Seeing her like this, Ni Cangzhu became inexplicably nervous and thought to himself, Qi Yan doesn't seem like a person without ideas?
Why does Ling Yutong look so bad?
Naturally, Ling Yutong would not give him an answer. She turned around and left Dali Temple, avoiding the flow of people and heading to Chen's Mansion.
If Qi Yan's matter really gets serious, she will be just a powerless adopted daughter, unable to speak for him. She will have to find someone with status and friendship with them for help.
Chen Qiushui is a good choice.
His father, Chen Yikang, is also very capable.
…
"We meet again, Magistrate Gao."
The corners of Qi Yan's mouth curved slightly, looking like he was smiling but not smiling. When Magistrate Gao saw his expression, he broke into a cold sweat.
"Hey, we meet again, it's..."
Listening to this stuttering tone, the smile on Qi Yan's lips deepened a little. With Magistrate Gao's cooperation, his plan would go more smoothly and save a lot of steps.
For example, coercion.
Magistrate Gao took advantage of Qi Yan's inattention and wiped his sweat secretly. His head was spinning, and he caught a glimpse of Mo Bai behind Qi Yan, whose face was even colder. He thought to himself, why are there so many cold-faced generals around Qi Yan?
Time, he is timid!
At that time, he went to Beijing with them. After Yu Jinghong was dealt with, he had nightmares for three days in a row before he was allowed to be deported.
He had also heard about Qi Yan's errand here this time. Thinking of Qi Yan's style of doing things, he was now two older than the other.
"you……"
Qi Yan glanced at him: "There is no need to say any polite words. You must know the purpose of my coming here, so I just issued an order and summoned everyone."
Magistrate Gao hesitated.
He waited for a moment, and when he saw that Qi Yan really had no other explanation, he blinked, feeling a little stupid.
No, why don't we arrange some backup plan? If those civilians get into trouble, he only has a few guards here, and he can't stop them!
"Is Magistrate Gao in trouble?"
Qi Yan turned his head.
"without!"
Meeting his gaze, Magistrate Gao immediately straightened his back. He no longer had any thoughts of making secret poking, and Ma Liu turned around to make arrangements.
There are a lot of people in this area, and they have a certain favorability bonus towards Qi Yan.
After gathering everyone, as soon as Qi Yan went out, the first thing he saw standing in the front was... Mrs. Liu holding her child.
Next to Mrs. Liu was an old man, who was raising his hand and waving vigorously at him, his old and cloudy eyes shining with excitement.
The memory came to mind, and he was slightly startled, and the coldness in his eyes became lighter.
Old Mrs. Liu was the one who knocked on the door and then slammed it shut when he came last time. The old man was the first to accept their goodwill. It was also the one who persuaded the crop craftsmen in the slums to come and claim the high hand.
The county magistrate has collected the pawn money and the seedlings he bought for many years.
More than a month has passed. If the original seedlings had been planted successfully, the new seedlings he brought would be more useful.
"Everyone, be quiet and listen to me."
Qi Yan pressed down his palm, and soon, everything fell silent in front of the magistrate's house.
Magistrate Gao naturally stepped aside and wanted to see what Qi Yan would say about giving and receiving money.
In fact, if you want him to see it, you might as well not give him the money and call the people together for a formality...
However, he turned his head and secretly glanced at the person behind Qi Yan, silently. I'm afraid Qi Yan didn't want to use this trick, but it was difficult to operate with the Sage's loyalists watching around him.
Who doesn't know that it is almost impossible for a die-hard person to be bribed?
"Behind me is the money gathered by the Holy Sage and his ministers. We are gathered here today just to distribute it."
After Qi Yan finished speaking, the scene was quiet for a moment, and everyone's eyes widened.
Would this... high-ranking person be so kind?
A booklet appeared in Qi Yan's hand, and he flipped through it casually. The four clear words "Tax Record" on the cover of the book stung the eyes of the people in the front row.
Many people's faces changed, their eyes darkened, and the corners of their mouths pursed tightly.
He said that those in power cannot be merciful. I am afraid that if they receive the money here, they will have to make up for the unpaid taxes and may have to add a lot of money to their family's savings.
At present, many common people who understand the situation are suppressing their emotions. It is true that they are civilians. It is true that the harvest last year was not good and they have little money now, but they are not made of dough!
