SWDnovel Chapter 56: I thought I was just trying to help someone in need, but it turned out to be awkward!
Chapter 56: I thought I was just trying to help someone in need, but it turned out to be awkward!
Seeing this, Erhu quickly stood in front of Zhu Yuanzhang and tried his best to resist. However, the enemy outnumbered him and even though he was skilled, he was no match for them. Before long, he was hit by several wooden sticks and gradually became exhausted. Finally, he was pinned to the ground and firmly controlled by the city management officers.
Seeing this, Hu Weiyong, who was squatting on the ground groaning, panicked and tried to struggle to get up and fight back. But as soon as he raised his head, a city management officer hit him on the back with a stick, causing him to scream in pain again.
Immediately afterwards, several urban management officers stepped forward and beat Hu Weiyong again. Hu Weiyong curled up on the ground in pain and dared not resist anymore, and could only beg for mercy repeatedly.
Zhu Yuanzhang was surrounded by the city management officers, his face still cold, his eyes blazing with anger.
soon.
Zhu Yuanzhang was pinned down by the city management officers, unable to move. His face was filled with rage as he shouted at them, "You lawless tyrants!"
"By blatantly bullying and oppressing the people, just wait and see! One day, we'll teach you a lesson!"
Hu Weiyong, whose face was bruised and swollen from the beating, also endured the pain and joined in the cursing: "That's right! A bunch of bullies who act like they own the place just because someone is backing them up. They'll get their comeuppance sooner or later!"
"I won't let you get away with this! You've messed with the wrong people!"
The head of the urban management team frowned, his face full of impatience, and said irritably, "What's wrong with you guys?"
"Not only did they physically assault us, but they also turned around and accused us? When have we ever engaged in market manipulation or oppressed the people?"
Hu Weiyong immediately pointed to the vendors not far away and retorted excitedly, "We saw it with our own eyes!"
"You're attacking and verbally abusing the vendors with wooden sticks, and you're even barging into their shops to openly collect money. What is this if not bullying and monopolizing the market?"
Zhu Yuanzhang also spoke in a deep voice, his tone full of accusation: "Hmph, you still dare to argue even now? The people have seen it all, do you still want to deny it?"
The city management team leader, instead of being amused by the two men's back-and-forth accusations, waved his hand and explained with a wry smile, "You're talking nonsense! We're not oppressing the people; we're just maintaining market order!"
"Those vendors were occupying the road and blocking the street. We just advised them to move to the designated area. We were a bit harsh, but we never actually hit anyone."
"As for the money collected from the shops, it's a sanitation management fee paid by the shops to clean the streets and maintain the market environment; it's by no means extortion!"
Zhu Yuanzhang and Hu Weiyong refused to believe it. They exchanged a glance and both showed disdain, clearly thinking that the city management captain was making excuses.
Zhu Yuanzhang immediately gestured with his chin towards the vendors and shop owners not far away, and said in a deep voice, "We don't believe your nonsense. Just ask them!"
As he spoke, he gestured for the urban management officer beside him to release one of his hands and said to the vendors and shop owners, "Don't be afraid. Tell the truth, do they often bully you and extort money from you?"
The vendor quickly stepped forward, looking somewhat embarrassed, and waved his hand hastily: "Sir, you've misunderstood. They didn't bully us."
"They just asked me to move my stall further in so it wouldn't block passersby. I was a little slow, and they were a bit impatient, but they didn't hit me."
"As for the sanitation management fee, we paid it voluntarily, after all, they have to clean the streets every day, which is not easy for them either."
"It's thanks to them managing the entire street that we can do business with peace of mind!"
The shop owner next to him quickly came over, nodding in agreement: "Yes, yes, sir, you've really misunderstood. They always do things the proper way, they've never forced us to pay a single penny, they've never bullied us, and on the contrary, they often help us solve problems."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was completely stunned. The anger on his face vanished instantly, replaced by astonishment. He looked at the vendors and shop owners, his tone urgent: "Why...why didn't you say so earlier?"
The vendor said with a wry smile, "Sir, you came up here shouting at them and even had that strong man hit someone. You were so aggressive, we didn't have a chance to explain to you!"
Zhu Yuanzhang's face flushed red and then turned pale, embarrassed and at a loss for what to do. After a pause, he turned to the city management captain, his tone softening, and asked, "Then why did you attack us just now?"
The city management team leader rolled his eyes and said speechlessly, "Brother, you guys started it!"
"Look at my brothers, they're all bruised and battered, lying on the ground unable to move. As the captain, it's only natural that I had to take them down. I couldn't just watch my brothers get beaten up for nothing, could I?"
Seeing this, Liu Bowen quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting to the city management captain, and said in a calm tone, "Captain, I'm so sorry, this is all a misunderstanding. We were just in a hurry and that's why we hurt your people."
He paused, then emphasized, "This is Young Master Zhu Yao's father, which is also your boss's father. He is not a troublemaker, so please don't misunderstand."
Upon hearing this, the city management captain looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with suspicion, sized him up, and shook his head: "Don't lie to me. How could Young Master Zhu's father look like this and even hit someone? I don't believe it."
"If you don't believe me, you can send someone to the Liu residence to ask Young Master Zhu Yao to confirm his identity, and you'll know that what I said is true," Liu Bowen patiently explained.
The city management captain pondered for a moment, feeling that Liu Bowen didn't seem to be lying, but he didn't dare to let them go easily. He immediately waved to his men, "Take them all to Liu's residence and let Young Master Zhu personally confirm. If it's truly a misunderstanding, then apologize to them!"
His men quickly responded and escorted Zhu Yuanzhang, Liu Bowen, and Hu Weiyong toward the Liu residence. Along the way, Zhu Yuanzhang kept his head down, looking embarrassed.
What a shame!
Before long, the group was escorted to the gate of the Liu residence. Upon seeing this, the guards quickly went inside to inform Zhu Yao.
Zhu Yao was leisurely drinking tea on a recliner in the courtyard when he heard the servant's report. He immediately got up, walked quickly to the door, and was stunned when he saw Zhu Yuanzhang and the other two being escorted.
He quickly waved his hand at the city management team leader and said urgently, "Quickly, let them go! This is all a misunderstanding, they are my family!"
Upon seeing this, the city management captain quickly ordered his men to release the group, then bowed deeply to Zhu Yao, his face full of apology: "Young master, I am truly sorry. I did not know you were family. I have offended you greatly. Please forgive me."
Zhu Yao waved his hand, signaling the city management captain to step back. Then he turned to look at Zhu Yuanzhang and saw that his clothes were disheveled and his face was somewhat embarrassed. He couldn't help but smile, but quickly composed himself.
"Dad, what's wrong with you? Why are you arguing with the city management officers?" Zhu Yao stepped forward and said helplessly.
Zhu Yuanzhang's face flushed, and he was so embarrassed that he wished he could disappear into the ground. He stammered for a long time but couldn't utter a complete sentence.
Seeing this, Zhu Yao didn't ask any more questions. He instructed the maid beside him, "Quickly, take my father, Mr. Liu, and Manager Gu to the guest room to rest. Also, bring some medicine to treat Manager Gu's wounds."
Then he turned to Zhu Yuanzhang and said in a gentle tone, "Father, please go back and rest well. We can talk about it after you've rested."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded hurriedly, lowered his head, and followed the maid into the guest room. He didn't dare to look up at Zhu Yao the whole time, and his embarrassment only intensified.