Chapter 87 Are you satisfied?
When the fire started on the mountain, it was a quiet afternoon in the forest.
Apart from the guards on duty, everyone else yawned and took a nap after eating their fill.
Yao Shisan glanced in the direction of the mountain forest farm.
Based on the previous two incidents, Su Kun set fires during his afternoon nap.
It won't burn down the entire mountain, but it will still serve as a deterrent to the farmers.
When she faintly saw wisps of smoke rising, she silently turned her head away.
The two tents were the same ones they used when they traveled from the capital.
It's being used here again now.
I don't know if we'll have time to pack up later.
It is the dry season of midsummer.
About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a guard discovered the spreading fire.
"Your Highness, it seems the forest is on fire. Please evacuate."
Xiao Shu opened his tired eyes, a hint of displeasure flashing in them.
Finally, today is the day to relax.
He stepped out of the tent and looked in the direction the guard was pointing.
The flames are already visible.
His brow furrowed slightly.
"Given the current wind direction, the fire is unlikely to spread here for the time being. Send two people to check, and the rest of you should break camp and retreat."
The women and children were immediately taken down the mountain.
From the foot of the mountain, one can see the fire situation much further away.
The forest farm is already on fire.
She wouldn't have been so bold if the farmer hadn't told her about the method of stopping the fire to extinguish it.
Shuang'er held Fu'er, who was still sleeping.
The little girl knew no sorrow, growing up slowly under her mother's wings.
I wonder what sweet dreams she was having; her little face would occasionally turn up in a smile, and she was sleeping so soundly.
Her mother, however, was now gazing sadly towards the mountain.
Her approach was actually somewhat risky.
But she didn't have much time to deal with Su Kun, and she didn't want to have to ask Xiao Shu for help for every little thing in the future.
She wanted to solve the problem once and for all.
Wenxi turned around and saw a sorrowful face by the carriage window.
Her lips were slightly pursed.
His Highness helped her from the very beginning, ultimately to control a pawn.
Or did he really fall for her...?
She looked away.
Madam Yao is a very nice person; we've known each other for so long, and I don't dislike her at all.
They were even willing to help her with her business dealings in the future.
But if it's about...
She doesn't deserve it.
The wildfire was discovered in time and brought under control before it caused greater damage.
When a large group of people came down the mountain, Yao Shisan and the others had been waiting at the foot of the mountain for nearly two hours.
The sun is setting in the west.
The clouds on the horizon were dyed orange-red.
The sunlight reflected off the farmer's bronze-colored face, giving it a subtle sheen.
A group of farmers who depend on the mountains and forests for their livelihood knelt down.
"Please, Your Honor, do us justice! We've been oppressed by the wealthy Mr. Su for years, and we truly can't survive!"
Xiao Shu's gaze swept over Wei Xun, who stood ramrod straight among the farmers.
What are you doing here?
Wei Xun, "was entrusted by Madam Yao to go up the mountain to buy timber."
The old farmer looked up and said, "Sir, our forests have all been forcibly taken over by Master Su, and we are not allowed to sell any of the timber from the forests to outsiders."
"This kind of wood is only available from Master Su's timber business in the entire Yuzhou City."
Yao Shisan got off the carriage. "The day before yesterday at Su's Timber Shop, Boss Su raised the price on the spot, and the cost of timber exceeded the original plan by nearly 30%."
“I heard that there was timber in the nearby mountains, so I asked Wei…Ah and Ah Xun to go up the mountain to buy and look for timber when they have some free time these past two days.”
In a moment of carelessness, I almost blurted out Wei Xun's name.
Wei Xun didn't notice anything amiss and continued, "We didn't manage to buy any timber, but when we left the forest, we caught a suspicious-looking person."
Where is he/she?
Wei Xun walked straight to the back of the crowd and threw out the person who had already been knocked unconscious.
The old farmer recognized the man: "This is Xiao Er from Old Su's shop."
Xiao Shu: "Search it."
Immediately, guards stepped forward and found flint and tinder on his person.
Xiao Shu's eyes flashed with impatience. "Summon Zheng Changyi. Why do you have to make such a fuss over such a trivial matter and ruin my hunting mood?"
Steward Qing said, "When the fire was discovered, we already sent people to look for Lord Zheng, but they haven't returned yet."
The farmer seized the opportunity to add, "This isn't the first time Master Su has set fires. We've reported it to the authorities, but they're all in cahoots."
The lame farmer also raised his head. "Sir, back then I was illiterate and was tricked by Master Su into signing a ten-year lease. Master Su kept lowering the price every year, and my family was almost unable to make ends meet."
"When the ten-year term was up, I no longer wanted to sell the timber to Master Su. Master Su set fire to the forest, and I kicked him while trying to save my infant son from being burned."
Steward Qing said, "They are referring to the owner of the Su family timber company in the city, who is also the timber supplier for the mansion's repairs. However, the general manager has not delivered the goods, causing the repair progress to be intermittent, and the price has also increased twice."
Xiao Shu's gaze swept over the group of farmers, his fingertips lightly twirling.
He neither spoke nor showed any expression on his face.
It seemed that after everyone had finished speaking, the next moment should be for His Highness the Prince to stand up for these oppressed poor people.
But at that moment, he didn't say a word.
An eerie stillness descended upon the air.
The lame farmer couldn't help but steal a glance at Madam Yao.
