Chapter 181: Wang Wei's Death, Gu Jin Nian Slashes the Lords of Nineteen Prefectures

Liuping Prefecture.

Sishui County.

Inside the county office.

When Fang Jingcheng's voice sounded, Wang Wei's smiling face involuntarily stiffened.

If it were anyone else hearing that they were asked to lend their own head, they would likely make the same expression.

However, Wang Wei did not get angry; he fell silent for a moment.

"May I ask, Brother Fang, how can my head bring peace to the disaster in Jiangzhong Commandery?"

Wang Wei was neither angry nor thought Fang Jingcheng was babbling; he simply asked him what method could bring peace.

Hearing this, Fang Jingcheng trembled his hand and then slowly spoke.

"Brother Wang, have you heard of the Heaven's Mandate Marquis?"

He asked Wang Wei.

Upon hearing the name Heaven's Mandate Marquis, Wang Wei immediately raised his hand and bowed toward the high place.

"I naturally know the Heaven's Mandate Marquis, a saint of the later Confucian and Daoist generations, and a model for us scholars."

"I hold him in great respect."

Wang Wei spoke, saying as follows.

His gaze was full of admiration, his expression exceedingly reverent; as a scholar, how could he not know Gu Jin Nian's reputation? Learning that Gu Jin Nian devoted himself to the people, he respected him immensely.

"Brother Wang, do you know that a single disaster‑relief plan harmed the Heaven's Mandate Marquis and also the people of Jiangzhong Commandery?"

Fang Jingcheng sighed and said.

"Why is that?"

Wang Wei instantly furrowed his brows, unable to understand.

"Brother Wang, do you not doubt why a mere county magistrate of Sishui County can command the entire Jiangzhong Commandery?"

"If we speak of talent, I acknowledge your talent, Brother Wang, but does the whole Jiangzhong Commandery truly have no one surpassing you?"

"Moreover, I have already reviewed your disaster‑relief plan; it seemed fine, but now the result is that people everywhere are dissatisfied with you, Brother Wang?"

"In such a situation, wouldn't these officials know?"

"Can't the Commandery Governor of Jiangzhong Commandery see it?"

"Liuping Prefecture, Shangyang Prefecture, Shanping Prefecture, Han Yue Prefecture—are their governors not even comparable to you, Wang Wei?"

Fang Jingcheng grew increasingly agitated as he spoke.

And Wang Wei became more alarmed the more he listened.

"Why did they agree?"

"Because your strategy, Brother Wang, is overly domineering and idealistic; it seems fine but in practice easily provokes popular resentment."

"Once popular resentment arises, when the Heaven's Mandate Marquis, Marquis Gu, personally arrives, all the people will gather before the Marquis, calling you a corrupt official and a treacherous villain; at that moment, will the Marquis execute you or spare you?"

"The Marquis sees everything clearly; he is a saint of this age, knowing that you, Wang Wei, have done nothing wrong and are devoted to the people—can the Marquis execute you?"

"Everyone in the world could execute you to appease the people, but the Marquis cannot do so; he is a saint of the later Confucian and Daoist generations."

"If he does not execute you, how will the people view you?"

"They would think you, Wang Wei, and the Marquis protect each other; even if the Marquis possessed extraordinary powers, the countless people of Jiangzhong Commandery would not trust him, so how could he act?"

"Tell me?"

When Fang Jingcheng reached this point, Wang Wei had already collapsed to the ground; he did not expect that the disaster‑relief plan he wrote would be treated as a weapon.

"Then what should I do?"

Wang Wei spoke, looking at Fang Jingcheng with a gaze that was somewhat bewildered and at a loss.

"If you, Brother Wang, truly care for the people of Jiangzhong Commandery, only you can sacrifice yourself for righteousness; otherwise, no one can save the commandery's plight."

Fang Jingcheng spoke; his voice was soft, yet each word was precious.

Wang Wei fell silent in that instant.

To sacrifice oneself for righteousness? It means using one's own life to resolve this matter.

He remained quiet and silent, his heart filled with complexity.

Fang Jingcheng also said nothing, for he was urging Wang Wei to commit suicide.

How could an ordinary person understand him? "Brother Fang."

"You shouldn't have told me these."

In the end, Wang Wei shed two clear tears, his eyes bloodshot, as he looked at Fang Jingcheng.

Fang Jingcheng's arrival also put him in a dilemma.

To die.

Or not to die?

Before life and death, how many can be carefree?

One after another they say, unafraid of life and death, unafraid of life and death.

Yet when life and death are placed before them, who can calmly go to die? Moreover, such a death is unjust, and in the eyes of the people one is seen as a corrupt official, a treacherous minister, a bad reputation.

No one knows all that they have done; to the people, the Heaven's Mandate Marquis is the greatest upright official.

"Brother Wang."

"I truly should not have come."

