"Who are you? How dare you interfere in my own affairs? Do you want to go against the government?"
Seeing Hai Rui's extraordinary bearing, the official responsible for collecting grain restrained himself a little and did not dare to be too presumptuous.
Otherwise, given his character, he would just slap any charge on him and then send him to prison to make him suffer a lot!
Hearing this, Hai Rui just smiled and replied immediately.
"I just happened to be passing by here and I just drew my sword to help when I saw injustice. Is it possible that the power given to you by the court is just for you to bully the people?"
After hearing the question in Hai Rui's words, the official responsible for collecting grains suddenly turned pale, sneered, and then said in a deep voice.
"I don't care who you are, but since you dare to offend me today, I have to make you look good!"
"What are you guys doing standing still? Let me take him down!"
As soon as he finished speaking, several officials were seen gradually surrounding Hai Rui. Xiao Er, who was beside Hai Rui, saw this and was about to pull out his weapon, but was stopped by Hai Rui's eyes.
Even if they couldn't use weapons, how could these officials be Xiao Er's opponents?
Therefore, after three times, five and two, he was severely knocked to the ground, wailing and unable to get up again.
When the official saw that the man next to Hai Rui had a high level of force, his expression suddenly turned gloomy. He knew very well that he was facing a tough situation.
Generally speaking, a person who can have such a skilled bodyguard must be rich or noble!
At the same time, he also felt regretful for his previous reckless behavior. Without knowing the background of the other party, he was blinded by anger and took action without authorization after saying a few words.
Now, since the two sides have formed a rift, then stop thinking about reconciliation. Killing them all is the best choice.
After thinking about all this, the official gritted his teeth and gave instructions to the remaining people.
"Why are you still standing there? Didn't you see this man openly attacking an official?"
"This is a rebellion!"
"At any cost, capture him for me and put him in jail for punishment!"
Taking the lessons learned from the previous officers, the remaining officers pulled out their long knives from their waists, formed a formation, and approached Hai Rui.
Seeing this situation, Hai Rui had a calm expression on his face and just nodded to Xiao Er who was standing beside him.
Xiao Er also understood what Hai Rui meant, and immediately pulled out the scroll he had been hiding, looked around, and said in a deep voice.
"I want to see who dares to come up and die today!"
When the officials saw this, they immediately looked suffocated. After exchanging glances, they suddenly had the intention of retreating.
"Who is this person? It's enough to have such a powerful guard. This guard can actually carry weapons with him!"
"Anyway, it's not us who offend others. We're just trying to make ends meet. There's no need to fight to the death. What do you think, brothers?"
"Yes, that guy usually likes to take more and occupy more. In the end, the profit is shared among us, and there is only a meager benefit.
"That's it, you still expect us to work hard for him? Bah!"
Seeing this, the official responsible for collecting grain suddenly turned blue and purple on his face. He stretched out his hand tremblingly and pointed at the officials, wanting to say something, but no sound was made.
Soon, these officers put down their weapons, then stood aside angrily and explained to Hai Rui.
"Sir, this is all his fault, and we have no choice but to do it!"
"You know, the highest level of officialdom is overwhelming. He is our immediate superior. If he gives any orders, we dare not disobey him!"
Hai Rui did not comment on the words of these officials. He just pointed at the official responsible for collecting grain and said slowly.
"You guys, get him for me!"
After hearing this, the few officials who had defected suddenly looked happy, their faces full of excitement, and they thought to themselves.
"It seems that I made the right bet. This person who is nosy is really an official, and a high official at that!"
Immediately, the officers were seen picking up the weapons on the ground and approaching their superiors step by step.
When the official saw this situation, he immediately panicked and kept backing away, and kept talking.
"What are you going to do? Do you want to rebel? I am your boss!"
"Sir, I've offended you, but I have no choice but to do it!"
Soon, the official responsible for collecting grain was tied up with a large rope by his former subordinates and escorted to Hai Rui.
"Sir, we have sent you the person you want. Look..."
Among the few officials, the leader stood up, with a flattering look on his face, and begged Hai Rui.
"Well, just wait, someone will be here soon."
After Hai Rui said this, he stopped looking at them. He immediately came to the official, leaned down, and looked at the official up and down in a condescending manner.
The official knew that he had hit a brick wall, and Hai Rui would definitely not let him go. Therefore, he turned his head to the side without saying a word.
Hai Rui pointed to the villagers of Shiqiao Village who were stunned because they were too shocked. Then he looked back and asked the official.
"Who told you to do this?"
When the official saw this, he snorted coldly and, like before, tilted his head to one side without saying a word.
Hai Rui saw the rather unhappy expression on the official's face, chuckled lightly, and then spoke.
"Do you think the people behind you will let you go if you don't speak up?"
"I'll tell you the truth. Those people behind you only want to shut you up as soon as possible. After all, you have no use value to them."
"If you tell me the whole story, maybe I can save your life."
The official was somewhat moved by Hai Rui's words. Having served here for many years, he already knew the character of that group of people very clearly.
Then, he hesitated for a moment and asked Hai Rui.
"Who are you, and how can I ensure that you are capable enough to protect me from death?"
After hearing this, Hai Rui turned his eyes to the official and lowered his voice.
"I am Hai Rui, the imperial envoy sent by the imperial court to investigate the case. Do you think I have the ability?"
"You are Hai Rui!"
After hearing this, the official's face was full of fear and he said subconsciously.
When Xiao Er saw this, he immediately took a step forward and warned in a deep voice.
"Bold, you actually dare to call the Lord by his first name!"
At this moment, the official was already despairing. He never thought that he would offend the imperial minister sent by the imperial court!
Not to mention himself, even Pan Xian, the governor of Henan, had to be polite when meeting Hai Rui.
Thinking of this, his face suddenly turned pale, and large beads of sweat continued to roll down his forehead.
Hai Rui saw this and asked immediately.
"Tell me, who ordered you to do this?"
When the official saw this, he no longer hesitated, and immediately recounted everything he knew, like pouring beans through a bamboo tube.
After hearing the official's description of the situation, Hai Rui also frowned and said slowly.
"You mean, there are three rice shops in Kaifeng, namely Huitong, Guanghui, and Ju'an!"
"On weekdays, except for the portion of food you collect, are all sent to these three rice stores?"
(End of chapter)
