Chapter 996: First Volume_Chapter 996 Combining Kindness and Authority

First Volume_Chapter 996 Combining Kindness and Authority

Ning Hu was quick-tempered and about to shout a challenge when Liu Ming jabbed him in the back; he turned to find Liu Ming winking at him, and only then realized Qin Feng was not being soft-hearted—he had already made his arrangements.

Old Man Zhou knelt on the ground, weeping with gratitude, bowing his head repeatedly to Qin Feng in thanks.

"Lord Qin, your great kindness, this humble old man will never forget."

"From now on in Changshui County, if you speak but one word, even if it's a mountain of knives or sea of fire, the Zhou family will not hesitate."

"Didn't I say so? Lord Qin is peerlessly benevolent and righteous—there is no one in the world as good as Lord Qin."

Hearing Old Man Zhou's flattery, Qin Feng felt nothing inside; after today's events, he would never again entrust the Zhou family with responsibility.

Fortunately, Ning Hu discovered it early—this brawl remained confined to the Zhou and Wang families alone.

If other clans also harbored resentment, small-scale brawls could spark large-scale unrest, and the consequences would be unimaginable.

For such latent sources of instability, swift and decisive action was necessary—no room for negotiation.

Zhou Dasheng and others had already been punished, and Old Man Zhou would face severe penalties, but the rest of the Zhou family, though suspected of aiding Zhu Zhou Wei E, were merely Common People, and as members of a Clan, though guilty, their offenses did not rise to grave evil.

Qin Feng looked at the Zhou family, faces ashen and trembling, and said sternly: "I warn you—not to cling to the delusion that Law Does Not Punish the Many."

"Mistakes are mistakes; whoever commits them must pay the corresponding price."

"Changshui County is indeed Di Kingdom territory, but it is now under my military control—and thus temporarily my domain. On every inch of land beneath my feet, Equal Before the Law applies—no one escapes justice."

"The Zhou family was once the leading Clan of Changshui County—you should have united to build a better home, yet you became tools of tyranny, aiding Zhu Zhou Wei E."

"Whether it was Zhou Dasheng's corruption or Old Man Zhou's arrogance, you all secretly aided them."

"You Zhou family not only violated the Martial Law Prohibition but also engaged in public brawls and corruption—each offense alone is enough to destroy your household."

Faced with Qin Feng's piercing gaze and stern tone, the Zhou family was already terrified, not daring to breathe.

In their understanding, once someone in the family became an official, the entire household rose in status—chickens and dogs ascended to heaven.

If an official didn't abuse power for personal gain or embezzle funds, what was the point of being an official?

But they never imagined Qin Feng would uncover corruption at the "lowest level" so quickly, nor that he would personally intervene in such trivial matters—and with such seriousness.

For a moment, the Zhou family felt a chill run down their spines.

Whether recalling the rumors about Qin Feng or watching Ning Hu kick Zhou Dasheng to death, their hair stood on end—they realized this was the stupidest thing they'd ever done in their lives: provoking Qin Feng.

Just as everyone believed death was certain, and faint sobs echoed through the crowd, Qin Feng changed his tone.

"You are utterly infuriating! But considering the Zhou family has many women and children, the Death Penalty is spared—but the punishment remains."

"From now on, all able-bodied Zhou men in Changshui County, regardless of status, shall be enrolled as Logistics Strongmen to assist the Front Line troops; in case of war, you shall transport Military Supplies."

"The dirty work is fine—but the hard labor must include Zhou family members."

"The Common People of this city, regardless of surname, are all equal—why can others work while you Zhou family cannot? There is no such logic!"

Saying this, Qin Feng turned and glanced at Liu Ming.

"The Zhou family's Materials and Supplies shall not be reduced—issue them as usual. Those involved are hateful, but women and children are innocent—you cannot let them starve."

"Lastly, and most importantly: though the Zhou family has erred, no Common Person in the city may, under any pretext, discriminate against or oppress the Zhou family—violators will be punished according to law."

The Zhou family, who had been silent as corpses, suddenly saw their eyes flicker back to life.

They never expected Qin Feng, so furious, would still grant the Zhou family minimal dignity—and his punishments were so reasonable that instead of resentment, they felt profound gratitude.

Whoosh.

All the Zhou family members collapsed to their knees, bowing their heads in thanks.

"Thank you, Lord Qin, for your mercy—you are Changshui County's righteous judge."

"We have learned our lesson today—we will never dare repeat this."

Watching the Zhou family kneel in sincere submission, Qin Feng was satisfied—he had wanted exactly this effect.

The Zhou family numbered over a hundred, and including relatives outside the city, at least three or four hundred people total.

Qin Feng was no autocratic warlord, no bloodthirsty tyrant—he could not arbitrarily implicate the innocent. And if he did not enforce Cutting Grass and Eliminating Roots, he risked planting seeds of hatred in the Zhou family's hearts.

Not to mention distant threats—just the Zhou family within the city would harbor resentment. Though they'd hide it, once they encountered outsiders, they'd eagerly betray Qin Feng, enabling Bandit Collaboration and endangering the entire City.

Even if, hypothetically, the Zhou family never met any outside villains, their passive resistance or behind-the-back slander would still poison Changshui County's morale.

Thus, implementing Kindness and Authority Both Heavy was especially vital.

Those who deserved punishment would not escape; those who didn't would not be touched. This would create a clear "black and white" impression among the Zhou family—should anyone else later cause trouble, the rest of the Zhou family, to protect themselves, would not follow the crowd or aid Zhu Zhou Wei E.

The Wang family, who had initially feared Qin Feng would punish them, now breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Seeing how Qin Feng treated the Zhou family, every Wang family member felt immense relief.

If Qin Feng treated the Zhou family this way, he'd treat others no worse—the Wang family immediately began organizing able-bodied Strong Laborers to report to the County Yamen for punishment.

Everyone knew, deep down, that "punishment" meant nothing but Laborers' work.

And it wasn't unpaid—they'd receive pay.

Previously, due to loyalty concerns, they'd refused to serve Qin Feng, watching other Strong Laborers steadily receive Silver Money and Materials and Supplies, they'd been envious beyond words.

Now, they finally had a legitimate reason to "defect" to Qin Feng.