In the afternoon, many sneaky figures suddenly appeared on the streets of Yangzhou. They were dressed in common people's clothes and spreading news on the streets.
"Brother, do you know that the imperial envoy Ouyang Zhongcheng is going to escort these officials who have slacked off to the stables?"
"Tch, what's so surprising about this? The emperor will definitely cut off their heads on these bitches himself. This is a very satisfying thing. What's all the fuss about?"
"You know what the heck, these guys are going to retract their confessions as soon as they get to the stables. Who among these officials has no backing? Look, in a few years, these bitches will come back to us to settle accounts with each other like they are dogs;
Su Qingtian was so angry that he scolded me in the government office, but there was nothing he could do."
"What? Is that really the case? Can these people turn their lives around? I don't think it's possible."
"Other than saying that you are short-sighted, none of these people have embezzled thousands of pieces of furniture, scattered a lot of money, and opened up all the joints. Even if they fail to retract their confessions, they will be given a lighter sentence; after two years, they will change their identities and go to work elsewhere.
Officials bring harm to people, it makes my damn heart explode with anger just thinking about it."
"What should we do? We can't take advantage of these dogs. They have caused trouble to our Yangzhou for so many years. It wouldn't be cheap if they just ran away like this."
"Yeah, who didn't say that? Su Qingtian was originally afraid that they would do this, so he wanted to ask the imperial envoy Ouyang to report to the court, so he killed these dog officials in Yangzhou; but the imperial envoy was unwilling, and Su Qingtian was unwilling to do this.
I almost got into a physical fight with the Imperial Envoy, but after all, people are senior officials, and senior officials can crush people to death, so Su Qingtian had nothing to do except get angry."
"That's not possible. We have to help Su Qingtian speak for us on this matter. He is wholeheartedly doing good for us in Yangzhou, but there are always people like this that come out to disrupt the situation; it's just that we can't think of a way."
"There is a way, but I'm afraid that everyone is not united. As long as everyone goes to the Yamen to petition, can we, the imperial commissioner, turn a blind eye to the public opinion of the people of Yangzhou? The emperor loves the people like his own son. If he knows, he will definitely support us people."
"Petition? How to petition?"
"You stupid head, let's go to the Yamen Gate together and ask the Imperial Envoy to chop off the heads of these guys in Yangzhou because of the anger of the people. With more people and strength, I don't believe that the Imperial Envoy will ignore it; besides, with Su Qingtian's support, he will definitely do it.
It works.”
"Yes, yes, this is a good idea, then let's go quickly..."
"Are you in a hurry? Just the two of us will go there and it will be useless."
"What should we do?"
"Let's tell everyone these things and let's go together."
"Hey, look at my brain. Come on, I won't stop doing business. I'll go tell the neighbors now."
"Go quickly... go quickly... I will also tell other neighbors."
"Um... Brother, thank you for your hard work. How do you know these things? Even the quarrel between Su Qingtian and the Imperial Envoy was known..."
"Oh, my wife's cousin's third uncle's uncle works in the Yamen. During the quarrel, his uncle was waiting on the side, otherwise we would still be kept in the dark."
"Oh, your uncle is responsible for this. Come on, I'll go call someone right away. Thank you for passing the message."
"..."
The same dialogue scenes are constantly happening in the four cities and eight major markets. Some people are indifferent, some are busy doing business, but more people respond positively; people are not willing to let these scum escape punishment, nor are they willing to let the people they admire
Su Qingtian worked hard to eliminate the cancer in Yangzhou, but in the end these people were allowed to go free; some people who had been directly persecuted were so excited that they gritted their teeth and jumped, and soon crowds began to gather in front of the government office.
An hour later, the government office was already crowded with people. Song Xiang, who had just been removed from guard and restored to his own self, had not recovered yet. He was hiding in the inner hall like a frightened bird and thinking about it. Suddenly, he heard that the government servant came to report that the government office square was full of people. The people were gathering together, and they were so noisy that they didn't know what was going on.