"But Brother Wang, you are upright, placing the people first in your heart, noble and lofty."

"It is precisely for this reason that I, Fang, came."

"If Brother Wang were like those officials, I would never have come, nor would I have said a word."

"Wang brother, Fang Mou can promise you one matter; after the difficulty in Jiangzhong Commandery is settled, Fang Mou will certainly redress your grievance, elder brother."

Fang Jingcheng spoke, he could not promise anything else, only able to agree to this matter.

But Wang Wei did not answer.

Instead he burst into tears.

It's hard to imagine a man in his forties crying so sorrowfully.

"You need not agree to do this for me."

"Stop pretending to be a good person here."

"Fang Jingcheng, your meeting with the Heaven's Mandate Marquis is ultimately for your own scheming; if I die, it would also benefit you."

Wang Wei spoke, he first scolded Fang Jingcheng severely, but Fang Jingcheng remained unmoved, not the slightest anger.

Utterly calm.

This expression made Wang Wei even more sorrowful, for he hoped Fang Jingcheng had ulterior motives; if Fang Jingcheng truly had ulterior motives, he himself could also have a choice.

But the problem is Fang Jingcheng has no ulterior motives; he too acts for the people of Jiangzhong Commandery.

I too act for the people of Jiangzhong Commandery.

Gu Jin Nian also acts for the people of Jiangzhong Commandery.

"Fang brother."

At this moment, Wang Wei's voice trembled with sobs, tears fell, he clenched his fists, then his voice lowly roared.

"Mr. Wang, in my life I studied hard for ten years, served as an official for ten years, diligent and conscientious, never corrupt; before dawn I would wake to handle documents, only falling asleep at the hour of hai."

"This life may have no merit, yet I can still justify this office."

"The great calamity of Jiangzhong, I thought it was a time to display my talents, to display my great ambitions, but I never imagined it would be used as a weapon, becoming a tool to harm the people."

"Fang brother."

Wang Wei spoke to this point, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

"Present."

Fang Jingcheng spoke, giving a response.

"Two matters."

"First, can the Marquis truly resolve the difficulty of Jiangzhong Commandery?"

Wang Wei drew a deep breath, looking at Fang Jingcheng as he said this.

"Can."

Fang Jingcheng replied without hesitation.

"Second, could you help me convey a message to the Marquis?"

"I, Wang Wei, do not dare to ask the Marquis to clear my name; I only hope that after the Marquis pacifies Jiangzhong Commandery, he will purge these officials cleanly."

Wang Wei continued speaking, his eyes icy.

"This will certainly happen."

Fang Jingcheng spoke respectfully, directly agreeing.

"Good."

"Fang brother, go on your way."

"In two hours, you will hear the news you wish to hear."

Wang Wei spoke; at this moment he appeared utterly calm.

"Wang brother."

"May your journey be smooth."

"From now on each year, I, your younger brother, will present you with fine wine."

At this moment, Fang Jingcheng involuntarily drew a deep breath; he revered Wang Wei's heart, and also revered Wang Wei's self-sacrificing righteousness.

Only, Wang Wei remained silent.

Soon, Fang Jingcheng left the county office.

After Fang Jingcheng left, Wang Wei immediately went to the desk, without any idle talk, he took up his brush and wrote.

His days are numbered.

There are still many things he wishes to do, but he knows time has run out.

Rather than waste this limited time, he devoted it to Jiangzhong Commandery; his brush moved swiftly, one character after another falling.

After a full one and a half hours.

Wang Wei wrote these things, he set the draft aside and began to write a new letter.

This letter is his suicide note; he wrote it with tears, fabricating lies.

He himself knew his sins were deep, knowing the Marquis would come, therefore he killed himself.

He needed to give Gu Jin Nian an explanation, and also give the people of Jiangzhong Commandery an explanation.

All the charges, he would bear himself; as long as the difficulty of Jiangzhong Commandery could be resolved.

Then even in death he would be glorious.

After the final brushstroke was written.

Wang Wei went to the rear chamber; he had prepared.

Stepping onto a stool, with cloth hung around his neck, gazing at all this, Wang Wei also lost all will to live.

And at the same time.

In the distance of Jiangzhong Commandery.

Tens of thousands of people gathered here.

They were all people preparing to flee the disaster, but upon hearing that Gu Jin Nian had arrived, these commoners naturally gathered quickly, all waiting for Gu Jin Nian to give them justice.

In the past, the more commoners there were, the more confident Gu Jin Nian felt.

But this time, the more commoners there were, the less confident Gu Jin Nian felt.

He had thought for over two hours, still unable to come up with a solution; he even considered simply killing a batch of officials from Jiangzhong Commandery, which would also count as giving the commoners an explanation.

But doing so would inevitably invite backlash, because someone would surely set the fire onto Wang Wei.

Because Wang Wei had already aroused public resentment, it's easy to see that now some commoners who don't know the truth believe that Wang Wei seized their grain.

