Chapter 32: The Mighty Dragon Does Not Oppress the Local Snake

Jiang Jiang Mingyu had originally thought that the county magistrate, like other officials, would automatically kneel and bow upon seeing the Golden Token; but the situation not only defied his expectations, it became increasingly incomprehensible!

The Golden Token was bestowed by the Imperial Court; how could they disregard the Court's orders so blatantly?

Jiang Jiang Mingyu clenched his fists, his heart filled with a mixture of emotions.

Does this county magistrate have some powerful backing to dare show such contempt for the Imperial Court?

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at the two men, his expression growing even more gloomy.

He saw the county magistrate and the bandit leader holding the official document, whispering to each other for a long time, yet having no intention whatsoever of conducting an interrogation; what devilish trick were they trying to play?

Jiang Jiang Mingyu tried to rise and demand answers, but the moment he lifted his head, the militia guards beside him immediately pinned him down!

"This official holds a degree and is exempt from kneeling!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu roared, his hands digging desperately into the ground as he struggled to resist the militia's suppression and break free.

But those two militia guards seemed not to hear a word, utterly unmoved; they continued to press hard on Jiang Jiang Mingyu's shoulders and back, pinning him firmly to the cold bluestone pavement.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's hands went rigid, veins bulging as if he were about to crush the stone slab into fragments.

His fury burned fiercely, yet his body remained at their mercy, unable to move an inch.

The militia's strength was so great it seemed inhuman; he was completely subdued.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu was nearly exploding with rage; these beasts dared to show such contempt for the Imperial Court and even lay hands on him, which was utterly absurd! He shouted angrily, "If you dare act thus, the Imperial Court will surely impose severe punishment!"

Liu Liu Ershou, who had been discussing matters with Xia Duo, glanced at the three kneeling figures and felt that keeping them kneeling was no solution. So he ordered, "Guards, take them away for now; we will interrogate them tomorrow!"

Upon hearing "take them away," Tu Tu Kesiluo immediately objected! He shoved aside the militia pressing on his sides and shouted loudly, "Dare you detain us? I fear your rank is not even as high as mine!"

Hearing these words, Liu Liu Ershou's face instantly flushed red then turned pale.

This fellow truly took himself too seriously; Liu Liu Ershou trembled with anger, determined to make this young man, who knew neither heaven nor earth, understand his proper place.

Liu Liu Ershou, his face stern, issued a sharp command: "Guards, slap his face!"

A Yamen Runner stepped forward and delivered two resounding, powerful slaps right across Tu Tu Kesiluo's face!

Only the sound of "crack-crack" was heard; those two palm strikes were delivered with full force, ringing loudly against Tu Tu Kesiluo's face!

Those two slaps were so hard that even the Yamen Runner's own hands trembled with pain, as if his palms were about to catch fire.

Yet Tu Tu Kesiluo remained expressionless, showing not the slightest sensation!

He continued to stare straight ahead with an indifferent demeanor, as if those two resounding slaps had never happened at all.

Seeing this, Liu Liu Ershou was nearly exploding with rage; this fellow truly had a stubborn mouth, the harder he was struck, the happier he seemed!

His fury filled his chest, making him want to devour Tu Tu Kesiluo alive.

He immediately commanded again: "Again!"

Once more came the sounds of "crack-crack"; the Yamen Runner struck with relentless force, as if trying to knock Tu Tu Kesiluo's head clean off.

But Tu Tu Kesiluo still showed no expression, remaining utterly unmoved, as if he felt no pain whatsoever.

Liu Liu Ershou's head felt like it was about to explode; this man truly accepted neither soft nor hard treatment, and no matter what, they could not harm him! Those few slaps just now had been delivered with full force; a normal person would have been beaten half to death by now.

Yet this Tu Tu Kesiluo felt absolutely nothing, stubbornly maintaining an unyielding posture; it was simply infuriating!

"Enough, enough, take them away."

