Zheng Yunde was startled, then quickly stood up and walked out with an anxious look on his face.
Being a county magistrate under the feet of a saint, although his rank is higher than other county magistrates, his treatment is much better. He is the most envied county magistrate by all the county magistrates in the world.
However, there are also many similar troubles.
The gathering of ordinary people is the most worrying thing for all officials.
Once it is not handled well, it will be directly caught by the censors and brought to the attention of His Majesty. No matter how great achievements they have made before, it will leave the worst impression in the minds of Your Majesty and all the officials. Don't think about it in the future.
There is no chance of promotion.
While thinking about what happened, Zheng Yunde led a group of government servants and walked quickly outside the government office.
"hiss……"
Just as he reached the door, Zheng Yunde couldn't help but take a cold breath.
It was really dark in front of the Yamen. Half of the people in Wannian County had gathered here. Zheng Yunde could still see people in the distance on the street, squeezing towards the Yamen.
I don’t know if I am participating in the gathering, or if I think there is something exciting to watch and want to squeeze in to watch the excitement.
No matter which one it was, Zheng Yunde always had a severe headache.
With countless thoughts in his mind, Zheng Yunde had just walked out of the Yamen when he first threatened him: "Dear fellow villagers, didn't you come to see me? Why are you besieging the Yamen like this?"
After saying this, the people below who were blocking the government office could not help but change their expressions slightly, and felt a little guilty. The people who were farther away could not hear what Zheng Yunde said, so they subconsciously crowded forward.
Zheng Yunde and a group of Wannian county officials saw that all the people took a step forward at the same time after Lord Mingfu finished speaking.
Suddenly, everyone looked shocked.
"Protect Mr. Mingfu!"
"Where is the Yamen servant?"
In an instant, all the government officials rushed forward and stared at the people with wary expressions.
All the people were in a panic.
In front of the crowd, an old man with white hair finally stood still with the help of people around him.
Immediately, he took a trembling step or two forward and saluted Zheng Yunde.
"Back to Lord Mingfu, we have no intention of besieging the Yamen, but we are about to die, so we came here to see Lord Mingfu and save us!"
"Um?"
Hearing this, Zheng Yunde couldn't help but frown.
He knew this old man as a highly respected old man with a very high prestige among the people. Sometimes, the words of this old man were more effective than those of the county magistrate who had lived for ten thousand years.
Beside him, Dian Shi also hurriedly approached Zheng Yunde and reported softly: "Master Mingfu, I have observed that these people were pushed forward by the people behind them and did not intend to collide with you!"
"Send a few government officials to contact Wuhou and the bad guys outside to maintain order. Don't let those people crowd forward!"
Zheng Yunde said quickly.
"Yes, Lord Mingfu!"
Dian Shi quickly bowed his hands in salute, walked to several government officials on one side, and quickly gave instructions.
Then, a group of government officials squeezed into the crowd and pushed out.
Seeing this, Zheng Yunde slowly breathed a sigh of relief.
Then he looked at the old man Su and all the people.
"I wonder what happened to you all, that made you unable to survive?"
"If I remember correctly, last year was a good harvest year, and all of your families had enough food. But this year, there were no frosts, floods, droughts or other natural disasters, and there were no disasters. What do you think?
It’s really hard for me to understand!”
"Don't you know, Lord Mingfu, that there really is a man-made disaster in the city!"
The old man said with a sad face.
"oh?"
Hearing this, Zheng Yunde breathed a sigh of relief.
"I don't know what happened? But who's dandy is causing trouble in the city? Or there are street gangsters who are causing trouble for no reason. You can just speak out. I will punish you severely!"
"well!"
The old man sighed heavily, and a few wrinkles suddenly appeared on his face.
"Master Mingfu, if only it were this simple! It's me and other common people who can't afford salt!"
"Why is this?"
Zheng Yunde looked surprised.
"Don't you know, Lord Mingfu, that because of the opening of those snow salt shops, the price of bitter salt in the entire Chang'an City is now rising! It turns out that a pound of bitter salt costs five cents. We and the people are gritting our teeth.
I can still eat some.
However, the price of a pound of bitter salt has risen so much now. Some time ago, it just rose to seven cents. The day before yesterday, it went up to ten cents per catty! With such a high price, we and other people are really worried.
I can’t afford it!”
The old man reported the report with a sad face.
At the same time, all the people looked sad and ordered to complain.
"Sir Mingfu, I have been waiting for several days and I have no money for salt!"
"Please also ask Mr. Mingfu to make the decision for us..."
"Everyone, I know that Xueli Salt is flawlessly white and has no bitter taste. It is much higher quality than Qinghai salt. It only costs ten cents per pound. It can be regarded as the most conscientious salt shop. But I don't have any
To think that you all hate that Snow Grain Salt Shop so much!"
Hearing this, Zheng Yunde couldn't help but feel sad.
As a son of the Zheng family, he is also very aware of the matter of Xueli Salt. It is a salt shop opened by His Majesty.
There are even two salt merchants in Chang'an City who are raising prices, and they are the servants of the Zheng family.
However, when he joins the court as an official, they generally will not interfere in major family affairs unless it is a matter of life and death or the family's downfall. This is a taboo.
Therefore, after hearing these people's words, I couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
"well!"
Hearing this, a hint of embarrassment flashed across the faces of all the people.
But immediately, their faces were full of determination.
"Master Mingfu, we are just a group of common people who just want to be able to afford salt! I heard that after the Xueli Salt Shop opened, the Qinghai salt could not be sold, and the salt merchants could not make money, so they began to give bitter salt
The price increases. That snow grain salt is good, but it is me and other common people who suffer.
Moreover, now is the busy time of spring, and we are all miserable if we can’t eat salt..."
"Please also ask Mr. Mingfu to save me..."
As he spoke, all the people knelt down and kowtowed to Zheng Yunde.
“Fathers and fellow villagers, please don’t do this!”
Zheng Yunde's expression changed drastically. He quickly stepped forward, helped the old man who was taking the lead, and said: "I am the magistrate of Wannian County. If you are in trouble, it is my duty. However, you should also know that I am only the magistrate of Wannian County."
A small county magistrate, in the city of Chang'an, he met an official of a higher rank than himself.
Moreover, the most important thing, the Xueli Salt Shop, did nothing illegal or disciplinary.
However, please rest assured, I will submit a memorial at the meeting and ask the senior ministers to make your decision.
It is a matter of concern to all the people in the world, and no official will dare to be negligent, so please rest assured!"
"In addition, I will personally go to Ming Yongzhou Mu and ask Yongzhou Mu to summon all the salt merchants in Chang'an City. I will definitely not let them act like this!"
"I and all the common people, thank you so much, Mr. Mingfu!"
The old man saluted Zheng Yunde again and again.
"If you have nothing to do, please retreat quickly. With so many people surrounding the Yamen, there is something wrong after all!" Zheng Yunde said.
"Everyone, Lord Mingfu has agreed to help me solve the salt problem, so please step aside first!"
After hearing this, the old man saluted Zheng Yunde again, then turned his head and shouted loudly to the crowd.
Immediately, the crowd of people who surrounded the yamen gate slowly retreated.