Song Xiang’s head is getting bigger, so what’s wrong? Can’t he just calm down for a few days?
"Hurry up and ask Pan Dutou to come over with the soldiers. You should hurry up and stand at the yamen gate to prevent the people from rushing in." Song Xiang ordered repeatedly.
"I obey...but those people seem to be clamoring to see the Imperial Envoy. Sir, do you think we should send someone to Guanyi to invite the Imperial Envoy to come?"
"Why don't you go quickly? What are you doing here? Tell the imperial envoy that I am here to appease the people and ask him to come as soon as possible." Song Xiang quickly got up and walked out. Originally, he had made up his mind, but the soldiers did not come to him. He won't show up, but when he heard that these people were looking for Ouyang Xiu, he immediately felt relieved. Since it had nothing to do with him, it would be no big deal if he went out. Besides, when the imperial envoy arrived, it would be unreasonable for him not to comfort him at the scene. .
Ouyang Xiu was given a few more drinks by Su Jin at the Yuelai Inn, and he had something on his mind, so he drank a lot and his head felt dizzy. After returning to Guanyi, he went into the room to take a nap. When he was sleeping soundly, someone The entourage shouted outside the door. Ouyang Xiu was so angry that he cursed and had to get up.
After understanding the stammering narration of the yamen servant, Ouyang Xiu did not hesitate at all, and hurriedly led the people out of the door and went straight to the yamen square. When he got out of the carriage at the end of the field, he was shocked to see the huge crowd of people. It's so exciting that it makes one's heart tremble.
Ouyang Xiu believed that he had nothing to do with the people of Yangzhou, but he had also heard of the people of Yangzhou who gathered together to fight, smash and loot. If these people did not do bad things, they were ordinary people. Once they did, they were gangsters. They should not be taken lightly.
So Ouyang Xiu chose to quickly come to the front of the government office through a quiet passage. As soon as he climbed the steps, he saw Song Xiang was explaining something to the people with a sad face and a hoarse voice: "Fathers and fellow villagers, how can this happen? It really doesn't happen like this. .”
"Don't lie to us and ask the imperial envoy to speak. We don't believe what you say."
"If you don't believe what I say, then whose words do you believe? Believe me. There is nothing like what you said... I am your parent, how could I lie to you."
"Bullshit parent officer, you are just a loser. You have stayed here for three years and raised so many people. You don't even know that the dog officer just knows how to travel around the mountains and rivers, recite poems and paint all day long. As soon as Su Qingtian comes, we Yangzhou will immediately It's sunny. I'm counting on you. Everyone is afraid that they will starve to death and freeze to death. If you don't talk to you, let's ask the imperial envoy to bring a message to the emperor..."
Song Xiang blushed and wanted to get angry but couldn't. His arrogant self-esteem was hit, but he couldn't really just walk away, so he had to bite the bullet and continue to explain.
Ouyang Xiu felt sad for Song Xiang in his heart. The former No. 1 Scholar was now regarded as such by a state official. The common people said it right. He was really a confused official. There were so many corrupt officials under his nose, and there was Feng Jingyao. A big cancer, so ignorant.
"Prefect Song, what's going on?" Ouyang Xiu pulled Song Xiang's sleeve from behind and asked.
When Song Xiu saw Ouyang Xiu, he almost burst into tears. He quickly raised his hands and said, "Master Zhongcheng, you are here. I can hardly hold on anymore."
Ouyang Xiudao: "What on earth is going on?"
Song Xiang said: "I don't know where the news came from, saying that we were going to escort the prisoner and Feng Jingyao to Beijing. The people were afraid that the prisoner would be protected if he went to the stable, so they all came to the imperial envoy and asked him to send a message to the emperor. I hope
The emperor executed the criminals in Yangzhou to express the anger of the people."