Since they had already arrived, there must be a conclusion. Although those few slaps had not made Tu Tu Kesiluo submit, they at least vented some anger, providing slight relief.

Liu Liu Ershou helplessly waved his hand, ordering the Yamen Runners to drag the three away.

Those Yamen Runners, having witnessed the scene just now, felt an unprecedented shock in their hearts.

They had never seen anyone withstand such heavy blows without showing the slightest reaction; what background could this Tu Tu Kesiluo possibly have to be so inhuman?

Those Yamen Runners exchanged uneasy glances, secretly terrified in their hearts, and hurried forward to escort the three away.

Liu Liu Ershou watched the three being led away, his heart filled with both anger and helplessness.

After the three were taken away, Liu Liu Ershou continued to discuss with Xia Duo how to verify the authenticity of their identities; the most urgent matter was to find someone capable of interpreting the contents of this Golden Token and this official document.

"We can ask Mr. Wu's students to help us read the letter!" General Xia Duo suggested.

"Foolish!" Liu Liu Ershou said, slightly embarrassed: "Having a child read a letter for this official, would it not make everyone know... that I, this County Assistant, am illiterate!"

As soon as Liu Liu Ershou said this, he immediately felt his face grow hot.

To let outsiders know he was illiterate was, by any measure, uncomfortable.

Although he could not read, as a County Assistant, he must maintain some dignity.

If even such a small matter as reading a letter required someone else's help, would it not be utterly shameful?

"Oh my... Second Uncle..." Xia Duo said helplessly: "Your inability to read is hardly a great secret; who in the county does not know..."

"Stop, stop, stop, stop..." Liu Liu Ershou hurriedly interrupted Xia Duo's words, then said: "Let the people of the county be; I simply do not wish... to be laughed at by outsiders!"

Liu Liu Ershou's face flushed red then turned pale again, his heart filled with extreme agitation.

He knew his own weakness and understood that for an official, this was truly shameful.

But asking someone to read a letter for him would be displaying his ignorance to the whole world, would it not?

How could this be tolerated!

Liu Liu Ershou irritably scratched his head and let out a long sigh. He truly could think of no better solution; this memorial and the Golden Token must be examined, yet he was at a loss, causing him great distress.

General Xia Duo, seeing Liu Liu Ershou's worried expression, also understood his difficulty.

He comforted him: "Second Uncle need not worry too much; is there any problem that cannot be solved? Let us think slowly; it is better than letting outsiders know. Second Uncle has been an official for so many years; if you cannot handle such a small matter, then that would truly be a laughingstock!"

Just as the two were at a complete loss, Liu Liu Ershou noticed the braid tied at the back of Xia Duo's head and suddenly remembered something.

Liu Liu Ershou: "I heard... that at the foot of the western slope of Snowball Mountain, in the Yin Si Tribe, there is a Zhuangyuan who returned home to observe mourning; is this true?"

Xia Duo: "Oh... I remember now; there is indeed such a person; his name is 'Lord Murong Murong Yunhai', the Zhuangyuan of four years ago!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Liu Ershou's furrowed brows relaxed.

If they could find the Zhuangyuan of that year, interpreting the official document and the Golden Token would be perfect.

A Zhuangyuan must possess superior knowledge and talent, surely capable of handling such a thorny problem appropriately.

This idea is too brilliant; it is as if heaven itself aids me!

Liu Liu Ershou: "Do you know him?"

Xia Duo shook his head and replied, "I do not know him."

Hearing that Xia Duo did not know the Zhuangyuan, Liu Liu Ershou's brows, which had just relaxed, furrowed again.

Xia Duo usually meddles in other people's business and wants to know everything; how could he possibly not know the Zhuangyuan of the Yin Si Department? This is too strange!

Liu Liu Ershou: "Then how do you know this person exists? You even know his surname and given name!"

Xia Duo: "There are people from the Yin Si Department in our militia too; I heard it from them."

