The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 15: Bribery (Revised)

Chapter 15: Bribery (Revised)

“How dare you! This is His Majesty the Emperor!”

After the story concluded, the minor official retreated, and several low-ranking officials known in the neighborhood stepped forward one by one, solemnly praising Xu Ying and Xia Chenglie. The lively atmosphere instantly turned dull, and the common people clearly lost interest.

Xu Ying curled her lipsthis was exactly the effect she wanted.

After the gathering, everyone carried their stools home, reminiscing about the story of Xia Chenglie capturing the Khan of the Northern Barbarians mid-flight along the way.

Assassins who had infiltrated the city while defenses were lax lowered their heads and hid in corners, minimizing their presence. Passersby praised Xu Ying incessantly, leaving the assassins bewildered. One couldn’t help but exclaim, “I never expected the damned emperor to have such high regard among the people!”

“Because she is a benevolent ruler who truly works for the people’s welfare,” said one assassin stepping forward. Had Xu Ying been present, she would have recognized this person immediatelyit was Jiu, the assassin who had attempted to kill her last time.

Before that assassination attempt, Jiu had prepared for near-certain death. After failing, she resolved to kill herself to avoid humiliation, but to her surprise, Xu Ying hadn’t harmed her. Instead, upon returning unharmed, she was met with suspicionhow ironic.

This time, on another mission, Jiu had decided to stop her companions’ assassination plot no matter what.

Jiu’s remark was spontaneous, but Assassin Seven chimed in, “Indeed. Last time I attempted an assassination, she mistook me for an ordinary palace maid. Seeing the frostbite on my hands about to flare up, she actually gave me her own ointment. If she treats a mere palace maid with such kindness, imagine how she treats others. Truly, she is heaven’s chosen.”

“The winner becomes king, the loser a banditit’s already decided. Even if we kill her, His Highness won’t return. Since the world has a wise ruler, let’s go back and accept punishment!”

“No” Jiu reached out to stop them. “Even if we don’t assassinate her, others will. But to stand by and watch such a benevolent ruler perish would be a true pity.”

The others nodded. “Then what should we do?”

Jiu said, “We are all people who lurk in darkness, unseen. Why not protect her covertly and explain the reasoning to other assassins who come for her? Pass the word from ten to a hundredI believe anyone who learns of the emperor’s benevolent deeds will be moved to abandon darkness for light. This way, our efforts will have value!”But we eat the ruler’s salary and share his worrieshow do we explain this to the Minister?” someone worried.

“All under heaven belongs to the sovereign. The Minister’s salary comes from Her Majesty, so ours ultimately belongs to Her Majesty too. We should be sharing Her Majesty’s worries.”

That seemed logical. The Minister took court money but secretly hired assassins to kill the sovereignhe was the unethical one.

The assassins reached a consensus and headed toward Ping Shui Street.

After the first order for the people to assemble, subsequent gatherings were no longer mandatory, allowing them to develop naturally.

Thus, the story of Xia Chenglie capturing the Khan was no longer confined to the locust tree. Like a performing arts tour, it began circulating, even showing signs of spreading beyond the city nationwide. Xu Lang returned joyfully to report the results, but Xu Ying inwardly groaned.

Noticing Xu Ying’s lack of delight and her darkening expression, Xu Lang cautiously asked, “Your Majesty, is something wrong?”

Wrong? Everything was wrong!

Xu Ying was secretly frantic but had to maintain a steady facade.

“Fourth Sister, you only see surface prosperity but not the underlying crisis.” Seeing the fading smile in Xu Lang’s eyes, Xu Ying sighed. “Come with me to observe covertly, and you’ll understand.”

Today, she was determined to find flaws and ruin this.

Xu Ying and Xu Lang changed into ordinary clothes, taking only a few guards to walk the streets. Normally, they’d stand out immediately, but now pedestrians were all flushed with excitement, clutching vegetable baskets as they hurried along, calling to others: “Hurry! Today it’s at Tofu Beauty’s placeif we’re late, there’ll be no spot!”

“Why so far away…?” someone complained, but quickened their pace.

No one paid attention to the strollers. Those who did notice were too preoccupied with getting to the storytelling, glancing briefly before moving on.

Xu Ying didn’t understand. “They’ve already heard it oncewhy rush to hear it again?”

Xu Lang was pondering what had gone wrong. Taking Xu Ying’s sudden question as a hint, she replied, “The busy farming season has passedit’s leisure time. People gather for excitement. I suppose that’s the reason.”

Xu Ying’s heart sank.

Farming season!

She’d chosen the wrong timing.

She’d only considered how arrogance and self-praise could annoy people, forgetting that when most are idle, they flock to wherever there’s excitement.

Case solved.

Xu Ying quickly noted: not only must she deeply investigate the backgrounds of those employed, but she must also consider timing factors from now on.

Following the crowd to the day’s storytelling location, Xu Ying found a hidden spot to sit and listen as the minor official’s voice rose and fell rhythmically.

Though the plot remained unchangedthe official dared not alter ithe skillfully varied the delivery: showcasing vocal mimicry, randomly simulating ambient sounds, and slightly modifying character dialogues.

Moreover, with experience from previous tellings, the story was even more captivating. Hearing it again wasn’t tedious; even the bureaucratic formalities at start and end were listened to raptly.

As the session ended, Xu Ying snapped back to attentionthere seemed to be nothing to criticize.

While racking her brains, the seated commoners stood up, raising their vegetable baskets toward the stage: vibrant, crisp bok choy with soil still on the leaves, two slender carrots, and an egg.

The officials on stage grinned, collecting the baskets one by one, while those maintaining order waved, calling out, “Don’t push, take your time, everyone can contribute…”

Xu Ying was ecstatic but restrained her joy, sharpening her gaze as she pointed at the scene and told Xu Lang, “Do you see the problem? The drought just endedlivelihoods haven’t recovered. How can we take food from the people? As court officials, openly extortingwhat kind of example is that!”

Xu Lang followed her pointing finger and explained, “Your Majesty may not knowthese are gifts from the people expressing gratitude for Your Majesty’s grace and General Xia’s military achievements. They’re all for you.”

Xu Ying said sternly, “The people may be willing now, but who’s to say they won’t be ‘volunteered’ later? If the government uses Xia Chenglie’s deeds to demand from the people, starting this corrupt practice, won’t they soon fabricate excuses to plunder poor households?”

Xu Lang fell silent. Indeed, who could guarantee that corrupt officials wouldn’t exploit this to extort the people? Her vision had been too shallowshe hadn’t noticed this risk. One misstep could foster bureaucratic parasites.

Considering this, Xu Lang felt remorseful, adjusting her perspective with newfound seriousness.

“Arrest these officials and imprison them for three days as a warning. Henceforth, any official found accepting items from the peoplewhether willingly given or notwill be severely punished for bribery without leniency!”

With that, Xu Ying swept her sleeves and left.

She was just that kind of unreasonable, tyrannical ruler.

Author’s Note:

Will make up today’s missing 1,000 words tomorrow.

Thanks to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated with nutrient solution from 2023-04-02 20:57:53 to 2023-04-03 19:43:16~

Thanks to irrigation nutrient solution angels: Noble Empress 8 bottles; Fu, Jiangnan’s Orchid 6 bottles;

Many thanks for your supportI’ll keep working hard!