“Rest assured, Governor Jiang’s family has been invited to the mansion by the Princess Consort and are chatting in the backyard.”
Si Zhan’s gaze turned cold as it swept over the other officials and wealthy gentry wishing to hide. He added, “Oh, by the way, not just Governor Jiang’s family, the wives and children of everyone kneeling here have been invited.”
“Your Highness, what are you trying to do?”
Finally, an official among the wealthy gentry couldn’t hold back and asked.
Si Zhan’s eyes darkened as he leaned back slightly, his authoritative presence immediately apparent. “I won’t waste words. Open the governor’s granary completely. Everyone else must contribute a thousand bushels of grain to retrieve their family members; otherwise, continue kneeling. I don’t mind pouring some water on you.”
Everyone fell silent, exchanging glances. Finally, someone mustered the courage to say, “Your Highness’s actions are no different from bandits!”
Si Zhan looked at him coldly, laughing as he replied, “What? Want to go to Biandu and report me?”
“…I dare not!” The person shrank back, intimidated by Si Zhan’s momentum.
They indeed did not dare. Today, the Prince of Yi was clearly laying down the law. He had connections with bandits who held leverage over these officials and gentry. For years, they had tolerated the bandits in Qiannan because of this leverage. Now, those levers had fallen into the Prince of Yi’s hands, prompting him to confront them openly and demand power and grain.
“If you don’t dare, then obediently hand over the grain and retrieve your people.”
The wealthy gentry no longer resisted.
The lives of their families were more important than grain. After weighing options, they chose to hand over the grain, lining up with Uncle Zhou to sign contracts. Only after all the grain was secured could they leave.
Everyone quickly signed the contracts and was temporarily settled in the side hall, treated with good wine and food, except for Governor Jiang. Injured and with emptied granaries, he could only grit his teeth.
“Governor Jiang,” Si Zhan suddenly called out.
Startled, Governor Jiang bowed respectfully, “This official is here.”
“Do you think my first act as a new official should be to kill a chicken to warn the monkeys?”
