"I heard that the new prince of Chu forcibly occupied the people's land to build a mansion as soon as he arrived, and also increased the harsh taxes and miscellaneous taxes, he is simply a tiger and wolf!"

"Yes, he also embezzled public funds and looted people's fat and ointment, which is too intolerable!"

These rumors soon spread among the people, and the people who were originally full of expectations for Chu Ze also began to be suspicious.

"Could it be that the prince is also a corrupt official?"

"What another official who is harsh on taxes and miscellaneous taxes!"

The people talked a lot, and their impression of Chu Ze plummeted.

Chu Ze's side, when he heard that the Li Mansion was spreading rumors among the people, he was furious in his heart: "It's too much! The Li Mansion actually used such obscene means to slander my reputation! ”

Li Xing also said indignantly: "Li Mansion is so wanton spreading rumors, it's shameless! ”

Zhao Si clenched his fists and said hatefully: "These Li Mansion family members, we must catch them!" Such blatant rumors are really a crime that deserves death! ”

Chu Ze pondered for a moment and said, "Don't be in a hurry, we should solve the problem fundamentally." Since the Li Mansion is spreading rumors among the people, we must refute the rumors and clarify them, and give the people justice! ”

After speaking, Chu Ze ordered people to post announcements in the streets and alleys to clarify rumors and publicize his own policy of benefiting the people in order to win the support of the people.

Li Kuo hurriedly said on the side: "Father, we can only increase our efforts to spread rumors!" Let him lose face in front of the people! ”

Master Li pondered for a moment, and said with a gloomy gaze: "Since Chu Ze doesn't eat soft ones, then he can only be hard!" At that time, the ruffians and hooligans I sent will openly question Chu Ze and make him make a fool of himself in public! ”

Chu Ze began to intensively prepare for this public opinion forum, and he repeatedly stressed that the meeting must be fair and open, so that the people can speak their minds freely.

Chu Ze specially summoned Li Xing and Zhao Si and instructed them: "The purpose of this meeting is to collect public opinion, we must let ordinary people speak freely, and we can't let the powerful dominate the discourse." ”

Li Xing immediately said: "The prince is wise! We must do a good job of security to ensure that all people have the right to speak on an equal footing. ”

Zhao Si also nodded heavily and said, "Yes!" We absolutely must not allow those powerful landlords to control the venue, and we must allow the masses of the people to fully express their views. ”

Chu Ze nodded with satisfaction and said, "Very good, I'll count on you two." The stakes are high for this meeting, and we must be fair and open, so that the people can see that we are honest in our conduct in order to establish our prestige. ”

"Yes! We will defend the order of the venue to the death! Li Xing and Zhao Si were engrossed in their attention and responded attentively.

At the same time, in order to clear the charge and re-establish its prestige, the Li Mansion is also secretly buying some ordinary people.

Old Man Li personally summoned the family and ordered: "You immediately go down with silver taels to buy those poor people, and let them say good things for our Li Mansion at the meeting!" ”

Jia Ding hurriedly replied: "Yes! Let's go and buy the poor and make them chant for the righteous character of the Li Mansion! ”

So the Li family took the silver from the white flowers and flocked to the streets and lanes of the market, distributed the money, and bribed a group of people to say good things for the Li Mansion at the meeting.

"As long as you praise our Li Mansion's benevolence and charity at the meeting, you will be rewarded!" The Li family promised the poor people.

These people were a little hesitant at first, but when they saw the white flowers and silver generously given by the family, they couldn't help but be moved.

"Anyway, just say a few good words, isn't it cost-effective to get the money for nothing?" One of the people thought to himself.

"That's it, I will definitely praise the justice and mercy of the Li Mansion at that time!" Another people also secretly plotted against themselves.

One by one, these people bought by the Li Mansion have begun to think about how to defend the Li Mansion at the meeting.

At the same time, the Li Mansion also secretly organized a group of ruffians and hooligans, preparing to let these gangsters openly question Chu Ze at the meeting, so that he would make a fool of himself in public.

A housekeeper of the Li Mansion personally instructed these ruffians: "Remember, you must attack Chu Ze with bitter and mean words when the time comes, so that he will lose face in front of the people!" ”

These ruffians looked at the silver in front of them, even if they knew that Chu Ze was the prince, they were also out of the way.

The ruffian replied respectfully: "Don't worry, master, we will definitely let Chu Ze eat in front of everyone and lose his face on the spot!" ”

Master Li smiled proudly: "Very good, I'll just wait to see his ugly scene!" I'm going to disgrace him! ”

On the same day, the public opinion forum was held in the square in front of the Yamen as scheduled.

Chu Ze came to the square in advance and carefully checked the layout of the venue.

He saw that hundreds of people, men, women, and children had gathered next to the venue.

"It's rare for people to be able to participate so much, and it seems that I have to listen carefully to the people and try to solve the problems they raise." Chu Ze secretly made up his mind.

At this time, the people bribed by the Li Mansion also blended into the crowd, and one by one they falsely chanted the slogans of the Li Mansion and sang the praises of the justice of the Li Mansion.

The ruffians sent by the Li family had also hidden in the crowd, waiting for the opportunity to attack Chu Ze.

At this time, Chu Ze walked into the venue in court clothes, and the crowd cheered enthusiastically.

Chu Zexian expressed his determination to listen to public opinion and solve people's livelihood problems, which attracted cheers.

Then he announced a series of policies to benefit the people, and the applause of the people was even more enthusiastic and high-pitched.

At this moment, the people bribed by the Li Mansion began to shout: "The Li Mansion is benevolent, righteous and charitable, why does the prince punish the Li Mansion?" ”

"Yes, ah, the Li Mansion must be wronged, I hope the prince will withdraw the punishment of the Li Mansion."

Chu Ze responded calmly and led the people to ask other questions.

Soon, the questions raised by ordinary people prevailed, and the discussion in the room became lively and benign.

At this time, the ruffians sent by the Li family saw that the time had come, and they were all very excited, ready to attack Chu Ze.

A ruffian stood up first and asked in a mean tone: "Lord Chu, there are rumors that you forcibly occupied the land of the people when you first came, is it true or false?" ”

The people present were in an uproar when they heard this.

Chu Ze was not in a hurry, and directly refuted: "This statement is pure fabrication, the people can see it, how can I forcibly occupy the land?" ”

The ruffians asked questions several times, but they were skillfully resolved by Chu Ze.

The Li family was annoyed and angry, but they were helpless.

At this time, several people bribed by the Li Mansion stood up to defend the Li Mansion, saying that the Li Mansion had done many good things for the people, and that the accident of the railway construction should be the responsibility of someone else.

A poor man stood up and said, "Hello prince, the Li Mansion has always been kind and benevolent, and has done many good things for us poor people. ”

"Yes, Master Li Fu has purchased a righteous school for us, so that we poor people can also read and break words." Another citizen chimed in: "If it weren't for the kindness of Master Li, we, the low-level people, would only be illiterate for the rest of our lives." ”

"The Li Mansion has also repaired the local water conservancy to help us develop production." (End of chapter)