Outside the imperial envoy's residence, the scholars were gathered and shouting. The Imperial Bodyguard and Dongchang's foreigners stood at the entrance, not looking at them. As long as they didn't charge in, they could shout as much as they wanted.
"Let's charge in!"
Someone shouted, and the crowd began to move forward. The Imperial Bodyguard and Dongchang's foreigners immediately prepared for battle. Their gazes searched the crowd, wanting to see who had shouted, but they couldn't find the person among the hundreds of people.
At this moment, someone suddenly shouted from inside, "The imperial envoy has arrived!"
Following this shout, the scene instantly quieted down. Sun Piyang, Cao Yikui, and Wang Yongji walked out of the courtyard.
Seeing the high-ranking officials, the scholars also quieted down. Sun Piyang's gaze swept across the scholars and said, "You are all disciples of the Confucian Sect. Gathering at the entrance and shouting so loudly, what kind of decorum is this?!"
"Milord, if the road is uneven, someone will step on it. As disciples of the Confucian Sect, when we see the imperial court's dogs and Dongchang's dogs running amok in the countryside, we naturally have to stand up and complain!"
After a moment of silence, someone loudly shouted from the crowd.
"Yes, we naturally have to complain!"
"Yes, we have to complain!"
Sun Piyang's gaze swept across the crowd. "If you continue shouting, this official will go back. This official has come out to meet you only because we are all disciples of the Confucian Sect. What else do you think it is?"
"In terms of academics, this official is a senior. This official is a Third Imperial Scholar in the 35th year of Jiajing. What about you?
"In terms of official position, this official is the Left Deputy Imperial Censor of the Imperial Censorate, a third-rank official in the imperial court. What about you?
This official thinks that you are young and frivolous to shout in front of a senior. Who gave you the courage to shout in front of an official of the imperial court? "
Seeing that no one was speaking, Sun Piyang was just about to speak when someone shouted, "It was the Holy Master who gave us the courage."
"Who said that? Come, come out and let this official see!" Sun Piyang loudly berated.
Although he knew that someone was causing trouble, Sun Piyang couldn't help but feel a wave of anger rise in his heart.
"Milord, are you going to take revenge?" someone else shouted.
Sun Piyang laughed this time: "Didn't the Holy Master give you the courage?
Then stand out, don't embarrass the Holy Master. If you are afraid of revenge and don't even have the courage to stand out, the Holy Master doesn't have a disciple like you. "
"Studying to serve the country, why should I cherish my life?
Don't you even have the courage to stand up? "
Sun Piyang's voice was very loud, it was obvious that he was trying to provoke them, but the people below were not stupid, no one stood up for a long while. Sun Piyang snorted coldly and said: "How embarrassing, embarrassing for the Holy Master!"
Seeing that everyone had lowered their heads, Sun Piyang said, "What are you doing here?
Cry out against injustice?
Why are you complaining? "
"For the Zhou family?
Or for those who were arrested?
Let me say this, the investigation has its own laws, no one can act recklessly. However, this is not something you should care about, your job is to study hard. "
"If anyone wants to know, I'll invite you in to see what's going on."
"However, I will say the ugly words first. If there is injustice, I will naturally ask for forgiveness from the imperial court. However, if these people are really guilty of questioning the imperial court's investigation, are you willing to punish them with the same crime?"
When these words were spoken, the scene once again quietened down. They were not stupid, they would be punished with the same crime. That was a crime of selling salt, a crime of beheading!
Even if he didn't behead them in the end, they wouldn't be able to take it!
"No one speaks?"
Sun Piyang swept his gaze across the students present and said: "Now, this official invites all of you in. Does anyone want to go in?"
No one moved for a long time. It was obvious that they were afraid, but there were also those who were not afraid. A young man gritted his teeth and took a step forward: "I'll go in, the Zhou family has an extremely good reputation in Cangzhou, repairing bridges and roads is a good family, I don't believe that they would sell salt."
The moment this person spoke, it was as if he had thrown a fire into the dry firewood, instantly igniting the crowd.
"I'll go in!"
"I'll go in too!"
Sun Piyang nodded and said: "Alright, then this official will invite all of you in today. However, remember this official's words, if the Zhou family is really guilty, then they will be punished with the same crime. When that time comes, don't blame this official for not showing mercy."
After saying this, Sun Piyang stood to the side, making way for the way in.
Although they were shouting cheerfully, when it came time to actually go in, these people hesitated to move forward. No one dared to take this risk!
In an instant, both sides were in a deadlock. At this time, a group of people suddenly walked through the crowd.
The leader was the Cangzhou Zhizhou, Yao Renji, and behind him were the other Cangzhou officials.
"Official Sun, as the Cangzhou Zhizhou, this official is the parent official of Cangzhou. Although you are an imperial envoy, this official cannot allow you to bully the good in Cangzhou, especially with the imperial court's lackeys, Dongchang's lackeys."
Seeing Yao Renji, Sun Piyang's brows furrowed. He definitely did not have good intentions jumping out at this time.
Hearing him say this, it was even more obvious that he did not have good intentions. This was to put him in the same category as the Dongchang Imperial Bodyguard. This was to say that he was colluding with the Dongchang Imperial Bodyguard to run amok in the village and bully the good.
"This official was appointed as the Zhizhou by the imperial court. This is to act on behalf of the heavens and to protect the safety of the people.
"Today, the imperial court's lackeys have run amok in the village and harmed the people. This official will naturally protest against this injustice.
This official has already written to the imperial court to impeach you.
Today, this official has come to ask what crimes the Cangzhou villagers have committed to suffer such an unforeseen calamity.
"This official has come today to stop the imperial court's lackeys from harming the people. If you want to arrest people, then this official is willing to be the first. If you want to kill people, then this official is willing to be the first. Official Sun, the heavens and earth can bear witness to my words."
Following Yao Renji's impassioned speech, the students at the scene were immediately spurred on. For a moment, shouts rang out everywhere.
Seeing this scene, Sun Piyang's expression was as dark as still water. This Yao Renji's ability to distort black and white was truly unparalleled.
Suppressing the anger in his heart, Sun Piyang said to Yao Renji, "Yao Renji, do you know what you are doing?"
"Of course I know. I am doing my duty to protect the people and protect the safety of the people for Your Majesty," Yao Renji said, still filled with righteous indignation.
Sun Piyang really wanted to have Yao Renji arrested, but he could not. If Yao Renji was arrested now, then it would be a complete mess.
After a moment of silence, Sun Piyang said, "Since that is the case, then very well, I will give Official Yao an explanation."
"Tomorrow morning, I will publicly hear this case at the Cangzhou yamen. When the time comes, everyone can listen. The truth will be known tomorrow."