amaotonovel Chapter 447 Unexpected
Chapter 447 Unexpected
As Feng Zhihuan had expected, a group of ragged mobs quickly approached the city gate.
Feng Zhihuan stared intently and looked at Zhao Yi to the side. The thought that Zhao Yi would die here today filled him with emotion.
Zhao Yi noticed his gaze, turned his head to look, and saw Feng Zhihuan's eyebrows relaxed, revealing a hint of joy, as if something good was about to happen.
When Feng Zhihuan met Zhao Yi's gaze, he instinctively looked away.
Zhao Yi raised an eyebrow slightly and asked in a gentle tone, "Does Lord Feng have something to say to me?"
Feng Zhihuan chuckled and said, "I heard that the rioters were looting grain, and you rushed to the city gate with your men at the first opportunity. I was very anxious, afraid that the fierce and barbaric rioters would harm you, so I hurried over."
Having said that, he glanced at the mob leader and said meaningfully, "I didn't expect you to be an old acquaintance of theirs."
This old acquaintance's words were extremely clever.
If Zhao Yi does not deny it, rumors will likely spread that he colluded with the mob, and it may even escalate into the claim that Zhao Yi incited the mob to rebel.
If Zhao Yi were to deny it, it might sow discord between him and the mob.
Zhao Yi seemed oblivious to the hidden meaning in Feng Zhihuan's words: "His Majesty once said that all the people ask for is food and clothing, and they have no other ambitions. If the people are to rebel, it must be because they have suffered great injustice and their means of survival have been cut off."
"His Majesty repeatedly instructed me to thoroughly understand the situation, resolve the people's demands, and not harm them in the slightest. Only in this way can I win the hearts of the people and quell the internal strife."
"After all, the people are the foundation of the country. Only when the people's hearts are stable can the Northern Qi dynasty be unshakable."
"I will heed Your Majesty's words and put the people first," Zhao Yi said gently. "On my way to Yongqing County, I encountered some people in distress and offered them my help. I never expected that these people were the rioters that Lord Feng mentioned."
The mob were stunned when they heard these words, and their eyes welled up with tears.
Has His Majesty not abandoned them?
If Zhao Yi had not provided them with silver and medicine to help their seriously ill relatives, nor had he sent them food, they would not have believed Zhao Yi's words.
Zhao Yi was ordered by the emperor to quell the internal strife. He did not use a single soldier against them, but only promised them that he would give them justice.
Now, hearing Zhao Yi's words again, they believed him without a doubt.
They had heard of Zhao Yi, who was a great contributor to the relief of the epidemic.
A person who cares deeply about the people would never collude with the likes of Feng Zhihuan.
Feng Zhihuan's expression froze, and he dared not refute Zhao Yi's words any further.
Although I suffered a setback, the frustration I felt dissipated as I thought about what was about to happen.
Feng Zhihuan clasped his hands behind his back and watched the mob approach. He felt reassured and waited for them to cause trouble.
Sure enough, the mob, panting, said to their leader, "Boss, the officials killed our men without any explanation." As they spoke, the man glared menacingly at Feng Zhihuan: "It must have been this corrupt official who ordered the officials to wipe us out."
Upon hearing this news, the mob all glared angrily at Feng Zhihuan.
Feng Zhihuan was dumbfounded. What was going on?
He quickly realized something was wrong; these people were not the "mob" he had arranged.
Before he could think any further, he saw the mob surge toward him: "Brothers, kill this corrupt official and rid the people of this scourge!"