Chapter 113: The Guilt Cannot Be Escaped

Jiang Mingyu frowned at the sketch in his hand for a long while, then froze when Tukesiluo spoke.

“What do you mean, what to do? What happened?” He looked up, bewildered, his face full of confusion.

The city defense camp’s affairs were too important to him—he could not afford the slightest mistake.

Tukesiluo’s face was dark as night; he kicked the crouching Li Goudan, who curled up like a gecko on the ground, shouting: “Let him speak for himself!”

Jiang Mingyu’s expression darkened further, but he forced down his anger, forcing out each word: “What exactly happened? And what’s wrong with the city defense camp?”

Li Goudan winced from the kick, hunched on the ground with a servile grin, stammering: “My lord, this matter is your fault.”

Jiang Mingyu panicked at those words, grabbed Li Goudan by the collar and yanked him up, eyes bulging: “If you say another word, I’ll cut you to pieces! Spill it now!”

Li Goudan’s legs went weak with fear; he trembled as he spoke: “My lord, after the Liu Tianyu incident, I couldn’t resist falling back into my old habit—I laid hands on the soldiers in the city defense camp...”

“Fuck!” Jiang Mingyu exploded instantly—he kicked Li Goudan over and grabbed his own hair, screaming: “I took you in thinking you were talent, but you’re worse than an animal!”

He choked back the rest of his words, took several deep breaths, swallowed his rage, and lowered his voice: “Do you even know what you’ve done?”

“How long has the army been formed? And you dare act like this in front of and behind everyone’s backs!”

“Where’s my face? Where’s Shang Mu’s future? You pig!”

Li Goudan’s legs buckled under the fear; he knelt trembling, mumbling: “My lord, please calm down—I know I’m wrong...”

Jiang Mingyu sized him up from head to toe, his face twisted with rage: “Know your mistake? You know your mistake? If not for all these witnesses, I’d have torn you apart already!”

He kicked Li Goudan’s leg hard, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Li Goudan yelped in pain, groaning “Ow! Ow!”—Jiang Mingyu finally snorted coldly, turned, and walked away.

Jiang Mingyu paced back and forth in the room, his mind churning violently, thoughts colliding until he felt ready to explode.

He clenched his fists, nails digging deep into his palms, eyes bloodshot, teeth gritted—only one thought burned in his heart: no matter the cost, he must teach Li Goudan a lesson—break his dog legs!

Jiang Mingyu slammed his fist onto the table—*thud!*—the teacups on it trembled.

“Damn it! So damn it!” He rubbed his throbbing temples, his jaws trembling: “These fifty thousand troops took me years to build—if I mishandle this now, the whole army will scatter. Whether we live or die doesn’t matter—my past efforts will be wasted!”

The more he thought, the angrier he grew, his vision darkening.

No one understood what fifty thousand troops meant to him better than he did.

They were his last hope to survive in Shang Mu’s fertile land, his only path to fulfilling his lifelong dream.

If he failed, his position at court would be exposed—he’d have no footing left, forced into retirement, gazing helplessly at the sea.

Jiang Mingyu paced the room, struggling to calm his turbulent emotions.

He knew the most important thing now was to stay calm—if he lost control, things would only worsen.

He took a deep breath and forced himself to analyze the situation rationally.

He must find a way to minimize the incident’s impact and preserve the army’s strength.

He must also punish Li Goudan—no matter what—otherwise complacency would set in.

Finally, he must explain this sudden incident to the Emperor and protect his standing at court.

Jiang Mingyu slammed his fist onto the table again—*thud!*—the teacups rattled.

His brows knotted, eyes blazing, face flushed with fury.

“Damn it! So damn it!” He gasped for air, fighting to contain his rage.

Li Goudan’s actions were a public humiliation—he could not bear it.

If not for the crowd, he would have torn Li Goudan apart right then.

Jiang Mingyu rubbed his temples hard; a cold voice echoed in his mind: Teach that beast a lesson—break his dog legs!

But another voice stopped him instantly: Calm down. Right now, you need calm above all.

The bigger picture matters. Don’t let a moment of rage cost you everything.

Jiang Mingyu took a deep breath, forcing his churning emotions to settle.

Indeed, the most urgent task now was stabilizing troop morale—otherwise the consequences would be catastrophic.

Perhaps he could use this incident to build authority within the army—but the handling must be precise, turning disaster into opportunity.

Jiang Mingyu paced the room repeatedly, finally forming a rough plan.

A cold smirk curled his lips; his eyes regained their sharpness.

Perhaps he could use this incident to punish Li Goudan—and simultaneously rebuild his own authority in the army.

If handled well, he might turn decay into brilliance.

Jiang Mingyu strode into the city defense camp with a blackened face, his expression as dark as storm clouds blotting out the sky.

