Chapter 163

Chapter 163

At this thought, Guan Siming snorted coldly, "Have it your way, but let's get one thing straight—don't you dare shoot your mouth off later!"

Just by looking at Meng Shuping, he seemed like a by-the-book type. What if, while they were collecting grain, this guy kept saying they couldn’t do this or that? Wouldn't that just cramp their style at every turn?

Meng Shuping readily agreed on the surface, but inwardly he thought, "Like I want to interfere! They talk like they can actually pull it off!"

Guan Siming turned his head away. "Let’s go!"

If they couldn’t collect the grain, could Meng Shuping do any better himself? Just look at how he shrinks into himself—if he were to try negotiating politely, no one would give him the time of day!

Following the addresses of the wealthy households they had investigated beforehand, the group first went to the residence of a wealthy family surnamed Jia. Guan Siming marched up to the gate and asked the guard stationed there, "Where is your master? Tell him he has visitors!"

Soon, a man who appeared to be the steward came out to greet them. Seeing Guan Siming and the others’ attire, he could tell they were either wealthy or noble. Putting on a fawning smile, he said, "So, what brings you gentlemen to our residence?"

Guan Siming replied arrogantly, "Tell your master that we are imperial envoys from the capital. Have him come out to meet us!"

The steward of the Jia residence discreetly sized up Guan Siming and the others, feeling deeply suspicious. Imperial envoys from the capital? They didn’t look the part at all—they seemed more like a bunch of spoiled young masters from wealthy families.

Despite his doubts, the steward still invited them into the residence. After all, even if they didn’t look like imperial envoys, they clearly came from privileged backgrounds. It was best not to offend them without first verifying their identities.

After ushering the group into the reception hall, the steward hurried to inform Master Jia of their arrival. Master Jia frowned slightly. "You’re saying they don’t look like imperial envoys?"

The steward nodded. "Exactly! Since when do proper imperial envoys act like them? They’re just a bunch of spoiled brats! Besides, they’re all young men—they don’t seem reliable at all. Would the court really send people like this?"

Master Jia thought for a moment. "Keep them waiting for a while, and send someone to investigate. Find out who the imperial envoys sent by the court really are."

The steward quickly replied, "Yes, sir."

Meng Shuping and the others waited in the reception hall for a long time, but Master Jia never appeared. However, tea and snacks were continuously served. Guan Siming and the others grew increasingly impatient. Shi Yue said, his face like thunder, "Why hasn’t he come yet? Even if he had to crawl, he should have been here by now!"

Meng Shuping thought to himself, "Of course he won’t come! This family is powerful and well-established here. Did they really think that just by claiming to be imperial envoys, the master would come rushing over? This is called putting them in their place—do they even get a clue?"

"I told them it wouldn’t be that easy, but they didn’t believe me. Now they’re in for a wake-up call, aren't they?"

Shi Yue glared angrily at the steward. He was used to being the one intimidating others—this was the first time he had been on the receiving end. What made it worse was that Meng Shuping was witnessing his humiliation. He was furious. These local wealthy families, taking advantage of being far from the emperor’s reach, clearly had no respect for them!

The steward smiled apologetically. "My apologies, esteemed gentlemen. Your visit was rather unexpected—our master happens to be out at the moment. But rest assured, we’ve already sent someone to notify him. He should be back soon."

Guan Siming slammed the table. "That's what you said last time, and you’re saying it again now! Is there no one in charge here?"

The steward could only smile apologetically once more. "Well… it’s truly because your visit was so sudden. Otherwise, our master would have been waiting here for you long ago."

Meng Shuping couldn’t help but translate inwardly, "He’s blaming them for having no manners, isn’t he? They came without prior notice—who else can they blame for finding no one home? Now they’re stuck waiting here, and it serves them right!"

Shi Yue’s expression darkened further. He said irritably, "Are you saying it’s our fault?"

Given his status, he was always flattered wherever he went. He had never been treated like this before. Clearly, these local wealthy families had no regard for anyone.

Meng Shuping felt a bit smug. "Oh, oh, oh! Who was it earlier who said that with him taking charge, collecting grain would be no problem? Look at them now—left hanging here! They don’t actually believe he’s rushing back from outside, do they? He’s probably hiding somewhere in the residence, laughing at their naivety!"

Shi Yue grew even angrier. He stood up abruptly. "Since you’re being so dismissive, don’t blame us for not showing any courtesy. Let’s go!"

But just as he finished speaking, a middle-aged man who looked very amiable hurried over. "Gentlemen, gentlemen! I was just outside discussing matters and only just heard of your visit. My apologies for not welcoming you properly. Please don’t take offense."

Before Guan Siming and the others could vent their anger, he continued, "Might I ask what brings you here today?"

Remembering that the grain collection was an important matter, Guan Siming and the others suppressed their anger. Guan Siming said, "I’ve heard that your household has large grain reserves. The disaster victims are on the verge of starvation, yet you’re hoarding grain and driving up prices, trying to profit from this. Aren’t you afraid the court will punish you?"

