Chapter 70: The Chicken That Got Away, and the Rice That Was Lost

Hearing this, Wang Zhe furrowed his brow deeply and asked solemnly: "Lord Jiang, what exactly happened?"

Before Jiang Mingyu could answer, Huang Chaoran cut in: "Inspector, isn't it obvious?"

"He, a royal envoy relying on imperial favor, has been here only a few days—and already he treats human lives as grass! Who gave you this right?"

"Will you, Inspector, simply stand by while innocent civilians are murdered without cause? He is trampling the laws of Da Feng!"

"I believe you saw Shangmu County as poor and profitless, so you turned your eyes on my father-in-law’s family."

"When my father-in-law refused to comply, he deliberately fabricated an excuse and struck hard."

"Then he sold my father-in-law’s house—that’s proof! Where did the silver go? Tell me!"

"If you utter even a single lie, not only will the Inspector punish him, but I will make you understand what the law truly means!"

Jiang Mingyu smiled coolly: "The deaths of He Dachuan and his son were deserved."

Huang Chaoran flew into a rage, his face flushed red: "Jiang Mingyu, how dare you! Inspector, do not listen to his nonsense!"

"My father-in-law’s family, though gentry of Shangmu County, enjoyed great prestige across Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner’s domain. In every famine, they reduced rents and taxes for tenant farmers and distributed porridge to the destitute."

"Even when foreign tribes invaded, my father-in-law risked his life to fund and labor on the city walls to defend Shangmu County."

"To speak plainly, without my father-in-law’s family, Shangmu County would have fallen long ago!"

"Such a great benefactor has been unjustly imprisoned and cruelly killed on a desolate hill by Jiang Mingyu!"

"Jiang Mingyu, what do you have to say for yourself?"

Huang Chaoran trembled with rage, barely restraining himself from lunging to strangle Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Mingyu watched Huang Chaoran’s contorted face with cold eyes, silently thinking the fat man had the nerve of a wall.

He spoke in a low tone: "Longshi Huang, you speak well. I never imagined the villain He Dachuan could be turned into a benefactor in your mouth."

"Are you about to claim that without the He family, the entire Da Feng Empire would change its surname? I cannot accept such nonsense."

Jiang Mingyu spoke slowly, each word laced with sarcasm. He knew he must hold his ground—cannot let Huang Chaoran prevail.

Huang Chaoran still glared in fury: "Jiang Mingyu, stop dodging! How exactly did my father-in-law and his son die?"

"What law did they break to warrant your brazen arrest?"

"And who gave you the audacity to sentence them to forced labor on the desolate hills, leading to their violent deaths?"

After speaking, Huang Chaoran switched to a pitiful expression and pleaded with Wang Zhe: "Inspector, my father-in-law was truly wronged."

"They lived their lives law-abiding, paying taxes every year—yet met such a fate. It breaks the heart."

"I beg the Inspector to bring this murderer to justice and restore righteousness for the good people!"

Watching Huang Chaoran’s tearful performance, Wang Zhe’s brow tightened further: "Lord Jiang, it is your turn to explain clearly."

"I warn you beforehand: if you truly committed murder and arson, even as an imperial appointee, I will not spare you."

Seeing Wang Zhe still hesitating, Huang Chaoran could no longer contain himself: "Inspector, what more is there to ask? Jiang Mingyu murdered and burned—evidence is clear! Lock him up and execute him at once!"

"Do you truly believe he will confess honestly? That’s a joke!"

Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly: "Inspector, it seems Longshi Huang still has more to say. Let him finish first. When he has vented his anger, I will explain the full truth to you—we have all the time in the world."

Huang Chaoran, already furious, exploded: "Inspector, look at his attitude!"

Wang Zhe’s face darkened; he shot Huang Chaoran a furious glare and growled: "Shut up!"

Seeing Huang Chaoran shrink back, Wang Zhe exhaled slowly: "Lord Jiang, speak."

Huang Chaoran stared coldly at Jiang Mingyu, thinking: Let’s see what you can possibly say now.

Jiang Mingyu smiled calmly and spoke slowly: "Indeed, I personally arrested He Dachuan and his son. I myself sent them to Qinglong Village to mine coal. And yes, they died there—beaten to death by laborers."

Huang Chaoran’s eyes widened: "Your Excellency, he just confessed! Arrest him at once!"

