Chapter 161: The public trial begins, Constable Zhao stubbornly refuses to confess

A muffled thud sounded.

Blood streamed from Duan Wu's forehead.

"General!" Several soldiers rushed forward to protect him.

Some of the remaining soldiers, unable to contain their anger, were about to draw their swords and charge into the crowd.

"Stop!" Duan Wu shouted, "No one is allowed to be rude to the civilians!"

The soldiers had pulled their swords halfway out; hearing the general's command, they could only halt abruptly, yet they did not retreat, continuing to stare fixedly at the massive crowd with eyes full of killing intent.

Seeing this, the civilians fled in fright; they had only been impulsive in the heat of the moment, and if they truly clashed with the military commander, they lacked the courage.

"Sheathe your swords and come back!" Duan Wu shouted.

"General!" a soldier said through gritted teeth, "These civilians are outrageously insolent! To dare be rude to you in public! We subordinates can't stand it!"

Half of Duan Wu's face was stained red with blood; he pushed aside the soldiers protecting him and strode to the edge of the platform, saying, "They are not troublemakers; they are just like the elders and folks from our own hometowns—they are Daxuan's toiling common folk… Don't forget the Fairy once told us that, as Daxuan's army, we must not only defend Daxuan but also protect the civilians!"

Hearing this, the soldiers silently sheathed their battle blades and retreated to the vicinity of the Trial Platform.

The civilians were all stunned.

They had lived half their lives, yet this was the first time they heard the military commander say the army's duty is to protect the civilians.

From ancient times to the present, looking across the world, whether Daxuan or other feudal states, soldiers have always been merely the great weapons kings use to seize territory and consolidate their realm; for this purpose, not to mention foreigners' civilians, even one's own civilians can be arbitrarily suppressed and exploited.

There is a saying: "When bandits pass through, it's like a comb; when soldiers pass through, it's like a rake."

Often, the troops didn't even treat civilians as human beings.

"Honored elders and folks," Duan Wu, looking at the astonished civilians, said sincerely, "I first apologize to you all here; that day at the County Office I violently drove you away, which was truly inexcusable. But it was unavoidable—I had to do it as an act to gather more evidence; please bear with me."

Duan Wu's attitude stirred up a storm of shock in the civilians' hearts.

First came a speech that overturned their understanding, and then… he actually apologized to them!

The military commander apologizing to the civilians?! And on top of that, the other party is a general!

Ordinary folk wouldn't even dare dream of such a thing!

Someone wore a dazed expression, turning his head toward the direction where the morning sun rose, wondering if today the sun truly rose from the west.

Others even slapped themselves and pinched their thighs, trying to figure out whether they were hallucinating or just hadn't woken up.

After all, this is simply too outrageous—unheard of, unseen.

"General Duan..." an elderly person trembled forward from the crowd, "Just for your words today, old me, I am convinced; I've seen too many soldiers, and eight or nine out of ten are no good, while one or two may retain a conscience, but it's utterly impossible for anyone to have General Duan's breadth of mind, capacity, and ideological realm."

"Please accept this old man's bow."

Having said that, he solemnly bowed down and kowtowed.

Moments later, the other civilians' gazes also changed, and they all dropped to their knees.

The crowd resembled a receding tide, wave after wave, and eventually, all the countless civilians of He Wan County were kowtowing to Duan Wu.

Tears instantly welled in Duan Wu's eyes; this was the first time he felt the sensation of earning the civilians' complete conviction.

"Everyone..." Duan Wu also dropped to his knees, clasped his fists, and proclaimed loudly, "Duan once again returns your salute! Duan guarantees that today's public trial will surely give you a satisfactory account, and will never betray your trust!"

Afterward, Duan Wu had the civilians rise, and only then did he himself get up.

"General Duan! General Duan!" the civilians shouted in unison, excitedly.

Xiao Qidi witnessed this scene, shock flashing in his eyes, then he lowered his head to look at Ning Jinli beside him and said softly, "Your teachings to him are truly effective—how did you come up with them?"

Ning Jinli laughed and said, "I don't need to think about it; in my world, that's just how it is—the relationship between soldiers and civilians is very good."

Xiao Qidi's pupils trembled as he asked, "In your era, were all the countries of the world like that?"

"No no no," Ning Jinli quickly shook her head, "Only our country is like this! Other countries, even if they wear the skin of modern armies, still retain the old ways deep down, and those foreigners' civilians fear their own militaries."

