The fields outside Chang'an City are almost the autumn harvest season at this time, and the farmers have to pay off for their diligence all year round. The farmer put the harvest first, and after several months of diligent work, he could only be trafficked into the city of Chang'an. However, the profits can only subsidize the family, and if it is appropriated by the tyrannical, it is possible to be poor for a year.

After Lu Zheng and Xue Ne saw Wang Maozhong in the restaurant, the two drove to the ridge outside the city, and on the way Xue Ne said not to reveal his identity, as if he was here to experience the life in the fields. Xue Ne knew that revealing his identity would inevitably be suspected by Wang Maozhong, and this was not the time for a showdown.

And Lu Zheng knows how many secrets Wang Maozhong still has hidden and unspeakable secrets, and even how many important ministers of the court are Wang Maozhong's comrades, if there are many people involved, this is undoubtedly a huge test for the court that has just come out of the bloody storm.

The carriage was speeding on the road outside the city, at this time Xue Ne's eyes were closed, thinking heavily, Lu Zheng outside the carriage grabbed the reins in his hand, and suddenly said to the carriage: "Xue Jungong, we are almost here, and further on is the largest field outside Chang'an City, and this is also the place where the contradictions are most entangled." ”

Xue Ne asked at this time, "Is there anyone in front?" ”

Lu Zheng looked at it, and the layers of wheat waves continued to the horizon, but no one appeared in the field of vision, so he turned around and said, "There is no one, it is estimated that they have rested." ”

Xue Ne poked his head out, but saw some servants arguing with the farmers in the distance, and Lu Zheng also saw it at this time, so he said: "Sure enough, Wang Maozhong has started, this is a blatant forcible seizure of people's land." ”

"Don't jump to conclusions, maybe someone else is here."

When the carriage was getting closer and closer to the crowd, Lu Zheng stopped the carriage and approached the crowd, and when these officials were telling the farmer about the land acquisition of this honorable man.

Lu Zheng didn't know where the official in front of him came from, but listening to his tone, there must be a big force behind him, otherwise he wouldn't be here to coerce these diligent farmers with confidence.

At this time, Xue Ne heard the official say: "Now there is no shortage of grain in Chang'an, so your grain field needs to be occupied, but it is not for nothing to requisition land, please give a price, and the land should be requisitioned according to the price." ”

Hearing this, there was a lot of discussion in the crowd, and Lu Zheng was about to stand up and speak, but Xue Ne grabbed his hand and said, "What do you want to do?" ”

Lu Zheng said: "How can you deceive me so sanctimoniously." ”

"Don't forget, we need proof."

Lu Zheng had no choice but to continue to endure it, listening to the voices of criticism from the crowd, but there was still no one to stand up and object. I saw those officials say again: "If you think about it, say it now, and I will record it." ”

The official took out a record book, and the rest of the officials lined up the residents present, only to see the first farmer come up and say, "This poor master, when will you get the silver taels after this land?" My family is already poor, and this year's crops have not yet been harvested, and it seems that my family is running out of food. ”

At this time, the official said impatiently: "We are only responsible for this land acquisition, and nothing else can be done." ”

As soon as these words stopped, the crowd began to lose their peace just now, and they all began to cry, and some even began to criticize some of the servants here, and a bold man stood up and said, "Since this poor master does not give us an answer, we will forgive our fate." ”

Seeing that these people were stubborn, they were ready to punish them by force, and one of the officials took out a whip and warned him: "If anyone is stubborn again, don't blame me for not saying anything." If there is something to say about this, how can it be that you ordinary people can influence, stand up for me, otherwise don't blame me for being ruthless. ”

At this time, the saber rattling, but the farmer who took the lead did not retreat, but also said: "Then it will be really difficult to obey your fate." ”

The servant went up directly with a whip, and then began to whip him fiercely, and the farmer also rolled on the ground, and the servant continued to whip the man's skin and flesh after a few blows. Then he pointed his whip at the crowd and said, "This is the end." ”

The beaten farmer got up and wanted to take away the whip of the servant, but the servant flashed his hand and whipped the man again, saying, "You dare to be presumptuous in front of the officials, do you know who wants to expropriate the land, and you dare not obey?" ”

At this time, the beaten farmer still said: "No matter who it is, you must give a way to live, otherwise you will fight to the death." ”

The official couldn't help laughing and said: "It's a shame that you are still an old man, even children know this truth, and the land that the prince and lord want from you is also considered a blessing to you, but you don't know what to do." ”

At this time, Lu Zheng was already angry, but because of the overall situation, he still endured it, Lu Zheng knew that there were backers behind these servants, and he could save this person for a while by taking action at this time, but then things would definitely fall into the quagmire and could not be handled. If this matter is really ordered by Wang Maozhong, the person behind it must be a friend. At that time, the court will be shaken, and the saint will be angry, and it will not be the power of one person to calm the situation.

