Drive a RV and go farming in ancient times.

Xu Huaiyi came out of the restaurant and asked Wei Liang to drive the carriage around several main streets. Sure enough, there were a lot of people gathered in front of several shops, but no one went in, and they kept pointing and talking with disdain.

The shop assistant came out in a rage to chase the man away, but was laughed at by the people instead. Anyway, the law cannot hold everyone responsible, and they really cannot afford to offend the owner of the shop, but why would they feel any psychological burden in scolding a shop assistant?

"My Lord, this is the Zhu family's shop. Business was pretty good before..."

"Well, let's take another look."

When the master and servant passed by the restaurant opened by the Xiao family, they also found the same situation. It was not completely deserted. After all, not everyone stood on Xu Huaiyi's side, so there were still some diners, just not many.

Compared with the previous prosperity and bustle, this bleakness and depression is a devastating blow.

Afterwards, the two went to a rather famous bookstore, which was owned by the Lu family. Because of Prime Minister Lu's relationship, scholars and students favored this place. However, it has also been greatly affected now.

From this we can see that not only the common people supported him, but even the scholars stood on his side silently. It was worth it that he introduced the water writing cloth and later built a free library.

As the saying goes, "Spring breeze brings summer rain". All the little favors I once gave have now been richly rewarded.

There is nothing more heartwarming than this.

After returning home, he couldn't help but sigh with Gu Huanxi, "It is said that one should not expect anything in return for a favor. We really didn't have any utilitarian motives at the beginning. But now, others are grateful for our kindness and are not afraid of the powerful. They use this method to vent our anger. My heart feels like soaking in hot spring water. It's so soothing..."

Gu Huanxi was moved, but also a little worried, "Will others think that we are inciting the people and scholars to cause trouble?"

Xu Huaiyi blinked, "But we didn't do anything. Even those merchants were not arranged by me. I even found Su Zhe and asked him not to get involved in this matter to avoid being implicated."

"Su Zhe agreed?"

"I didn't say whether it was right or not. He didn't do anything dirty. These are all normal business practices. In the past, everyone was willing to suffer losses and not care about it because they wanted to save face for those companies. Now, they are just doing their job seriously according to the rules. They can be justified wherever they go."

Gu Huanxi said helplessly, "But are those people reasonable? There is no fairness or justice in doing business with them. The merchants know this well. How can they be treated equally now?"

Xu Huaiyi didn't care. "Nothing is impossible. The Chamber of Commerce is not a decoration. We should show our sword when it is time. The court has fleeced us many times before, but didn't the Chamber of Commerce stand up to us once?

Besides, I'm here. How can I just watch them attack the merchants?

People support me, so I have to protect them and not let their enthusiasm cool down."

"Where are the people?"

"The law does not punish the masses. Even though Emperor Yongping is an emperor, he will not go against the masses. He understands the principle that water can carry a boat but can also overturn it."

"But he will be more afraid of you!" Gu Huanxi frowned and reminded, "Your achievements are so great that they frighten the emperor. It's not just that you have made great achievements that he can't be given any more titles, but also that you have won the hearts of the people. You don't form cliques for personal gain in the court, but now, the people, merchants, and even scholars are on your side. Do you think he can still sleep well?"

Xu Huaiyi cried out innocently, "It wasn't me who asked them to do that..."

"They took the initiative to do it, and the meaning behind it is even more terrifying." Gu Huanxi said meaningfully, "If you rebel in the future, won't it be possible for you to raise your arms and call for help, and many people will respond?"

"How is that possible? These are two different things..."

"But I'm afraid that Emperor Yongping won't think so. Xiaoyu is getting closer to you, which is already a thorn in his throat. If you continue to stab him in the heart, what do you think he will do?"

Xu Huaiyi pondered and said, "You can only get rid of me to prevent future troubles?"

Gu Huanxi said quietly, "It's good that you know it, but don't show off anymore."

"I am so wronged, I really didn't do anything..."

Gu Huanxi thought that now it was no longer a question of whether he had done it or not, but he could only passively accept this favor. The people's intentions were good, but looking at the current situation, it was very likely that good intentions would lead to bad results.

Of course, it is not all bad. The benefits are obvious. It can deter some people and prevent them from becoming enemies with Xu Huaiyi easily.

After all, the cost of being an enemy is too high.

It is not worth making the people hate you just for the sake of a little merit.

The next day, Prime Minister Sun looked for him again, partly to remind him and partly to negotiate peace.

The only family that could hire him is the Lu family.

For the first time, Xu Huaiyi experienced what it meant to be unable to defend himself, "Grandmaster, it really wasn't me, why do you all think I was the one who instigated it?

Am I that stupid?

Would you do something so suicidal under the Emperor's nose?"

It's no big deal to just shake up a few merchants, but inciting the common people and scholars is an absolute provocation to the imperial power, which no emperor can tolerate.

Prime Minister Sun looked at him with complicated eyes and said, "I believe you, but others may not believe you. After all, if there is no one instigating and inciting behind the scenes, how can those people target the Zhu family, the Xiao family, and the Lu family?"

Xu Huaiyi almost swore to the heavens, "It's really not me, nor anyone else. The people are all spontaneous, without anyone's instigation. I can only say that they are kind and grateful, and they will repay a drop of kindness with a spring of gratitude."

Prime Minister Sun said with emotion, "Their response is really shocking."

Xu Huaiyi smiled bitterly, "I can't bear it anymore. Speaking of it, I am ashamed. I didn't do anything before. Those small favors are not worth their risking their lives for me. But I can't stop them. That would be too hypocritical..."

Prime Minister Sun nodded. "This situation is indeed difficult for you. No matter what you do, it will be inappropriate. You should just wait and see what happens."

Xu Huaiyi breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you for your understanding, Master. Although I have a clear conscience and am not afraid of rumors, the accumulated slander is devastating!"

It’s all because of his mass base, which is too solid, so that now he is in a difficult situation, like being roasted on a fire, and any choice he makes will be wrong.

Prime Minister Sun said meaningfully, "It's good that you can see the situation clearly. I can't control the Zhu and Xiao families. I will speak to the Lu family on your behalf. It's better to resolve a feud than to create one. Changzhi lived in your house for a few years. With this relationship, it's really not appropriate to continue making trouble..."

Xu Huaiyi said, "Grandmaster, I was not the one who exposed the Lu family's affairs. Of course, I didn't suspect that they were targeting me. It was all a misunderstanding."

It was not known whether Prime Minister Sun believed it or not. He said "hmm" and changed the subject, "Your master is coming back."

Xu Huaiyi was stunned when he heard this. "Master is going back to Beijing? Is he going to visit relatives or transfer?"

Prime Minister Sun said, "Transfer."

Xu Huaiyi's mind raced. The news of Sun Yu's return to Beijing was too sudden for him. He had not noticed it at all beforehand. It was obvious that Emperor Yongping had deliberately concealed it, or perhaps this was a temporary move on his part, most likely to deal with him.

If Sun Yu comes back, it will be impossible for him to return to Jingwu Academy or other minor departments. It would be best for him to be in charge of the Imperial Guards, but with him and Commander Xiao in the Imperial Guards, it would be impossible for him to be inserted into the army.

Therefore, the only place where Sun Yu could be arranged was the three major camps in Xishan.

The three camps have a total of 200,000 soldiers and horses, which guard the entire capital and also have a restraining effect on the imperial guards. Emperor Yongping's thoughts are self-evident.

This is because we are really afraid that he will rebel!