"
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