Liu Liu Ershou's eyes lit up; he was simply overjoyed! So he heard about this Zhuangyuan from others. Fortunately, Xia Duo usually listens and asks a lot; otherwise, I wouldn't have had this idea. If we can find the Zhuangyuan and solve this thorny problem before us, that would be wonderful!

So Liu Liu Ershou said excitedly, "Excellent, it is truly heaven aiding me! Tomorrow morning, rise early; you shall accompany this official to the Yin Si Department to invite the Zhuangyuan. He will surely solve this thorny problem before us!"

Early the next morning, just as the sky began to brighten, Liu Liu Ershou prepared several boxes of gifts including silver, cloth, and medicinal herbs, and, accompanied by Xia Duo and a squad of militia, arrived at the Yin Si Department in great style.

In the gift boxes brought from home, exquisite silver ingots filled one after another fine brocade pouches, shimmering with light; several bolts of superior cloisonné fabric, with vibrant colors and a delicate texture; and precious medicinal herbs transported from the Western Regions, including unprocessed angelica, ginseng, and white mint ointment, all emitting a rich fragrance.

In addition, there was new tea transported from the South, said to be the finest Biluochun; the tea leaves were emerald green and dripping with freshness, their fragrance overwhelming.

Looking at these gifts, Liu Liu Ershou felt a touch of pride in his heart.

These were all fine items he had carefully gathered from various places; although they were not grand gifts or vast wealth, they were sufficient to express his sincerity.

He believed this Zhuangyuan gentleman would surely like them; even a picky Zhuangyuan would find it hard to pick out a single flaw.

Looking at the gifts on the carriage, Liu Liu Ershou eagerly imagined the Zhuangyuan gentleman's delighted expression upon seeing these gifts, certain he would enthusiastically agree to help solve this thorny problem before them.

With the assistance of "Niru Ejen (Tribal Chief) - Yasheng Ling," Liu Liu Ershou and his party quickly found Lord Murong Murong Yunhai.

Seeing the Zhuangyuan gentleman dressed in a scholarly and refined manner, Liu Liu Ershou was simply overjoyed. This man indeed looked distinguished and capable; he must be able to handle difficulties like the Golden Token and official documents.

Liu Liu Ershou hurriedly dismounted to salute and repeatedly begged the Zhuangyuan gentleman to accept the gifts he had brought as a token of his sincerity.

He said impatiently, "This official has an urgent matter to request; I beg the Zhuangyuan gentleman to lend a helping hand. Without the Zhuangyuan gentleman, this official truly has no other recourse."

Seeing Liu Liu Ershou's sincerity, Lord Murong Murong Yunhai found it hard to refuse and could only accept his gifts.

Seeing the Zhuangyuan gentleman agree to help, Liu Liu Ershou was so happy he nearly jumped for joy; he immediately explained the matter concerning the Golden Token and the official documents, requesting the Zhuangyuan gentleman's assistance.

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai followed Liu Liu Ershou and his party to the Shangmu County Yamen, where Liu Liu Ershou immediately presented the evidence for his inspection.

The moment Lord Murong Murong Yunhai saw the Golden Token, his heart instantly tightened!

This was clearly a token exclusively bestowed by the Emperor in the palace for use by Imperial Commissioners; how could it appear here? Lord Murong Murong Yunhai's hand holding the token trembled slightly, and his face turned extremely pale. He knew that if the Imperial Commissioner had truly arrived, this would be a major trouble!

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai took a deep breath, trying to calm down and examine the token carefully.

The pure gold surface of the token shimmered with a cold light; the back was engraved with the four characters "Made by the Silver Bureau," proving this could not belong to an ordinary person.

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai's heart sank further; he could not help but worry that if he offended the Imperial Commissioner, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Afterwards, Lord Murong Murong Yunhai took the official document and was immediately drawn to the large characters "Jiang Jiang Mingyu" on it. Looking at these two familiar characters, Lord Murong Murong Yunhai nearly collapsed; he hurriedly shouted, "Quick... quickly bring the person here!"