A faint smile curled Xiao Qidi's lips as he said, "In that case, it must be my counterpart in your world who laid this ideology for posterity."

Ning Jinli pursed her lips and smiled, "Don't go patting yourself on the back—your ideas, though ahead of their time, were still limited by the era; after you established the great unified dynasty, the following two thousand plus years indeed continued your rule. However, fostering deep bonds between military and civilians came about in our nation's modern era during the bloody invasions, when a supremely great person personally forged it."

Saying this, admiration shone in Ning Jinli's eyes.

Xiao Qidi's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze revealing a hint of jealousy, "A supremely great person? Do you like him very much?"

"Of course!" Ning Jinli exclaimed, eyebrows flying, "He is unparalleled in history—no one before or after him! Not only do I like, admire, and respect him, but people all over the world feel the same! Of course, the villains who oppress and exploit civilians will fear him, dread him, even denigrate him, but countless ordinary folk will forever stand beside him!"

"He's that formidable?" Xiao Qidi exclaimed in surprise.

Ning Jinli nodded vigorously, "He ended our nation's feudal era that had lasted over two thousand years; when our country fell into its darkest hour of internal and external troubles, he, together with the pioneers, led the civilians to rout the invaders, breaking through desperate situations countless times, preserving the Huaxia fire seed; he also forged our nation into a brand‑new modern state, laying the best foundation for future development—his greatness cannot be summed up in a few words."

"You mean, in your world, the feudal ruling system I established, which endured for over two thousand years, was ended by this person?" Xiao Qidi's eyes widened involuntarily, "In your view, who is greater—me or him?"

"Hehe," Ning Jinli replied without hesitation, "Certainly him."

Xiao Qidi's jealousy boiled over, and his unhappiness spilled from his eyes.

Ning Jinli laughed as she cupped his lowered handsome face, saying with a grin:

"You're certainly not lacking either, after all you're the ancestral emperor—you laid the foundation for the great unification of the Huaxia nation, and your contributions are undoubtedly unique worldwide. Let me tell you, even some modern nations in my world still haven't produced the idea that a nation must be unified, as they say, because they lack this very heritage in their bones, and their ancestors never had an emperor like you, the one-of-a-kind sovereign."

"In my world, if our nation lacked you, it would never have developed the unified mindset ingrained in the Huaxia people's bones and blood, nor would it have stood atop the world for most of the past two thousand years; and if later there had been no that great person, our nation would not have transformed and entered a new era, making it difficult to achieve the future goal of returning to its peak through revival."

"You, and the countless individuals throughout our nation's history, present, and future who have striven to contribute to Huaxia, are all great."

Xiao Qidi pondered for a moment, savoring these words, gazed into Ning Jinli's eyes, and asked, "So your feelings toward that supremely great person you spoke of… are merely sincere respect and admiration?"

Ning Jinli blinked slightly, then burst out laughing, "Little brother, after all this you've misunderstood and become jealous, huh?"

Xiao Qidi's cheeks flushed slightly, and he turned his head away, embarrassed.

Ning Jinli turned his face toward her and said softly, "Silly boy, in my personal heart you are forever the best, the one I… love most."

Light welled in Xiao Qidi's eyes, and he instinctively moved to lower his head and draw near.

Ning Jinli quickly blocked him, saying, "Stay calm, don't forget the occasion."

"Oh..." Xiao Qidi laughed while scratching his head.

He thought for a moment, then said quietly, "From now on, please tell me more about that great person; I want to thoroughly understand what kind of individual he is. Since he is so formidable, there must be much for me to learn."

"Young man, your awareness is high—good, good." Ning Jinli beamed with satisfaction, gripping his big hand, "It seems this world will become even more beyond my imagination in the future."

At this moment, on the Trial Platform, Duan Wu lightly tended to the wound on his temple and then sat behind the trial desk.

The soldiers beside him struck a bronze gong, signaling the townsfolk to be quiet.

Duan Wu ordered, "Bring up all the County Officers and Constables from the He Wan County Yamen!"

The townspeople all widened their eyes and looked up in anticipation.

Soon, more than two hundred people in prison garb were escorted by the soldiers onto the platform, kneeling in several rows.

The townsfolk exclaimed, "Wow, with the magistrate absent, every official in the County Office has truly been captured."

"Great, none of them should be spared!"

"These lackeys have never ceased to bully us before!"

"Right, not a single good one! All of them deserve death!"

Voices of curses rose from all sides.

Xiu Mei looked carefully, and her pupils suddenly contracted.

She saw Zhao.

