Chapter 49: One Kneel, One Perfect Hit: The Zhuangyuan Punishes Evil and Upholds Justice

Jiang Mingyu, who had remained silent until now, spoke slowly and coldly: “Mayor He of Shangmu County—truly an honor, truly an honor.”

His tone was flippant, yet each word pierced He Dachuan’s heart.

“You’ve even planned out my next life—how thoughtful of you.”

Upon hearing this, He Dachuan trembled violently, his legs going weak; he nearly collapsed. He finally recognized the voice—the very Jiang my lord who had scolded him mercilessly an hour ago.

He never imagined Jiang Mingyu, who should have been sitting in the county office, would appear here.

Worse still, his lawless son had somehow provoked Jiang Mingyu, this calamity incarnate.

Isn’t this like the Old Immortal eating arsenic—he’s tired of living?

Jiang Mingyu turned slowly, a cold sneer on his lips, his gaze sharp as blades, brimming with utter contempt. He Dachuan’s blood reversed course; it felt as if all strength had been drained from his body. Like a rag doll, his legs buckled and he crashed to his knees.

He realized—he had just spoken like a man seeking death!

He Muchen, still being carried, heard this and looked utterly bewildered: “Father, what are you doing?”

He complained loudly: “Quickly order them to kill these bastards—I’m waiting to go back to that little bitch. Why did you stop?”

Enraged and humiliated, He Dachuan rose and slapped his son’s chubby face hard several times, roaring: “Worthless fool, shut your mouth!”

Seeing He Muchen finally silent, He Dachuan knelt again before Jiang Mingyu and pleaded: “My lord, please calm down—my son is just a foolish brat. I beg you, show mercy and spare us!”

Jiang Mingyu, hands behind his back, spoke calmly: “Mayor He, didn’t you just boast about waiting for foreign invaders to sack the city and watch the county folk die in heaps?”

Jiang Mingyu spoke calmly: “Mayor He, kneeling like this—where’s the Weifeng of Shangmu County’s top man? Your earlier aggression was far more enjoyable to watch.”

He sneered: “I’m new here—might even pay you a personal visit someday. I hope you’ll be generous with your guidance.”

Jiang Mingyu mocked: “Shall I kneel down too and kowtow to you? To you, the ironclad lord, the true boss of Shangmu County?”

He Dachuan, tears streaming down his face, begged desperately: “My lord, please calm down—I dare not presume to instruct you! It’s my son’s stupidity. I beg you, spare him this once!”

Saying this, he cautiously bowed his head again to Jiang Mingyu in apology.

Jiang Mingyu’s brow furrowed, his voice instantly hard as iron: “You think you’re dignified, do you?”

His eyes, sharp as knives, swept over He Dachuan’s face, making him feel as if plunged into an icy abyss.

He let out a cold laugh, then shifted tone.

“A father who evades taxes raises a son who rapes innocent women—your He family’s upbringing has truly opened my eyes!”

Jiang Mingyu’s eyes blazed with icy light, his sense of justice surging: “Had I not witnessed it myself, this poor woman would already have been violated by your pig of a son!”

He paused, then raised a finger, his force like a mountain: “Your son got a few bruises and you’re beside yourself with grief. So your son is human, but other men’s daughters deserve to be abused by you?”

Even with the north wind howling, He Dachuan was drenched in sweat, his forehead to his spine soaked through.

He was terrified, unable to meet Jiang Mingyu’s gaze.

From every word Jiang Mingyu spoke, he sensed overwhelming murderous intent; his heart froze, his body trembled, and he nearly fainted.

He thought of how his son had not only kidnapped a common girl but also dared to strike Jiang Mingyu.

Kneeling on the ground, He Dachuan trembled, wishing he could strangle this beast of a son right now—but it was too late.

Helpless, He Dachuan instantly shifted from arrogant bully to groveling servant, pounding his head against the ground, bowing low, dripping with flattery: “Your Excellency, you are magnanimous—generals can ride horses on their arms, chancellors can sail ships in their bellies. We truly deserve death. I beg you, think carefully, show mercy, and spare us!”

Jiang Mingyu sneered: “I’m just an outsider—I’m not worthy of such praise from you, Mayor He.”

He kept bowing, feigning tearful gratitude: “My lord, you’re too modest.”