He knew Lord Jiang; if he truly offended Lord Jiang, this would indeed be a major trouble!

Liu Liu Ershou, who did not understand, asked anxiously, "What? Is it truly the Imperial Commissioner?"

"I know this Lord Jiang..." Lord Murong Murong Yunhai said incoherently in his anxiety, "Hurry and bring the person here; whether he is the Imperial Commissioner or not, I will know at a glance!"

Not long after, the Yamen Runners brought Jiang Jiang Mingyu and the other two from the prison to Daogongtang.

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai recognized Jiang Jiang Mingyu at a glance; he immediately urged Liu Liu Ershou to quickly untie him! He also rushed forward, supporting Jiang Jiang Mingyu's arm, his face full of apology and concern, and asked with a reluctant heart, "Lord Jiang Jiang Mingyu, you have suffered! Quick... quick, come over here and sit."

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai supported Jiang Jiang Mingyu, intending to lead him to a chair on the side for the trial.

But after walking only two steps, Jiang Jiang Mingyu turned around, walked directly into the county magistrate's desk, grabbed the gavel, and slammed it down hard! With a "Pa!" sound, Jiang Jiang Mingyu pointed at Liu Liu Ershou and Xia Duo and shouted, "Men, seize them for me!"

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai stood stunned in place for a long while before coming to his senses. What is Lord Jiang trying to do?

The Yamen Runners on both sides were all bewildered, looking left and right; no one dared to make a move.

They still did not fully understand why the County Magistrate and General Xia Duo were trembling with fear.

And the prisoner just escorted out of the prison had actually occupied the magistrate's desk and was issuing orders with arrogant defiance!

Seeing the Yamen Runners below exchanging glances but making no move, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt extremely angry in his heart.

Do these Yamen Runners who eat the public grain not even take the Emperor's orders seriously?

Jiang Jiang Mingyu slightly waved his sleeve, then picked up the Golden Token from the desk himself and said with righteous indignation, "I am a Fifth-Rank Imperial Commissioner, sent by imperial decree to investigate this case. If you do not obey my order, seize the corrupt official and the corrupt ringleader!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's expression was severe, and the momentum in his tone was absolutely irresistible.

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai looked at him, his heart filled with a mixture of complex emotions.

Fortunately, I discovered this in time; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable!

After Jiang Jiang Mingyu finished speaking, another long while passed before the Yamen Runners on both sides, who stood like wooden chickens, slowly began to move; they slowly and gently pressed Liu Liu Ershou and Xia Duo down to kneel on the ground.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, whose anger had been pent up all night, transformed it into official authority and questioned, "Who is below the hall? State your names!"

"Th-th-this humble official... is the Shangmu County Vice-Magistrate... Liu, Liu, Liu Liu Ershou." Liu Liu Ershou, terrified into stuttering, spoke haltingly.

"I am the Shangmu County Militia Commander, Xia Duo of the Buli clan, single name: Ang." General Xia Duo said defiantly.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu placed both hands on the magistrate's desk, looking down at the two kneeling on the ground.

He was so angry his whole body trembled; he simply wanted to tear these two beasts apart.

"Liu Liu Ershou, you are illiterate, yet you dare to wear a monkey's cap, showing contempt for the court!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes were fierce; pointing at Liu Liu Ershou, he issued a stern order.

"Men, strip off his official robes and administer twenty strokes of the cane!"

Upon finishing his words, the Yamen Runners on both sides were all dumbfounded; no one dared to make a rash move.

They truly did not know what this Lord in front of them intended to do, daring to scold the head of Shangmu County so sternly; seeing Liu Liu Ershou and Xia Duo restrained on the ground, they did not know whether to step forward or not.

On the magistrate's desk, on the right side, sat a tally tube containing four wooden tallies inscribed with Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding; Jiang Jiang Mingyu, in his rage, grabbed all four tallies and threw them onto the ground before the desk! Then he shouted, "Lord Tuke, administer the punishment!"