If I were to step forward and help Wang Wei explain, it would surely be exploited by those with ulterior motives.

The result would still be the same.

Furthermore, rumors would spread that Wang Wei had heavenly connections, even the prefect of Jiangzhong Commandery was killed, yet this corrupt official Wang Wei suffered no consequence at all.

This would further cement the belief that Wang Wei had heavenly backing.

I fear that Jiangzhong Commandery has already taken on this tone.

Those who are scheming will surely have all their excuses ready: kill Wang Wei and whitewash themselves, or spare Wang Wei and claim heavenly connections.

Caught between a rock and a hard place.

Just as Gu Jin Nian was agonizing over this.

Suddenly, the figures of Gu Ningya and the others returned.

"Jin Nian."

"Have you thought of a solution?"

Gu Ningya returned to the carriage, sat down directly, accompanied by Li Ji and Fang Jingcheng.

"Not yet."

Gu Jin Nian sighed, feeling a wave of pressure.

Following Gu Jin Nian's answer, Gu Ningya also sighed and then spoke.

"The number of commoners gathering around keeps increasing."

"There are already some rumors, and perhaps the officials of Jiangzhong Commandery already know you're here; why not do this: have the troops march a little slower, saying they're protecting them, which would also buy you some time to think of a plan."

Gu Ningya spoke up, saying that.

"Good."

Gu Jin Nian nodded, also agreeing with this idea.

Thus the jade palanquin set off, heading toward Jiangzhong Commandery.

Along the way, the interior of the jade palanquin remained very quiet.

Gu Jin Nian had been considering whether to directly bring out the True Dragon Rice Ear, but after thinking, he felt it would be useless.

The officials of Jiangzhong Commandery were surely waiting outside the city gate for him.

No matter what he produced, unless he produced countless amounts of grain all at once, it could not be resolved.

He had already been driven to a desperate situation.

"Jin Nian."

"Actually there is another method."

"It can resolve your current predicament."

Gu Ningya suddenly spoke, his tone sounding quite casual.

"What method?"

Gu Jin Nian looked toward his sixth uncle, somewhat curious.

"Just let the magistrate of Flood Water County die—wouldn't that solve it?"

Gu Ningya spoke up.

But as soon as those words were spoken, Gu Jin Nian immediately shook his head.

"Such an act against my conscience, I as a nephew cannot do."

Gu Jin Nian directly refused; this kind of thing, he Gu Jin Nian had never even considered.

Although this is indeed one possible solution, it goes against Confucian Dao.

Upon hearing this, Gu Ningya fell silent, and Fang Jingcheng also said nothing; but in that instant, Gu Jin Nian keenly sensed something amiss.

He raised his head, looked at Gu Ningya, and then fixed his gaze on Fang Jingcheng.

"Mr. Fang, did you just leave?"

Gu Jin Nian frowned, looking at Fang Jingcheng.

"No."

Fang Jingcheng lowered his head slightly and gave a reluctant answer.

"If that's not the case, why is Mr. Fang's breath unsteady?"

Gu Jin Nian frowned and asked directly.

As soon as he said that, Fang Jingcheng fell silent.

Inside the jade palanquin, Gu Ningya also fell silent.

Li Ji had remained silent all along.

"Sixth Uncle."

The next moment, Gu Jin Nian turned his gaze to Gu Ningya, his eyes full of anger.

Hearing Gu Jin Nian shout like that, Gu Ningya immediately lowered his head, not daring to meet his gaze.

"How is the magistrate of Flood Water County?"

Seeing this situation, Gu Jin Nian further confirmed his suspicion, involuntarily turning to Fang Jingcheng and directly questioning him.

"Lord."

"Lord Wang Wei, when the Lord arrives at Jiangzhong County, will choose to sacrifice himself for righteousness, dying to atone for the countless people of Jiangzhong County."

Since this moment has arrived, Fang Jingcheng did not waste words; he took a deep breath and said.

Upon hearing this answer, Gu Jin Nian fell silent.

He had never considered this angle at all, but what he didn't expect was that his Sixth Uncle acted on his own, forcing Wang Wei to death.

"Sixth Uncle."

"You truly are muddleheaded."

At this moment, Gu Jin Nian was truly about to erupt in thunderous anger.

But hearing those words, Gu Ningya remained silent, head lowered, saying nothing, like a child who had done wrong.

"Lord."

"Lord Gu is also trying to help you; right now we are in a dilemma, and whatever the Lord chooses will bring trouble."

"Please, Lord, do not blame the Commander."

Fang Jingcheng spoke, hoping Gu Jin Nian could calm down.

"Uncle Jin Nian, Uncle has done nothing wrong; if Uncle does not act this way, the unlucky ones will be the people of Jiangzhong County."