The brute who destroyed her home, killed her mother‑in‑law, almost took her life, and abducted her daughter!

Xiu Mei's husband now also knows what happened at home, and when he saw Zhao, his face turned equally angry.

If not for their rational consideration of the bigger picture and belief that General Duan would render a satisfactory judgment, the couple would have rushed forward and torn Zhao to pieces alive!

Duan Wu began interrogating the County Office officials.

The mountain‑high pile of physical evidence was lifted up by the soldiers in wicker baskets, and the eyewitness testimony needed no mention—countless He Wan County townsfolk were present, any one of whom could testify.

Led by the Master, the officials and County Officers, along with most Captor Heads and Constables, quickly confessed, trembling on the ground.

Only Zhao and a few Constables remained silent.

Duan Wu struck the startling wooden board and asked, "Do you not plead guilty?"

The Constables' eyes were fearful; they lowered their heads and furtively glanced at Zhao.

Zhao, pondering, replied, "General, everything we have done was under the orders of the County Magistrate, not of our own volition. Why are the crimes of oppressing the townspeople being pinned on us?"

Duan Wu sneered, "Should this General still have to praise you for your loyal service?"

"I dare not," Duan Wu said calmly, "I am merely speaking the truth."

Duan Wu said blandly, "Aside from you few, everyone else has already admitted that over the years they have intensified the plundering of the people by exploiting tax‑silver schemes privately established by the magistrate, and with the magistrate neglecting official duties they have used their power to bully, arbitrarily accuse and punish the townsfolk. Isn't that the crime you ought to shoulder? Haven't you taken part?"

Zhao, with full confidence, said, "We indeed did not partake in those. I have never overstepped my authority; I only carry out the magistrate's orders. General, you can present the eyewitness and material evidence for cross‑examination."

Duan Wu flipped through the bamboo slips before him, saying as he read, "The Master reported that you repeatedly forced him to violate procedures and draft edicts; the Prison Warden also reported that you repeatedly ordered him, without a trial, to inflict private punishments on suspects."

Zhao lifted his head and said, "I say that all those were privately instructed by the magistrate, not done of my own volition. Even when I collected taxes and silver, I acted on orders; General, you should be able to see from the accounts and the townspeople's testimonies that I collected exactly what the magistrate told me, without lining my own pockets. The Constables under my command acted likewise!"

In these respects, he was largely correct; on the occasional occasions when he pocketed a share, he did so covertly, unlike other County Officers who were brazen and left no trace.

Moreover, he cleverly shifted any possibly excessive actions onto the magistrate's orders.

That is precisely why he felt confident.

"General," Zhao continued, "my subordinates and I have served the magistrate faithfully for years. If the General blames us for the magistrate's misdeeds, how can we plead guilty? Do you expect every official to disobey superior orders?"

"Your mouth is still quite tough," Duan Wu said with a playful sneer in his eyes, "Do you really think I haven't grasped your incriminating evidence?"

Zhao's heart suddenly fluttered with panic.

He could only think of the incident involving Xiu Mei's family.

But that matter is known only to heaven, earth, and the parties involved.

And Xiu Mei's mother‑in‑law is already dead.

That gravely ill husband is missing; he had only days left, and without Xiu Mei's care he would surely die, perhaps even his corpse vanished, possibly eaten by stray dogs, so it need not be dwelled upon.

As for Xiu Mei herself…

To date, even he has been unable to locate her; Duan Wu's group arrived only a few days ago and still cannot find her.

Thus, anxious as he was, after a quick contemplation he still felt he would not be exposed; his few subordinates, seeking to save their lives, would certainly keep silent.

In short, everything remains stable.

"I have not committed any crime, General, so where do your evidences come from?" Zhao retorted defiantly.

Duan Wu issued a command, "Bring Xiu Mei!"

Zhao and his few subordinates' faces instantly turned pale.

Xiu Mei?

They actually found Xiu Mei?!

Below the Trial Platform, Ning Jinli clasped Xiu Mei's hands and softly said, "Sister Xiu Mei, don't be afraid, and don't be nervous."

Xiu Mei's eyes reddened, "If that brute can be brought to justice, I fear nothing!"

She handed her daughter to her husband and resolutely walked out of the crowd.

Two soldiers descended and escorted her onto the Trial Platform.

"Civilian woman Xiu Mei, I salute… General Duan!" Xiu Mei, eyes brimming with tears, knelt heavily, "Please, General Duan, act on behalf of the civilian woman and execute these mad beasts!"