"Received!" Tu Tu Kesiluo picked up the Vajra Mace, walked behind Liu Liu Ershou, and raised the mace to strike; at the same time, Lord Murong Murong Yunhai shouted, "Wait!"

Seeing the Vajra Mace raised by Tu Tu Kesiluo, Lord Murong Murong Yunhai's heart tightened.

The power of the Vajra Mace was evident; Lord Murong Murong Yunhai knew that if this Vajra Mace struck, Liu Liu Ershou would likely be dead after just two blows!

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai saw Liu Liu Ershou's face filled with terror, and since he himself had accepted the man's gift, he could not bear to let him lose his life in the courtroom.

He quickly urged, "The Imperial Envoy's order... is for twenty strokes of the cane. It should be the 'deterrence stick,' not a weapon!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo glanced sideways at Lord Murong Murong Yunhai, his tone unfriendly: "What difference does it make?"

He had no interest in such tedious laws; as long as the lesson was taught, the method did not matter.

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai signaled Tu Tu Kesiluo to hold back and not strike the killing blow immediately, then took three steps in two, returning to the official desk to consult with Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai said, "A strong dragon does not suppress a local snake, Lord Jiang."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu replied, "This official is here to eliminate harm for the people!"

"You are new here, unfamiliar with the people and places. Do not offend the local figures!"

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai pointed at the two men kneeling below the hall and spoke with deep sincerity.

"Twenty strokes of the board, just to make a point and establish official authority, is enough. Spare them this time; perhaps... when you move about the locality later, you will need their help."

Hearing Lord Murong Murong Yunhai's explanation, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's expression softened slightly.

With Lord Murong Murong Yunhai's reminder, Jiang Jiang Mingyu quickly realized that upon his first arrival, he indeed could not act rashly or offend people at will, and he found the words reasonable.

Besides, these two "thief officials and thief leaders," though they had offended him, would likely be relied upon to truly govern this place.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu snorted, suppressed his anger, and his attitude was no longer so stubborn; he treated it as a mercy shown for today.

Next, Lord Murong Murong Yunhai approached Liu Liu Ershou and whispered, "Old County Assistant, the Imperial Envoy striking you twenty times counts as a mercy outside the law! According to the Great Feng laws, you cannot read yet wore official robes to hear cases... that your head is still on your neck is already due to your ancestors' accumulated virtue!"

Seeing this, Liu Liu Ershou broke out in a cold sweat and understood that his life had been spared today solely because Lord Murong Murong Yunhai had intervened to save him.

He immediately kowtowed to Jiang Jiang Mingyu to apologize, speaking with flattery: "The Imperial Envoy sees clearly even the finest details; this subordinate truly deserves punishment."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu glanced coldly at Liu Liu Ershou and said in a bad mood, "Today I spare your dog life only because this official has just arrived and it is inconvenient to act rashly; furthermore, I must accommodate the local people, relying entirely on Murong Yunhai's face. If it were anyone else, you would have long become a wronged soul!"

As Jiang Jiang Mingyu spoke these words, a hint of helplessness emerged in his tone.

Liu Liu Ershou nodded repeatedly, knowing in his heart that today was truly a stroke of luck.

He recalled that he had just befriended Lord Murong Murong Yunhai this morning; he never expected the situation to turn so quickly and his small life to be saved; truly, Heaven itself was helping him.

Seeing Liu Liu Ershou's face full of understanding, Jiang Jiang Mingyu did not probe deeper.

Although he himself had just arrived in the locality, he was not a rash person; he must accommodate the local people to win their hearts.

Although his attitude toward Liu Liu Ershou today was poor, it did give the locals a warning, letting them know he was not someone to be bullied.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu snorted and said, "The death penalty is waived, but the living punishment cannot be escaped. Your dog life is spared. Guards, strike him twenty times!"