Master Jia put on a panicked expression. "You gentlemen have wronged me! It’s true that we have some grain reserves, but our household is large, and we have many people to feed. We’re not even sure how long these reserves will last us—how could we possibly drive up prices? I wonder who told you such things—it must be slander!"

Guan Siming sneered and was about to speak when he heard Meng Shuping’s voice in his head: "Oh, oh, oh! Look at his excuse—so reasonable! They’re not going to fall for it, are they?"

So he rolled his eyes. Did they think he could be fooled? He said sternly, "Do you know what crime it is to deceive an imperial envoy? Let me tell you—the Yunzhou Prefect has already revealed exactly how much grain each household has. Are you going to claim that the Yunzhou Prefect is slandering you too?"

Master Jia was shocked. The Yunzhou Prefect? Impossible! Prefectural Governor Wu had accepted plenty of bribes from them over the years. Moreover, the Yunzhou Prefect had a share in the grain profits—why would he betray them now?

He grew even more suspicious. Could these people really be impostors? Thinking this, he said politely, "Then, might I ask why you gentlemen are here? Is it just to punish me?"

Guan Siming said arrogantly, "Although you’ve done wrong, as long as you admit your mistake and willingly hand over the grain, we’ll let bygones be bygones."

Although Jiang Cihe had said to buy the grain at the market price, Guan Siming had played a little trick—first making a more extreme demand, then compromising by offering to pay. That way, the other party would be more likely to agree. See, he was quite clever after all.

Master Jia finally understood their purpose—they were here to demand grain. He couldn’t help but feel contemptuous. Not only were these people likely impostors, but even if they were genuine, did these greenhorns really think that being imperial envoys would allow them to overpower the local big shots?

Just then, another servant approached Master Jia and whispered something in his ear. After listening, Master Jia looked Guan Siming and the others up and down, then said coldly, "Hmph! I never thought you’d dare to scam your way into my residence! I’ve just had someone investigate—the imperial envoys sent by the court are a prince and a censor. Even if there is a young man among them, there certainly aren’t as many as you. Do you know what crime it is to impersonate imperial envoys?"

Meng Shuping had expected things to be difficult, but he hadn’t anticipated this turn of events. He couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. "Hahaha! I told them they couldn’t collect the grain without help, but they had to boast so arrogantly! Look at them—they’ve been exposed as fakes! Wait… they actually are fakes. He’s not wrong!"

Shi Yue and the others flushed red with anger. "Who are you calling fakes? Let me tell you, we’re here on official orders!"

Master Jia said disdainfully, "If you claim to be genuine, can you show any proof? Don’t think that just because you have capital accents and act like young masters, you can fool me. I’ve traveled far and wide—I’ve seen all sorts of people! With your sloppy demeanor, how dare you claim to be imperial envoys? Next time you try to scam someone, at least put on a more convincing act!"

Guan Siming and the others never expected to have their identities questioned here. Remembering that Meng Shuping had followed them, he pulled Meng Shuping forward. "Show him your official seal!"

Then, he turned to Master Jia. "See? This is a genuine imperial envoy, personally appointed by the Emperor! A favored minister of the court!"

Meng Shuping, who had been enjoying the spectacle, was suddenly yanked forward. He stiffened and said awkwardly, "I—I didn’t bring it!"

"Didn’t you tell me not to follow? Then why drag me out now? But I really didn’t bring it! Pulling me out at a time like this is completely useless!"

Guan Siming was exasperated. They might not be official envoys, but Meng Shuping was! How could he fail them at such a critical moment?

Seeing Meng Shuping’s demeanor, which stood out so starkly from the others, Master Jia became even more convinced that Guan Siming and the others were lying. He laughed heartily. "You say he’s an imperial envoy, a favored minister of the Emperor? Then I’m the prince of the court!"

If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable! Would a favored minister of the court have so little presence? Even a local official could put on an air of authority—would a favored minister be so… approachable?

He quickly turned stern. "Men! Tie them up and call the authorities! Have them arrested!"

Shi Yue was furious. "How dare you!"

Master Jia sneered. "Why wouldn’t I dare? Get moving!"

Meng Shuping quickly ducked behind the others. He had no intention of getting caught in the crossfire. But he truly hadn’t expected things to turn out this way without anyone even needing to deliberately sabotage them!

Although Shi Yue and the others had been pampered since childhood, they knew some basic martial arts. Fueled by rage, they had no intention of surrendering peacefully. So, a fight broke out between them and the Jia family’s servants.

However, they were outnumbered and were eventually captured by the servants and taken to the government prison.

Shi Yue and the others were so angry their fists clenched. These insolent commoners! Once he got out, he would make sure they paid dearly! Whether they could collect the grain no longer mattered—what mattered now was making the Jia family suffer!

He turned to look at Meng Shuping and noticed that Meng Shuping didn’t have a single scratch on him. His face darkened. "What use were you coming along? Just to make up the numbers? You didn’t bring your seal, and you didn’t say a word. Why did you even come?"

Meng Shuping said innocently, "I came to make up the numbers!"

"Who was it who told me not to interfere? Now they’re complaining that I didn’t speak up! If they were so capable, why couldn’t they collect the grain themselves? Now that they’ve failed, why blame me? They should blame their own incompetence!"