Chapter 46: The He Family

Jiang Mingyu dealt with the five local gentry, but felt no joy in his heart.

He called Wu Xiao and said, “Come with me for a walk.”

The two strolled down the street, and Jiang Mingyu asked casually, “How’s the coal mine doing lately?”

Wu Xiao smiled and said, “Your Excellency, rest assured—Lord Murong and Lord Tu are overseeing everything closely; all is well. Many poor families now use coal, and the streets have become much livelier.”

Indeed, Jiang Mingyu looked up and saw many passersby with joyful expressions.

“Brother, you look in good spirits.”

“Thanks to Your Excellency’s coal deliveries, our home is finally warm!”

“Yes, my wife and children are much more energetic now—you’re truly a virtuous official to us!”

“...”

Wu Xiao chuckled, “Your Excellency, did you hear that? The common folk are praising you.”

Jiang Mingyu gazed into the distance: “The people are easily satisfied—just enough to eat and wear is enough. But I must make them prosperous and resolve external threats—that is the true path.”

As a local, Wu Xiao was naturally delighted; his face beamed as he eagerly said, “Your Excellency, when do we start selling coal?”

Seeing he had something to say, Jiang Mingyu smiled warmly and said, “I was thinking the same—do you have any suggestions, Xiao Er?”

“To sell coal effectively, Your Excellency will need to go in person.”

Wu Xiao’s eyes sparkled with excitement: “Longteng County has nearly a hundred thousand registered households, and more importantly, its population is thriving and wealth flows freely. But since it’s the Emperor’s hometown, they can’t cut trees for firewood—they must import fuel from afar. Our coal is far warmer than firewood; it’s the perfect commodity for Longteng!”

He glanced furtively left and right, then crouched low and whispered, “My fortune-teller said this winter will be colder than any before—it’s the perfect time to sell coal! Your Excellency, don’t you agree?”

“If you can establish a connection with Longteng County, how could our coal possibly fail to sell?”

Jiang Mingyu burst into laughter and clapped Wu Xiao on the back warmly: “Excellent! Xiao Er, your suggestion solves my urgent problem—I’ve been worrying about sales!”

Wu Xiao proudly scratched his head and added, “By the way, Your Excellency, Lord Murong has ordered Lord Tu to train some laborers in martial arts to build up reserve strength against external threats. He said if we’d done this earlier, we wouldn’t have suffered such a crushing defeat. What do you think of the idea?”

Jiang Mingyu’s eyes lit up: “Brilliant idea! Not only the laborers—you and Gou Dan must train hard too. I’ll need you soon!”

Upon hearing they’d have to train in martial arts, Wu Xiao’s face clouded with confusion.

At that moment, an elderly man with white hair approached, smiling: “Isn’t this our Imperial Commissioner? You’re the savior of our poor folk!”

The old man called out loudly, “Quick, fellow villagers—kneel before His Excellency!”

At his shout, the townspeople gathered and knelt together before Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Mingyu hurriedly helped them up; as a man from the modern world, he found such reverence unbearable.

After the crowd dispersed, Jiang Mingyu’s spirits lifted, and the anger he’d felt toward He Dachuan melted away.

As Jiang Mingyu hummed a tune and continued strolling with Wu Xiao, a shrill cry suddenly pierced the air.

A woman, panicked, struggled and cried, “Let go! What are you doing?”

Jiang Mingyu looked up and immediately flew into a rage.

A young woman, plain-clad but beautiful, was surrounded by several men who spat vile words at her.

“Little miss, come with us—our young master wants you; it’s your lucky fate!”

“Oh? Playing innocent? Come along now—soon you’ll be enjoying yourself, hehe?”

“...”

As the men lunged again, the terrified woman’s voice cracked with tears: “No, don’t come any closer!”

“Ah... what are you doing? Let go...”

“It’s broad daylight—don’t you fear the authorities?”

Hearing this, the man dressed as a young nobleman outside the crowd burst into laughter.

He stood under six feet tall, his body a mass of greasy fat, resembling a sentient, bloated water jar.

Beneath broom-like eyebrows were slanted eyes, a bulbous nose, thick lips, and a black mole the size of a copper coin beside his mouth.

A tuft of black hair grew from it.

He stared fixedly at the woman’s chest, stepped forward, and used his fat fingers to hook her chin: “Authorities? You don’t even know who I am?”

“Do you know I’m He Muchen, son of He Dachuan? Even the authorities must respect my father!”

“Little sister, come with me—I’ll make you eat well, drink fine, and buy beautiful clothes!”

“If you refuse my favor, one word from me and your whole family will be thrown into prison.”

“Afraid? Then come back with me to the bridal chamber—ah... you dare bite me...”

As he grabbed her arm, intending to drag her off for pleasure, the woman, enraged by his lewdness, bit down hard on his hand.

“Sss!” He Muchen roared in pain, his face twisting with malice; he swung his arm and delivered a brutal slap across her round cheek.

“You ungrateful wretch—just wait and see how I’ll teach you a lesson!”

He sneered coldly: “You bit me? Once I’ve had my fill of you, I’ll give you to my men! Just wait—I’ll make you suffer!”

His greasy face wore a cruel grin—he’d truly been provoked by her bite.

His retainers, like wolves scenting meat, leered greedily and viciously, ready to strike the woman.

The woman’s wheat-colored face swelled instantly from the slap.

She stumbled backward, clutching her hot, swollen cheek, her body trembling uncontrollably.

“Stop!” Jiang Mingyu’s command rang through the entire street.

He Muchen’s liver-colored face darkened; he glared at Jiang Mingyu: “Who the hell are you to dare defy me?” As Jiang Mingyu and Wu Xiao strode forward, Jiang’s brows tightened with suppressed fury: “Snatching a virtuous woman in broad daylight—how dare you act so brazenly? Do you have no regard for the law?!”

He Muchen’s fat cheeks quivered; his eyes flashed with cruelty: “Law? It doesn’t exist before me! Who are you to interfere in my affairs?”

Jiang Mingyu sneered: “Release the girl, or you’ll regret it.”

“Interfere?” He Muchen flushed crimson, his narrow eyes bulging with rage: “In Shangmu, no one dares meddle in my business!”

“You little brat—I admire your guts. I’ll give you a chance to live.”

“Break both your legs and crawl out of Shangmu—or crawl under my crotch. Choose one.”

He Muchen, resembling a bloated pig, radiated foul energy, poised to erupt.

Seeing Jiang Mingyu remain silent, he sneered, his slanted eyes glaring: “You worthless dog—what are you waiting for? Get crawling now!”

“If you delay me from enjoying myself, I’ll cripple you.”