Li Cao said with a wry smile on his face: "Mr. Guo County, please don't make it difficult for me to get down. There are only 100,000 shi of grain in this granary now. If you, the people of Wanping County, have borrowed it all, those prefectures and counties will not be able to borrow it!"
Guo An snorted coldly and stared at Li Cao closely.
"Ambassador Li, as a person from the granary here, you should also know where this food comes from!
And for these 100,000 shi of grain, I, Guo An, suffered so much scolding, and the tens of thousands of people in Wanping County suffered so much.
If you say this now, won't your conscience hurt?
Of course, these people don't have to care.
However, the people of Wanping County borrowed food through His Highness King Yan and Nie Fantai, and even His Majesty agreed!
Now, the people in Wanping County all carry IOUs, why can't they borrow food?
Or is it that the words of His Majesty and His Highness Prince Yan have no effect on you now?"
"As for other prefectures and counties that want to borrow grain, why do they look for it themselves? Why are they so shamelessly staring at the grain that I have found?
Since I have brought tens of thousands of villagers and elders from Wanping County to borrow grain, I must borrow grain.
Otherwise, I will go to His Highness King Yan. I wonder if His Highness King Yan will be furious when the time comes. Will you be able to afford it?"
Hearing this, Li Cao's expression became even more miserable.
Of course he knew this, but it was not something he could decide. At this moment, he was a scapegoat, pushed out by the superiors behind him.
At this time, Guo An's expression changed again, "Okay, I have given you a good talk and made the truth clear. Moreover, you have tried your best to stop me.
Even if the superior officer blames you, you have an explanation.
Now, if you just stay aside obediently, I won’t bear any grudge against you.”
"This... Guo County Zun... the lower official..."
Looking at Guo An's threatening smile, Li Cao looked helpless.
According to legend, the magistrate of Wanping County in front of him was a person that His Highness King Yan valued. Li Cao really didn't want to offend this person unless he had no choice but to do so.
Seeing that Li Cao still didn't move, Guo An's face turned gloomy again.
"Ambassador Li, the person next to me is the newly appointed Dianshi of this county. Do you need to get to know him?"
Li Cao looked at Wang Zhen, who had a ferocious face on his side. His pupils suddenly tightened and his expression changed drastically. He didn't expect Guo An to be so bold and dare to threaten him like this in broad daylight.
"Your Excellency, County Guo, my subordinates are also acting under orders, why should you do this?"
As he said that, he quietly retreated to one side.
Unexpectedly, just a Dianshi can scare away a warehouse ambassador. Guo An couldn't help but turned around in surprise and glanced at Wang Zhen behind him, "I didn't expect that Wang Dianshi would have such a great deterrent effect. I would have known this." , I don’t have to waste my time like that!”
"This is all the credit of the county magistrate!"
Wang Zhen just saluted Guo An with a solemn expression.
Guo An patted Wang Zhen on the back with great satisfaction and said: "Don't worry, if it's your credit, it must be yours. I never take credit for it!"
Then, he ordered the village chiefs behind him: "Please take out the IOU as soon as possible and borrow food from Ambassador Li. Don't waste any time!"
"Yes, County Lord!"
With Guo An's words, the people behind him couldn't wait to take the IOUs, hand them to Li Cao, and go to move the grain!
Li Cao had a miserable look on his face. He wanted to stop him but didn't dare to say anything.
The remaining people rushed directly to the granary.
Yesterday, these common people had already borrowed a batch of grain.
At this time, without Guo An's instructions, everyone was very familiar with the road, and all the officials in the granary also cooperated very skillfully.
Seeing this situation in the granary, a group of officials from the Chief Envoy of Peking who were standing in the distance, as well as the magistrates of various prefectures and counties, were also anxious. They could no longer hold back, and a group of officials surged in angrily.
Came over.
"Zhixian Guo, why do you still need to borrow food?"
"Hmph, why can't I borrow food?"
"Ambassador Li, haven't you already told us to suspend food borrowing? Why are these people still borrowing food?"
Facing these officials, Guo An can ignore them.
However, Li Cao did not dare to be disrespectful.
"Excuse me, Counselor Lu. With Wang Dianshi here, I dare not refuse to borrow it!"
"Humph, this granary belongs to me, the Chief Envoy of Peiping. What do you have to fear?"
Counselor Lu scolded Li Cao angrily, then looked at Guo An.
"Can Magistrate Guo give me an explanation for this matter?"
"It's a joke. Your Majesty agrees that I, the people of Wanping County, are borrowing food. His Highness King Yan and Nie Fantai also agree! This time, I am upright and reasonable. Why do I need to explain to you?"
Guo An was honest about this Senator Lu who appeared out of nowhere.
"Guo An...you are so brave!"
"Counsel Lu is wrong, I have always been timid!" Guo An replied quietly.
Counselor Lu was so angry that his face was trembling, "Guo An, do you know that letting your county magistrate threaten me, an official in the Chief Envoy of Peking, is a serious crime. Even if King Yan comes, he won't be able to save you!"
"Um?"
Guo An was stunned and subconsciously glanced back, which made Wang Zhen, who was expressionless, look full of grievance.
"In broad daylight, in front of so many people, Counselor Lu cannot accuse me unjustly. I just introduced Ambassador Li to my newly appointed Dianshi of Wanping County, why did he threaten Ambassador Li?
If you don’t believe me, ask Ambassador Li, ask the thousands of people and government officials behind me?”
"You...you are such a magistrate of Wanping County. You are so shameless. I learned this lesson today!" Senator Lu was furious.
"baffling!"
Guo An was also speechless.
But he didn't know how much a county's history could deter the people living in the county.
Although Dian Shi didn't even have any rank, he was a very weak official.
But they are also selected by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and appointed by His Majesty. To be more serious, they are also officials appointed by the imperial court!
Even when a county government does not have a county magistrate or a bookkeeper, the Dianshi can also take on the responsibilities of the county magistrate or bookkeeper, such as managing money and food, household registration, and public security affairs.
In addition, Dian Shi himself is responsible for the security of a county. When arresting suspects, he can use the suspects to commit crimes and commit crimes knowingly and illegally, which often causes headaches for wealthy businessmen in the county.
Even some dignitaries and officials do not want to be hated by a county's historian. Otherwise, if the historian is bolder and instigates some suspects and thieves at will, he can easily frame them.
As the ambassador in charge of the granary, Li Cao was still on the border of Wanping County.
If Guo An and Wang Zhen were really angered, and a county magistrate and a magistrate joined forces, Li Cao would have absolutely no way to survive.
Counselor Cao took a deep breath and snorted coldly, "Humph, I won't talk to you, the rude county magistrate. Now, I officially order you to stop borrowing food immediately!"
"Counsellor Cao doesn't want to talk to me, and I don't want to quarrel with Councilor Cao. I would like Councilor Cao to speak to me about this matter!" Guo An said directly!
"You are so brave!"
Hearing Guo An's words, all the prefects and county magistrates, and even Councilor Cao, were all surprised and a bit incredulous!
With so many officials here, the magistrate of Wanping County actually dared to use historical records to threaten a dignified chief minister of Peiping!