"Furthermore, County Magistrate Wang Wei of Si Shui County, since he was devoted to the people, died as he deserved; after Jiangzhong County's affairs are settled, I will personally inform Grandfather of this, and have Grandfather erect a monument for him."

"To tell the people of all he did—could that not be a merit?"

Li Ji also spoke; although an innocent person died, at least the situation is now under control.

"Absurd."

"It truly is absurd."

"Why must an innocent life be used to resolve this matter?"

"Why must a righteous person have to be sacrificed?"

Gu Jin Nian rebuked directly, then stepped out of the jade carriage and called for his attendants.

"Hurry to Si Shui County, find County Magistrate Wang Wei, and by all means protect his life, tell him this Lord has his own way to resolve it, and do not take your own life."

Gu Jin Nian spoke immediately.

However, Gu Ningya's voice rang out at that moment.

"No,"

He spoke, his voice ice‑cold.

"Go quickly."

Gu Jin Nian looked at the other side, ignoring his Sixth Uncle's words, but these guards and attendants had already been replaced by people from the Hanging Lantern Office.

The latter said nothing, only bowed his head.

"How audacious."

"You won't even listen to this Lord's words?"

Gu Jin Nian felt some anger.

But the latter took a deep breath, still clasped his fists and lowered his head, ignoring him; it seemed Gu Ningya had already explained clearly.

"Sixth Uncle."

Gu Jin Nian turned his head back, his aura lifting the curtain, his gaze filled with anger, staring at his Sixth Uncle.

"Jin Nian!"

"You truly are foolish."

Gu Ningya's ice‑cold voice rang out; he stood up, grabbed Gu Jin Nian's collar, and forcibly pulled Gu Jin Nian into the jade carriage.

He could no longer suppress his fury.

"Jin Nian."

"If you want to become a saint, Uncle will help you."

"This villain, I'll be the one!"

"This saint, you be the one!"

"Regarding Wang Wei's matter, it's my fault, but this is also his destiny."

"You are too merciful; this matter is almost unsolvable. The officials of the court—aren't they cunning? Aren't they extraordinarily clever?"

"You've already fallen into the trap; every step you take has been calculated precisely, and now only such extreme actions are possible."

"Wang Wei is dead, he is indeed innocent, but are the people of Jiangzhong County not innocent as well?"

"He used his own life to exchange for the lives of countless commoners; that is worthwhile."

"You pursue the justice in your heart, yet you plunge yourself into a dead end; that is foolish. You may scold me, you may call me names; your Sixth Uncle is a petty person."

"Our Gu Family has produced you, a saint."

"Whether it's me, your father, even the old master, we can all become petty people, we can all become your shadow, solving these troubles for you."

"But do not act foolishly, and do not betray the family's high expectations of you."

"Jin Nian."

"If you truly hate, you must think clearly why you fell into this dead end."

"If you truly are angry, you must understand why the County Magistrate of Si Shui County committed suicide to atone."

"The wrong person is not you."

"The wrong people are these corrupt officials."

"Turn your hatred into a sharp sword, pacify the turmoil of Jiangzhong County, rescue countless commoners, and punish these corrupt officials."

"Only then will you be doing what you should, not indulging in merciful sentiment here."

Gu Ningya, with a cold voice, angrily rebuked Gu Jin Nian.

This was his first time angrily rebuking Gu Jin Nian; from childhood to now, he had always treated Gu Jin Nian as a treasure, because he was the youngest, and the clan pampered him, but he was born to be strong.

He does not need anyone's protection.

Until one day Gu Jin Nian was born, Gu Ningya was the uncle who loved Gu Jin Nian the most among all his uncles. In the past, how many times Gu Jin Nian got into trouble, it was Gu Ningya who took the blame? Although he usually seemed like a loafer, behind the scenes he was far more mature than Gu Jin Nian.

Gu Ningya thinks Gu Jin Nian is the saint of later Confucian and Daoist generations; he does not want Gu Jin Nian to be scolded, so he chooses to intervene himself.

He hopes Gu Jin Nian radiates brilliance, and people everywhere praise Gu Jin Nian as a saint.

And he is also willing to become the shadow behind Gu Jin Nian, solving these matters for him.

Suspended Lamp Office.

That's its purpose.

The old man let himself join the Suspended Lamp Office, meaning he intends to do this.

His Majesty let him become the Suspended Lamp Office Commander, also hoping that he would act this way.

At critical moments, he does things that Gu Jin Nian is unwilling or unable to do.

Inside the jade carriage.

Utterly quiet.

Li Ji remained silent, and Fang Jingcheng also said nothing.

They were berated harshly by Gu Ningya.

Gu Jin Nian felt no anger, but sat in the jade carriage with a dazed expression.

He did not expect that his sixth uncle, who had always seemed irreverent and grinning, could have this side.

But what hurt him more was that his sixth uncle was not wrong at all.

Indeed.

