Xie Jue and Fang Chuning both laughed out of anger. This County Magistrate was not only manipulative in his speech but was outright spouting nonsense. He justified his seizure of the people’s land and refusal to implent reforms with such self-righteousness, using seemingly novel excuses. Although there was so truth to it, it was definitely not a reason for him to exploit the people. Xie Jue’s gaze was as cold as the wind on an ice plain.
Under such intense pressure from Xie Jue, County Magistrate Zhou’s heart pounded wildly as he continued to bow repeatedly, "Spare my life, Prince, spare my life. I realize my mistake and will correct it. Within half a year, I will implent reforms across the entire region of Pingnan County, distribute all the land to the people, and resolve the Beiman issue properly. Please grant another chance, Your Highness."
Even in Pingnan County, County Magistrate Zhou knew the imnse power of Xie Jue, who could directly appoint or remove local officials, execute first and report later. It was said that the current Emperor was more compliant with his brother than with their own father, never opposing his brother’s ideas. Whatever Xie Jue wanted to do, Xie Xun couldn’t stop him. The current Emperor would even go to great lengths to cover up Xie Jue’s scandals, let alone the matter of appointing or removing officials.
"And if you fail?" Xie Jue asked with a cold laugh.
"If I fail, then I will present my head to you!"
Fang Chuning didn’t believe a word from soone like County Magistrate Zhou, who was smooth-tongued. As soon as Xie Jue and he left Pingnan County, the County Magistrate would likely not take it seriously and might even retaliate wildly. People like him, who are opportunistic and betray principles for personal gain, could not be trusted.
County Magistrate Zhou remained kneeling on the ground, not daring to look Xie Jue in the eyes. When he noticed Xie Jue’s silence, he felt a bit relieved. As long as Xie Jue gave in, there was still a chance to turn things around.
He had a sudden idea and lanted, "Prince, since I earned my degree, I have been in Pingnan County for more than ten years. In the beginning, Pingnan County was destitute, with little arable land and mountains everywhere. It was I who led the people daily in reclaiming and cultivating fields and planting crops. During the rampant period of bandits in the twelve prefectures, I risked my life to negotiate with them, ensuring the people of Pingnan County were not harassed by bandits. The current prosperity of Pingnan County required my painstaking efforts, without sleep or rest. Even if I don’t have rits, I have worked hard. Please grant one more chance for my past humble contributions. I will nd my ways and ensure the people’s satisfaction."
County Magistrate Zhou never ntioned his embezzlent, bribery, land seizure, or collusion with bandits, taking lives with no regard. Every word he used was to claim credit, hoping Xie Jue would give him another chance.
Xie Jue pondered, seemingly considering really giving him another chance. County Magistrate Zhou frantically kowtowed, breaking the skin on his forehead. Xie Jue said in a deep voice, "Within half a year, reforms must be implented, the Beiman must be properly settled, and land must be treated equally with the local people. You must cut ties with the bandits, lead the Governnt Officials to eliminate the bandits, and let them return to normal life. The twelve prefectures are now in need of people everywhere, and the people don’t have to beco bandits. Resolve the conflicts between the local people and the Beiman, and... return all the land you’ve seized over the years to the people. All the profits you’ve gained must be evenly distributed to those with reduced land. In half a year, I will co to Pingnan County again. If you fail, for every grievance from the people, I will settle accounts with you, one by one!"
County Magistrate Zhou was overjoyed and kowtowed once again, "Yes, Your Highness, yes, Your Highness. Thank you for your rcy, thank you for your rcy. I will certainly rember and do everything as Your Highness said within half a year, otherwise, Your Highness can deal with as you see fit."
"Scram!"
"Yes, yes... Your Highness and the General must be exhausted from the journey. I will have soone prepare a banquet to welco you and rid you of the dust of travel. I will take my leave now."
County Magistrate Zhou bowed and exited the main hall. Fang Chuning frowned, looking at him disbelievingly, "You’re just going to let him go?"
"Anning, do you truly believe that County Magistrate Zhou is respectful?"
"He seems terrified and extrely respectful. Why?"
Xie Jue smirked silently, then stood up, "Let’s go!"
After County Magistrate Zhou left the main hall, he wiped the blood from his forehead, his ingratiating expression completely wiped away, with no trace of a fawning smile. The steward ca up hurriedly, asking anxiously, "Master, how did it go?"
County Magistrate Zhou dragged him to the end of the corridor, "Go instruct the kitchen to prepare a banquet to welco them and... poison the wine with deadly arsenic and kill them!"
His voice was sinister and venomous. The steward’s legs went weak, nearly collapsing, "Master, you’re... you’re insane? That’s Prince Yan and General Fang we’re talking about. We’ll be executed and our families exterminated!"
"It’s you who will have your family exterminated, not us!"
"Master, what... what do you an?" The steward was in a panic.
"You’ve heard about His Highness’s temper. Once the matters of Pingnan County are known to him, neither of us will survive. If he leaves Pingnan County alive, we will inevitably die in the future. Our entire clan won’t escape. It’s better to do it once and for all and kill them both. Even if there’s an investigation, it was your hand, not mine. Moreover, I can always claim that these two pretended to be His Highness and the General, deserving death. After all, the General has long been dead, and they have nothing to prove their identity. Of course, I will just assu they were impostors. No matter what happens, I can stay out of it." County Magistrate Zhou’s voice sounded particularly calm, as though it was sothing he often did, with no pressure at all, "Rest assured, I will take care of your family. I ensure that your wife, children, and elderly mother will live worry-free for the rest of their lives. But if you refuse to do this, your entire family will die. Think it over!"
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