Imperial Husband Chapter 98

Chapter 98

"......"

Faced with this utterly unforeseen turn of events, the people of Zhuzhou were left completely bewildered.

Li Jin imperceptibly patted Lan Mingzhou's shoulder—who was similarly bewildered by the scene before them—and said, "Take advantage of the moment now to quickly state the matters you need to address."

Li Jin's words instantly snapped Lan Mingzhou back to alertness. Immediately after, Lan Mingzhou couldn't help but raise his voice and proclaim, "The reason this official has come here today is to provide disaster relief. The court's relief grain has arrived."

Court... relief grain... arrived...

A single stone stirred up a thousand waves.

Lan Mingzhou's words instantly ignited a firestorm among the present people of Zhuzhou.

This is bad.

Several others, similar to the middle-aged man from before who were lying low within the crowd waiting for an opportune moment to act, were also dumbfounded.

However, they quickly regained their senses and wanted to continue stirring up trouble. "Don't you all listen..."

Unfortunately... they might have been able to use this tactic earlier, but now that Lan Mingzhou had mentioned relief grain, the disaster-stricken people had no mind left to listen to their nonsense. They urgently inquired instead, "Lord Lan, is what you say about disaster relief true? Or... do you plan to deceive us like the former county magistrate?"

Lan Mingzhou walked over to the sacks containing the relief grain and, in front of everyone, slashed one of the grain sacks open.

In an instant, the grain that the people of Zhuzhou had been yearning for was revealed through the tear, displayed before the crowd, causing everyone to unconsciously swallow their saliva.

It really was grain.

"This official will distribute the grain to you all shortly. However, there is one point this official must make clear: a person can only collect grain once at most. If anyone comes to collect repeatedly, they will get nothing. Furthermore, this official will order people to register the names of those who have received grain on a roster for later verification one by one. Should this official discover anyone fraudulently claiming, don't blame this official for being merciless."

Lan Mingzhou did this to avoid repeating the mistakes of the previous county magistrates. Moreover, it also made those secretly scheming to claim fraudulently weigh whether it was worth the risk for this bit of grain.

Sure enough.

Those who, upon learning Lan Mingzhou was distributing relief grain, had considered fraudulent claims immediately abandoned the thought.

"How dare he?!" Zhang Zhiheng, who was watching all this unfold from across the way, was so enraged he could practically see smoke rising from his head. He wished he could grab a knife and cut Lan Mingzhou down on the spot. "And what is Lai Mazi doing? Didn't I tell him to ruin that kid Lan Mingzhou's reputation? How did a son suddenly appear out of nowhere? And what about the others watching? I paid them all."

The middle-aged man causing trouble earlier, Lai Mazi, was one of the people Zhang Zhiheng had arranged to deal with Lan Mingzhou.

The expressions of Chi Zhen and Lu Wentao, who had come together, were also extremely unpleasant.

"No, I can't just let this go." Furious, Zhang Zhiheng looked at Chi Zhen and Lu Wentao. "Master Chi, Master Lu, let's send our people down now to claim the grain. I don't believe Lan Mingzhou would dare to actually come after us."

Chi Zhen hesitated. "Master Zhang, Lan Mingzhou has soldiers with him. We should be cautious."

"Chi Zhen."

Zhang Zhiheng's gaze towards Chi Zhen instantly filled with a sinister chill.

"I agree with Master Zhang."

Lu Wentao swallowed his saliva, not daring to offend Zhang Zhiheng when he was in a rage.

Although the three families were all prominent clans in Zhuzhou, in reality, only the Zhang family stood above the other two. After all, when the Cheng family had their incident, the Zhang family took the lion's share; the other two families merely clung to Zhang Zhiheng's coattails.

So, on ordinary days it was fine, but if Zhang Zhiheng truly got angry, the other two could only comply.

As soon as Lu Wentao finished speaking, Chi Zhen's attitude changed instantly. "Master Zhang, I was just saying. You're the one who makes the final decision. If you truly decide to do this, I fully support it."

"Good. Since you have no objections, it's settled."

With that, Zhang Zhiheng immediately arranged for servants from the three families to fraudulently claim the relief grain, determined to ensure all the grain ended up in their hands.

Lan Mingzhou, we have the Lan family backing us. Let's see what you can do about it.

Zhang Zhiheng sneered inwardly at Lan Mingzhou while fixing a venomous stare on him.

___

Seeing some people trying to take more in the chaotic crowd, Lan Mingzhou immediately said coldly, "Do not rush. Everyone will get their turn soon. If you all block things like this, the grain cannot be distributed and we'll just have to drag this out."

Upon hearing this, the people who already felt guilty towards Lan Mingzhou instantly calmed down. Following his words, they lined up one by one to receive their share.

"Very good."

Lan Mingzhou nodded with satisfaction, signaling the advisor to continue distributing the relief grain.

"Lord Lan, was it really you behind the scenes raising the salt price?" A young man who held relatively high goodwill towards Lan Mingzhou couldn't help but ask while receiving his grain.

Lan Mingzhou shook his head and said only two words: "Not me."

