Springtime Farming: A Happy Wife At Home

Chapter 1688: Mantis Stalks the Cicada

Ding and Yu were seething with anger as they scolded Hang Xingshan furiously, threatening him to vacate the government office.

“…Lord Shao won’t linger in Anze Province for long. You won’t be able to rely on him indefinitely! If you know what’s good for you, leave now! Otherwise, once Lord Shao departs, your exit won’t be so trouble-free!”

Hang Xingshan paid no heed to their threats and retorted, “If you dare to attack again, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Ding and Yu were further incensed.

However, the ordeal did not end there. After Hang Xingshan departed, they found themselves assaulted once more.

The attackers concealed their faces, but the intensity in their eyes radiated danger. Their demeanor made it clear they were not to be trifled with.

Faced with the assailants’ cold gaze and an air of menace, Ding and Yu felt a chill of fear.

Before they could make any inquiries, a barrage of punches and kicks rained down on them.

Helpless, they rolled on the ground, screaming in agony, unable to mount any defense.

The assailants sneered and departed silently.

After a while, Ding and Yu struggled to their feet.

Their faces were unscathed, but their bodies ached in every imaginable way. It felt as though someone had disassembled their bones. Pale-faced, sweating profusely, and trembling, they tried to comprehend what had just happened.

“Who were those two people…”

“I don’t know…”

Despite claiming ignorance, the duo couldn’t dismiss the notion of a sinister connection. They had barely caused trouble for Hang Xingshan and had yet to exit the alley when they were brutally assaulted.

The words left behind by the two attackers were more than just an idle threat.

Lord Shao… Were they working on behalf of Lord Shao?

Had Lord Shao been keeping a watchful eye on them? If Hang Xingshan hadn’t confronted them, these two individuals would have intervened.

Shock registered in the eyes of Ding and Yu as they exchanged glances. They were now consumed with regret, their internal turmoil verging on turning their intestines green.

What kind of individuals did Lord Shao have in his service?

If they had foreseen this outcome, they wouldn’t have succumbed to Deputy Prefect Guan’s manipulation.

Regret surged, but it was too late to undo their actions.

Not content with merely threatening Hang Xingshan, they were also incited by Deputy Prefect Guan. Numerous bailiffs followed a young man aspiring to join their ranks, attempting to intimidate him and nullify his registration. Yet, the tables turned, and they found themselves either battered or delivered to Shao Yunduan.

Eight individuals were escorted to Shao Yunduan, where they faced public interrogation. Each of them received a beating twenty times before being expelled from the room.

The incident triggered a widespread uproar.

Someone had been covertly influencing Shao Yunduan, spreading detrimental rumors about the new Lord of the Prefect. They accused him of being haughty, arbitrary, and unreasonable, claiming he instigated conflict upon arrival, resulting in the departure of over half the bailiffs. Allegedly, these bailiffs were driven away because they refused to appease him or provide illicit benefits.

However, the truth was far from the rumors. Lord Shao had given these individuals an opportunity to reform, yet they squandered it. Unwilling to compromise, they resorted to a strike, attempting to leverage “the law doesn’t punish the masses” to extract additional benefits from Lord Shao.

Facing their obstinance, Lord Shao chose not to yield to such a malevolent force. Instead, he opted to part ways with these unscrupulous officers and initiate fresh recruitments.

The extent of their moral degradation became evident as they targeted those who had signed up, resorting to threats and violence in an attempt to force them out. The intention was clear: Lord Shao would beg them to return.

The sheer despicability and sinister nature of their actions left a stain on their reputation that could not easily be erased.