Now all hope rests on her.
The house was burned down, all for this one blow.
If it doesn't work...
Yao Shisan, fidgeting with his fingers, stepped forward. "Your Highness, the timber currently being used for the repairs of the Prince's residence..."
"Your lease is here."
Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Shu finally spoke up.
The farmers' faces lit up with joy, and they all took out those unfair lease agreements.
At this moment, Zheng Changyi, also drunk, came over, along with Su Kun.
Zheng Changyi was already unconscious.
Su Kun was slightly more sober than Zheng Changyi.
He had never met Xiao Shu, but when he saw the farmers kneeling before him, his arrogance immediately flared up.
"Let's see where you bunch of penniless bastards can sue me!"
"But within Yuzhou City, I am the ruler!"
good.
He ran right into the muzzle of a gun.
Yao Shisan breathed a sigh of relief; he had been worried that Xiao Shu wouldn't care.
Now Su Kun is adding fuel to the fire.
Xiao Shudi's gaze narrowed slightly.
The guard standing nearby had already kicked Su Kun in the chest.
Su Kun instantly sobered up by half.
He knew he had messed with a tough customer.
"Who, who dares!"
"I am... I am a relative of the Empress Dowager!"
Upon hearing the name, Xiao Shu's lips curled into a smile. "So you're a relative of the Empress Dowager."
Su Kun clutched his chest, trying to sit up, but the guard stepped on his stomach and he couldn't break free.
"You know who I am, so get out of my way!"
He pulled off a jade pendant from his waist. "See this? This was given to me by the Empress Dowager when she visited her family back then!"
The jade pendant bears the mark of being made in the imperial workshops and cannot be faked.
Xiao Shu looked at the jade pendant, but his eyes were already overwhelmed by a tidal wave of emotions.
This jade pendant was carved by him in the imperial workshop when he first arrived at the Empress Dowager's side as Consort Shu.
"Your Highness, this is a gift from Shu'er."
Xiao Shu presented the jade pendant he had made himself with hopeful eyes.
The young empress dowager's face was full of gentleness, and she didn't mind at all that she had been given such a big son so soon after entering the palace.
"Did Shu'er make this herself? It's so beautiful."
"Does Your Highness like it?"
"Of course I like it!"
Do you like it?
Xiao Shu doesn't know.
All he knew was that he never saw the jade pendant again after a short while.
It turns out that it was a casual gift given to a relative years ago.
Xiao Shu's voice was devoid of emotion, "It was a gift from the Empress Dowager."
Su Kun snorted, "It was bestowed upon me by the Empress Dowager back then!"
But back then he was just a member of a collateral branch, and could only watch from afar.
He found the jade pendant by chance, and was finally able to get close to the Empress.
As a result, the empress bestowed the jade pendant upon him.
From then on, Su Kun's timber business began to flourish.
This is a blessing bestowed upon him by the Empress Dowager!
Xiao Shu walked step by step to Su Kun's side.
He slowly drew the guard's sword, the tip of which pressed against the already smooth and lustrous jade pendant.
"So my things have been in your hands all these years."
"This king? Your Highness, Prince Cheng!"
Su Kun finally realized what was happening. He panicked, and the alcohol completely wore off. "Your Highness, I was blind and didn't recognize your greatness! Please forgive me!"
But Xiao Shu had already given him no chance.
He pressed down with his hand, and the jade pendant shattered.
Then came Su Kun's agonizing scream that pierced the sky.
"Ahhh!!—"
He couldn't break free and could only let the cold sword pierce through his chest and abdomen.
Finally, it slowly rotated in his chest.
Zheng Changyi, who had been left aside, was finally able to move.
The moment he opened his eyes, he saw His Highness Prince Cheng unleashing a massacre.
"Your Highness, Your Highness!"
The farmers were so frightened that they fell silent.
When had they ever seen such a scene before? One by one, these honest and simple men had become wooden stakes.
Su Kun on the ground was completely still.
No one knows whether he is dead or has simply passed out.
Xiao Shu snorted coldly and threw a stack of rental contracts at him.
"This happened within Lord Zheng's jurisdiction."
Zheng Changyi trembled, "This...this subordinate does not know..."
Why would such a trivial matter alarm His Highness Prince Cheng?
They were just a few old farmers...
"Yes, it was my oversight! I will immediately investigate all the merchants in the city!"
Xiao Shu said, "Lord Zheng has been quite negligent."
"Men, seize him!"
Two guards rushed up and tied Zheng Changyi up as well!
The farmers never expected that not only were the wicked local bullies punished, but corrupt officials would also be punished!
The lame farmer was the first to react.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for standing up for me! Your Highness is truly a righteous and just ruler!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!!"
The remaining farmers wept with joy and bowed in gratitude.
Xiao Shu glanced at them and said, "In a couple of days, Lord Qin from Ding County will come to take over the position of governor."
"Take your complaint, land deeds, and forest deeds directly to the yamen, and Lord Qin will uphold justice for you."
The farmers' eyes immediately lit up with surprise.
"Lord Qin! It's Lord Qin Daolin!"
"We don't have to be afraid anymore!"
Xiao Shu glanced at them and then turned to walk towards the carriage.
As he passed Yao Shisan, he paused for a moment.
He left a sentence in her ear.
"Yao'er, I handled it well—"
Are you satisfied?
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