"What happened? Don't rush. Tell me slowly."
Seeing the Ministry of Punishment official hurrying toward him, Xu Qingxiao told him to calm down and explain slowly.
"My lord, these foreign races have grown more and more arrogant lately, and their business practices have become increasingly ruthless. A few days ago, things were already getting hard to contain."
"The common people have gone to every major yamen to lodge complaints. The Ministry of Punishment receives countless case files every day, but it has done nothing. Today, a group of scholars came to visit the Capital, only to be extorted by these foreigners."
"In the end, both sides started fighting. These scholars were all frail, and two were beaten badly. The matter has now reached the Yingyang Yamen, but the yamen refused to hear the case. When the common people found out, they surrounded the yamen. From the looks of it, they might storm inside."
"The Xingyang Magistrate is at his wits' end and urgently sought help from the Ministry of Punishment. Minister Zhang sent me to find you and ask you to handle it. He said he wouldn't intervene himself."
The official spoke anxiously.
"They injured people?"
"Minister Zhang wants me to intervene?"
Xu Qingxiao took a sip of tea, his expression rather calm.
"Yes. Who knows how many people have cursed Minister Zhang lately? Never mind him-everyone in the Ministry of Punishment gets criticized whenever they step outside. People say we do nothing. Fortunately, the people of the Capital still hold you in great respect."
"If you go, they definitely won't make trouble."
That was what the official said.
"Very well. I'll go."
Xu Qingxiao rose and left with him. When they reached Shouren Academy, they happened to run into Black-Clothed Li.
"Old Black! Don't cook for me today. I'll