“Not to speak of distant matters—within just days of your arrival, you solved the city’s most critical heating problem, achieving a feat of earth-shattering magnitude. You are truly a living sage who benefits the land! I’ve never seen such a wise and mighty talent—you are heaven-sent, our savior!”

“In my humble opinion, even if foreign invaders come, they won’t stand a chance against you.”

He even wiped tears, clasping his hands together in awe: “You are the great benefactor of Shangmu County’s people! The words ‘Blue Sky Magistrate’ were made for you!”

He Dachuan, with skin thicker than armor, continued shamelessly: “What ancient chancellor could compare to you? You’re a god reborn—beyond the reach of mortals, the supreme enlightened one!”

At this life-or-death moment, he hurled every flattering word he could think of at Jiang Mingyu, as if they cost nothing.

To his shock, Jiang Mingyu’s face remained expressionless, only sneering: “Keep going?”

He Dachuan immediately sensed the mockery and fell silent, begging: “My lord, calm down—I dare not speak further. I beg you, spare my son and me this once!”

“I swear, when I return home, I’ll pay every single overdue tax—never again will I delay!”

But Jiang Mingyu ignored him entirely, still calm. He pursed his lips and spoke leisurely: “You’re done. Now it’s my turn to speak.”

Jiang Mingyu, hands behind his back, spoke calmly but with weight: “As a subject of the Great Feng Empire, paying taxes is your duty—not leverage to bargain with me.”

He frowned: “And your beast of a son not only insulted me but terrified this poor girl.”

Jiang Mingyu waved his hand, speaking earnestly: “I couldn’t care less how he behaved before. But now that I’m stationed here, I will no longer tolerate your oppression of the innocent.”

Finally, he pressed his temples, sighing: “Enough talk. Let’s focus on solving the problem at hand.” Seeing Jiang Mingyu might spare him, He Dachuan relaxed completely—the terror and agony of moments ago vanished; he felt his soul, which had nearly floated away, return to his body.

He knew the county office was bankrupt. Without hesitation, he blurted out: “I’ll pay full compensation to this girl—whatever the cost, as long as it calms your anger and hers!”

Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly, composed: “Since Mayor He is so generous, I won’t refuse.”

He frowned slightly, feigning deep thought, then said slowly: “This girl suffered severe shock—she won’t be able to work for at least ten days. Let’s say five hundred taels of silver total—compensation for mental distress and lost wages. What do you say?”

Hearing “five hundred taels,” He Dachuan’s face turned ashen; his head rang like a bell, and he froze: “This...”

But Jiang Mingyu smiled sweetly: “If you refuse, no problem—Tuke Sulu, take these two back to the office and punish them according to law.”

Tuke Sulu’s face turned cold as he advanced toward the He father and son. He Dachuan broke into a cold sweat and cried out: “I’ll pay! Five hundred taels—I’ll pay!”

Jiang Mingyu nodded in satisfaction, adopting a humble, courteous posture: “Good. Now, regarding their insult to me...”

He Dachuan, still aching from the loss, broke into fresh sweat: “This... my lord, name your price!”

Jiang Mingyu’s lips curled slightly, feigning reluctance: “I am the emperor’s appointed envoy—I’m no petty thief.”

He pretended to ponder deeply, then said: “Forget it—just give five thousand taels. A token gesture. Don’t give too much—I couldn’t possibly accept such a heavy favor.”

The forced smile on He Dachuan’s face froze; his lips twitched as he squeezed out a grotesque grin: “My lord, you jest—you’re pleased, that’s all that matters.”

Jiang Mingyu smiled contentedly: “Mayor He, so thoughtful—I’m pleased. It’s settled.”

Then his smile faded, his voice turning icy: “Remember—control your son. If this happens again, I won’t spare you.”

Jiang Mingyu waved his hand: “Xiao Er, go with Mayor He to collect the silver—hurry back. I’ll wait for you at the office.”

He turned to the woman: “Miss, come with me back to the office and wait.”

Finally, he said to He Dachuan: “Mayor He, let’s have tea another day. Goodbye!”

Jiang Mingyu ignored the complex expressions on the He father and son’s faces and walked away.

Just as the three turned the corner, Liao Goudan’s anxious voice called out: “My lord, something terrible has happened!”