Chapter 70: Failing to Steal a Chicken and Losing a Bowl of Rice

Hearing these words, Wang Zhe frowned deeply and asked seriously, "My lord Jiang, what exactly is the truth of this matter?"

Before Jiang Jiang Mingyu could even answer, Huang Huang Chaoran cut in, "Regional Military Commissioner, isn't this obvious?"

"He, an imperial envoy relying on the Emperor's grace, has been here for only a few short days and yet treats human lives so carelessly. Who gave you the right?"

"Killing commoners without cause—does the Regional Military Commissioner intend to let this go? He is simply trampling on the laws of the Great Feng Kingdom!"

"I suppose you thought Shangmu County was too poor, with no silver to be skimmed, so you set your sights on my father-in-law's family."

"When my father-in-law refused to comply, he deliberately found an excuse and struck a ruthless blow."

"Afterward, he even sold my father-in-law's mansion. That is the evidence! Where did the silver he took go? Speak up!"

"If you dare utter a single false word, not only will the Regional Military Commissioner not spare you, but I too will make you see what it means for the law of the realm to stand as firm as a mountain!"

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

Huang Huang Chaoran flew into a rage, his face turning crimson: "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, how dare you! Regional Military Commissioner, do not listen to his nonsense!"

"My father-in-law's family, though merely local gentry in Shangmu County, enjoyed widespread prestige throughout the Yasmo Regional Military Commissionerate. Whenever famine struck, they would reduce rents for tenant farmers and distribute porridge to the poor."

"Even when foreign tribes invaded, my father-in-law risked his life, spending money and manpower to build city walls and defend Shangmu County."

"To speak bluntly, without the merits of my father-in-law's family, Shangmu County would likely have fallen long ago!"

"Such a great benefactor was unjustly imprisoned by this villain Jiang Jiang Mingyu and died miserably on a desolate mountain!"

"Jiang Jiang Mingyu, what more do you have to defend yourself with?"

Huang Huang Chaoran trembled with anger, just one step away from lunging forward to strangle Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu watched Huang Huang Chaoran's face contorted by agitation with cold eyes, silently cursing in his heart that this fat man had an incredibly thick skin.

He spoke in a deep voice: "Huang Changshi, well said. I truly did not expect that the villain He He Dachuan would be portrayed as a great benefactor in your mouth."

"Are you about to claim that without the He family, the entire Great Feng Kingdom would have changed its surname? Such nonsense is something I simply cannot agree with."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu spoke word by word, his tone laced with sarcasm. He understood that to stabilize the situation, he could not let Huang Huang Chaoran succeed.

Huang Huang Chaoran still wore an expression of fury: "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, stop beating around the bush. How exactly did my two father-in-laws die?"

"Which law did they break for you to arrogantly throw them into prison?"

"And who gave you the audacity to sentence my two father-in-laws to hard labor on the desolate mountain, leading to their violent deaths there?"

Having finished speaking, Huang Huang Chaoran switched to a pitiful expression and pleaded with a mournful voice to Wang Zhe: "Regional Military Commissioner, my father-in-law was truly wronged."

"They lived their lives obeying the law and paying taxes every year, yet suffered such misfortune. It is chilling to the heart."

"Please, Regional Military Commissioner, bring this murderer to justice and uphold righteousness for the good people!"

Seeing Huang Huang Chaoran's tearful and emotional display, Wang Zhe's frown deepened further: "My lord Jiang, it is your turn to speak clearly."

"I state this upfront: if you truly committed murder and arson, even if you were personally appointed by the Emperor, I will not show any mercy."

Seeing that Wang Zhe was still hesitating, Huang Huang Chaoran could no longer hold back: "Regional Military Commissioner, what is there left to ask? Jiang Jiang Mingyu committed murder and arson with irrefutable evidence. Imprison and execute him immediately!"

"Do you really believe he will confess honestly? That is simply a joke!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly: "Regional Military Commissioner, it seems Huang Changshi still has more to say. Let him finish first. Once he has vented his anger, I will explain the circumstances to you. We can take our time."

Huang Huang Chaoran, already furious, now exploded with rage: "Regional Military Commissioner, look at his attitude!"

Wang Zhe, his face dark, glared at him with intense annoyance and roared in a low voice: "Shut up!"

Seeing Huang Huang Chaoran shrink his neck, Wang Zhe finally let out a long breath: "My lord Jiang, speak."

Huang Huang Chaoran stared coldly at Jiang Jiang Mingyu, thinking, Let's see what else you can say.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly and spoke calmly: "Indeed, He He Dachuan and his son were arrested by my own hand. I was the one who sent them to the Green Dragon Bandit Camp to mine coal, and they did indeed die there, beaten to death by people."

Huang Huang Chaoran's eyes widened: "My lord, he has confessed himself. Why not seize him immediately!"

