Zhao Xiaole reined in his horse and walked forward to the bandit leader who was kneeling down to beg for mercy, "Why did you rob this chamber of commerce?"
The bandit leader hasn't answered yet.
The president of the Chamber of Commerce hurriedly lay down in front of Zhao Xiaole's horse hooves, crying and pleading: "Sir, please let me make the decision for you!"
"This group of people ignored the king's laws and robbed ordinary people's shops. They are really committing a heinous crime. Please deal with them!"
The president of the Chamber of Commerce saw that Zhao Xiaole and the guards behind him were mostly wearing standard military uniforms, and concluded that he was a high official.
Therefore, he quickly begged for mercy.
Zhao Xiaole looked at the bandit leader again, "Are you aware of your guilt?"
The bandit leader bowed his head and said: "We are aware of the crime, but we did not harass ordinary people. It was this profiteer who harmed the country and the people, so we can attack him."
Zhao Xiaole was stunned again by these words.
Could it be possible that these are still a bunch of thieves who are doing justice for heaven?
At this time, the guard who had gone to buy food and grass came forward and said, "Master Hou, this person is indeed a profiteer!"
"The grain and grass I'm waiting for were purchased from his house. The price has increased so much. No wonder it attracts the attention of thieves!"
Zhao Xiaole ignored it and asked the soldiers behind him to take a look.
Have these people harassed the people?
Guards arrived soon.
The chamber of commerce boss originally wanted to plead for mercy, but after seeing the guards, he became even more frightened and said: "Sir, there is a misunderstanding, this is a misunderstanding!"
"There have been frequent wars recently. If it weren't for the shortage of food and grass, how could the price increase so much?"
"It has nothing to do with villains!"
Soon, the guards who went to investigate came back and reported: "It is true that no common people were harassed."
Zhao Xiaole nodded and said to the bandit leader: "I think you still have some moral principles. The country is in troubled times now. Why would you rather become a bandit than join the army?"
“Wouldn’t it be more valuable to defend our country?”
When the bandit leader heard this, he remained silent.
Zhao Xiaole felt more and more strange, but he did not continue to investigate. Instead, he looked at the chamber of commerce boss and said:
"Go and bring your accounts to me, I want to see them!"
The president of the Chamber of Commerce was shocked when he heard this, "Sir, I always abide by the law and never dare to mess around. I am innocent!"
Zhao Xiaole shouted coldly, "I told you to bring it. Why is there so much nonsense? Hurry up!"
The president of the Chamber of Commerce still refused, so Zhao Xiaole asked the guards to go in and search.
It didn't take long for the account books to be taken out one after another.
It was getting quite dark.
Some guards lit torches to provide light for Zhao Xiaole.
Zhao Xiaole was on the street, looking through the accounts.
Unfortunately, I just checked briefly and found no problem at all.
But what surprised him was.
Why does a small chamber of commerce handle so much fodder?
Where did all this fodder go?
Although there is a lot of money in the account.
However, compared with the value of those fodders, the money is still too little.
Seeing this, Zhao Xiaole's face darkened, and he asked the businessman: "Tell me honestly, where did the large amount of fodder you sold go?"
Forage is now almost a strategic material.
Except for a small part that is given to civilians.
A large amount of fodder has been controlled by the imperial court.
Therefore, it is completely understandable for Zhao Xiaole that the price of fodder has increased.
He knows this economic law.
However, after a large amount of fodder passes through the hands of merchants, its whereabouts are unknown, and this problem becomes serious.
If you can't find out where it went.
This matter can't be finished.
The chamber of commerce boss stumbled back: "Yes, it was requisitioned by the imperial court!"
Zhao Xiaole immediately slapped him in the face with a whip, "If the imperial court requisitions it, there will definitely be a seal of approval. Do you really think I don't know that?"
"Bring me your approval document!"
The boss of the Chamber of Commerce was whipped and lay on the ground just wailing.
Zhao Xiaole immediately ordered people to find all the accountants and shopkeepers in the chamber of commerce and interrogate them separately.
Where did all this food and grass go?
It's getting dark.
Each torch illuminates the long street.
Zhao Xiaole was in the middle of the street, moved a chair and sat down.
From the nearby houses, the sounds of participation could be heard from time to time.
The bandits didn't dare to leave. They squatted on the ground obediently next to the wall, not daring to go anywhere.
After being tortured for a while, the guards who soon came up with the results of the interrogation came to Zhao Xiaole and reported.
Zhao Xiaole just nodded.
After several times in a row, Zhao Xiaole asked someone to carry the president of the Chamber of Commerce out.
At this moment, he was already covered in bruises.
But he didn't do anything.
I just resisted.
The words they used were all messy excuses.
It's simply not trustworthy.
Zhao Xiaole asked: "What? You still refuse to recruit me?"
The boss of the Chamber of Commerce has long been beaten to the point of losing his strength and even lost his voice. Where can he be recruited?
Zhao Xiaole waved his hand, indicating that he would be executed.
A guard immediately stepped forward, drew the saber from his waist, and slashed at the boss.
The boss of the chamber of commerce was so shocked that he choked with blood from his throat and sobbed: "I will recruit you, I am willing to recruit you!"
Unfortunately, it's too late.
The guard slashed his head with a saber.
Blood splattered everywhere.
In the distance, the bandits squatting on the ground couldn't help but get goosebumps all over their bodies, with a look of fear in their eyes.
He became even more afraid of the murderous demon in front of him.
In fact, Mr. Accountant and the shopkeeper have already made an explanation.
Zhao Xiaole just needs some verification.
The culpability of the president of the Chamber of Commerce is enough to make him a clear example.
Then, Zhao Xiaole began to read the other party's memory.
The further he looked down, the gloomier his face became.
It turns out that there is a path leading to the north in the Yuquan Mountains next to the capital, which is rugged and difficult to navigate.
The road is very secluded because it is very narrow.
Not many people know.
And the boss of the Chamber of Commerce actually secretly transported a large amount of grain and grass from there to the north. He has been doing these things for a long time.
The purpose is also very clear. In addition to hoarding, it is to reserve military rations for the barbarians in the north.
Once the barbarians move south, the cavalry will advance rapidly.
Then, their food, grass and supplies will be a major problem.
In addition to transporting food from here, the boss of the chamber of commerce also used this road as a secret passage for the barbarians to bypass and enter the rear of Shangjing.
If Zhao Xiaole hadn't been lucky enough to bump into this businessman, he wouldn't have known that the Dongyue Kingdom's spies had been operating openly outside the capital for so long.
After watching, Zhao Xiaole remained silent for a long time.
When he raised his head again, he looked at the group of bandits again, with a sneer flashing at the corner of his mouth.
The bandit leader also noticed it and hurriedly said: "Sir, this businessman deserves death. This villain is just venting evil for the people."
"If you want to kill, just kill the younger one. My brothers are all innocent!"
Zhao Xiaole laughed and said: "Haha, you Jin Yiwei turn out to be so attached to friendship. I didn't even notice it before!"
When Zhao Xiaole revealed his identity, the bandit leader was immediately shocked.
They are the Jin Yiwei who are wandering outside the capital.
