In the alley.
The two men in rags were looking around like thieves.
One of the older men said, "If it doesn't work, just leave. We really can't afford to offend that group of people."
"What are you afraid of?"
"If we can't afford to offend him, there will be people who can."
"Besides, it was His Highness himself who asked the people to complain."
The younger men said: "Let's go tell the truth. What can they do to us?"
"You are confused!"
"How do you know that His Highness the Crown Prince is not doing this just for show?"
"If we look back and he doesn't care about us, our lives will be gone!"
As you are older, you have experienced more reality, and you can see some things more thoroughly than younger people.
He didn't believe in these officials, let alone that these people could clear up his grievances.
"Let's go!"
"Let's go home. There are still many things to do in the fields."
Just when the older man was about to pull the younger man away, a voice sounded behind them.
"Wait!"
Immediately afterwards, they saw a tall man walking towards them.
Seeing this man, both of them were startled and subconsciously stepped back.
"Don't be afraid, you two."
"I came to pick you up on the prince's order."
This person is none other than Li Yu.
He also didn't expect that what Li Chengqian said was actually true.
Outside, there are people who really want to complain.
After hearing Li Yu's words, the two looked at each other.
There was also a look of disbelief in his eyes.
The young man was the first to ask: "Your Highness, do you want to see us?"
"yes."
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said that he would clear the grievances of the people in the city."
"This is not a joke, let alone a show."
"If you two really have any grievances, you might as well enter the inn and talk to His Highness the Crown Prince."
As he spoke, Li Yu made a gesture of invitation.
The two men, one old and one young, looked at each other and finally followed Li Yu's footsteps and walked into the inn.
…
Inside the inn.
Look at the young man in front of you who is drinking tea slowly.
One old and one young, both men were a little at a loss.
Is this person the prince?
It seems different from the rumors.
They are not the first to think this way.
According to outside descriptions, Li Chengqian is a very absurd person who loves great achievements, is murderous by nature.
But what about this one in front of me?
His face is as handsome as a celestial being.
A pair of tiger eyes are piercing, and the corners of his mouth are slightly raised, as if he is always smiling.
Every move he raises his hands and feet carries an indescribable sense of nobility.
At this time, Li Chengqian put down his tea cup and looked down at the two people.
"Are you father and son?"
The two looked at each other and nodded in unison.
"They look really alike."
Li Chengqian said casually and then asked: "What are your names?"
"The little old man's surname is Geng. He is the second eldest child in the family. He has never had a proper name since he was a child."
"Outsiders either call me Lao Geng or Geng Lao Er."
Geng Laoer obviously hasn't read for a few years, and what he says is all in vernacular.
Li Chengqian didn't mind either.
He turned to Geng Laoer's son and said, "What about you?"
"The villain Geng Zhiyong."
Geng Zhiyong answered truthfully.
"Good name."
Li Chengqian praised: "He is both wise and courageous, and his ambition is always there."
"Your Highness is so complimentary..."
Geng Zhiyong is obviously better than him. At least he still has a bookish temperament in his speech.
Li Chengqian picked up the tea cup again and took a sip.
"alright."
"I've asked all I want to know."
"You two can also talk about how you have been wronged."
Li Chengqian put down his tea cup and said, "As long as there is evidence or someone can prove that what you said is true, I will definitely help you redress your grievances."
"this……"
Geng Laoer hesitated.
He glanced at Geng Zhiyong with hesitation on his face.
He didn't know whether he should say it or not.
Geng Zhiyong didn't care so much.
"If dad doesn't tell me, then I will."
Geng Zhiyong faced Li Chengqian and said, "Your Highness, I want to ask you something before I speak."
"Um?"
Li Chengqian was a little dazed, and he opened his hands and said, "Just ask."
"If i remember correctly."
"Our Tang Dynasty has already started to implement land reform a few years ago."
"Every household, as long as they have a household registration in the Tang Dynasty, can receive land based on their capita."
After Geng Zhiyong finished speaking, he looked up at Li Chengqian and said, "That's right, Your Highness?"
"That's right."
This was decided by Li Chengqian originally.
"But."
"We in Qinzhou have never had this system."
"We, the people of Qinzhou, still cultivate the land owned by landlords."
Geng Zhiyong said: "If others don't talk about it, let's just talk about the few acres of land that our family rents."
"Not only is the land rent 20% higher than before, but he often forces us to do private work for him."
"For some reason, the rent has to be increased, forcing us to almost have no way out."
"and……"
Speaking of this, Geng Zhiyong suddenly paused.
Li Chengqian raised his eyebrows: "Keep talking."
"That bunch of evil-hearted stewards."
"Relying on my connections in the county government, I act arrogantly and bully others..."
Geng Zhiyong licked his lips, as if hesitating whether to say it or not.
"how?"
Li Chengqian raised his eyebrows and said, "What's the secret?"
"No...no."
Geng Zhiyong continued: "In the second half of last year, a steward fell in love with the girl next door to my house."
"When the girl didn't comply, he took advantage of the situation and took the girl's father and brother into prison and beat her."
"The girl couldn't bear it, so she entered the steward's house that night."
"result……"
Geng Zhiyong clenched his fists and said, "When I went to pick him up from the prison, I found out that my father and brother had been beaten to death a long time ago."
"Afterwards, the manager even boasted that he was already asleep anyway, so it would be better to just follow him from now on."
"The girl was so fierce that she crashed to death at the door of the steward's house."
"Later, the fiancé who had proposed marriage to the girl and the girl's mother and brother ran to the Yamen to file a lawsuit."
"My mother was beaten to death on the spot, my brother was beaten to a disability, and my fiancé was also beaten to death by the gang of dogs wearing official clothes from the government office, and he was left lying in bed for half a year."
Hearing this, Li Chengqian felt a fire burning in his heart.
Let’s not talk about our own reforms, why were they not implemented in Qinzhou?
To put it simply, a steward in the field could oppress the people in this way and force a family to lose their lives.
What about everyone else?
What about those who are officials?
Li Chengqian clenched his fist tightly and then released it.
"Qinzhou, this is really a place where people can eat people."
Li Chengqian slowly turned his head and looked at Li Yu beside him: "Uncle Li, don't you think it's a bit insulting for me to describe them as inferior to animals?"
"yes."
Li Yu, who was serious about his words, nodded seriously.
When he heard those things, he was filled with anger.
"Your Highness, to be honest, I can't bear it anymore."
Li Yu said to Li Chengqian: "Otherwise, I can just capture them."
"right."
"Otherwise, I'll chop them up."
Fu Laoliu even said bluntly: "Anyway, there are quite a few dog officials who have died in the hands of our brothers before."
