Chapter 874 Let’s Take It Together

Wang Shunxing watched Xiao Wu coming with the box, his eyes burning. As long as he got the box, the transaction would be complete, and their brothers would have nothing to do here.

As soon as Xiao Wu reached the edge of the forest, he paused in his steps. Looking at the officers and soldiers emerging around him, he subconsciously retreated to the carriage.

As soon as Cheng Qian saw this posture, he immediately retreated to the carriage and stared at the group of masked men with vigilance.

Officers and soldiers rushed out from all directions. Before Wang Shunxing and others could react, they were surrounded.

With a dark face, he cursed fiercely at Xiao Wu.

"Damn it, you dare to fool me?"

"Gang leader, what should I do?"

"What else can I do? I fought for them and got a big scar on my head, but I'm still a good man after eighteen years."

With that said, Wang Shunxing pulled out the knife from his waist and rushed towards Xiao Wu. Cheng Qian held the long sword in his hand and faced him directly.

"You impudent bitch, how dare you disrespect my master."

"Bah, today I want you to understand the consequences of offending grandpa?"

As he spoke, the masked man roared angrily, his eyes widened, and he slashed at Cheng Qian viciously.

When the others saw the boss's actions, they also took out the weapons from their waists and started fighting directly with the officers and soldiers.

Those who work in this field probably know this by heart, and sooner or later this will happen to them.

However, there were too many officers and soldiers. One or twenty of them were simply crushed.

In less than half a quarter of an hour, they were all defeated. Only the masked man was still fighting with Cheng Qian. When Cheng Ye rushed over, they were two against one before they captured Wang Shunxing and tied him up.

Seeing that he was still unconvinced, Cheng Qian kicked him on the knee. With a thud and the sound of cracking bones, Wang Shunxing knelt on the ground with a painful look on his face and did not get up.

The officers and soldiers surrounded everyone. The leader got off his horse and walked quickly towards Xiao Wu. He bowed his hands and saluted.

"I will see you, Lord Zhizhou, at the end of the day."

"Thank you for your hard work, Lieutenant Zhao County,"

Xiaowu returned the gift,

"When we go back, we have to trouble the county captain to bring these people into the city, put them in prison, and keep them under strict guard."

"It's within my duties, sir, please rest assured."

County Lieutenant Zhao clasped his fists. Cheng Ye had already told him on the way here that he wanted to arrest a group of salt smugglers, so he naturally cooperated fully.

These bastards know how to take advantage of the imperial court and harm the people. He asked him to kill him directly to relieve his hatred.

When Wang Shunxing heard the names of the two people, his eyes widened in shock. He didn't expect that he would encounter a tough problem today.

I don’t know how the black market took over this business, but it actually attracted the attention of the government.

It's better now. The Hongxing Gang is afraid that they will fall into a pit of fire.

Xiao Wu watched him listen with his ears stretched out, but ignored him and directly ordered,

"Pull up the salt and follow me back to the city."

A pair of men and horses pressed down the prisoner and pulled the salt cart back to the city.

Before reaching the city gate, the soldiers guarding the city noticed something strange. While sending people to the county government to report the matter, they led the city gate captain to rush to the gate.

When they saw the token held by the herald, everyone was dumbfounded and stepped aside to welcome Lord Zhizhou into the city.

During this period, the news that Lord Zhizhou was inspecting Liang County was already known to everyone.

When they saw the prisoners being escorted and the carts of goods in the middle of the team, they couldn't help but widen their eyes in curiosity.

I was shocked to see the army escorting the prisoners into the city. Many people stopped to watch and leaned on the street to whisper.

When the team passed, many brave people followed behind to watch the excitement.

By the time Magistrate Liu got the news and rushed over with his troops, Xiao Wu had already reached Zhong Street.

Looking at Lord Zhizhou riding in front, Magistrate Liu was stunned and shuddered uncontrollably.

It was because he was careless and he underestimated the enemy. He originally thought that Lord Zhizhou was young and had nothing to fear. All he had to do was keep an eye on him and not let him move around at will.

Unexpectedly, people were dispatching troops and generals under his nose, and he also uncovered the key criminal who was selling private salt.

If there are such flaws in the county under his jurisdiction, it is another question whether the black veil above his head can be saved.

Thinking of this, he immediately turned over and dismounted. Because he was so anxious, the black gauze on his head fell off.

Even so, he didn't care about his image. He picked up the black gauze hat, patted it, and put it directly on his head.

"Lord Zhizhou, I'm late for the post..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Xiao Wu waving his hand. "Master Liu, there is no need to be so panicked. Do you know who these people I arrested are?"

Listening to Xiao Wu's inquiry, Magistrate Liu glanced at the group of people behind him, his eyes flashed, and he smiled.

"The lower officials are frightened. Since Master Zhizhou ordered the arrests, they must all be madmen who have no law."

Seeing Liu Guangkuan's evasive eyes, Xiao Wu curled his lips and sneered,

"Master Liu is right. They are indeed lawless lunatics. They know that salt is controlled by the government and cannot be bought and resold privately, but these people know the law and break the law, and their crime cannot be forgiven."

"Salt belongs to the people's livelihood and involves the vital interests of the people. Whoever violates the law means going against the court and reselling private salt according to the laws of the Song Dynasty. What crime should be punished? Mr. Liu must know better than anyone else, right?"

Listening to Xiao Wu's questioning, Liu Guangkuan suddenly broke into a cold sweat.

The imperial court had always imposed severe penalties on the sale of illegal salt.

Anyone who sells illegal salt without a certificate issued by the government is a salt thief.

The quantity reaches more than ten kilograms and one hundred sticks.

The death penalty is imposed for armed gangs selling illicit salt. But there are also heavy rewards for officials who catch illegal salt gangs.

Similarly, local officials under the jurisdiction will be directly dismissed from their posts. If the case is serious, they will be exiled to a bitter cold place for three years.

Thinking of this, County Magistrate Liu broke out in a cold sweat and his eyes went dark.

When the common people who were watching the excitement heard that the people caught were salt thieves, they all gnashed their teeth in hatred.

If the soldiers had not surrounded the people, someone might have thrown rotten vegetable leaves.

"The prefect is mighty, the salt thieves are rampant, arbitrarily raising prices and cheating the people. Please punish them severely."

Someone shouted in the crowd, which immediately aroused public anger.

"Sir, please make a decision for us. The price of salt is too high. We can't afford it."

"Please make a decision for us, Sir."

Listening to the angry condemnation of the people around him, Xiao Wu bowed to the people around him,

"Fellow villagers, please be patient. We have arrested several salt thieves. After the case is clear, we will definitely give justice to the villagers."

After that, Xiao Wu looked at Liu Guangkuan seriously,

"Sir Liu, what are you doing? Hurry up and lead the way."

Liu Guangkuan looked around with a gloomy face, thinking about his official career that was coming to an end, and he was completely depressed.

"Sir, please."

The group entered the government office again in a mighty manner. At Xiao Wu's order, all the salt thieves were put into the dungeon.

All the jailers were replaced by people brought by Zhao County Lieutenant and strictly guarded.

Xiao Wu entered the lobby and sat behind the desk. Looking at the trembling Liu County Magistrate below, he picked up the gavel,

Snap~