The gate guards stared sideways, eyes strange, whispering among themselves.

“What’s going on? Why did the lord bring back that beast?”

“Does a scumbag like this even deserve to stay in the army? It’s disgusting!”

Jiang Mingyu heard their whispers—his fury surged, and he wanted to tear them all apart.

But he forced down his anger, scanned the crowd coldly, then strode toward the training ground.

Li Goudan hunched his shoulders, head bowed, his face nearly dragging on the ground.

What made Jiang Mingyu even more speechless was Zhuge Yu standing in the camp, his expression unreadable—as if saying: I never thought my master had such a talented subordinate.

Jiang Mingyu’s face darkened; he offered no explanation: “Issue orders—assemble the entire army on the training ground. I have words to speak.”

About half an hour later, the fifty thousand troops stood in perfect formation, each face filled with confusion.

Jiang Mingyu stood on the raised platform, his face like frost; he waved coldly: “Tukesiluo, bring that beast up.”

Immediately, Li Goudan, bound tightly, was dragged onto the platform before all eyes.

Jiang Mingyu’s face was stern: “Brothers, you all know what this beast has done—I won’t speak of it again.”

“Though I temporarily command this army, this incident is still my failure in discipline. I don’t know who the victim is, but I must give you all an answer.”

“Yes, Li Goudan has served with me a long time—but that doesn’t excuse his crimes.”

He glared at the kneeling Li Goudan: “Do you admit your guilt?”

Li Goudan trembled: “I admit guilt—I admit it!”

Jiang Mingyu nodded coldly: “Since you admit guilt, Tukesiluo—according to Da Feng law, how should this man be punished?”

Tukesiluo sneered: “Unprecedented case—your judgment, my lord.”

Jiang Mingyu paused, then declared: “Charge him with lewd conduct! As a yamen runner, he knowingly broke the law—he deserves triple punishment. Here and now, beat him ninety lashes, then imprison him for one month!”

The soldiers murmured—some excited, others showing pity.

Jiang Mingyu’s face remained expressionless, but inside he smiled: Punish one severely as a warning—then show mercy at the right moment to stabilize morale, and make these fifty thousand lions fight for me!

Jiang Mingyu turned and asked coldly: “Li Goudan, do you accept my judgment?”

Li Goudan nodded silently, not daring to make a sound.

Jiang Mingyu spoke icy: “Since you accept it, then—hit him hard!”

Just as the executioners raised their heavy cudgels, someone shouted: “Stop!”

Jiang Mingyu whirled around—Zhuge Yu rushed over, face anxious.

Jiang Mingyu frowned: “I’m handling urgent matters. Why interrupt?”

Zhuge Yu bowed quickly: “Master, this matter is grave—please hear me out.”

Jiang Mingyu paused, then said calmly: “Speak.”

Zhuge Yu looked at the kneeling Li Goudan: “I saw everything today. Li Goudan’s actions are indeed shameful—your punishment is justified. But he has confessed and repented, and this is his first offense—please show leniency.”

He gazed earnestly at Jiang Mingyu, neck bowed like a bamboo stalk.

Jiang Mingyu thought—since meeting Zhuge Yu, he had never pleaded so seriously before.

Seeing Zhuge Yu plead, the fifty thousand soldiers erupted in murmurs, voices rising.

“Who is this guy to beg for mercy? After doing something so vile, how dare he stay in the army?”

“The lord’s punishment is fair—if you spare him, I quit!”

“Let’s go, brothers—staying with this beast, who knows when we’ll be next?”

“...”

Jiang Mingyu listened to the soldiers’ rising voices—his heart felt pierced by knives.

He realized troop morale had been severely damaged—he must act decisively to restore it.

Jiang Mingyu slowly turned, eyes blazing at Zhuge Yu: “Zhuge Yu, you heard them. If such a lewd beast had dishonored you, what would you think?”

Zhuge Yu froze, unsure how to answer.

Jiang Mingyu continued: “I’m not defending my own honor—I must give the soldiers justice. Tolerating this behavior isn’t mercy—it’s letting discipline collapse!”

Here, Jiang Mingyu clenched his fists, his voice thick with anger: “Remember—they came here not to be humiliated, but to defend their homeland! I will not let them lose their dignity or honor!”

Jiang Mingyu took a deep breath and declared firmly: “Strike him hard! This upholds military law—and respects every soldier!”

The executioners raised their cudgels again—Zhuge Yu dropped to one knee, pleading: “Master, ninety lashes will kill him—please spare him!”

Jiang Mingyu’s face was stone: “Even if he dies, it’s his own doing—I will show no mercy!”

At that moment, the kneeling Li Goudan suddenly spoke...