"Master, Daozhou City is up ahead. I see quite a number of people at the resting point ahead. Banners are waving in the wind. It seems like the officials of Daozhou City are here to welcome Master …"
The carriage rumbled on the official road. Zheng Qiao, who was driving the carriage in front, lifted the curtain in front of the carriage and said to Xia Pingan in the carriage.
"Got it. Let's stop at the rest stop in front …" Xia Pingan, who was sitting in the carriage, looked at Zheng Yi and instructed.
Zheng Sui, who was driving the carriage, nodded and continued driving.
Xia Pingan read Han Yu's "Treatise on Honest Officials" with great interest.
Han Yu's essay was indeed excellent. Even though he wrote it to scold him, the "Treatise on Honest Officials" was impeccably written. The "Treatise on Honest Officials" was filled with references from various sources, from the "Book of Changes" to the "Book of History". Han Yu picked his words and scolded him, leaving him speechless.
Seeing that Xia Pingan was reading Han Yu's essay, Xue Yue, who was also sitting in the carriage, couldn't help but speak up. "… That Han Yu's' Treatise on Honest Officials' ridiculed Teacher for being a lazy advisor. This time, that treacherous prime minister Pei Yanling framed Lord Lu. Everyone in the court knows that Lord Lu was wrongly accused, but only Teacher dared to stand up for Lord Lu and scold that treacherous prime minister. I wonder where that Han Yu's face will go this time?"
Xia Pingan smiled. "Xue Yue, your personality is too straightforward and your temper too fiery. Everyone makes mistakes. I've been the advisor for many years, but I've never said anything. Han Yu couldn't stand it and wrote an essay to scold me. Han Yu's essay is extremely well written. You should learn from it!"
"Teacher, why didn't you refute Han Yu back then?"
"There are things to do and things not to do. You must remember that an advisor is like a sword. If you encounter someone who doesn't like sharpening the sword, the sword will be used too much and it won't be sharp. How can it cut through the thorns at the crucial moment? In my position as the advisor, I risked my life to advise His Majesty this time. As long as I can prevent His Majesty from doing foolish things, preventing Lu Zhi and the others from being harmed by Pei Yanling and preventing His Majesty from becoming an incapable ruler who kills his loyal subjects, that's enough!"
"Teacher, who is the person who sharpened the sword?"
"Taizong enjoyed sharpening his sword, and Wei Zheng revealed his edge!" Xia Pingan said.
Xue Yue seemed to have understood something, but his face was still full of anger. "Everyone knows that Pei Yanling is a sycophant. He is incompetent, but he is good at messing with people. Back then, when the traitorous prime minister was in charge, he only made some books and accounts to fool His Majesty. The treasury of the imperial court didn't increase at all, but His Majesty thought that he was good at managing money and promoted him. That traitorous prime minister should be killed and demoted.
Xia Pingan looked at Xue Yue, inwardly thinking that this Xue Yue's temperament was straightforward after all. If it wasn't for him keeping him at his side to guide him from time to time, this Xue Yue might have already been punished for his words, banished to Desolate Border.
He wondered if changing Xue Yue's fate would increase the amount of god power he would obtain after successfully fusing with the Realm Pearl.
Apart from Xue Yue, his student, Zheng Yi, who was currently driving the carriage and acting as his servant, had actually died a long time ago.
This Zheng Yi was originally a loyal and righteous person, but because he didn't have the money to bury his father, when Yang Cheng was still living in seclusion at Summer Sun Mountain, this Zheng Yi was willing to become Yang Cheng's servant after helping him bury his father. However, Yang Cheng was honest and didn't want to repay this kindness, only wanting to treat Zheng Yi as his student. He even taught Zheng Yi how to read, learning the 《Book of Songs》 and 《Style of the Nation》. However, that Zheng Yi really wasn't the type to study. In the end, he felt that he had let down Yang Cheng's teachings, unable to study, and was incomparably ashamed, actually hanging himself.
Zheng Yi's death was also the most vexing thing in Yang Cheng's life. Back then, when Zheng Yi died, Yang Cheng even took off his clothes to beg for forgiveness in Zheng Yi's mourning hall, and had his servant whip him with a branch to atone for his sins.