When the crowd looked at the beaten farmer, they did not dare to talk about it anymore, so they all wrote down the amount in the account book, and the officer's eyes were so aggressive that many farmers did not dare to write too big.

At this time, the official saw that everyone was obedient, and said, "That's fine, you all go home and wait for the government's notice." ”

All the officials got on their horses and began to run towards the city, and Lu Zheng said to Xue Ne at this time: "Let's follow and see who instigated these officials?" ”

Xue Ne said: "It's not Wang Maozhong, that is, his fellow party, this point is very clear, we have to figure out what they will do after land acquisition at this time?" If it is only for the purpose of building a big house, it is to oppress the people and seize the land for their own selfish interests. And if there are other purposes, we have to pursue them. ”

Lu Zheng nodded, watching several officials ride back to the city, at this time Xue Ne said, "Get in the car and keep up with these officials." ”

Lu Zheng drove the carriage and followed behind the team of officials, Xue Ne poked his head out and said: "The identities of these officials must be clarified today, this Chang'an City is nothing more than Chang'an County and Wannian County where Pei Yaoqing is seated, these two places should be unlikely, and the central divisions above are very likely." And the official who gave the order must have something to do with Wang Maozhong. ”

Lu Zheng nodded and said: "The official who gave the order is the key person, Wang Maozhong let him give the order, it can be seen that the relationship is not shallow, and we must find this person." ”

Lu Zheng drove all the way to follow these officials, and after seeing them enter the city, he turned a few streets and alleys, Lu Zheng followed closely, and finally these officials led Lu Zheng into a dead end, which was obviously the trace of Lu Zheng and Xue Ne.

Then several officials jumped off their horses and shouted, "Who is following?" ”

Lu Zheng also got out of the carriage, took a few steps forward and said, "A few people who searched the fields of good people, although it was official business, they didn't pay attention to a word. ”

Several officials looked at each other, and one of them took the lead and said, "Who are you?" You are so bold to say such a big thing and mind our business. ”

Lu Zheng said with a smile: "If you talk about qualifications with me, you are too far behind, but you can't escape now." ”

All the officials laughed and scoffed at Lu Zheng's words, and then looked at Lu Zheng's face angrily, but at this time, Xue Ne also got out of the carriage.

Xue Ne walked over and said to the servant: "A few people who did this were also instructed by people behind the scenes, and we were just people passing by. ”

When several officials heard this, one of them said angrily: "Then don't get involved, don't follow us, otherwise the consequences will be very serious." ”

Lu Zheng could only put away the slightly provocative tone just now at this time, and said, "Isn't the poor master a little too oppressive of those farmers." ”

Several officials suddenly laughed and said, "You don't talk too much, what does this have to do with you, you are really crazy." ”

Then several officials swaggered out of the alley, putting Lu Zheng and Xue Ne aside, Lu Zheng sighed and said, "This matter has been messed up again." ”

Xue Ne walked up and patted Lu Zheng's back and said, "Forget it, let those people be proud for a while, I don't think it will be rampant for long." ”

Then the two got into the carriage and drove out of the alley, Lu Zheng drove directly to the house, Lu Zheng remembered the words of the officials just now, and he was a little hateful, one by one he was in the government to do things, but he did not follow the laws of the country, but was instructed by others to act for the tiger. If he hadn't been able to show himself, if he could, he would have brought these people to justice a long time ago.

Unconsciously arrived at the mansion, after Lu Zheng entered the mansion, he sat on the stone steps under the hall, looking sullen, but Xue Ne came over with great interest and said: "We are not to blame for today's incident, we can only say that those officials are too domineering." I plan to meet Pei Yaoqing once tomorrow and ask him about the origin of these officials. ”

"These servants are so rampant, I suspect that they are Wang Maozhong's domestic slaves. Since Xue Gong is going to find Pei Yaoqing, I think it is better to tell him about Wang Maozhong. ”

"Can't now, who knows what Pei Yaoqing thinks in his heart, what if this person doesn't cooperate with our investigation and takes the opportunity to shirk?"

Lu Zheng said urgently: "He's not that kind of person, I think Pei Yaoqing is an upright person." ”

Xue Ne said: "You still don't know about the political situation in Gyeonggi, Pei Yaoqing is also afraid of Wang Maozhong like us, this person will not joke about his future, I can only ask him about the official service, and will never talk about Wang Maozhong." As for who exactly sent the officials, it remains to be further discovered. ”

Lu Zheng thought of Wang Maozhong who walked out of the restaurant that day, and he was also extremely careful when talking to the official, and now it seems that this matter must have something to do with the person wearing the crimson official uniform. So he said, "I guess the official was sent by that person, and in terms of time, it is very consistent." ”

Xue Ne said: "It's possible, if that's the case, I'll go and ask Pei Yaoqing about the officials above the fifth rank of the imperial court in Beijing now, and after excluding all possible candidates, it will be that person." ”