Seeing Wang Zhe's face darken once more, Huang Huang Chaoran fell silent again, like a quail.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sneered: "Let us speak of He He Dachuan first. This man evaded taxes in Shangmu County for many years. The account books are all here and can be verified."

"Not only that, but for just a few carts of coal, he brought people to threaten me, saying that if I did not give him the coal, he would invite foreign tribes into the city to eliminate me."

"Lord Lord Murong and Lord Tu witnessed this matter, and the remaining gentry can also testify."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu recounted the events in full detail, while Huang Huang Chaoran's face grew increasingly grim.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled inwardly. Do you think I am someone easily trifled with? I was prepared long ago.

Huang Huang Chaoran finally could not hold back and spoke: "What yamen runners and gentry? Their testimonies all depend on your favor, don't they?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sneered: "If the two of you do not believe me, you may send someone to Shangmu County to investigate. If I utter even half a false word, I, this official, will pay with my life for He He Dachuan."

"On the other hand, if everything I say is true, what will you, Changshi, do then?"

"I came by imperial decree. The face of His Majesty is not something anyone can trample upon."

Huang Huang Chaoran's face froze, and he said stiffly: "Even so, my father-in-law's words were merely a joke. Is that not a crime unworthy of death?"

Cold light shot from Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes as he said: "A joke? Changshi is truly humorous."

"Must we wait until foreign tribes slaughter their way into Shangmu County to see if He He Dachuan's so-called joke comes true?"

"Must we wait until my head hangs on the city gate before you are satisfied?"

"By the way, there is also your scoundrel brother-in-law, He He Muchen, who not only forcibly snatched a commoner's daughter in the street but also laid hands on me."

"Even worse, He He Dachuan intended to sell that woman to a brothel for money. The steward He Shang can testify to this."

"I witnessed these matters with my own eyes. How could they be fabricated?"

"These are the good people and great benefactors Changshi speaks of? Distributing porridge? That is sheer nonsense!"

"Let alone the coal-mining laborers beating them to death; even turning them into minced meat would be justified."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's tone was calm, yet his words were extremely lethal.

He had originally thought he held the moral high ground and could leave Jiang Jiang Mingyu speechless. Little did he know that Jiang Jiang Mingyu was not only eloquent but had evidence to back up his claims beforehand.

This completely threw Huang Huang Chaoran off his game.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu spoke calmly: "As for the silver obtained from selling the mansion, I have already used it to build the city walls. The accounts are perfectly clear."

"My lord Inspector, the matters I speak of are well-founded; their truth or falsehood will become clear. I trust you can judge cases with divine insight."

Seeing Huang Huang Chaoran's face turn black with anger yet still refusing to yield, Jiang Jiang Mingyu rolled his eyes: "Prefect Huang, let me advise you: this concerns the most sensitive issue in Great Feng—foreigners. You would do well to speak less on the matter."

"If I were to submit a memorial to Your Majesty explaining the full circumstances, you, as a relative of He He Dachuan, would likely not escape being implicated."

"Once the Imperial Wrath descends and nine generations are wiped out, regret will come too late."

"If Prefect Huang remains unconvinced, by all means submit a memorial to Your Majesty and request that His Majesty himself uphold justice. How does that sound?"

"Of course, if you still feel unsatisfied, I would not mind accompanying you to Jingcheng so we can have a proper discussion."

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

He realized he had committed a grave offense; if Jiang Jiang Mingyu reported this matter to the imperial court, both he and his entire family would be unable to escape disaster.

Huang Huang Chaoran's heart was filled with a mixture of emotions: regret for rashly accusing Jiang Jiang Mingyu, and fear that Jiang Jiang Mingyu would indeed seize this opportunity to destroy him.

Sweat slowly trickled down his plump cheeks; he forced himself to appear calm and managed to squeeze out a smile.

"Lord Jiang is joking. I had no intention of offending; I hope you will forgive me. The matter of He He Dachuan indeed appears suspicious, and it was highly improper for me to draw conclusions on my own."

"I merely wished to clarify the circumstances and had no intention of making things difficult. It seems He He Dachuan and his son truly deserved death."

"Lord Jiang handles affairs with sharpness and decisiveness, eliminating harm for the people. You are truly a model official; I admire you, I admire you."

Huang Huang Chaoran stammered as he bowed to Wang Zhe: "My lord Inspector, this humble official has urgent matters to attend to; I take my leave."

Huang Huang Chaoran bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly. He hurried to the door, fearing Jiang Jiang Mingyu might change his mind and detain him for questioning.

The moment he pushed the door open, Huang Huang Chaoran felt a great weight lifted and strode away.

He ran all the way home, thinking he must find a way to resolve this crisis and prevent Jiang Jiang Mingyu from seizing any leverage against him.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sneered as he watched Huang Huang Chaoran's hasty, fleeing figure depart.

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the door: "Master, I'm back!"