This time, after fusing with the Realm Pearl, Xia Pingan naturally wouldn't let the tragedy of the past happen again. Back then, after helping Zheng Yi bury his father in Summer Sun Mountain, Xia Pingan took Zheng Yi in as his servant. Zheng Yi didn't study and only did things. That Zheng Yi really did his best, and was still lively and lively even now.
There were actually two most difficult parts to fusing with the Realm Pearl. First, after Yang Cheng was recruited by the imperial court to become a remonstrant physician, he knew when to risk his life to speak up and obtain the opportunity to be demoted to Daozhou. Second, after being demoted to Daozhou, he knew what to do to relieve the suffering of the people of Daozhou.
The illusory child summoned by the Realm Pearl should be related to the dwarves that the people of Daozhou offered as tributes to the imperial court …
…
The carriage quickly arrived at the resting point. More than one hundred officials of Daozhou City had gathered here, including the banner bearers, to welcome the arrival of the new provincial governor.
Xia Pingan got off the carriage and took out his official seal, indicating his identity. The officials of Daozhou City welcomed Xia Pingan and prepared to return to Daozhou City.
As he sat in the carriage, Xia Pingan was already thinking about where he should start after arriving in Daozhou. The matter of refusing to pay tribute was no minor matter, and it involved the interests of all parties. His subordinates and the observers above him could all be involved. Ever since Emperor Yang of Sui, Daozhou had been paying tribute to the dwarves. The dwarven figurines of the Great Tang all came from Daozhou. In the words of later generations, the dwarves had already formed an industrial chain in Daozhou. Many people had been promoted and made money through paying tribute to the dwarves. His arrival this time was to cut off many people's paths to promotion and wealth.
The officials and the banner of honor welcoming Xia Pingan walked on the official road in an awe-inspiring manner, drawing the attention of the common people along the way.
In less than an hour, Xia Pingan's carriage followed the officials to the eastern gate of Daozhou City.
After walking for so long and under the scorching sun, the banner bearers were all listless, but they still managed to keep their spirits up.
Just as the carriage was about to enter the city, a woman suddenly rushed out from the side of the city gate. She immediately knelt in front of the banner of honor and loudly wailed, "This commoner has been wronged. Provincial Governor, please redress this commoner's grievances!"
Seeing the newly appointed provincial governor in such a situation as soon as he entered the city, the faces of the officials welcoming Xia Pingan instantly turned green.
"Where did this brazen shrew come from? Drag her away …" An official on horseback coldly shouted and was about to order for the woman blocking the road to be dragged away from the city gate.
"Hold on …" The curtain of the carriage was lifted. Xia Pingan had already gotten off the carriage. He directly passed by those officials and banner bearers and came to the place where the woman was kneeling as he glanced at her.
The woman kneeling on the ground was over 20 years old. She wore a coarse hemp skirt. Her hands and face were rough and dusty. At first sight, Zhang Tie knew that she should be a peasant woman from a village near Daozhou City. She might have been waiting here for a long time.
"I'm the newly appointed provincial governor of Daozhou City. The entire Daozhou Province is under my rule!" Xia Pingan glanced at those common people who were watching the fun as he shouted loudly. After that, he stretched out his hand to help the woman up, "What grievances do you have? Why are you blocking the road? Get up first!"
"This humble woman, Madam He, begs Your Excellency to seek justice for me …" The woman who was kneeling on the ground didn't get up at all. Instead, she kept kowtowing and wailing. The woman's forehead hit the dusty ground until it was bruised and covered in dust. "My child was just one year old and he was taken away. Please, Your Excellency, help me get my child back. Wu wu wu wu, if I don't have my child, I don't want to live anymore.
"According to the Law of the Tang Dynasty, those who kidnap and sell people as slaves and maidservants will be hanged; those who work as soldiers will be exiled for 3,000 miles. Those who work as wives, concubines, children and grandchildren will be apprentices for three years. Who dares to kidnap children in Daozhou City? Tell me, this official will definitely seek justice for you. This official would like to see who dares to do that in Daozhou City! " Xia Pingan probably knew who did it. However, he still read out the Law of the Tang Dynasty loudly in a righteous and strict manner, which made the common people in the surroundings restless.
"This commoner's child was taken away by that person and a few constables!" The commoner raised her head and pointed at one of the officials standing behind Xia Pingan.
Xia Pingan turned around and looked at those officials of Daozhou City behind him.