If it weren't for Qi Yan standing in front of the magistrate's house, they would have risked their lives and started to have trouble.
Qi Yan saw the expressions of everyone in front of him.
His expression did not change, he just unfolded the tax record book in his hand, and then, in front of everyone, his slender fingers raised and lowered, tearing up the paper.
Magistrate Gao’s eyes were as wide as bells!
This, this, this... He subconsciously took a step forward, wanting to rush forward to protect the booklet, but failed.
The old lady Liu and the old man who were standing in the forefront of the people below were also stunned.
Although they didn't understand, looking at Magistrate Gao's eyes as if he had seen a ghost, they knew the meaning behind Qi Yan's action was not simple.
The loyalist specially sent by the Holy One to monitor Qi Yan was given the title of inspector, and now he stood opposite Qi Yan with a stern expression.
"Master Qi, you have passed."
"oh?"
Qi Yan lazily raised his eyes, his eyes devoid of any emotion, looking even sharper than the person opposite him.
"Why don't I think so?"
"The dross must be discarded. I am just cleaning up the garbage."
The inspector narrowed his eyes dangerously: "You dare to say that taxes are waste? You are contemptuous of the imperial power. I can send a message to the Holy One now!"
"Really?"
Qi Yan smiled slightly.
His fingertips deftly twisted the cover of the booklet with the words "Tax Records", and wiped away the fire folder with his other hand. The flames jumped up, and in an instant, the cover was engulfed, except for a slowly falling black ash stain.
, nothing is left.
His demeanor actually showed a bit of innocence at this moment, and he looked down at the falling ashes with interest.
"You said, this is a tax book? Where are the words? I didn't see it."
The inspector drew his sword and pointed it at him, furious.
"you!"
The smile on Qi Yan's lips dropped, and he clamped the tip of the opponent's knife with one hand, and his vision turned cold in an instant.
"Your official position is not as good as mine, and you only have supervisory power. Now you point a knife at me. This is the following offense."
"Mo Bai, take him prisoner and he will be released later."
"Qi Yan, how dare you! I was sent by the Holy Spirit specifically..."
"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu"
The black man was ruthless, and he stuffed a piece of cloth randomly pulled from the ground into the inspector's mouth. A mouthful of ash choked the inspector's throat, and his eyes were red and bloodshot. He was so suppressed that he couldn't move.
No.
How could he have imagined that Qi Banyan openly disobeyed and attacked him!
Magistrate Gao's eyes twitched and he looked at a piece of cloth missing from the ground...the floor mat in front of the magistrate's house.
Although he had used it for many years, this mat was a treasure back then! His heart ached with pain... Even Qi Yan no longer felt so horrified that he would attack someone sent by the Holy Emperor.
After the atmosphere returned to quiet, the old man's worried voice sounded.
"This, Mr. Qi..."
He didn't call him Young Master this time because he respected Qi Yan's official position.
"Nothing."
When Qi Yan looked at the old man, the coldness in his eyes dissipated a little. He turned around and called to County Magistrate Gao, asking him to bring over the money.
Magistrate Gao left with a sullen expression.
It is not easy to exchange the large silver notes handed over by the officials into copper coins and broken silver. When the money was handed from Qi Yan's hand to the old man, it was like reenacting the same familiar scene, making the old man burst into tears instantly.
"You gave us this money, didn't you..." You have no intention of taking it back?
He was not stupid. After watching Qi Yan's actions, he already had some guesses in his mind.
Qi Yan gave him a gentle look and closed the old man's palm holding the money.
"I still remember the seedlings in the ground last time. More than a month has passed. I wonder how they are growing?"
The old man sniffed and said repeatedly: "Okay, it's growing well! It was a little difficult at first, but now it's getting better and the ground is turning green."
Qi Yan smiled: "That's great. After everyone receives the money, will you take me to see it?"
"It just so happens that I also have something new and personal for you."
"This new thing was cultivated by me and her together."
The old man raised his eyes, and the sensitivity of the elderly allowed him to quickly catch the word "she". When people usually mention male friends, they will mention their names directly. Only women, or people who are highly valued, will be mentioned by pronouns.
.
There was an obvious tenderness in Qi Yan's eyes.
The old man couldn't help laughing.
It seems that the woman Qi Yan mentioned was a highly cherished woman.