He had no way to solve this trouble, already fell into a trap, and could not think of any solution.

If he hesitated, it would only delay rescue and let the people continue to suffer.

"Jin Nian."

"Do not let Wang Wei's death become meaningless."

"Do not let these people's suffering become your suffering."

"A era without justice is unfortunate."

"An era that needs justice is even more unfortunate."

"Rather than waiting for belated justice, become justice yourself."

Gu Ningya spoke from the bottom of his heart to Gu Jin Nian in this way.

Listening to these words, Gu Jin Nian fell into deeper silence; he seemed to understand something, yet could not quite grasp it.

The jade carriage continued onward.

Watching the ever-silent Gu Jin Nian, Gu Ningya sighed, stepped out of the jade carriage, leaving Gu Jin Nian alone in quiet. As Gu Ningya exited, Li Ji and Fang Jingcheng also stepped out of the carriage.

At this moment.

Inside the jade carriage.

Once again only Gu Jin Nian remained.

This instant.

Gu Jin Nian was silent without a sound.

Hard to imagine.

Before Wang Wei's death, what kind of sorrow and what kind of despair would there be?

A person who served the court and the people diligently, a man of lofty integrity, ultimately was insulted by the people and forced to suicide.

His name was unknown to anyone.

His greatness was spoken of by no one.

Everything about him was hidden in the shadows.

Pathetic.

Lamentable.

Gu Jin Nian closed his eyes; his heart was tangled and painful, unable to comprehend Wang Wei's suffering.

Back then, when he stepped onto the execution ground, he could not perceive that life-and-death realm, because he knew he would not die.

Therefore he could not feel the anguish in Wang Wei's heart.

"Do not let Wang Wei's death become worthless."

"Do not let the people's sorrow become your own sorrow."

"Rather than waiting for belated justice, become justice."

Indeed.

An era that needs justice is even more unfortunate.

Gu Jin Nian took a deep breath.

He fully entered a state of insight; this matter impacted him enormously.

He had always believed he was righteous, and that every action he took obeyed his conscience.

Yet Wang Wei's case gave him a huge doubt.

If one follows one's heart, Wang Wei should not have died.

But if Wang Wei did not die, he could not resolve the matter, and in the end the people still suffered.

Who is truly at fault for this? Himself? Or Wang Wei?

Or perhaps it's those officials' fault?

For some inexplicable reason, Gu Jin Nian suddenly understood the meaning of the two lines: "to set a heart for heaven and earth, to establish destiny for the people."

For heaven, earth, and all living beings, he established moral conduct.

For the world's common folk, he sought a path of survival.

This survival path is not merely about being fed and watered, but also about knowing people's hearts and discerning good from evil.

Sixth Uncle is right.

What I did is also not wrong.

Wang Wei's choice is not wrong.

The Jiangzhong County officials' actions against me are also not wrong.

But their error is that they use the people as a chessboard, treat sincere individuals as pieces, and disregard lives; that is their fault.

"Prince, after the Jiangzhong calamity ends, I will clear your grievances."

At this moment.

Gu Jin Nian opened his eyes.

In that instant, his eyes were free of worry and difficulty, crystal clear and intensely bright.

He will not wait for justice.

He will become justice.

Even though the future is unknown, when he moves forward, fearlessness becomes the first flame, lighting the way.

At that moment, fearlessness will ignite justice, and the light will completely pierce heaven and earth, everlasting.

And at that very moment.

The jade carriage also slowly came to a halt.

"Report."

"Jiangzhong County Prefect Zhou Man, accompanied by the lords and officials of the nineteen prefectures of Jiangzhong County, is meeting the lord twenty li outside the county city gate; Prefect Zhou Man requests an audience with the lord."

As that voice sounded.

Gu Jin Nian's voice responded in kind.

"Granted."

Soon, a voice rang out from outside.

"I, the lower official Jiangzhong County Prefect Zhou Man, come to pay respects to the Heaven's Mandate Marquis."

"I, the lower official Lord Wang Yue of Liu Ping Prefecture, come to pay respects to the Heaven's Mandate Marquis."

Voices echoed from outside the jade carriage one after another.

They had long been unable to wait.

In theory, Gu Jin Nian should have arrived two shichen early; they had calculated the timing and found that any delay by Gu Jin Nian would cause issues, so the audience was originally to be at the city gate.

Now, after walking twenty li, they intend to hasten Gu Jin Nian's decision.

Inside the jade carriage.

Gu Jin Nian lifted the curtain and stepped straight out.

Standing on the jade carriage.

The sky had grown somewhat dim, yet thousands of soldiers lit torches, illuminating the surroundings.

Sixth Uncle and his party were on the left, riding warhorses.

Some common folk stood behind and beside them, each gazing at the officials in silence.

And ahead.

Some elders, dressed in official robes, wore smiles on their faces as they looked at Gu Jin Nian.

