Chapter 112 Hypocritical
When the people present heard this, they immediately echoed it, cursing indignantly.

"These are rotten-hearted people."

“It’s so heartless.”

"Lack of great virtue!"

If the people of the Baijiabao caravan get angry and leave Qingzhou, who will collect the crayfish?
Those who were exposed were also puzzled. How could the people from the Baijiabao caravan know that the goods were not right just by putting the large sack on the scale?

Could it be that I was seen by someone when I was doing something naughty?
If the people in Taohua Village knew about the struggles of these people, they would definitely sneer and say, "You must be joking. The things our aunt gave us are specially designed to cure people like you who lack virtue."

There were also ruffians and hooligans in Qingzhou City who wanted to collect protection fees, and they said that the Baijiabao caravan occupied their land and they had to pay maintenance fees.

When Bai Dashan heard this, he immediately said, "In that case, let's go."

After that, he whispered, "We have almost finished collecting these three or four days, and we were just worrying about what excuse to use. Now someone is helping us get out of this, which is great."

When these ruffians and hooligans heard this, they were immediately dumbfounded. This was different from the script they used to use to collect maintenance fees.

Ordinary people would either throw tantrums and beg or refuse to comply, while the caravans and trading companies would inquire around and then find middlemen to mediate in an attempt to pay less maintenance fees.

Why is there such a reaction when we arrive at the Baijiabao caravan?

Did I ask too high a price?

But the other party didn't ask me how much money I wanted.

"No, you..."

Bai Dashan didn't care about the dumbfounded look on the faces of these ruffians and hooligans. He turned around and shouted to the team, "I'm sorry, everyone. These people told us that if we don't pay for the stall, they won't let us collect crayfish here."

"It's not easy for our Baijiabao caravan to purchase these grains. We originally exchanged them for everyone through barter, and we really don't have any silver to pay the maintenance fee."

"Thank you for your hard work these past few days. We won't accept you today. We'll see you again in the future if there's a chance."

After saying this, Bai Dashan signaled the villagers to prepare to pack up their stalls.

Those who had lined up early to exchange food were immediately dumbfounded. What?
Not collecting it anymore?
Someone came to blackmail the Baijiabao caravan, and they were so scared that they didn't want to set up a stall to sell crayfish.

How can this work?

These three or four days, everyone picked up crayfish to exchange for food, and it was like picking them up for free. Such a good thing was actually ruined by someone.

Someone in the crowd spoke up first: "How can that be? This is something that benefits everyone. If anyone interferes, they will be at odds with everyone."

"that is!"

"This is the outskirts of the city. The city master hasn't given the order yet. Why can't the Baijiabao caravan collect crayfish here?"

"The stalls are owned by caravans. What does it have to do with these scoundrels? How dare they charge maintenance fees?"

"How shameless!"

"Beat them!"

"Yes, beat them up."

"We can't let the Baijiabao caravan feel disheartened."

No one else would collect these bugs except the Baijiabao caravan, let alone such good food.

Bai Dashan heard a familiar voice and swept his eyes over Zhou Yang's family. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, but he quickly suppressed it.

These ruffians and hooligans didn't have time to say anything before they were frightened by the angry shouting and their faces changed color.

Then, I don't know who threw a frame over first, which just covered the head of a thug, and then someone rushed up and started punching him.

It is said that alcohol gives cowards courage, and the same is true when there are many people.

If someone takes action, others will follow, and soon we can hear the wailing and screaming of these ruffians and hooligans. Everyone is furious, and we got up before dawn to pick up crayfish, and we almost got into a fight with others over a nest of crayfish.

We came to line up early and finally waited for the Baijiabao caravan to arrive. It hasn't even started yet and you're already blackmailing us.

Not only do you usually extort the merchants in the city, but you also didn't let go of the Baijiabao caravan when they set up a stall outside the city to collect crayfish.

You scared away the Baijiabao caravan, what shall we do? What shall we do with the crayfish we have? Will you give us food? !
Bai Dashan and others were standing nearby, seemingly not expecting this to happen. They were all stunned, and only their excited eyes betrayed them.

After a while, Bai Dashan gave his fellow villagers a look, and Bai Dayong and others reluctantly tried to stop the fight.

"Hey, folks, folks, please don't do anything."

"It is wrong to hit people. We need to be reasonable."

"Fellow villagers, just teach them a lesson, but don't be too harsh."

"Fellow villagers..."

There are so many angry people. Although some people don't say anything, they will squeeze in and take the opportunity to kick something.

As a result, when the crowd dispersed, these ruffians and thugs had been beaten black and blue, some had broken arms, some had broken legs, and some had two or three broken ribs.

Those who took action were extremely clever. After dispersing, they blended into the crowd in twos and threes, or walked back to the queue.

The others seemed not to have noticed this and all helped to cover it up.

If the people do not report, the officials will not investigate, and the law will not hold the masses accountable.

What's more, it was these ruffians and hooligans who were the first to cause trouble. The most important thing is that these hooligans were so injured that they couldn't even get up, so how could they find anyone to beat them up?

"This, this, this..."

Just when Bai Dashan didn't know what to do, someone in the crowd shouted, "Boss, don't be afraid, just set up your stall, we will never let you be blackmailed."

"Yes, don't be afraid."

"If anyone else comes looking for trouble, we will help you find the official..."

There were four classes of people: scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans. Although the status of merchants in Jin State was not particularly low, it was indeed slightly lower than that of farmers.

It is easier for farmers to sue than for businessmen.

"Well, then, thank you all again."

Bai Dashan bowed to the people around him and said, "To thank you for helping me, I, Bai, promise that as long as no one causes trouble for our caravan, we will continue to collect crayfish for a few more days."

When a conflict arises that you feel is difficult to handle, create a bigger conflict and let others resolve it.

This is called shifting conflict.

Anyway, as my aunt said, with so many people here, I guess we won’t be able to pick up crayfish for a few days.

The reason why the ruffians and hooligans were beaten was that they disrupted everyone's livelihood. Now, when they heard that the Baijiabao caravan would continue to collect for a few more days, the people present cheered with joy.

"Well done, Shopkeeper Bai."

"Thank you, Shopkeeper Bai."

"The Baijiabao Caravan is indeed a good caravan with a conscience."

Bai Dashan smiled and bowed to the people around him, then turned to the villagers who had been dawdling for a long time and didn't even put away the scales, and said, "Hurry up, don't waste time, and get started."

There were many interested people in the crowd, two of them looked at each other and quickly squeezed out of the line.

(End of this chapter)