Chapter 189

Chapter 189

Seeing Sun Zidou finally fall silent, the Yangzhou Prefect breathed a sigh of relief. He said with a cold face, "Why aren't you apologizing to Lord Meng at once?"

Sun Zidou was indignant. "Apologize to him? Prefect Qi, why should I be the one apologizing? I didn't lay a finger on him—I'm the one who got beaten!"

Even if Meng Shuping hailed from the capital, a powerful dragon couldn't suppress a local snake. Moreover, he was the one who took the beating; Meng Shuping hadn't suffered any loss.

The Yangzhou Prefect was exasperated. This Sun Zidou wouldn't even give him face. If he hadn't wanted to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control, did Sun Zidou really think he'd be trying to mediate here?

Meng Shuping quickly waved his hand. "Prefect Qi, there's no need for an apology."

Sun Zidou arrogantly lifted his chin. "At least you know your place!"

He thought to himself, *Indeed, who in Yangzhou City would dare not give him face?*

But no sooner had he spoken than Meng Shuping declared, "Even if he apologizes, I won't accept it. Prefect Qi, the Sun family not only defaulted on taxes but also assaulted an imperial official to resist tax payment. If others follow their example, how will we ever collect taxes? I'll have to trouble you to take your men and confiscate the Sun family's property, with all their assets seized for the state."

[Laughing my ass off. Does he actually think I'm letting this slide? Do I look like a saint to you? No offense, but who does he think he is?]

Sun Zidou was stunned, wondering if he had misheard. He looked at Meng Shuping in disbelief. "Bullshit! Who do you think you are, daring to confiscate my family's property?"

He had thought Meng Shuping, with his youthful appearance, would be the kind of official who was pedantic and upright. Who would have thought this guy would turn right and wrong on their head? He had sent people to beat Meng Shuping, but at that time, he didn't know Meng Shuping's identity. How could Meng Shuping just randomly accuse them?

And even if Meng Shuping really was an official, he was just a Director of the Board of Revenue. How dare he talk about confiscating the Sun family's property? Did he really think he could throw his weight around here? Could it be that he couldn't act high and mighty in the capital, so he came here to do it?

The Yangzhou Prefect was also taken aback. Was Meng Shuping just trying to scare them? He tentatively asked, "Lord Meng, it's just a misunderstanding. Why bother holding a grudge against him?"

Then, he leaned closer to Meng Shuping and whispered, "Lord Meng, their family has backing in the capital too. Since we'll inevitably cross paths again, if you offend them too badly, it won't do you any good, right? In my opinion, it's best not to push things to the extreme."

Meng Shuping looked at the Yangzhou Prefect incredulously. "Prefect Qi, are you afraid their family will retaliate against you? I heard from him earlier that you obey their family's every word and constantly suck up to them. Could it be true?"

The Yangzhou Prefect was taken aback. "What? Me, sucking up to him?"

He had been somewhat polite to the Sun family, but when had he ever been as obsequious as Meng Shuping described? Even if Sun Zidou was trying to show off, he shouldn't trample all over his dignity, right?

Seeing that Meng Shuping not only falsely accused him but also sowed discord, Sun Zidou was furious. He shouted angrily, "When did I ever say that? Don't slander me, okay?"

Meng Shuping said innocently, "Whether you said it or not, you know in your heart."

[Oh, please. Does he seriously think I play by the rules? He's falsely accusing me of rebellion, so what's wrong with me falsely accusing him? Does he think he's the only one who can talk?]

Captain Zheng and the others also added fuel to the fire. "Slander? Ordering the yamen officers around like they're his servants—does he think the yamen is his own home?"

"Exactly! Even with Prefect Qi right here, this Sun guy doesn't seem to show much respect, shouting and yelling without a care, so it's no surprise he doesn't take Prefect Qi seriously."

"Let me tell you, Prefect Qi might be afraid of you, but we from the Military Hall Department aren't. We're carrying out orders from the Emperor. Even your uncle won't be of any use."

The Yangzhou Prefect, already displeased with Sun Zidou repeatedly disrespecting him, was even angrier now. He said coldly, "Guards, throw him in jail!"

He didn't doubt Meng Shuping's words for a second. A young, spoiled dandy like Sun Zidou would say anything when boasting.

Fine, since Meng Shuping wanted to punish Sun Zidou, why should he risk displeasing Meng Shuping? If Sun Zidou's uncle came seeking revenge, he could just push all the blame onto Meng Shuping. As a mere prefect, how could he dare oppose Meng Shuping and the Military Hall Department?

Sun Zidou hadn't expected the Yangzhou Prefect to actually throw him in jail. He fumed, "Prefect Qi, he's just settling a personal score! Don't believe him! If my uncle finds out, he won't let him off!"

Meng Shuping said sincerely, "Even if your uncle holds a high position, would he dare oppose the court? If you dare resist, that's rebellion, understand?"

[So what if I'm settling a personal score? Go ahead and report me! And not to criticize him, but if he's not going to reason with me, does he expect me to reason with him? Is he stupid?]