That smile held an indescribable hatred and an indescribable disgust.

And at that moment, a voice suddenly rose from the crowd.

"Heaven's Mandate Marquis, Holy Great Lord, please uphold justice for us common folk!"

No one knew who shouted.

In an instant, many commoners responded, kneeling, their emotions erupting completely.

This group of commoners had originally planned to leave.

But they did not expect that, upon seeing Gu Jin Nian, he would become their sole hope, their only lifeline.

If they could retrieve food, they would not wish to leave their homes; now they place all their hope on Gu Jin Nian, hoping he will punish corrupt officials and rescue the people.

But Gu Jin Nian knew that the first speaker was not an ordinary commoner, but someone deliberately setting the rhythm.

However, he no longer cared about those people.

"By the Marquis's decree, if there are grievances, twenty people shall be nominated; before the jade carriage, the Marquis will publicly adjudicate the case."

Gu Jin Nian spoke, his voice resonating for several li, loud as a bell.

Yet the hundreds of officials each harbored ulterior motives.

Especially Zhou Man, who feigned ignorance, approached Gu Jin Nian and said,

"Marquis, what is the situation?"

"How could there be so many refugees all of a sudden?"

Zhou Man pretended surprise, as if he knew nothing.

However, Gu Jin Nian ignored Zhou Man, quietly waiting for the refugees' nominations.

Soon, twenty refugees were nominated, both young and old, all simple folk.

"Marquis, you must stand up for us common folk!"

Jiangzhong County has suddenly been struck by a severe drought; we common folk suffer beyond words, yet at least our households still have some stored grain. We did not expect the authorities to forcibly seize the remaining grain, disregarding our lives. We implore the Lord to act on our behalf.

The saint above, my household has fifteen shi of stored grain, but we have twenty‑seven people. Though that seems many, it cannot withstand a year of drought. I set out with the grain to seek relatives, only to be discovered by the officials' yamen guards, who forcibly took it away.

They call it a levy, yet they resell my stored grain to the city's rice shop, without even replacing the grain bags. My family of twenty‑seven can only receive half a ration each day; even that half‑jin portion is half sand and stone, barely enough to eat. We again plead with the saint to intervene for us.

Twenty people gathered and told Gu Jin Nian of the suffering in their hearts.

After the crowd finished speaking, Gu Jin Nian turned his gaze toward Zhou Man, his tone utterly cold.

"Zhou Man."

"Who gave you the audacity to forcibly seize the people's stored grain?"

Gu Jin Nian asked coldly.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Man showed obvious panic and immediately spoke.

"Lord, this matter was not done by this subordinate; it was a plan proposed by an official."

"Please, Lord, examine it."

Zhou Man spoke, and while speaking handed the prepared dossier to Gu Jin Nian; it was a disaster‑relief proposal.

Taking the disaster‑relief proposal, Gu Jin Nian read it carefully.

As Fang Jingcheng had said, concentrate the grain and distribute it uniformly.

"This plan is well written."

On the jade carriage, Gu Jin Nian spoke lightly, praising the proposal.

When those words were spoken, Zhou Man, who had his head down, showed a flash of a different expression. He did not expect Gu Jin Nian to say that; logically, shouldn't he have been furious and thrown the proposal on the ground? "Lord."

"This proposal is indeed good; the court currently has no official document, so I will adopt this plan as the disaster‑relief measure. I did not expect the proposer to incite public resentment. Rest assured, Lord, I will certainly give this person a proper lecture."

Zhou Man's voice was loud enough for some of the common folk to hear.

Moreover, his wording was extremely sharp.

It was a lecture.

Not a punishment.

For the common folk, they originally did not need to leave their homes, but now they have been forced to depart, enduring many hardships along the way, and their hearts have long harbored resentment.

Now that Gu Jin Nian has arrived, they hope he will vent their anger for them.

Only then will their hearts feel at ease.

Yet Zhou Man, with a single lecture about this person, creates the impression that he intends to shield him.

In an instant, the common folk became enraged.

Of course, there are also those who deliberately stir trouble.

"Lord, this Wang Wei is a corrupt official, and the county magistrate is covering for him."

"Exactly, this Wang Wei, supposedly named 'centralizing grain,' in reality seeks to profit from it."

"They claim to unify, so why don't those noble families uniformly seize the grain?"

"Why can those powerful elites receive large amounts of grain? Isn't it simply officials protecting each other?"

"That's right, it's officials shielding each other; please, Lord, avenge us suffering common folk."

Voices rose one after another, full of fervor, hoping Gu Jin Nian would stand up for them.

To punish the corrupt officials.

Soon, a terrifying clamor rose as tens of thousands of commoners shouted back and forth, accompanied by cries and curses; more of them glared at Zhou Man and other officials. If not for a large army surrounding them, they would truly dare to act.