Today, there were quite a number of officials who came to welcome him; they were all people from the Provincial Governor's Mansion of Daozhou. There were also the Provincial Governor's Mansion's special attendants, the Minister of War, the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of War, the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of War, the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of War, the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of War, the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of War, the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of War, the Minister of War, the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of War, the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of War, the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of War, the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of War, the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of War, the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of War,
The person the woman pointed at was the Si Hu of the Six Cao of the Provincial Governor's Mansion. The position of Si Hu was responsible for keeping track of the population. In Xia Pingan's eyes, this was a minor official. However, in the eyes of ordinary people, this minor official was also a great figure.
The Si Hu of Daozhou City was a man who looked like a pig. He was in his thirties and had urinary blisters, dark circles under his eyes, and a fat head. After walking for a while, he was sweating profusely and gasping for breath. When they were at the resting point, this Si Hu introduced himself. Xia Pingan still remembered this fellow. He was called Wang Qi.
Seeing the civilian woman pointing at him and the Provincial Governor looking at him, Lord Qi's face instantly changed as he quivered all over and broke out in cold sweat. He hurriedly explained, "Provincial Governor, please make a clear judgment. I've never abducted a child!"
"Then why did she accuse you?" Xia Pingan calmly asked, "Are you saying that she falsely accused you? If she did, this official can also make a decision for you. I will clear your name and punish her for her crime!"
Just ten days ago, you came to my house with a few bailiffs and took away my child. You even beat me with an iron ruler and pushed me to the ground. I would recognize you even if you turned into ashes. All the neighbors around my house can testify … "The woman looked at the Si Hu and gnashed her teeth. She wiped away her tears and tore open her clothes in front of everyone, revealing a dark bruise on her shoulder." Your Excellency, please take a look. This is the mark left behind by that person who beat me with an iron ruler. My poor husband died of illness when the child was just one month old. Now they have come to steal my child. God, what sin have I committed? Why are you doing this to me … "
The woman cried and wailed. Her voice was so sorrowful that all the people around her looked at her with sympathy. Many of the women around her almost shed tears when they heard her.
And with this ruckus, more and more people gathered at the gate. In the blink of an eye, three layers of people had gathered.
"Erm … erm …" Sweating profusely, the official looked at his colleague beside him for help, especially the granary official. However, the granary official moved his eyes away as he didn't want to answer this question. Seeing Xia Pingan's eyes turn cold, Wang Qi could only say hesitantly, "Provincial Governor … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm … erm …
"My Great Tang is a place of reason. Where this prince stands is the court. If there's a reason, there's no need to go to the yamen!" Xia Pingan loudly declared, his voice brimming with killing intent and righteousness. His words jolted the minds of the crowd. "If you have something to say, you can say it right now in front of all the people of Daozhou City. If you don't, this official will immediately take your head for the crime of plundering!"
Hearing Xia Pingan's words, that Secretary Wang Qi clenched his teeth, lowered his head, and explained, "Your Excellency … Your Excellency … Your Excellency … Your Excellency, Your Excellency … Your Excellency, Your Excellency, Your Excellency, Your Excellency, Your Excellency!"
He was actually bringing up the Emperor and the tribute?
Xia Pingan had been staring at Wang Qi's face this entire time. When he saw Wang Qi's expression, Xia Pingan inwardly sneered. You actually want to use the Emperor and the tribute to pressure me? It would have been better if you didn't mention the Emperor and the tribute in front of so many people, but now that you mention it, you're seeking death. You probably don't know how you became a Grand Scholar.
"When did my Great Tang take children and infants as tributes? This official just came from Chang 'an, so how come I didn't know?" Xia Pingan asked.
"This … this … children and toddlers naturally can't be used as tributes, but dwarf figurines can. Your Excellency, you should have seen those dwarf figurines in Chang 'an City. Those dwarf figurines were trained by those children. They are the tributes of our Daozhou City!" This Secretary Wang Qi was actually hiding a needle in a velvet glove. He even wanted to turn the tables on him.
"Oh, is that so?" Xia Pingan chuckled. "So you admit that you took the child of this peasant woman?"
"Your Excellency, I didn't take it, I was collecting tributes!" Wang Qi continued to argue.
Xia Pingan asked the peasant woman, "When he took your child, did he give you any money or silk?"
The peasant woman shook her head. "No. When these people take children, they always just take them …"
When Xia Pingan heard this, his face instantly chilled. He pointed at Wang Qi and said, "Men, arrest this traitor!"
