NFBE Chapter 296 Princes are subject to the same laws as commoners
Chapter 296 Princes are subject to the same laws as commoners
"My lord, several hundred people have gathered outside the city. They want to enter the city to file a complaint with the emperor!" He Zhiwen said, catching his breath.
"What exactly happened?" Chang Le was shocked to hear that hundreds of people had come to complain to the emperor. Such a thing had never happened before.
"It's like this, sir..." He Zhiwen rambled on and on about the matter.
"I have already sent the city management officers from the outer city to temporarily stop them, but there are just too many people, and I'm afraid we can't hold them off for long," He Zhiwen said in conclusion.
"Very good! You did a great job!" Chang Le first praised his old subordinate, then took out his pocket watch and glanced at it.
"Chang San, take the young master to school!" Chang Le turned around and called out.
"Let's go and see the scene together!" Chang Le climbed into the carriage and followed He Zhiwen towards the outer city.
On Xizhaosi Street, dozens of uniformed urban management officers stood in two lines, blocking the street. Across the street, hundreds of people were pushing, shoving, and cursing.
"The magistrate is here! The director is here!" The group of city management officers breathed a sigh of relief when they saw He Zhiwen arrive on horseback.
They weren't issued weapons, only a stick in their hands. If these people got angry, they really wouldn't be able to withstand them.
"Quiet down! Lord Chang, the Left Censor-in-Chief, has arrived. Speak out if you have any grievances. What's all this noise about?" He Zhiwen roared from his horse.
Upon hearing that the Left Censor-in-Chief had arrived, the crowd of people knelt down on the ground.
Seeing that the scene had quieted down, He Zhiwen dismounted, went to the carriage, and helped Chang Le down from the carriage.
"Everyone, get up! I am Chang Le. Tell me what grievances you have!" Chang Le said loudly as he walked to the front of the crowd.
"Your Honor, I'm innocent! My husband asked for his wages, but Zhao Yide not only refused, but also ordered his men to beat him to death. I beg you, Your Honor, to do justice for this woman!" Jin Chenshi cried out, holding up a petition.
"If you have been wronged, you can go to the Shuntian Prefecture to file a complaint. Why have you gathered so many people to try to appeal to the Emperor?" Chang Le shouted sternly.
“My lord, Zhao Yide is a member of the imperial family, and the Shuntian Prefecture may not be able to handle him. That’s why we want to file a complaint with the Emperor!” Jin Chenshi said in a low voice.
"It's you, sir! Zhao Yide is the elder brother of Consort Xian, how dare the Shuntian Prefecture interfere? We must appeal to His Majesty. He still owes wages to hundreds of my fellow workers for more than a month, and our family is about to starve to death."
“That’s right, that’s right…” the nearby residents echoed.
"What do you know? None of you have filed a complaint, so how do you know that Shuntian Prefecture won't do anything? His Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state. If everyone went to file a complaint, would His Majesty have time to deal with national affairs?" Chang Le scolded.
The crowd looked at each other, speechless for a moment.
"Get up, all of you! Send out a few representatives, and I will personally escort you to Shuntian Prefecture. With me here, they won't dare to ignore you," Chang Le said, shaking his head and softening his tone.
Wang Yanhua had just finished dressing in his official robes and was preparing to go to his office when suddenly the sound of the petition drum rang out.
"Who is it that beats the drum! Bring them in immediately!" Wang Yanhua rushed into the hall and shouted loudly.
"Lord Chang, what is this?" Wang Yanhua was so frightened that he quickly ran downstairs, not expecting that the person brought up was actually the Left Censor-in-Chief.
"Lord Wang, please proceed with your case! I merely encountered them on the road crying out for justice and brought them to Shuntian Prefecture on the way!" Chang Le waved his hand.