"Friends, elders, fellow villagers, all of you, although Wang Wei's methods are harsh, they are ultimately for the people; he has no selfish motives. Do not be deceived; some people intend to stir trouble."

"Please trust the court, trust the Lord, and also trust me; now that the Lord has arrived, our Jiangzhong County is saved."

At this moment, Zhou Man shouted loudly, putting on a show here.

There is no other reason; his words now have many advantages. First, they continue to enrage the people, who now view the matter from the victim's perspective.

No, they truly are victims.

Zhou Man enraged them while also stating a fact: once the investigation is complete, it will be found that Wang Wei is indeed a good official.

Then it has nothing to do with them, because they support Wang Wei.

After autumn, the reckoning will never fall upon them.

This is the charm of speech.

A win‑win.

"Shut up."

However, Gu Jin Nian's voice rang out, his gaze icy as he looked at Zhou Man.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Man fell silent immediately.

"Forcibly seizing the people's remaining grain is a crime of ten unforgivable evils."

"Bring Wang Wei to me."

Gu Jin Nian spoke, looking at Zhou Man as he said.

"This—"

"Lord, Wang Wei truly is a good official."

At this moment, Zhou Man continued to play the good man, laying groundwork for future exoneration.

"If I tell you to summon Wang Wei, then go summon him."

"If you dare to nag again, I will consider you colluding with Wang Wei, embezzling and perverting the law."

Gu Jin Nian spoke coldly.

This behavior caused the common folk to cheer.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Man pretended to be upset, but his heart was already delighted, and he immediately ordered someone to summon Wang Wei.

Ke Ren had just left, and a figure quickly ran over again.

He arrived behind Zhou Man and, lowering his voice, said.

"Governor, sir."

"A grave matter: Wang Wei hanged himself half an hour ago."

The latter was somewhat panting, his expression looking rather unpleasant.

Upon hearing this, a flash of astonishment instantly crossed Zhou Man's eyes.

"What happened?"

"Why the hesitation?"

At that moment, Gu Jin Nian's voice rang out, directly cutting off the two's whispered conversation.

Zhou Man did not answer immediately; after a brief thought, he spoke.

"Lord, the Sishui County magistrate Wang Wei was reported to have died of overwork."

Zhou Man's reply gave this answer, stating Wang Wei died of overwork rather than suicide.

"How audacious."

"I heard clearly just now; your subordinate said Wang Wei committed suicide. How did it become overwork in your words?"

"Why did you convey false information?"

"Could it be that Wang Wei feared guilt and killed himself, and you are involved, deliberately covering for him?"

Gu Jin Nian rebuked angrily, his voice resounding loudly.

In an instant, the people who heard these words instantly gathered their anger.

"It's covering up, officials protecting officials."

"Lord, he is indeed covering up. How could a petty Sishui County magistrate dare to embezzle? Only with the Commandery Governor's protection would he dare such a thing."

"Exactly, it's covering up, and it turns out to be you."

In an instant, curses thundered; tens of thousands of people already thought Wang Wei a corrupt official, and now the Jiangzhong Commandery Governor is covering him up? This further cements Wang Wei's reputation and confirms officials protecting each other.

But Zhou Man had no words; he truly knew Wang Wei was an upright official, yet he could not concede to the people. Once he admitted it, the subsequent reckoning would surely mean his own death.

"Lord, Wang Wei truly belongs to the clean stream generation; I cannot believe he would engage in bribery and corruption, so I think his death must be suspicious."

"I hope you, Lord, can grant me three days to investigate this matter."

Zhou Man spoke, seeking three days.

"A foolish wish."

"I see you intend to return and destroy evidence, fabricate testimonies; I have reason to suspect a great connection between you and Wang Wei."

"Men, seize the Jiangzhong Commandery Governor for me."

"Then capture all these officials as well."

"Let me investigate thoroughly: how can a petty Sishui County magistrate's disaster relief plan apply to the whole Jiangzhong Commandery?"

"There must be something fishy; anyone who took over this plan must be arrested within half an hour, and today outside the city we will try the case, delivering justice to all."

"If any are found guilty of embezzlement or perverting the law, they shall be beheaded on the spot as a warning to others."

Gu Jin Nian spoke.

He did not let Wang Wei's sacrifice become worthless.

The other side used Wang Wei as a pawn, putting himself in a dilemma.

Now, Wang Wei's death instantly shifts the situation.

Since the Jiangzhong Commandery officials wanted the people to think Wang Wei was corrupt, Gu Jin Nian simply accepted it.

Wang Wei is already dead.

And he hanged himself; even a hundred mouths couldn't explain it.

No one would dare use this matter to impeach themselves.

After all, Wang Wei's suicide, to ordinary people, why would an innocent man kill himself? He didn't even have the courage to face Gu Jin Nian. Even if rumors were spread or criticisms made, no flaw could be found.

Gu Jin Nian used this to purge the Jiangzhong Commandery officials.

