The prince is very cruel

"As a result, the burden on every household has become heavier. We used to live hand to mouth, but now..." As he spoke, he wiped away his tears helplessly and painfully, feeling extremely sad.

Guan Ning frowned. Isn't this just robbery? He's plundering the people's wealth to support his army.

After sending the men to join the army, is there still anyone in the family to farm the land and work?

He couldn't help but ask, "Then the court doesn't care?"

"Can Zhao Tai do something like this alone?"

Liu Rui sighed, shook his head and said softly: "My benefactor, this is what the court allows!"

"The imperial court has no money, so the localities are asked to take it themselves..."

Pick it up yourself?!

Guan Ning was shocked. What a self-inflicted punishment!

It really proves the old saying that you and I are both robbing, just in different ways.

At this moment, the old emperor's impression of him became even worse, and both sides were only able to exploit each other.

"Then if you can't hand it in, what will happen according to the rules here?"

"They're forcing people to death. Most of us have to work like crazy just to pay our grain bills."

"For those without men at home, they really have no choice but to sell their children. In the end, some women have no choice but to go to brothels." Liu Rui said gritting his teeth.

Upon hearing this, Guan Ning's face turned cold and a murderous intent flashed across his face.

Damn this Zhao Tai!

He took the opportunity to ask, "Where will the food that is delivered on weekdays be sent?"

"This... seems to have been first stored in government offices in various places, and then sent to the military camps in Guangdong and Guangxi, that is, the Zhao family army."

"Those grain runners just now were running errands for the Zhao family army. They relied on the fact that the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi was behind them to do whatever they wanted. When the rice was handed over, they deliberately used a tampered scale and charged you seven taels for one catty, making a quick buck." Liu Rui said angrily.

Guan Ning sighed in his heart, how could such a great warrior last long?

"Where is the Zhao family army's camp?" he asked again.

Liu Rui did not hide anything from Guan Ning, and replied as if to repay a favor: "Outside Guangling City!"

"Where are the main forces of the Zhao family army?"

"Benefactor, why are you asking this?"

Guan Ning shook his head and smiled: "I'm just curious."

"Zhao Tai's Governor's Mansion is also in Guangling City?"

Liu Rui nodded: "Yes, there."

"But I heard that Zhao Tai personally led his troops to fight a group of horse bandits outside the Guangling River recently, and they will soon return to the city."

Hearing this, Guan Ning's eyes lit up and he smelled an opportunity.

"When exactly, and where?"

Liu Rui was stunned for a moment: "This...this, I really don't know."

"Benefactor, why are you asking this?"

Guan Ning naturally couldn't tell the truth. If he knew too much, it would harm him instead.

"It's okay. I'm just curious about the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi and want to find out more."

Liu Rui didn't doubt anything, but just reminded: "My benefactor, if you ask me, I won't say anything, but please don't ask others like this."

"This is taboo!"

"Oh? Why?" Guan Ning raised his eyebrows.

Liu Rui said, "In the few years since Zhao Tai came to us, the people have been living in dire straits, and there are countless people who hate him to the core."

"There are quite a few people who want to assassinate him..."

Hearing this, Guan Ning's eyes widened and he became interested, because he was also here to assassinate.

“But without exception, they all failed.”

"As the incidents became more numerous, Zhao Tai adopted the strategy of killing one hundred people who were wrongly accused and not letting any go. Anyone who dared to inquire about Zhao Tai could receive a reward if they were reported to the authorities."

"A few days ago, more than fifty people were executed. I heard that they were plotting to assassinate Zhao. They were some well-known heroes in the world. It's a pity... It's too tragic, alas." Liu Rui sighed secretly, and kept looking around, afraid of being heard by others.

A famous hero?

Guan Ning's eyes were filled with vigilance. So many people tried to assassinate Zhao Tai, but none of them succeeded. This was worth pondering. If he wanted to assassinate him, he would have to be more careful.

Afterwards, he inquired for some more information. Although Liu Rui knew very limited information, there was still a lot of useful information, such as Zhao Tai was fighting bandits outside and was about to return to Guangling City.

This may be an opportunity, but it needs to be followed up in detail.

Not long after, Lou Xinyue bought back a whole cart of food!

When they entered the room, Liu Rui and his old mother were shocked. There were about 200 kilograms of rice alone, a lot of meat, and even some quilts.

Liu Rui refused to accept it no matter what and was afraid to accept such a great favor.

But Guan Ning smiled and said, I've already bought it. In the end, Liu Rui had no choice but to accept it, and his old mother even knelt down to thank Guan Ning.

After the meal, it was getting dark and most of the people in the town had fallen asleep. Only a few of the gentry's houses and brothels still had lights on.

In the old but neat tile-roofed house, Guan Ning suddenly opened his eyes.

"Xinyue."

"Hmm?" Lou Xinyue raised her head and pulled at the hair that was painful from being pressed by Guan Ning.

"Do you want to do something interesting?" Guan Ning suddenly raised the corners of his mouth.

"Something interesting?" Lou Xinyue's expression was curious at first, then gradually became strange. She warned, "You'd better not say anything!"

Guan Ning laughed dumbly: "What are you thinking about!"

"I am not that."

"Is that that?" Lou Xinyue looked doubtful, seriously doubting that Guan Ning could not produce ivory.

Guan Ning whispered something into her crystal earlobe, and Lou Xinyue's beautiful eyes lit up, and all sleepiness disappeared instantly.

"Okay!" she agreed immediately.

"By the way, we can also ask around. Liu Rui may not know, but the village head might know Zhao Tai's recent whereabouts."

Guan Ning patted her round buttocks and said, "Let's go!"

Lou Xinyue has gotten used to it. As long as Guan Ning is not in public, she can still accept it.

Soon, the two of them dressed neatly and set off quietly under the cover of darkness.

The town was not big and the government office was easy to find. It only took Guan Ning and the other man a quarter of an hour to sneak into the government office of Zhangtou Town. The few scattered guards here were useless to them.

There is a large warehouse in the government office, which is filled with grain, all of which is the blood and sweat of the people.

Lou Xinyue held a lamp in her jade hand, and her beautiful face was illuminated by it.

"There are so many, how can the two of us move them?" She frowned.

Guan Ning shook his head: "No."

"Not moving? Are we going to let these people come and get it themselves?" Lou Xinyue was surprised.

Guan Ning said, "It's not a good idea to send food. If the officials find out who has too much food, it will harm them."

"In addition to granaries, government offices usually also have silver warehouses."

"We can just take the money. We can buy it even if we have money, and it's easy to hide."

Lou Xinyue's beautiful eyes lit up: "You still have more ideas."

Guan Ning smiled complacently and touched Lou Xinyue.

Lou Xinyue almost kicked him in the chin with her long leg and glared at him fiercely.

"Hey, wife, you are responsible for finding the silver."

"I'll go to the village chief and ask for some information. We'll meet up here in half an hour and become bandits too!" Guan Ning smiled slyly.

Lou Xinyue was amused and laughed, what a bandit!