Seeing Wang Zhe’s face darken again, Huang Chaoran fell silent, cowed like a quail.

Jiang Mingyu sneered: "Let us begin with He Dachuan. He evaded taxes in Shangmu County for years—records exist and can be verified."

"Moreover, he came to threaten me with a few carts of coal, saying that if I didn’t give him coal, he would invite foreign tribes into the city to kill me."

"This was witnessed by Lord Murong and Lord Tu, and other local gentry can attest."

Jiang Mingyu recounted everything in detail; Huang Chaoran’s face grew darker by the second.

Jiang Mingyu smiled inwardly: You think I’m an easy target? I’ve been prepared.

Huang Chaoran finally couldn’t hold back: "What do the constables and gentry matter? Their words all depend on your favor!"

Jiang Mingyu sneered: "If you doubt me, send men to Shangmu County to investigate. If I speak even one falsehood, I will give my life for He Dachuan."

"But if all I’ve said is true, what then, Longshi?"

"I came here by imperial decree. The Emperor’s dignity is not for anyone to trample."

Huang Chaoran’s face stiffened; he muttered hollowly: "Even so, my father-in-law’s words were merely jests—surely not deserving death?"

Jiang Mingyu’s eyes flashed coldly: "Jest? Longshi, you have a peculiar sense of humor."

"Must foreign tribes actually storm Shangmu County before you realize whether his ‘jest’ was real?"

"Must my head be hung on the city gate before you’re satisfied?"

"And then there’s your worthless brother-in-law, He Muchen—he publicly kidnapped a woman and struck me."

"Worse still, He Dachuan planned to sell her to a brothel for silver—his steward He Shang can confirm."

"I witnessed these acts with my own eyes—how could I fabricate them?"

"Is this the ‘good citizen’ and ‘great benefactor’ you speak of? Distributing porridge? Pure nonsense!"

"Even if the coal laborers beat them to pulp, it would still be justified."

Jiang Mingyu’s tone was calm, but his words cut like blades.

He had believed his position was unassailable, that he could silence Jiang Mingyu. But Jiang Mingyu not only spoke eloquently—his claims were backed by evidence.

Huang Chaoran was completely thrown off balance.

Jiang Mingyu spoke slowly: "As for the silver from the sale of the house, I used it to repair the city walls—accounts are clear and recorded."

"Inspector, every word I’ve spoken is grounded in fact. The truth will reveal itself. I trust you can judge with wisdom."

Seeing Huang Chaoran’s face black with fury but still defiant, Jiang Mingyu raised an eyebrow: "Longshi Huang, I advise you: regarding the most sensitive matter of Da Feng—the foreign tribes—say less."

"If I submit a memorial to the Emperor detailing this, your kinship to He Dachuan may not spare you."

"When imperial wrath descends, even nine clans will be wiped out—it will be too late to regret."

"If Longshi Huang still disagrees, you may petition the Emperor himself to seek justice—how does that sound?"

"Of course, if you still crave more, I have no objection to accompanying you to the capital—we can settle this properly."

Hearing Jiang Mingyu’s warning, Huang Chaoran felt a chill run down his spine.

He realized he had made a grave mistake—if Jiang Mingyu reported this to court, his entire family would be doomed.

Huang Chaoran’s heart churned with regret for accusing Jiang Mingyu so rashly, and fear that Jiang Mingyu held real leverage to destroy him.

Sweat trickled slowly down his fat cheeks; he forced a stiff smile.

"Lord Jiang jests—I meant no offense, I beg your pardon. The matter of He Dachuan does seem suspicious; I erred in jumping to conclusions."

"I merely wished to understand the truth, with no ill intent. Clearly, He Dachuan and his son deserved death."

"Lord Jiang acts with wisdom and decisiveness, ridding the people of harm—a true model of governance. I am deeply impressed."

Huang Chaoran stammered as he bowed to Wang Zhe: "Inspector, I have urgent matters to attend to—I take my leave."

Huang Chaoran bowed, his voice trembling. He hurried to the door, terrified Jiang Mingyu might change his mind and detain him.

As he pushed open the door, Huang Chaoran felt immense relief and strode out quickly.

He ran home, thinking he must find a way to defuse this crisis—cannot let Jiang Mingyu seize any advantage.

Jiang Mingyu watched Huang Chaoran’s hasty retreat with a cold smile.

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside: "Master, I’m back!"