After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 913 - 899: Overbearing
Linghu Ni was watched by Zhao Hanzhang and the others, his face instantly flushed as he shouted angrily, "This shopkeeper has been running a shop in Jinyang for at least twenty years. Even when Jinyang was overgrown with weeds, he didn’t run away. What kind of crime could such a person commit?"
The customers lining up to buy the sweet cakes all chimed in agreement. They were all familiar with each other and knew the shop owner was a good person, so they spoke up for him.
The shopkeeper who was dragged out quickly pleaded, "I ask the officials and the Jinyang County Magistrate to report that the thing he wanted, we really can’t make. The whole city has been sealed for over a month. Where am I supposed to find fresh yam at this time?"
"Shut up!" The Government Official’s face was full of menace as he fiercely said, "If you don’t follow the County Magistrate’s orders, you should be locked up to be questioned. The yam cake is for the Inspector. How dare you refuse to make it?"
The shopkeeper couldn’t help but cry, "I want to make it, but I really can’t. To make yam cake, you need yam. Just look at my shop, I can only make rice cakes, red bean cakes, and mung bean cakes. I can’t make anything else. How long has Jinyang City been sealed?"
The Government Officials wouldn’t listen at all and directly wanted to take the shopkeeper away.
Zhang Bin quickly glanced at Zhao Hanzhang and saw that her expression hadn’t changed, but the smile in her eyes was completely gone, and a cold light flashed in her eyes. His heart moved, and he stepped forward to sincerely say to the shopkeeper, "This is where you, as the shopkeeper, are wrong. If you can’t make it, you should show some goodwill, perhaps by offering some money and asking the Jinyang County Magistrate to find other capable people to make it?"
This was suggesting the shopkeeper bribe the Jinyang County Magistrate and the Government Officials.
The shopkeeper’s face turned pale, and he trembled as he said, "I... I have already shown respect to the Jinyang County Magistrate..."
This was a case of taking money but not doing the work, or perhaps the amount was too small, and they wanted to fleece him individually?
Zhang Bin felt a pang of sympathy for the Jinyang County Magistrate he had never met and smiled wryly at Zhao Hanzhang, "This Jinyang County Magistrate has quite a temper."
The Government Official heard Zhang Bin disparaging the Jinyang County Magistrate and immediately drew his sword, glaring at him ferociously, "Who are you to dare criticize the County Magistrate in public!"
Zhang Bin quickly slipped and immediately hid behind Zhao Hanzhang.
Ming Yu: ...
Zhao Hanzhang saw the Government Official walking towards her, intending to push her aside to catch Zhang Bin, so she reached out and patted his hand away, then pushed him, inserting the half-drawn sword back into its scabbard. She habitually smiled at him, "Let’s talk this over. Yam cakes are not that rare. Though they’re hard to make now, I’m sure they’re usually available. Why must Governor Liu have yam cakes now? I think red bean cakes and mung bean cakes are also quite good."
The Government Official’s expression changed slightly. He tried to draw his sword again, but after two attempts, it wouldn’t come out as Zhao Hanzhang’s hand pressed firmly on the scabbard.
He looked up into Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes, his spine went cold, and he gathered up his anger, daring not to lose his temper.
Jinyang, a special city.
Perhaps because its City Lord is a romantic and easygoing musician and scholar, this city is also quite free and laid-back.
How free? The refugees can come and go as they please. As soon as they enter Jinyang, they can settle without any entry restrictions. Zhao Hanzhang, although taking in a large number of refugees, still requires investigation into the origin of their household registration;
The people of Jinyang, if they want to leave, can pack their bags and leave directly.
Jinyang once had a record of several thousand refugees coming in one day while several thousand citizens decided to leave.
This is also one of the important reasons why Jinyang has been taking in large numbers of refugees over the years, but the population hasn’t increased and is actually slowly decreasing.
This city can’t retain people.
The people in this city are very free, free enough for ordinary citizens to carry swords and knives. The lack of regulation over weapons sometimes results in someone killing an official and leaving.
So... when the Government Official faced Zhao Hanzhang’s cold eyes, he didn’t dare to cause more trouble. Instead, he explained, "This is for entertaining distinguished guests. Governor Zhao from the Central Plains likes to eat yam cakes. It’s the County Magistrate looking for yam cakes for Governor Zhao."
Zhao Hanzhang’s smile, which she had been maintaining, suddenly fell as she asked, "Who is the present Jinyang County Magistrate?"
"It’s naturally Mr. Xu, a favorite of our Inspector."
Zhao Hanzhang: "Xu Run?"
"How... how dare you," the Government Official shouted unsteadily, "How dare you directly call the County Magistrate by name?"
Zhao Hanzhang released her grip on the scabbard and stated expressionlessly, "I understand. Go back and tell the Jinyang County Magistrate that I don’t like eating yam cakes, so don’t trouble this shopkeeper anymore."
She paused and then grinned at the Government Official, "I like to listen to music. Let him come to the Inspector Mansion and play a tune for me."
The Government Official was stunned, suspicious and uncertain.
Linghu Ni stepped forward and pulled him aside, giving him a snort, "Don’t listen to that wretched Xu Run spouting nonsense. Governor Zhao never said she wanted to eat yam cakes. Should anyone dare to use Governor Zhao’s name to make money, they’ll be killed!"
The Government Official’s expression dramatically changed as he retreated, not daring to speak further.
Zhao Hanzhang turned to leave, but noticing from the corner of her eye the shopkeeper still kneeling on the ground, she stepped forward to help him up, patted the dirt off his knees, and warmly said, "Go back now; this matter no longer concerns you."
The shopkeeper’s knees gave way as if about to kneel, but Zhao Hanzhang caught him.
Once he stood steady, Zhao Hanzhang released him and turned to go.
Linghu Ni and the others quickly followed.
The onlookers made way and, along with the shopkeeper, watched them leave. When they were far away, they all turned to look at the Government Official.
The Government Official, who dared not capture anyone anymore, quickly fled with his men.
They hurried back to the county government to report to Xu Run.
Zhao Hanzhang seemed unaffected and continued to wander around with Linghu Ni. She asked Linghu Ni, "How is the cultivated land in Jinyang?"
"The land is fertile, but there’s a lack of people willing to settle down and farm," Linghu Ni said. "In the past, the Xiongnu often attacked Jinyang, stealing our grain, and the people suffered greatly and didn’t want to farm at all."
Zhao Hanzhang: "Do the Xianbei often come to help?"
"Yes," Linghu Ni said, "The Xianbei are fierce and cruel fighters. After each victory, they massacre the camps. Jinyang relies on their support during emergencies."
Seeing Linghu Ni’s troubled expression, she asked, "What’s wrong? Isn’t it good for the Xianbei to help?"
Linghu Ni hurriedly said, "It’s not that it’s bad, but my father said, how can we rely on outsiders for our lives and property? Moreover, the Xianbei are a foreign race; we should train our troops and defend the city ourselves."
"Otherwise, if the Xianbei turn against us, we are mere fish at the mercy of the knife."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Your father is quite foresighted. Did he tell this to Governor Liu?"
Linghu Ni said dejectedly, "He did, but the Governor relies heavily on the Xianbei and can’t extricate himself. The Governor and Tuoba Yilu are sworn brothers, and whenever my father speaks these things, it seems like sowing discord, so he dares not say much."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded, indicating she understood.
