Episode 18 recap: Pei Xing Jian found himself in a dilemma due to tax collection.
Pei Xing Jian entrusted the matter discussed by the military to him for handling. Initially, the soldiers thought it would be a troublesome task, but they didn't expect Pei Xing Jian to assign it to them. They were also burdened with worries. In the evening, notices about tax collection were posted in the city, but the common people strongly objected. They felt that they couldn't afford to pay the rent now, and they didn't have much money themselves. The common people began to protest collectively.
Pei Xing Jian didn't anticipate that the situation would worsen to this extent. They had to find a solution to the problem, or else the situation would become even more troublesome if it dragged on. Currently, there wasn't much money available, and Pei Xing Jian even considered using his own money to subsidize the situation. A Cheng was still very worried.
Soon, all the guards sent by the Yajia family withdrew, and the common people started causing trouble at Pei Xing Jian's house. The household servants couldn't stop them at all. Liuli quickly went out to resolve the issue and expressed that they were striving for a better life for everyone. However, the common people didn't believe it, as the tax collection was a harsh reality, whereas Liuli's words were intangible problems.
The common people rushed in and even knocked Liuli down. Pei Xing Jian, upon hearing that the guards had been withdrawn, became extremely worried. He hurriedly returned home and saw Liuli already being pushed down and injured on the ground. Pei Xing Jian quickly called Han Si to come and help assess Liuli's condition. Today's events had frightened Pei Xing Jian to some extent. After all, Liuli was easily injured when surrounded by so many people.
Liuli told Pei Xing Jian that perhaps this was their only opportunity to turn the situation around. She was determined to design something that would eventually bring prosperity to the common people. Yachongyu also learned about the withdrawal of all the guards. At this moment, Yachongyu was also confined to a room with guards stationed outside. Yachongyu wanted to go out immediately but was stopped by the guards. Just as Yachongyu was about to draw his sword, his father arrived and advised him against acting impulsively. Furthermore, there were already soldiers guarding the surroundings.
Yachongyu felt that his father was hiding something from him, but his father remained silent and claimed that everything was for the good of the Yajia family.
However, at this moment, a maid came with a message saying that Jingniang was going to hang herself. Everyone rushed over, and the reason why Jingniang caused a scene was because she learned that her father intended to deal with Pei Xing Jian and Liuli. Liuli was her best friend now, and she couldn't allow anyone to harm her.
By the time Yachongyu and his father hurried over, they were surprised to find that the people in the room were not Jingniang and Wang Jun Meng, but Liuli and Pei Xing Jian. This time, Liuli wanted Jingniang to help her have an opportunity to meet Yachongyu's father and have a proper conversation. Wang Jun Meng wanted to open the door but was stopped by Jingniang.
Pei Xing Jian and Liuli explained that they had no ill intentions and wanted to have an open and honest conversation. Yachongyu had been unaware of this situation all along. In the end, his father revealed that he was being threatened and demanded that Pei Xing Jian and Liuli be eliminated. Yachongyu became extremely angry upon learning this and even wanted to immediately rush back to Chang'an. However, doing so would completely ruin the entire Yajia family.
Liuli said they could help rescue Yachongyu's wife and children. At first, Yachongyu's father didn't fully believe her, but Liuli mentioned her relationship with Empress Wu, which everyone should be aware of, and hoped to persuade them in this way. The Yajia family tentatively agreed. On the way back, they encountered heavy snowfall. Pei Xing Jian now needed Liuli's assistance. He headed to Wucheng Township, where the common people were causing a great commotion due to the tax issue.
Wang Jun Meng also reported the situation to his father-in-law. Pei Xing Jian quickly arrived with the ministers. The common people were also eager to hear a reasonable explanation from Pei Xing Jian. It was almost time for collection, and Pei Xing Jian deliberately asked Zhang, the military officer, but Zhang tried to shirk his responsibility, even pretending to have a severe fall, leaving Pei Xing Jian with no choice but to handle everything.
The guards heard the villagers around them saying they wanted to go to the Pei residence to demand justice. They quickly informed Liuli upon returning, but Liuli was not afraid and was determined to face the situation seriously since they had come.
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