Chapter 297: Encountering Troublesome Commoners: What Law Exists in Yan?

Jiakangcheng!

On the main city's road, the carriage was stopped again.

Yuwen Liqian pulled back the curtain, frowned, and looked toward both sides of the road—seems many people were standing ahead.

How many times has this happened now?

Su Beihai, the Prefect of Jiakangcheng, riding horse beside them, looked embarrassed and quickly said:

"Your Highness, please do not be disturbed—allow this humble servant a moment!"

Yuwen Liqian was also helpless—she had heard this line several times already.

Since stepping onto the imperial road from the river port, the road had been wide enough for four horses to ride side by side—a rare sight even in Han.

Yet as the carriage slowly entered the main city, this calm and smooth passage vanished, replaced by frequent stops and congestion.

It had been stop-and-go all along!

This time, they'd been blocked for half a stick of incense, especially with loud commotion ahead.

Yuwen Liqian stepped out of the carriage to see what was happening.

Her maid promptly supported the princess, stepping out of the cabin onto the carriage's driver's platform.

Yuwen Liqian was startled by the scene before her.

Only see!

The main road was packed with a dense crowd, sitting or standing, nearly blocking the entire roadway.

Bustling and noisy!

From the crowd came waves of clamor—voices in various dialects talking and shouting, turning what should have been a quiet street into an uproar.

Their clothing suggested they were dockworkers from both banks, familiar with one another, smoking pipe tobacco by the fire, women holding children laughing and chatting.

Most striking was!

In front of the carriage lay an old man, writhing in pain, clutching his leg and moaning:

"Someone's been killed!"

"Heaven's curse! Someone's been killed—his leg is broken!"

Yet no one paid attention—they treated it as entertainment.

Yuwen Liqian was thoroughly confused.

The Han students behind her also stepped out of their carriages, watching curiously.

No one knew what had happened ahead.

Yuwen Liqian looked around and noticed more and more people gathering, surrounding her convoy completely.

Her maid stood beside her, face pale with anger—clearly disgusted by the scene.

In their minds, when a princess traveled, the roads should be cleared by ceremonial guards, the people standing respectfully, solemn and dignified.

Yet!

Before them was chaos, utterly unlike the court etiquette they knew.

What a disgrace!

"Your Highness, the rule of the Prince of Yan is truly a den of corruption!"

The maid couldn't help muttering, her words brimming with disdain and disappointment toward Yan.

She even began to fear for the princess's safety, whispering: "Your Highness, could the Yan Prince intend to…?"

Yuwen Liqian naturally heard the maid's worry, but showed no trace of panic.

She understood the alliance between the four states and Yan, and knew such a public setting would never permit any incident.

Yan could not, and would not, be so foolish.

Then something truly must have happened today.

Su Beihai stood at the front, face flushed with anger:

"You rabble, clear the road for this official!"

All he received was a chorus of sneers—no one answered, no one cursed, and the crowd didn't move.

The road ahead remained completely blocked.

Soon after!

A group of government clerks in official robes, unarmed, carried wooden staves.

They tried to disperse the crowd—minimal effect.

Then several more squads of armored soldiers arrived, over a hundred men, merely holding position to maintain order.

The crowd wasn't afraid!

Under the sunlight, they stood in stalemate—the clerks and soldiers seemed used to it, their expressions weary and resigned.

Su Beihai stood there, hands on hips, spitting curses—but it did no good.

More and more people gathered along the roadside.

Yuwen Liqian grew increasingly puzzled—what was this all about?

The students behind her were whispering among themselves.

"Is this Su official really the Prefect of this great city? He has no authority at all."

"Indeed, poor mountains and cruel waters breed unruly people—but Jiakangcheng doesn't seem poor."

"Yan is truly a den of corruption."

Su Beihai returned to Yuwen Liqian's side, drenched in sweat, his expression anxious and helpless.

He hurriedly explained to Yuwen Liqian:

"Your Highness, please remain calm—I've already sent word to the Five City Guards; they'll arrive shortly to clear the road."

Yuwen Liqian showed no sign of impatience; instead, she grew deeply curious about why the crowd had gathered.

She asked Su Beihai:

"Prefect Su, why have these people gathered here?"

Upon hearing this, Su Beihai sighed deeply, his face filled with sorrow.

He explained: "These people are all members of the Qingbang—they're mostly dock laborers and carters, mostly locals."

Yuwen Liqian grew even more confused and asked:

"Qingbang? Is this some kind of martial sect? How dare they defy the government?"

Su Beihai shook his head, his tone complex:

"If this were a martial sect, it would be easier—I could call upon the Yanbei Army or disciples from Mount Zhongnan to suppress them, and they'd never dare be so bold."

"But Qingbang is not a martial sect—it's a grassroots organization formed spontaneously by these laborers."

Yuwen Liqian's eyes widened in surprise:

"The people dare defy the government?"

Isn't that rebellion!

That's punishable by death!

Su Beihai looked grim and troubled:

"It's not that serious. The Prince of Yan has decreed that civilian organizations are permitted. Any registered citizen of Yan may form groups—like Qingbang, Du Xiang Hui. If I mishandle this, even I, the Prefect, could be held accountable."

The maid beside Yuwen Liqian sneered:

"Prefect Su, you're the Prefect of Jiakangcheng—essentially a righteous magistrate—why are you afraid of these rabble?"

The maid spoke sharply: "Give each of them three hundred lashes, and they'll behave!"

This man governed a great city—a regional governor.

In Han, such officials always had roads cleared before their procession.

One bang of the gavel, and the crowd below would tremble in fear.

Su Beihai's role as Prefect was truly humiliating.

Su Beihai didn't get angry—he only looked bitter as he explained:

"Miss, you don't understand—if I used force today, tomorrow the councilors in this office would submit a memorial to the Yan Prince."

"Accusing me of abusing power and oppressing the people."

"Moreover, in the annual official evaluation, public opinion carries great weight—the Yan Prince sends inspectors to secretly survey the people. Qingbang is large in number…"

Yuwen Liqian seemed to understand. She shook her head.

Utterly unbelievable!

A government official controlled by his own subjects—what law exists in Yan?

At that moment!

A scream pierced the air!

Drew a crowd.

It was the old man in front of the carriage, rolling on the ground, wailing like a ghost.

"Murder!"

"I'm dying! Someone's been murdered in broad daylight!"

Hearing this, Su Beihai sighed and ordered his clerk: "Pay him and be done with it."

The clerk clearly understood.

He walked to the old man, tossed down ten taels of silver, and urged:

"Old Li, get up and go—don't block the Prefect's way!"

The old man called Old Li didn't stir at all, grumbling:

"This little bit of money? You're trying to bribe a beggar!"

His hands moved swiftly—he'd already slipped the ten taels of silver into his pocket.

Yu Wen Liqian noticed then: the old man showed no sign of injury or pain.

He was quick and nimble!

Those around him seemed utterly accustomed; they crossed their arms and watched like spectators at a play.

Even children nearby imitated him.

Su Beihai sighed heavily beside him.

Yu Wen Liqian couldn't help thinking: had Yan Province sunk this low?

Villains openly defying the government!

Father Figures, please beg for monthly votes, thank you so much!

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(End of Chapter)