Although the county soldiers have been controlled by Ji Lie, as the prime minister, Gongsun He still has many government officials and sword archers responsible for arresting bandits.
At this time, those people were guarding both sides of the execution ground with eager eyes.
Whenever there is any movement, the bows and arrows in their hands will be shot out without mercy.
Even though Shen Wu was extremely skilled, if he charged forward like this, his sacrifice would be in vain.
Ji Lie had just recruited him, but he didn't want to see him give it to him for nothing!
At this moment, Yu Jing walked up to the stage and said loudly,
"Wu Da and Wu Er violated Daxia's tax laws and beat tax collectors. The circumstances were extremely serious!"
"To serve as a warning, I will behead the two of them in public!"
As soon as these words came out, Wu Da and Wu Er, who were pinned down in the hall, suddenly became excited!
"Dog officer! We have obviously paid taxes!"
"Yes, it's you who have increased the exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes, making it difficult for us to survive!"
Gongsunhe, who was sitting on the stage, frowned slightly and made a stern look at the government servants beside him.
They nodded knowingly, and a few big men went up and beat the two Wu brothers until their mouths were bleeding and they could no longer speak.
Seeing this situation, the people below also started talking a lot.
"Wu Da and Wu Er are both good people. They help us water our fields on weekdays when they have nothing to do."
"Who allowed them to offend the government?"
"Hey, the government is too cruel. The harvest this year was not good, so why did they increase the donation?"
"It's really abominable! I should have known that I would plant the royal fields in the palace."
"That's right, the prince is kind-hearted, but he only charges 30% of the rent!"
Seeing that it was almost time, Gongsun He said in a deep voice,
"The time has come for execution!"
Just as several executioners were about to step forward, a calm and majestic voice sounded on the execution ground,
"Save someone under the knife!"
After the words fell, everyone's eyes turned to Ji Lie.
Gongsunhe on the stage smacked the table with dissatisfaction.
"Who is making a noise here?!"
"Is your Majesty Guo okay?"
Ji Lie took Shen Wu, Yang Qing and others and walked out of the crowd with a smile.
"Wang...Prince?"
Seeing Ji Lie, Gongsun He was surprised and frowned.
Why did this bastard appear here?
But even if he had any reluctance in his heart, he had no choice but to stand up and greet him, pretending to be respectful,
"I've met the prince. I wonder what kind of wind has brought you here?"
"Ah? Prince?"
"He is actually the prince!"
"No wonder, just looking at the temperament, it's so expensive!"
"We have met the prince!"
In ancient feudal society, in order to maintain their rule, the royal family vigorously promoted their nobility, so that ordinary people were in awe of them!
Therefore, after knowing Ji Lie's identity, the people around him "hurrahed" and knelt down towards Ji Lie.
Seeing Ji Lie overshadowing him, Gongsun He felt even more unhappy!
"You don't have to be polite, get up quickly!"
Ji Lie smiled and waved to the people, then said slowly and authentically,
"I just happened to be passing by here. When I saw Guocheng executing the prisoners, I couldn't help but interrupt."
"I wonder why the prince interrupted?"
Gongsunhe asked with a frown.
"The fact that these two people openly resisted the subordinates of the government is quite suspicious. I feel that it is necessary to investigate again."
"It will be too late to impose punishment after this matter comes to light."
Ji Lie said with a smile.
"The two of them fought against subordinate officials in broad daylight. All the government officials saw it with their own eyes. How can there be any doubts?"
Gongsunhe snorted coldly.
"Gu said there are doubts, that is, there are doubts. Could it be that Guocheng is questioning whether Gu can succeed?"
Ji Lie's face darkened.
Zhang Changde and Shen Wu beside him took a step forward, their hands already on the sabers at their waists.
"I... how dare you have any objection to the prince? Then just listen to the prince!"
Gongsunhe was startled and subconsciously took a few steps back.
Now that the situation between the two of them has been reversed, if they really have to fight hard, the only one who will suffer and be embarrassed is themselves!
Gongsunhe hesitated for a moment, but finally chose to bow his head.
"Commander Shen, take them back to the palace and interrogate them carefully!"
Ji Lie ordered.
"Subordinates take orders!"
Shen Wu jumped onto the stage, pushed away the yamen servant and the executioner, and untied the two Wu brothers.
When the two saw Shen Wu, their eyes widened.
"Master Shen..."
"Shh, let's talk about it when we get back!"
Shen Wu winked.
They quickly shut their mouths and followed Shen Wu off the stage.
"If the prince has nothing to say, I will go back to handle official duties first."
Gongsun He originally wanted to use the two brothers from the Wu family to scare the monkeys, but he didn't expect Ji Lie to come out halfway and ruin his good deeds!
He couldn't stay any longer and just wanted to stay away from Ji Lie!
"Cheng Guocheng, don't be anxious!"
Ji Lie stopped Gongsunhe and chuckled,
"Gugang heard from the common people that what kind of extra charity money did the government impose on them?"
"It's true."
Hearing Ji Lie mention the charity money, Gongsun He felt something bad.
"I have never heard of it being said that there is charity money in the imperial court's taxes."
Ji Lie paused and his tone became stern,
"The imperial court has issued repeated orders not to increase taxes on the people."
"The Prime Minister has increased taxes without authorization. Aren't you afraid of being held accountable by your superiors?!"
His scolding made Gongsun He speechless for a moment.
In fact, in the final analysis, Ji Lie still has to be blamed for this matter.
He purchased land on a large scale and recruited a large number of people to farm it.
As a result, the taxes collected by the government will naturally decrease.
The government headed by Gongsunhe did not dare to collect taxes from the royal family, so they could only continue to squeeze the people.
Seeing Gongsunhe speechless, Ji Lie ignored him.
Turning around and looking at the people, he said loudly,
"My fellow citizens, the charity money collected by the government is just excessive taxes and miscellaneous taxes."
"As a member of the royal family, I manage You Country on behalf of my father. I should be considerate of the people."
"From today on, you don't have to hand over any more charity money. What you have already handed over will be returned to you by the government!"
After hearing this, the people suddenly became excited.
Previously, Ji Lie's Wang Tian only charged 30% of the rent, which made them feel benevolent.
Now that charity money is waived, the people are even more grateful.
"Your Majesty, a thousand years old!"
"Swear loyalty to the prince to the death!"
The people were so excited that tears filled their eyes and they knelt down towards Ji Lie again.
"Your Majesty, this... this is not appropriate..."
Gongsunhe was anxious.
You have been fooled by good people, and you have become a bad person by cooperating with you?
Besides, if the charity money is exempted, who will make up for the tax shortage of the court?
"Why is it inappropriate? Youdi is Gu's fiefdom. Not to mention being exempted from charity money, even if you are exempted from all taxes, Gu is free!"
Gongsunhe was stunned on the spot.
He has never seen such a shameless person!
But the people strongly agreed with Ji Lie's words!
"Your Majesty really loves his people like a son!"
"Even if I have to die for the prince, I am willing to do so!"
