Chapter 114: Learn from the Past to Avoid Future Mistakes

Li Goudan trembled with his lips and said in a low voice, "Thank you, my lord Zhu Ge, for your kindness, but this subordinate knows he deserves punishment. This shameful matter has tarnished the face of my lord and the entire army. This subordinate deserves to die ten thousand deaths; even if my lord executes me on the spot, I will have no complaints."

He suddenly shouted in a loud voice, "Brother who was harmed, I do not know where you are! I hope you hear my words: I, Li Goudan, am not a man; I have shamed our soldiers and deserve the crime of being pierced by ten thousand arrows! Please forgive my sins!"

Having spoken, he bowed three loud head-knocks to the ground, then raised his head and said to Jiang Jiang Mingyu, "My lord, please strike."

After Li Goudan finished speaking, he lay down on the torture device, adopting a posture of waiting for death.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sneered coldly, "Since you know your guilt, you must receive punishment."

"Begin executing the punishment!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu's voice was cold and ruthless.

As the staff strikes heavily fell, Li Goudan's painful screams echoed through the parade ground.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood expressionless on the high platform looking down; the soldiers' murmurs around him gradually died down. Clang! Another staff strike fell. Li Goudan was already in unbearable pain, but Jiang Jiang Mingyu showed no sign of softening his hand. He must punish severely to uphold military law and make these people learn a lesson! Jiang Jiang Mingyu remained expressionless, yet secretly calculated in his eyes.

Zhu Ge Yu's intervention was within his expectations; next, he could use this opportunity to demonstrate benevolent governance and stabilize the army's morale.

Clang! The staff strikes heavily fell on Li Goudan once more; this blow seemed especially forceful, and Li Goudan was so painful he was nearly fainting.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu frowned slightly; perhaps his move this time was too heavy.

He must not beat the man to death, otherwise it would have the opposite effect.

As Li Goudan's screams rose higher and higher, signs of wavering appeared among the surrounding soldiers.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu secretly clenched his fists; the time was almost here.

Li Goudan was already severely injured, and waves of painful groans overflowed from his mouth.

Zhu Ge Yu could not bear to watch and knelt on the ground to plead for mercy once again.

People around also begged Jiang Jiang Mingyu in low, humble voices to spare Li Goudan.

But Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face was stiff; he did not move, like a cold stone statue.

He must enforce the law strictly and absolutely cannot be soft on matters of military discipline.

Even if this person would die because of it, he would not hesitate.

Clang! The staff strikes heavily fell again; Li Goudan was already on his last breath.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu took a deep breath, his face still showing no expression.

He understood the time had arrived; if he did not stop and act now, it would only have the opposite effect.

Just then, a loud plea suddenly rang out: "My lord, I beg you to show mercy!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyebrows jumped; he slowly turned his head.

He saw that the one kneeling and pleading was actually Tu Tu Kesiluo.

Even he had actually stood up to plead for mercy.

Looking at the already unbearable Li Goudan, the surrounding generals and soldiers finally could not help but kneel on the ground, crying out and begging Jiang Jiang Mingyu to show mercy.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face moved slightly; he turned his head away, avoiding everyone's gaze.

After a good while, he grunted, then spoke in a deep voice, "Stop!" The staff strikes heavily in his hand halted in mid-air.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face looked ugly, filled with regret and unwillingness.

He had softened his heart after all.

The soldiers looked at each other, finding it hard to believe that my lord was finally willing to show leniency.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu cleared his throat and said solemnly, "Li Goudan's sins deserved death ten thousand times over, but under everyone's pleas, this official will temporarily show mercy and suspend his punishment."

"But military law remains strict; once his injuries heal, he must still enter prison for reflection. This softness is also a return for everyone's loyalty."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu returned to that serious and calm appearance, but the soldiers' expressions had relaxed considerably. The scene had been extremely awkward, but finally began to improve.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing the crisis of today had passed.

But he must also guide the situation, shifting the morale completely onto the Other Xi Xia people...

