Behind Yang Shiqi were Xu Qin and Xu Sanlang dressed in armor.
They look like the left and right bodyguards of an imperial envoy.
"I have met the imperial envoy."
When Wu Peigui saw this, he knelt down and kowtowed to Yang Shiqi.
Wu Laoer also quickly followed his old father and knelt down to worship.
Yang Shiqi didn't seem to be deliberately trying to be humble, and he had great intentions of continuing the drama.
"You went to the wrong temple and thought that you could save your lives by relying on your connections in the Huai'an government office and the county government office?"
It's just that these words are very meaningful and have hidden meaning.
Just when Wu Peigui was stunned, Yang Shiqi waved his hand and said sternly:
"Take down both Wu and his son, take all family members and servants into custody, search the house and confiscate all property."
Immediately, Yi Linwei dismounted their horses and drew their swords in unison. Using small flags as units, they entered various parts of the backyard under the leadership of their respective flag officers.
Until this moment, the last bit of luck in Wu Peigui's heart had completely disappeared.
He suddenly collapsed to the ground.
But he still doesn't understand which god the Wu family has offended?
The imperial court would actually send out the army to deal with a low-ranking country squire like him?
He never paid attention to imperial decrees.
During the Chinese New Year, the eldest son Wu Qingfeng returned to his hometown to pay New Year's greetings. He once mentioned to him that the Yongle Dynasty would implement a new land tax policy. After the new year, people would be sent to the countryside to clear up the ownership of the fields and re-measure the acres, which gave him an idea.
He hummed, but actually he didn't pay attention at all.
Years later, the Qinghe County government also issued a document, but he also didn't care. He didn't even look at the official document and threw it into the toilet.
After all, Wu Peigui is a rich man.
In his eyes, the eldest son is already a fifth-rank official, second only to the prefect.
The magistrate of Qinghe County treated him respectfully.
Therefore, he never worried that anyone would cause trouble for him.
What kind of person the imperial envoy is, he was once a member of Qinghe County, so he knows this very well.
Such a big shot actually went to a town in a county to redress the grievances of the people.
He had never even dreamed of this.
Although Wu Peigui was not an ordinary person, he had never seen such a shocking scene.
The fully armed black-armored knights were full of murderous intent.
So it seems that Lao San and his more than forty servants were killed by this group of officers and soldiers in the morning.
"Bind the father and son and imprison them, and hold a public trial in the square in front of the Wu family compound tomorrow morning."
"As you command!"
The soldiers followed Master Yang's orders.
Xu Qin, standing behind him, nodded with satisfaction.
…
The next day.
A ray of morning light shines through the clouds into the earth, bringing light to the world.
Last night, the villagers held torches and built a high platform in front of the town hall.
A banner hangs above the high platform:
The implementation and public review meeting of the new land tax policy in Gushan Town.
In all directions, there are people from Gushan Town, and there are thousands of people.
In many houses, men, women, old and young all came together.
It is said that even many people from neighboring towns came.
These days, watching the excitement is not too big a deal.
The villagers had never heard of a public trial like this, and they were as curious and excited as if they were looking at a peep show.
In Xu Qin's eyes, this was more lively than the celebrity concerts of later generations.
"Come and see, isn't it the Mr. Wu who is tied up on the high platform?"
"Eh...really, how could he be in such a miserable state?"
"Hey, retribution has come. God has sent soldiers and generals from heaven to come down to earth."
"Kneeling next to him is the second oldest child in his family. I heard that the third and fourth oldest children in the Wu family were beheaded on the spot yesterday."
"..."
The square in front of the Wu family compound is very spacious, equivalent to the size of a football field, and can usually be used for horse racing.
The people talked a lot and gave full play to their imaginations.
The speed of spread of ancient gossip was no slower than that of stagecoach horses.
The buzz at the scene was like a bee, and it was endless.
Many people won’t believe anything they say until they see it for themselves.
Will the Wu family compound, which has a history of more than a hundred years, be confiscated and exterminated overnight by the imperial court?
Oh, I have been waiting for this day for many years, even several generations.
Soon, a group of knights came on horseback surrounded by several officials.
The leader was a young official. He was full of heaven, his eyes were bright, he was tall and straight, and his manners were extraordinary.
He was wearing a purple third-grade official robe, with a tall white horse on his hip, looking majestic.
There are also officials on the left and right sides. One is wearing a scarlet official robe, and the other is in blue-grey.
They were supposed to be the young official's assistants.
Behind the three officials were a dozen heavily armed warriors.
Around the square, dozens of knights in armor and helmets were waiting.
Many villagers had seen this young official yesterday.
Unexpectedly, the well-mannered young master turned out to be an imperial envoy sent by the imperial court.
The right way is to have ambition but not to be old.
No wonder he can keep his word and keep his word.
The person who walked up to the stage was Yang Shiqi in crimson official robes.
He is the host of today's public trial.
I saw Yang Shiqi cupping his hands and bowing in a circle around him, and said in a deep voice:
"Dear fellow villagers of Gushan Town! We have been ordered to inspect the counties, towns, and villages under the jurisdiction of Huai'an Prefecture, implement the new land tax policy, implement the 'shared land tax per acre', resolutely abolish corvee, and implement equal pay for equal work."
"Now Wu Peigui and his disciples from the Wu Family Courtyard have been running rampant in the countryside for a long time, plundering and plundering the common people. The Imperial Envoy came here to inspect, and after learning of your grievances, he immediately arrested the Wu Family Courtyard. Search your home and seek justice.”
As soon as this statement came out, the whole place was excited.
Xu Qin understood the essence of land reform in later generations, which was to mobilize the masses, hold a public trial to denounce, and then execute him.
In this way, we can create momentum, draw inferences from one instance, and achieve a comprehensive understanding, thus achieving the effect of getting twice the result with half the effort.
"Old thief Wu deserves death! He should be cut into pieces to relieve his hatred."
"Thank you to the imperial envoy for eliminating harm to the people! The old dog of the Fan family deserves it!"
"..."
Under the high platform, the villagers shouted excitedly and the crowd was full of emotions.
"Okay! Folks, please be quiet!"
Yang Shiqi danced with his hands, and the scene gradually settled down.
According to Xu Qin's instructions, the meeting entered the second important agenda, the accusation against the Wu Family Courtyard.
Yang Shiqi turned around and roared angrily at Wu and his son who were kneeling on the corner of the platform:
"Wu Peigui, Wu Laoer, you must honestly explain your crimes in front of many people in Gushan Town, otherwise, you will die in an ugly way."
Wu Laoer had been frightened to death since he was detained last night. His excrement and urine were in his crotch. The soldiers rushed him in several buckets. He knelt down like a drowned rat and was trembling all over. He was speechless.
Wu Peigui is a diehard.
By now, he knew very well that it was impossible for his eldest son Wu Qingfeng's team to come, let alone the Qinghe County government office.
There is an imperial envoy here, and it is too late for them to escape.
As for the boss Hongze Hurong, this is even less possible.
Before the operation, his spies must have reported to him the situation of the government troops stationed in Gushan Town.