The officials who had come to greet Xia Pingan looked at each other in dismay. For a moment, they didn't move.
Xia Pingan looked at the military registrar of Daozhou City and the head of the yamen. "Disobeying the orders of the provincial governor is tantamount to rebellion. What, in front of all the people of Daozhou City, are the two of you going to rebel like him?"
The registrar of the Provincial Governor's Office was in charge of supervising the Six Cao, while the head of the bailiffs was directly under the Provincial Governor's orders. Hearing Xia Pingan mention the crime of rebellion, the two officials trembled. Without another word, they hurriedly ordered their bailiffs to press that Secretary Hu Wang to the ground.
"Your Excellency, I refuse to accept this. You can't arrest me. I'm collecting tributes for the imperial court. I haven't committed a crime, I haven't committed a crime …" Wang Qi was forced to kneel on the ground, but he was still shouting.
"According to the imperial court's laws, each county's tributes must be paid with silk. The tributes must not exceed fifty bolts, and official goods must be used to fill the market. The tributes must be thin and easy to supply. The Sacred Dynasty often uses this system. In addition to this, it will also reduce the taxes and taxes. You said that the kidnappers were to pay tribute, then let me ask you, where is the compensation that the imperial court gave to the people who paid tribute? Why was it not given to the commoner woman? Daring to embezzle His Majesty's tributes is also a capital offense! "
Wang Qi's expression instantly changed. "This … this …"
Wang Qi couldn't say anything, because the so-called compensation for the people had already been embezzled. How could it be distributed? And embezzling so much of the imperial court's tributes was also a capital offense.
"You keep saying that you kidnap children to pay tribute, but the imperial court has set a rule that the price of earth tribute cannot exceed fifty bolts. At the same time, it also stipulates that the government must compensate the people who pay tribute for the loss of property. You kidnap children without reducing the rent or paying the silk bolts. How is this different from the bandits who kidnap people? You keep saying that you did this for His Majesty and the imperial court, but in reality, you are using His Majesty's name to commit such atrocious acts. You deceived your superiors and your subordinates, causing His Majesty, the imperial court, and the people of Daozhou to be separated from their families. You even slandered His Majesty and the imperial court. Your crimes are punishable by death! "
Xia Pingan pointed at Wang Qi. "As an official of the imperial court, you knowingly broke the law, adding to your crimes. Men, immediately beat this animal to death and give the people of Daozhou an explanation!"
The bailiffs holding down Wang Qi hesitated for a moment, but they still pressed Wang Qi to the ground and hit him with their sticks, causing him to scream in pain.
At the start, the bailiffs didn't dare to use too much strength, so their hands and feet were tied.
"Xue Yue, this Wang Qi has done all sorts of evil. Investigate if he has any accomplices in the provincial government office!" Xia Pingan said to Xue Yue.
"Yes, Milord!" Xue Yue replied.
Upon hearing this, the expressions of some of the surrounding officials changed again. The bailiffs immediately exerted ten percent of their strength and began to use all of their strength to hit him.
Wang Qi, who had been screaming just a moment ago, only had the strength left to groan a few times. Later on, Wang Qi didn't even have the strength to groan. He was completely silent.
In front of all the people in Daozhou City, Xia Pingan had beaten an evil official to death at the gate of Daozhou City, shocking all the officials of the provincial government office.
When Wang Qi was being beaten, the surrounding people spread the news. More and more people gathered here to watch the fun. In the blink of an eye, thousands of people had gathered at the gate of Daozhou City.
After being beaten over 100 times, Wang Qi's back had been smashed. His mouth and nose were bleeding. He didn't make any sound like a piece of rotten meat anymore.
The bailiffs stopped. The registrar of the provincial government office came forward to check Wang Qi's body before reporting to Xia Pingan with a quivering voice, "Milord, Wang Qi has been beaten to death …"
"Drag him away …" Xia Pingan ordered.
…
"Qingtian, Qingtian is here, Lord Qingtian is here …" An old man exclaimed excitedly at the sight of this scene.
"Provincial Governor, please seek justice for us …" Numerous people started to shout.
"Milord, my kid was also caught by them …" Someone knelt down as he pleaded, "Milord, please save my poor kid …"
"Milord, please save the people of Daozhou Province. They're too miserable …" More and more people knelt down at the gate of the city as they pleaded with tears …
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