"Lord."

"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding, there's a colossal mistake here."

Zhou Man kept lamenting.

But his mouth was blocked.

"All villagers and elders, the Lord is here to seek justice for you; hurry into the city, call everyone out, and watch the Lord adjudicate the case."

At that moment, Fang Jing Cheng's voice rang out, setting a rhythm that urged all the people to rush into the city and spread the news.

This was both leveraging momentum and consolidating prestige.

Thus.

For a full two hours.

As the army entered the mansion, with Fang Jing Cheng's help, many officials were pulled out directly.

Not only that, countless townsfolk gathered here; hearing that high officials from the court had arrived to deliver justice, the streets emptied of ten thousand people, and even as night fell, the people's enthusiasm could not be dampened.

Outside the city, an unknown multitude of people swarmed densely.

Gu Jin Nian and his party also arrived outside the city.

Zhou Man's group, originally there to welcome Gu Jin Nian, were now charged with collusion, bound with thick ropes, and taken to the city gate.

At the city gate, hundreds of officials trembled one by one.

"I ask only one question."

"Speak truthfully."

"I could grant you a chance to live."

Gu Jin Nian spoke calmly.

In the next moment, he asked directly.

"A mere county magistrate of Si Shui County, the disaster relief plan he drafted may seem simple, but it harbors many risks."

"You, as Da Xia officials, each well‑versed in the classics—could you possibly fail to see the risks within?"

"If each approval passes, is there any hidden flaw? If not, then you are all mediocrities, and execution is immediate."

"If there is a hidden flaw, name the culprit, and I will spare your lives."

Gu Jin Nian opened his mouth, noting that these people were merely small fish and shrimp.

His target was this group of high officials.

With those words spoken,

the officials each broke into a cold sweat on their foreheads, yet none dared to speak.

"Execute the kneeling men in front."

Gu Jin Nian spoke, his voice icy.

At once, the soldiers acted, forcibly pulling out about twenty officials kneeling in the front row.

"I speak, I speak, Lord, I speak."

"Lord, I speak, I speak."

Hearing this, they immediately began wailing, demanding to tell the truth.

"It's too late, execute."

Gu Jin Nian didn't even glance at them; he gave them a chance, which they refused.

In an instant, twenty heads hit the ground without any hesitation.

The onlooking townsfolk, however, were wildly excited, clapping and cheering, some even shouting hysterically.

As these heads fell to the ground,

the remaining people were utterly panicked, daring not utter a single word.

"Lord, it was the Lord of Liu Ping Prefecture who authorized my passage."

"Lord, it was the Lord of Ping Le Prefecture who authorized my passage."

"Lord, it was the Lord of Yi An Prefecture who gave me consent."

Voices rose one after another, and they were completely terrified.

They knew the policy paper was flawed, but with orders from above, they said nothing; such people are detestable.

Nevertheless, after receiving the answers, Gu Jin Nian was quite satisfied.

He turned his gaze toward the Lord of the Nineteen Prefectures.

"So indeed, officials protect each other."

"Bring them."

"Drag out the Lord of Jiangzhong Commandery and the Lords of the Nineteen Prefectures."

"Execute them for me."

Gu Jin Nian spoke in a cold voice.

These nineteen men.

He intends to execute them.

Otherwise keep them for the New Year?

They are the main culprits; their deaths matter not, as long as the majority of Jiangzhong Commandery officials remain, it will serve as a warning.

"Wuwuwu—"

The Lords of the Nineteen Prefectures struggled one by one, their mouths gagged; they never imagined that after coming out to see Gu Jin Nian, they'd be beheaded. They tried to speak, to beg for mercy, but Gu Jin Nian gave them no chance.

"Puff—puff—puff—puff."

At that moment, nineteen heads fell to the ground again.

This drew the townsfolk to clap and cheer even more.

Everyone's blood boiled with excitement.

If only ordinary officials were killed, they would have nothing to say.

All the Lords of the Nineteen Prefectures, their heads fell.

How could this not make them clap and cheer? How could it not stir them to frenzy? Lords, indeed.

These are officials they will never encounter in their lifetimes.

This feeling also filled countless townsfolk with admiration and trust toward Gu Jin Nian.

But Zhou Man, kneeling on the ground, stared wide‑eyed, unable to believe.

Could Gu Jin Nian be so ruthless?

Yet at that moment, Gu Jin Nian's voice continued to echo.

"I, the Lord, will not kill you."

"I keep you alive; first, you have great use, second, I want you to see with your own eyes how I set the crisis in Jiangzhong Commandery, and to see who stands behind you."

The transmission sounded.

It struck Zhou Man as if he were hit by lightning.

Gu Jin Nian saying this meant the scheme had already been uncovered by Gu Jin Nian.

And Wang Wei's death

is greatly connected to Gu Jin Nian.

(End of chapter)