The Female Assistant of Wei Yuyan Shuangfei

The three cases were concluded, and the three shifts of yamen runners in the main hall left the hall in an orderly manner. The people who were watching the trial outside the door also left in twos and threes.

The headmen of three townships and seven villages, as well as more than twenty merchants who were invited in to watch the trial, were about to leave when they were blocked by a yamen runner.

"Please wait a moment, everyone. Lord Xie invites you to move to the living room to discuss something." As the bailiff spoke, he stretched out his hand and made a gesture of invitation.

The headmen of three townships and seven villages and more than twenty shop owners also subconsciously looked at Cao Shuang, as if waiting for him to make a decision.

After all, officials will not investigate unless the people sue them, and they didn't do anything wrong. But having said that, it was obvious that everyone was frightened by Xie Tingwen's thundering methods.

Cao Shuang was being roasted over the fire, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help twitching. He then looked at Cao Zhen who was about to leave for his errand, and immediately stepped forward quickly.

Cao Zhen was startled by the sudden appearance of a figure and subconsciously took a half step back. However, after seeing who it was, he quickly bowed his head and said, "Uncle Village Chief, what's the matter?"

"Um... Hehe. Cao Zhen... should be called Captain Cao."

Cao Zhen waved his hands in fear and said, "Uncle Lizheng, please don't embarrass me. I dare not be arrogant in front of you. Just call me Cao Zhen."

"Hmm! Not bad. I, Old Man Cao, am really good at judging people."

Cao Shuang nodded in satisfaction, then looked around and asked in a low voice, "Captain Cao! Why did Lord Xie come to see us in private?"

Cao Zhen couldn't help but frown when he heard that, then he glanced at the dozens of people in the yard, and everyone he met was smiling.

He immediately understood everyone's concerns, stroked his hand and said, "Uncle Village Chief, go and take a look, it might be a good thing."

"Good thing?"

Cao Shuang responded with a puzzled look, which made his already wrinkled face look even more miserable.

Cao Zhen did not dare to delay, and waved his hands in front of everyone as an apology, and then led the yamen runners to do their work. As for Cao Shuang and his entourage, I think Mr. Xie must have made arrangements.

Cao Shuang pondered for a moment, but ultimately could not figure out what was going on. He sighed helplessly and said to himself, "It's a blessing, not a disaster. If it's a disaster, it can't be avoided. Let's go and have a look!"

Watching Cao Shuang walk towards the living room, the people behind him looked at each other, then glanced at each other and followed him.

Han Lizheng had not been able to find out Lord Xie's intention from Cao Zhen. Compared to everyone else's worries, he was the most tormented.

After all, he was the only one testifying in the court. Besides being frightened, he was also thinking about his funeral arrangements.

"Kejun! Let's go and take a look."

"Young master, please!" Yan Shuang gestured with his hand while speaking.

Unexpectedly! Zhao Zhen was about to leave when he was blocked by a yamen runner who smiled and said, "Mr. Zhao, Mr. Yan, Miss Xie said you two can go back now."

Zhao Zhen's expression suddenly changed. He put away the folding fan in his hand and asked coldly, "What do you mean by that?"

"This... is... the literal meaning." The bailiff responded tremblingly.

After all, he just glanced at Zhao Zhen and saw a hint of murderous intent in the other's eyes.

Yan Shuang also spoke helplessly to ease the situation: "Sir! Those who go in are from Laigu County. It is Laigu County's business anyway. It is really inconvenient for us outsiders to intervene."

"Outsider? Kejun! Then Xie Shu..."

"Sir! Don't get angry."

Yan Shuang hurriedly comforted her, and then said: "Miss Xie is also thinking about you. Now that the whereabouts of the Ministry of Punishment have been leaked, I think the second young master will definitely take action. We need to return to Beijing as soon as possible."

Watching everyone enter the living room one after another, Zhao Zhen clenched his hands in anger, squeezing his folding fan until it made a creaking sound, and waved his sleeves, saying, "Go back to the government office."

"Yes!" the guard responded hurriedly.

Yan Shuang looked around the living room and saw a figure in blue clothes walking out of the room, leaning over and bowing to Yan Shuang.

Yan Shuang smiled noncommittally, stroked his hands, and chased after Zhao Zhen's back. The two were separated by a courtyard, but it was difficult for them to say a word.

"Miss! Everyone is here." Lian Xi reminded softly.

"Yeah!~"

Xie Shuting responded, and then asked, "Have you explained it clearly to Manager Lian?"

"Don't worry, Miss. I've already made it clear to Manager Lian. Ask him to cooperate with you and win over this group of people." Lian Xi smiled secretly with her hands covering her mouth.

Xie Shuting nodded, but her eyes were fixed on the corridor outside the door. Only after Yan Shuang's back disappeared did she put on her veil and slowly walk into the living room.

In the living room, the headmen of three townships and seven villages sat awkwardly, while more than twenty shopkeepers stood trembling behind the ten headmen.

Seeing this scene, Xie Shuting couldn't help but laugh and said, "Xi'er! Bring us the tea."

"Yes, Miss!" Lian Xi responded, and then saw her quickly walk to the door and greet a few times.

Not long after, dozens of maids came in with tea trays, and the aroma of tea filled the air, and everyone present couldn't help but swallow their saliva.

Fortunately, the people present had some status, and they suppressed their hunger and immediately fixed their eyes on Cao Shuang.

Cao Shuang felt a chill on his back. Although he was very unhappy, he was the only one among the crowd who could talk to Xie Tingwen.

Cao Shuang stroked his hand a little awkwardly and said, "Sir! I don't know why you summoned us. If you have something to say, please tell me. We are willing to obey your orders."

"Yes, yes, yes! We are willing to follow your orders, sir." Everyone echoed.

Xie Tingwen raised his hand to signal everyone to take a seat, then smiled and said, "You all just accompanied me in the front yard to try a case. I think you must be thirsty after such a short while. Please have some tea first!"

"Please! Your Excellency, please go first."

Everyone smiled a little awkwardly, and after watching Xie Tingwen take a sip of tea, they dared to take a small sip.

As the aroma of tea entered their throats, everyone showed a look of satisfaction. Xie Tingwen smiled and did not explain too much, but slowly put his hand towards the teacup.

"Dear gentry and shopkeepers, I have called you here today because I have an important matter to discuss with you."

Xie Ting paid attention to everyone's expressions when he said this, paused and said softly: "I have taken over Laigu County and received a warrant from my superiors. I am afraid I have to pay taxes this year."

Everyone was shocked when they heard this, because they knew what "paying taxes" meant.

Laigu County has been without a county magistrate for three years. Now that Lord Xie has taken office, it means that the tax revenue owed will have to be fully repaid.

The living room suddenly fell into a ghostly silence. Xie Tingwen naturally understood everyone's difficulties. He pondered for a moment and said loudly: "Everyone! We need to come up with a plan for this matter today. I also know your difficulties, but the autumn tax is about to be submitted, and I am afraid we can't delay it."

No one dared to say anything. Three years may not seem like a long time, but people always grow old, get sick and die. Naturally, the tax deficit needs to be filled by the people of today.

It's not possible to say that a family must at least pay ten strings of silver. Ten strings of silver in three years may not seem like much, but for those who work on the land, how can they have extra money to live on?