“So it’s the County Lieutenant Lyu. What, are we not allowed to come here to eat vegetarian meals and drink tea?”
Ma Wengui sneered and said.
“It’s a misunderstanding. I think you’ve misunderstood. I didn’t mean anything by it! I’m just running an errand for my lord!”
Lyu Ying said with a beaming smile.
“Running an errand for Lord Han? I wonder what Lord Han wants with us!”
Ma Wengui asked with a fake smile.
“This is a document prepared by my lord. It contains the total budget estimated by my lord. My lord knows that you are all benevolent and charitable people, so he has specially prepared a stele of merit to erect your achievements on the east bank for future generations to admire!”
After Lyu Ying finished speaking, he clapped his hands heavily, and someone immediately handed him a document.
“Lord Han is indeed a shrewd calculator!”
Ma Wengui was almost amused to death. This fellow had truly cornered them this time.
He was using the breach in the west bank embankment to force them to cough up money one by one to repair the embankment for those poor souls!
Furthermore, judging by this situation, unless the east bank was repaired, this fellow would not restore the west bank embankment for them!
“My lord is meticulous in his planning, and this is the people’s blessing!”
Lyu Ying said, deliberately using a double entendre.
“Hmph!”
Although Ma Wengui snorted coldly, he still reached out and took the document.
“My lord says he is busy with official duties, so such a good deed can only be done when it gets dark. If you are unwilling to claim it, my lord will not force you. After all, you get what you pay for. Once the money and grain are used up, it will naturally have nothing to do with him!”
After Lyu Ying finished speaking, he left a scribe behind and turned to leave.
“Damn it, this is going too far!”
As soon as Lyu Ying left, the local gentry in the dining hall couldn't help but start cursing.
“Go ahead and curse. Will your cursing solve the problem?”
After carefully reviewing the accounts in the document, Ma Wengui, having roughly calculated it in his mind, said with a cold smile.
“Then what should we do? Are we just going to be bullied like this for nothing?”
The problem returned to its starting point. Seeing everyone muttering their grievances, Ma Wengui sneered, walked over to the scribe, and wrote his name on the ledger next to him, followed by the amount of two thousand guan.
It wasn’t until he walked out of the dining hall that the remaining people looked at each other and gathered around to see what he had written. Once they saw it clearly, they all fell silent.
Since Ma Wengui had already conceded, what could they, the rest, do? Moreover, there was still a scribe left by Lyu Ying.
Thinking of the thunderous methods Han Mo had used to deal with Li Mao’er, and then thinking about the harsh words they had spoken today, the entire scene became strangely tense. Although everyone was holding back their anger, and although everyone wished they could flay Han Mo alive at this moment, they had no choice but to submit.
The amount of two thousand guan was not much for the truly top-tier wealthy merchants, but for these local gentry in Neihuang County, it was truly painful.
Yet, even so, they had to concede at this moment.
In less than half an hour, everyone’s names were neatly written on the document.
Since Ma Wengui had set the precedent of two thousand guan, these people could only follow suit.
——————————————————
“My lord, if you force them like this, they might not let it go so easily!”
After receiving the document from the scribe, although Lyu Ying felt relieved, he couldn’t help but worry about Han Mo.
“I’m just afraid they won’t swallow their pride. You send people to keep an eye on their movements. If they don’t make any moves, you can send someone to pass them a message. I’ve already done this much, so they should at least go to the Transport Commissioner to lodge a complaint, right?”
Han Mo said, stretching lazily, showing no sign of worry at all.
“My lord, are… are you alright?”
While this kind of forced imposition was very common throughout the Great Song Dynasty, such matters were generally overlooked unless reported by the people.
If they were to endure this insult, the matter would be dropped. However, if they truly escalated it to the Transport Commissioner’s office, considering Han Mo’s attitude towards Pang Yue a few days ago, who could guarantee that Pang Yue wouldn’t secretly retaliate against Han Mo?
Although Han Mo had a strong background, in the end, a current official was more effective than a distant one.
“Don’t worry, I have my own plans! The matter of flood control will be handed over to you and Gao Zhiyao from now on. Do you two have any problems with that?”
Han Mo waved his hand casually and then changed the subject.
“My lord, please rest assured, your subordinate will not fail your expectations!”
Lyu Ying quickly cupped his hands and said to Han Mo.
Although this matter was not within his official capacity, at this moment, with the positions of County Deputy, Registrar, and Bailiff all vacant, he, the County Lieutenant, could only fill in for now.
In any case, they now had money and provisions, and with Gao Zhiyao, an expert, leading the way, it wouldn’t be difficult to do a good job.
The battle in Neihuang was essentially over. Compared to fighting, repairing the embankment was like picking up merits.
As long as they could safely pass the flood season this year, by this time next year, he, the County Lieutenant, would probably be promoted.
“Alright, then I’ll leave this matter to you. It’s too hot today, and I need to go back and get a good sleep!”
Han Mo yawned again and then slowly got into his carriage.
Since Jiang Yan and the others had beaten Wang Daolu so badly, this matter was definitely not going to end just like that.
Even for his own sake, Wang Daolu would definitely make a big deal out of this.
Considering the time, Pang Yue’s documents should have been prepared.
However, the news he had been waiting for had not yet arrived, which made Han Mo feel a faint sense of unease.
————————————
“Master, where are we going…”
As dusk began to fall, Wang Daolu showed no intention of resting, only urging his horse forward.
“To Yuancheng! I will make that surname Han pay the price!”