Chapter 104 [Raising a Navy Army]
Geng Huiming asked his entourage to take out the tea leaves that had been smoked with the powder of the datura flower. "This is the tea we found in your Yun family's teahouse."
Geng Huiming's followers soaked the tea leaves in water, then brought a cage containing a bamboo rat and fed the water soaked with the tea leaves to the bamboo rat. Soon after, the bamboo rat began to hit the cage in strange movements.
This scene is terrifying to watch.
The Yun family's patriarch and his companions turned pale. "Is there really nothing wrong with our tea? Otherwise, how come all the tea drinkers here are fine?"
"When tea leaves are soaked in water, the medicinal properties of the datura flower are diluted, making it addictive and unforgettable. You'll want to drink more after drinking it, and hallucinations will only occur if you drink a lot of the tea."
Geng Huiming asked his followers to present the physical evidence they had found one by one: "You, the Yun family, should stop being stubborn."
Everyone was shocked. They didn't expect that the rumors among the people that the Yun family had adulterated the dishes in restaurants and teahouses were true!
This wasn't the end. Geng Huiming's eagle-like eyes glared at Qi Zheng: "Sir Qi, my people also found this variant of the datura flower in one of your private residences."
"Master Shen, the Censor, was on his way back to the capital after visiting Linzhou. I have already sent someone to invite him to Lianzhou."
"Is there anything else you want to say?"
Qi Zheng's face changed drastically. He was fearless because he saw that the Censor was already on his way back to Beijing.
I wonder who was behind the tip-off, allowing the imperial court to arrive so quickly! Could it be that he already had a traitor among his people, or did the Yun family's unreliable partner leak the news?
What Geng Huiming said next made Qi Zheng even more frightened.
"Where is the Lianzhou Tongzhi?"
The prefect's deputy, Tongzhi, stepped forward and said, "Lianzhou Tongzhi Qu Huaiying is here!"
Geng Huiming said sternly, "From now on, you will temporarily assume the duties of the Lianzhou prefect. First, investigate and punish the shops and flower gardens owned by the Yun family that are involved in the use of the forbidden flower. The Yun family will be dealt with according to the laws of the court!"
Qu Huaiying said respectfully: "Yes!"
The situation on the field kept turning around, and He Jing was still confused. No, who had invited this imperial official, the Minister of Agriculture, who was far away in the capital?! How could he strike so quickly, accurately and ruthlessly?
So what was he so angry about with Qi Zheng just now?
If he had known that the Minister of Agriculture was coming, he would have just lay down!
When the people saw the truth, they were terrified: "The Yun family has been doing business in Lianzhou for so many years, and they dared to do such a despicable thing. I wonder what other evil things they have done in the past years!"
"Fellow villagers, let's never buy anything from the Yun family again, and don't go into their shop! Boycott this despicable business!"
"Boycott the Yun family! Support the He family!"
"It's still the top-notch families like the He family that are reliable!"
Jiang Lili listened to the people's enthusiastic boycott of the Yun family. Why did she feel that the words spoken by the uncle who took the lead were similar to the inflammatory copywriting of modern Internet water armies?
He Lin of the He family was acquitted, while the Yun family and their group were detained on the spot, and the people applauded.
What happened in the government office today also spread among the people. Everyone boycotted the Yun family's things and supported the He family who were eliminating harm for the people.
After speaking with the servant who had brought the news, He Jing watched He Lin walk out of the government office and said, "My aunt is still assisting the Minister of Agriculture to investigate the shops under the Yun family's name and can't get away."
"My aunt asked me to tell you that you've been in prison for so long and have worked hard. I'll host a dinner for you at the mansion tonight to welcome you back."
At today's trial, only He Jing came from the He family. He Lin said to He Jing sincerely, "Cousin, this time, thanks to you for running around for me and inviting Doctor Ge."
He Jing looked at He Lin who had squeezed out from the crowd of fans and just wanted to beat him up. Judging from He Lin's performance in the government office, he probably knew that the Minister of Agriculture had returned, so he was the only one kept in the dark.
He said angrily, "Who invited the Minister of Agriculture?"
He Lin raised his eyebrows: "Guess?"
He Jing recalled Jiang Lili's confident tone when she made the promise to him, and said in disbelief, "Miss Jiang?"
There is no one else except Miss Jiang.
When He Jing was stunned, He Lin patted his shoulder and asked, "Cousin, did you bring what I wanted?"
He Jing nodded and pointed at the carriage parked at the government office: "I brought it. Why did you ask me to bring a basket of eggs and a box of rouge and powder?"
He Lin pointed at the people who were still lingering near the government office and said, "Give the eggs to the aunts who spoke for me, and give the young girls rouge and powder."
He Jing thought of the common people who were even more excited than the He family just now, "We should indeed thank these people with a sense of justice. They are speaking for our He family."
He Lin touched his chin and said, "My story has probably spread all over the teahouse by now. You can ask someone to give some tips to the storytellers in the nearby teahouses later."
He Jing was surprised, then suddenly realized, "So, the people of Lianzhou just now spoke for you. Did you bribe them to string together the words beforehand?"
"No, no, no, how can I have the chance to communicate with the outside world while I'm in prison?"
"The army of trolls I raised earlier is now in use. I just need to find a few eloquent people to lead the charge and incite everyone through those less conspicuous people."
He Lin smiled slightly. He was very familiar with the matter of waging a public opinion war.
He Jing didn't quite understand what his cousin was saying: "What is a water army?"
He Lin groaned: "Well, it's the supporting role?"
He Jing seemed to understand and went to take the eggs off the carriage.
Suddenly, an idea struck him: "Wait a minute, I heard from my other brothers and sisters that the clothing and jewelry stores you own have been so popular lately that you have to queue up to get in."
"Are those people lining up your own trolls?"
The more He Jing spoke, the more he understood: "Using the troll army to create the impression that your shop has a lot of good stuff and is very popular?!"
He Jing felt like his worldview had been opened up. He could actually do business this way?!
He Lin chuckled: "Cousin, you have become smarter recently. It seems that you are listening carefully to the teacher's lessons."
When Jiang Lili listened to the conversation between He Lin and He Jing, she clapped her hands in amazement. He Lin was indeed in the entertainment industry. He had already started to raise an army of internet trolls in ancient times to control public opinion. She wondered why the people who came back to speak to He Lin could always add fuel to the fire at the critical moment. It turned out that it was the internet trolls that He Lin had started to cultivate since he came here!
He Lin glanced at He Jing, who always wore a veiled hat, with the veil covering his face. "Come on, cousin, why are you always wearing a veiled hat lately? Why don't you show your true face to others?"
He Jing just made an excuse: "I found a doctor to treat the rash on my face. I can't stand the wind and the sun."
He tightened the ties of his veil. The day after tomorrow would be his aunt's birthday party, and he could finally take off his veil. He wanted to amaze everyone!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
