Your Majesty, please beg for mercy. The prince's rebellion was successful.

Ningdu Tower!

Located in the heart of Corning City.

The tower stands tall and is said to overlook the entire city of Corning.

After hundreds of years of wind and rain, Ningdu Tower has stood tall and majestic for a long time.

Today, the originally quiet Ningdu City was bustling with activity.

Hundreds of people gathered, and the crowd was buzzing.

"Hill City, Tian is here!"

Following a shout, many people turned their attention to Zhou Zheng and his party.

Those who can enter Ningdu Tower are all prominent people in Xiang County, and they are all representatives of the 72 cities in the 18 counties.

Qiulingcheng is just a small city, and it is even less obvious when placed in Xiang County.

But this time, the situation was completely different.

Zhou Zheng's behavior in public, and in just one day, the news had already spread throughout Kangning City.

No one knows why Tian is so bold.

No one knew why the dignified Chai family could swallow their anger.

Therefore, when everyone looked at Zhou Zheng at this time, they involuntarily gave way.

How dare they touch a being that even the Chai family cannot afford to offend.

"The death of this Tian family member is not considered unjust. At least he enjoyed some treatment in name."

Zhou Ping looked around and sneered in his heart, then sped up his feet a little and stood next to Zhou Zheng.

After everyone entered Ningdu Tower, they discovered an empty place.

There are about a hundred wooden chairs below, and each wooden chair has a note affixed with representatives from all parties clearly written on it.

At the very front, there was a small platform about three feet high, with five chairs on it, obviously belonging to key figures.

"What a mutual protection meeting. I didn't expect that there were not only country gentry and landlords, but also government officials."

Zhou Zheng narrowed his eyes, and an unnoticeable flicker of chill passed by.

Such an important matter even involves confrontation with the imperial court. Not only are these officials not taboo, but they are blatant about it.

The reason for this can only show that the current officialdom in Xiang County is extremely corrupt.

"Write down all these people's names."

Zhou Zheng never makes friends with his enemies.

Since these officials made this choice, don't blame Zhou Zheng for being ruthless in the future.

The only thing that made Zhou Zheng feel a little relieved was that officials such as Gu Jiang did not appear on the list.

"Sir, the five chairs above represent the five major families in Xiang County."

"They are the Wu family, Chai family, Li family, Cai family and Dong family."

"These five major families have been entrenched in Xiang County for hundreds of years and have great influence. The most important thing is that they have many connections with the imperial court."

"The five major families can almost represent the entire Xiang County."

Ji Gu pointed to the five chairs above and explained softly in Zhou Zheng's ear.

This so-called mutual protection conference was jointly organized by the five major families.

Because of this, representatives from the eighteen counties and seventy-two cities were able to gather together, and even many officials from Xiang County were present.

Fortunately, when Zhou Zheng came to Corning City this time, he performed a simple disguise on himself, otherwise he would have been recognized long ago.

However, in order to avoid unnecessary complications, Zhou Zheng still behaved very low-key and did not want to attract attention.

As everyone arrived one after another, Zhou Zheng also sat on his chair alone.

"Mr. Tian, ​​please go forward."

As soon as he sat down, a boy ran over quickly, stood in front of Zhou Zheng respectfully, and said apologetically.

Then he pointed to a seat in the first row that had been vacant for some time.

"no need."

Zhou Zheng could see the connection at a glance. It must have been the attack on the Chai family in Corning City yesterday that made them realize something.

However, Zhou Zheng didn't want to be in the limelight. The more inconspicuous a place like this, the more Zhou Zheng liked it.

Rejected by Zhou Zheng, the boy could only smile and then retreat.

However, when many people took their seats, Zhou Zheng also saw many familiar faces.

When Zhou Zheng entered Yancheng for the first time, many respectable people came, and some even toasted Zhou Zheng.

Unexpectedly, the guys who were flattering to the extreme at the beginning would now get together and try to compete with themselves.

It's really interesting.

But Zhou Zheng's eyes did not stay on these people for too long, but fell on the five chairs at the top.

I saw five old men with good temperament walking toward the middle of the stage with strong steps and slowly sitting down.

With the appearance of these five people, the originally noisy scene suddenly became quiet.

The representatives from various parties sitting on the chair below also have some status in their own families and regions, but at this time in front of the five big bosses above, they are still a little nervous and cautious.

After all, in terms of foundation, financial resources, means, and background, the five major families have absolute say in Xiang County.

When his eyes scanned the five people, Zhou Zheng finally made eye contact with the head of the Chai family.

When the two people's eyes briefly contacted, they both felt an inexplicable meaning.

"The Chai family has been humiliated and humiliated. It's really not easy for Chai Ning to remain so calm."

"But when I arrived at Yancheng, none of these five people showed up."

Zhou Zheng muttered to himself as he secretly calculated in his heart.

"Everyone, long time no see. How are you?"

The five bosses above stood up, smiled at everyone and held their hands.

Seeing this, everyone did not dare to show off, and stood up one after another to return the favor.

"We won't talk about the scene."

"Everyone is anxious to come over today. I believe everyone knows the purpose of holding this mutual protection meeting."

Dong Yun looked serious at this time.

When everyone heard this, they also held their breath. They knew that the main event was coming.

"Three hundred years after the founding of the Zhou Dynasty, Xiang County has its own development."

"Over the years, we have obeyed the imperial court's instructions and done our duty honestly, but as soon as the prince comes to Xiang County, he will forcibly collect the autumn tax!"

"I just want to ask, everyone, are you willing?!"

There were loud shouts, and the mood of the originally quiet people suddenly fluctuated.

"I don't want to!"

"I don't want to!"

"I don't want to!"

Among the representatives present, which one is not the so-called big landowner, and which one is not the so-called powerful country squire! ?

Once they are included in the taxation targets, it means that their vital interests will be touched.

If they were to face the court alone, these guys would not dare to resist even if they had 10,000 courage.

But if everyone works together, the situation will be different!

"Unwilling!?"

"But the Crown Prince has given an order. If you don't comply, you will be sent to the army and your land will be confiscated. At the worst, your home will be confiscated and beheaded, implicating the nine clans!"

Seeing everyone's excitement, the head of the Li family was not anxious, but asked in a deep voice.

"Everything follows the orders of the five major families!"

"Protect me and others!"

Not far in front of Zhou Zheng, a middle-aged man blushed and spoke eagerly.

"Please also ask the five major families to protect me and others!"

Other representatives stood up one after another to express their agreement.

At this time, Zhou Zheng clearly saw the gaze projected from above.

Chai Ning was staring at him.

In response, Zhou Zheng smiled slightly, just like everyone else, stood up and shouted slogans loudly.

Seeing Zhou Zheng like this, Chai Ning frowned and his eyes were deep.

Obviously, he couldn't understand what Zhou Zheng's behavior meant!

"Is he just conveying the information here for the third prince? Isn't he trying to replace my position in the Chai family!?"

......