When Ouyang Xiu heard this, he immediately understood that this must be Su Jin's fault. He had just talked to him at noon that criminals with great public grievances could apply for local execution to calm the public grievances. After only two hours, the people immediately gathered to petition.
If it weren't for Su Jintao's genius.
However, the people's ability to gather together and petition so quickly also shows that these officials are indeed deeply resented by the public, so it is logical to petition for execution locally.
"Fellow folks in Yangzhou, I am the imperial envoy you are looking for. What are your requirements? Please explain to me that such noise is not a problem. Please recommend some people to come forward and speak." Ouyang Xiu
Su Rong said loudly.
The imperial envoy naturally has a majestic air. Although the people are noisy, they are afraid of the government. The bigger the official, the more afraid they are. The noise gradually subsides. When I hear that someone is going to be elected, everyone will push me and I will push you.
They didn't dare to step forward, for fear that if they forced themselves to come forward, they would be settled by the queen in the future.
In the midst of embarrassment, someone raised his arms and said, "For me, I'm not afraid."
Ouyang Xiu smiled and said, "Please ask this brother to come forward and speak."
The crowd made way for a passage, and Zheng She strode forward. The soldiers removed their swords and let him go up the steps of the Yamen.
"Sir, I see you, Zheng She, a fish seller at Nanshikou."
Ouyang Xiudao: "Tell me, what is it?"
Zheng She cupped his hands and said, "Sir, we heard that the criminals captured by Mr. Su this time will be taken to the stables for sentencing, right?"
Ouyang Xiu twisted his beard and said: "According to the procedures, a review by the Ministry of Punishment is indeed required before a verdict can be made."
Zheng She said: "That's it. We Yangzhou people call these bastards a big disaster. My father was forced to death by Feng Jingyao in collusion with these dog officials. My fish stall is just a stone's throw away from Feng Laohu's shop.
More than ten feet away, they insisted that my stall blocked their door and started making trouble every now and then. My father was so angry that he went to the government office to report the crime. Not only did the government office not deal with it, but they slapped my father dozens of times and threw him out.
, my father was so angry and resentful that he died of resentment after three months. The villain refused to give up and planned to go to the stable to file a complaint. However, Feng Laohu's men discovered him and chased him back. He cut off three fingers forcibly, sir. "
Zheng She stretched out his right hand that was folded in his sleeve. Sure enough, only the thumb and little finger were left among the five fingers, and the three middle ones were left with three bare pegs.
Zheng She said: "The villain was thrown into prison. If Su Qingtian hadn't come to Yangzhou, he might never have seen the sun in his life. These dog officials and bullies killed my father and also mutilated the villain. The villain wanted to eat
Their flesh and drink their blood, so I want to ask you to bring a message to the emperor, hoping to see these harmful scum be beheaded with your own eyes, please help me."
Song Xiang couldn't help but said: "Zheng She, this government knows about your case and has compensated you with money and money, and the stall has been returned to you. Why are you still making mischief? The court has court procedures, and you can't just do whatever you want."
As soon as Song Xiang interrupted, the people were dissatisfied. Some people had the courage to shout: "You loser, get out of here. If you weren't incompetent, how could we, the people of Yangzhou, suffer so much?"
Someone took the lead and suddenly roared like thunder: "Get away, you loser."
"What kind of bird magistrate? If you don't make decisions for the people, go home and sell sweet potatoes."
I don't know why Song Xiang offended the people of Yangzhou. When he opened the warehouse to distribute grain some time ago, everyone was still shouting "Song Qingtian" at the yamen gate. Why, the situation is getting better and better now. When everyone is not worried about being hungry, they themselves
It turned out to be a thorn in his side, something he didn't expect.
What made Song Xiang even more ashamed was that Ouyang Xiu also glanced at him and said: "Prefect Song, what you said makes no sense. What the emperor loves to hear most is the voice of the people. How could you ignore the people's demands as you said?
Please step aside and rest."
Song Xiang was so ashamed that he hid his face and retreated.dd