Li Goudan was carried away for treatment; Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood in place with a gloomy face, his mind in a chaotic mess.

The people around thought he was finally willing to show leniency and spare Li Goudan.

But soon, Jiang Jiang Mingyu issued an order to imprison Li Goudan in solitary confinement for one month.

Everyone's faces changed; it turned out my lord still did not intend to spare Li Goudan.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu knew everyone had misunderstood him, but he had to do this.

After establishing authority, requires caution in handling matters to avoid shaking the army's morale. Jiang Jiang Mingyu spoke in a deep voice, "Showing leniency to Li Goudan is also to give everyone an explanation. But military orders are like mountains; those who break the law must ultimately be punished."

"One month of solitary confinement might be too heavy; this official can reduce it to half a month. But a reason must be given to uphold military discipline."

"Regarding today's matter, I hope everyone takes this lesson to heart. We face a powerful enemy; internally we must unite as one. Those who break laws and disrupt order must absolutely not be tolerated!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu spoke a few words with deep feeling, and everyone silently understood, no longer arguing.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, with a black face, stepped heavily out of the parade ground.

Behind him, the dense fifty-thousand-strong army silently watched his departing back, their eyes holding a bit more awe and distance.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu gritted his teeth fiercely; he knew the impression he had left in everyone's hearts had already changed.

But for Shang Mu, for this small city just starting out, he had no choice but to harden his heart.

He must punish Li Goudan severely to uphold military discipline, even if the price was being misunderstood and bearing a bad name.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu walked with long strides, his thoughts in his mind chaotic and scattered.

Although today's handling attracted some criticism, at least the city was defended, and the army's morale had calmed.

This was the most important thing.

But the impression he had in his subordinates' hearts was indeed difficult to restore.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu let out a long sigh, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

So be it; building Shang Mu and achieving great undertakings is itself a thorny path. For the greater good, sacrifice the small family.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu returned to the county yamen with heavy steps, sat down heavily, and leaned against the chair back as if drained of strength.

Zhu Ge Yu silently brewed tea for him, waiting for him to sort out his messy thoughts. After a long time, Jiang Jiang Mingyu let out a long breath and closed his eyes. Hovering in his mind were Li Goudan's screams, soldiers kneeling to plead, and his own cold and stubborn self.

He knew that the ruthless hand he had dealt Li Goudan today was destined to leave a mark of fear in his subordinates' hearts. But for those greater goals, he had no choice but to harden his heart.

Such days will be the thorny path he must travel on his official career.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sat in the chair for a while, reached out, took the tea from the table, and moistened his dry lips. "Thank you." He nodded to Zhu Ge Yu, his expression already restored to normal.

Zhu Ge Yu hesitated to speak, yet said nothing. Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled with understanding: "Regarding today's matter, you may speak your mind directly."

Zhu Ge Yu hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Master's decisive handling today leaves this disciple in awe. But the people's hearts change easily; I hope my lord will pay closer attention in the future."

Hearing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu fell silent. He understood Zhu Ge Yu's loyal advice and saw the hidden dangers his harsh approach today might bring.

"Thank you for the reminder. This master has his own considerations."

A cold wind blew past; Jiang Jiang Mingyu shivered and looked out the window—it was already dusk.

The turmoil of this day finally subsided, but Jiang Jiang Mingyu knew greater storms were still waiting for him.

He could not help but recall the scene of stepping onto this land several months ago.

Back then, he was full of ambition, determined to write a new chapter in this weak border town.

But the thorns and obstacles of reality far exceeded his imagination.

The chaotic, tangled situation sometimes left him flustered and scrambling.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled at himself in self-mockery.

In just a few months, he had already weathered too many storms, and his experience had gradually matured and steadied him.

What needs to be done now is to set sail and press forward with one burst of energy.

Since this path has been chosen, there will be no regrets; give it your all.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu rose, walked to the window, gazed into the distance, and a determined look flashed in his eyes.

Storms are coming; may this city stand firm. Thorns abound; may the heart remain broad.

The road ahead is long; may we walk it together.