12dz Chapter 37 Why did you provoke them?
Chapter 37 Why did you provoke them?
"Ruan Dan, go and bring the fat constable over here. I want to ask him something." Dou Weiyi frowned.
That fat constable is really something. He specifically told me before he left to take good care of the merchants, let them do business in peace, and pay their taxes on time.
There are already few stalls with good business, and none with business this good.
They finally managed to get one, but he drove them all away because of it.
He strongly suspected that the fat constable had used "violent enforcement" while he was away to scare the people away.
Seeing that Dou Weiyi was busy, Madam Dou told her four concubines to leave first.
Ruan Dan was about to go out to find the fat constable when she saw him limping and walking towards her in a "strange and unpredictable" manner as she reached the gate.
If this happened at night, wouldn't it scare several people to death?
"Hey Fat Constable, I was just looking for you! And here you are. By the way, what brings you here?"
Upon seeing Ruan Dan, the portly constable was so moved that tears streamed down his face before he could even speak. With Ruan Dan here, how far away could the county magistrate be?!
"Guard Ruan, my heart is filled with unspeakable sorrow. Where is the magistrate? Please take me there quickly."
Seeing the fat constable's appearance, Ruan Dan's curiosity grew even stronger, but she knew this was not the time to ask questions, so she led the fat constable into the courtyard.
Along the way, the fat constable's "unpredictable movements" attracted the attention of everyone in the mansion.
After the fat constable and Ruan Dan walked away, they gathered together to gossip, and in no time the whole courtyard knew about the fat constable's ordeal.
There were fewer than ten servants in the entire household, and from those ten people, ten different versions of the story emerged.
When two people meet, the versions they exchange are not exactly the same.
It spoiled as it was passed down.
He became the fat constable who was fond of men, and he himself was a "male-loving" babe!
"Your Honor, you must do justice for me! That Qian Yan'er is not human; she attacked me!"
Dou Weiyi was sitting at the table, drinking tea. Before he could be seen, his voice was heard. The fat constable's miserable, heart-wrenching voice came from afar.
He looked up and saw the fat constable clutching his backside as he sauntered in.
Dou Weiyi frowned, looking at the fat constable kneeling in front of him, weeping bitterly, completely at a loss for words.
Before he could even question how he had "driven the steamed bun seller away," the man started crying.
Dou Weiyi placed the teacup on the table and looked at the fat constable kneeling on the ground. "Fatty, what are you doing?"
The portly constable wiped away a tear, his eyes brimming with tears as he looked at Dou Weiyi. "Sir, please do something about Qian Yan'er! He's so despicable! He actually attacked my..." Pi Yan'er...
Dou Weiyi frowned even more upon hearing this. Although those people weren't good people, they were at most just a bit sarcastic.
If it really came down to it, even ten fat men wouldn't be enough for them to tear apart.
Dou Weiyi wasn't worried at all. She looked at the fat constable and asked, "What exactly happened? Tell me in detail."
The fat constable sobbed as he began to recount the horrific events that had transpired.
"Master, today I couldn't buy any elm seed steamed buns, so I went to the prison to deliver some to those people. I thought I could appease them, but who knew that Qian Yan'er had gone mad and actually did such a lewd thing to me in the chaos. My backside still hurts, Master, you must do me justice!"
Dou Weiyi's lips twitched, and her face cracked slightly.
He glanced at the fat constable with a complicated expression, then nodded repeatedly. This matter was very important to Qian Yan'er.
Because Qian Yan'er is a dwarf, he is at a disadvantage in terms of physique, so he is a complete cunning old dog.
This is very much in line with his style of doing things.
He glanced at the wailing, fat constable with some sympathy. "Why did you have to provoke them? The weaker you are, the more you like to 'tease' them."
And then the fat guy mentioned elm seed steamed buns? Oh right, that's exactly what he wanted to ask about elm seed steamed buns, I almost got led astray by this fat guy.
"By the way, Fatty. My family said a steamed bun shop opened near the city gate, and they're supposedly doing really well. But I heard you 'angered' someone away, is that true?"
The fat constable, who was sobbing uncontrollably, was suddenly stunned. "No, sir, I'm talking about Qian Yan'er, and you're talking about the steamed buns at the city gate."
Where is the upright and just official I was promised? Should I still appeal my "injustice"?
"Fat man?"
Dou Weiyi saw the fat constable staring blankly and frowned as she called out.
The fat constable snapped out of his daze, feeling utterly aggrieved. He sniffed and looked at Dou Weiyi with a mournful expression.
"Sir, why don't you care about me? What Qian Yan'er did was so outrageous, and you just let it go like that?"
He doesn't agree!
Dou Weiyi raised an eyebrow. "Hmph, you got yourself into this mess. I'll deal with you later. First, tell me about that steamed bun thing."
The portly constable sighed helplessly and could only purse his lips: "Sir, you really can't blame me for this. When I went to buy the cornbread, I mentioned the commercial tax, and the shopkeeper gave it to me on the spot. Who knew they wouldn't come this morning..."
Yeah, who knows? He also wants to know why they didn't come.
Dou Weiyi glared at him. "Aren't you going to confess honestly? Didn't you threaten them?"
The fat constable squinted his already small eyes and thought for a moment. "No, I reminded them a few days ago. I told them that the commercial tax was 10 copper coins for every tael of silver, and if they didn't pay, they would get ten lashes."
Isn't this the rule set by your county magistrate? The commercial tax is two coins higher than in other counties, and he is also implementing Dou Weiyi's regulations.
Dou Weiyi expressed disbelief, saying that the fat constable, who was his right-hand man, often did a lot of things by abusing his power. "And what was your attitude at the time? Your tone must have been bad, sounding like a threat."
Dou Wei nodded in agreement, "You, can't you speak properly? Now look what's happened, they've left, and the city gate has lost a lively spot, and we can't collect commercial taxes anymore."
The fat constable muttered, "How was I supposed to know he was so easily offended? Besides, I didn't say anything offensive."
However, the voice was getting softer and softer, clearly indicating a lack of confidence.
"Alright, alright, hurry up and find them and bring them back." Dou Weiyi waved his hand, indicating that getting them back quickly was the priority for doing business.
The fat constable wore a bitter expression. Wasn't his magistrate making a difficult request?! Could he refuse?
The fat constable immediately started complaining, "Sir, where am I supposed to look? What if they had something to do at home and were delayed? They might be back by the time they've finished."
Upon hearing this, Dou Wei nodded in understanding; the fat constable had a point.
"However, we can't just wait here. Fatty, you should send someone to inquire in the nearby towns and villages to see if there's any trace of that steamed bun shop owner."
If you find them, be sure to speak kindly and persuade them to come back and start doing business.
Most importantly, his business tax revenue cannot be interrupted; it's money every day! Every day he misses a day is a loss for him.
The fat constable inwardly groaned; this was truly a daunting task, and he regretted not coming today.
Whether he does it or not is his business.
He gave a perfunctory reply: "Yes, sir. I'll arrange it right away."
After saying that, he turned around and prepared to leave.
After taking a few steps, he turned back and asked cautiously, "Master, do you want Qian Yan'er?"
Dou Weiyi waved her hand, "From now on, you should avoid provoking them; it won't do you any good."
The fat constable felt even more bitter. He turned around, limped out of the mansion.