Chapter 1101: First Volume_Chapter 1101: Chen Huo Yi Zhi Sha

First Volume_Chapter 1101: Chen Huo Yi Zhi Sha

Logically, Liu Yunchun, having been beaten so badly by the Yamen Runners, should harbor extreme hatred toward Ma Fangyuan.

But the result was precisely the opposite; Liu Yunchun glanced at Ma Fangyuan and revealed no strong negative emotion.

She answered truthfully.

"It was the Wang Family who arrested us and brought us to the County Yamen; County Magistrate Ma, under the Wang Family's instructions, sentenced us and ordered our temporary detention…"

"Then the Yamen Runners took us outside the city, saying they wanted to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys, so everyone would know the consequences of offending the Wang Family."

Liu Yunchun's testimony fully corroborated that Ma Fangyuan was merely a puppet coerced by the Great Clan.

Even the Yamen Runners looked to the Wang Family as their master and ignored Ma Fangyuan's orders entirely.

Whether it was Ma Fangyuan or anyone else appointed to govern Ming County, the outcome would be no better.

After all, the entire County Yamen had long been hollowed out by the Wang Family.

To change Ming County's current state, the root problem lies not in Ma Fangyuan, but in the Wang Family and the County Yamen itself.

Now that the Wang Family has fallen, only one question remains.

Qin Feng pointed at Sun Yi: "You, come here."

Sun Yi swallowed hard; though he didn't know why Qin Feng wanted him, given Qin Feng's status and power, taking his life required only a word—no need for lengthy explanations.

Sun Yi dared not hesitate and hurried forward.

"My Lord Qin, what are your orders?"

Qin Feng didn't waste words: "How many Yamen Runners are there in the County Yamen?"

Facing Qin Feng's question, Sun Yi dared not hesitate—he answered fully and without concealment.

"My Lord, the County Yamen has seventy-nine registered Yamen Runners."

"There are another fifty or so unregistered ones."

Hearing Sun Yi's answer, Qin Feng nodded lightly.

This boy was still honest enough.

Ming County isn't large, but it's wealthy; seventy-nine Yamen Runners is a reasonable number.

Yamen Runners are inherently "temporary workers," and those unregistered are temporary workers among temporary workers.

But given the Wang Family's overwhelming power, these unregistered Yamen Runners are far more likely to be the Wang Family's private enforcers.

"Go and summon every Yamen Runner in the County Yamen—registered or not. If even one is missing, I'll hold you responsible."

Feeling the aura of authority radiating from Qin Feng, Sun Yi's back chilled, and he turned and ran out.

Less than one incense stick time later, all the Yamen Runners arrived—139 in total, nearly filling the entire County Yamen.

Qin Feng didn't waste words: "Let the people identify any Yamen Runner who, in daily life, aided the Wang Family and oppressed the populace—drag them all out."

"To avoid wrongful accusations, only those accused by more than ten people simultaneously will be counted."

In the past, the people here would never dare step forward.

But today, with Qin Feng standing up for them, they felt as if in a dream—pouring into the County Yamen courtyard, pointing and cursing the Yamen Runners before them, their faces ashen and trembling.

"You damned bastard, look at you now—HeavenlyDao's retribution is finally here!"

"It was this very man who, on the Wang Family's orders, broke my father's leg!"

"And him—he's a loyal hound of the Wang Family; who knows how many wicked deeds he's committed?"

"My Lord Qin, please deliver justice for us!"

Soon, over a hundred of the 139 Yamen Runners were identified by the people, leaving only ten-plus trembling in place.

These weren't good men—they simply hadn't yet entered the Yamen to commit crimes, or like Sun Yi, were "clever" enough to stay hidden behind others, reaping the benefits without risk.

One hundred twenty-one knelt on the ground, shaking.

The people erupted in joy—this day they had longed for had finally come!

The crowd, fists clenched or eyes blazing, waited for Qin Feng to deliver justice.

Zhao Yuxiong spoke gravely: "Brother Qin, these beasts who prey on the innocent and exploit the people—executing them outright would be no miscarriage of justice."

"Letting them live means they'll regroup and continue tormenting the people."

Qin Feng nodded; Zhao Yuxiong's words held merit.

But executing so many in one strike would implicate too many—Qin Feng was no tyrant.

He studied the Yamen Runners, weighed his options, and ultimately decided to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys.

"Select ten Yamen Runners guilty of the gravest crimes."

The people argued fiercely, each hoping their personal enemy would be punished.

This was precisely what Qin Feng feared—if the people became mere vessels of vengeance, any judgment he rendered would lack fairness.

The people's desire for revenge was pure, but as the one holding life and death, Qin Feng must maintain balance.

One does not meddle in affairs beyond one's station—this was a practical reality Qin Feng had to consider.

After heated debate, nearly half a Envoy passed before ten "representatives" were reluctantly selected—including the Yamen Runner who had assaulted the Liu Sisters.

Under the expectant gaze of all, Qin Feng waved his hand: "Execute them all."

Though cries and pleas rose around the scene, the people's cheers were louder.

The Black Riders raised their blades—ten heads fell in succession.

The remaining Yamen Runners, though spared, turned pale with terror; some even lost control of their bowels on the spot.

Qin Feng wanted exactly this effect—if these Yamen Runners didn't deeply understand fear,

then after Qin Feng left Ming County, even without the Wang Family's backing, they'd still regroup through old ties and dominate the region again.

Moreover, having lived in Ming County so long, they'd amassed considerable personal gains.

Their strength far exceeded that of ordinary people; united, this force could even defy the County Magistrate.

Since we're cleaning up Ming County, we must do it thoroughly.

"Don't harbor any illusions—anyone exposed by the Common People will escape Death Penalty, but will not escape punishment."

"Lock them all up in the Prison!"

Aside from the new recruits and the seasoned veterans, all Yamen Runners involved in wrongdoing shall be arrested and imprisoned.

The cries of the Common People were deafening.

"Lord Qin is truly a just magistrate, our savior as Common People."

"More than a savior—he's our second parents."

"That's right. Without Lord Qin coming to defend us, we'd all still be living under the Wang Family's oppression—our homes destroyed and families shattered was only a matter of time."

"Long live Lord Qin!"