The moment Lan Mingzhou denied it, the crowd was flooded with a wave of shame. At the same time, their sense of reason rushed back.

This salt price increase had clearly come from shops run by the Zhang, Chi, and Lu families—families openly hostile to Lan Mingzhou. How could he possibly collude with them?

"You have already come to receive grain for the second time. You cannot receive more."

The soldier responsible for distributing the relief grain recognized at a glance that the person had already taken some and immediately stopped him.

"This is my first time coming to get it. Why won't you let me take it? Is this how you officials bully the common people?" Seeing he was discovered, the man simply played dead and shifted the blame onto the soldier.

"Eh, I recognize him. He definitely took grain earlier. Why is he lining up again?"

"I recognize him too."

"Hey, get lost. You clearly already received some. Why are you back in line? Are you trying to take all the grain so we get nothing?"

"This person seems to be a servant from the Zhang family. He even took things from my stall without paying."

"You, a servant from the Zhang family, don't lack food. What are you doing lining up for relief grain? What are your intentions?"

The Zhang family servant who attempted to distort right and wrong never imagined his true identity would be recognized. He was dumbfounded on the spot.

He had been so careful to hide, even deliberately blackening his face with charcoal. How could they still recognize him?

"Get out of here now!"

"And the grain in his hand, let's take it back. Giving it to him is just a waste."

In no time, not only was the man stripped of the grain he had claimed by the angry crowd, but he was also severely beaten until bruised and swollen, and then seized by the soldiers nearby.

However, this incident was not a one-off.

During the subsequent distribution, similar situations occurred one after another, forcing the genuine disaster victims to remain vigilant to prevent any underhanded tricks.

"Damn it… Damn it… Lan Mingzhou, I want you dead."

Zhang Zhiheng was so enraged that he felt as if smoke might burst from his ears.

Yet for all his anger, Zhang Zhiheng was a coward at heart, only brave enough to curse from his safe perch above.

The crowd was now exceptionally vigilant, and most of those caught were from the Zhang family. Zhang Zhiheng was afraid that if the people saw him, they might directly attack him, so he didn't dare go down.

Because there were so many people coming to claim the relief grain, even with all the soldiers helping, they would have to work until dark.

"This way, the first batch of grain can finally reach the hands of those who truly need it." Seeing the first batch of relief grain distributed without major issue, Lan Mingzhou finally allowed himself to relax slightly, the tension that had gripped his heart easing a little. "Next, tomorrow we should go distribute to the people outside Zhuzhou city walls."

This was Lan Mingzhou's pre-made plan: to divide the first batch of grain into two distributions so people outside the city could also receive some.

The advisor worriedly said, "My lord, you've been at it all day. Go rest for a bit first."

"No need." Lan Mingzhou shook his head. "I need to go see Heir Li first. Handle the remaining matters."

"Yes, my lord."

___

"Your Highness, thank you for your assistance in today's matter." As soon as Lan Mingzhou saw Li Jin, he immediately expressed his gratitude.

Lan Mingzhou was very clear that the reason he could smoothly proceed with distributing the relief grain today was because of Li Jin. Otherwise, with that sudden troublemaker's unexpected disruption, Lan Mingzhou would have had difficulty escaping being collectively attacked. Even if he managed later, the relief grain distribution would likely have been sabotaged.

Li Jin smiled. "I only helped a little. The main thing was your own capability in controlling those who tried to cause trouble later."

Li Jin helped initially because he saw the panic in Lan Mingzhou's eyes. Later, when others stirred again, Lan Mingzhou had steadied himself and even used their own methods against them to deal with the troublemakers sent by the Zhang, Chi, and Lu families. Li Jin didn't intervene again.

Actually, Li Jin admired Lan Mingzhou's ability to adapt to the situation. In a few more years, Lan Mingzhou should be able to do even better.

"Your Highness, I truly thank you."

Lan Mingzhou gave Li Jin a solemn bow.

Li Jin shook his head, subtly changing the subject. "What do you plan to do with those you caught?"

"Go directly to the Zhang, Chi, and Lu families to arrest people and convict them." Lan Mingzhou said word by word. "However, the Zhang, Chi, and Lu families have the backing of the Lan family. I must trouble Your Highness to lend me your token."

The token Lan Mingzhou referred to was the one proving Li Jin was the Heir of the Prince of Dingbei. With it, Lan Mingzhou wouldn't fear any underhanded tricks from the three families.

"Use mine."

Suddenly, Ying Yuan, who hadn't spoken until now, took out a token and gave it to Lan Mingzhou.

"Uh… Thank you, Seventh Prince."

Although Lan Mingzhou found Ying Yuan's action a bit strange, he wouldn't refuse. He immediately took Ying Yuan's token and then took his leave.

After Lan Mingzhou left, Ying Yuan looked at Li Jin and said, "A-Jin, I didn't want you to give him your token."

"You..."

Li Jin could only shake his head with a resigned smile, clearly not minding.

This wasn't the first time something like this had happened. Li Jin simply assumed that Ying Yuan's old childhood quirk was acting up again.