Sun Zidou was so angry he could barely speak, but there was nothing he could do about Meng Shuping. This Meng Shuping was copying his words again. In the end, he could only curse, "You corrupt official! Just you wait! My uncle won't let you off!"

Hearing this, Meng Shuping quickly stopped the officers escorting Sun Zidou. "Wait."

Thinking Meng Shuping was scared, Sun Zidou struggled hard and smirked triumphantly. "Scared now, huh? Then hurry up and release me, young master!"

Meng Shuping widened his eyes. [Oh ho, he dares to curse at me? Has he still not figured out the situation he's in? Even in my hands, he's still not behaving. Watch me teach him a lesson!]

He said expressionlessly, "Insulting an imperial official—slap him ten times."

Sun Zidou was so angry his veins bulged. "Meng! How dare you! I'll kill you!"

Not to mention being slapped, he had never suffered such humiliation since he was a child. But Meng Shuping, after beating him, now insulted him like this. This wasn't over!

But no matter how furious he was, he couldn't stop the slaps. Soon, his cheeks were bright red from the blows.

Watching Sun Zidou fume helplessly, Meng Shuping felt immensely pleased. "So what if I dare? I dare to make you rot in jail!"

[Making threats? Who can't do that? But unlike him, I don't just make empty threats. I mean what I say. If I say I'll make him rot in jail, I'll make him rot in jail. If he has the guts, let his uncle come settle accounts with me!]

The Yangzhou Prefect watched Meng Shuping with amazement. He truly couldn't figure Meng Shuping out now. He had thought that someone as young as Meng Shuping, who could rise to the position of Director of the Board of Revenue, must be shrewd and calculating. But now, judging by Meng Shuping's words and actions, there was a hint of childishness. Could it be that all this was just an act?

But given how fearlessly Meng Shuping wanted to confiscate the Sun family's property, aside from his boldness, the power behind him couldn't be underestimated. The Yangzhou Prefect couldn't afford to offend him, so he'd better just do as Meng Shuping said.

...

Hearing that Sun Zidou had been arrested and taken to the yamen, the Sun family was shocked. The Yangzhou Prefect had always been polite to them out of respect for the Sun family. Why would he suddenly throw Sun Zidou in jail?

Just as they were about to send someone to check the situation, a group of yamen officers barged into the mansion, arresting anyone they saw. The Sun family patriarch was furious. "What are you doing? Trying to rebel?"

Captain Zheng said rudely, "What are we doing? The Sun family resisted paying taxes. By orders of Lord Meng and Prefect Qi, we're confiscating your property!"

The Sun family patriarch grew angrier. "How dare you! What right do you have to confiscate my property? Stop!"

But Captain Zheng and the others paid him no heed. Soon, the onlookers on the street witnessed the once-overbearing Sun family having their property confiscated just like that.

Those who had been oppressed by the Sun family were thrilled. Could it be that the Sun family was finally falling? That would be a cause for celebration—finally, someone could rein them in! Some even eagerly went to the yamen to inquire. Learning that an official from the capital was prosecuting the Sun family, they submitted petitions, adding to the list of charges against the Sun family.

Hearing about the Sun family's confiscation, other prominent families in Yangzhou also sent people to investigate. Discovering that it was all because Sun Zidou had offended Meng Shuping, they all kept their heads down and dutifully paid their back taxes.

What a joke—even the Sun family could be confiscated just like that. They didn't dare take any risks. It was best to send this person away as soon as possible.

Some time later, Meng Shuping finally concluded the Sun family's case and collected the local taxes before leaving Yangzhou with Captain Zheng and the others.

After visiting several more places, Meng Shuping finally returned to the capital. But as soon as he arrived, before he could even rest, Emperor Qianyou summoned him to the palace.

Meng Shuping couldn't help but complain. [How annoying! I haven't even had a sip of water, and he calls me to the palace. Is he so eager to exploit me?]

[Not to boast, but if he dares exploit me like this again, just watch—I'll let him keep doing it!]

"Pfft!" Emperor Qianyou, about to speak, heard this familiar voice and couldn't help but chuckle. Indeed, without Meng Shuping around, things were much less entertaining.

Noticing Meng Shuping sneak a glance at him, Emperor Qianyou quickly composed himself. "Beloved Minister Meng, you've done well with your assignment this time. What reward would you like?"

Meng Shuping was very surprised. "Whatever I want, you'll give it to me?"

[Is the Emperor being this generous? Wasn't he particularly stingy with me before? Why the sudden change? Could there be a trap waiting for me?]

Emperor Qianyou was taken aback by Meng Shuping's words. He wasn't that petty, was he? It was just that Meng Shuping was always asking him for money, so he couldn't help but tease him a little.

But Meng Shuping had indeed collected a significant amount in taxes this time. If things went smoothly, the national treasury would see a substantial increase. So Emperor Qianyou decided that, as long as it wasn't too outrageous, he would grant whatever Meng Shuping asked for.

He smiled and asked Meng Shuping, "So, what would you like?"